Shankar IAS Academy

About Civil Service

Civil service exam

Overview

Civil Service Examination

Civil service, which is the backbone of Indian governance constitutes all ministries and their departments. The Civil service and Forest service exams are conducted by the UPSC. The prestige, power, charm and responsibility that come along with the top jobs such as the IAS, IFS, IPS, etc., are a definite reason for anyone to choose Civil service and Forest service a career option.

Eligibility

*    Must have attained the age of 21 on 1st August of year of examination.

*    Must not have attained 32 years(35|37 years) on 1st August of year of examination.

Education

*    Any Degree (Recognized by UGC/AICTE)

Age Criteria

General

Minimum Age

21

Maximum Age

32

No of attempts

6

OBC

Minimum Age

21

Maximum Age

35

No of attempts

9

SC & ST

Minimum Age

21

Maximum Age

37

No of attempts

No limits

Exam Schedules

Notification

February / March


Preliminary Examination

May / June


Preliminary Exam Results

July / August


Mains Examinations

September / October


Mains Exam Results

February 1st week / 2nd week


Interview

March - April


Final Results

May


Forest Service Examination

Eligibility

*    Must have attained the age of 21 before 1st on of year of examination.

*    Must not have attained 32 years(35|37 years) on 1st August of year of examination.

Education

*   Bachelor’s Degree with atleast one of the subjects namely Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Geology, Mathematics and Statistics (or)Bachelor Degree in Agriculture, Forestry (or) Engineering (Recognized by UGC/AICTE)

Age Criteria

General

Minimum Age

21

Maximum Age

32

No of attempts

6

OBC

Minimum Age

21

Maximum Age

35

No of attempts

9

SC & ST

Minimum Age

21

Maximum Age

37

No of attempts

No limits

Exam Schedules

Notification

February / March


Preliminary Examination

May / June


Preliminary Exam Results

July / August


Mains Examinations

November / December


Mains Exam Results

January 1st Week / 2nd Week


Interview

January / February


Final Results

February / March


Overview

Civil Service Examination consists of 3 stages as mentioned below:

  • Stage 1

    Preliminary Exam (Objective Type)

  • Stage 2

    Mains Exam (Descriptive Type)

  • Stage 3

    Interview (Oral)

Preliminary Exam (For Civil & Forest Service)

The Preliminary Examination which is common for both Civil services and Forest service is conducted during May or June every year. It consists of two papers - one is held in the forenoon and the other in the afternoon of the same day and both papers consist of a set of multiple choice questions. The forenoon session is General Studies Paper–I where questions are based on general awareness and other topics as mentioned in the syllabus. In afternoon session is CSAT – Paper II where questions based on Quantitative aptitude, Reasoning and Verbal ability as mentioned in syllabus. Candidates should note that there will be a penalty (negative marking) for wrong answers

Information given below are based on UPSC Civil Services Examinations 2018.

General Studies Paper–I

No. of Questions

100

Total Marks

200

Marks for Correct Answer

2

Marks for Incorrect Answer

-0.66

CSAT – Paper II

No. of Questions

80

Total Marks

200

Marks for Correct Answer

2.5

Marks for Incorrect Answer

-0.83

*    For Wrong answers one - third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.

Result

  • Paper I marks is used for the selection of candidates to the mains examination.

  • Paper II marks is qualifying paper with a minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33% (i.e 66 marks).

  • Two set of results are published - one list is for those who qualified for Civil Service Mains Examinations and other list is for those who qualified for Forest Service   Mains Examination.

  • This is only a screening test, marks will not be added in calculating final results.

Mains Examination

Mains Examination syllabus, pattern and schedule is different for Civil Service and Forest Service Examination.

Civil Service Mains Examinations

The candidates who qualify for Civil Service Mains Examination have to choose one optional subject which has two papers.

The mains examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory. The nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers (Paper II to Paper V) will be such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study. The questions will be such as to test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in the Civil Services. The questions are likely to test the candidate’s basic understanding of all relevant issues, ability to analyze and take a view on conflicting socio-economic goals, objectives and demands. The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.

The scope of the syllabus for optional subject papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) for the examination is broadly of the honours degree level i.e. a level higher than the bachelors degree and lower than the masters degree. In the case of Engineering, Medical Science and Law, the level corresponds to the bachelors degree.

In all, the aspirants are to appear in nine papers, details of which are given below:

Subjects

Papers

Marks


Indian Language*

Paper-A

300


English*

Paper-B

300


Essay

Paper-I

250


General Studies 1

Paper-I

250


General Studies 2

Paper-II

250


General Studies 3

Paper-III

250


General Studies 4

Paper-IV

250


Optional Subject

Paper-VI

250


Optional Subject

Paper-VII

250


*    Qualifying Papers - For qualifying, candidates have to secure a minimum of 25% in these papers.

Interview

Interview for Personality test will be conducted in Delhi for candidates who clear the Mains examination. (Maximum mark : 275)

Final Results

Final Result of both Civil Services and Forest Service exam will be based on Mains examination and Interview marks.

Preliminary Examination Syllabus

Paper I - General Studies

  • Current events of national and international importance

  • History of India and the Indian National Movement

  • Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social and Economic Geography of India and the World

  • Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

  • Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.

  • General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization.

  • General Science.

Paper II - CSAT

  • Comprehension

  • Interpersonal skills including communication skills

  • Logical reasoning and Analytical ability

  • Decision-making and Problem-solving

  • General mental ability

  • Decision-making and Problem-solving

  • Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc.(Class X level).

Note 1: The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type.

Note 2: It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in both the Papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore a candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does not appear in both the papers of Civil Services (Prelim).

Note 3: Appearing in any one of the papers on the examination day will be counted as an attempt.

Note 4: If a candidate has applied but not appeared for the examination, it will not be counted as an attempt.

Civil Service Mains Examinations

Paper I

  • Essay : Candidates will be required to write essays on specific topics given in the examination.

  • They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

Paper II - General Studies - I

Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society of India.

  • Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

  • Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities and issues.

  • The Freedom Struggle - its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.

  • Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.

  • History of the world will include events from 18th century such as the industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc. their forms and effect on the society.

  • Salient features of the Indian Society Diversity of India.

  • Role of women and women’s organizations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

  • Effects of globalization on the Indian society. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and secularism.

  • Salient features of world’s physical geography.

  • Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)

  • Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

Paper III - General Studies - II

Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.

  • Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

  • Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

  • Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.

  • Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries

  • Parliament and State Legislatures - structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.

  • Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.

  • Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

  • Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.

  • Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies

  • Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

  • Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders

  • Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

  • Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

  • Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

  • Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.

  • Role of civil services in a democracy.

  • India and its neighborhood-relations.

  • Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

  • Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

  • Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

Paper IV - General Studies - III

Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.

  • Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

  • Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.

  • Government Budgeting.

  • Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; etechnology in the aid of farmers

  • Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security;

  • Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.

  • Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.

  • Land reforms in India.

  • Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

  • Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

  • Investment models.

  • Science and Technology - developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

  • Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

  • Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

  • Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

  • Disaster and disaster management.

  • Linkages between development and spread of extremism.

  • Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.

  • Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of Cyber security; money- laundering and its prevention

  • Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism

  • Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Paper V - General Studies - IV

Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

  • This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered.

Ethics and Human Interface

Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

  • Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.

  • Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non- partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.

  • Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.

  • Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.

  • Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.

  • Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity;

  • Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.

  • Case Studies on above issues.

Paper - VI & Paper VII

Optional Subject : Papers I and II

  • Candidates may choose any optional subject from amongst the list of subjects given in the UPSC Notification.

  • For UPSC notification and optional subject list visit IAS Parliament website (www. iasparliament.com).

GS Preliminary

Upsc notes  Indian Polity

Lakshmikanth

Indian Polity book by Shankar IAS Academy

Upsc notes  Indian History

Standard 11th and 12th Standard NCERT old edition

Upsc notes  India’s struggle for Independence

Spectrum’s "A brief history of Modern India"

Upsc notes  Geography

Standard 6th to 12th NCERT

Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong, Oxford Student Atlas.

Upsc notes  Indian Economy

Indian Economy & General Economics book by Shankar IAS Academy

Economic Survey

Upsc notes  General Science

Standard 9th and 10th Old NCERT

Class Notes

Upsc notes  Environment

Environment Book by Shankar IAS Academy

Upsc notes  India Year Book

Publication Division, Government of India

Upsc notes  Indian Art and Culture

NCERT Books

Art and Culture book by Shankar IAS Academy

Upsc notes  General Trends of Exams

Shankar IAS academy’s Blog

  • The respective NCERT Textbooks have to be mandatory studied.

  • The Corresponding Ministry websites should also be referred to for latest policy updates.

  • For current events read a Daily Newspaper (preferably The Hindu).

GS Mains Examination

Paper I

HISTORY AND CULTURE

Upsc notes  Ancient India / Medieval India / Art and Culture

Old NCERT, Introduction to Fine Art NCERT Ancient & Medieval India book by Shankar IAS Academy

Upsc notes  India’s Struggle for Independence

NCERT

Spectrum’s A brief history of Modern India

Upsc notes  India Since Independence or India After Gandhi

Bipin Chandra or

Ramchandra Guha

Upsc notes  History of the World Contemporary World

World History book by Shankar IAS Academy

Old NCERT (by Arjun Dev)

Upsc notes  Art and Culture Fine arts

Standard 12th NCERT

SOCIETY IN INDIA

Upsc notes  Indian Society

Standard 12th NCERT

Upsc notes  Social Change and Development in India

Standard 12th NCERT

Upsc notes  Indian Society

S.C.Dube / Relevant GOI Website

GEOGRAPHY

Upsc notes  Standard 11th & 12th NCERT

NCERT

Class Notes

Paper II

INDIAN POLITY

Upsc notes  Indian Constitution at Work

Indian Polity by Shankar IAS Academy

Upsc notes  Indian Polity

IAS Parliament Material

GOVERNANCE

Upsc notes  From Government to Governance

Kuldeep Mathur

Upsc notes  2nd ARC Report

Published by Government of India

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Upsc notes  Newspaper

The Hindu

Paper III

ECONOMY

Upsc notes  Economic Survey

Government of India

Upsc notes  Business Line - Newspaper (Editorial)

The Hindu group.

Upsc notes  Indian Economy Since Independence

Uma Kapila

INDIAN AGRICULTURE

Upsc notes  Agriculture Topics

Agriculture Book by Shankar IAS Academy

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Upsc notes  Newspaper

The Hindu

Upsc notes  Science and Technology

Science and Technology Book by IAS academy

Class Notes

ENVIRONMENT

Upsc notes  Newspaper

The Hindu

Environment Book by Shankar IAS Academy

INTERNAL SECURITY ISSUES

Upsc notes  Internal Security

Internal Security Book by Shankar IAS Academy

News Paper Notes

Paper IV

Upsc notes  2nd ARC Reports

Government of India

Upsc notes  From Government to Governance

Kuldeep Mathur

Upsc notes  Shankar IAS Academy Book and Class Notes

FOR REFERENCE PURPOSE ONLY

Upsc notes  Competitive Exams - A Success Guide

V Palanichamy IIS

Upsc notes  Civil Services Exam - A Complete Guide

V Palanichamy IIS

Upsc notes  At the Service of a Billion Plus

Shankar Ganesh Karuppiah

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