Prelims

Objective (MCQ), screening only

GS Paper I (counts), CSAT Paper II (qualifying, 33%)

Mains

Descriptive/written

9 papers (2 qualifying + 7 counted)

Interview

Personality Test

275 marks

Current events of national and international importance

Major news of the past 12–18 months: government schemes, summits, reports/indices (e.g., Human Development Report), awards, appointments, international organisations' actions.

History of India and Indian National Movement

Ancient India (Indus Valley, Vedic age, Mauryas, Guptas), Medieval India (Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, regional kingdoms), Modern India (British conquest, 1857 revolt, socio-religious reform movements, freedom struggle 1885–1947: INC, Gandhi, revolutionary movements, Quit India, Partition).

Indian and World Geography — Physical, Social, Economic

Physical geography (landforms, climate, ocean currents, monsoons), Indian geography (rivers, soils, natural vegetation, mineral/energy resources, agriculture patterns, industries), World geography (major physical features, resource distribution), map-based questions.

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

Making and features of the Constitution, Fundamental Rights/Duties, DPSP, Union & State executive/legislature/judiciary, Centre-State relations, constitutional bodies (Election Commission, CAG, UPSC, Finance Commission), Panchayati Raj (73rd/74th Amendments), governance mechanisms, RTI, e-governance.

Economic and Social Development — Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives

Basic economic concepts (GDP, inflation, fiscal/monetary policy), Five-Year Plans/NITI Aayog, banking & financial system, poverty & unemployment, social welfare schemes (health, education, food security), demographic trends, sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change (general, non-specialist)

Ecosystems and their functioning, biodiversity hotspots, conservation efforts, protected area network, climate change science, international climate agreements (Paris Agreement, UNFCCC, COP), pollution, environmental legislation in India.

General Science

Basic concepts across Physics, Chemistry, Biology at a level a well-informed non-specialist would know — everyday applications, scientific principles behind news events, health/nutrition/disease basics.

Comprehension

Reading passages and answering questions based on them

Interpersonal skills including communication

Situational judgement type questions

Logical reasoning and analytical ability

Syllogisms, puzzles, arrangements, blood relations, coding-decoding, seating arrangements

Decision-making and problem-solving

Case-based situational questions (these are NOT negatively marked)

General mental ability

Number series, analogies, classification

Basic numeracy (Class X level) — numbers, magnitude, relationships

Arithmetic — percentages, ratio, time-speed-distance, profit-loss

Data interpretation (Class X level) — charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency

Reading and analysing tables/graphs/charts, data sufficiency questions

Paper A

Indian Language (from the 8th Schedule, or as notified)

300

No — Qualifying (need 25%)

Paper B

English

300

No — Qualifying (need 25%)

Paper I

Essay

250

Yes

Paper II

General Studies I

250

Yes

Paper III

General Studies II

250

Yes

Paper IV

General Studies III

250

Yes

Paper V

General Studies IV

250

Yes

Paper VI

Optional Subject Paper 1

250

Yes

Paper VII

Optional Subject Paper 2

250

Yes

Total (counted)

1750

Interview/Personality Test

275

Yes

Grand Total

2025

Paper A — Indian Language

Comprehension, precis writing, usage/vocabulary, short essays, translation from English to the Indian language and vice versa. Candidates from certain hill/border states may be exempted.

Paper B — English

Same format as above but in English — comprehension, precis writing, usage/vocabulary, short essays, and translation.

Indian culture — salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times

Classical dance forms, music, painting, sculpture, temple architecture, literature across periods, UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present — significant events, personalities, issues

Decline of Mughals, European colonisation, British policies, socio-economic impact of colonial rule, key personalities and their contributions.

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

Revolt of 1857, formation of INC, Moderates vs Extremists, partition of Bengal, Gandhian era (Non-cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India), revolutionary movements, contribution of regional/marginalised leaders.

Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country

Integration of princely states, linguistic reorganisation of states, key post-1947 nation-building challenges.

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

French Revolution, American Revolution, Industrial Revolution, World War I & II causes/consequences, decolonisation of Asia/Africa, Cold War, rise/fall of ideologies.

Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India

Caste, family, marriage, regional diversity, social institutions, unity in diversity.

Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization — problems and remedies

Women's empowerment issues, demographic transition, urban planning challenges, poverty alleviation approaches.

Effects of globalization on Indian society

Cultural, economic, social changes from liberalisation and global integration.

Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism

Social justice mechanisms, communal harmony challenges, federal/regional identity issues, secular fabric of the Constitution.

Salient features of world's physical geography

Landforms, plate tectonics, climatic zones, ocean currents, atmospheric circulation.

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

Mineral/energy resource geography, industrial location theory, agro-climatic zones.

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

Causes and mechanisms of natural hazards, climate-linked ecological changes.

Indian Constitution — historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

Constituent Assembly, sources of the Constitution, Preamble, basic structure doctrine, key amendments.

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

Centre-State relations, 7th Schedule, cooperative/competitive federalism, fiscal federalism, GST Council.

Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions

Checks and balances, judicial review, tribunals, ADR mechanisms.

Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries

Parliamentary vs presidential systems, borrowed features from other constitutions.

Parliament and State legislatures — structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these

Bicameralism, legislative procedure, privileges, anti-defection law, parliamentary committees.

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

Council of Ministers, judicial hierarchy, collegium system, civil society/interest groups.

Salient features of the Representation of People's Act

Election laws, disqualifications, electoral reforms, model code of conduct.

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

President, Governor, CAG, Election Commission, Finance Commission, UPSC, etc.

Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies

NHRC, CCI, SEBI, TRAI, NGT, and similar regulatory institutions.

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

Sectoral schemes (health, education, agriculture, industry) and implementation challenges.

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

Civil society's role in development, SHG movement, CSR, donor-funded programmes.

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

Schemes/laws for SC/ST/OBC/minorities/women/children/elderly/disabled; commissions for their protection.

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

Health/education policy, HRD challenges, skilling.

Issues relating to poverty and hunger

Poverty measurement, hunger indices, food security architecture.

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

RTI, e-governance initiatives, citizen charters, accountability mechanisms.

Role of civil services in a democracy

Neutrality, integrity, and functioning of bureaucracy.

India and its neighborhood relations

Bilateral relations with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan.

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

SAARC, BIMSTEC, QUAD, BRICS, G20, ASEAN, trade agreements.

Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora

Impact of major powers' policies, NRI/diaspora issues.

Important International institutions, agencies and fora — their structure, mandate

UN and its bodies, WTO, IMF, World Bank, and other multilateral institutions.

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

Macroeconomic indicators, planning history, resource mobilisation, employment trends.

Inclusive growth and issues arising from it

Equity in growth, financial inclusion, regional disparities.

Government Budgeting

Budget process, fiscal deficit, revenue/capital expenditure, FRBM Act.

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; e-technology in the aid of farmers

Agricultural geography, MSP, agri-marketing reforms, farm-tech.

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

Subsidy regime, PDS/food security law, buffer stock policy, allied agri sectors.

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

Food processing sector policy and infrastructure.

Land reforms in India

History and status of land reform measures.

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

Post-1991 reforms, industrial policy evolution.

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

Infrastructure sectors, financing models (PPP), current initiatives.

Investment models

PPP, FDI policy, investment facilitation.

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

S&T policy, ISRO/DRDO achievements, Make in India tech angle.

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

Emerging tech domains and IPR framework.

Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

EIA process, pollution control laws, conservation strategy.

Disaster and disaster management

Disaster management cycle, NDMA framework, mitigation strategies.

Linkages between development and spread of extremism

Left-wing extremism, socio-economic roots of insurgency.

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

Cross-border terrorism, proxy war, non-state actor threats.

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

Cyber security fundamentals, social media's security dimension, AML framework.

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

Border security architecture, crime-terror nexus.

Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate

CAPFs, intelligence agencies, their roles.

Ethics and Human Interface — Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships

Foundational theory of ethics as applied to personal and professional life.

Human Values — lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values

Value formation and its institutional sources.

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

Psychology of attitudes as relevant to a public servant's conduct.

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

Core competencies expected of a civil servant.

Emotional intelligence — concepts and their utility and application in administration and governance

Self-awareness, empathy, and their administrative relevance.

Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world

Major ethical thought — Indian (Gandhi, Vivekananda etc.) and Western (Kant, Mill, Aristotle etc.) philosophers.

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

Institutional ethics frameworks and dilemmas in 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

Anti-corruption architecture and governance probity tools.

Case Studies on above issues

Applied ethics — scenario-based questions testing decision-making on ethical dilemmas.

Humanities/Social Sciences

Public Administration, Sociology, Political Science & International Relations, Geography, History, Psychology, Anthropology, Philosophy, Economics

Sciences/Engineering

Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, Botany, Geology, Statistics, Civil/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Medical Science

Commerce/Law/Management

Commerce & Accountancy, Law, Management, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science

Literature

Literature of any one of 22 languages (e.g., Hindi, English, Urdu, Tamil, Bengali literature, etc.)

1

Agriculture

2

Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science

3

Anthropology

4

Botany

5

Chemistry

6

Civil Engineering

7

Commerce and Accountancy

8

Economics

9

Electrical Engineering

10

Geography

11

Geology

12

History

13

Law

14

Management

15

Mathematics

16

Mechanical Engineering

17

Medical Science

18

Philosophy

19

Physics

20

Political Science and International Relations

21

Psychology

22

Public Administration

23

Sociology

24

Statistics

25

Zoology

1

Assamese

2

Bengali

3

Bodo

4

Dogri

5

Gujarati

6

Hindi

7

Kannada

8

Kashmiri

9

Konkani

10

Maithili

11

Malayalam

12

Manipuri

13

Marathi

14

Nepali

15

Odia

16

Punjabi

17

Sanskrit

18

Santhali

19

Sindhi

20

Tamil

21

Telugu

22

Urdu

23

English

Prelims GS-I

200

Qualifying (merit-listing for Mains only)

Prelims CSAT

200

Qualifying (33% needed)

Mains Paper A (Language)

300

Qualifying (25% needed)

Mains Paper B (English)

300

Qualifying (25% needed)

Mains Essay

250

Counted

Mains GS I–IV

1000

Counted

Mains Optional (2 papers)

500

Counted

Interview

275

Counted

Total for Final Merit

2025