Paper - I

1. Microbiology and Plant Pathology: Structure and

reproduction/multiplication of viruses, viroids, bacteria, fungi and
mycoplasma; Applications of microbiology in agriculture, industry,
medicine and in control of soil and water pollution; Prion and Prion
hypothesis. Important crop diseases caused by viruses, bacteria,
mycoplasma, fungi and nematodes; Modes of infection and
dissemination; Molecular basis of infection and disease
resistance/defence; Physiology of parasitism and control measures;
Fungal toxins; Modelling and disease forecasting; Plant quarantine.

2. Cryptogams: Algae, fungi, lichens, bryophytes, pteridophytes -

structure and reproduction from evolutionary viewpoint; Distribution
of Cryptogams in India and their ecological and economic importance.

3. Phanerogams:

Gymnosperms: Concept of Progymnosperms; Classification and

distribution of gymnosperms; Salient features of Cycadales,
Ginkgoales, Coniferales and Gnetales, their structure and
reproduction; General account of Cycadofilicales, Bennettitales and
Cordaitales; Geological time scale; Type of fossils and their study
techniques.

Angiosperms: Systematics, anatomy, embryology, palynology and

phylogeny.

Taxonomic hierarchy; International Code of Botanical Nomenclature;

Numerical taxonomy and chemotaxonomy; Evidence from anatomy,
embryology and palynology.

Origin and evolution of angiosperms; Comparative account of various

systems of classification of angiosperms; Study of angiospermic
families Mangnoliaceae, Ranunculaceae, Brassicaceae, Rosaceae,
Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Apiaceae,
Asclepiadaceae, Verbenaceae, Solanaceae, Rubiaceae, Cucurbitaceae,
Asteraceae, Poaceae, Arecaceae, Liliaceae, Musaceae and Orchidaceae.

Stomata and their types; Glandular and non-glandular trichomes;

Unusual secondary growth; Anatomy of C3 and C4 plants; Xylem and
phloem differentiation; Wood anatomy.

Development of male and female gametophytes, pollination,

fertilization; Endosperm - its development and function; Patterns of
embryo development; Polyembroyony and apomixes; Applications of
palynology; Experimental embryology including pollen storage and
test-tube fertilization.

4. Plant Resource Development: Domestication and introduction of

plants; Origin of cultivated plants; Vavilovs centres of origin;
Plants as sources for food, fodder, fibre, spices, beverages, edible
oils, drugs, narcotics, insecticides, timber, gums, resins and dyes,
latex, cellulose, starch and its products; Perfumery; Importance of
Ethnobotany in Indian context; Energy plantations; Botanical Gardens
and Herbaria.

5. Morphogenesis: Totipotency, polarity, symmetry and

dfferentiation; Cell, tissue, organ and protoplast culture; Somatic
hybrids and Cybrids; Micropropagation; Somaclonal variation and its
applications; Pollen haploids, embryo rescue methods and their
applications.

Paper - II

1. Cell Biology:

Techniques of cell biology; Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells -

structural and ultrastructural details; Structure and function of
extracellular matrix (cell wall), membranes-cell adhesion, membrane
transport and vesicular transport; Structure and function of cell
organelles (chloroplasts, mitochondria, ER, dictyosomes ribosomes,
endosomes, lysosomes, peroxisomes); Cytoskelaton and microtubules;
Nucleus, nucleolus, nuclear pore complex; Chromatin and nucleosome;
Cell signalling and cell receptors; Signal transduction; Mitosis and
meiosis; Molecular basis of cell cycle; Numerical and structural
variations in chromosomes and their significance; Chromatin
organization and packaging of genome; Polytene chromosomes; B-
chromosomes structure, behaviour and significance.

2. Genetics, Molecular Biology and Evolution:

Development of genetics; Gene versus allele concepts

(Pseudoalleles); Quantitative genetics and multiple factors;
Incomplete dominance, polygenic inheritance, multiple alleles;
Linkage and crossing over; Methods of gene mapping, including
molecular maps (idea of mapping function); Sex chromosomes and sex-
linked inheritance, sex determination and molecular basis of sex
differentiation; Mutations (biochemical and molecular basis);
Cytoplasmic inheritance and cytoplasmic genes (including genetics of
male sterility).

Structure and synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins;Genetic code

and regulation of gene expression; Gene silencing; Multigene
families; Organic evolution evidences, mechanism and theories.
Role of RNA in origin and evolution.

3. Plant Breeding, Biotechnology and Biostatistics:

Methods of plant breeding introduction, selection and

hybridization (pedigree, backcross, mass selection, bulk method);
Mutation, polyploidy, male sterility and heterosis breeding; Use of
apomixes in plant breeding; DNA sequencing; Genetic engineering
methods of transfer of genes; Transgenic crops and biosafety
aspects; Development and use of molecular markers in plant breeding;
Tools and techniques - probe, southern blotting, DNA fingerprinting,
PCR and FISH.

Standard deviation and coefficient of variation (CV); Tests of

significance (Z-test, t-test and chi-square test); Probability and
distributions (normal, binomial and Poisson); Correlation and
regression.

4. Physiology and Biochemistry:

Water relations, mineral nutrition and ion transport, mineral

deficiencies; Photosynthesis photochemical reactions;
photophosphorylation and carbon fixation pathways; C3, C4 and CAM
pathways; Mechanism of phloem transport; Respiration (anerobic and
aerobic, including fermentation) electron transport chain and
oxidative phosphorylation; Photorespiration; Chemiosmotic theory and
ATP synthesis; Lipid metabolism; Nitrogen fixation and nitrogen
metabolism; Enzymes, coenzymes; Energy transfer and energy
conservation; Importance of secondary metabolites; Pigments as
photoreceptors (plastidial pigments and phytochrome); Plant
movements; Photoperiodism and flowering, vernalization, senescence;
Growth substances their chemical nature, role and applications in
agri-horticulture; Growth indices, growth movements; Stress
physiology (heat, water, salinity, metal); Fruit and seed
physiology; Dormancy, storage and germination of seed; Fruit
ripening its molecular basis and manipulation.

5. Ecology and Plant Geography:

Concept of ecosystem; Ecological factors; Concepts and dynamics of

community; Plant succession; Concept of biosphere; Ecosystems;
Conservation; Pollution and its control (including
phytoremediation); Plant indicators; Environment (Protection) Act.

Forest types of India - Ecological and economic importance of

forests, afforestation, deforestation and social forestry;
Endangered plants, endemism, IUCN categories, Red Data Books;
Biodiversity and its conservation; Protected Area Network;
Convention on Biological Diversity; Farmers Rights and Intellectual
Property Rights; Concept of Sustainable Development; Biogeochemical
cycles; Global warming and climatic change; Invasive species;
Environmental Impact Assessment; Phytogeographical regions of India.

Civil Services Mains Exam 2014 Syllabus

The written examination will consist of the following papers:

Paper A - Modern Indian language 300 Marks - Qualifying nature -

Marks not counted - Passing mandatory-

(i) Comprehension of given passages.

(ii) Precis Writing

(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.

(iv) Short Essay

(v) Translation from English to the Indian language and vice-versa.

Note 1: The Papers on Indian Languages and English will be of

Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying
nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted
for ranking.

Note 2 : The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian
Languages papers in English and the respective Indian language
(except where translation is involved).

Paper B - English -300 marks - Qualifying nature - Marks not

counted- Passing mandatory

The aim of the paper is to test the candidates' ability to read and
understand serious discursive prose, and to express his ideas
clearly and correctly, in English and Indian Language concerned.

The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:-

(i) Comprehension of given passages

(ii) Precis Writing

(iii) Usage and Vocabulary

(iv) Short Essay.

Paper-I

Essay - 200 Marks - To be written in the medium or language of the

candidate's choice - Candidates will be required to write an essay
on a specific topic. The choice of subjects will be given. They will
be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange
their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will
be given for effective and exact expression.

Paper-II

General Studies-I 300 Marks (Indian Heritage and Culture, History

and Geography of the World and Society)

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, 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
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 Indian Society, Diversity of India.

Role of women and women's organization, population and associated

issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their
problems and their remedies.

Effects of globalization on Indian society

Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

Salient features of world's physical geography.

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)

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: 300 Marks (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 300 Marks (Technology, Economic Development,

Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)

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; e-technology 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 300 Marks (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 utilise 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.