Upsc Mains Syllabus
Upsc Mains Syllabus
Upsc Mains Syllabus
Paper-II General Studies-I [250 Marks] (Indian Heritage and Culture, History
and Geography of the World and Society)
Paper-V General Studies -IV [250 Marks] (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
PAPER-I - Essay: Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. 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: 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: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and
International relations.
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.