General Studies (Mains)

The importance of ‘General Studies’ is uncontroversial in Civil Services Examination. After examining the result of previous few years, we found that the basic reason behind failure in achieving desired success by Hindi medium students has been their disappointing performance in ‘General Studies’. Students have been gaining highly qualitative guidance in Hindi medium in optional subjects (Public Administration, Philosophy, History, Political Science, Geography, Public Administration etc.) but General Studies has a worrying condition.

The key features of the programme offered by tcs academy are as follows:-

  • Regular practice of questions of main examinations of last ten years.
  • Latest course material prepared on the basis of most reliable sources.
  • A complete class programme of more than 500 hours.
  • More than 20 mock tests.
  • Practice of more than 3000 objective questions for preliminary examination.

Segments of General Studies

1 Indian Heritage and Culture भारत की विरासत एवं संस्कृति
2 History of India and World भारत और विश्व का इतिहास
3 Indian Society & Social Problems भारतीय समाज तथा सामाजिक समस्याएँ
4 Geography of India & World भारत और विश्व का भूगोल
5 Governance, Constitution and Polity शासन, संविधान तथा राजव्यवस्था
6 Social Justice & Social Welfare सामाजिक न्याय तथा समाज कल्याण
7 India & world and International Issues & Organisations भारत और विश्व तथा अंतर्राष्ट्रीय मुद्दे और संगठन
8 Economy and Economic Development अर्थव्यवस्था और आर्थिक विकास
9 Science & Technology विज्ञान एवं प्रौद्योगिकी
10 Biodiversity, Environment & Ecology जैव विविधता, पर्यावरण एवं पारिस्थितिकी
11 Disaster Management आपदा प्रबंधन
12 Security (Specially Internal Security) सुरक्षा (विशेषतः आंतरिक सुरक्षा)
13 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude नैतिकता, सत्यनिष्ठा एवं अभिवृत्ति
14 General Science सामान्य विज्ञान

IAS Mains Examination Syllabus

The civil services examination is a nationwide competitive examination in India conducted by UPSC for the recruitment to various government posts. The examination is conducted in two phases–the preliminary examination consisting of two objective-type papers and the main examination, consisting of nine papers followed by a personality test.
Union Public Service Commission  has drastically changed the syllabus of Mains Examination from 2013.
In Civil Services Mains Examination 2013 instead of two optional papers, now student will opt only one optional paper. Weightage of General Study has been increased. Here is the new pattern of Civil Services mains examination:

Paper Marks Subject
Paper 1:Essay 250 Marks Essay
Paper 2:General Studies – 1 250 Mark Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society
Paper 3:General Studies – 2 250 Marks Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations
Paper 4:General Studies – 3 250 Marks Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
Paper 5:General Studies – 4 250 Marks Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
Paper 6:Optional Subject 250 Marks Optional Subject: Paper – 1
Paper 7:Optional Subject 250 Marks Optional Subject: Paper – 2
Paper 8: Qualifying – 1 300 Marks English
Paper 9: Qualifying – 2 300 Marks Hindi or any language in the 8th schedule of the constitution
Sub Total (Written test) 2350 Marks
Marks of English and Language will not be counted so total marks for Written exam will be 2350 MINUS 600 = 1750 Marks
The total marks of the written examination will be 1750 Marks.
Interview/Personality Test – 275 marks
Grand Total 2025 Marks
A candidate is allowed to use any one language from the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution or English as the medium of writing the examination.

Civil Services Mains Exam Syllabus

The written examination will consist of the following papers:
Paper 1 :

Essay – 250 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 2 :
General Studies – 1: 250 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 3:
General Studies – 2 : 250 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 4:
General Studies – 3: 250 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 5:

General Studies – 4: 250 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.

Paper 6:

Optional Subject: Paper 1 – 250 Marks

Paper 7:

Optional Subject: Paper 2 – 250 Marks

Paper 8:

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:-

  • Comprehension of given passages
  • Precis Writing
  • Usage and Vocabulary
  • Short Essay.

Paper 9:
Hindi or any language in the 8th schedule of the constitution:  300 Marks – Qualifying nature – Marks not counted – Passing mandatory

  • Comprehension of given passages.
  • Precis Writing
  • Usage and Vocabulary.
  • Short Essay
  • 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).

Enquiry Now
close slider
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.