Main Examination

The main 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.

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
. 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 womens organization, population and associated issues, poverty
and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
. Effects of Globalizationon Indian society
. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
. Salient features of worlds 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 waterbodies and ice-caps) and in
flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

How To Prepare UPSC Civil Services Mains Paper-II (GS-1)
Before you start reading further, please remember the following importantmantra given by the Almighty UPSC:
The questions are likely to test the candidates basic understanding of all relevant issues, and ability to analyze,
and take a view on conflicting socio economic goals, objectives and demands. The candidates must give
relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.
This sentence is the guiding light for your preparation. You dont have to master the topics, all you need is BASIC
UNDERSTANDING and the ability to analyze.
Basic understanding comes from reading and re-reading. Ability to analyze what you have understood from reading
comes from WRITING PRACTICE.

STRATEGY
TOPIC-1
Indian Culture will cover the salient aspects of Art forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
In this topic, the sub-topics are - Art forms, Literature, Architecture from ancient to modern times. Before
jumping into Big Books, first go through these beautiful books by NCERT to get a glimpse of the sub-topics
they are
1. NCERT Class VI History Our Past
2. NCERT Class VII Our Past -I
3. NCERT Class VIII Our Past II and III
4. NCERT Class XII Themes In Indian History I
5. NCERT Class-XII Themes in Indian History II
6. NCERT Class XII Themes In Indian History III
Hold on. Four books for one topic? No. You have to read only a few chapters from each book that are related to
Sub-Topics. For ex, you have to read only Chapters 2 and 3 from Class-XII -Themes In Indian History-II book.
Apart from these you should have a reference book for getting more information:
1. Facets of Indian Culture or
2. Indian Art and Culture
3. Download Free Material Complete Set
4. Graphic Book On Indian Art and Culture Free Download
TOPIC-2
Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events,
personalities, issues
Read this book: Comprehensive History Of Modern India Spectrum (It covers topics from the Advent of British to
Indias Independence so covers this part of the syllabus completely.

TOPIC-3
[The Freedom Struggle its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the
country.]

TOPIC 4
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
For this you need to study Chapter 6 to 12 of India Since Independence Bipan Chandra
0r Chapters 8 to 14 from India After Gandhi: The History Of The Worlds Largest Democracy (above mentioned
chapters cover completely this part of the syllabus)

TOPIC-5
[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.]
Best alternative is a book by Arjun Dev - History of the World from the Late Nineteenth to the Early Twenty First
Century

TOPIC-6
[Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.]
About salient features of Indian Society dont look anywhere else Just read this NCERT Indian Society Class
12 (Complete book without watermarks)

TOPIC-7
[Role of women and womens organization, population and associated issues,poverty and developmental
issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.]
For India specific women related issues download this beautiful report (PLATFORM FOR ACTION-REPORT ON
INDIAN WOMEN -DOWNLOAD FROM HERE) where you can find everything you want to learn about
Womens issues.
Other sub-topics are general in nature and can be found in Magazines and Newspapers. If one is thorough with
current events questions on these sub-topics can be answered very well by consolidating their knowledge.
TOPIC-8
[Effects of Globalization on Indian society]
This is also general in nature. If you have a basic understanding of Indian Society and Globalization, their mutual
relation can be elucidated with ease. Here is a good article from a Marxist politician about the topic. (UPSC people
love the slightly leftist version of everything)
To know more about effect of Globalization on Indian Society, you need to know better about Indian Society. This
book is a must have for broad understanding of the Indian Society.
Indian Society Ram Ahuja
Social Problems in India Ram Ahuja
If you want to learn the impact of Globalization on Indian Economy, here is a book. (Purely optional)


TOPIC-9
[Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.]
This is again generic. But you must know the basic concept of communalism, regionalism and secularism.
Wikipedia comes handy here.
BASICS:
Regionalism In India (You must read this)
Communalism (You must read this too)

TOPIC-10
[Salient features of worlds physical geography. To cover this part two books are necessary:
1. Certificate Physical and Human Geography 1st Edition
2. NCERT Class-XI - Fundamentals of Physical Geography

TOPIC-11
[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)]
1) NCERT Class XII Human Geography
2) NCERT Class-XII India-People and Economy
3) For reference:Geography of India 4 Edition

TOPIC-12
[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.]

This topic on critical changes in geographical features is broadly related to climate change and other anthropogenic
factors(such as depletion of resources, dumping of wastes etc). Geographical features like rainforests, ice caps,
rivers, corals, cyclones all get affected by climate change. Anthropogenic factors are involved in increasing
desertification, vanishing forests, biodiversity, pollution of rivers and lakes, etc.
Your focus should be on such changes. Question may be on how monsoon is affected by global climate change? or
how a cyclone is affected by global warming? What effect has the melting ice cap on the biodiversity in the polar
regions? etc

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 Peoples 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 Indias interests
. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on Indias interests, Indian diaspora.
. Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
How To Prepare UPSC Civil Services Mains Paper-III (GS-2)
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.
Before you start preparing for this paper, please read following NCERT texts, which might take 2-3 days of your
time.
1. NCERT Class XI India Constitution At Work
2. NCERT Class XII Political Science II
3. NCERT Class X Democratic Politics
TOPIC-1
Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic
structure.
This part is very useful both for Prelims and Mains. Best book to study this section is D.D. Basus Introduction To
The Constitution Of India First 5 chapters in this book exclusively deal with this part of the syllabus.
For Basic Structure, These two articles might help you.
1) Basic Structure of the constitution revisited - The Hindu (PDF)
2) The Basic Structure of the constitution (PDF)
TOPIC-2
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.
One good source to get the critical perspective about these topics is Report of the 2nd Administrative Reforms
Commission, named - Organizational Structure Of Government of India (13th Report)
For devolution of finances to local bodies, Read This.. (Dont look anywhere else)
For the concept part read - Laxmikants Indian Polity. Buy the new updated 4th edition. (Chapters 12, 13 14 and
30).
But Mains demands not only basic understanding of these topics, but your critical and analytic abilities to answer
questions on these topics. So, try to relate these concepts to current event topics and write small articles. ARC
reports will help you in this regard.
Eg. Though devolution of funds, functionaries and functions is taking place in the local governments, development
is still a mirage in many parts of India. Critically analyze. (you can frame many questions like this)

TOPIC-3
Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
BASICS: Public Grievances and Redressal Mechanism
This topic is a dynamic portion we read lot about conflict between the Judiciary and the Executive to answer
dynamic topics, one should first understand the constitutional provisions, redressal measures with the constitution,
checks and balances provided in the constitution etc.
ARC reports come to the rescue again. 7th report of 2nd ARC namedCapacity Building for Conflict Resolution talks
elaborately on various issues such as Left Wing Extremism, Regional Disparities, Land and Water related issues, SC
and ST issues, Religious conflicts and North East conflicts which involve numerous institutions in the conflict
management and resolution.
Later, scan current events and find any latest instances of conflict between any constitutional bodies, or between a
constitutional body and statutory body.
TOPIC-4
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
A book by S. Chand Select Constitutions of the world is famous among Law students. This covers this topic
comprehensively. One should be careful to not to study this topic in depth.
In case you can afford to buy costly book - D.D. Basus Classic on the Indian Constitution Shorter Constitution Of
India not only covers all above topics, it also covers the present topic.
Few links that might help:
Constitutions around the world
Evolution of Indian Constitution (It is compared with other constitutions you have to search in between)
Difference between US and EU constitutions.
Try to know some basics about the New Constitutions/reforms being framed/brought out in Nepal, Bhutan,
Myanmar and Pakistan.
(Again, emphasis should be on relating all these topics to the current events)
TOPIC-5
Parliament and State Legislatures structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues
arising out of these.
To cover this topic, one stop source is Subhash Kashyps Our Parliament. (Why this book? Because it is written by
someone who worked inside the Parliament for most of his career, and this book gives a detailed idea about the
functioning of our Parliament as the above topic suggests, you should be familiar with all aspects of our
Parliament. This books is cheap, and is highly readable with lot of insights)
TOPIC-6
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.
BASICS:
Union Executive
Parliament of India
Supreme Court of India
Executive in the States
State Legislature
High Courts and Subordinate Courts
Local Government:Urban and Rural
Pressure Groups
Again, Laxmikant is enough for this topic. Regarding pressure groups/ informal associations recent activism
shown by Civil society, conflict with the government and other such topics should be studied in depth.
TOPIC-7
Salient features of the Representation of Peoples Act.
First read this beautiful article by Yogendra Yadav. (PDF)
This topic has generated more heat in the past and present eg, office of profit bill, anti-defection bill, electoral
reforms bill etc.
This topic should be
Recent supreme court ruling disqualifying MPs and MLAs with criminal background, and current topics like this
should be studied carefully.
TOPIC-8 and 9
Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
. Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
Read Laxmikant for this part. Part VII,VIII and IX of this book completely covers these topics.
This part of the syllabus has given rise to some contentious issues such as political interference in the appointment
to various constitutional posts and statutory bodies. Eg EC, CBI, CVC, CAG, SC, Governors, Lokayukta, Lokpal (if it
comes into existence) etc. So, read this topic keeping in mind these above issues.


TOPIC-10
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and
implementation.
This part is covered well in the same book I mentioned above: Public Institutions in India Performance and
Design
Also, refer Economic Survey for government policies and PIB site regularly.
TOPIC-11
Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations,
donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders
[Please note the phrase "Development Industry" - it refers to aid industry developed around NGOs, UN bodies,
Charities etc and their role in the development process.]
Planning commission has various articles on these topics.
This report gives critical account of success and failure of SHGs in India. (just read the summary, conclusion and
recommendations NEVER read full report)
Article on NGO their evolution and role.

TOPIC-12
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.
Note the word STATE schemes by the states are also important.
Focus on the schemes being implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child welfare, Ministry of Social
Justice, Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Tribal affairs.
List Of Government Schemes India Wikipedia link.
List of All state and central scheme Govt. of India Website (here you can filter queries by the ministry- it is not
easy though, govt site you know..)
One more option is visit this link on my site to go to the site of any Ministry and find schemes there.

TOPICS 12 and 13
Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human
Resources.
. Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
We read lot about this these days: Food security bill, PDS reform, Poverty reduction schemes, Poverty-line
controversy, Malnutrition figures, report onmalnutrition(remember HungMa report?) etc.

TOPIC-13
Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes,
limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures
This introductory article on 2nd ARC site and 2nd ARC report on Promoting e-Governance: The SMART Way
Forward will be very useful to cover this topic.
E-governance Concept and Significance (IGNOU)

TOPIC-14
Role of civil services in a democracy
Again, 2nd ARC report (10th report) Refurbishing of Personnel Administration has whole chapter (ch-4) on this
topic.
International Relations
TOPIC-15
India and its neighborhood- relations.
Two sources for this topic:
1. India and its neighbours MEA Website
India Afghanistan
India Pakistan
India Nepal
India Bhutan
India Bangladesh
India Sri lanka
India Maldives
India China
India Myanmar
2. For critical analysis This Book by Rajiv Sikri Challenge and Strategy Rethinking Indias Foreign Policy is
must for reading this part of the syllabus.
TOPIC 16
Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting Indias interests
For Indias relations with the other countries, click here. (read only important counries USA, UK, EU, SA, Brazil,
Japan, Russia, Australia etc)
Ministry of External Affairs has briefs on all bilateral relations of India with regional and global groupings:
Andean Community (CAN) February 2013
ASEAN Regional Forum August 2012
Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) May 2013
BRICS April 2013
Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) January 2013
Central American Integration System (SICA) February 2013
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) August 2012
Commonwealth August 2011
Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) August 2012 eraction and Confidence Building
Measures in Asia (CICA) August 2012
East African Community April 2011
East Asia Summit January 2013
G-20 August 2012
Gulf Cooperation Council February 2013
India-African Union Relations
India-ASEAN Relations April 2013
India-EU Relations July 2013
Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IORARC) March 2013
India-United Nations Relations, January, 2013
Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) May 2013
Pan African e-Network Project January 2013
Southern African Development Community Cooperation April 2012

TOPIC-18
Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on Indias interests, Indian diaspora
This is a dynamic part effects of globalization, WTO policies, domestic policies of developed countries and their
effect on other countries (lot of examples from USA, UK can be given visa row, war on terrorism, immigration
policies, economic policies etc)
Indian diaspora their contribution to India, Indias contribution to them, Their contribution to the world etc. Their
problems in the residing countries, their rights in India constitutional/statutory provisions if any, their
participation in track two diplomacy, their role in Indian economy etc etc.
Newspaper is the best source I guess. For more info, visit the official site.
TOPIC- 19
Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
UNO and its various bodies, agencies must be studied with respect to their structure, role, relevance and reforms.
UN reforms is the hot topic.
International Organizations (no UN bodies) such as APEC, ADB, ASEAN, OECD, NATO should be studied.
For links to all these organizations: click here.
Finally, for some articles from Yojana magazines (2013) that are related to many topics from this Paper, click
here.























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; 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
STRATEGY
GS-3 broadly covers -
Technology,
Economic Development,
Bio diversity,
Environment,
Security and
Disaster Management.
TOPIC-1
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
This is a very broad area and includes both static and dynamic part. Before going for big books, it is compulsory to
read following NCERT textbooks (download full textbooks -PDF without watermark)
1. NCERT Class X Understaning Economic Development
2. NCERT Class XI Indian Economic Development
3. NCERT Class XII Macroeconomics (chapters 2,5 and 6 are very important)
4. ET in The Classroom (This is important in getting acquainted with basics of dynamic part of Economics It
is an excellent source. I have archived previous articles Here.)
Three books above will make your concepts very clear. After understanding your concepts, you have to read the
above topics by relating them to the current events. For this reading one Business newspaper helps a lot. Business
standard is the best (if you are comfortable with ET or FE, it is fine. But do try BS once)
More questions from Economics can be expected in this paper henceforth. To be ready for any questions that UPSC
might ask, it is good to read a standard book on these topics.
TOPIC-2
Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
We had 11th Five year plan which exhorted the Inclusive Growth mantra and then 12th Fiver year document,
going a step further aiming for a Faster, More Inclusive and Sustainable Growth.
These two documents are good to understand issues related to inclusive growth, approach of the government and
achievements in the 11th plan period. However, to get conceptual clarity, reading one or two articles from the
following document would help you immensely.
Conceptualizing Inclusive Growth
For a thorough review of Inclusive Growth strategy in India read this article:
Inclusive Growth in India Past Performance and Future Prospects
TOPIC 3
Government Budgeting
It is nothing but knowing about what is a budget and how it is passed in the parliament and then how it is
implemented.
These documents should help you understand these:
First Basics -GOVERNMENT BUDGETING
NCERT Class XII Macroeconomics (Chapter 5)
The Budgetary Process
2013-14 Budget Highlights
TOPIC-4
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
Understanding concepts is important here too. NCERT comes to the aid here;
NCERT Resources and Development (a quick reading of this book will also help in understanding many
other topics in this paper)
For cropping pattern read this, only this document:
Cropping Pattern in India (give stress to understanding the concept in it, no need to read entire paper)
For irrigation methods, irrigation systems and Irrigation in India,
Irrigation Methods
Types of Dams (storage structures)
Irrigation types (Government Source)
For agriculture marketing, storage and reforms in these areas, one should resort to State of India Agriculture
report and Economic Survey.
Agriculture Marketing Reforms
Agricultural Prices and Markets State of India Agriculture Report
E-technology for the aid of Farmers
E-technology in the aid of farmers
TOPIC 5
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
This is the most important topic in this paper all sub-topics are dynamic in nature and 1-2 questions will be
directly asked from these. This topic encompasses the broad area of Food Security, which is a hot topic these days.
Apart of getting conceptual clarity on these topics, aspirants also have to develop critical perspective on these sub-
topics. I will provide links to important articles that have come in The Hindu, Business Standard and Business Line.
First, Minimum Support Price and Farm Subsidies:
Agriculture Price Policy and MSP
News Articles (to develop opinion)
Farms need a free market -BusinessLine
How to fix agricultural pricing mess Business Standard
Indias food conundrum The Hindu
Regarding Public Distribution System, it is a vast area, so careful study of less materials is needed.
Public Distribution System IGNOU Notes 1
Public Distribution System and Food Security IGNOU Notes 2
News Articles;
Food Security Bill The devil is in the detail The Hindu
The shaky geopolitics of Indias food security The Hindu
For basics of Food Security - NCERT source Class IX Economics
Now, technology missions! Government of India is fond of launching these technology missions for various crops to
boost their production, area coverage and make their production profitable. This is a boring topic and I dont think
UPSC will ask any question on this (it is completely factual)
I will provide links to few such Technology Missions;
Technology Mission on Cotton
Technology Mission on Jute
Technology Mission on Horticulture
Technology Mission on Sugar
New Missions under 12th plan
(You need to know only what these missions were meant for and whats their progress so far)
Economics of Animal Breeding! This has come from nowhere. Study it here
You can have a look at this report of Planning Commission (only 3 pages)

Role of livestock in Indian Economy
TOPIC 6
Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream
requirements, supply chain management.
Food processing is a sunrise industry and lately there has been a lot of thrust from the government on this
industry.
PIB article on this industry
Food processing ministry schemes
In the 12th Plan
Articles:
Economic Times
The Hindu Businessline - Untapped Potential
The Hindu Businessline Key Challenges
TOPIC 7
Land reforms in India
This is a hot favourite topic for UPSC and luckily you get plenty of material to read on this topic. That is the
problem. In this exam, sticking to one source is the secret of success (of course, not for all topics)
For this topic read from following two sources (IGNOU):
Land reforms 1
Land Reforms 2
TOPIC 8
Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth
You can read these topics from the above mentioned book by Ramesh Singh. It is explained very well.
Indian Economy for Civil Services Examinations - Ramesh Singh(Chapters 6 and 10, 4th edition the above
link is for latest 5th edition)
TOPIC-9
Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc
Just two sources; one, India 2013 and Economic Survey
India 2013 (chapters on Energy and Transport)
Economic Survey Chapter 11 Energy, Infrastructure and Communications
Latest Energy stats Very Good Report
TOPIC 10
Investment models
This is a puzzling topic. Because it is given along with Infrastructure related topics, I assume it to be related to
investment models applied to the same field. If not, one can enumerate so many investment models just for
financial sector alone!
For example, within PPP model, there are various modalities are involved (see below)
Table 1: Schemes and Modalities of PPP
Schemes Modalities
Build-own-operate (BOO)
Build-develop-operate (BDO)
Design-construct-manage-finance (DCMF)
The private sector designs, builds, owns, develops, operates
and manages an asset with no obligation to transfer
ownership to the government. These are variants of design-
build-finance-operate (DBFO) schemes.
Buy-build-operate (BBO)
Lease-develop-operate (LDO)
Wrap-around addition (WAA)
The private sector buys or leases an existing asset from the
Government, renovates, modernises, and/ or expands it, and
then operates the asset, again with no obligation to transfer
ownership back to the Government.
Build-operate-transfer (BOT)
Build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) Build-
rent-own-transfer (BROT)
Build-lease-operate-transfer (BLOT) Build-
transfer-operate (BTO)
The private sector designs and builds an asset, operates it,
and then transfers it to the Government when the operating
contract ends, or at some other pre-specified time. The
private partner may subsequently rent or lease the asset
from the Government.
Source: Public Private Partnership, Fiscal Affairs Department of the IMF.
These two sources might help:
Infrastructure Investments Planning Commission
Public-Private Partnership in Indian Infrastructure Development: Issues and Options RBI
SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY
TOPIC -11
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
There are many sources for these topics:
First, for non science grads, a reading of NCERT Class VI to X Science Texts is advised. This will clear many
concepts for you and will enable you to understand other topics in the syllabus.
Second, earlier, toppers used to recommend a book by Spectrum publications,
Developments in Science and Technology
The problem with this book is its vastness they have simply dumped every topic in detail like paranoid. For
students with science background this book is advised, they have released 2013 edition - you have to study it
selectively. Very selectively. This book has all the topics that are included in the syllabus and that are not included
also.
If one goes through previous question papers, one can observe that UPSC has always asked questions on S&T from
within the syllabus. For example, there will be a question on biotechnology, space, robotics, nanotechnology and
computers they might be from latest developments in the respective fields, but all are from the syllabus.
Third source is The Hindu and Frontline. Every Thursday, The Hindu carries a separate page on S&T if one is
regular with this page and have the collection of cuttings, this will help in 5 mark and 2 mark questions asked from
current event section.
Fourth source is Wikipedia and New Scientist sites. From this site, read articles
on Nanotechnology, Robotics, IPR etc.
Under IPR, you may have to read about Novartis case, so The Hindu article is here. Also TRIPS is important.
For Indias achievements in the field of S&T, you must read India 2013 Year Book (chapters on Defence and
Scientific and technological developments)
TOPIC-12
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
BASICS:
Environment and Pollution
Atmosphere Oxygen and Pollution (Technical)
This particular topic encompasses topics such as biodiversity and climate change, forest and wildlife conservation,
river conservation, pollution in cities, waste management, pollution from human activities, marine pollution etc so
it is a vast area.
This has to be read with respect to India and the world.
First choice should be The Hindu Environmental Survey 2012 (they may release 2013 survey now).
Sources from the ministry of environment(look at the left side for related links when you land on the page):
Annual Report of the Environment Ministry 2012-13 (for chapters on conservation, EIA and forests etc) - Click
Here.
Complete info on Conservation. click here.
Complete details on - Environmental Impact Assessment, FAQs on EIA
Current events on EIA The Hindu article
TOPIC 13
Disaster and disaster management
This is again a current event and a dynamic portion.
Download special edition of Yojana on Disaster Management.
A report on Disaster Management. (read selectively). You will find everything in it you ever wanted to know about
the topic!
SECURITY ISSUES
TOPIC-14
. 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
Internal Security - Internal Security Challenges
Cyber Security National Cyber Security Policy 2013 assessment
Money Laundering -
Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA)
What is Money Laundering Basics
FATF on Money Laundering

TOPIC-15
Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
This topic is completely factual. You can read it on Wikipedia.
Indian Armed Forces
Indian Paramilitary Services
Agencies




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 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 weakersections.
. 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, Citizens
Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
. Case Studies on above issues.
How To Prepare UPSC Civil Services Mains Paper V (GS 4 Ethics, Aptitude and Integrity))
Ethics and Human Interface
Lets start with basics:
Ethics A Very Basic Introduction - BBC Guide to Ethics
Introduction to Ethics
Essence, determinants and Consequences of Ethics in human actions
What is Ethics? Cambridge University
Source- Authentic and Good one (read this completely to get conceptual clarity)
Dimensions of ethics
Read Chapters One and Two from this book
Ethics in private and public relationships.
Ethics in private relationships - Read chapter 3 in the link. Its in Google Books and the chapter has all pages. It is
very good with lots of case studies. If any IT guy can extract pages and covert them to PDF, please send me a
copy.
Ethics in Private Relationship- Good one
Ethics in Public Relations
Human Values
Human values IGNOU Material
Lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators
You can read about them from school books or from website. Will provide a list later.
Role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Chapter Ten of this book. Google Books - Value Education.
Attitude
Structure and Function
Source 1 - Very Basic
source 2 Functions
Its influence and relation with thought and behaviour
Source 1 - Attitude and Behaviour
Source 2 - Values, Attitudes and Behaviour -
Source 3 - Very Advanced
Moral and political attitudes
Source 1 Political Attitudes
Source 2 Moral Attitudes
Social influence and Persuasion
Source 1 - Simple and Straight to the point. Good one.
Source -2 - Very Advanced
Related Article
Attitude for Good Governance Read Section Three in Attitude for good governance and motivation.
Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service
Integrity
Critical Look at Integrity
Integrity and Transparency critical article
Impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and
compassion towards the weaker sections.
These are actually civil service values recommended by the second ARC in its report (10th Report, Chapter 16)
Emotional intelligence
Concept
Source 1 - Very Basic Excellent one.
Source 2 - Conceptual clarity
Their utilities and application in administration and governance
Emotional Intelligence and Public Leadership
Emotional Intelligence in Bureaucracies
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Ethics in the history of Indian Philosophy
Ethics in Contemporary Indian Philosophy
Ethics in the history of western philosophy
Ethics in Medieval Western Philosophy
Ethics in Greek Philosophy
Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration:
Status and problems
Public Service Values Status
Professionalism and Ethics in Public Service UN Document. Read only Chapter One and Conclusion. Problems and
Issues about Public service values is given in it.
Ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions
Ethical Concerns in Public Administration
Ethical Dilemma - In this, read only Chapter One. It is written in foreign context but its applicability is universal.
Ethics in Public Administration - Dont neglect this document because its written by a research scholar. It is simple
and lucid.
Laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance
Didnt get any credible source. I will post it when I get one.
Accountability and ethical governance
Ethical Governance in twenty first century - This is culled from a costly and an authentic book. Read it to
understand the importance of ethics in governance.
Ethics As element of Good Governance
Ethics and Governance T N Chaturvedi (he was CAG and Governor of Karnataka) His reflections are insightful.
Strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance
Above PDFs reflect on this topic too.
Ethical issues in international relations and funding
Ethics in International Relations - Taken from a reputed book and is a primary source on the topic.
Ethics in International Relations - This is in relation to corporate responsibility. It covers some aspects of ethical
issues in funding mentioned in the syllabus.
Corporate governance
Corporate Governance Read it as it contains many new facts and ideas. (not so good, though)
Corporate Governance An Ethical Perspective - It is critical article, a research paper.
News Report - Economic Times
PPT Presentation IIT Bombay
Probity in Governance
This part of the syllabus is completely covered in the following book. It is written by two retired IAS officers of
Gujarat cadre. All the topics of this part of the syllabus and other topics of importance are covered in this book.
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Main Examination (Paper 5)
I am giving below PDFs to some topics taken from some UN sites, books and ministries websites.
Probity in Governance
Probity in Governance Excellent one - It is published by Law Ministry and contains many concepts.
What is Probity in Governance Private context
Concept of public service
Probity in Governance Excellent one - it defines whats public service.
Philosophical basis of governance and probity
Information sharing and transparency in government Right to Information
Articles on RTI from The Hindu, EPW will be posted.
The above mentioned book has a chapter on this topic.
Codes of Ethics
Codes of Ethics OECD
Codes of ethics World Bank -
Codes of Conduct
Refer the above mentioned book.
Citizens Charters
Citizens Chartes FAQs
Citizen Charter Handbook
Work culture
Quality of service delivery
Utilization of public funds
challenges of corruption
This is basically a general topic. I will compile articles published on this topic in The Hindu (last year there were
many articles on this topic) and give links soon.
Source 1
Apart from the above book, the following book might be useful as it is written by a renowned author Ramesh Arora
(his books on Public Administration are well received)
Ethics in Governance Ramesh K Arora