Mains Syllabus

GS I
Indian Culture Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature & Architecture from ancient to modern times
Modern Indian History Mid-18th century to present: significant events, personalities, issues
Freedom Struggle: its various stages & important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country
Post-Independence consolidation & reorganisation within the country
World History 18th century events such as Industrial revolution, World wars, redrawn national boundaries, colonisation, decolonisation
Political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc., & their forms & effect on the society
Society Salient features of Indian society
Diversity of India
Role of women & women's organisation
Population & associated issues
Poverty & developmental issues
Urbanisation: their problems & remedies
Effects of globalisation on Indian society
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism
Geography Salient features of world physical geography
Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia & the Indian subcontinent)
Factors responsible for location of primary, secondary & tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including
India)
Important geophysical phenomena: Earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, Cyclones etc.
Important geographical features & location: changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies & ice caps)
& in flora & fauna & the effects of such changes
GS II
Indian Constitution Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions & basic structure

Polity Functions & responsibilities of the Union & the States, issues & challenges of federal structure, devolution of powers &
finances up to local levels & challenges therein
Separation of powers btw various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms & institutions
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
 Parliament & State Legislatures: structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges & issues arising out of
these
Structure, organization & functioning of the Executive & the Judiciary
Ministries & Depts of the govt
Pressure groups & formal/informal associations & their role in the polity
Salient features of the Representation of Peoples Act
Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions & responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies
Statutory, regulatory & various quasi-judicial bodies
Social Justice Govt policies & interventions for development in various sectors & issues arising out of their design & implementation
Development processes & the development industry: the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups & associations, donors,
charities, institutional & other stakeholders
Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre & States & the performance of these schemes
Mechanisms, laws, institutions & bodies constituted for the protection & betterment of these vulnerable sections
Issues relating to development & management of Social Sector/Services relating to health, education & human resources
Issues relating to poverty & hunger
Governance Important aspects of governance
Transparency & accountability & institutional & other measures
E-governance: applications, models, successes, limitations, & potential
Citizens charters
Role of Civil Services in a democracy
IR India & its Neighbourhood: relations
Bilateral, regional & global groupings & agreements involving India &/or affecting Indian interests
Effect of policies & politics of developed & developing countries on Indian interests & Indian diaspora
Important International institutions, agencies & fora: their structure & mandate
GS III
Economic Development Indian Economy & issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development & employment
Inclusive growth & issues arising from it
Govt budgeting
Major crops, cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation & irrigation systems
Storage, transport & marketing of agricultural produce & issues & related constraints
E-technology in the aid of farmers
 Issues related to direct & indirect farm subsidies & MSPs
PDS: objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping
Issues of buffer stocks & food security
Technology missions
Economics of animal-rearing
Food processing & related industries in India: scope & significance, location, upstream & downstream requirements,
supply chain management
Land reforms in India
Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy & their effects on industrial growth
Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Investment models
S&T Science & Technology: developments & their applications & effects in everyday life
Achievements of Indians in science & technology
Indigenization of technology & developing new technology
Awareness in fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology
Issues relating to intellectual property rights
E&B Environmental conservation
Environmental pollution & degradation
Environmental impact assessment
Disaster Management Disasters & disaster management

Security Linkages btw development & spread of extremism

Role of external state & non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security
Challenges to internal security through communication networks
Role of media & social networking sites in internal security challenges
Basics of cyber security
Money laundering & its prevention
Security challenges & their management in border areas
Linkages of organized crime with terrorism
Various Security forces & agencies & their mandate
 GS IV
Ethics Ethics & Human Interface: Essence, determinants & consequences of ethics in human actions
Dimensions of ethics
Ethics in public & private relationships
Human values, lessons from lives & teachings of great leaders, reformers & administrators
Role of family, society, educational institutions in inculcating Values
Attitude: content, structure & function; its influence & relation with thought & behaviour; moral & political attitudes
Social influence & persuasion
Aptitude Aptitude & foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality, non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public
service, empathy, tolerance & compassion towards the weaker sections
Emotional Intelligence: concepts, & their utility & application in administration & governance
Contributions of moral thinkers & philosophers from India & world
Public/Civil service values & Ethics in Public Administration: Status & problems
Ethical concerns & dilemmas in govt & private institutions
Laws, rules, regulations & conscience as sources of ethical guidance
Accountability & ethical governance, Strengthening of ethical & moral values in governance
Ethical issues in international relations & funding
Corporate governance
Integrity Probity in Governance: Concept of public service
Philosophical basis of governance & probity
Information sharing & transparency in govt, 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
 Prelims Syllabus
Paper I 2 Hrs 100 Qs 200 marks
• Current events of national & international importance
• History of India & Indian National Movement
• Indian & World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India & the World
• Indian Polity & Governance - Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
• Economic & Social Development, Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.
• General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity & Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization
 General Science
Paper II 2 Hrs 80 Qs 200 marks
• Comprehension
• Interpersonal skills including communication skills
• Logical reasoning & analytical ability
• Decision-making & problem-solving
• General mental ability
• Basic numeracy (numbers & their relations, orders of magnitude, etc. (Class X level)
• Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. (Class X level)
• English Language Comprehension skills (Class X level)