Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written and Interview/Personality Test) for the
selection of candidates for the various Services and posts.
The number of candidates to be admitted to the Civil
Services (Main) Examination will be about twelve to thirteen times the total approximate number
of vacancies to be filled in the year through this Examination. Only those candidates who are
declared by the Commission to have qualified in the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination in
the year will be eligible for admission to the Civil Services (Main) Examination of that year
provided they are otherwise eligible for admission to the Civil Services (Main) Examination.
The Civil Services (Main) Examination will consist of a Written Examination and an
Interview/Personality Test. The Written Examination will consist of 9 papers of conventional
essay type in the subjects set out in sub-section (B) of Section-II out of which two papers will be of
qualifying in nature. [Also see Note (ii) under Para-I of Section II-(B)]. Marks obtained for all the
compulsory papers (Paper-I to Paper-VII) and Marks obtained in Interview/Personality Test will
be counted for ranking.
Candidates who obtain such minimum qualifying marks in the written part of the Civil
Services (Main) Examination as may be fixed by the Commission at their discretion, shall be
summoned by them for an Interview/Personality Test. The
number of candidates to be summoned for Interview/Personality Test will be about twice of the
number of vacancies to be filled. The Interview/Personality Test will carry 275 marks (with no
minimum qualifying marks).
The Written Examination will consist of the following papers:
Qualifying Papers: QUALIFYING PAPERS ON INDIAN LANGUAGES AND ENGLISH
The aim of the paper is to test the candidates’ ability to read and understand serious
discursive prose, and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language
concerned.
Paper‐A (One of the Indian Language to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the
Eighth Schedule to the Constitution). 300 Marks
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:
(i) comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essays.
(v) Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.
ENGLISH: Paper‐B : 300 Marks:
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows .
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essays.
ESSAY– 250 Marks
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.
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 presentsignificant 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
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
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.
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 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-governanceapplications, 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
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
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.
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.
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with
terrorism.
Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
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 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.
Optional Subject Papers:
Papers I & II –This Paper Can be Choose As Per Your Expertise.
Here Given List of optional subjects for Main Examination:
(i) Agriculture
(ii) Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
(iii) Anthropology
(iv) Botany
(v) Chemistry
(vi) Civil Engineering
(vii) Commerce and Accountancy
(viii) Economics
(ix) Electrical Engineering
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
(x) Geography
(xi) Geology
(xii) History
(xiii) Law
(xiv) Management
(xv) Mathematics
(xvi) Mechanical Engineering
(xvii) Medical Science
(xviii) Philosophy
(xix) Physics
(xx) Political Science and International Relations
(xxi) Psychology
(xxii) Public Administration
(xxiii) Sociology
(xxiv) Statistics
(xxv) Zoology
(xxvi) Literature of any one of the following languages:
Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili,
Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu
and English.
Note
(i) The question papers for the examination will be of conventional (essay) type.
(ii) Each paper will be of three hours duration.
(iii) Candidates will have the option to answer all the question papers, except the Qualifying
Language Papers, Paper-A and Paper-B, in any one of the languages included in the Eighth
Schedule to the Constitution of India or in English. Notwithstanding this, the Candidate
will have the choice to write the Optional Papers in English also if candidates opt to write
Paper I-V except the Qualifying Language Papers, Paper-A and Paper-B, in any one of the
language included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
(iv) Candidates exercising the option to answer Papers in any one of the languages included in
the Eight Schedule to the Constitution of India mentioned above may, if they so desire,
give English version within brackets of only the description of the technical terms, if any,
in addition to the version in the language opted by them. Candidates should, however,
note that if they misuse the above rule, a deduction will be made on this account from the
total marks otherwise accruing to them and in extreme cases; their script(s) will not be
valued for being in an unauthorized medium.
(v) Candidates should note that if any irrelevant matter/signages/marks etc. are found
written in the answer script(s), which would not be related to any question/answer
and/or would be having the potential to disclose the candidate’s identity, the Commission
will impose a penalty of deduction of marks from the total marks otherwise accruing to
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
the candidate or will not evaluate the said script(s) on this account.
(vi) The question papers (other than the literature of language papers) will be set in Hindi
and English only.
(vii) The details of the syllabi are set out in Part B of Section III.
