IAS

NOTE FOR BEGINNERS: Target CSE 2014 and beyond...

1. Read the latest notification to get the hang of the current examination process
1.1. Download the notification from UPSC website (www.upsc.gov.in)
1.2. go to ‘EXAMINATIONS'
1.3. go to 'NOTIFICATION'
1.4. go to ‘ARCHIVAL'
1.5. go to 'CIVIL SERVICES (P) 2013’ (latest as on date 18.11.2013)
1.6. download the attached pdf file and corrigendum as well to find more
about the UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAM process
2. Go through the syllabus in the exam notification, try to select probable
optional subject s
3. Check last 3 years question papers of prelims and 5 years of mains
examination, this will help one to get the feel of the exam / focus areas and try
and develop a sense to judge what is relevant or not from the ocean of
information
3.1. Download previous years’ question papers from UPSC website
(www.upsc.gov.in)
3.2. go to ‘PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTION PAPERS’
…Once you are comfortable and acquainted enough with 1, 2, 3 then you can
move on to...
4. Start reading daily newspaper, try to develop a balanced perspective on
relevant issues
5. Start with basic NCERT / NIOS books / IGNOU notes
…once you are in the groove for 4, 5 then you can move on …
6. Move on to subject/topic specific material for in-depth understanding from
IGNOU notes / Standard books / various websites / coaching material
etc. (check the documents / files section of the UPSC CIVIL SERVICES
ASPIRANTS group for starters)
… While one is consistently following / revising 4,5,6, one should also spare a
thought on selecting an optional subject from the list of probable optional
subjects…
7. Read basic text books/previous years question papers to select the best
among the probable optional subjects. Decision parameters may be interest,
extent of syllabus, availability of material etc.
NOTE FOR BEGINNERS: Target CSE 2014 and beyond...

8. Once the optional is selected, one should follow steps 5 and 6 for the subject
specific study as well.
9. List of Useful websites
1. National portal of India http://india.gov.in/
2. For IGNOU material www.egyankosh.ac.in
3. For environment www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in
4. Frontline magazine http://www.frontlineonnet.com/archives.htm
5. Times of India - Edit page http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/editpage/
articlelist/-2128669051.cms
6. Current Affairs
http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs
http://www.currentaffairsmanual.com
http://www.gktoday.in/category/current-affairs/
7. NCERT books
http://ncert.nic.in/NCERTS/textbook/textbook.htm
http://www.iasexams.com/NCERT-Books/NCERTBooks.php
http://www.ncert.nic.in/textbooks/testing/Index.htm - To download all NCERT
8. Country comparison charts http://chartsbin.com/graph
9. http://www.upscportal.com/ - For tips, Book list, suggestions, coaching
information
10. http://www.pib.nic.in/ - For government current press notes
11. http://www.upsc.gov.in/ - For all official information regarding the exam at any
stage.
12. http://www.persmin.nic.in/ - Useful after selection
13. www.goidirectory.nic.in - It connects to official websites of all Ministries and
departments.
14. www.meaindia.nic.in - External Affairs Ministry website useful for India-World
relations
15. www.indiacode.nic.in - Constitution of India, Central Acts, Supreme Court, etc.
16. www.indiabudget.nic.in - For latest budget and Economic Survey
17. http://publicationsdivision.nic.in/ - For India Year Book
18. Institute of peace and conflict studies: deals with geo-politics, foreign affairs
www.ipcs.org
19. NIOS Books
http://www.nios.ac.in/online-course-material/secondary-courses.aspx
http://www.nios.ac.in/online-course-material/secondary-courses.aspx
20. http://mrunal.org/ - For tips, Book list, suggestions, coaching information, study
material

Civil Services Preliminary Exam 2014-15 Pattern & Syllabus

Topics of Paper I - (200 marks) Duration : Two hours : Total Questions (100)
Current events of national and international importance
History of India and Indian National Movement
Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
Indian Polity & Governance -Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization.
General Science


Topics for Paper II - (200 marks) Duration : Two hours : Total Questions (80)
Comprehension
Interpersonal skills including communication skills
Logical reasoning and analytical ability
Decision making and problem solving
General mental ability
Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data Interpretation(charts, graphs, tables, Data Sufficiency etc. - Class X level)
English Language & Comprehension Skills
Note : It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in both the Papers of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore a candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does not appear in both the papers of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination.
Civil Services Main Exam 2014-15
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. The nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers (Paper II to Paper V) will be such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study. The questions will be such as to test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services. The questions are likely to test the candidate’s basic understanding of all relevant issues, and ability to analyse, and take a view on conflicting socio- economic goals, objectives and demands.

The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.
The scope of the syllabus for optional subject papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) for the examination is broadly of the honours degree level i.e. a level higher than the bachelors’ degree and lower than the masters’ degree. In the case of Engineering, Medical Science and law, the level corresponds to the bachelors’ degree.
Subsequent to the Notification of Civil Services Examination, 2013 in the Gazette of India dated 05.03.2013, the
government has brought out certain modifications in the scheme of Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2013 vie corrigendum published in the Gazette of India (Extra‐ordinary) dated 25.03.2013. The modifications made by the government will require necessary amendments in the relevant part ( Appendix–I, Section–I under Plan of
Examination and Section‐II [B. Main Examination] ) of the Commission’s notice dated 5.3.2013 published in the
website of the Commission and also published in the Employment News/Rozgar Samachar dated 16.3.2013.
Revised Appendix–I, Section–I under Plan of Examination and Section‐II [B. Main Examination] of Commission’s
Notice dated 5.3.2013 may now be read as follows.

CHANGED PLAN OF MAIN EXAMINATION
The written examination will consist of the following papers : 
Qualifying PapersDescriptionMarks
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
Paper‐ BEnglish (Papers to be counted for merit)300 Marks
Paper-IEssay250 Marks
This Section Removed : English Comprehension & English Précis(Of Matriculation/ Xth standardlevel)100 Marks
Paper-IIGeneral Studies–I : (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)250Marks
Paper-IIIGeneral Studies –II : (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)250 Marks
Paper-IVGeneral Studies –III : (Technology, Economic Development,
Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)		250 Marks
Paper-VGeneral Studies –IV : (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
UPSC Provided Sample paper		250 Marks
Paper-VIOptional Subject – Paper 1250 Marks
Paper-VIIOptional Subject – Paper 2250 Marks
Sub Total (Written test)1750 Marks
Interview275 Marks
Grand Total2025 Marks
{Candidates may choose any optional subject from amongst the list of subjects given in para 2 below (Group 1).
However, a candidate can opt for the literatures of a language, indicated in Group-2 below para 2, as an optional
subject, only if the candidate has graduated in the literature of that particular language as the main subject}.
NOTE:
(i) Marks obtained by the candidates for all papers (Paper I-VII) will be counted for merit ranking. However,
the Commission will have the discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all papers of the examination.
(ii) For the Language medium/ literature of languages, the scripts to be used by the candidates will be as
under.
Qualifying Papers

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
Indian Languages:‐
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precise Writing
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essay
(v) Translation from English to the Indian language and vice‐versa.
Paper‐ B

English 300 Marks
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:‐
(i) Comprehension of given passages
(ii) Precise Writing
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary
(iv) Short Essay.
Note 1: The Papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalentstandard 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).

Essay : 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.
Now Essay would be 250 Marks in the place of 200 Marks.


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 18 th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redraw-al 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, communal-ism, regionalism & secularism.
  •  Salient features of world’s 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 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.

  •  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 redress-al 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 neighbourhood- 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-IV 

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


PAPER-V
General Studies- IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude content in English medium | Hindi medium | Sample paper
This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, robity 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-VI & PAPER VII

Optional Subject Papers I & II
Candidates may choose any optional subject from amongst the list of subjects given in para 2 (Group 1).However, if a candidate has graduated in any of the literatures of languages indicated in Group-2 , with theliterature as the main subject, then the candidate can also opt for that particular literature subject as anoptional subject.

Language Script
Assamese Assamese; Bengali Bengali; Gujarati Gujarati; Hindi Devanagari; Kannada Kannada; Kashmiri Persian; Konkani Devanagari; Malayalam Malayalam; Manipuri Bengali; Marathi Devanagari; Nepali Devanagari; Oriya Oriya; Punjabi Gurumukhi; Sanskrit Devanagari; Sindhi Devanagari or Arabic; Tamil Tamil; Telugu Telugu; Urdu Persian; Bodo Devanagari; Dogri Devanagari; Maithilli Devanagari; Santhali Devanagari or Olchiki.

Note : For Santali language, question paper will be printed in Devanagari script; but candidates will be free
to answer either in Devanagari script or in Olchiki.

  1. SOME USEFUL LINKS 

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