Paper I - Essay
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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.
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 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.
- 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.
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Salient features of world’s physical geography.
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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).
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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.
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.
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Land reforms in India.
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Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on
industrial growth.
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Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. Investment models.
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Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
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Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing
new technology.
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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.
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Disaster and disaster management. Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
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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.
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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
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.
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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.
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Case Studies on above issues.