UPSC Mains Syllabus

UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus 2024

About Post:  Candidates are advised to go through the Syllabus for the Mains Examination from the Official Website @upsc.gov.in as well as from this article. Interested Candidates can also Download the UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus 2024 from the link given below.

UPSC CSE Mains Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The UPSC CSE Mains 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.

QUALIFYING PAPERS ON INDIAN LANGUAGES AND ENGLISH (Paper-A & Paper-B)

The aim of the paper is to test the candidate’s ability to read and understand serious discursive prose and to express their ideas clearly and correctly, in the English and Indian languages concerned.

The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows :

• Comprehension of given
• Precis
• Usage and
• Short

Indian Languages :—

• Comprehension of given
• Precis
• Usage and
• Short
• Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.

Note 1 : The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.

Note 1 : The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the respective Indian language (except where translation is involved).

UPSC Mains Paper-I to Paper-VII & Interview Exam Pattern

PAPER-I

Essay : Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep close to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

Syllabus of UPSC CSE Mains GS Paper-II to GS Paper-V

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.

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 the 18th century such as the Industrial Revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc.— their forms and effects on 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 the 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, 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 disputes 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 the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and 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 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 crop-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, the 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 :

This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitudes and approaches to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life, and his problem-solving approaches to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilize 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; the 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 the 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 the above issues.

Syllabus of UPSC CSE Mains Optional Paper-VI and VII

The scope of the syllabus for Optional Subject papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) for the examination is broad of the honors degree 1evel i.e. a level higher than the bachelor’s degree and lower than the master’s degree. In the case of Engineering, Medical Science, and law, the level corresponds to the bachelor’s degree.

• Optional Paper-VI and VII Syllabus

Some Important Links
Download Optional Paper-VI & VII Syllabus PDF	Click Here
Download Mains (Paper-I to Paper-V) Syllabus PDF	Click Here
Official Website	UPSC Official Website

FAQ – UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus 2024

Q. What is the Official Website to check the UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus 2024? Ans. The Official Website to check the UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus 2024 is https://upsc.gov.in. Q. How to check the UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus 2024? Ans. To check the UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus 2024, you must visit the official website at https://upsc.gov.in. Alternatively, you can also find the relevant information through direct links provided on this page.  Q. Which Department has released the UPSC CSE Examination Form? Ans. The UPSC CSE Examination Form has been released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), a department responsible for conducting various recruitment processes.  Q. What is the age limit for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)? Ans. The age limit for the UPSC CSE is as follows : • For the General and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Category, the age limit is 21 to 32 years. • For the SC/ST Category, the age limit is 21 to 37 years. • For the OBC category, the age limit is 21 to 35 years.  Q. How to apply for Examinations conducted by the UPSC? Ans. Candidates can apply online for the UPSC Examinations by accessing the online portal hosted on the UPSC’s website https://upsconline.nic.in.  Q. What is the structure of the Civil Services Examination? Ans. The Civil Services Examination (CSE) comprises of two successive stages: the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (CSP) and the Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written and Interview).  Q. Can a candidate choose an optional subject, which he has not studied at graduate/post graduate level? Ans. Yes Q. Which is the language / medium of question papers? Ans. The question papers (other than the literature of language papers) are set in Hindi and English. Q. Can a candidate write different papers of Civil Service (Main) Examination in different languages? Ans. No, the Candidates have the option to write their answers either in English or in any one of the Eighth Schedule languages except the Qualifying Language papers Paper-A and Paper-B, which they have indicated at the time of filling up of their online application form for the Civil Service (Preliminary) Examination. Q. How are the Question Papers for the Civil Services (Main) Examination structured? What is the duration of each paper? Ans. The question papers for the examination are of conventional (essay) type. Each paper is of three hours duration.  Q. Can a candidate write the Civil Service (Main) Examination in English and take the interview in Hindi or any other Indian language? Ans. The candidates, opting for Indian Language medium for the written part of the Civil Services (Main) Examination may choose either the same Indian Language or English or Hindi as the medium for the interview. The candidates, opting to write the Civil Services (Main) Examination in English, may choose either English or Hindi or any other Indian Language opted by them for the compulsory Indian Language Paper in the written part of the Civil Services (Main) Examination, as the medium for interview. The candidate has to indicate the language medium of interview at the time of filling up of the Detailed Application Form (DAF) However, the candidates, who are exempted from the compulsory Indian Language Paper, will have to choose either English or Hindi as medium of Interview or Personality Test.  Q. What are the Cut-off Marks for the compulsory language Papers? Ans. The minimum qualifying standards in each of the two Qualifying Papers i.e. English and Indian Languages is indicated in the Examination Rules, is at present 25%. Q. Is the Indian language Paper compulsory for candidates hailing from the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim? Ans. The Paper A on Indian Language is not compulsory for candidates hailing from the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim. In the Online Application, if a candidate hails from these North-Eastern States, the option for Indian Language will automatically be disabled in the Online Application. Q. Is the Indian language Paper compulsory for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities categories? Ans. Yes, Paper A on Indian Language is compulsory for candidates belonging to Persons with Benchmark Disabilities category. However, it will not be compulsory for the candidates suffering from Hearing Impairment provided they have been granted such exemption from 2nd or 3rd language courses by the concerned education Board/University. The candidate needs to provide an undertaking/self declaration in this regard in order to claim such an exemption to the Commission. Q. What marks are reckoned for merit ranking in the written part of the Civil Services (Main) Examination? Ans. Marks obtained by the candidates for the Papers I-VII only will be counted for merit ranking (of those candidates who obtain the specified minimum marks in the qualifying papers). However, the Commission has the discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all of these papers. Q. How could any aspirant or anyone get more information about UPSC CSE Mains Examination? Ans. Any aspirant or anyone could get more information About UPSC CSE Mains Examination from FAQs given on the official website of UPSC or from the link given here https://upsc.gov.in/faqs.    Note:- For any other information or query about UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus, Please visit the Official Website https://upsc.gov.in.

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