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UPSC CSE Optional Syllabus 2024

The Optional Paper in the UPSC CSE Main Examination is a pivotal component, allowing candidates to choose a subject of their interest and expertise. This paper holds significant weightage, with a total of 500 marks (250 marks for each paper), contributing to the overall merit and final selection of candidates. The selection of the optional subject is a critical decision that can shape a candidate’s performance, and careful consideration is given to factors like educational background, interest, and scoring potential.

Candidates are advised to go through the Optional 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 Optional Syllabus 2024 from the link given below.

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1.) Subject Choices: Candidates can choose from a diverse list of optional subjects, covering various disciplines such as literature, science, humanities, social sciences, engineering, and more. Some popular choices include History, Geography, Public Administration, Sociology, Philosophy, Mathematics, and Political Science.

2.) Paper Structure: The Optional Paper consists of two papers, namely Paper I and Paper II, each carrying 250 marks. Both papers are of a descriptive nature, requiring candidates to demonstrate in-depth knowledge, analytical skills, and the ability to articulate their understanding of the subject.

3.) Scoring Potential: The Optional Paper offers candidates an opportunity to showcase their expertise in a specific subject. As the marking is relatively specific and focused, a well-prepared candidate can secure a high score, significantly impacting their overall rank in the examination.

4.) Preparation Strategy: Successful preparation for the Optional Paper involves a thorough understanding of the chosen subject, covering both conceptual clarity and applied knowledge. Candidates often refer to standard textbooks, academic journals, and research papers to enhance their command over the subject.

5.) Alignment with Overall Strategy: The choice of the optional subject should align with a candidate’s overall strategy for the Main Examination. Some candidates choose subjects aligned with their educational background, while others opt for subjects that complement their general studies preparation.

6.) Importance in Final Selection: While the Optional Paper is crucial for overall merit, it plays a pivotal role in determining a candidate’s service allocation. A strong performance in the Optional Paper can open avenues for selection in specific services and help candidates secure a position of their preference.

7.) Challenges and Considerations: Selecting the right optional subject involves weighing factors such as interest, scoring potential, and the availability of study materials. Candidates need to strategize their preparation to balance the demands of the Optional Paper with the rest of the Main Examination.

In conclusion, the Optional Paper in the UPSC CSE is a dynamic aspect of the examination, offering candidates the opportunity to demonstrate specialization in a subject of their choice. A well-chosen and well-prepared optional subject can significantly enhance a candidate’s chances of success in the UPSC CSE and pave the way for a rewarding career in the civil services.

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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.

Some Important Links
Download Optional Paper-VI & VII Syllabus PDFClick Here
Official WebsiteUPSC Official Website
UPSC CSE Optional Syllabus 2024
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UPSC Optional Paper 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.

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    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.

    Mains Paper

    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).

    Paper-I to paper-VII Exam Pattern

    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.

    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.

    • 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.
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    • 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.
    • 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.

    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.

    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.

    Some Important Links
    Download Optional Paper-VI & VII Syllabus PDFClick Here
    Download Mains (Paper-I to Paper-V) Syllabus PDFClick Here
    Official WebsiteUPSC Official Website
    UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus 2024
    UPSC Mains Syllabus Pg 1
    UPSC Mains Syllabus Pg 2
    UPSC Mains Syllabus Pg 3
    UPSC Mains Syllabus Pg 4
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    UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus

      UPSC CSE Prelims Syllabus 2024

      About Post:  The UPSC CSE 2024 Prelims exam is scheduled for 26th May 2024. Therefore, candidates can prepare for the UPSC CSE Prelims Exam accordingly. Candidates are advised to go through the Syllabus for the Preliminary Examination from the Official Website @upsc.gov.in as well as from this article. Interested Candidates can also Download the UPSC CSE Prelims Syllabus 2024 from the link given below.

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      The first stage of the UPSC CSE Exam, i.e., the Civil Services Preliminary Examination is only a screening test and is conducted to shortlist candidates for the Mains Examination. Marks secured in the Preliminary Exam are not taken into account while preparing the Final Merit.

      The UPSC CSE Prelims Exam consists of two papers of Objective (MCQ) Type carrying a maximum of 400 marks.

      Exam Date26th May 2024
      Number of Papers2 Compulsory Papers :
      • Paper-I (GS)
      • Paper-II (CSAT)
      Type of QuestionsMultiple Choice Questions (Objective Type)
      Total Maximum Marks200 marks for each paper (Total 400 Marks)
      Duration of Exam2 Hours for each paper [20 minutes per hour extra time for blind candidates and candidates with Locomotor Disability and Cerebral Palsy (minimum 40% impairment)]
      Negative Marking1/3rd mark for every wrong answer
      Medium of ExamBilingual (English & Hindi)
      Marks counted in MeritNo
      • 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 and 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, Biodiversity, and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization.
      • General Science.
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      • 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).

      Note 1 : Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.

      Note 2 : The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type.

      Note 3 : It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in both the Papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore a candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does not appear in both the papers of the Civil Services (Prelim) Examination.

      Some Important Links
      Download Prelims SyllabusClick Here
      Official WebsiteUPSC Official Website
      UPSC CSE Prelims Syllabus 2024
      UPSC Prelims Syllabus
      If you are satisfied with our website iaspcsprep.com, Please like and share with more people.
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      Join our WhatsApp Group for PDFJoin Now
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      UPSC Official Website Home Page
      Image Credit : https://upsc.gov.in
      Contact Us
      UPSC CSE Prelims Syllabus