General Studies I- 250 Marks

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
● 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, cyclones 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 - 250 Marks

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-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
 General Studies III- 250 Marks

Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, 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

General Studies IV - 250 Marks

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 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; 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.