IAS syllabus-2012

1. Examination
Syllabus CSAT Paper - I
Paper I - (200 marks) Duration: Two Hours:
1. Current events of national and international importance
2. History of India and Indian National Movement
3. Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic
geography of India and the World.
4. Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political
System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
5. Economic and Social Development – Sustainable
Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social
Sector Initiatives, etc.
6. General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity
and Climate Change - that do not require subject
specialization
7. General Science
FOR more details check this link-
http://upscportal.com/civilservices/tag/integrated-guidance-
program/csat-paper-i

2. Syllabus CSAT Paper - II
Paper II- (200 marks) Duration: Two Hours:
1. Comprehension
2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills;
3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability
4. Decision making and problem solving
5. General mental ability
6. Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of
magnitude etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation
(charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. -Class X level)
7. English Language Comprehension skills (Class X level).
8. Questions relating to English Language Comprehension
skills of Class X level (last item in the Syllabus of Paper-II)
will be tested through passages from English language
only without providing Hindi translation thereof in the
question paper.
FOR more details go on this link- http://upscportal.com/civilservices/tag/csat-paper-ii
SYLLABI FOR THE EXAMINATION PART-B
MAIN EXAMINATION
GENERAL STUDIES
General Guidelines: The nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers 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 analyze, and take a view on conflicting
socio-economic goals, objectives and demands. The candidates must give relevant, meaningful
and succinct answers.
PAPER - I

3. 1. History of Modern India and Indian Culture : The History of Modern India will cover history of
the Country from about the middle of nineteenth century and would also include questions on
important personalities who shaped the freedom movement and social reforms. The part relating
to Indian culture will cover all aspects of Indian culture from the ancient to modern times as well
as principal features of literature, arts and architecture.
2. Geography of India : In this part, questions will be on the physical, economic and social
geography of India.
3. Constitution of India and Indian Polity: This part will include questions on the Constitution of
India as well as all constitutional, legal, administrative and other issues emerging from the
politico-administrative system prevalent in the country.
4. Current National Issues and Topics of Social Relevance : This part is intended to test the
candidate’s awareness of current national issues and topics of social relevance in present-day
India, such as the following:
(i) The Indian economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth,
development and employment.
(ii) Issues arising from the social and economic exclusion of large sections from the benefits of
development.
(iii) Other issues relating to the development and management of human resource.
(iv) Health issues including the management of Public Health, Health education and ethical
concerns regarding health-care, medical research and pharmaceuticals.
(v) Law enforcement, internal security and related issues such as the preservation of communal
harmony.
(vi) Issues relating to good governance and accountability to the citizens including the
maintenance of human rights, and of probity in public life.
(vii) Environmental issues, ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources and national
heritage.
PAPER - II
1. India and the World : This part will include questions to test candidate’s awareness of India’s
relationship with the world in various spheres such as the following:-
Foreign Affairs with special emphasis on India’s relations with neighbouring countries and
in the region.
Security and defence related matters.
Nuclear policy, issues, and conflicts.
The Indian Diaspora and its contribution to India and the world.
2. India’s Economic Interaction with the World : In this part, questions will be on economic and
trade issues such as foreign trade, foreign investment; economic and diplomacy issues relating to

4. oil, gas and energy flows; the role and functions of I.M.F., World Bank, W.T.O., WIPO etc. which
influence India’s economic interaction with other countries and international institutions.
3. Developments in the Field of Science & Technology, IT and space : In this part, questions will
test the candidate’s awareness of the developments in the field of science and technology,
information technology, space and basic ideas about computers, robotics, nanotechnology,
biotechnology and related issues regarding intellectual property rights.
4. International Affairs and Institutions : This part will include questions on important events in
world affairs and on international institutions.
5. Statistical analysis, graphs and diagrams: This part will test the candidate’s ability to draw
conclusions from information presented in statistical, graphical or diagrammatical form and to
interpret them.
List of Compulsory Subjects Syllabus: Civil Service (Main) Examination
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
scope of the syllabus for the optional subject papers 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 and law, the level corresponds to the bachelor's degree.
COMPULSORY SUBJECTS
English & Indian Languages
Essay
ENGLISH
The aim of the paper is to test the candidate's ability to read and understand serious
discursive prose, and to express his ideas clearly and correctly in English/ Indian
language concerned.
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows :-
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing

5. (iii) Usage and Vocabulary
(iv) Short Essay
INDIAN LANGUAGES
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essay
(v) 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 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.
List of Optional Subjects Syllabus: Civil Service (Main) Examination
List of Optional Papers:
Agriculture Economics
Anthropology English
Assamese Geography
Chemistry German
Chinese Hindi

6. Commerce and Accountancy History
Electrical Engineering Kashmiri
French Malayalam
Geology Management
Gujarati Marathi
Kannada Mechanical Engineering
Konkani Oriya
Law Persian
Manipuri Philosophy
Mathematics Political Science and International
Medical Science Relations
Nepali Public Administration
Pali Russian
Physics Sindhi
Psychology Statistics
Punjabi Telugu
Sanskrit
Sociology
Tamil
Urdu
Zoology
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
Arabic
Bengali
Botany
Civil Engineering