32

as in modern currents of thought and in new discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of well-educated
youth.

SECTION III: SYLLABI FOR THE EXAMINATION

Note: Candidates are advised to go through the Syllabus published in this Section for the Preliminary
Examination and the Main Examination, as periodic revision of syllabus has been done in several subjects.

Part A—Preliminary Examination

Paper I - (200 marks) Duration: Two hours

 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, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require
subject specialization.
 General Science.

Paper II-(200 marks) Duration: Two hours

 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 (Preliminary)
Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore a candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does
not appear in both the papers of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination.

Part B—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 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. The questions will
be such as to test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a
 33

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.

The scope of the syllabus for optional subject papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) for the examination is
broadly of the honours degree 1evel i.e. a level higher than the bachelors’ degree and lower than the masters’
degree. In the case of Engineering, Medical Science and law, the level corresponds to the bachelors’ degree.

Syllabi of the papers included in the scheme of Civil Services (Main) Examination are given as follows:—

QUALIFYING PAPERS ON INDIAN LANGUAGES AND ENGLISH

The aim of the paper is to test the candidates' ability to read and understand serious discursive prose,
and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language concerned.

The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:

(i) Comprehension of given passages.

(ii) Precis Writing.

(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.

(iv) Short Essays.

Indian Languages:—

(i) comprehension of given passages.

(ii) Precis Writing.

(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.

(iv) Short Essays.

(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).

PAPER-I

Essay: 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
 34

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, 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 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
 35

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.

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.

 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.
 36

 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.

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.

 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.

 44

1.2 Relationships with other disciplines : Social Sciences, behavioural Sciences, Life Sciences, Medical
Sciences, Earth Sciences and Humanities.

1.3 Main branches of Anthropology, their scope and relevance :

(a) Social-cultural Anthropology.

(b) biological Anthropology.

(c) Archaeological Anthropology.

(d) Linguistic Anthropology.

1.4 Human Evolution and emergence of Man :

(a) Biological and Cultural factors in human evolution.

(b) Theories of Organic Evolution (Pre-Darwinian, Darwinian and Post-Darwinian).

(c) Synthetic theory of evolution; Brief outline of terms and concepts of evolutionary biology
(Doll’s rule, Cope’s rule, Gause’s rule, parallelism, convergence, adaptive radiation, and
mosaic evolution).

1.5 Characteristics of Primates; Evolutionary Trend and Primate Taxonomy; Primate Adaptations;
(Arboreal and Terrestrial) Primate Taxonomy; Primate Behaviour; Tertiary and Quaternary fossil
primates; Living Major Primates; Comparative Anatomy of Man and Apes; Skeletal changes due to
erect posture and its implications.

1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and geographical distribution of the following :

(a) Plio-pleistocene hominids in South and East Africa—Australopithecines.

(b) Homo erectus : Africa (Paranthropus), Europe (Homo erectus (heidelbergensis), Asia (Homo
erectus javanicus, Homo erectus pekinensis.

(c) Neanderthal man—La-chapelle-aux-saints (Classical type), Mt. Carmel (Progressive type).

(d) Rhodesian man.

(e) Homo sapiens—Cromagnon, Grimaldi and Chancelede.

1.7 The biological basis of Life : The Cell, DNA structure and replication, Protein Synthesis, Gene,
Mutation, Chromosomes, and Cell Division.

1.8 (a)Principles of Prehistoric Archaeology. Chronology : Relative and Absolute Dating methods.

(b)Cultural Evolution—Broad Outlines of Prehistoric cultures :

(i) Paleolithic

(ii) Mesolithic

(iii) Neolithic

(iv) Chalcolithic

(v) Copper-Bronze age

(vi) Iron Age

2.1 The Nature of Culture : The concept and Characteristics of culture and civilization; Ethnocentrism
vis-a-vis cultural Relativism.

2.2 The Nature of Society : Concept of Society; Society and Culture; Social Institution; Social groups;
 45

and Social stratification.

2.3 Marriage : Definition and universality; Laws of marriage (endogamy, exogamy, hypergamy,
hypogamy, incest taboo); Type of marriage (monogamy, polygamy, polyandry, group marriage).
Functions of marriage; Marriage regulations (preferential, prescriptive and proscriptive); Marriage
payments (bride wealth and dowry).

2.4 Family : Definition and universality; Family, household and domestic groups; functions of family;
Types of family (from the perspectives of structure, blood relation, marriage, residence and
succession); Impact of urbanization, industrialization and feminist movements on family.

2.5 Kinship : Consanguinity and Affinity; Principles and types of descent (Unilineal, Double, Bilateral
Ambilineal); Forms of descent groups (lineage, clan, phratry, moiety and kindred); Kinship
terminology (descriptive and classificatory); Descent, Filiation and Complimentary Filiation;Decent
and Alliance.

3. Economic Organization : Meaning, scope and relevance of economic anthropology; Formalist and
Substantivist debate; Principles governing production, distribution and exchange (reciprocity,
redistribution and market), in communities, subsisting on hunting and gathering, fishing,
swiddening, pastoralism, horticulture, and agriculture; globalization and indigenous economic
systems.

4. Political Organization and Social Control : Band, tribe, chiefdom, kingdom and state; concepts of
power, authority and legitimacy; social control, law and justice in simple Societies.

5. Religion : Anthropological approaches to the study of religion (evolutionary, psychological and

functional); monotheism and polytheism; sacred and profane; myths and rituals; forms of religion in
tribal and peasant Societies (animism, animatism, fetishism, naturism and totemism); religion,
magic and science distinguished; magico-religious functionaries (priest, shaman, medicine man,
sorcerer and witch).

6. Anthropological theories :

(a)Classical evolutionism (Tylor, Morgan and Frazer)

(b)Historical particularism (Boas) Diffusionism (British, German and American)

(c)Functionalism (Malinowski); Structural—Functionlism (Radcliffe-Brown)

(d)Structuralism (L’evi-Strauss and E. Leach)

(e)Culture and personality (Benedict, Mead, Linton, Kardiner and Cora-du Bois)

(f)Neo—evolutionism (Childe, White, Steward, Sahlins and Service)

(g)Cultural materialism (Harris)

(h)Symbolic and interpretive theories (Turner, Schneider and Geertz)

(i)Cognitive theories (Tyler, Conklin)

(j)Post-modernism in anthropology.

7. Culture, Language and Communication :

Nature, origin and characteristics of language; verbal and non-verbal communication; social context
of language use.

8. Research methods in Anthropology :

 46

(a) Fieldwork tradition in anthropology

(b) Distinction between technique, method and methodology
(c)Tools of data collection : observation, interview, schedules, questionnaire, case study, genealogy,
life-history, oral history, secondary sources of information, participatory methods.

(d) Analysis, interpretation and presentation of data.

9.1 Human Genetics : Methods and Application : Methods for study of genetic principles in man-family
study (pedigree analysis, twin study, foster child, co-twin method, cytogenetic method, chromosomal
and karyo-type analysis), biochemical methods, immunological methods, D.N.A. technology and
recombinant technologies.

9.2 Mendelian genetics in man-family study, single factor, multifactor, lethal, sub-lethal and polygenic
inheritance in man.

9.3 Concept of genetic polymorphism and selection, Mendelian population, Hardy-Weinberg law; causes
and changes which bring down frequency-mutation, isolation, migration, selection, inbreeding and
genetic drift. Consanguineous and non-consanguineous mating, genetic load, genetic effect of
consanguineous and cousin marriages.

9.4 Chromosomes and chromosomal aberrations in man, methodology.

(a) Numerical and structural aberrations (disorders).

(b)Sex chromosomal aberration- Klinefelter (XXY), Turner (XO), Super female (XXX), intersex and
other syndromic disorders.

(c) Autosomal aberrations- Down syndrome, Patau, Edward and Cri-du-chat syndromes.
(d) Genetic imprints in human disease, genetic screening, genetic counseling, human DNA profiling,
gene mapping and genome study.
9.5 Race and racism, biological basis of morphological variation of non-metric and characters. Racial
criteria, racial traits in relation to heredity and environment; biological basis of racial classification,
racial differentiation and race crossing in man.

9.6 Age, sex and population variation as genetic marker :ABO, Rh blood groups, HLA Hp,
transferring, Gm, blood enzymes. Physiological characteristics-Hb level, body fat, pulse rate,
respiratory functions and sensory perceptions in different cultural and socio-economic groups.

9.7 Concepts and methods of Ecological Anthropology : Bio-cultural Adaptations—Genetic and Non-
genetic factors. Man’s physiological responses to environmental stresses: hot desert, cold, high
altitude climate.

9.8 Epidemiological Anthropology : Health and disease. Infectious and non-infectious diseases,
Nutritional deficiency related diseases.

10. Concept of human growth and Development : Stages of growth—pre-natal, natal, infant,
childhood, adolescence, maturity, senescence.

—Factors affecting growth and development genetic, environmental, biochemical, nutritional,

cultural and socio-economic.

—Ageing and senescence. Theories and observations

—biological and chronological longevity. Human physique and somatotypes. Methodologies for
growth studies.
 47

11.1 Relevance of menarche, menopause and other bioevents to fertility. Fertility patterns and
differentials.

11.2 Demographic theories-biological, social and cultural.

11.3 Biological and socio-ecological factors influencing fecundity, fertility, natality and mortality.

12. Applications of Anthropology : Anthropology of sports, Nutritional anthropology, Anthroplogy in

designing of defence and other equipments, Forensic Anthropology, Methods and principles of
personal identification and reconstruction, Applied human genetics—Paternity diagnosis, genetic
counselling and eugenics, DNA technology in diseases and medicine, serogenetics and cytogenetics
in reproductive biology.

PAPER-II

1.1 Evolution of the Indian Culture and Civilization—Prehistoric (Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic
and Neolithic-Chalcolithic), Protohistoric (Indus Civilization). Pre-Harappan, Harappan and post-
Harappan cultures. Contributions of the tribal cultures to Indian civilization.

1.2 Palaeo—Anthropological evidences from India with special reference to Siwaliks and Narmada basin
(Ramapithecus, Sivapithecus and Narmada Man).

1.3. Ethno-archaeology in India: The concept of ethno-archaeology; Survivals and Parallels among the
hunting, foraging, fishing, pastoral and peasant communities including arts and crafts producing
communities.

2. Demographic profile of India—Ethnic and linguistic elements in the Indian population and their
distribution. Indian population—factors influencing its structure and growth.

3.1 The structure and nature of traditional Indian social system—Varnashram, Purushartha, Karma,
Rina and Rebirth.

3.2 Caste system in India— Structure and characteristics Varna and caste, Theories of origin of caste
system, Dominant caste, Caste mobility, Future of caste system, Jajmani system. Tribe-case
continuum.

3.3 Sacred Complex and Nature-Man-Spirit Complex.

3.4. Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity of Indian society.

4. Emergence, growth and development in India—Contributions of the 18th, 19th and early 20th
Century scholar-administrators. Contributions of Indian anthropologists to tribal and caste studies.

5.1 Indian Village—Significance of village study in India; Indian village as a social system; Traditional
and changing patterns of settlement and inter-caste relations; Agrarian relations in Indian villages;
Impact of globalization on Indian villages.

5.2 Linguistic and religious minorities and their social, political and economic status.

5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change in Indian society: Sanskritization,
Westernization, Modernization; Inter-play of little and great traditions; Panchayati Raj and social
change; Media and Social change.

6.1 Tribal situation in India—Bio-genetic variability, linguistic and socio-economic characteristics of

the tribal populations and their distribution.

6.2 Problems of the tribal Communities—Land alienation, poverty, indebtedness, low literacy, poor
educational facilities, unemployment, under- employment, health and nutrition.
 48

6.3 Developmental projects and their impact on tribal displacement and problems of rehabilitation.
Development of forest policy and tribals. Impact of urbanisation and industrialization on tribal
populations.

7.1 Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward
Classes. Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.

7.2 Social change and contemporary tribal societies : Impact of modern democratic institutions,
development programmes and welfare measures on tribals and weaker sections.

7.3 The concept of ethnicity; Ethnic conflicts and political developments; Unrest among tribal
communities; Regionalism and demand for autonomy; Pseudo-tribalism. Social change among the
tribes during colonial and post-Independent India.

8.1 Impact of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other religions on tribal societies.

8.2 Tribe and nation state—a comparative study of tribal communities in India and other countries.

9.1 History of administration of tribal areas, tribal policies, plans, programmes of tribal development
and their implementation. The concept of PTGs (Primitive Tribal Groups), their distribution, special
programmes for their development. Role of N.G.O.s in tribal development.

9.2 Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development.

9.3 Contributions of anthropology to the understanding of regionalism, communalism and ethnic and
political movements.

BOTANY

PAPER-I

1. Microbiology and Plant Pathology :

Structure and reproduction/multiplication of viruses, viroids, bacteria, fungi and mycoplasma;

Applications of microbiology in agriculture, industry, medicine and in control of soil and water pollution;
Prion and Prion hypothesis.

Important crop diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, fungi and nematodes; Modes of
infection and dissemination; Molecular basis of infection and disease resistance/defence; Physiology of
parasitism and control measures. Fungal toxins. Modelling and disease forecasting; Plant quarantine.

2. Cryptogams :

Algae, fungi, lichens, bryophytes, pteridophytes-structure and reproduction from evolutionary

viewpoint; Distribution of Cryptogams in India and their ecological and economic importance.

3. Phanerogams :

Gymnosperms : Concept of Progymnosperms. Classification and distribution of gymnosperms.

Salient features of Cycadales, Ginkgoales, Coniferales and Gnetales, their structure and reproduction.
General account of Cycadofilicales, Bennettitales and Cordiaitailes; Geological time scale; Type of fossils
and their study techniques.

Angiosperms : Systematics, anatomy, embryology, palynology and phylogency.

Taxonomic hierarchy; International Code of Botanical Nomenclature; Numerical taxonomy and

chemotaxonomy; Evidence from anatomy, embryology and palynology.

Origin and evolution of angiosperms; Comparative account of various systems of classification of

 144

law and order administration; District administration and democratic decentralization.

8. Civil Services :

Constitutional position; Structure, recruitment, training and capacity building; Good governance initiatives;
Code of conduct and discipline; Staff associations; Political rights; Grievance redressal mechanism; Civil
service neutrality; Civil service activism.

9. Financial Management :

Budget as a political instrument; Parliamentary control of public expenditure; Role of finance ministry in
monetary and fiscal area; Accounting techniques; Audit; Role of Controller General of Accounts and
Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

10. Administrative Reforms since Independence :

Major concerns; Important Committees and Commissions; Reforms in financial management and human
resource development; Problems of implementation.

11. Rural Development :

Institutions and agencies since Independence; Rural development programmes: foci and strategies;
Decentralization and Panchayati Raj; 73rd Constitutional amendment.

12. Urban Local Government :

Municipal governance: main features, structures, finance and problem areas; 74th Constitutional
Amendment; Global-local debate; New localism; Development dynamics, politics and administration with
special reference to city management.

13. Law and Order Administration:

British legacy; National Police Commission; Investigative agencies; Role of Central and State Agencies
including para military forces in maintenance of law and order and countering insurgency and terrorism;
Criminalisation of politics and administration; Police-public relations; Reforms in Police.

14. Significant issues in Indian Administration:

Values in public service; Regulatory Commissions; National Human Rights Commission; Problems of
administration in coalition regimes; Citizen administration interface; Corruption and administration;
Disaster management.

SOCIOLOGY

PAPER– I

FUNDAMENTALS OF SOCIOLOGY

1. Sociology - The Discipline:

(a) Modernity and social changes in Europe and emergence of Sociology.

(b) Scope of the subject and comparison with other social sciences.

(c) Sociology and common sense.

2. Sociology as Science:

(a) Science, scientific method and critique.

(b) Major theoretical strands of research methodology.

(c) Positivism and its critique.