General Studies Syllabus for IAS Exam

Here is the General Studies syllabus for IAS/UPSC exams(New syllabus)

Preliminary Examination of Civil Services Exam

Section-A
General Studies
# General Science.
# Current events of national and international importance
# History of India and Indian National Movement
# Indian and World Geography
# Indian Polity and Economy
# General Mental Ability

Questions on General Science will cover general appreciation and understanding of science including matters of everyday observation and experience, as may be expected of a well educated person who has not made a special study of any particular scientific discipline. In current events, knowledge of significant national and international events will be tested. In History of India, emphasis will be on broad general understanding of the subject in its social, economic and political aspects. Questions on the Indian National Movement will relate to the nature and character of the nineteenth century resurgence, growth of nationalism and attainment of Independence. In Geography, emphasis will be on Geography of India. Questions on the Geography of India will relate to physical, social and economic Geography of the country, including the main features of Indian agricultural and natural resources. Questions on Indian Polity and Economy will test knowledge of the country’s political system and Constitution of India, Panchayati Raj, Social Systems and economic developments in India. On general mental ability, the candidates will be tested on reasoning and analytical abilities.

Main Examination of Civil Services Exam

The nature and standard of questions in these 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.

Paper-I

(a) 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.

(b) Geogrphy of India
In this part, questions will be on the physical, economic and social geography of India.

(c) Indian Polity
This part will include questions on the Constitution of India, Political system and related matters.

(d) 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 the present-day India, such as the following.

Demography & Human Resource & related issues. Behavioural & Social issues & Social Welfare problems, such as child labour, gender equality, adult literacy, rehabilitation of the handicapped and other deprived segments of the society, drug abuse, public health etc.

Law enforcement issues, human rights, corruption in public life, communal harmony etc.

Internal Security and related issues.

Environmental issues, ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources and national heritage.

The role of national institutions, their relevance and need for change.

Paper-II

(a) India and the World
This part is intended to test candidate's awareness of India's relationship with the world in various spheres, such as the following:-

# Foreign Affairs
# External Security and related matters
# Nuclear Policy
# Indians abroad

(b) Indian Economy
In this part, questions will be on the planning and economic development in India, economic & trade issues, Foreign Trade, the role and functions of I.M.F., World Bank, W.T.O. etc.

(c) International Affairs & Institutions
This part will include questions on important events in world affairs and on international institutions.

(d) Developments in the field of science & technology, communications and space
In this part, questions will test the candidate's awareness of the developments in the field of science & technology, communications and space and also basic ideas of computers.

(e) Statistical analysis, graphs and diagrams
This part will include exercises to test the candidate's ability to draw common sense conclusions from information presented in statistical, graphical or diagrammatical form and to point out deficiencies, limitations or inconsistencies therein.