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  • What is a ‘Black Swan’ Event?

    A study by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has spoken about the possibility of capital outflows to the tune of $100 billion (around Rs 7,80,000 crore) from India in case of a major global risk scenario or a “black swan” event.

    What is a ‘black swan’ event?

    • A black swan is a rare, unpredictable event that comes as a surprise and has a significant impact on society or the world.
    • These events are said to have three distinguishing characteristics –
    1. they are extremely rare and outside the realm of regular expectations
    2. they have a severe impact after they hit and
    3. they seem probable in hindsight when plausible explanations appear

    When did the term originate?

    • The black swan theory was put forward by author and investor Nassim Nicholas Taleb in 2001, and later popularised in his 2007 book – The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable.
    • It is described as one of the 12 most influential books since World War II.
    • In his book, Taleb does not try to lay out a method to predict such events, but instead stresses on building “robustness” in systems and strategies to deal with black swan occurrences and withstand their impact.

    Behind the metaphorical name

    • The term itself is linked to the discovery of black swans.
    • Europeans believed all swans to be white until 1697, when a Dutch explorer spotted the first black swan in Australia.
    • The metaphor ‘black swan event’ is derived from this unprecedented spotting from the 17th century, and how it upended the West’s understanding of swans.

    When have such events occurred in the past?

    • Interestingly, Taleb’s book predated the 2008 global financial crisis – a black swan event triggered by a sudden crash in the booming housing market in the US.
    • The fall of the Soviet Union, the terrorist attack in the US on September 11, 2001, also fall in the same category.

    Is the Covid-19 pandemic a black swan event?

    • Taleb does not agree with those who believe it to be one.
    • Rather, he called it a “white swan”, arguing that it was predictable, and there was no excuse for companies and governments not to be prepared for something like this.
    • While the outbreak of any pandemic is difficult to individually predict, the possibility of one occurring and having a major impact on systems around the world was known and documented.

     

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  • single-use plastic

    The Centre has banned the use of ‘single-use plastic’ from July 1.

    What is the news?

    • The Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change had issued a gazette notification last year announcing the ban, and has now defined a list of items that will be banned from next month.
    • The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of suc plastic, including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, commodities shall be prohibited with effect from the 1st July, 2022.

    What is Single-Use Plastic?

    • As the name suggests, it refers to plastic items that are used once and discarded.
    • Single-use plastic (SUP) has among the highest shares of plastic manufactured and used — from packaging of items, to bottles (shampoo, detergents, cosmetics), polythene bags, face masks, coffee cups, cling film, trash bags, food packaging etc.
    • It accounts for a third of all plastic produced globally, with 98% manufactured from fossil fuels.
    • SUP also accounts for the majority of plastic discarded – 130 million metric tonnes globally in 2019 all of which is burned, buried in landfills or discarded directly into the environment.
    • On the current trajectory of production, it has been projected that single-use plastic could account for 5-10% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

    SUPs in India

    • India features in the top 100 countries of single-use plastic waste generation – at rank 94 (the top three being Singapore, Australia and Oman).
    • With domestic production of 11.8 million metric tonnes annually, and import of 2.9 MMT, India’s net generation of single-use plastic waste is 5.6 MMT, and per capita generation is 4 kg.

    What are the items being banned?

    • According to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, there is also a complete ban on sachets using plastic material for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala.
    • The items on which the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have announced a ban are earbuds; balloon sticks; candy and ice-cream sticks; cutlery items including plates, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, PVC banners measuring under 100 microns among others.
    • The Ministry had already banned polythene bags under 75 microns in September 2021, expanding the limit from the earlier 50 microns.
    • From December, the ban will be extended to polythene bags under 120 microns.
    • The ban is being introduced in phases to give manufacturers time to shift to thicker polythene bags that are easier to recycle.
    • While manufacturers can use the same machine for 50- and 75-micron bags, the machinery will need to be upgraded for 120 microns.

    Why these items?

    • The choice for the first set of SUPs items for the ban was based on difficulty of collection, and therefore recycling.
    • The enemy is not that plastic exists per se, but that plastic exists forever in the environment.
    • When plastic remains in the environment for long periods of time and does not decay, it turns into microplastics – first entering our food sources and then the human body, and this is extremely harmful.
    • These items are difficult to collect, especially since most are either small, or discarded directly into the environment – like ice-cream sticks.
    • It then becomes difficult to collect for recycling, unlike the much larger items.
    • The largest share of SUP is that of packaging – with as much as 95% of single use belong to this category – from toothpaste to shaving cream to frozen foods.
    • The items chosen are of low value and of low turnover and are unlikely to have a big economic impact, which could be a contributing reason.

    How will the ban be enforced?

    • The ban will be monitored by the CPCB from the Centre, and by the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) that will report to the Centre regularly.
    • Directions have been issued at national, state and local levels — for example, to all petrochemical industries — to not supply raw materials to industries engaged in the banned items.
    • Directions have also been issued to SPCBs and Pollution Control Committees to modify or revoke consent to operate issued under the Air/Water Act to industries engaged in SUP items.
    • Last week, the CPCB issued one-time certificates to 200 manufacturers of compostable plastic and the BIS passed standards for biodegradable plastic.

    What if violation occurs?

    • Those found violating the ban can be penalised under the Environment Protection Act 1986 – which allows for imprisonment up to 5 years, or a penalty up to Rs 1 lakh, or both.
    • Violators can also be asked to pay Environmental Damage Compensation by the SPCB.
    • In addition, there are municipal laws on plastic waste, with their own penal codes.

    How are other countries dealing with single-use plastic?

    • Bangladesh became the first country to ban thin plastic bags in 2002.
    • New Zealand became the latest country to ban plastic bags in July 2019.
    • China issued a ban on plastic bags in 2020 with phased implementation.
    • As of July 2019, 68 countries have plastic bag bans with varying degrees of enforcement.
    • Vanuatu and Seychelles have banned plastic straws outright.

     

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  • Major reforms in Banks Board Bureau (BBB)

    The Union Finance Ministry is working to expand and relaunch the Banks Board Bureau (BBB) by bringing in more representatives from the insurance sector.

    What is Banks Board Bureau (BBB)?

    • Banks Board Bureau (BBB) is an autonomous body to Promote excellence in Corporate Governance in Public Sector Financial Institutions.
    • The BBB works as step towards governance reforms in Public Sector Banks (PSBs) as recommended by J. Nayak Committee.
    • It was formed in 2016 to select executive directors, and managing directors and chief executives of state-run banks.
    • It is tasked to search and select personages for Board of Public Sector Banks, Public Sector Financial Institutions and Public Sector Insurance Companies and recommend measures to improve Corporate Governance in these Institutions.
    • It has been selecting directors and chairmen and managing directors of PSU general insurance companies since 2018.

    Its establishment

    • The Central Government notified the amendment to the Nationalised Banks (Management and Miscellaneous Provisions) Scheme, 1980.
    • It provided the legal framework for composition and functions of the Banks Board Bureau on March 23, 2016.
    • The Bureau accordingly started functioning from April 01, 2016 as an autonomous recommendatory body.

    Functions of BBB

    The mandate of the Bureau is to advise the Central Government on –

    • Selection and appointment of Board of Directors in Nationalised Banks, Financial Institutions and Public Sector Insurance Companies (Whole Time Directors and Chairman)
    • Matters relating to appointments, confirmation or extension of tenure and termination of services of the Directors of mandated institutions
    • Desired management structure of mandated institutions, at the level of Board of Directors and senior management
    • Suitable performance appraisal system for mandated institutions
    • Formulation and enforcement of a code of conduct and ethics for managerial personnel in mandated institutions
    • To build a data bank containing data relating to the performance of mandated institutions and its officers
    • Evolving suitable training and development programs for managerial personnel in mandated institutions
    • To help the banks in terms of developing business strategies and capital raising plan and the like;
    • Any other work assigned by the Government in consultation with RBI

    Why such move?

    • The revamp is, in part, pushed by a Delhi High Court order last year.
    • It observed that the bureau was not a competent body to recommend appointments at PSU general insurers.
    • It held that circulars enabling BBB to select general managers and directors of PSU insurers were not legally valid.

    Reasons behind the revamp

    • FM aims to legally empower the body to recommend candidates for public sector insurers, and accelerate top-level hiring at all state-run financial institutions.
    • The ministry plans to identify new members, restructure the bureau, and refer the new names to the appointments committee of the cabinet (ACC) in a couple of months.
    • The revamped BBB may also get a new name to indicate its remit over a wider set of financial institutions.

    Significance

    • A revamp of the BBB will enable it to recommend full-time appointments at financial institutions where the current executives are given additional charge through interim arrangements.

     

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  • Explained: Occurrence of Lightning

    At least 70 people died in lightning strikes across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

    What is lightning?

    • Scientifically, lightning is a rapid and massive discharge of electricity in the atmosphere some of which is directed towards earth.
    • The discharges are generated in giant moisture-bearing clouds that are 10-12 km tall.
    • The base of these clouds typically lie within 1-2 km of the Earth’s surface, while the top is 12-13 km away.
    • Temperatures in the top of these clouds are in the range of –35° to –45°C.

    Its formation

    • As water vapour moves upward in the cloud, the falling temperature causes it to condense.
    • As they move to temperatures below 0°C, the water droplets change into small ice crystals.
    • They continue to move up, gathering mass until they are so heavy that they start to fall to Earth.
    • This leads to a system in which, simultaneously, smaller ice crystals are moving up and bigger crystals are coming down.
    • Collisions follow and trigger the release of electrons, a process that is very similar to the generation of sparks of electricity.
    • As the moving free electrons cause more collisions and more electrons, a chain reaction ensues.
    • This process results in a situation in which the top layer of the cloud gets positively charged, while the middle layer is negatively charged.
    • The electrical potential difference between the two layers is huge, of the order of a billion to 10 billion volts.
    • In very little time, a massive current, of the order of 100,000 to a million amperes, starts to flow between the layers.

    Types of lightning

    • Broadly, there are three forms of lightning:
    1. Inter-cloud
    2. Intra-cloud
    3. Cloud-to-ground
    • It is the cloud-to-ground form of lightning that kills humans, as well as animals and livestock, and can substantially damage property.
    • While the Earth is a good conductor of electricity, it is electrically neutral.
    • However, in comparison to the middle layer of the cloud, it becomes positively charged.
    • As a result, about 15%-20% of the current gets directed towards the Earth as well.
    • It is this flow of current that results in damage to life and property on Earth.

    How intensely does it strike?

    • A typical lightning flash is about 300 million volts and 30,000 amps.
    • To put it in perspective, household current is 120 volts and 15 amps.
    • A flash of lightning is enough to light a 100-watt incandescent bulb for about three months.

    Why does lightning kill so many people in India?

    • The reason for the high number of deaths is due to people being caught unawares and more than 70% of fatalities happened due to people standing under isolated tall trees.
    • About 25 per cent of the people were struck in the open.
    • Also, lightning is the direct promulgation of climate change extremities.

    Mitigating lightning incidents

    • Lightning is not classified as a natural disaster in India.
    • But recent efforts have resulted in the setting up of an early warning system that is already saving many lives.
    • More than 96% of lightning deaths happen in rural areas.
    • As such, most of the mitigation and public awareness programmes need to focus on these communities.
    • Lightning protection devices are fairly unsophisticated and low-cost. Yet, their deployment in the rural areas, as of now, is extremely low.
    • States are being encouraged to prepare and implement lightning action plans, on the lines of heat action plans.
    • An international centre for excellence on lightning research to boost detection and early warning systems is also in the process of being set up.

     

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  • Back in news: Central Vista Project

    The Central Vista Avenue is set to open in the next few days after remaining closed to the public since February 2021 for redevelopment.

    Central Vista Project

    • The project aims to renovate and redevelop 86 acres of land in Lutyens’s Delhi.
    • In this, the landmark structures of the government, including Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, North Block and South Block, etc. stand.
    • This dream project of redeveloping the nation’s administrative heart was announced by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs back in September 13, 2019.

    This project has three main parts:

    1. New parliament building
    2. New secretariat complex to bring all the central govt ministries in one place
    3. Development of the Rajghat and the area around it
    • This project will involve demolition of some non-heritage buildings in the area, and construction of new buildings in place of them.

    Why need this Project?

    The most significant aspect of the project is the construction of a new parliament building.  There are several reasons for needing a new building.

    • Pre Independence building: The current one was built in 1927to house the legislative council and was not intended to house a bicameral legislature that the country has today.
    • Lack of Space: The current building will be under more stress when the number of seats to Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are raised. Both Houses are already packed and members have to sit on plastic chairs when joint sessions are held, diminishing the dignity of the House.
    • Safety Concerns: The existing building does not conform to fire safety norms. Water and sewer lines are also haphazard and this is damaging its heritage nature. Security concerns in the wake of the 2001 Parliament attack shows its vulnerable nature. It is also not quake-proof.
    • Cost Advantage: Many central ministries are housed in different buildings with the result that the government ends up paying rent for many of them. The new building, a new central secretariat will help avoid this.
    • Environmental Benefits: The fact that people and officials have to run around the city to go to different ministries also increases traffic and pollution. The project also proposes interlinking of metro stations which will minimise use of vehicles.

    Due to these reasons, a pressing need was felt to construct a new parliament building.

    Significance of the project

    • Modernising parliament’s facilities: The new Parliament building will be India’s first purpose-designed parliament, equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure to meet all needs of an expanded parliament.
    • Improving productivity and efficiency: All ministries of the government will be consolidated in one place and will be served by highly energy-efficient and sustainable infrastructure.
    • Strengthening cultural and recreational facilities: The National Museum will be relocated and conceptualized to present the rich heritage and achievements of the nation.
    • Providing modern and secure infrastructure: A modern, secure, and appropriately equipped executive enclave is proposed to house executive offices and facilities.
    • Providing residential facilities for the PM: Modern and secure residential facilities for the vice president and the PM are proposed to the north of North Block and south of South Block respectively.
    • Cultural significance: The overall objective of works planned on the Central Vista is to ensure environmental sustainability, restore the vista’s architectural character, protect its heritage buildings, expand and improve public space, and to extend its axis.

    Criticism

    • The Opposition, environmentalists, architects and citizens have raised many concerns even before the pandemic brought in extra issues.
      • They have questioned the lack of studies to ascertain the need for the project and its impact on the environment, traffic and pollution.
    • Several key approvals for the proposed Parliament building have been pushed during the lockdown. This led to allegations of a lack of transparency.
    • They argue that in the situation created by the pandemic, the project must be deferred as the country can’t afford it at this time.

    Back2Basics: Making of New Delhi

    • The Central Vista was designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, to house the capital of British India.
    • The top of the Raisina Hill and adjacent hills in the area was flattened to create space for the buildings.
    • At his coronation as Emperor of India on December 12, 1911, Britain’s King George V announced the transfer of the seat of the Government from Calcutta to the ancient Capital of Delhi.
    • Thereafter, a 20-year-long project to build modern New Delhi was spearheaded by architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker.
    • They built Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhavan, North and South Blocks, Rajpath, India Gate, National Archives and the princes’ houses around India Gate.
    • Thus, New Delhi was unveiled in 1931.

     

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  • IAS Exam Syllabus

    UPSC CSE exam is also known as the IAS exam. Usually, the top 100 rankers are allotted the IAS rank.

    It is part of the most coveted Civil Service Exam (IAS/IPS/IFS), which is conducted by UPSC yearly to recruit candidates for the various all-India services & Posts under the Government of India.

    free 1-1 mentorship | discuss upsc syllabus in detail with Senior mentor from Civilsdaily

    It comprises two successive stages: 

    1. Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination: It is an objective type screening test & is conducted to shortlist candidates for the Mains examination. 

    Civil Service (Main) Examination: The exam is conducted for the selection of suitable candidates for the posts & services. The question papers for the examination will be of conventional (essay) type.

    The foremost crucial thing for a UPSC Aspirant is to digest the UPSC syllabus and bring it to your fingertips. The most satisfactory way to understand the whole syllabus is to be under the guidance of a topper’s mentor. A serious candidate ought to have a grip on the full syllabus of pre and mains before prelims. Given below is comprehensive coverage of the syllabus for UPSC-CSE.

    UPSC-CSE Preliminary Examination Syllabus:

    The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam is the first phase of the Civil Services Exam but is not necessarily the easiest. There is a broad difference between the syllabi of the Preliminary and Main Exam, the nature of questions, and consequently, the preparation strategy needs to be well thought out. Every year around 15 Lakhs aspirants fill up the form but only less than 1% get selected as an IAS or IPS, etc. posts. And almost 90% of candidates get eliminated in the prelims. So, the very first crucial step is to have a grip on the Syllabus of UPSC prelims. 

    It consists of two papers.

    Paper 1 consists of 100 Questions (200 Marks)

    Subjects 

    • Current Events of National and International Importance.
    • Ancient & Medieval 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 2 consists of 80 questions – (200 marks)

    Topics covered

    • 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: Paper 2 of the UPSC-CSE prelims is a qualifying paper with minimum pass marks fixed @33%. And the type of the questions in Paper 1 & Paper 2 is multiple-choice objective type. There is a negative marking for every wrong answer which is 1/3rd of the marks assigned to a question.

    UPSC-CSE Mains Examination Syllabus:

    UPSC-CSE Main examination consists of a written examination in various stages and a personality test. 

    The papers are divided into 2 categories- 

    • Qualifying papers 
    • Papers to be counted for merit.

    Note : 

    (i) The question papers for the examination will be of conventional (essay) type. 

    (ii) Each paper will be of 3 hours duration. 

    (iii) Candidates will have the option to answer all the question papers, except the Qualifying Language Papers, Paper-A, and Paper-B, in any one of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India or English. 

    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 paper aims to test the candidates’ ability to read and understand serious discursive prose and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in the English and Indian languages concerned. 

    The pattern of questions would be broad 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 qualifying 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 the translation is involved).

    PAPER-I 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.

    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, and 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, redrawing 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 the world’s physical geography.  
    • Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); 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, tsunamis, Volcanic activity, cyclones, etc., geographical features and their location changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and 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 disputes redressal mechanisms and institutions.  
    • Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.  
    • Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, the 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, 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

    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.  
    • Science and technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.  
    • Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and development of 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.

    PAPER-V General Studies- IV: 

    Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude  

    • This paper will include questions to test the candidate’s 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; the role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.  
    • Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior; 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

    PAPER-VI & PAPER VII 

    Optional Subject Papers I & II 

    Candidates have to choose an optional subject from amongst the List of Optional Subjects. He/She has to write 2 different papers on the same subject.

    Some Important Facts:

    The Main Examination is intended to evaluate 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 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 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. 

    Now, to succeed in UPSC-CSE, only knowing the syllabus is not enough. Understanding twists & overlapping areas are a crucial aspect of preparation. To tell the truth, if anyone can be your true torchbearer throughout your IAS journey, he is your mentor. Never deprive yourself of his priceless guidance.
    The desire to complete the course alone in its entirety is the major cause of most time mismanagement. Many applicants set out to cover the entire syllabus blindly only to discover later that many topics are simply too broad or that very few if any, questions are being asked from certain sections. A lot of time is wasted in this effort because those topics are required to be addressed differently, and the time saved on their coverage could have been better spent on other parts of the syllabus.

    free 1-1 mentorship | discuss upsc syllabus in detail with Senior mentor from Civilsdaily

  • UPSC Exam Syllabus

    UPSC CSE exam is also known as the IAS exam. Usually, the top 100 rankers are allotted the IAS rank.

    It is part of the most coveted Civil Service Exam (IAS/IPS/IFS), which is conducted by UPSC yearly to recruit candidates for the various all-India services & Posts under the Government of India.

    free 1-1 mentorship | discuss upsc syllabus in detail with Senior mentor from Civilsdaily

    It comprises two successive stages: 

    1. Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination: It is an objective type screening test & is conducted to shortlist candidates for the Mains examination. 

    Civil Service (Main) Examination: The exam is conducted for the selection of suitable candidates for the posts & services. The question papers for the examination will be of conventional (essay) type.

    The foremost crucial thing for a UPSC Aspirant is to digest the UPSC syllabus and bring it to your fingertips. The most satisfactory way to understand the whole syllabus is to be under the guidance of a topper’s mentor. A serious candidate ought to have a grip on the full syllabus of pre and mains before prelims. Given below is comprehensive coverage of the syllabus for UPSC-CSE.

    UPSC-CSE Preliminary Examination Syllabus:

    The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam is the first phase of the Civil Services Exam but is not necessarily the easiest. There is a broad difference between the syllabi of the Preliminary and Main Exam, the nature of questions, and consequently, the preparation strategy needs to be well thought out. Every year around 15 Lakhs aspirants fill up the form but only less than 1% get selected as an IAS or IPS, etc. posts. And almost 90% of candidates get eliminated in the prelims. So, the very first crucial step is to have a grip on the Syllabus of UPSC prelims. 

    It consists of two papers.

    Paper 1 consists of 100 Questions (200 Marks)

    Subjects 

    • Current Events of National and International Importance.
    • Ancient & Medieval 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 2 consists of 80 questions – (200 marks)

    Topics covered

    • 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: Paper 2 of the UPSC-CSE prelims is a qualifying paper with minimum pass marks fixed @33%. And the type of the questions in Paper 1 & Paper 2 is multiple-choice objective type. There is a negative marking for every wrong answer which is 1/3rd of the marks assigned to a question.

    UPSC-CSE Mains Examination Syllabus:

    UPSC-CSE Main examination consists of a written examination in various stages and a personality test. 

    The papers are divided into 2 categories- 

    • Qualifying papers 
    • Papers to be counted for merit.

    Note : 

    (i) The question papers for the examination will be of conventional (essay) type. 

    (ii) Each paper will be of 3 hours duration. 

    (iii) Candidates will have the option to answer all the question papers, except the Qualifying Language Papers, Paper-A, and Paper-B, in any one of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India or English. 

    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 paper aims to test the candidates’ ability to read and understand serious discursive prose and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in the English and Indian languages concerned. 

    The pattern of questions would be broad 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 qualifying 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 the translation is involved).

    PAPER-I 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.

    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, and 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, redrawing 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 the world’s physical geography.  
    • Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); 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, tsunamis, Volcanic activity, cyclones, etc., geographical features and their location changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and 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 disputes redressal mechanisms and institutions.  
    • Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.  
    • Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, the 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, 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

    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.  
    • Science and technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.  
    • Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and development of 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.

    PAPER-V General Studies- IV: 

    Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude  

    • This paper will include questions to test the candidate’s 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; the role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.  
    • Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior; 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

    PAPER-VI & PAPER VII 

    Optional Subject Papers I & II 

    Candidates have to choose an optional subject from amongst the List of Optional Subjects. He/She has to write 2 different papers on the same subject.

    Some Important Facts:

    The Main Examination is intended to evaluate 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 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 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. 

    Now, to succeed in UPSC-CSE, only knowing the syllabus is not enough. Understanding twists & overlapping areas are a crucial aspect of preparation. To tell the truth, if anyone can be your true torchbearer throughout your IAS journey, he is your mentor. Never deprive yourself of his priceless guidance.
    The desire to complete the course alone in its entirety is the major cause of most time mismanagement. Many applicants set out to cover the entire syllabus blindly only to discover later that many topics are simply too broad or that very few if any, questions are being asked from certain sections. A lot of time is wasted in this effort because those topics are required to be addressed differently, and the time saved on their coverage could have been better spent on other parts of the syllabus.

    free 1-1 mentorship | discuss upsc syllabus in detail with Senior mentor from Civilsdaily

  • IAS Syllabus

    UPSC CSE exam is also known as the IAS exam. Usually, the top 100 rankers are allotted the IAS rank.

    It is part of the most coveted Civil Service Exam (IAS/IPS/IFS), which is conducted by UPSC yearly to recruit candidates for the various all-India services & Posts under the Government of India.

    free 1-1 mentorship | discuss upsc syllabus in detail with Senior mentor from Civilsdaily

    It comprises two successive stages: 

    1. Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination: It is an objective type screening test & is conducted to shortlist candidates for the Mains examination. 

    Civil Service (Main) Examination: The exam is conducted for the selection of suitable candidates for the posts & services. The question papers for the examination will be of conventional (essay) type.

    The foremost crucial thing for a UPSC Aspirant is to digest the UPSC syllabus and bring it to your fingertips. The most satisfactory way to understand the whole syllabus is to be under the guidance of a topper’s mentor. A serious candidate ought to have a grip on the full syllabus of pre and mains before prelims. Given below is comprehensive coverage of the syllabus for UPSC-CSE.

    UPSC-CSE Preliminary Examination Syllabus:

    The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam is the first phase of the Civil Services Exam but is not necessarily the easiest. There is a broad difference between the syllabi of the Preliminary and Main Exam, the nature of questions, and consequently, the preparation strategy needs to be well thought out. Every year around 15 Lakhs aspirants fill up the form but only less than 1% get selected as an IAS or IPS, etc. posts. And almost 90% of candidates get eliminated in the prelims. So, the very first crucial step is to have a grip on the Syllabus of UPSC prelims. 

    It consists of two papers.

    Paper 1 consists of 100 Questions (200 Marks)

    Subjects 

    • Current Events of National and International Importance.
    • Ancient & Medieval 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 2 consists of 80 questions – (200 marks)

    Topics covered

    • 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: Paper 2 of the UPSC-CSE prelims is a qualifying paper with minimum pass marks fixed @33%. And the type of the questions in Paper 1 & Paper 2 is multiple-choice objective type. There is a negative marking for every wrong answer which is 1/3rd of the marks assigned to a question.

    free 1-1 mentorship | discuss upsc syllabus in detail with Senior mentor from Civilsdaily

    UPSC-CSE Mains Examination Syllabus:

    UPSC-CSE Main examination consists of a written examination in various stages and a personality test. 

    The papers are divided into 2 categories- 

    • Qualifying papers 
    • Papers to be counted for merit.

    Note : 

    (i) The question papers for the examination will be of conventional (essay) type. 

    (ii) Each paper will be of 3 hours duration. 

    (iii) Candidates will have the option to answer all the question papers, except the Qualifying Language Papers, Paper-A, and Paper-B, in any one of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India or English. 

    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 paper aims to test the candidates’ ability to read and understand serious discursive prose and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in the English and Indian languages concerned. 

    The pattern of questions would be broad 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 qualifying 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 the translation is involved).

    PAPER-I 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.

    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, and 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, redrawing 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 the world’s physical geography.  
    • Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); 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, tsunamis, Volcanic activity, cyclones, etc., geographical features and their location changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and 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 disputes redressal mechanisms and institutions.  
    • Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.  
    • Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, the 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, 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

    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.  
    • Science and technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.  
    • Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and development of 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.

    PAPER-V General Studies- IV: 

    Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude  

    • This paper will include questions to test the candidate’s 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; the role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.  
    • Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior; 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

    PAPER-VI & PAPER VII 

    Optional Subject Papers I & II 

    Candidates have to choose an optional subject from amongst the List of Optional Subjects. He/She has to write 2 different papers on the same subject.

    Some Important Facts:

    The Main Examination is intended to evaluate 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 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 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. 

    Now, to succeed in UPSC-CSE, only knowing the syllabus is not enough. Understanding twists & overlapping areas are a crucial aspect of preparation. To tell the truth, if anyone can be your true torchbearer throughout your IAS journey, he is your mentor. Never deprive yourself of his priceless guidance.
    The desire to complete the course alone in its entirety is the major cause of most time mismanagement. Many applicants set out to cover the entire syllabus blindly only to discover later that many topics are simply too broad or that very few if any, questions are being asked from certain sections. A lot of time is wasted in this effort because those topics are required to be addressed differently, and the time saved on their coverage could have been better spent on other parts of the syllabus.

    free 1-1 mentorship | discuss upsc syllabus in detail with Senior mentor from Civilsdaily

  • UPSC Civil Services Syllabus

    Don’t fall for the classic blunder: skipping the syllabus!

    1. Knowing the precise demands of the UPSC Syllabus and what not to study is the first step.
    2. Without an understanding of the syllabus, you will be scanning through endless content without any direction, wasting your time and energy.
    3. UPSC has a well-defined topic-wise syllabus. But it doesn’t list the study material/reference books from which these topics must be prepared.
    4. The level of depth demanded by these topics can only be assessed through the previous year’s questions. Rest assured, the Civil Services Exam is an examination to recruit generalist bureaucrats who would be able to handle any department under the government. The exam, therefore, demands the exact same thing, your vastness and breadth of understanding and not depth of understanding.
    5. More often than not, the syllabus requires multiple readings.

    The most satisfactory way to understand the whole syllabus is under the guidance of a mentor. A seasoned mentor can help develop clarity, and save precious time, and iterations in figuring things out.

    The Civil Services Examination is conducted in 3 stages

    1. Preliminary Stage – General Studies & CSAT(qualifying)
    2. Mains Stage – 9 Theory Papers (GS I-IV, Language Papers(qualifying), Essay & Optional)
    3. Personality Test – Interview

    *qualifying papers require you to score minimum marks. Their score is not counted in the final tally.

    UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam

    The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam is the first phase of the Civil Services Exam. Every year more than 11 Lakh aspirants fill up the form but around 98-99% get eliminated in the prelims. So, the very first crucial step is to have a grip on the Syllabus of UPSC prelims. 

    It consists of 2 compulsory papers.

    Compulsory PapersPaper-I(GS) Paper-II(CSAT)
    Number of Questions10080
    Total Marks200(2 marks/question)200(2.5 marks/question)
    Negative Marking(0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will
    be deducted as penalty    		(0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will
    be deducted as penalty
    Time Allotted2 Hours (9:30 AM -11:30 AM)2 Hours (2:30 PM – 4:30 PM)
    QualifyingCounted for merit. qualifying paper with
    minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%. Not counted for merit.
    UPSC Prelims

    Paper 1 GS syllabus is as follows

    • Current Events of National and International Importance.
    • Ancient & Medieval 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 2 CSAT Syllabus

    • 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).

    UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam

    The UPSC Mains exam consists of 9 papers, out of which two language papers are qualifying papers of 300 marks each and rest 7 are counted for merit.

    The papers are divided into 2 categories- 

    • Qualifying papers – Any Indian Language Paper and English Language Paper
    • Papers to be counted for merit – Paper 1 to Paper 7
    PaperSubjectDurationTotal marksTime AllottedNature of paper
    Paper ACompulsory Indian language3 hours3003 hoursQualifying
    Paper BEnglish3 hours3003 hoursQualifying
    Paper IEssay3 hours2503 hoursMerit-based
    Paper-IIGeneral Studies I3 hours2503 hoursMerit-based
    Paper IIIGeneral Studies II3 hours2503 hoursMerit-based
    Paper IVGeneral Studies III3 hours2503 hoursMerit-based
    Paper VGeneral Studies IV3 hours2503 hoursMerit-based
    Paper VIOptional I3 hours2503 hoursMerit-based
    Paper VIIOptional II3 hours2503 hoursMerit-based
    UPSC Mains

    Must-Know Facts about UPSC Mains

    1. The Mains examination constitutes the 2nd phase of the Civil Services Examination.
    2. Only after successfully qualifying in the prelims exam would the candidates be allowed to write the IAS Mains.
    3. The Mains exam tests the candidate’s academic talent in depth and his/her ability to present his/her understanding according to the requirements of the question in a time-bound manner.
    4. Candidates will have the option to answer all the question papers, except the Qualifying Language Papers, Paper-A, and Paper-B, in any one of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India or English. 

    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 paper aims to test the candidates’ ability to read and understand serious discursive prose and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in the English and Indian languages concerned. 

    The pattern of questions would be broad 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 qualifying 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 the translation is involved).

    PAPER-I 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.

    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, and 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, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc.— their forms and effect 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 subcontinent); 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, tsunamis, Volcanic activity, cyclones, etc., geographical features and their location changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and 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 disputes redressal mechanisms and institutions.  
    • Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.  
    • Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, the 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, 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

    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.  
    • Science and technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.  
    • Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and development of 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.

    PAPER-V General Studies- IV: 

    Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude  

    • This paper will include questions to test the candidate’s 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; the role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.  
    • Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior; 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

    PAPER-VI & PAPER VII 

    Optional Subject Papers I & II 

    Candidates have to choose an optional subject from amongst the List of Optional Subjects. He/She has to write 2 different papers on the same subject.

    Some Important Facts:

    The Main Examination is intended to evaluate 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 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 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. 

    Now, to succeed in UPSC-CSE, only knowing the syllabus is not enough. Understanding twists & overlapping areas are a crucial aspect of preparation. To tell the truth, if anyone can be your true torchbearer throughout your IAS journey, he is your mentor. Never deprive yourself of his priceless guidance.


    The desire to complete the course alone in its entirety is the major cause of most time mismanagement. Many applicants set out to cover the entire syllabus blindly only to discover later that many topics are simply too broad or that very few if any, questions are being asked from certain sections. A lot of time is wasted in this effort because those topics are required to be addressed differently, and the time saved on their coverage could have been better spent on other parts of the syllabus.

    free 1-1 mentorship | discuss upsc syllabus in detail with Senior mentor from Civilsdaily

  • UPSC Prelims Syllabus

    The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam is the first phase of the Civil Services Exam but is not necessarily the easiest. There is a broad difference between the syllabi of the Preliminary and Main Exam, the nature of questions, and consequently, the preparation strategy needs to be well thought out. Every year around 15 Lakhs aspirants fill up the form but only less than 1% get selected as an IAS or IPS, etc. posts. And almost 90% of candidates get eliminated in the prelims. So, the very first crucial step is to have a grip on the Syllabus of UPSC prelims. 

    free 1-1 mentorship | discuss upsc syllabus in detail with Senior mentor from Civilsdaily

    UPSC-CSE Preliminary Examination Syllabus:

    Paper 1 consists of 100 Questions (200 Marks)

    Subjects 

    • Current Events of National and International Importance.
    • Ancient & Medieval 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 2 consists of 80 questions – (200 marks)

    Topics covered

    • 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: Paper 2 of the UPSC-CSE prelims is a qualifying paper with minimum pass marks fixed @33%. And the type of the questions in Paper 1 & Paper 2 is multiple-choice objective type. There is a negative marking for every wrong answer which is 1/3rd of the marks assigned to a question.

    free 1-1 mentorship | discuss upsc syllabus in detail with Senior mentor from Civilsdaily

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