Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Free Ebook IAS Planner by UPSC Portal
Free Ebook IAS Planner by UPSC Portal
Free Ebook IAS Planner by UPSC Portal
http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner
21-40
Exam Process
A. Preliminary Examination
B. Mains Examination
Personality Test (Interview)
19-20
Preliminary Examination
Main Examination
Interview Test
14-19
Procedure of Examination
Academic Eligibility
Other Eligibility Conditions
12-14
What are the Prospects for Engineering & Science Stream Students?
IAS Salary
Perks, Benefits & Facilities Enjoyed by IAS Officers
Nature of Works
4-12
40-43
43-48
Hard Work
Dedication
Patience
Self-Confidence
Faith in God/Luck
Time Management
Writing Skills
Examination Tacties
Examination Tacties
Use of Internet
Strategy for Freshers
Role of Coaching Institute
General Trend of Marks
48-49
What is UPSC?
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Indianisation of the superior Civil Services became one of the major
demands of the political movement compelling the British Indian Government to consider setting up of a
Public Service Commission for recruitment to its services in the territory. The first Public Service
Commission was set up on October 1st, 1926. The Constituent Assembly, after independence, with the
promulgation of the new Constitution for independent India on 26th January, 1950, this Public Service
Commission was accorded a constitutional status as an autonomous entity and given the title - Union Public
Service Commission.
Constitutional Provisions: the UPSC is an constitutional body in the sense that it is directly created by the
Constitution of India. It has been established under Article 315 of the Constitution of India. Usually, the
Commission constitutes 9 to 11 members including the Chairman.
The UPSC is the central recruiting agency in India. The major role played by the Commission is to select
persons to man the various Central Civil Services and Posts and the Services common to the Union and
States (viz. All-India Services). Under the Constitution one of the functions of the Commission is to conduct
examinations for appointment to Civil Services/Posts of the Union. The Commission usually conducts over
a dozen examinations every year on an all India basis. These include Examinations for recruitment to
services/posts in various fields, such as Civil Services, Engineering, Medical and Forest Service, etc.
1. Civil Services Examination
2. Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
3. Engineering Service Examination (IES)
4. Indian Economic & Stastical Service (IES/ISS)
5. Geologist Examination
6. Special Class Railway Apprentices Examination (SCRA)
7. Combined Medical Services (CMS)
8. Central Police Forces (CPF)
9. Combined Defence Service (CDS)
10. National Defence & Naval Academy (NDA/NA)
At present the Union Public Service Commission conduct their examinations at numerous venues spread
over 42 regularcenters throughout the country. There are several other Public Service Commission i.e. Uttar
Pradesh(UPPSC), Bihar(BPSC), Jharkhand(JPSC), Madhya Pradesh(MPSC), Rajasthan(RPSC), etc. public
service commission.
1. Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission
2. Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission
3. Assam Public Service Commission
4. Bihar Public Service Commission
5. Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission
6. Goa Public Service Commission
7. Gujarat Public Service Commission
8. Haryana Public Service Commission
9. Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission
10. Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission
To fulfill duties based on border responsibilities, in the areas of maintenance of public peace and
order, crime prevention, investigation, and detection, collection of intelligence, VIP security,
counter-terrorism, border policing, railway policing, tackling smuggling, drug trafficking, economic
offences, corruption in public life, disaster management, enforcement of socio-economic legislation,
bio-diversity and protection of environmental laws etc.
Leading and commanding the Indian Intelligence Agencies like Research and Analysis Wing
(R&AW), Intelligence Bureau(IB), Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI), Crime Investigation
Department (CID) etc., Indian Federal Law Enforcement Agencies, Civil and Armed Police Forces
in all the states and union territories.
Leading and commanding the Para-Military Forces of India (PMF) which include the Central Police
Organisations (CPO) and Central Paramilitary Forces (CPF) such as Border Security Force (BSF),
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Security Guard
(NSG), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Vigilance Organisations, Indian Federal Law
Enforcement Agencies.
Serve at head of the departments in policy making in the Ministries and Departments of Central and
State Governments and public sector undertakings both at centre and states, Government of India.
To interact and coordinate closely with the members of other All India Services and Central Civil
Services and also with the Indian Armed Forces primarily with the elite Indian Army.
Endeavour to inculcate in the police forces under their command such values and norms as would
help them serve the people better.
Inculcate integrity of the highest order, sensitivity to aspirations of people in a fast-changing social
and economic milieu, respect for human rights, broad liberal perspective of law and justice and high
standard of professionalism.
Training
In the present form, the identified institutions offer training programmes designed in consultation with the
Department of Personnel and Training. The civil service system at the Centre provides for induction training
to probationers. All new entrants called probationers (IAS,IPS,IRS etc.) first undergo a 4-month Foundation
Course(common to all officers recruited through CSE) at Lal Bhadur Shastri National Academy of
Administration, Mussoorie. After the completion of the foundation course, the probationers are sent to their
respective institutes for professional training, while the IAS probationers continue to stay at the Academy
for their professional training. The probationers of the Indian Foreign Service are trained at Delhi. After
completing the foundation the probationers of the Police Service are trained at Sardar Vallavbhai Patel
National Police Academy, Hyderabad. The probationers of the Indian Revenue Service are trained at
National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT), Nagpurfor the officers of IRS (IT) and at National Academy of
Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN), Faridabad for the officers of IRS (C&CE).
In addition to the salary civil servants receive various allowances such as Dearness Allowance, City
compensatory Allowance, Leave Travel Allowance, Medical and subsidized housing.
Hierarchy: The members of the All-India civil service start as Deputy Secretaries and normally go up to the
level of Joint Secretaries. There is no lateral entry in the All-India services. Only at the level of Secretary to
the Government of India, specialists are taken as Secretaries. Only 5% of the members of the All-India
services reach the top position of Secretary to Government. The post of Cabinet Secretary to the
Government of India, the highest in the Indian civil service, has remained the privilege only of the officers
of the IAS.
Equivalent Ranks:
S Indian Administrative Service
No
(IAS)
Indian Police
Service (IPS)
Indian Forest
Service (IFoS)
Indian Revenue
Service (IRS)
1 Assistant Collector
Assistant
Superintendent of
Police
Assistant
Conservator of
Forests
Assistant Commissioner
of Income Tax
2 Collector/Deputy
Additional
Deputy
Deputy Commissioner
of Income Tax
Collector/ Deputy
Commissioner / Additional
3
Secretary / Joint Secretary /
Directors
Deputy
Senior Superintendent
Conservator of
of Police
Forests
Joint Commissioner of
Income Tax
Deputy Inspector
General of Police
Conservator of
Forests
Additional
Commissioner of
Income Tax
Inspector General of
Police
Principal Secretary/Financial
6
Commissioners
Additional Director
General of Police
Additional
Principal Chief
Conservator of
Forests
Chief Commissioner of
Income tax
Director General of
Police
Principal Chief
Conservator of
Forests
Director General of
Customs &
Excise/Board &
Tribunal Members
Chief Secretary/Chairman
8
Administrative Tribunal etc
Principal Chief
Director General of
Conservator of
Police (Head of State) Forests (Head of
State)
CBDT Chairman/Board
Chairman etc
IAS Salary
IAS salary structure consists of four Pay Scales: Junior Scale, Senior Scales, Super Time Scale, and Above
Super Time Scale. Each of the pay scale further consists of different pay bands.
Junior Scale
Pay Band: Rs 15600-39100 Grade Pay Rs 5400
This would be the salary of new recruits. Along with this basic pay a civil servant is also entitled to HRA,
DA and other allowances.
Senior Scales
(i) Senior Time Scale: An IAS Officer is promoted to the Senior Time Scale usually after 7-9 years of
service.
Pay Band: Rs 15600-39100 Grade Pay Rs 6600
(ii) Junior Administrative Grade
Pay Band: Rs 15600-39100 Grade Pay Rs 7600
At this level an IAS is generally a Deputy Secretary in the State Secretariat or the Municipal Commissioner
in the field.
(iii) Selection Grade
Pay Band: Rs 37400-67000 Grade Pay Rs 8700
In this Selection Grade an IAS Officer will be the Joint Secretary in the State Government or a Deputy
Secretary in the Central Government.
Super Time Scale
Pay Band: Rs 37400-67000 Grade Pay Rs 10000
At this level of the IAS hierarchy an IAS has most probably be the Secretary of some state government
department or could be posted at the Centre in the position of Joint Secretary. It takes about 20 years to
reach the
Super Time Scale.
Above Super Time Scale
There are three Pay Bands in this scale.
Rs 37400-67000. Grade Pay of Rs 12000.
The Apex Pay Scale of Rs 80000 (fixed). No Grade Pay.
Cabinet Secretary Grade of Rs 90000 (fixed). No Grade Pay.
The IAS officers in the Super Time Scale includes Senior Secretaries, Chief Secretaries, Secretaries in the
Central Government and the Cabinet Secretary, the highest position an IAS officer can aspire for in life.to
work with the people whom we belongs to. Apart from all the to become an engineer certain qualities are
Nature of Works
The nature of work attached to a Civil servant officer is administration in nature. It involves interaction with
people at each and every levels of the society. The work and decision taken by an IAS has been affected to
many lives, thus responsible decision-making is another important aspect of this work. Civil servant are also
required to travel extensively as their nature of job demands all these, both during inspection tours of the
areas under their jurisdiction in the country, or as in the IFS, the world. In general rule, the initial years of an
officers career are spent in the districts and small towns. Over year they have promoted to the senior grades,
where the area of responsibility is wider, posting are usually to bigger cities, state capitals or at the center.
Other important tasks of Civil Servants are Policy Formulation and implementation, supervision and its
assessment, Planning etc.
Academic Eligibility
A degree of any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in
India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be a
Deemed University under the UGC Act, 1956, or an equivalent qualification.
Candidates who have appeared or intend to appear for the qualifying examination and are awaiting
results are also eligible to appear for the Preliminary Examination. All such candidates who qualify
to appear for the Civil Services Main Examination must produce proof of having passed the said
examination along with their application for the Main Examination.
The UPSC may in exceptional cases treat a candidate without the requisite qualification as an
eligible candidate if he / she has passed an examination conducted by other standard institutions that
justifies his / her admission in the opinion of the Commission.
Candidates with professional and technical qualifications recognised by the Government as
equivalent to professional and technical degrees.
Candidates who have passed the final year of MBBS or any Medical Examination but are yet to
complete the internship can also appear for the Main Examination. However they must submit along
with their Main Examination application, a certificate from the concerned authority of the University
/ Institution that they have passed the final professional medical examination. At the Interview stage
they must then produce a certificate from a competent authority that they have completed (including
internship) all the requirements for the award of the Medical Degree
a. a citizen of India,
b. a subject of Nepal,
c. a subject of Bhutan,
d. a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962 with the intention of permanently
settling in India, or
e. a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Burma, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Pakistan, Sri Lanka,
Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Vietnam, Zaire or Zambia with the intention of permanently settling
in India.
Candidates belonging to either categories of b., c., d. or e. must produce an eligibility certificate issued by
the Government of India. Those who belong to either of b., c. or d. categories are not eligible for
appointment to the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
Age Limit
A candidate must have attained 21 years and not be over 30 years on August 1 of the year of
examination.
The upper age limit for the post of Assistant Commandant - Group A in CISF is 28 years only.
The upper age limit is relaxed in specific cases as mentioned below:
on completion of assignment (including those whose assignment is due to be completed within one
year from August 1 of the year of examination) otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on
account of misconduct or inefficiency, or
on account of physical disability attributable to Military Service, or
on invalidment.
f. upto a maximum of 5 years in the case of ECOs / SSCOs who have completed an initial period of
assignment (5 years Military Service) as on August 1 of the year of examination and whose assignment has
been extended beyond 5 years. Such candidates will have to provide a certificate from the Ministry of
Defence stating that they can apply for civil employment and they will be released on a notice of 3 months,
upon selection, from the date of receipt of offer of appointment.
g. upto a maximum of 10 years in the case of blind, deaf-mute and orthopaedically handicapped candidates.
The date of birth accepted by the Commission is that entered in the Matriculation or Secondary School
Leaving Certificate or in a certificate recognised by an Indian University as equivalent to Matriculation or in
an extract from a Register of Matriculates maintained by a University, which extract must be certified by the
proper authority of the University or in the Higher Secondary or an equivalent examination certificate. These
certificates are required to be submitted only at the time of applying for the Civil Services (Main)
Examination.
No other document relating to age like horoscopes, affidavits, birth extracts from Municipal Corporation,
service records and the like will be accepted.
The expression Matriculation/Secondary Examination Certificate in this part of the instruction includes the
alternative certificates mentioned above.
Number of attempts :
Every candidate appearing at the examination who is otherwise eligible, shall be permitted four attempts at
the examination. Provided that this restriction on the number of attempts will not apply in the case of
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes candidates who are otherwise eligible. Provided further that the
number of attempts permissible to candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes, who are otherwise
eligible shall be seven. The relaxation will be available to the candidates who are eligible to avail of
reservation applicable to such candidates.
Provided further that a physically handicapped will get as many attempts as are available to other nonphysically handicapped candidates of his or her community, subject to the condition that a physically
handicapped candidate belonging to the General Category shall be eligible for seven attempts. The
relaxation will be available to the physically handicapped candidates who are eligible to avail of reservation
applicable to such candidates.
NOTE :
If a candidate actually appears in any one paper in the Preliminary Examination, he/she shall be
deemed to have made an attempt at the Examination.
Notwithstanding the disqualification cancellation of candidature, the fact of appearance of the
candidate at the examination will count as an attempt.
How to Apply:
There is two ways to apply: Offline and Online.
OFFLINE
The UPSC have developed an application form common for all their examinations, which will be processed
on computerised machines. This application form alongwith an Information Brochure containing general
instructions for filling up the form, an acknowledgement card and an envelope for sending the application is
obtainable from the designated Head Post Offices/Post Offices throughout the country as against cash
payment of Rs. 30/- (Rupees twenty only). Form should be purchased from the designated Post Offices only
and not from any other agency. This form can be used only once and for only one examination. Candidates
must use the form supplied with the Information Brochure only and they should in no case use photocopy /
reproduction / unauthorisedly printed copy of the Form. Since this form is electronically scannable, due care
should be taken to fill up the application form, correctly. While filling up the application form, please refer
to detailed instructions given in the Notice. The duly filled in Application Form with the acknowledgement
card should be sent to - Secretary, Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, New Delhi - 110011.
ONLINE
Candidates may apply online using the website http://www.upsconline.nic.in Detailed instructions for filling
up online applications are available on the above mentioned website.
Salient features of the system of Online Application Form are given hereunder :
Detailed instructions for filling up online applications are available on the above mentioned website.
Candidates will be required to complete the Online Application Form containing two stages viz. Part-I and
Part-II as per the instructions available in the above mentioned site through drop down menus.
The candidates applying Online are required to pay a reduced fee of Rs. 50/- (Rupees Fifty only)
(excepting Female/SC/ST/PH candidates who are exempted from payment of fee) either by remitting the
FEE :
(a) Candidates applying Online (exempting Female/SC/ST/PH Candidates who are exempted from payment
of fee) are required to pay a reduced fee of Rs. 50/- (Rupees Fifty only) either by remitting the money in any
Branch of SBI by Cash, or by using net banking facility of SBI or by using Visa/Master Credit/Debit Card.
(b) Candidates applying Offline (through Common Application Form) are required to pay a fee of Rs. 100/(Rupees One Hundred only) through a single Central Recruitment Stamp. Central Recruitment Fee Stamp
(NOT Postage Stamp) of the requisite denomination may be obtained from the Post Office and affixed on
the application form in the space provided therein. The stamp must be got cancelled from the issuing Post
Office with the date stamp of the Post Office in such a manner that the impression of the cancellation mark
partially overflows on the application form itself but within the space provided on the Application form
itself. The impression of the cancellation mark should be clear and distinct to facilitate the identification of
date and the Post Office of issue.
Candidates residing abroad should deposit the prescribed fee in the office of India's High Commissioner,
Ambassador or representative abroad as the case may be for credit to account head "051-Public Service
Commission-Examination Fees" and attach the receipt with the application.
All female candidates and candidates belonging Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/ Physically Handicapped
categories are exempted from payment of fee. No fee exemption is, however, available to OBC candidates
and they are required to pay the prescribed fee in full.
Physically disabled persons are exempted from the payment of fee provided they are otherwise eligible for
appointment to the Services/Posts to be filled on the results of this examination on the basis of the standards
of medical fitness for these Services/Posts (including any concessions specifically extended to the physically
disabled). A physically disabled candidate claiming fee concession will be required by the Commission to
submit along with their Detailed Application Form, a certified copy of the certificate from a Government
Hospital/
Medical Board in support of his/her claim for being physically disabled.
Center of Examination:
AGARTALA CHANDIGARH IMPHAL LUCKNOW RANCHI
AHMEDABAD CHENNAI ITANAGAR MADURAI SAMBALPUR
AIZAWL CUTTACK JAIPUR MUMBAI SHILLONG
ALIGARH DEHRADUN JAMMU NAGPUR SHIMLA
ALLAHABAD DELHI JODHPUR PANAJI (GOA) SRINAGAR
AURANGABAD DHARWAD JORHAT PATNA THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
BANGALORE DISPUR KOCHI PUDUCHERY TIRUPATI
BAREILLY GANGTOK KOHIMA PORT BLAIR UDAIPUR
BHOPAL HYDERABAD KOLKATA RAIPUR VISHAKHAPATNAM
The centres and the date of holding the examination as mentioned above are liable to be changed at the
discretion of the Commission. While every effort will be made to allot the candidates to the centre of their
choice for examination, the Commission may, at their discretion allot a different centre to a candidate, when
150 questions based on General Knowledge, each carrying one mark, and
120 questions based on the Optional Subject chosen by the candidate, each carriying 2.5 marks.
Now, in the changed pattern, CSAT 2011 or Civil Services Preliminary Exam 2011 onward only
carried 400 marks. Only 180 questions were asked this year. Out of this:
Paper 1. 100 questions based on General Knowledge were asked, each carrying two marks and,
Paper 2. 80 questions based on Aptitude Test were asked.
Except for Question Nos. 73 to 80 in the General Studies Paper II, all the questions both papers had negative
marking. For each wrong answer, 1/3 mark were deducted from the total scores of the candidate. Trend
nowadays has shifted more towards current issues, hence a thorough awareness of recent events/happenings
is mandatory.
Earlier,
Papers
I. General Studies
150
150
2 Hours
300
2 Hours
Total
450
270
Now,
Papers
I. Paper 1 100
200
2 Hours
200
Total
400
180
2 Hours
Those who passed the Preliminary examination are only eligible for the next stage of the examination. The
Preliminary exam consists 400 marks but the marks obtained in this level examination by the candidates will
not be counted for determining their place in the final order of merit.
Main Examination
(B) Main Examination | Descriptive/Essay Type
The Mains consists of 9 tests. The first two are language tests: first is the English Test and the second is the
Language Test in any one of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian constitution. Each
test is worth 300 points. These tests are at the high school level. The candidates are expected to only qualify;
the score from these tests is not included in the aggregate. The Language Test is not required for candidates
from the North-East. The third test is an Essay Test, worth 200 points. The candidate can write the essay in
English or in any other language included in the Eighth Schedule of the constitution. The next two tests,
each worth 300 points, are on General Studies. The syllabus for each test is different. These tests aim to
judge your awareness and well as your understanding and analysis of contemporary events. The remaining
four tests, each worth 300 points, are on two of the optional subjects chosen by the candidate. The subject
matter is consistent with the college level education.
Thus, the Main examination comprises a total of nine (9) papers of two types:
Two papers of non-ranking type include one paper of an Indian language, to be selected by the candidate out
of languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution, and the second paper is of English, which
is a compulsory paper. Both these papers are very simple in nature (10th standard) and, in a way, mentally
prepare the candidate for writing the subsequent exams.
Among the ranking or scoring papers, there are three groups of papers, which are:
Two optional subjects with two papers each 4 papers in all (comprising a total of 1200 marks)
Essay 1 paper (200 marks)
General Studies 2 papers (total 600 marks)
Interview Test
Personality Test or Interview Test is the last level of the Civil Services selection process. It carries 300
marks, though it doesnt carry much marks but it plays decisive role for the final ranking. One can get more
marks than the other candidates, here it makes difference. Aspirants cannot afford it lightly. The number of
candidates to be summoned for interview will be about twice the number of vacancies to be filled. The
interview test is sometimes called and also known as the personality test because of its nature of the Exam.
Exam Process
Civil servants are the backbone of Indian administration. They plays prominent and central role in the
development of the country, due to the such importance and nature of civil servants, Union public Service
Commission that recruits civil servants takes utmost care in selecting the right candidate for the premier
post. There are several measures are being used to measure their administrative potential. These measures
are tested through the process of three tier exam i.e. Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and
Interview Test. Thus, aspiring candidates must complete a three-phase process to crack the civil services
exam:
Purpose of the exam The Preliminary Examination tests the numerical ability, awareness of current events,
and the state of mind of the candidate to grapple with administrative issues. The Main Examination tests
his/her grip on the language, general knowledge, and expertise on subjects which he/she takes as options.
The candidates also have to write an essay. The personal interview is final stage of the exam it is considered
as a deciding stage. The Interview is conducted by various boards constituted by the Union Public Service
Commission composed of board chairmen, subject experts, psychologists, and reputed civil servants.
A. Preliminary Examination
This is the first stage of the exam and should never be taken lightly. Candidate should clear it to keep
himself in the race. But its never been easy; it is a hard nut to crack. The preparation should be such that
you should not have any doubt about clearing the exam. The prelims should only be a passing phase. If you
prepare well for the mains exam and be clear about the basics, then prelims should not be problem. Now, we
have a brand new syllabus for PRELIMS with two papers, the nature of syllabus requires a candidate more
to concentrate on the General Studies section. Though we have Paper 2 which is more or less an extension of
Paper 1. The new Recruitment Process of Civil Services Exam conducted by the UPSC is called the CSAT
or the Civil Services Aptitute Test. The CSAT has in effect from the Civil Services Examination, 2011.
CSAT will not only enable us to choose civil servants with right aptitudes but also end the use of scaling
system for varying subjects that has been a matter of concern for many. Earlier it used to be one paper of
General Studies and other is one of the 23 optional subjects offered by the UPSC now the paper 2 has
changed to a new Paper called CSAT. There are no optional subjects as both the subject is common to all
candidates. In one way we can say that preliminary exam is a test of recognition. You have to recognize the
correct answer from given options. So if you are strong in basics this should not be problem. Do not spend
too much time in memorizing facts. Its fine if you can recognize it. Prepare some mnemonics, which will
help you in recognizing the right answer. One should do as many previous year papers as possible. It will
help you in time management and also in identifying the weak areas. Please remember that this practice
should be right from the beginning and not in the final stages. As the new pattern suggests that aspirants
should focus more on the language skills along with other disciplines.
There are four alternatives for the answers to every question. For each question for which a wrong
answer has been given by the candidate, one third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will
be deducted as penalty.
If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of the
given answers happens to be correct and there will be same penalty as above for that question.
If a question is left blank i.e. no answer is given by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that
question.
Indian Polity and Governance - Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights
Issues, etc.
5.
Conventional topics.
General knowledge and current affairs.
Traditional topics comes under the traditional parts of General Studies, for instance history of India and
Indian national movement, Indian and World Geography, Indian Polity and governance, Economic and
social development, environmental ecology, biodiversity, climate change and general science are the
traditional areas of the General Studies. Whereas another part of General Studies is composed of General
Knowledge and Current Affairs. Recent trend of the examination suggests that latter part is more
comprehensive and important than earlier one. As the whole scenario has change with the introduction of
new syllabus, the new syllabus requires a candidate more focused and up-to-mark study.
We will discuss this Paper with the help and important takeaways of 2011 PRELIMS Question, it will help
us to find out what the new trends are adding in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Conventional Topics:
It is composed of:
Topics
Ancient History
Medieval History
Modern History
14
12
13
11
10
Total
22
16
13
17
15
13
The Analysis clearly shows that our focus should be on Modern India. Especially Indians Struggle for
Independence part is important for prelims point of view. Now take some examples:
1. Which one of the following observations is not true about the Quit India Movement of 1942?
(PRELIMS 2011)
a. It was a violent movement
b. It was led by Mahatma Gandhi
c. It was a spontaneous movement
d. It did not attract the labour class in general
Ans: The Wardha Propsal of Quit India Movement was passed in historical Tank Ground in Bombay on
August 8, 1942. Mahatma Gandhi gave the sologan for the Movement Do or Die. The Quit India
Movement attracts all classes from the society despite one or two, the labour class was also part of the
movement. Though, many contemporary labour organizations didnt actively participated in the movement.
2. With reference to Indian Freedom Struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for-(PRELIMS 2011)
a. Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement
b. Participating in the Second Round Table Conference
c. Leading a contingent of Indian National Army
d. Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
2. Geography:
There is significant change in the Geography syllabus, several new areas has been added. Major inclusion is
the Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate. As we are in the era of Global Warming and Climate
Change, we can expect most of the questions on this topics. A significant number of questions are being
asked from these topics every year. Students should concentrate on human and economic geography. Human
section includes issues related to population. There will be questions based on the Human Development
Report prepared by United Nations Development Programme. The World Development Report of World
Bank deals in different aspects of economic geography like safe drinking water. Students should emphasise
less on classical geography like types of soil and rocks. The stress should be on preparing cultural and
economic geography and issues related to it. But do not invest too much in the pure Geography rather focus
should be on issues like ecology, sustainable development, green living, environmental impact assessment
etc.
World Geography
Indian Geography
11
16
28
25
22
20
17
Suggested Reading:
For Indian Geography
For Both Indian and World Geography, follow Study Kit of UPSC Portal, it has covered those sections
which is useful for exam and covers the topic comprehensively. Chronicle Magazine or Competition Wizard
Magazine is also good. Candidate must go thorough suggested reading thoroughly. Map based questions and
questions on locations, lakes, rivers, mountain ranges etc. are being increasingly asked. Map of India
(particularly physical) should be properly studied. Same is true about world map albeit with lesser
intensity.Geography must be studied with the help of ATLAS, it will help you to understand the Geography
better. There are no. of Atlas available in the market I would suggest OXFORD School Atlas, along with
ORIENT LONGMAN. Internet resources could help in your study make it as a tool for your preparation.
Whenever you find any new term i.e. any new country, capital, river, strait, mountain, places etc Google it
right away. And make note of your finding. While reading newspaper always keep a Atlas with you as more
and more questions are getting location oriented e.g. instead of asking the venue of APEC meet they might
ask you to locate the place on world map.
10
10
12
10
Total
Any good book on the constitution is fine. The Indian Polity by Lakshmikanth and NCERT books are
sufficient. Also refer, DD Basu. Read it also cover to cover.
4. Indian Economy:
Order UPSCPORTAL Books Online:
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Years
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
10
10
10
23
Total
11
16
36
15
Candidates are required to know about some basic terminology of economics like repo rate, reverse repo,
CRR, SLR etc. Indain Economy by Dutt & Sundaram is good book for the Indian Economy it can be read.
The book by Uma kapilais also a good one. Economic Survey and Budget should be followed with
comprehensively. Read some business newspapers at that time and also read the summary of the budget
which will be posted in the net.
Physics Applied
Solar System
Chemistry Applied
Biology
Botany
Animal World
14
19
21
13
12
Total
Science and Technology are another major area. This generally include the application parts of the science
as space technologies, IT, electronics, biotechnology, nuclear science, defence etc. recent trends showed that
this part is growing significance.
The questions in this sections in 2011 are related to Bluetooth, wi-fi, CFL, LED lamp?
Topic
Defence Technology
Space Technology
Nuclear Technology
Biotechnology
Health
11
14
14
Total
Use wikipedia extensively for the section of Science and Technology section. Daily newspaper The Hindu
also published supplement on Science and Technology. Also, keep an eye on emerging technologies and
recent Nobel winning technologies
Suggested Reading:
Newspaper is best to prepare for Current Affairs and General knowledge. One has to follow at least one
newspaper to keep abreast of National and International developments. It will keep your current affairs upto-date.
200
Note:
A Hindi equivalent / translation will be available for the initial six tested areas, while the seventh
area , English Language Comprehension skills, will be available exclusively in English language,
indicating a need of understanding of English language in prospective IAS officers as English is the
Lingua Franca of our country.
The duration of the paper will be of two hours.
The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type.
Moreover, there are sections in the paper 2 which a candidate thinks that it is more or less like on the lines of
banking or MBA but this is a mistake we should understand that the very purpose of this examination is to
select Civil Servants, thats why the syllabus adds decision making and problem solving.
28
English Comprehension
Quantitative Aptitude
13
Logical Reasoning
13
Data Interpretation
1. Comprehension
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2. Interpersonnel Skills
Inter-personal skills is basically a skill of communication that entails face-to-face communication which is
best tested in a Personal Interview or a Group Discussion format. It is people skills the ability to work with
and get on with other people. Questions reflecting the ability to understand and manage the dynamics of
social interaction can be tested such as Fill in the Blanks, Analogy, Synonyms, Antonyms, Jumbled
Paragraphs, Single word substitutions, Meaning Equivalence of sentences, etc.
6. Basic numeracy
It is also a major section. This section is to check numerical proficiency of a candidate involves solving
simple numerical problems. It will also include questions which require a candidate to sift through and
interpret data in tabulated or graphical format. We have Basic numeracy in syllabus but there is nothing
basic in questions paper, yes your basics should be clear but you should raise your level beyond the basics.
Number System, Average, Percentage, Ratio and Proportion, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, Time and
Distance are the important topics. Data interpretation has charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc.
Break up of questions on this topics which came in the Prelims 2011, there were a total 12 questions from
this section out of which 7 questions was from basic Arithmetic which included 3 questions from Time,
Speed and Distance. There were 2 questions on Permutation and Combination etc. In all this paper
constitutes 15% of the complete paper, this means a good amount of preparation should be devoted in this
section. The approach should like this, firstly understand the basics of any topics then focus on those topics
which is likely to come in the examination. One should never focus solving difficult problems of the topics
and mugging up questions and their answers. Main focus of the study should be Arithmetic which will
include Percentage, Ratio and Proportion, Time and Distance, Time and Work, Simple Interest and
Compound Interest and Profit and Loss. Permutation and Combination should be studied as well.
7. Data Interpretation:
Data interpretation, which covers questions based on data analysis. The data can be represented in different
forms such as tables, graphs, bar diagram, line graphs, pie charts etc. and Data Sufficiency, where one just
has to check the sufficiency of data for the question asked. It measures the numerical ability and accuracy in
mathematical calculations. The questions range from purely numeric calculations to problems of
arithmetical reasoning, graph and table reading, percentage analysis and quantitative analysis. In all, the
candidate are tested for their sharpness to analyze the given data in a short span of time.
In Data Sufficiency, a question is followed by two statements and you will be expected to answer whether
the information provided in the statements individually or collectively is sufficient to answer the question.
Taking a mock test of mathematics and general ability questions would be a good practice and help to pick
out the most appropriate option.
Develop the skill to solve mathematical & reasoning problems faster. It comes with practice. So the sooner
you start practicing, the better your chances of clearing CSAT.
The Civil services examination also tested the candidates' understanding of civic issues. In the Preliminary
examination of 2001there were questions that checked the understanding of rural development schemes,
fiscal stimulus, inflation and demographic dividend.
In the new format the traditional way of studying and the rote learning of concepts would no longer help to
crack the exam. In the CSAT paper only application of knowledge is required, there is nothing to mug-up.
The plan and examination standards make it very demanding in nature. You are supposed to catch and
collect newer information and fresh ideas whenever it comes to you.
More emphasis on understanding and analysis than memorizing
This is test of the candidate's aptitude for the prestigious civil services from the ethical and moral dimension.
Candidates with low moral and ethical aptitude will get weeded out. Spruce up your general awareness and
mental ability.
B. Mains Examination
Mains examination comprises two stages:
1. Written Exam
2. Personality Test (Interview)
The Mains consists of 9 tests. The first two are language tests: first is the English Test and the second is the
Language Test in any one of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian constitution. Each
test is worth 300 points. These tests are at the high school level. The candidates are expected to only qualify;
the score from these tests is not included in the aggregate. The Language Test is not required for candidates
from the North-East. The third test is an Essay Test, worth 200 points. The candidate can write the essay in
Paper I:
Paper II:
English
300 Marks
Paper III:
Essay
200*1=200 Marks
Paper IV and V:
General Studies
300*2=600 Marks
Optional Subjects(1)
300*2=600 Marks
300*2=600 Marks
Total
2000 Marks
NOTE (i) The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and
will be of qualifying nature; the marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
NOTE (ii) Evaluation of the papers, namely,'Essay, 'General Studies' and Optional Subjects of all candidates
would be done simultaneously along with evaluation of their qualifying papers on 'Indian languages' and
English' but the papers on 'Essay', General Studies' and 'Optional Subjects' of only such candidates will be
taken cognizance of as attain such minimum standard as may be fixed by the Commission at their discretion
for the qualifying papers on 'Indian language' and 'English' and, therefore, the marks in 'Essay' 'General
studies and Optional subjects' will not be disclosed to those candidates who fail to obtain such minimum
qualifying standard in 'Indian language and 'English'.
NOTE (iii) The paper-I on Indian Languages will not, however, be compulsory for candidates hailing from
the North-Eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland and also for
candidates hailing from the State of Sikkim.
NOTE (iv) For the Language papers, the script to be used by the candidates will beas under :
Script
Assamese
Assamese
Bengali
Bengali
Bodo
Devanagari
Dogri
Devanagari
Gujarati
Gujarati
Hindi
Devanagari
Kannada
Kannada
Kashmiri
Persian
Konkani
Devanagari
Maithili
Devanagari
Malayalam
Malayalam
Manipuri
Bengali
Marathi
Devanagari
Nepali
Devanagari
Oriya
Oriya
Punjabi
Gurumukhi
Sanskrit
Devanagari
Santali
Devanagari or Olchiki
Sindhi
Devanagari or Arabic
Tamil
Tamil
Telugu
Telugu
Urdu
Persian
NOTE : For Santali language, question paper will be printed in Devanagari script; but candidates will be
free to answer either in Devanagari script or in Olchiki.
List of optional subjects for Main Examination (two subjects need to be chosen from the list given
below)
Agriculture
Anthropology
Botany
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Geography
Geology
History
Law
Management
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Medical Science
Philosophy
Physics
Psychology
Public Administration
Sociology
Statistics
Zoology
Assamese Bodo
Bengali
Chinese Santali
Dogri
English
French
German
Persian Sindhi
Gujarati Hindi
Kannada
Konkani Maithili
Marathi Nepali
Oriya
Pali
Sanskrit Urdu
NOTES: (i) Candidates will not be allowed to offer the following combinations of subjects:
1 Political Science & International Relations and Public Administration;
2 Commerce & Accountancy and Management;
3 Anthropology and Sociology;
4 Mathematics and Statistics;
5 Agriculture and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science.
6 Management and Public Administration;
7 Of the Engineering subjects, viz., Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering
8 and Mechanical Engineeringnot more than one subject.
9 Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science and Medical Science.
(ii) The question papers for the examination will be of conventional (essay) type.
(iii) Each paper will be of three hours duration. Blind candidates will; however, be allowed an extra time of
thirty minutes at each paper.
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Management
Anthropology
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http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-anthropology
Zoology
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Statistics
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Medical Science
Mechanical Engineering
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Mathematics
Law
http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-mathematics
http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-law
Geology
http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-geology
Electrical Engineering
http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-electrical-engineering
Chemistry
http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-chemistry
Botany
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Animal Husbandry
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Agriculture
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Sociology
Public Administration
Political Science
http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-sociology
http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-public-administration
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Geography
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History
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Dedication
For me Dedication is sometimes doing things even if I didn't have to and doing it with passion. Understand
to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication.
Remember dedication towards our own duty always pays in life. One has to be totally dedicated even for the
minutest things in the life, finally its it which finally get you all along the long way. Yes dedication always
bundled with sacrifice. During you course of your preparation you have to sacrifice many of your favorites
like movies, parties, and entertainments etc. Without dedication it is impossible to achieve what you want to
be.
Patience
One famous quote is that "Good things come to those who wait." This quote applies everywhere. If one
needs favorable result it has to come with the patience. Take civil service exam it spans a year Preliminary
exam in the month of may-june to the interview in the month of march next year. The whole process of
exam requires patience. During your preparation at many times you may feel tired and jaded but it is the
time when you have to keep you going. Once you stop there are many others who are waiting to take you
place. The Civil service exam in one way is the psychometric test for the aspirants it is test for their patience
also. In all to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience.
Self-Confidence
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Faith in God/Luck
Everyone of us holds a different image of God. But at one instance we all belive that there is almighty who
is above us. There is nothing bad in it to have faith in such almighty. It is seen by the result of many exams
that most of the aspirants who have cleared the Civil Services examination add faith in God as a major key
to their success. Still, we should remember that there is no substitute to hard work. Faith in God will keep
you going.
Time Management
Time management is the act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of
time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity. Time
management may be aided by a range of skills, tools, and techniques used to manage time when
accomplishing specific tasks, projects and goals complying with a due date. This set encompasses a wide
scope of activities, and these include planning , setting goals , analysis of time spent. In the Civil Services
exam it is a tool to success. Time management is essential and one of the important tool in the Civil Services
Examination. In the first stage of examination that is called preliminaries, real-time testing is very important.
When it comes to Mains time management has become more important one has to solve the whole paper in
merely three hours. Here aspirants should allocate the time as according to the requirement of the question
paper. As the nature of Mains exam paper is that one need to stick to the word limits in all questions and
here need proper time management, aspirants should keep in mind that if one is devoting too much time to
one particular question will surely means that one miss out on others questions. The UPSC exams among
many other things, it also tests aspirants skill in time management, and how to organize the work in a
systematic and efficient manner.
Time management is important not just in writing the exam, but also while preparing for it. It is advisable to
break up long study sessions into a few compact ones with more breaks to refresh oneself. For example, two
four-hour sessions prove to be more beneficial than one long eight-hour stretch. Some students prefer to
study in short bursts of two hours, with 15-minute breaks in between.
Ultimately it is up to the individual to find his or her own unique time management strategy. It is also
possible to use "free time" effectively. Thus, time spent commuting, or relaxing can also be used to refresh
concepts or read different, if not completely unrelated, books. However, it is important to "switch-off" for at
least some time in a day.
Courtesy: The Hindu, Forntline
Writing Skills
Writing skills are perhaps the most essential requirement in the main examination sections of the UPSC
exam. As the exam is also a test of an individual's analytical and interpretative ability, clear, coherent and
well-written answers in simple, effective English (or Hindi) are essential. Most students who clear the
Examination Tacties
A tactic is a specific action taken to address a specific situation. It is part of a specific plan or strategy. It is
subjective in nature one tactics will work for one and at the same time it wont work for the other. Tactics
take different shapes and forms in different situation. It is when you think about a plan to do something and
make a strategy for a big one. The very nature of Civil services exam the tactics must be applied at every
level of preparation and it should be focus on greater and intensive coverage. Civil Services examination
syllabus has a vast area of syllabus one is expected to know various disciplines at the same time like history,
polity, geography, economy, science apart from other curriculum. However, one need not to be master on
each disciplines only basics of each of the disciplines is needed. Hence, here the full examination tactics will
help you out.
Examination Tacties
A tactic is a specific action taken to address a specific situation. It is part of a specific plan or strategy. It is
subjective in nature one tactics will work for one and at the same time it wont work for the other. Tactics
take different shapes and forms in different situation. It is when you think about a plan to do something and
make a strategy for a big one. The very nature of Civil services exam the tactics must be applied at every
level of preparation and it should be focus on greater and intensive coverage. Civil Services examination
syllabus has a vast area of syllabus one is expected to know various disciplines at the same time like history,
polity, geography, economy, science apart from other curriculum. However, one need not to be master on
each disciplines only basics of each of the disciplines is needed. Hence, here the full examination tactics will
help you out.
Use of Internet
We are in the era of internet revolution. A recent data shows that the broadband connectivity in India has
been on the rising. It is one of the information hub make use of it as much as you can. Most of the aspirants
has their own means of Information tools, those who dont have can access through it from Internet Caf. It
is an ever-bulging ocean of information. All the important information is available on the Internet, even you
can clear you doubts in this platform. Many important materials are available for instance, NCERT Books
are now available on its net. India Year Book published by Indian Govt., Complete Budget and Economic
Survey Book and Summary of all bilateral meetings are now available on the Internet. Wikipedia is one of
one source of all information it is free and at some extent it is authentic as well.
Preliminary Marks
Trend of Qualifying Scores for Prelims with Negative Marking :
Category Marks
General
200-220
OBC
190-210
SC
190-200
ST
180-185
The scores for the mains are in the range of 50-55%. Usually, a score of above 1000 is better to ensure a
place in the final list.
Mains Marks
Trend of Cut-off Scores for Interview Call:
Category Marks
eneral
950
OBC
925-935
SC
910-920
ST
910-915
In the final stage i.e. interview, around 140-170 marks is a normal. Some aspirants get even 220-240 marks.
The interview carries 300 marks. One has to keep an eye on the interview as it is one of the stages where
final selection depends on. Interview is all about your personality so it makes personality development as
part of your preparation. One should keep in mind that the final rank is very much depending on the
interview marks.
Final Marks
General Trends of Final Scores for Selection
Marks
Top 20 ranks
~1200
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Contemporary Issues
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Public Administration
http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/study-kit/ias-mains-public-adminstration
Essay Writing
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http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/study-kit/ias-mains-english-compulsory
History
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Philosophy
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Sociology
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General Studies
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