UPSC & STATE PCS General Studies EBook (English Medium): The Government jobs are the most trusted services in India. People always get attracted by these jobs and the young generation put a lot of hard work into attaining these jobs. Amongst so many jobs, selection in IAS and PCS is considered a matter of pride. However, the candidate needs to put in a lot of hard work in seeking the paramount position. In this article, we will discuss in detail about General Studies for UPSC & STATE PCS Exam (English Medium), their difference, the syllabus covered in General Studies, and sources to acquire study material.
- UPSC: UPSC stands for Union Public Service Commission is known for commencing the examination. The officers are recruited via Central Level Authorities. The Central Government of India established the CAT known for exercising the powers of Public servants in India. To appoint the officers after clearing the UPSC exam, the candidate is directly appointed by the office of the President.
- State PCS: The Officers under state government administrative departments are appointed by state-level authorities and SAT (State Administrative Tribunal) takes all the responsibilities to exercise the power, authority, and various jobs-related matters. Every state holds a separate SAT and after clearing the PCS exam, the candidate is appointed by the Governor of state.
UPSC General Studies Syllabus:
UPSC conducts the examination every year which consists of two stages – Civil Services Preliminary Examination (objective type) and 2. Civil Services Main Examination (Written & Interview). Here is the syllabus of General Studies covered in both the stages:
General Studies Paper-I:
The following are the topics included in the General Science Paper of stage 1:
- Current events of National & International importance.
- History of India & Indian National Movement.
- Indian & World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India & the World.
- Indian Polity & Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
- Economic & Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
- General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity & climate change – that do not require subject specialization.
- General Science
General Studies Paper-II:
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
- Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
- Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
- The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different 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 sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
- Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, 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 about 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, 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, Biodiversity, 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 developing new technology.
- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
- Disaster and disaster management.
- Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
- Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
- Challenges to internal security through communication networks, the role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cybersecurity; money-laundering and its prevention.
- Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
- Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
Paper-V: General Studies-IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life, and his problem-solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society.
Questions may 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.
PCS General Studies Syllabus: PCS examination conducts in two stages – Paper I and Paper II:
General Studies Paper-I: The following topics are covered in General Studies Paper-I:
- Current events of national and international importance
- History of India and Indian National Movement
- India 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, Biodiversity, and Climate Change- that do not require subject specialization.
General Studies Paper-II:
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision making and problem-solving
- General mental ability
- Elementary Mathematics up to ClassX level-Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics
- General English up to Class X level
- General Hindi up to Class X level
- Elementary Mathematics (Up to Class X Level)
Sources to Acquire General Studies for UPSC & STATE PCS Exam (English Medium)
- Practice sets of General Studies
- Previous year Question papers with Answer keys
Benefits of Practicing from Previous years Papers:
As various websites are available to acquire the previous years’ papers, select the reliable website from wherein you can download the General Studies for UPSC & STATE PCS Exam (English Medium). Here are some benefits of selecting a reliable website:
- You will get the view of the question paper
- The paper pattern also appears in front of your eyes
- With the whole view of the question paper, you will get a complete idea about preparation.
- It will be easy for you to make out the time accuracy
- You can plan your schedule systematically
- By using the practice sets, you will become aware of your weak and strong areas.
- Regular practice will indeed boost your confidence for the exam day.
- You can easily judge your potentiality and your level of preparation.
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