CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Scheme and Subjects for the Preliminary and Main

Examination
A.PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION:
The Examination shall comprise of two compulsory Papers of 200 marks each.
Note:
(i) Both the question papers will be of the objective type (multiple choice questions) and each
will be of two hours duration.
(ii) The General Studies Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a
qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
(iii) The question papers will be set both in Hindi and English.
(iv) Details of the syllabi are indicated in Part A of Section III.

B. MAIN EXAMINATION:
The Written Examination will consist of the following papers:—
Qualifying Papers:
Paper‐A
(One of the Indian Languages to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included
in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution). 300 Marks
Paper‐B
English 300 Marks

Papers to be counted for merit :

Paper‐I - Essay - 250 Marks
Paper‐II - General Studies‐l - 250 Marks
(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)
Paper‐III - General Studies‐II - 250 Marks
(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)
Paper‐IV - General Studies - III - 250 Marks
(Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster
Management)
Paper‐V - General Studies‐IV - 250 Marks
(Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
Paper‐VI - Optional Subject ‐ Paper 1 - 250 Marks
Paper‐VII - Optional Subject ‐ Paper 2 - 250 Marks
Sub Total (Written test) - 1750 Marks
Personality Test - 275 Marks
Grand Total - 2025 Marks

Candidates may choose any one of the optional subjects from amongst the list of subjects
given in para 2 below:—
Note :
List of optional subjects for Main Examination:
(i) Agriculture (ii) Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science (iii) Anthropology (iv) Botany
(v) Chemistry (vi) Civil Engineering (vii) Commerce and Accountancy (viii) Economics (ix)
Electrical Engineering (x) Geography (xi)Geology (xii) History (xiii) Law (xiv) Management
(xv) Mathematics (xvi) Mechanical Engineering (xvii) Medical Science (xviii) Philosophy
(xix) Physics (xx) Political Science and International Relations (xxi) Psychology
(xxii) Public Administration (xxiii) Sociology (xxiv) Statistics
(xxv) Zoology (xxvi) Literature of any one of the following languages: Assamese, Bengali,
Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati,Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri,
Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and English.
Note :
(i) The question papers for the examination will be of conventional (essay) type.
(ii) Each paper will be of three 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 in English. Notwithstanding this, the Candidate will
have the choice to write the Optional Papers in English also if candidates opt to write Paper
I-V except the Qualifying Language Papers, Paper-A and Paper-B, in any one of the
language included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
(iv) Candidates exercising the option to answer Papers in any one of the languages
included in the Eight Schedule to the Constitution of India mentioned above may, if they so
desire, give English version within brackets of only the description of the technical terms, if
any, in addition to the version in the language opted by them. Candidates should, however,
note that if they misuse the above rule, a deduction will be made on this account from the
total marks otherwise accruing to them and in extreme cases; their script(s) will not be
valued for being in an unauthorized medium.
(v) Candidates should note that if any irrelevant matter/signages/marks etc. are found
written in the answer script(s), which would not be related to any question/answer
and/or would be having the potential to disclose the candidate’s identity, the Commission will
impose a penalty of deduction of marks from the total marks otherwise accruing to the
candidate or will not evaluate the said script(s) on this account.
(vi) The question papers (other than the literature of language papers) will be set in Hindi
and English only.
(vii) The details of the syllabi are set out in Part B of Section

C. Interview/Personality Test
The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of the
candidate’s career. The candidate will be asked questions on matters of general interest.
The object of the Interview/Personality Test is to assess the personal suitability of the
candidate for a career in public service by a Board of competent and unbiased observers.
The Interview/Personality Test is intended to judge the mental calibre of a candidate. In
broad terms
this is really an assessment of not only intellectual qualities but also social traits and interest
in current affairs. Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of
assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of
interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.
2. The technique of the Interview/Personality Test is not that of a strict cross-examination but
of a natural, though directed and purposive conversation which is intended to reveal the
mental qualities of the candidate.3. The Interview/Personality Test is not intended to be a
test either of the specialized or general knowledge of the candidates which has been already
tested through their written papers. Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent
interest not only in their
special subjects of academic study but also in the events which are happening around them
both within and outside their own State or Country as well as in modern currents of thought
and in new discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of well-educated youth.

SYLLABI FOR THE EXAMINATION

Part A—Preliminary Examination

Paper I ‐(200 marks) Duration: Two hours

Current events of national and international importance.
History of India and Indian National Movement. Indian and World Geography-Physical,
Social, Economic Geography of India and the World. Indian Polity and Governance-
Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy,
Rights Issues, etc. Economic and Social Development- Sustainable Development, Poverty,
Inclusion,Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc. General issues on Environmental
ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization.
General Science.

Paper II‐(200 marks) Duration : Two hours

Comprehension; Interpersonal skills including communication skills;Logical reasoning and
analytical ability;
Decision making and problem solving; General mental ability; Basic numeracy (numbers and
their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs,
tables, data sufficiency etc.- Class X level);
Note 1 :Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper
with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
Note 2 :The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type.
Note 3 :It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in both the Papers of Civil Services
(Prelim) Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore a candidate will be disqualified
in case he/she does not appear in both the papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination.

Part B—Main Examination

The main Examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of
understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory.

The nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers (Paper II to Paper V)
will be such that a well -educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized
study. The questions will be such as to test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of
subjects, which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services. The questions are likely to
test the candidate’s basic understanding of all relevant issues, and ability to analyze, and
take a view on conflicting socio-economic goals, objectives and demands. The candidates
must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.

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

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

QUALIFYING PAPERS ON INDIAN LANGUAGES AND ENGLISH

The aim of the paper is to test the candidates' ability to read and understand serious
discursive prose, and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language.
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows :
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essays.

Indian Languages :—
(i) comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essays.
(v) Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.
Note 1 : The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent
standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be
counted for ranking.
Note 2 : The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in
English and the respective Indian language (except where translation is involved).

PAPER‐I
Essay: Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be
expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion,
and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

PAPER‐II
General Studies‐I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World
and Society.
Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from
ancient to modern times. Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth
century until the present-
significant events, personalities, issues. The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and
important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country. History of the world
will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of
national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political
philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc. -- their forms and effect on the
society. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. Role of women and women’s
organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues,
urbanization, their problems and their remedies. Effects of globalization on Indian society.
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism. Salient features of 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 in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

PAPER‐III
General Studies‐ II:
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.
Indian Constitution historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant
provisions and basic structure.
Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining
to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges
therein.
Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and
institutions.
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
Parliament and State legislature structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers &
privileges and issues arising out of these.
Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and
Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their
role in the Polity.
Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various
Constitutional Bodies.
Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies. Government policies and
interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and
implementation.
Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various
groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders. Welfare
schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the
performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for
the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to
Health, Education, Human Resources. Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability,
e-governance-applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters,
transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
Role of civil services in a democracy.
India and its neighborhood- relations.
Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting
India’s interests.
Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests,
Indian diaspora.
Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

PAPER‐IV
General Studies‐III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity,
Environment,Security and Disaster Management
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth,
development and employment. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. Government
Budgeting. Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, - different types of
irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and
issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers. Issues related to direct
and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System-
objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security;
Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing. Food processing and related industries
in India- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply
chain management. Land reforms in India. Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes
in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads,
Airports, Railways etc. Investment models. Science and Technology- developments and their
applications and effects in everyday life. Achievements of Indians in science & technology;
indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Awareness in the fields of IT,
Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to
intellectual property rights. Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation,
environmental impact assessment. Disaster and disaster management.
Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social
networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering
and its prevention.
Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of organized crime
with terrorism. Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

PAPER‐V
General Studies‐ IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues
relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues
and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study
approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered :
Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human
actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics - in private and public relationships. Human Values -
lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of
family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour;
moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and
non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and
compassion
towards the weaker-sections.
Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and
governance.
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical
concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and
conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance;
strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international
relations and funding; corporate governance.
Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and
probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of
Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery,
Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
Case Studies on above issues.

PAPER‐VI & PAPER VII

Optional Subject Papers I & II

Candidates may choose any optional subject from amongst the List of Optional Subjects
given in Para 2.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

PAPER I

1. Mechanics :
1.1 Mechanics of Rigid Bodies :
Equations of equilibrium in space and its application; first and second moments of area;
simple problems on friction; kinematics of particles for plane motion; elementary particle
dynamics.
1.2 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies :
Generalized Hooke’s law and its application; design problems on axial stress, shear stress
and
bearing stress; material properties for dynamic loading; bending shear and stresses in
beams;
determination of principle stresses and strains-analytical and graphical; compound and
combined
stresses; bi-axial stresses-thin walled pressure vessel; material behaviour and design factors
for
dynamic load; design of circular shafts for bending and torsional load only; deflection of
beam for
statically determinate problems; theories of failure.
2.Engineering Materials :
Basic concepts on structure of solids, common ferrous and non-ferrous materials and their
applications; heat-treatment of steels; non-metalsplastics, cermics, composite materials and
nano-materials.
3.Theory of Machines :
Kinematic and dynamic analysis of plane mechanisms. Cams, Gears and empicyclie gear
trains,
flywheels, governors, balancing of rigid rotors, balancing of single and multicy- linder
engines,
linear vibration analysis of mechanical systems (single degree of freedom), Critical speeds
and
whirling of shafts.
4. Manufacturing Science :
4.1 Manufacturing Process:
Machine tool engineering - Merhant’s force analysis: Taylor’s tool life equation; conventional
machining; NC and CNC machining process; jigs and fixtures.
Non-conventional machining-EDM, ECM, ultrasonic, water jet machining etc.; application of
lasers and plasmas; energy rate calculations.
Forming and welding processes-standard processes.
Metrology-concept of fits and tolerances; tools and guages; comparators; inspection of
length;
position; profile and surface finish.
4.2 Manufacturing Management :
System design: factory location—simple OR models; plant layout-methods based;
applications
of engineering economic analysis and break-even analysis for product selection, process
selection
and capacity planning; predetermined time standards.
System planning; forecasting methods based on regression and decomposition, design and
blancing of multi model and stochastic assembly lines; inventory management-probablistic
inventory models for order time and order quanitity determination; JIT systems; strategic
sourcing; managing inter plant logistics.
System operations and control: Scheduling algorithms for job shops; applications of
statistical
methods for product and process quality control applications of control charts for mean,
range,
percent defective, number of defectives and defects per unit; quality cost systems;
management of
resources, organizations and risks in projects.
System improvement: Implementation of systems, such as total quality management,
developing and managing flexible, lean and agile Organizations.

PAPER II
1. Thermodynamics, Gas Dynamics Turbine :
● 1.1 Basic concept of First-law and Second law of Thermodynamics; concept of
entropy and reversibility; availability and unavailability and irreversibility.
● 1.2 Classification and properties of fluids; incompressible and compressible fluids
flows; effect of Mach number and compressibility; continuity momentum and energy
 equations; normal and oblique shocks; one dimensional isentropic flow; flow or fluids
in duct with frictions that transfer.
● 1.3 Flow through fans, blowers and compressors; axial and centrifugal flow
configuration;design of fans and compressors; single problems compresses and
turbine cascade; open and closed cycle gas turbines; work done in the gas turbine;
reheat and regenerators.
2.Heat Transfer :
● 2.1 Conduction heat transfer—general conduction equation-Laplace, Poisson and
Fourier equations; Fourier law of conduction; one dimensional steady state heat
conduction applied to simple wall, solid and hollow cylinder and spheres.
● 2.2 Convection heat transfer—Newton’s law of convection; free and forces
convection; heat transfer during laminar and turbulent flow of an incompressible fluid
over a flat plate; concepts of Nusselt number, hydrodynamic and thermal boundary
layer their thickness; Prandtl number; analogy between heat and momentum transfer
Reynolds, Colbum, Prandtl analogies; heat transfer during laminar and turbulent flow
through horizontal tubes; free convection from horizontal and vertical plates.
● 2.3 Black body radiation—basic radiation laws such as Stefan-boltzman, Planck
distribution, Wein’s displacement etc.
● 2.4 Basic heat exchanger analysis; classification of heat exchangers.
3. Engines :
● 3.1 Classification, thermodynamic cycles of operation; determination of break power,
indicated power, mechanical efficiency, heat balance sheet, interpretation of
performance characteristics, petrol, gas and diesel engines.
● 3.2 Combustion in SI and CI engines, normal and abnormal combustion; effect of
working parameters on knocking, reduction of knocking; Forms of combustion
chamber for SI and CI engines; rating of fuels; additives; emission.
● 3.3 Different systems of IC engines-fuels; lubricating; cooling and transmission
systems. Alternate fuels in IC engines.
4. Steam Engineering :
● 4.1 Steam generation—modified Ranking cycle analysis; Modern steam boilers;
steam at critical and supercritical pressures; draught equipment; natural and artificial
draught; boiler fuels solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. Steam turbines—Principle; types;
compounding; impulse and reaction turbines; axial thrust.
● 4.2 Steam nozzles—flow of steam in convergent and divergent nozzle pressure at
throat for maximum discharge with different initial steam conditions such as wet,
saturated and superheated, effect of variation of back pressure; supersaturated flow
of steam in nozzles, Wilson line.
● 4.3 Rankine cycle with internal and external irreversibility; reheat factor; reheating
and regeneration, methods of governing; back pressure and pass out turbines.
● 4.4 Steam power plants—combined cycle power generation; heat recovery steam
generators (HRSG) fired and unfired, co-generation plants.
5. Refrigeration and Air‐conditioning :
● 5.1 Vapour compression refrigeration cycle—cycle on p-H & T-s diagrams; eco
friendly refrigerants - R134a.123; Systems like evaporators, condensers,
compressor, expansion devices. Simple vapour absorption systems.
● 5.2 Psychrometry—properties; processes; charts; sensible heating and cooling;
humidification and dehumidification effective temperature; air-conditioning load
calculation; simple duct design.