The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is going to release the notification for the Civil Services Examination 2018 today. The notification will provide details related to eligibility, syllabus, recruitment process and the date of the preliminary examination.
IAS Syllabus is the guiding force behind the IAS Preparation. It is the IAS Syllabus which carve out the scope of IAS Preparation and hence chalk out the right path and strategy for the IAS Exam preparation. IAS syllabus needs to be fully covered to ensure the selection in the IAS Exam.
IAS Syllabus needs to be deciphered from the socio- economic perspective required for the IAS Exam. This socio- economice perspective is very helpful in unocking the hidden meanings of the topics given in the IAS Syllabus.
The IAS Notification also mention about the socio-economic topics in the IAS Main Syllabus because in society nothing exist in the isolation. every economic action has the social consequences and all the social consequesnces have the economic impact.
IAS Syllabus for IAS Prelims 2018
| Sl. No |
Subject Divisions | Subject Syllabus Details |
| 1 |
History History of India and Indian Freedom Struggle |
Ancient History of India Medieval History of India Modern History 1857 to 1947 |
| 2 |
Geography Geography of India and Concept of Physical Geography |
Physical Geography Human Geography Economic Geography |
| 3 |
Polity Indian Polity and Governance issues |
Union Executives State Executives Federalism in India Judicial System |
| 4 | Economy Indian Economy and Social Development |
Basic Principles of Indian Economy Social Schemes of Government Social Development through Economic Empowerment |
| 5 |
Environment and Ecology Principles of Environment and Ecology |
General Principles Summits and Conferences |
| 6 |
General Science Physics, Chemistry,Biology and Technology |
General Principles Latest Development in Technology |
| 7 |
Current Events It covers all the events of National and International Importance |
Current Affairs Current Affairs Analysis Current Affairs with all Dimentions |
IAS Syllabus is the first and the foremost thing for the IAS aspirants which needs to be understood and sallowed down properly so that they can relate the Topics of IAS Syllabus with the Current Affairs.The IAS Examination conducted by Union Public Service Commission has undergone several changes in last 2 to 3 years. This year also there are speculations of possible changes in IAS Prelims Exam format. The General Studies Paper II (CSAT) had made qualifying in nature.
See the latest Current Affairs here
Aspirants must not deviate their mind in useless discussions regarding syllabus changes. Rather they should concentrate on the current syllabus and continue their preparation according to the syllabus given for IAS Prelims Exam 2015. Last year questions in GS paper of IAS Prelims were quite unexpected and had higher difficulty level. So students must focus on GS paper (Paper I). GS paper I will be deciding factor this year too irrespective of whether there would be changes or not.
IAS Syllabus of Paper I for Civil Services Prelims Exam 2018 - (200 marks) Duration: Two hours
1.Current events of national and international importance
2.History of India and Indian National Movement.
3.Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic geography of India and the World.
4.Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
5.Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
6.General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization
7.General Science
IAS Syllabus for CSAT Paper (Qualifying)-(200 marks) Duration: Two hours
1.Comprehension
2.Interpersonal skills including communication skills;
3.Logical reasoning and analytical ability
4.Decision making and problem solving ability
5.General mental ability
6.Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. - Class X level)
7.English Language Comprehension skills (Class X level).
8.Questions relating to English Language Comprehension skills of Class X level (last item in the Syllabus of Paper-II) will be tested through passages from English language only without providing Hindi translation thereof in the question paper.
IAS Prelims Plan of Exam
1. The competitive examination comprises two successive stages :
(i) Civil Services (Preliminary) Examinations (Objective Type) for the selection of candidates for Main Exam.
(ii) Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written and Interview) for the selection of candidates for the various services and posts.
2. The Preliminary Examination will consist of two papers of Objective type (multiple choice questions) and carry a maximum of 400 marks in the subjects set out in Syllabus above. This examination is meant to serve as a screening test only; the marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination by the candidates who are declared qualified for admission to the Main Examination will not be counted for determining their final order of merit. The number of candidates to be admitted to the Main Examination will be about twelve to thirteen times the total approximate number of vacancies to be filled in the year through this examination. Only those candidates who are declared by the Commission to have qualified in the Preliminary Examination in the year will be eligible for admission to the Main Examination of that year provided they are otherwise eligible for admission to the Main Examination.
IAS Main Exam Syllabus
| Sl. No. | Name of Paper | Syllabus Overview |
| GS Paper I | Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society. |
|
| 1 |
GS Paper II | Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations. |
| 2 |
GS Paper III | Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management. Indian Economy |
| 3 |
GS Paper IV | Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude |
| 4 | Essay Paper | Any Topic/Topics |
| 5 | Optional Paper I | As opted by Candidate |
| 6 |
Optional Paper II | As opted by Candidate |
| 7 | Language Paper | (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. |
| 8 | English | Comprehension of given passages Precis Writing Usage and Vocabulary Short Essays |
IAS Exam Syllabus in Detail
IAS Main General Studies Paper I
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
1.Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
2.Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues
3.The Freedom Struggle - its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
4.Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
5.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.
6.Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
7.Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
8.Effects of globalization on Indian society
9. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
10.Salient features of world's physical geography.
11.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)
12.Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone 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.
IAS Main General Studies Paper II
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.
1. Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
2. 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.
3.Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
4.Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
5.Parliament and State Legislatures - structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
6.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.
7.Salient features of the Representation of People's Act.
8.Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
9.Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
10.Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
11.Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities,
institutional and other stakeholders
12.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.
13.Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
14.Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
15.Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and
potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
16. Role of civil services in a democracy.
17.India and its neighborhood - relations.
18. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests
19. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora.
20.Important International institutions, Agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
IAS Main Exam General Studies Paper III
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
1.Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
2.Government Budgeting.
3.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
4.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.
5.Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply
chain management.
6.Land reforms in India.
7.Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
8.Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
9.Investment models.
10.Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
11.Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
12. Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual
property rights.
13.Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
14.Disaster and disaster management.
15. Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
16. Role of external state and nonstate actors in creating challenges to internal security.
17.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
18.Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism
19. Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
IAS Main Exam General Studies Paper IV
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.
1.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.
2.Attitud: Content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
3.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.
4.Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
5.Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
6.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.
7.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.
8.Case Studies on above issues.
List of the Optional Subjects
The List of Optional Subjects is as follows:
(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
Literature of any one of the language such as Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, gujarathi, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, English.
Scheme of IAS Main Examination
The written examination will consist of the following papers :
Qualifying Papers :
| Name of Paper | Max. Marks |
| Paper-A (One of the Indian Language to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution). | 300 Marks |
| Paper-B English | 300 Marks |
| Name of Paper | Subject of Paper | Max. Marks |
| Paper-I | Essay | 250 Marks |
| Paper-II | General Studies-I(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) | 250 Marks |
Paper-III |
General Studies -II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations) | 250 Marks |
| Paper-IV | General Studies -III(Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) | 250 Marks |
| Paper-V | General Studies -IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) | 250 Marks |
| 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 |
IAS Syllabus has the paramount importance for the IAS Exam and IAS Preparation. IAS Syllabus is the torch bearer for the IAS Preparations. All the IAS toppers underline the importance and understanding of the IAS Syllabus. We hope after reading the above details, you can understand the IAS Syllabus in its entirety.