This article will throw light on the Civil Service examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The focus of this article will be on the UPSC Mains Syllabus and UPSC exams.
The Union Public Service Commission, is India’s main central recruiting agency for Group ‘A’ officers of the Government of India under Union Government Civil Services, Union Government Law Services, Union Government Functionality Services, Union Government Architecture Services, Union Government Natural Resources Services, Union Government Health Science Services, Union Government Engineering Services, and Union Government Defense Services.
One of the most popular and most well-known UPSC exams is the Indian Civil Service Exam. Prospective candidates must note that the UPSC Civil Service exam is used to not only fill vacancies in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), but this examination is conducted to fill vacancies in a total of 24 different services.
The Union Public Service Commission conducts various UPSC exams such as the Civil Services Examination, Indian Economic Service – Indian Statistical Service Examination, Combined Medical Services Examination, National Defense Academy and Naval Academy Examination, Indian Forest Service Examination, Combined Defense Services Examination, Engineering Services Examination, Combined Geo-Scientist Examination,Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination, CISF AC(EXE) LDCE examination, etc.
The UPSC Mains examination will have a total of 9 different papers. Candidates will have to choose an optional subject and there will be 2 papers associated with this optional subject. The General Studies section will have 4 different papers in the UPSC exams. Those 4 papers are Paper II, Paper III, Paper IV, and Paper V. There are two compulsory Language papers in the Mains section of the UPSC exams. They are an English Language paper and 1 Indian Language paper, which can be chosen by the candidates from the list given by the UPSC.
UPSC Mains syllabus of General Studies Paper – IV covers subjects such as Probity in Governance, Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration, Contributions of Thinkers and Philosophers, Emotional Intelligence, Aptitude, Attitude, Ethics and Human Interface. Probity in Governance will cover topics such as Challenges of corruption, Information sharing and transparency in government, Utilization of public funds, Right to Information, Quality of service delivery, Work culture, Citizen’s Charters, the philosophical basis of governance and probity, and Concept of public service, etc.
UPSC Mains syllabus of General Studies Paper – I include Geography which covers important geographical features, flora, fauna, distribution of natural resources across the Globe and in India. It will also cover different types of industries and contribution of these industries to the economic growth of the developed and developing countries like India. The Geography section will also cover important geophysical phenomena like the earthquakes, tsunami, cyclones, etc. UPSC Mains syllabus of General Studies Paper – I will also cover different types of Indian Architecture, different forms of Art, and Indian Literature. This paper also extensively covers the Freedom struggle of India, significant events, issues, personalities during the middle of the eighteenth century (1750s) until the present. Society is another important segment of this paper. It covers the role of women, women’s organization, developmental issues, social empowerment, poverty, etc.
UPSC Mains syllabus of General Studies Paper – III covers subjects such as Economy, Security, Science & Technology, Agriculture, Environment, Disaster Management, etc. The Agriculture subject will cover topics such as Land reforms in India, issues related to food security in India, buffer stocks; limitations, functions, objectives of public distribution system, food processing and related industries in India, supply chain management, irrigation system in India, major cropping patterns, etc. The Economy section of the UPSC mains syllabus in General Studies Paper – III will cover topics such as infrastructure, changes in industrial policy, Inclusive growth and associated issues/challenges, Government Budget, employment, mobilization of resources, etc. Candidates must also prepare for disaster management initiatives taken by the Governments, developments in the IT field, Space technology, Defense technology, Artificial Intelligence, etc.
UPSC Mains syllabus of General Studies Paper – II covers subjects such as Polity, Poverty, Governance, and International relations. GS Paper -II covers issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. This paper covers Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein, challenges pertaining to the federal structure. It also covers appointments to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies. GS Paper – II covers powers & privileges and issues of Parliament and State Legislatures, structure and functioning of Parliament and State Legislatures, etc.