UPSC Civil Services Examination Starter Kit

Welcome to the Naman Sharma IAS Academy's UPSC Civil Services Examination Starter Kit. This kit is
carefully designed to provide aspirants with a foundational understanding of the examination, insights
into its structure, and resources to kick-start their preparation journey. Herein, you will find essential
information, including the UPSC CSE overview, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, prestigious
services, recommended booklist, and additional tips for effective preparation.

Understanding UPSC CSE

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most
prestigious and competitive examinations in India. It is conducted to recruit candidates for various civil
services of the Government of India, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign
Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.

Eligibility Criteria

1. For the Indian Administrative Service, the Indian Foreign Service and the Indian Police Service, a
candidate must be a citizen of India.

2. For other services, a candidate must be either: — a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal, or a
subject of Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January, 1962 with the
intention of permanently settling in India, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan,
Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia,
Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Educational Qualifications: A bachelor's degree from a recognized university is required. Candidates

who are in their final year or awaiting results are also eligible to apply.

Age Limit: The age of the candidate should be between 21 and 32 years. Age relaxation applies to
candidates from reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/Ex-Serviceman).

Number of Attempts: General candidates can attempt the exam up to 6 times, OBC candidates up to
9 times, and there is no limit for SC/ST candidates.

Exam Pattern and Stages

The UPSC CSE is conducted in three stages:

1. Preliminary Examination: This stage consists of two objective-type papers (General Studies and
Civil Services Aptitude Test). This examination is meant to serve as a screening test only; the marks
obtained in the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination by the candidates who are declared
qualified for admission to the Civil Services (Main) Examination will not be counted for
determining their final order of merit. The number of candidates to be admitted to the Civil
Services (Main) Examination will be about twelve to thirteen times the total approximate number
of vacancies to be filled in the year through this Examination.

2. Main Examination: The Civil Services (Main) Examination will consist of a Written Examination
and an Interview/Personality Test. The Written Examination will consist of 9 papers including one
essay paper, four General Studies papers, two optional subject papers, and two language papers
(both qualifying in nature).

3. Personality Test (Interview): Candidates who obtain such minimum qualifying marks in the
written part of the Civil Services (Main) Examination shall be summoned by them for an
Interview/Personality Test that assesses their personality and suitability for a career in civil
services.

❖ Marks thus obtained by the candidates in the Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written part as
well as Interview/Personality Test) would determine their final ranking. Candidates will be allotted
to the various Services keeping in view their ranks in the examination and the preferences
expressed by them for the various Services and posts.

Syllabus Overview

The syllabus for UPSC CSE is expansive and requires a deep understanding of diverse subjects. Here is
a brief overview:

1. The UPSC Syllabus for Prelims includes two compulsory papers: General Studies Paper-I and
General Studies Paper-II (also known as the CSAT or Civil Services Aptitude Test). These papers
cover a wide range of subjects, including history, geography, economics, polity, environment,
science, and current affairs.

2. The syllabus for UPSC Mains examination is more specialized and consists of nine papers,
including one essay paper, four General Studies papers, two optional subject papers, and two
language papers (both qualifying in nature).
Prelims Syllabus:

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, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require
subject specialization.
● General Science.

Paper II - (200 marks) Duration: Two hours

CSAT: Civil Services Aptitude Test

● 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%.
2. The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type.
Mains Syllabus:

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 concerned.

The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:

1. Comprehension of given passages.

2. Precis Writing.
3. Usage and Vocabulary.
4. Short Essays.

Indian Languages: -

1. Comprehension of given passages.

2. Precis Writing.
3. Usage and Vocabulary.
4. Short Essays.
5. 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.
2. The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Language 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 close to
the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an 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 the 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 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 legislatures—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/o 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, 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 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; 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 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 above issues.

PAPER - VI & PAPER - VII

Optional Subject Papers I & II

Candidates may choose any one of the optional subjects from amongst the list of subjects given below:
Agriculture Management

Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Mathematics

Anthropology Mechanical Engineering

Botany Medical Science

Chemistry Philosophy

Civil Engineering Physics

Commerce and Accountancy Political Science and International Relations

Economics Psychology

Electrical Engineering Public Administration

Geography Sociology

Geology Statistics

History Zoology

Law Language Literature

Services Offered Through UPSC CSE

Successful candidates can be appointed to prestigious services, including:

1. Indian Administrative Service,

2. Indian Foreign Service,
3. Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group 'A',
4. Indian Civil Accounts Service,
5. Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’,
6. Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group 'A',
7. Indian Defence Estates Service, Group 'A',
8. Indian Information Service, Group 'A',
9. Indian Postal Service, Group 'A',
10. Indian P and T Accounts and Finance Service, Group 'A',
11. Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Taxes), Group 'A',
12. Indian Revenue Service (IT), Group 'A',
13. Indian Trade Service, Group 'A' (Grade III),
14. Indian Railway Management Service, Group 'A',
15. Armed Forces Headquarters (AFHQ) Civil Service, Group 'B' (Section Officer’s Grade),
16. Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Civil Service (DANICS), Gr. 'B',
17. Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS), Group ‘B’

Recommended Booklist

As the UPSC syllabus is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge on various subjects, therefore,
referring to dependable sources becomes crucial for aspirants for cracking the examination.

The selection of the right books is considered to be the first step towards preparation for the exam.

Recommended Books for UPSC General Studies.

Polity

1. M. Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity

2. Class IX to XII (for understanding democracy & federalism)

Geography

World Geography:

● Our Environment - Class VII

● The Earth Our Habitat - Class VI

● Fundamentals of Physical Geography (NCERT Class XI)

● Fundamentals of Human Geography (NCERT Class XII)
● Geography Of India by Majid Husain

Indian Geography:

● Resource and Development - Class VIII

● Contemporary India - II - Class X
● India Physical Environment (NCERT Class XI)
● India - People and Economy (NCERT Class XII)

Economy

● Ramesh Singh’s Indian Economy

● Economics - NCERT Class IX
● Understanding Economic Development (NCERT Class X
● Indian Economic Development (NCERT Class XI)
● Introductory Macroeconomics (NCERT Class XII)

History

Ancient and Medieval History:

Old NCERT

● Ancient India – R S Sharma

● Medieval India – Satish Chandra

New NCERT

● Our pasts – I
● Our pasts – II
● Themes – I
● Themes – II

Modern India History:

● A brief History of Modern India – Spectrum Publication

● India’s struggle for independence – Bipin Chandra
● Our past - III, NEW NCERT - class VII
● Modern India - OLD NCERT - class XII
Post-Independence India:

● Politics in India since Independence, NCERT Class 12th

● India since independence - Bipin Chandra

Art & Culture

● An introduction to indian art - class 11th

● Indian art & Culture by Nitin Singhania
● Living Craft Traditions of India (NCERT class 12th)
● New Tamil Nadu History Textbook - Class XI

Ecology & Environment

● 12th Biology NCERT- Chapter No 13,14,15,16

● 11th Chemistry NCERT - Chapter No 14
● Geography NCERTs - Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Chapters from VIII to XI

Science and Technology

● Class XI – Chemistry: Unit 14

● Class XI – Biology: Units 4 & 5
● Class XII – Chemistry: Unit 16
● Class XII – Biology: Units 8, 9 & 10 ce & Technology
● Current affairs: The Hindu S&T Section

World History

● The Story of Civilization, Part 2 by Arjun Dev, NCERT

● Themes in World History: NCERT Class XI
● Contemporary World History for class XII (Old NCERT Book)

Indian Society

● NCERT Class XI – Sociology: Understanding Society

● NCERT Class XII – Indian Society
● NCERT Class XII – Social Change and Development in India

Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

● Ethics in Governance, ARC Report

● Lexicon by Chronicle Publications
International Relations

● IR Booklet by Naman Sharma IAS Academy

● Contemporary World Politics class-XII

Important Study Materials

● 2nd ARC Report

● Economic Survey (Latest)
● Budget (Latest)
● Finance Commission Report (Latest)
● Annual reports by central ministries
● Niti Aayog Action Agenda
● Current Affairs – The Hindu or Indian Newspaper, Yojana Magazine & PIB Releases

Importance of Reading NCERT Books for UPSC Preparation

NCERT books play a crucial role in UPSC preparation for several reasons:
1. Strong Foundation: NCERT textbooks provide a solid foundation by covering the basic concepts
of various subjects. This foundation is essential for understanding more advanced topics in the
UPSC syllabus.
2. Comprehensive Content: Although originally designed for school students, NCERT books also
cover relevant topics integral to the UPSC syllabus. From biodiversity to geography, and from
historical narratives to current politics, these books compile essential information.
3. Reliable Information: The content in NCERT books is comprehensible and highly reliable. The
language used makes it easy to memorize and provides extensive knowledge on various crucial
topics.
4. IAS Toppers’ Recommendation: Most IAS toppers and teachers consider these books vital for
UPSC exam preparation.
5. Real-world applications aid in answering scenario-based questions.

How to study NCERT Books for UPSC?

1. Start with Basics: Begin by understanding the basics. NCERT books provide conceptual clarity on
various subjects. The language is easy to grasp, and the content is reliable. These books serve as
a strong foundation for your preparation.
2. Choose Relevant Books: Focus on NCERT books from classes 6 to 12. You don’t need to cover the
entire book; instead, concentrate on relevant topics.
3. Avoid Rote Learning: Focus on understanding rather than memorization.
4. Practice Questions: Solve exercises to test your understanding.