CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PLAN OF EXAMINATION:

The Civil Services Examination consists of two successive stages: (I) Civil Services Preliminary Examination; and (ii) Civil Services Main Exam(Written & Interview) for selection of candidates for the various services and posts given below:

1. Indian Administrative Service

2. Indian Foreign Service

3. Indian Police Service

4. India P&T Accounts & Finance Service, Group A

5. Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group A

6. Indian Customs and Central Excise Service, Group A

7. Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group A

8. Indian Revenue Service, Group A

9. Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Group A

10.Indian Postal Service, Group A

11.Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group A

12.Indian Railway Traffic Service, Group A

13.Indian Railway Accounts Service, Group A

14.Indian Railway Personnel Service, Group A

15.Posts of Assistant Security Officer, Group A in Railway Protection Force

16.Indian Defence Estates Service, Group A

17.Indian Information Service(Junior Grade), Group A

18.Posts of Assistant Commandant, Group A in Central Industrial Security Force

19.Posts of Deputy Superintendent of Police Group A in the Central Bureau of Investigation

20.Central Secretariat Service, Group B(Section Ofiicers' Grade)

21.Railway Board Secretariat Service(Section Officers' Grade)

22.Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group B

23.Customs Appraisers' Service, Group B

24.Pondicherry Civil Service, Group B

CS (Preliminary)


Scheme of CS (Preliminary) Examination

The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers of objective type (multiple-choice questions) carrying a maximum of 450 marks.
The Question Papers (Test Booklets) are set in English & Hindi

Paper - I General Studies 150 Marks
Paper - II One of the optional subjects to be selected from the prescribed optional subjects 300 Marks

List of Optional Subjects CS (Preliminary) - Total 23

Agriculture Mathematics
Animal Husbandry & Vetinary Science Mechanical Engineering
Botany Medical Science
Chemistry Philosophy
Civil Engineering Physics
Commerce Political Science
Economics Psychology
Electrical Engineering Public Administration
Geography Sociology
Geology Statistics
Indian History Zoology
Law



CS (Main)


Scheme - CS (Main)

Paper-I One of the Indian Languages to be selected by the candidate from the 18 languages included in the VIIIth Schedule to the Constitution (Qualifying Paper) 300 Marks
Paper-II English (Qualifying Paper) 300 Marks
Paper-III Essay 200 Marks
Papers IV & V General Studies (300 Marks for each paper) 600 Marks
Papers VI, VII, VIII & IX Any two subjects (each having 2 papers) to be selected from the prescribed optional subjects (300 marks for each paper) 1200 Marks
Total Marks for Written Examination 2000 Marks
Interview Test 300 Marks
Grand Total 2300 Marks

List of Optional Subjects - CS (Main) - (Total 25)

See Note below List of Optional Subjects (Literature)

Agriculture Management
Animal Husbandry & Vetinary Science Mathematics
Anthropology Mechanical Engineering
Botany Medical Science
Chemistry Philosophy
Civil Engineering Physics
Commerce & Accountancy Political Science & International Relations
Economics Psychology
Electrical Engineering Public Administration
Geography Sociology
Geology Statistics
Indian History Zoology
Law



List of Optional Subjects (Literature) - CS (Main) - (Total 26)

Arabic Gujarati Manipuri Sanskrit
Assamese Hindi Nepali Sindhi
Bengali Kannada Oriya Tamil
Chinese Kashmiri Pali Telugu
English Konkani Persian Urdu
French Marathi Punjabi
German Malayalam Russian

Note : Total Optional Subjects : 51

Note (i) : Candidates have the option to answer all the question papers, except the language papers, viz, Paper-I and Paper-II, in any one of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution or in English
Note (ii) : Candidates who have opted for an Indian Language as language medium for the Main Examination have an option of being interviewed either in English or in the same language which they have opted for the Main Examination

MAINS

Here are some help tools for tackling Essay in the UPSC exams, ranging from the syllabus to reading list and other tips. These resources on Essay also includes IAS Question Papers of Essay. We wish you to adopt the best strategy and become successful. We try our best to provide as many resources for your prepration as possible, but if you can add to this list please feel free to send us links or matter.

Sample Essays

If Youth knew if Age could
The Game of Politics
Secularism in India

Contest Essays for June - 2009
Will the young face of Parliament change how India is governed?

- Swathi Shubhangam
Will the young face of Parliament change how India is governed?

- Rohan Sunil Ghate
Will the young face of Parliament change how India is governed?

- Jagdeep S More
Will the young face of Parliament change how India is governed?

- Suryatapa Ghosh
Will the young face of Parliament change how India is governed? - Gayathri


Is the IPL hurting the chances of fit players defending India in the T20 World Cup?
- Pankaj Kumar Sinha
Is India being targeted for its progress as discrimination & violence against Indian students grow in the US and Australia? - Jui K


Is the IPL hurting the chances of fit players defending India in the T20 World Cup?
- Bhupender Kumar Singh
Will the young face of Parliament change how India is governed?

- Aparajita Banerjee
Is India being targeted for its progress as discrimination & violence against Indian students grow in the US and Australia? - S Sarath Babu


Contest Essays for May - 2009
Should India interfere in the Srilankan offensive against the LTTE?

- Ashvini Radhakrishnareddy
The youth today - are they more impatient than a few decades ago.

- Jitender Kumar
The youth today - are they more impatient than a few decades ago.

- Aparajita Banerjee
Should India interfere in the Srilankan offensive against the LTTE? - Swathi


The youth today - are they more impatient than a few decades ago.

- Garima Mishra
The youth today - are they more impatient than a few decades ago.

- Pankaj Kumar Sinha
The youth today - are they more impatient than a few decades ago.

- Ashvini Radhakrishna Reddy
Can Pakistan survive the Taliban? - Jagdeep S More


Can Pakistan survive the Taliban? - S Sarth Babu


The youth today - are they more impatient than a few decades ago.

- Romila Chitturi
Contest Essays for April - 2009
Varun Gandhi, the prodigal grandson? - Rohit M
The IPL Cricket matches goes South Africa - Nalin Sharma
Varun Gandhi, the prodigal grandson? - Pankaj Kumar Sinha
The IPL Cricket matches goes South Africa - S.SarathBabu
Women's Reservation Bill, a Forgotten Issue - Romila Chitturi
The IPL Cricket matches goes South Africa - Jagdeep S More
Contest Essays for March - 2009
Films, Politics, and Criminals - Cinthya Anand
Elections in India, is it a waste of money? - Rohit Malpani
Elections in India, is it a waste of money? - Jagdeep Singh More

Contest Essays for February - 2009
Obama Means Change - Sumit Kumar Singh
Obama Means Change - Jagdeep S More
Film like Slum Dog Millionaire - Do they damage India's Image?

- Priyanka Gupta
Contest Essays for January - 2009
India's growing influence around the Globe - VAIBHAV JINDAL

Communal Politics & Caste Politics, Its Impact on the voter?

- Bhadra Bharadwaj
India's growing influence around the Globe - Animesh Choudhury

Communal Politics & Caste Politics, Its Impact on the voter?

- Jagdeep S More
India's growing influence around the Globe - S Sarath Babu
Contest Essays for December - 2008
Youth and Terrorism. - Jagdeep Singh More
Terrorism in India is a world problem. - Sarath Babu S
Change in India Pakistan relations post Mumbai attacks. - Raghu K
Terrorism in India is a World problem. - Pallavi Singh
Contest Essays for November - 2008
Problems and Solutions to the current economic crisis the world over.
- Sarath Babu
The ban on Talent contests for Children on TV
- Sivakanth.
Chandrayaan - India's Mission to the Moon.
- Mamta Singh.
Chandrayaan - India's Mission to the Moon.
- C.Jayalakshmi.
Contest Essays for September - 2008
Floods in Bihar, Could the calamity have been avoided.
- Parinita
How can India get more Olympic Medals?
- S Sarath Babu
How can India get more Olympic Medals?
- Madhuri
Contest Essays for July & Aug - 2008
Bio Fuels are Responsible for World Food Shortage?
- Saurabh Thakral
The role of Bio-fuel production in World Food Shortage
- Sowmya
The role of Bio-fuel production in World Food Shortage
- Madhuri
Live in relationships - are they a threat to the institution of marriage?
- Sowmya
Is hindi cinema overshadowing regional cinema at the international level?
- Sowmya
Contest Essays for May & June 2008
India Recently Launched Multiple Satellites- Are We Making Enough Progress ?
- M.Pratap Kumar
India Recently Launched Multiple Satellites- Are We Making Enough Progress ?
- Yoganathan.B
Shopping and Spending - is India's Youth loosing economic balance?- Akshay Madane
Shopping and Spending - is India's Youth loosing economic balance?- Sowmiya.R
Shopping and Spending - is India's Youth loosing economic balance?- Madhuri Sankella
Super star India : From incredible to unstoppable - Shoba De - Nirmala Guru
Super star India : From incredible to unstoppable - Shoba De - Rai Chakrabarti
Contest Essays for April 2008
India recently launched multiple satellites - Are we making enough progress ?M.PRATAP KUMAR
Inflation –can it be controlled in the present world scenario. - ANITA SAGAR
Maoists to form govt. in Nepal, how it will affect India. - Maria Alby
INFLATION: Can It Be Controlled In The Present World Scenario? - Animesh Choudhury Winner (Rs.250)
INFLATION: Can It Be Controlled In The Present World Scenario? - Maria Alby
Contest Essays for March 2008
The Royal Bengal Tiger - Are we doing enough? -Swagala Tarafdar
The Royal Bengal Tiger - Are we doing enough? -Animesh Choudhury
IPL - Will it do any good for Sports in India? -Sugita Kumari
IPL - Will it do any good for Sports in India? -S.Das
Mumbai for Mumbaikars -Jennifer Keishing
Contest Essays for Jan 2008
60 years of Independence - India's achievements -Shweta Verma Sarcar
60 years of Independence - India's achievements -Syed Tahseen Raza>
60 years of Independence - India's achievements -Santoshi P
60 years of Independence - India's achievements -V. Aruna Kumari
60 years of Independence - India's achievements -Animesh Choudhury
How should a civil servant conduct himself? -Nisha Nair.G.N
How should a civil servant conduct himself? -Megha Chitkara
As civilization advances culture declines -Harichandana Devalla a
As civilization advances culture declines -Pradeep B.V.H.,
Importance of Indo-US Nuke Deal -Mani Vanan,
Contest Essays For March/April 2007
SEZ related land grabbing problems -Rahul Aggarwal
Farmer Suicides - Harichandana Devalla
Contest Essays For Feb 2007
Shilpa Shetty Case: Is the Media playing GOD? -Arindam Banerjee
Does Cannibalism still exist? -Arindam Banerjee
Does Cannibalism still exist? -Purnima Gogna
Town Planning The Growing Difficulties-Soumyajit Sarcar
Does Cannibalism still exist? -Rudra Prasanna Mohapatra
Cannibalism -Lalitt sai
Does Cannibalism still exist? -Mouli Sharma
Contest Essays For December 2006
India's Nuclear Deal with US- Soumyajit Sarkar
India's Nuclear Deal with US- Shiv Kumar
Contest Essays For November 2006
Is applying the creamy layer to SC & ST is justified?- Shiv Kumar
The New Child Labour Law- Mahesh Rao
Contest Essays For October 2006
Dengu, Chikungunya - Is India Prepared To Protect The Health Of Its Citizens?- Somyajit Sarcar
Should The Death Penalty Be Banned For Mohammed Afzal?- S. MURUGARAJA
Should The Death Penalty Be Banned For Mohammed Afzal?- Manish Sati
Contest Essays For September 2006
Does Truth Always Triumph - Amandeep Kaur Kapur
Is increasing the number of seats the solution to OBC Quota - Aparna. K
Is increasing the number of seats the solution to OBC Quota - Neeti Srivastava
Is increasing the number of seats the solution to OBC Quota - Anita Sagar
Truth Always Triumphs - Vemulakonda Namita
Does Truth Always Triumph - Renita George

ALL ABOUT CIVIL SERVICES

Q1.Tell me something about Civil Services Examination?
Q2.What does it take to opt for civil service?
Q3.What is the Cadre System in civil services ?
Q4.What is the Selection Process ?
Q5.What are the Job Prospects ?
Q6.What is the Remuneration ?

Q1.Tell me something about Civil Services Examination?
A1.Civil Services Introduction A country as vast and thickly populated as India needs a well organised government machinery for proper governance. There are two facets to the administration of a country. One is security for which the country has its defence services and the other is the non-military part, which is taken care of by the Civil Services.

The origin of the IAS can be traced back to the year of India’s independence, 1947. The IAS operates at three levels -central, district and divisional. Work at the central level involves the framing and implementation of policies. The functions of the IAS at the district level encompass all district affairs with special emphasis on development. General administration and development work is the responsibility of the IAS at the divisional level. The post of an IAS officer carries a lot of responsibility. The work definition of an IAS officer would encompass framing, modifying and interpreting policy matters in consultation with the concerned Minister. Implementation of policies calls for supervision and also travelling to the places where the decisions taken are being implemented. Implementation entails disbursement of funds, which calls for personal supervision. The officers are answerable to the Parliament for any irregularities that may occur. At the top of the hierarchy of IAS officers is the Cabinet Secretary followed by Secretary/ Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Director, Under Secretary and then the Junior Scale Officers. These posts are filled according to seniority.

The Indian Police Service (IPS) As the name suggests, the main responsibility of the IPS is public safety and security. The Indian Police Service is divided into various departments like the Crime Branch, the Criminal Investigation Department, Home Guards and the Traffic Bureau. The area of functioning for the IPS can be broadly divided into: maintenance of law and order, crime prevention and detection, traffic control and accident prevention and management. The IPS also has several policing agencies like the Intelligence Bureau, the Central Bureau of Investigation, Cabinet Secretariat Security, Border Security Force and the Central Reserve Police Force. After the initial probation of two years, an IPS officer is given charge as an Additional Superintendent of Police of a district. This post is usually held for two years and then comes the next appointment, that of the Superintendent of Police and then the post of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG). The hierarchy in the IPS cadre is like this - the Director General of Police (DG) is the head of the entire Police force of a state. Special divisions of the Police force like the Border Security Force, the CBI, etc., have a Director General at the helm.

The Indian Forest Service (IFS) The maintenance of the natural resources of the country is very essential for a balanced all round development of the country. Maintenance of forests is so important for maintaining the ecological balance that the Indian Forest Service has been set up for this very purpose. The All India Forest Service came into being in 1966. The areas of functioning for the Indian Forest Service include protection and conservation of forests, wildlife and forest produce.

Q2.What does it take to opt for civil service?
A2.Mental alertness; interest in a variety of subjects; good intellect in order to be able to tackle any subject or situation; an ability to sift, weigh and apply differing opinions from various people; leadership qualities; the ability to inspire others and to channelise available talent; tact and diplomacy; and, integrity. These are some personality traits that you should look for in yourself when you consciously make a decision to opt for civil service.

Q3.What is the Cadre System in civil services ?
A3.The Civil Services has been divided into various grades to facilitate functioning. The grade determines the area of work. Junior scale officers work in the states that they are allotted to. Senior scale officers work as Under Secretaries in the State. Officers in the Junior Administrative Grade, which is reached after nine years of service, hold the position of a Deputy Secretary. When officers make it to the Selection Grade, which is reached after fourteen years of service they hold the position of Directors or Deputy Secretary. The next scale is known as the Super Time Scale or the Senior Administrative Grade and the officers in this grade hold the post of a Joint Secretary, Additional Secretary, Secretary or Cabinet Secretary. The Civil Services can be broadly classified as All India Services and Central Services.

Q4.What is the Selection Process ?
A4.Eligibility for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination The minimum age requirement for appearing for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination is 21 and the upper age limit is 28 years. The minimum academic requirement is graduation in any discipline from a recognised Indian University or an equivalent academic qualification. All candidates are allowed four attempts. There is a relaxation for SC/ST candidates on the number of attempts, if they are otherwise eligible.

For entry to the civil service, there’s a multi-step examination process. The entire process takes a full calendar year. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) first conducts an objective type preliminary examination for screening candidates. The Preliminary Examination: There are two papers for the preliminary round. There is one on general studies and another on an optional subject. The question papers are set in both Hindi and English. Each paper is for a duration of two hours. General study covers history, geography, economics and so on. The question papers have objective type multiple choice questions. The general studies paper carries 150 marks. The syllabus for the optional subject is the same as that for graduation level. The question paper for the optional subject carries 300 marks. The optional subject for the second paper may be chosen from the following- ¨ Agriculture ¨ Animal Husbandry and veterinary science ¨ Botany ¨ Chemistry ¨ Civil Engineering ¨ Commerce ¨ Economics ¨ Electrical Engineering ¨ Geography ¨ Geology ¨ Indian History ¨ Law ¨ Mathematics ¨ Mechanical Engineering ¨ Philosophy ¨ Physics ¨ Political Science ¨ Psychology ¨ Public Administration ¨ Sociology ¨ Statistics ¨ Zoology

The Main Examination: The preliminary round is basically a screening round. The marks obtained are not counted for in the final stage of the examination. For candidates who clear the preliminary round, there is the main round. The second stage is the main examination that includes written tests and an interview. The written test consists of nine papers (essay type answers to be written) – ¨ Paper I: One Indian language that is included in the Eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution. These languages are Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Pali, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. This paper is of a qualifying nature and the marks obtained are not counted for ranking. This paper is not compulsory for candidates from the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim. ¨ Paper II: English. The English language paper is also of a qualifying nature and the marks obtained are not counted for ranking. ¨ Paper III: Essay ¨ Paper IV &V: General Studies ¨ Optional Subject I (two papers) ¨ Optional subject II (two papers). For papers VI, VII, VIII, and IX two subjects are to be chosen. The list of subjects from which the choice may be made is - ¨ Agriculture ¨ Animal Husbandry and veterinary science ¨ Anthropology ¨ Botany ¨ Chemistry ¨ Civil Engineering ¨ Commerce & Accountancy ¨ Economics ¨ Electrical Engineering ¨ Geography ¨ Geology ¨ History ¨ Law ¨ Management ¨ Mathematics ¨ Mechanical Engineering ¨ Philosophy ¨ Physics ¨ Political Science & International Relations ¨ Psychology ¨ Public Administration ¨ Sociology ¨ Statistics ¨ Zoology ¨ Literature in one of the following languages -: Arabic, Assamese, Bengali, Chinese, English, French, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Marathi, Malayalam, Oriya, Pali, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu Except English, the question papers are set in both Hindi and English.

The total marks secured in both the written tests and the personal interview determine the rank of a candidate. The Interview This is the last hurdle to be cleared. The interview carries 250 marks and there are no stipulated minimum qualifying marks. The main aim of the interview is to assess a candidate's overall personality. The interview is conducted by a board. The board is fully informed about the candidate and they base their questions on a record of the candidate's career, which is provided to them. The aspects that are generally looked into are the candidate's grasp of academics and general awareness as in current affairs, social issues, etc. It is basically a test of the potential of a candidate. The board tries to assess whether he or she can rise to the demands of the job of a Civil Servant.

Q5.What are the Job Prospects ?
A5.Depending upon his rank, a candidate is recruited to services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and other departments including Finance, Post and Telegraph, Revenue, Secretariat and so on. The appointment offers executive power. Promotions are time bound and increase in privileges are automatic. Selected candidates are first put through a training session for a short period. He is usually sent to an academic staff college associated with the service to which he is allocated. The greatest thing about civil service is the job security. Special facilities include subsidised accommodation, telephone and transport facilities, medical benefits, leave travel concession, etc. After retirement, there are very good social welfare facilities. Last but not the least is the immense satisfaction one derives at being able to participate in the development process of the country.

Q6.What is the Remuneration ?
A6.The Government of India has fixed salary grades for Civil Servants. Approximately the range of salaries drawn at various levels is as follows:

Junior Officers: Rs. 8000-275-13500
Senior Officers: Rs. 10650-325-15200
Junior Administrative Grade: Rs. 12,750-375-16,500
Selection Grade: Rs. 15,100-400-18,300
Additional Secretary: Rs. 22400-525-24500
Secretary/Cabinet Secretary: Rs. 26,000/30,000 (The above scales only provide an idea of the pay scales. Different branches of the service have different scales of pay.)

In addition to the salary civil servants receive various allowances such as Dearness Allowance, City compensatory Allowance, Leave Travel Allowance, Medical and subsidised housing

GENERAL STUDIES AND MENTAL ABILITY

ANDHRA PRADESH PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION HYDERABAD

GROUP-I SERVICES
(REVISED SCHEME AND SYLLABUS, 2007)


SYLLABUS FOR SCREENING TEST
(OBJECTIVE TYPE)

GENERAL STUDIES AND MENTAL ABILITY

MARKS:150 MINUTES: 150

1. General Science – Contemporary developments in Science and Technology and their implications including matters of every day observation and experience, as may be expected of a well-educated person who has not made a special study of any scientific discipline.

2. Current events of national and international importance.

3. History of India – emphasis will be on broad general understanding of the subject in its social, economic, cultural and political aspects with a focus on AP Indian National Movement.

4. World Geography and Geography of India with a focus on AP.

5. Indian polity and Economy – including the country’s political system- rural development – Planning and economic reforms in India.

6. Mental ability – reasoning and inferences.