IAS Preliminary Examination CSAT Paper - 1 (GS)

Paper I - (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 specialisation
General Science.

IAS Preliminary Examination CSAT Paper - 2 (APTITUDE)

Paper II- (200 marks) Duration: Two hours
1. Comprehension
2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills;
3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability
4. Decision-making and problemsolving
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)
SYLLABI FOR THE EXAMINATION PART-B
MAIN EXAMINATION
GENERAL STUDIES

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.
English Comprehension & English Precise will be to test the English language Comprehension
and English prcis writing skills (at 10th standard level).

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 presentsignificant 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 womens 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 worlds physical geography.

Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the
Indian subcontinent); 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,

cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical
features (including waterbodies 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 Peoples 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-governanceapplications, 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
Indias interests

Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on Indias 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, biotechnology 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; moneylaundering 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 nonpartisanship, 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, Citizens 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 subjects given in para 2
(Group 1). However, if a candidate has graduated in any of the literatures of languages indicated
in Group-2 , with the literature as the main subject, then the candidate can also opt for that
particular literature subject as an optional subject.

(Syllabus)

Part - B Main Examination - Syllabus

(Management)
UPSC Syllabus
Part B - Main Examination - Optional Subjects
Main Examination Syllabus - Subject : Management
The candidate should make a study of the concept and development of
management as science and art drawing upon the contributions of leading
thinkers of management and apply the concepts to the real life of
government and business decision making keeping in view the changes in
the strategic and operative environment.
PAPER I

1. Managerial Function and Process: Concept and Foundations of Management,

Evolution of Management Thoughts; Managerial Functions Planning, Organizing,
Controlling; Decision making; Role of Manager, Managerial skills; Entrepreneurship;
Management of innovation; Managing in a global environment, Flexible Systems
Management; Social responsibility and managerial ethics; Process and customer
orientation; Managerial processes on direct and indirect value chain.
2. Organisational Behaviour and Design: Conceptual model of organization
behaviour; The individual processes personality, values and attitude, perception,
motivation, learning and reinforcement, work stress and stress management; The
dynamics of organization behaviour power and politics, conflict and negotiation,
leadership process and styles, communication; The Organizational Processes decision making, job design; Classical, Neoclassical and Contingency approaches
to organizational design; Organizational theory and design - organizational culture,
managing cultural diversity, learning organization; organizational change and
development; Knowledge Based Enterprise systems and processes; Networked
and virtual organizations.
3. Human Resource Management: HR challenges; HRM functions; The future
challenges of HRM; Strategic Management of human resources; Human resource
planning; Job analysis; Job evaluation; Recruitment and selection; Training and
development; Promotion and transfer; Performance management; Compensation
management and benefits; Employee morale and productivity; Management of
organizational climate and Industrial relations; Human resources accounting and
audit; Human resource information system; International human resource
management.
4. Accounting for Managers: Financial accounting concept, importance and
scope, generally accepted accounting principles, preparation of financial statements
with special reference to analysis of a balance sheet and measurement of business
income, inventory valuation and depreciation, financial statement analysis, fund
flow analysis, the statement of cash flows; Management accounting concept,
need, importance and scope; Cost accounting records and processes, cost ledger
and control accounts, reconciliation and integration between financial and cost
accounts; Overhead cost and control, Job and process costing, Budget and
budgetary control, Performance budgeting, Zero-base budgeting, relevant costing
and costing for decision-making, standard costing and variance analysis, marginal
costing and absorption costing.
5. Financial Management: Goals of finance function; Concepts of value and
return; Valuation of bonds and shares; Management of working capital: Estimation
and financing; Management of cash, receivables, inventory and current liabilities;
Cost of capital; Capital budgeting; Financial and operating leverage; Design of
capital structure: theories and practices; Shareholder value creation: dividend
policy, corporate financial policy and strategy, management of corporate distress

and restructuring strategy; Capital and money markets: institutions and

instruments; Leasing, hire purchase and venture capital; Regulation of capital
market; Risk and return: portfolio theory; CAPM; APT; Financial derivatives: option,
futures, swap; Recent reforms in financial sector.
6. Marketing Management: Concept, evolution and scope; Marketing strategy
formulation and components of marketing plan; Segmenting and targeting the
market; Positioning and differentiating the market offering; Analyzing competition;
Analyzing consumer markets; Industrial buyer behaviour; Market research; Product
strategy; Pricing strategies; Designing and managing Marketing channels;
Integrated marketing communications; Building customer satisfaction, Value and
retention; Services and non-profit marketing; Ethics in marketing; Consumer
protection; Internet marketing; Retail management; Customer relationship
management; Concept of holistic marketing.
PAPER II
1. Quantitative Techniques in Decision Making: Descriptive statistics tabular,
graphical and numerical methods, introduction to probability, discrete and
continuous probability distributions, inferential statisticssampling distributions,
central limit theorem, hypothesis testing for differences between means and
proportions, inf erence about population variances, Chi-square and ANOVA, simple
correlation and regression, time series and forecasting, decision theory, index
numbers; Linear programming problem formulation, simplex method and
graphical solution, sensitivity analysis.
2. Production and Operations Management: Fundamentals of operations
management; Organizing for production; Aggregate production planning, capacity
planning, plant design: process planning, plant size and scale of operations,
Management of facilities; Line balancing; Equipment replacement and maintenance;
Production control; Supply chain management - vendor evaluation and audit;
Quality management; Statistical process control, Six Sigma; Flexibility and agility in
manufacturing systems; World class manufacturing; Project management concepts,
R&D management, Management of service operations; Role and importance of
materials management, value analysis, make or buy decision; Inventory control,
MRP; Waste management.
3. Management Information System: Conceptual foundations of information
systems; Information theory; Information resource management; Types of
information systems; Systems development - Overview of systems and design;
System development management life-cycle, Designing for online and distributed
environments; Implementation and control of project; Trends in information
technology; Managing data resources - Organising data; DSS and RDBMS; Enterprise
Resource Planning (ERP), Expert systems, e-Business architecture, e-Governance;

Information systems planning, Flexibility in information systems; User involvement;

Evaluation of information systems.
4. Government Business Interface: State participation in business, Interaction
between Government, Business and different Chambers of Commerce and Industry
in India; Governments policy with regard to Small Scale Industries; Government
clearances for establishing a new enterprise; Public Distribution System;
Government control over price and distribution; Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and
The Role of voluntary organizations in protecting consumers rights; New Industrial
Policy of the Government: liberalization, deregulation and privatisation; Indian
planning system; Government policy concerning development of Backward
areas/regions; The Responsibilities of the business as well as the Government to
protect the environment; Corporate Governance; Cyber Laws.
5. Strategic Management: Business policy as a field of study; Nature and scope
of strategic management, Strategic intent, vision, objectives and policies; Process of
strategic planning and implementation; Environmental analysis and internal
analysis; SWOT analysis; Tools and techniques for strategic analysis - Impact matrix:
The experience curve, BCG matrix, GEC mode, Industry analysis, Concept of value
chain; Strategic profile of a firm; Framework for analysing competition; Competitive
advantage of a firm; Generic competitive strategies; Growth strategies expansion,
integration and diversification; Concept of core competence, Strategic flexibility;
Reinventing strategy; Strategy and structure; Chief Executive and Board;
Turnaround management; Management of strategic change; Strategic alliances,
Mergers and Acquisitions; Strategy and corporate evolution in the Indian context.
6. International Business: International Business Environment: Changing
composition of trade in goods and services; Indias Foreign Trade: Policy and trends;
Financing of International trade; Regional Economic Cooperation; FTAs;
Internationalisation of service firms; International production; Operation
Management
in International companies; International Taxation; Global competitiveness and
technological developments; Global e-Business; Designing global organisational
structure and control; Multicultural management; Global business strategy; Global
marketing strategies; Export Management; Export- Import procedures; Joint
Ventures; Foreign Investment: Foreign direct investment and foreign portfolio
investment; Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions; Foreign Exchange Risk Exposure
Management; World Financial Markets and International Banking; External Debt
Management; Country Risk Analysis.