The paper on General Studies will include questions covering the following fields of knowledge:

• General Science
• Current Events of National and International importance
• History of India and Indian National Movement
• Indian and World Geography
• Indian Polity and Economy, and
• General Mental Ability.

1. General Science :
   Questions on General Science will cover general appreciation and understanding of science including matters of every day observation and experience, as may be expected of a well educated person who has not made special study of any particular scientific discipline.

2. Current Events of National and International Importance :
   In Current Events, knowledge of significant national and international events will be tested.

3. History of India :
   In History, emphasis will be on broad general understanding of the subject in its social, economic and political aspects.

4. India Naional Movement :
   Questions on the Indian National Movement will relate to the nature and character of the nineteenth century resurgence, growth of nationalism and attainment of Independence.

5. Indian and World Geography :In Geography, emphasis will be on Geography of India. Questions on the Geography of India will relate to physical, social and economic geography of the country, including the main features of Indian agricultural and natural resources.

6. Indian Polity & Economy :
   Questions on Indian Polity and Economy and Constitution of India will test knowledge on the country's Political System, Panchayati Raj, Social Systems and Economic Developments in India.

7. General Mental Ability :
   The candidates will be tested on reasoning and analytical abilities.

The Main Examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory.

The scope of the syllabus for the optional subject papers for the examination is broadly of the honours degree level i.e. a level higher than the bachelors degree and lower than the masters degree. In the case of Engineering and law, the level corresponds to the bachelors degree.

The aim of the paper is to test the candidate's ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express his ideas clearly and correctly, in English / 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 Essay

1. Comprehension of given passages
2. Precis Writing
3. Usage and Vocabulary
4. Short Essay

5. Translation from English to the Indian language and vice-versa.

Candidates will be required to write an essay on a specific topic. The choice of subjects will be given. 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.

The nature and standard of questions in these papers will be such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study. The questions will be such as to test a candidate's general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relavance for a career in Civil Services.

(a) History of Modern India and Indian Culture:

The History of Modern India will cover history of the Country from about the middle of nineteenth century and would also include questions on important personalities who shaped the Freedom Movement and Social reforms. The part relating to Indian Culture will cover all aspects of Indian Culture from the ancient to modern times.

Geography of India:

In this part, questions will be on the physical, economic and social geography of India.

(c) Indian Polity:

This part will include questions on the Constitution of India, Political system and related matters.

(d) Current National issues and topics of social relevance:

This part is intended to test the Candidate's awareness of current national issues and topics of social relevance in the present-day India, such as the following.

Demography and Human Resources and related issues. Behavioural and Social issues, Social Welfare problems such as child labour, gender equality, adult literacy, rehabilitation of the handicapped and other deprived segments of the society, drug abuse, public health, etc.

Law enforcement issues, human rights, corruption in public life, communal harmony, etc. Internal Security and related issues.

Environmental issues, ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources and national heritage.

The role of national institutions, their relevance and need for change.

(a) India and the World:

This part is intended to test candidate's awareness of India's relationship with the world in various spheres, such as the following:

Foreign Affairs

External Security and related matters

Nuclear Policy

Indians abroad

(b)Indian Economy:

In this part, questions will be on the planning and economic development in India, economic and trade issues, Foreign Trade, the role and functions of I.M.F., World Bank, W.T.O. etc.

(c)International Affairs & Institutions:

This part will include questions on important events in the world affairs and on international institutions.

(d) Developments in the field of science & technology, communications and space:

In this part, questions will test the candidate's awareness of the developments in the field of science & technology, communications and space and also basic ideas of computers.

(e) Statistical analysis, graphs and diagrams:

This part will include exercises to test the candidate's ability to draw common sense conclusions from information presented in statistics, graphical or diagrammatical form and to point out deficiencies, limitations or inconsistencies therein.