PCS Prelims Syllabus - Sleepy Classes IAS Skip to main content

PCS Prelims Syllabus

Paper 1 - GENERAL STUDIES

Everyday Science

  • States of matter, structure of atom, versatile nature of carbon
  • Acids, bases, salts, corrosion in metals, action of soaps.
  • Life on Earth ā€“ evolution, marine & terrestrial life. Human body and life processes, nutrition, disease – its causes & prevention, infectious diseases, lifestyle diseases.
  • Public health initiatives, mother and child health, immunisation & vaccination, HIV-AIDS, TB, polio etc.
  • Force-laws of motion & gravitation, Archimedes principle.
  • Energy ā€“ kinetic & potential. Light ā€“ reflection & refraction ā€“ concepts and applications.
  • Sound ā€“ propagation & reflection- concepts and applications.
  • Electric current ā€“ concepts and applications.
  • Computers and telecommunication ā€“ concepts and applications.

Environmental Studies

  • Composition and structure of the atmosphere.
  • Solar system ā€“ heat balance & temperature.
  • Atmospheric circulation & weather system, water cycle.
  • Climate change ā€“ fossil fuels, greenhouse gases, renewable energy, clean development mechanism, carbon credits.
  • Water ā€“ oceans, rivers, glaciers, lakes, groundwater etc.
  • Biodiversity & conservation.
  • Soil ā€“ types, crops, food chain etc.
  • Pollution & Toxicity etc.

Political Theory & International Order

  • Basic concept of freedom, equality, social justice, rights & duties, citizenship, nationalism, secularism etc.
  • United Nations and its organs/agencies, other international organisations like the World Bank, IMF, WTO, EU, G20, BRICS etc. and their role in the World peace, trade & development.

Indian Polity

  • Basic features, provisions, schedules of the Indian Constitution, key amendments. Panchayati Raj.
  • Elections ā€“ Peopleā€™s Representation Act, electoral reforms.
  • Rise of regionalism and coalition politics. Armed challenges to the Indian state since independence.

History of India

  • The Indus valley civilisation.
  • The Aryan and the Vedic age.
  • Jainism and Buddhism.
  • The Maurya Gupta periods.
  • Advent of Islam and Sultanate period (political, social & cultural).
  • The Bhakti Movement.
  • The Mughals (political, social & cultural till Aurangzeb).
  • The coming of the European Powers and the advent of the British rule.
  • The Mutiny of 1857.
  • The British rule and the Indian National Movement (1857-1947)

World History

  • The Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution in Europe.
  • The American Revolution 1776.
  • The French Revolution 1789.
  • The Russian Revolution 1917.
  • World Wars I and II.

Indian Economy

  • Indian economic development (1950-1991) ā€“ key economic policies, public sector dominance, bank nationalisation etc.
  • Five year plans ā€“ key goals and main achievements.
  • Liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation era since 1991 ā€“ key policies, decisions and results.
  • Performance of Indian economy since 1991 ā€“ Growth, fiscal & revenue deficits, trade, commerce & balance of payments, inflation, growth of service sector.
  • Key challenges and responses ā€“ agriculture and food security, industrialisation, poverty alleviation & employment, rural & urban infrastructure, social sector ā€“ health, education etc.

Geography

  • Population ā€“ distribution, density, growth and comparison.
  • Migration ā€“ types, causes and consequences.
  • Human development. Human settlements.
  • Land resources and agriculture.
  • Water resources.
  • Mineral and energy resources.
  • Manufacturing industries.
  • Planning and sustainable development in India.
  • Transport and communication.
  • International trade.
  • Geographical perspective on selected issues and problems.

Punjab

  • Geography: Geographical and agro-climatic regions, rivers, water resources, sharing of waters, demographics, human development indices
  • People, Society and Culture: Major personalities in history of Punjab, religious movements, major religions & spiritual personalities, Punjabi literature, folklore, performing arts, fine arts and crafts
  • History: Sufis, saints and gurus, Lodhis and Mughals, Sikh rulers, the British period, nationalist movement in Punjab, Punjab in independent India.
  • Economy: Agriculture, animal husbandry, industrial & service sectors, major occupations, development & economic growth, public finance (including central-state fiscal issues), public sector institutions, cooperatives etc.

Current events of national and international importance

Paper 2 - CSAT

  • Reading comprehension; Punjabi and English language comprehension, antonyms and synonyms, grammar and sentence formation.
  • Interpersonal skills including communication skills
  • Logical reasoning, analytical and mental ability
  • Basic numerical skills; numbers, magnitudes, percentages, numerical relation appreciation
  • Data analysis; Graphic presentations, charts, tables, spreadsheets.