CIVIL SERVICES - AN OVERVIEW What is Civil Service? Civil Service means a group of people who share in the exercise of the sovereign power of the state by discharging the various functions of the executive branch of government other than military responsibilities as a life career and paid from government treasury. Indian Civil Service is a legacy of the British administration in India. Started by Warren Hastings and later modifies by Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Civil Service is the steel frame of the political system. Indian Civil Service is classified into four categories 1) Group A- All India Service and Central Service central Services (They are identified by special designations such as I.A.S, I.P.S,I.F.S etc. In the restricted sense, Civil Service means Group- A Services) 2) Group B- Gazetted Officers 3) Group C- Clerical Staff 4) Group D- Auxiliary Staff List of Services The Civil Services Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment to the Services and Posts mentioned below. i) Indian Administrative Service ii) Indian Foreign Service iii) Indian Police Service iv) Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service, Group ‘A’ v) Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’ vi) Indian Revenue Service ( Customs and Central Excise), Group ‘A’ vii) Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’ viii) Indian Revenue Service (I.T), Group ‘A’ ix) Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Group ‘A’ (Assistant Works Manager, Administration) x) Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’ xi) Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’ xii) Indian Railway Traffic Service, Group ‘A’ xiii) Indian Railway Accounts Service, Group ‘A’ xiv) Indian Railway Personnel Service, Group ‘A’ xv) Post of Assistant Security Commissioner in Railway Protection Force, Group ‘A’ xvi) Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’ xvii) Indian Information Service (Junior Grade), Group ‘A’ xviii) Indian Trade Service, Group ‘A’ xix) Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’ xx) Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ ( section Officer’s Grade) xxi) Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service, Group ‘B’ xxii) Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service, Group ‘B’ xxiii) Pondicherry Civil Service, Group ‘B’ xxiv) Pondicherry Police Service, Group ‘B’ What is Civil Services Examination Civil Services Examination is the common competitive test for the selection of Personnel to the Group A Services and a few Central Services. Why Civil Services ? 1) Power and Prestige 2) Security of Service 3) Challenging Profession 4) Variety of Responsibilities 5) Opportunity to serve many 6) Opportunity to make remarkable contributors 7) Opportunity for higher placements 8) Opportunity for higher studies 9) Selection on Merit 10) Assured Promotions 11) Beneficial to the individual, family, locality and state 12) Attractive pay and perks. History of Civil Services in India Although the British are credited with having provided modern structure of administration, the history of Indian Civil Service dates back to the time of Mauryan Empire, almost three centuries before the birth of Christ. The amount of power and prestige associated with the ICS made it a big attraction for the upper class educated Indians. The British however left no stones unturned to keep the Indians out of this prestigious service for long. Even after the Civil Services Examination was opened for Indians, every effort was made to perpetuate the British domination in these superior services by conducting the Civil Services exam in Britain, and by reducing the upper age-limit to the disadvantage of Indians Hurt by these unequal practices, the Indian leaders demanded an equal treatment to the Indians in the competitive exams. In fact, Indianisation of the Civil Services became and important demand of the political movement at the time. Yielding to immense pressure-both in India and in Britain, the government set up the first Public Service Commission on October 1st, 1926. However, its limited advisory functions failed to satisfy the people’s aspirations and the continued emphasis on this point resulted in the setting up of the Federal public Service Commission under the Government of India Act 1935. Under this Act for the first time provision was also made for the formation of Public Service Commissions at the Provincial level. The post- independence perception of the prominent leaders, who initially viewed the colonial Civil Service as an instrument of foreign domination, changed when social tensions threatened national unity and public order. They saw and appreciated the advantages of having a highly qualified institutionalized administrative system. There fore, the leaders of free India continued with the system of well structured merit based bureaucracy, giving these premiere services their due share in the development of the nation. The Constitution established the Indian Administrative Service to replace the colonial Indian Civil Service and Indian police was changed to Indian Police Service. Earlier, separate exams were conducted for various Civil Services. The combined entrance for all the Civil Services in the form of preliminary examination was introduced in 1979. Soon, the language medium of the examination was also democratized and one could write the examination in any one of the official Indian languages About Civil Services Examination The Civil Services Examination is conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) every year. The Examination has three stages i.e Preliminary, mains and interview. 1. Preliminary Examination The Civil Service Preliminary Examination consists of two compulsory papers (Objective type- multiple choice questions) containing a total of 400 marks: PAPER 1 : Compulsory General Studies Paper- 1 for 200 marks PAPER II : General Studies Paper- II for 200 marks. 2. Main ExaminationThe 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. Only those who are declared by the UPSC to have qualified in the Preliminary Examination in a year are eligible for the Main examination of that year. The main Examinations will consist of the following papers. Paper I : Essay 250 Marks Paper II : General Studies – I 250 Marks (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) Paper III : General Studies – II 250 Marks (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations) Paper IV : General Studies – III 250 Marks (Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) Paper V : General Studies – IV 250 Marks ( Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) Paper VI : Optional Subject –Paper 1 250 Marks Paper VI : Optional Subject –Paper 2 250 Marks Sub total (Written Test ) 1750 marks 3. Personality Test- 275 Marks Grand Total 2025 marks ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS Nationality The Candidate must be a citizen of India Age Limit A Candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 30 years on 1st August. The upper age limit prescribed above will be relaxable: i) up to a maximum of five years if a candidate belongs to a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe ii) up to a maximum of three years in the case of candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes who are eligible to avail of reservation applicable to such candidates. Minimum Educational Qualifications The candidate must hold a degree of any of University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under section-3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification. Number of Attempts Every candidate appearing for the examination shall be permitted four attempts at the examination. The number of attempts permissible to candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes shall be seven. There is no restriction on the number of attempts in the case of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes candidates. Syllabi of the Papers Included in the Scheme of Civil Service Preliminary Examination are given as follows. The Examination shall comprise two compulsory papers of 200 marks each. Paper I : (250 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 : General Studies – I 250 Marks 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) English Language Comprehension skills (Class X level) Note 1 : Questions relating to English Language Comprehension skills of Class X level ( last item in the Syllabus of Paper II) will be tested through passages from English language only without providing Hindi translation thereof in the question paper. Note 2 : The questions will be multiple choice, objective type. Note 3 : There are four alternatives for the answers to every question. For each question for which a wrong answer has been question will be deducted as penalty. Note 4 : If a candidate gives more than one answer, if will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of the given answers happen to be correct and there will be same penalty as above for that question. Note 5 : If a question is left blank, i.e. no answer is given by the candidate; there will be no penalty for that question. Syllabi of the Papers Included in the Scheme of Civil Service (main) Examination are given as follows. Qualifying Papers on Indian Languages and English 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 and Indian Language concerned. The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows. i) Comprehension of given passages ii) Precis Writing iii) Usage and Vocabulary iv) Short Essay General Science i) Comprehension of given passages ii) Precis Writing iii) Usage and Vocabulary iv) Short Essay Indian Languages i) Comprehension of given passages ii) Precis Writing iii) Usage and Vocabulary iv) Short Essay v) Translation from English to the Indian language and vice versa. Paper 1- Essay 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 the 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 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 is 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, political philosophies like communism, capitalism 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 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 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, cyclone 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 : Indian 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. Comparisons of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries. Parliament and State Legislative and functioning, conduct of business, power & 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 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 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 theses 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 and civil services in a democracy India and its neighbourhood relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements in involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Effect of politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. Important International institutions, agencies and 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 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, 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 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 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 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 optional subject from amongst the list of subjects given below. List of optional subjects for Main Examination i) Agriculture ii) Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science iii) Anthropology iv) Botany v) Chemistry vi) Civil Engineering vii) Commerce and Accountancy viii) Economics ix) Electrical Engineering x) Geography xi) Geology xii) History xiii) Law xiv) Management xv) Mathematics xvi) Mechanical Engineering xvii) Medical Science xviii) Philosophy xix) Physics xx) Political Science and International Relations xxi) Psychology xxii) Public Administration xxiii) Sociology xxiv) Statistics xxv) Zoology xxvi) Literature of any one of the following languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and English. Note The question papers for the examination will be conventional ( essay) type Each paper will be of three hours duration. Candidates must write the papers in their own hand. In no circumstances will they be allowed the help of a scribe to write the answers for them. However, blind candidates will be allowed to write the examination with the help of a scribe. Blind candidates will also be allowed an extra time of thirty minutes at each per @ ten minutes per hour. For availing of the concession admissible to a blind candidate, the candidate concerned shall produce a certificate in the prescribed proforma from a Medical Board constituted by the Central/State Governments along with their application for the Main Examination. The concession admissible to blind candidates shall not be admissible to those suffering from Myopia. The Commission have discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all the subjects of the examination. If a candidate’s handwriting is not easily legible, a deduction will be made on this account from the total marks otherwise accruing to him. Marks will not be allotted for mere superficial knowledge. Credit will be given for orderly, effective, and exact expression combined with due economy of words in all subjects of the examination. In the question papers, wherever required, SI Units will be used. Candidates should use only International form of Indian numerals (i.e.1,2,3,4,5,6 etc) with answering question papers. Candidates will be allowed the use of Scientific (Non Programmable type) Calculators at the conventional (Essay) type examination of UPSC. Programmable type calculators will however not be allowed and the use of such calculators shall tantamount to resorting to unfair means by the candidates. Loaning of interchanging of calculators in the Examination Hall is not permitted. It is also important to note that candidates are not permitted to use calculators for answering objective type papers (Test Booklets) Details of Interview Test The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of this career. He will be asked questions on matters of general interest. The object of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a Board of competent and unbiased observers. The test is intended to judge the mental calibre of a candidate. In board terms this is really as assessment of nor only his intellectual qualities but also social traits and his interest in current affairs. Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity. The technique of the interview is not that of a strict cross examination but of a natural, though directed and purposive conversation which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate. The interview test is not intended to be a test either of the specialised or general knowledge of the candidates which has been already tested through their written papers. Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects of academic study but also in the events which are happening around them both within and outside their own State or Country as well as in modern currents of thought and in new discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of well educated youth. Separate Examinations Separate Examination are conducted for the recruitment of services such as Indian Forest Service, IES, ISS etc.. Indian Forest Service Examination (Overview) Age – Limits 21-30 years on 1st July of the year of examination Certain categories of persons as specified in the Notice are eligible for age relaxation. Educational Qualification A Bachelor’s degree with at lest one of the subjects namely Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics and Zoology or a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture of Forestry or Engineering of a recognized university of equivalent. Candidates appearing at their degree examination (with prescribed subjects) are also eligible to compete. Candidates qualifying on the result of the written part of examination will be required to submit the proof of passing the requisite examination along with their detailed application form to be filled up at that stage. (D) Scheme of Examination 1) Written Examination – Conventional (easy) type (Paper 1 – General English 300 Marks Paper II – General knowledge 300 Marks Paper III, IV,V & VI- Any two subjects to be selected from the list of optional subjects set out below. Each subject will be two papers 200 Marks Total marks for written examination 1400 Marks List of Optional Subject • Agriculture Forestry • Agricultural Engineering Geology • Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Mechanical Engineering • Botany Physics • Chemistry Statistics • Chemical Engineering Zoology • Civil Engineering Provided that the candidates will not be allowed to offer the following combination of subjects. a) Agriculture and Agriculture Engineering b) Agriculture and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science c) Chemistry and Chemical Engineering d) Mathematics and Statistics e) Of the Engineering subjects viz. Agricultural Engineering, chemical Engineering, Civil engineering, Mechanical Engineering not more than one subject. II) Interview for Personality Test 300 Marks Indian Economics Service / Indian Statistical Service ( Over view) Age- limit 21- 30 years 1st January of the year of Examination Certain categories of person as specified in the notices are eligible for age relaxation. Educational Qualification For Indian Economic Service: Post Graduate Degree from a recognized university in economic/Applied Economic/Business Economics/Econometrics. For Indian Statistical Service: Post Grade Degree from an Indian University in Statistics/Applied /Mathematical Statistics. Candidates appearing in qualifying degree exams are also eligible provisionally subject to producing proof of passing along with detailed Application form. E) Scheme of Examination Part – 1 Candidates are required to appear in the following papers of Conventional type papers. (i) For Indian Economic Service a) General English : 100 Marks b) General Studies : 100 Marks c) General Economics – I : 200 Marks d) General Economics – II : 200 Marks e) General Economics – III : 200 Marks f) General Economics : 200 Marks ii) For Indian Statistical Service a) General English : 100 Marks b) General Studies : 100 Marks c) Statistics – I : 200 Marks d) Statistics – II : 200 Marks e) Statistics – III : 200 Marks f) Statistics – IV : 200 Marks Part II : Interview for Personality Test : 200 Marks
Posted on: Tue, 27 Aug 2013 20:46:26 +0000