APSC syllabus, paper by paper.

Paper 1: Essay

250 marks · 3 hours · Written The Commission publishes no topic syllabus for the Essay; its sample answer booklet and past papers show the format.

Paper 2: General Studies-I

250 marks · 3 hours · Written — Indian History, Heritage, Culture and Society, and Geography of India and the World.

• Indian culture — art forms, literature and architecture, ancient to modern
• Modern Indian history from the mid-eighteenth century; the freedom struggle; post-independence consolidation
• Indian society and its diversity; women, population, poverty, urbanisation; effects of globalisation
• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and secularism
• Physical geography of India and the world; distribution of natural resources and location of industry
• Geophysical phenomena — earthquakes, tsunami, volcanoes, cyclones — and changes in critical geographical features

Paper 3: General Studies-II

250 marks · 3 hours · Written — Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations.

• The Constitution, federal structure, separation of powers, Parliament and state legislatures, executive and judiciary
• Constitutional, statutory, regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies; the Representation of the People Act
• Government policies, welfare schemes, NGOs and SHGs; the social sector — health, education, human resources
• Poverty and hunger, and governance, e-governance and transparency — both with emphasis on Assam
• The role of civil services in a democracy
• India and its neighbourhood; bilateral, regional and global groupings; international institutions

Paper 4: General Studies-III

250 marks · 3 hours · Written — Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.

• The Indian economy — planning, growth, inclusive growth, budgeting, liberalisation, infrastructure, investment models
• Agriculture — cropping patterns, irrigation, subsidies and MSP, PDS and food security, food processing, land reforms
• Science and technology — IT, space, computers, robotics, nano- and bio-technology, intellectual property
• Conservation, pollution and environmental impact assessment
• Disaster management — with emphasis on Assam
• Internal security — extremism, cyber security, money laundering, border areas and organised crime with emphasis on Assam, security forces

Paper 5: General Studies-IV

250 marks · 3 hours · Written — Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude.

• Ethics and human interface; human values from the lives of leaders, reformers and administrators
• Attitude; aptitude and foundational values for the civil service; emotional intelligence
• Moral thinkers and philosophers of India and the world
• Public service values, ethical dilemmas, accountability; probity in governance, RTI, codes of conduct, citizen's charters
• Case studies on all of the above

Paper 6: General Studies-V

250 marks · 3 hours · Written — General Subject Paper on Assam.

• History, art, culture, literature, tradition and heritage of Assam — dynasties, freedom movement, monuments, festivals, personalities
• Geography of Assam — physiography, climate, forests, wildlife, minerals, population, industries
• Political and administrative system of Assam — Governor, Chief Minister, Assembly, High Court, APSC, state commissions
• Economy of Assam — agriculture, industry and services, major projects, welfare schemes
• Bio-diversity, environment, security and disaster management of Assam