UPSC Indian Police Service (IPS) Syllabus
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) for the Indian Police Service (IPS) follows the same examination structure and syllabus as that of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). The examination consists of three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test (Interview). The syllabus is comprehensive and covers a wide range of topics.
1. Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers and is a screening test to qualify for the Main Examination.
Paper I: General Studies (GS) – 200 Marks
- Current Events: National and international importance.
- History of India: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern history.
- Geography: Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
- Polity: Indian Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
- Economic and Social Development: Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.
- Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change: General issues related to environmental ecology and climate change that do not require subject specialization.
- General Science: Basic concepts and applications.
Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) – 200 Marks
- Comprehension: Reading and understanding of passages.
- Interpersonal Skills: Communication skills.
- Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability: Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Decision Making and Problem Solving: Practical application of logical reasoning.
- General Mental Ability: Basic arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.
- Basic Numeracy: Numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc. (Class X level).
- Data Interpretation: Charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.
Note:
Paper-II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature, and candidates must score at least 33% to qualify.
2. Main Examination
The Main Examination is a written exam consisting of nine papers, out of which seven papers are considered for ranking.
Qualifying Papers
- Paper A: Indian Language – 300 Marks (Candidates can choose any one of the Indian languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution).
- Paper B: English – 300 Marks.
Papers to be Counted for Merit
Paper I: Essay – 250 Marks
- Candidates are required to write essays on multiple topics. The topics will be related to issues of relevance and importance to society and governance.
Paper II: General Studies I (GS I) – 250 Marks
- Indian Heritage and Culture
- History and Geography of the World and Society
- Indian Society: Features, Diversity, Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism, Secularism
- World History: Industrial Revolution, World Wars, Redrawing of National Boundaries, Colonization, Decolonization
- Geography: Physical Geography, Natural Resources, Important Geophysical Phenomena
Paper III: General Studies II (GS II) – 250 Marks
- Indian Constitution, Political System, Governance
- Parliament and State Legislatures: Structure, Functioning, Powers, and Privileges
- Executive and Judiciary: Ministries, Departments, Pressure Groups, Role in Polity
- Governance: Transparency, Accountability, E-governance, Civil Services
- International Relations: India’s Relations with Neighboring Countries, Bilateral and Multilateral Groupings, International Institutions
Paper IV: General Studies III (GS III) – 250 Marks
- Economic Development: Indian Economy, Planning, Growth, Development, and Employment
- Science and Technology: Developments and Applications, Space, Biotechnology, IT, Environmental Science
- Disaster Management: Natural and Man-made Disasters, Mitigation, and Management
- Security: Internal Security, Role of External State and Non-state Actors, Cybersecurity, Money Laundering, Border Security, Organized Crime
Paper V: General Studies IV (GS IV) – 250 Marks
- Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
- Ethics in Public Administration
- Emotional Intelligence: Concepts and Applications
- Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration
- Case Studies on Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
Paper VI & VII: Optional Subject Papers I & II – 250 Marks each
- Candidates can choose one optional subject from a list of subjects provided by UPSC. Each optional subject has two papers (Paper I and Paper II).
3. Interview/Personality Test
Personality Test/Interview – 275 Marks
- The interview assesses the candidate’s personality traits such as leadership, judgment, decision-making, and the ability to handle stress. The focus is on the candidate’s overall suitability for a career in the Indian Police Service.
