Latest APSC Exam Pattern 2025-26| APSC Exam Syllabus: Prelims, Mains

Stage II (Mains Examination)

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 Main Examination shall consist of Written Examination and an Interview test. The written examinations shall consist of eight papers of conventional essay type/objective type with limited words and two qualifying Language papers (in the level of Class X). Marks obtained in interview for Preliminary Test shall be counted for ranking.

Stage III: Interview Exam -Qualified candidates in the CC (Mains) Exam will be called to appear for the Interview examination to analyze the candidate's mental and analytical ability.

Stage 1: Preliminary examination

The Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination will consist of Two papers, viz., a paper on “General Studies I” & “General Studies II” .

The paper will be of an objective type consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions.
The paper will carry 200 marks and will be of 2 hours duration.
The standard of the paper will be of the level of knowledge as expected of a graduate of any faculty of a recognized University.
30-35% questions in General Studies Paper I will be related to Assam.

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

General Studies Paper I
Topics	Sub-Topics
Current Affairs - National & International	- Inventions - National and International Events - National and International Awards - Sports
Indian National Movement	- National Renaissance - Early uprisings against British rule - Indian National Congress - Key leaders (e.g., B.R. Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, Subash Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi, etc.) - Modes of Agitation - Growth of Satyagraha and Militant Movements - Communalism and partition
History of India	- Medieval India: Political History and Administrative reforms - Establishment of British rule - First War of Independence - Formation of INC - Swadeshi Movement - Social Reform movements - Newspapers, Literature, and Art during the freedom struggle - Independence Movement and Mahatma Gandhi - Post-Independence period - State Reorganisation - Developments in Science, Education, and Technology - Foreign policy - Political History after 1951
General Science	- Physics: Volume, Weight, Transparency, Mass, Reflection, Refraction, Law of Motion, Gravitation - Chemistry: Salt, Chemical reactions, Metals, Acids, Bases, Gases, Chemical formulas, Non-metals - Biology: Diseases and bacteria, Human Body Structure, Symptoms of various diseases

General Studies Paper II
Topics	Sub-Topics
English Comprehension	- Grammar - Vocabulary - Synonyms/Antonyms - Cloze Test - Idioms and Phrases - Fill in the Blanks - Error Spotting - Comprehension Passages - One-Word Substitution
Logical Reasoning	- Number Ranking - Figurative Classification - Classification - Blood Relations - Venn Diagrams - Non-Verbal Series - Coding-Decoding - Logical Venn Diagrams - Directions - Number, Ranking & Time Sequence - Figural Pattern - Cubes and Dice - Analogies - Arrangements - Arithmetical Reasoning - Mathematical Operations - Number Series
Basic Numeracy (Class X level)	- Average - Percentages - Problems on Ages - Time and Distance - Ratio and Proportion - Time and Work - Mixture and Allegation - Boats and Streams - Simple & Compound Interest - Discounts - Number Systems - Pipes and Cisterns - H.C.F. and L.C.M - Profit and Loss
Data Interpretation	- Graphs - Charts - Tables
Interpersonal Skills & Communication Skills	- Effective interpersonal skills - Communication abilities
Analytical Ability	- Interpretation and analysis of information
General Mental Ability	- Problem-solving skills - Logical reasoning abilities

Scheme of Combined Competitive (Main) Examination

Qualifying Papers (in the level of Class X)

Paper A (300 Marks- 3 hours Duration)- Any one of the languages from Assamese, Bengali, Bodo. Candidates from Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong Districts who had not studied any of these languages in school shall be exempted from appearing for qualifying language papers.
Paper B- English (300 Marks- 3 hours Duration)

Papers Counted for Merit : -

S. No.	Papers	Type of Paper	Marks	Duration in Hours
1	Paper 1	Essay	250	3
2	Paper 2	General Studies I	250	3
3	Paper 3	General Studies II	250	3
4	Paper 4	General Studies III	250	3
5	Paper 5	General Studies IV	250	3
6	Paper 6	General Studies V	250	3
7	Paper 7	Optional Paper-1	250	3
8	Paper 8	Optional Paper-2	250	3
	Interview Test(After Qualifying in Written Test)		275
			Total - 2275

Optional Papers: The standard and syllabi of the Optional subjects are approximately those of Degree level course of the Universities.

Agriculture
Anthropology
Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
Botany
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Chemistry
Commerce and Accountancy
Computer Science
Economics
Electrical Engineering
Geography
Geology
History
Law
Management
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering.
Medical Science
Philosophy
Physics
Political science and International Relations
Psychology
Public Administration
Sociology
Statistics
Zoology
Literature of any one of the Languages- Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Hindi, Sanskrit, English.

Note:

The Commission shall have discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all the subjects of the examination.
The credit shall be given for orderly, effective and exact expressions combined with due economy of words in all subjects of the examination.
Marks shall not be allotted for mere superficial knowledge.

Detailed Syllabus of Main Examination

Paper - A( Assamese/Bengali/Bodo)- 300 Marks
(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-B (English)- 300 Marks
(i) Comprehension of Given Passages. (ii) Precis Writing. (iii) Usage and Vocabulary. (iv) Short Essay
Papers to be Counted for Order of merit (Written Examination)
Paper-I (Essay) -250 Marks	To be written in the medium or language of the candidate’s choice. Candidate is required to write an essay on a specific topic. The Choice of subjects will be given.
Paper-II:(General Studies I)- 250 Marks Indian History, Heritage, Culture and Society and Geography of the India and World	Indian Culture - Art forms, Literature & Architecture from ancient to modern times Modern Indian history from about the middle of the 18th century The Freedom Struggle Post-independence consolidation & reorganization of country Indian Society & its Diversity Role of Women and Women’s Organization Population & Associated issues Poverty and Developmental Issues, Urbanization, their problems and their remedies Globalization, Social Empowerment, Regionalism and Secularism Salient Features of India’s & World’s Geography Distribution of Key Natural resources Important Geophysical phenomena
Paper-III: (General Studies II)- 250 Marks Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations	Constitution of India Functions & Responsibilities of the Union Separation of Powers and dispute redressal mechanism Parliament & State legislatures Structure, Organization & Functioning of Government Judiciaries and Departments. Representation of People’s Act Government Policies and their implementation for development in various sectors Development processes and the development industry Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population Health, Education & HR Development related issues Role of Civil Services in Democracy India & its neighborhood relations Effects of policies and politics of developed countries on India Important international institutes, organizations, and forums
Paper-IV: (General Studies III)- 250 Marks Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Indian Economy & its issues Inclusive growth and issues arising from it Government budgeting Major crop cropping patterns in various parts of the country Irrigation and farming methods Food processing and related industries in India Land reforms in India Effects of liberalization on the economy Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. Investment models Science and technological adaptations and their effects Indigenization of technology and development of new technology Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, etc. Environmental issues Disaster and its management Challenges to internal security Various Security forces and agencies
Paper V: (General Studies IV)-250 Marks Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude	Ethics and human interface Human values - lessons from great leaders, reformers and administrators; the role of family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values Attitude - Content, Structure, Functions, its influence and relation with thought and behavior Moral & Political attitudes, social influence and persuasion Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship Objectivity, Empathy, Tolerance and Compassion for weaker sections Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities in civil services Public/Civil service values and ethics in public administration Probity in Governance Charters, work culture, quality of service delivery, utilization of public funds and challenge of corruption Case studies on the above-mentioned issues.
Paper VI: (General Subject Paper on Assam)- 250 Marks History, Heritage, culture, Geography, Governance, Polity, Social Justice, International Relations, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management of Assam	History, Art , Culture, Literature, Tradition & Heritage of Assam. Major Landmarks in the history of Assam, Major Dynasties , their administrative and Revenue systems. Socio-cultural issues Freedom Movement Political Awakening and Integration Salient features of Architecture and Monuments Arts, Paintings and Handicrafts Important Works of literature Fairs, festivals, folk music and Folk Dances. Culture, Tradition and Heritage Religious Movements, Leading Personalities. Geography of Assam Broad physical features Major Physiographic divisions Natural resources of Assam Climate, Natural Vegetation Forests, Wildlife and Biodiversity Mines and Minerals Population and Major Industries. Political and Administrative System of Assam Governor Chief minister State Assembly High Court Assam Public Service Commission. District Administration State Human Right Commission State Election Commission State Information Commission. Public Policy Legal RIghts Citizen Charter. Economy of Assam Macro overview of Economy Major Agricultural, Industrial and Service sector issues. Growth, Development and Planning. Infrastructure & Resources Major Development Projects Programmes and Schemes-Government Welfare Schemes for SC/ST Backward Class/Minorities/Disabled Persons Destitute Women Children Old Age People Farmers & Laborers. Biodiversity Environment Security and Disaster Management with relevant emphasis on the State of Assam.
Paper VII & Paper VIII Optional 1 & 2 ( 250 Marks each)	Respective Subjects Syllabus

Paper	Marks	Duration	Negative Marking
General Studies I	200	2 Hours	1/4th
General Studies II	200	2 Hours	1/4th

APPSC Exam Pattern & Syllabus

Assam Exam Pattern and Syllabus

Stage I: Preliminary examination

Stage II (Mains Examination)

Stage III: Interview/Personality test

About State PCS Exam Pattern & Syllabus: