Stage II (Mains Examination)
OPSC OPSC Mains Exam Pattern
The 2nd Stage that is the Mains Exam of MCS includes 1 Qualifying Paper and 7 merit papers of descriptive
nature.
| Papers |
Subject |
Total marks |
Duration |
|
Qualifying Papers
|
| Paper I |
Odia Language |
250 |
3 hours |
| Paper II |
English Language |
250 |
|
|
Merit Papers
|
| Paper I |
Essay |
250 |
3 hours |
| Paper II |
General Studies - I
(Indian Hertage and Culture, Odisha Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World
and Society) |
250 |
3 hours |
| Paper III |
General Studies - II
(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and Inter-State relations) |
250 |
3 hours |
| Paper IV |
General Studies - III
(Technology, Economic Development, Bio-Diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster
Management) |
250 |
3 hours |
| Paper V |
General Studies - IV
(Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
|
250 |
3 hours |
| Paper VI |
Optional Subject Paper - I |
250 |
3 hours |
| Paper VII |
Optional Subject Paper - II |
250 |
3 hours |
Total Marks: 1750
OPSC OPSC Mains Exam Syllabus
Qualifying Papers
Paper I: Odia language
- Comprehension of given passages.
- Precis writing
- Usage and Vocublary
- Short Essays
- Translation from English to Odia language
Paper II: English Language
- Comprehension of given passages.
- Precis writing
- Usage and Vocublary
- Short Essays
- Translation from Odia to English language
GENERAL STUDIES–I
Heritage and Culture
- Indian culture covering the salient aspects of Art forms, Literature and Architecture from Ancient to
Modern times.
- Temple Architecture of Odisha.
- Socio-cultural development in Odisha.
- Bhakti Movement in Odisha and its impact on the Society of Odisha.
- Evolution and Growth of Odia Language and Literature and development of Odia Literature
- Regional Tradition of Odisha-Festivals.
History
- Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present –
significant events, personalities, issues.
- The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different
parts of the country.
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
- Kalinga War and its significance
- Dynastic History of Odisha: Mahameghavahan Kharavela, The Bhauma Karas and The Somavamsis, The Gangas
and Gajapatis.
- Early Resistance Movements ni Odisha- Paik Rebellion, Vri Surendra Sai and the Revolt of 1857.
- Creation of Odisha Province.
- Freedom Movement and Praja Mandal Movements ni Odisha; Social bases of Odia Nationalism; Integration of
Princely States in Odisha; Social reform movements in Odisha.
Geography of India with special reference to Odisha
- Physical, economic and social geography of India.
- Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclones, 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.
- Odisha’s natural resources: water, forests & minerals.
- Odisha’s Physiography and Riverine system.
- Salient features of Indian society, Diversity of India and Odisha.
- Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and
developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and remedies.
- Effects of globalization on Indian society as a whole and Odisha.
- Distribution and growth of tribes and tribal population in Odisha; Urbanization – Growth of urban
population and urban centres in Odisha.
- Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
GENERAL STUDIES–II
Governance, Constitution, Polity and Inter-State 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.
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
- Parliament and State legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers &
privileges and issues arising out of these.
- Structure, organisation 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 the Representation of People’s act, Odisha Right to Public Services Act and
Odisha Lokayukta Act.
- Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various
Constitutional bodies.
- Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.
- 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 of Central and State Civil services in a democracy.
- Panchayati Raj Institution (PRIs) in Odisha.
- Odisha and its neighbourhood – relations.
Social Justice
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their
design and implementation – India and Odisha.
- Development processes and the development industry – the role of MSMEs & women SHGs.
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the State and the performance of these
schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions, and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of
these vulnerable sections- India and Odisha.
- Issues relating to development and management of social sector/ Services relating to Health, Education,
Human Resources – India and Odisha.
- Issues relating to poverty and hunger – Sustainable Development Goals
GENERAL STUDIES–III
Science & Technology
- Science and Technology-developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
- Achievements of Indians ni science & technology; Indigenisation of technology and developing new
technology.
- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotechnology, Bio-technology and issues
relating to intellectual property rights.
Economic Development
- Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and
employment.
- Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
- Government Budgeting – India and Odisha.
- Land reforms in India & Odisha.
- Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial
growth.
- Infrastructure: Energy, Posts, Roads, Airports, Railways in the Country and Odisha.
- Industrialisation in Odisha – Issues and prospects.
Agriculture
- Major cropping patterns in various parts of the 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 in India & Odisha.
- 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 in India & Odisha – Doubling of
Farmers’ Income.
- Food processing and related industries in India & Odisha – scope and significance, location,
upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
Biodiversity and Environment
- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
- Disaster and Disaster Management in the Country and in Odisha – State institutions and policies on
Disaster Management.
- Linkages between development and spread of extremism. Left wing extremism in Odisha.
Security and Disaster Management
- 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
– Arts & policies relating to Cyber Security and Money laundering.
- Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organised crime with
terrorism.
- Various Security forces and agencies of the Country and Odisha and their mandate.
GENERAL STUDIES–IV
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to
integrity, probity in public life and his problem-solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by
him in dealing with society. Questions may utilize 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; Dimension 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 ni
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 and VII: Optional Subject Papers
Total number of questions in the question papers of optional subjects will be eight. All questions will carry
equal marks. Each paper will be divided into two parts, viz. Part A and Part B, each part containing four
questions. Out of eight questions candidates are required to answer any five questions taking at least two
questions each from Part A and Part B.
Any one Optional subject is to be chosen from the following subjects -
Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Civil
Engineering, Commerce & Accountancy, Economics, Electrical Engineering, English, Garo, Geography,
Geology, Hindi, History, Khasi, Law, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science,
Philosophy, Physics, Political Science and International Affairs, Psychology, Public Administration,
Sociology, Statistics, Zoology, Odia, Persian, Sanskrit and Urdu.
Detailed syllabus of the optional subjects can be viewed in the OPSC-OPSC syllabus pdf -
file:///E:/ENGAGEMENT/syllabus-2024.pdf
