Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) is a constitutional body. Its mandate is to recruit group ‘A’ officers for Assam State Services. Moreover, this service provides opportunities for candidates to serve society and the country. The civil services exam is dynamic and complex and preparing for it, requires hard work and the correct guidance. Chahal Academy is determined to provide you with the best guidance in online or offline APSC coaching classes. Let us tell you everything about the APSC exam preparation.

About APSC Examination

Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) recruits for the vacancies in State Services of the state of Assam through the prestigious exam the APSC examination. APSC releases notifications and applications for this examination every year for the recruitment of different posts in departments under the government of Assam. So, eligible candidates can apply online after the release of notification. Also, the main purpose of this article is to provide complete information about the APSC examination and guidance for the preparation. To sum up, candidates can prepare for the exam either through offline or online coaching classes. Role of Coaching in APSC Preparation

Coaching plays a vital role in the preparation for State Public Service Exams. It helps you in the preparation and increases the chances of success by reducing the workload of the candidate and giving what is exactly needed. Coaching also gives an overview of the examination pattern and changing dynamics. However, it completely depends on the applicant whether to choose it or not. It should be noted that coaching cannot guarantee your success but provides you an environment for learning and applying that in all three stages of the exam. An amalgamation of these two polishes the student to crack the exam even in the first attempt.

Stages of Assam Public Service Commission Examination

The APSC exam is divided into 3 stages – Prelims, Mains and Interview.

Prelims

It is the first stage of the examination of APSC. Further, the exam consists of 2 papers, and each paper is of 200 marks. Also, the duration is 2 hours for each paper. The first paper is General Studies (Paper I), while the second paper is General Studies II (CSAT).

Paper	Subject	Marks	Duration
Paper-I	General Studies I	200	2 hours
Paper-II	General Studies II	200	2 hours

Prelims Syllabus

General Studies-I

• 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 Environment ecology, Bio-Diversity and Climate Change- that do not require subject specialization.
• General Science.

Note: 30-35% questions in General Studies Paper I will be related to Assam.

General Studies-II

• 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)

Mains

It is the second stage of the APSC examination. The candidate will appear in six papers. The first will be an Essay, followed by subject-specific papers for Papers 2 to 6.

Papers	Type	Marks	Duration
Paper-I	Essay	250	3 Hours
Paper-II to VI	General Studies	250 each	3 Hours each

Total Marks of Mains Examination – 1500 marks

Mains Syllabus

Paper-I: Essay

General Studies Paper-I

• Indian culture shall 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 Struggles various stages and important contributors/combustions from different parts of the country
• Post Independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
• 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 India’s and 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 work (including India).
• Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone at 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.

General Studies Paper-II

• 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, 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 the 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 groups 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 these 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 development, and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources, issues relating to poverty and hunger with emphasis on Assam.
• Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance-applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures with emphasis on Assam.
• Role of civil services in a democracy.
• India and its neighborhood relations.
• Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
• Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s Interests, Indian diaspora.
• Important International Institutions, agencies and forums, their structure, mandate.

General Studies Paper-III

• 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 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.
• 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 and developing new technology.
• Awareness in the fields of IT, Spaces, Computers, robotics, Nano-Technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
• Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
• Disaster and disaster management with emphasis on Assam.
• 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 with emphasis on Assam.
• Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

General Studies Paper-IV

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; 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 behavior, 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.

General Studies Paper-V

• 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 Bio-diversity, 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 Rights Commission, State Election Commission, State Information Commission, Public Policy, Legal Rights and 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. Programs and Schemes Government Welfare Schemes for SC/ST/Backward Class/Minorities/Disabled Persons, Destitute, Women, Children, Old Age People, Farmers & Laborers.
• Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management with relevant emphasis on State of Assam.

Interview

1. It is the last stage of selection for the APSC state civil service exam. Also, only those candidates who successfully clear the mains round will sit for it. It is also called the viva-voce round and it carries 180 marks.
2. Moreover, no minimum marks are prescribed for the interview. Also, the candidates are questioned on the basis of their academic performance and credentials. Above all, total marks are taken by calculating the main exam and interview marks to decide the ranking of the candidate.

Eligibility Criteria – Important for APSC preparation

You have to fulfill certain criteria to be able to sit in the APSC examination. We will lay down the important criteria required for appearing in the APSC exam.

Nationality

The candidates must be a citizen of India to be able to sit for the APSC exam.

Educational Qualifications

• Firstly, the candidates must have completed a graduate degree from a recognized university in India.
• Secondly, the commission also permits any degree/qualification equivalent to three years of graduation provided it is done from a recognized university of India.

Age Limit

• The minimum age requirement for the exam is 21 years. However, maximum age limit is 38 years.

Age Relaxation

1. For SC/ST candidates, the age relaxation is 5 years.
2. However, for OBC categories it is 3 years.
3. On the other hand, for disabled people, it is 10 years and for ex-servicemen, it is 2 years.