Punjab State Civil Services Combined Competitive Examination

Paper I · General Studies

• 1. Everyday Science
  1. 1.General and Applied Science for Civil Services
• 2. Environmental Studies
  1. 1.Environment vs Development: Policy, Instruments and the Growth-Ecology Tension
  2. 2.Natural Resources: Forest, Water, Land and Mining in India and Andhra Pradesh
  3. 3.Climate Change and Sustainable Development
  4. 4.Ecosystems and Biodiversity
• 3. Political Theory & International Order
• 4. Indian Polity
  1. 1.Evolution of the Indian Constitution: Drafting, Preamble, Salient Features, Basic Structure and Amendments
  2. 2.Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties
  3. 3.Federalism, Centre-State Relations, and Local Self-Government in India
  4. 4.State and District Governance
• 5. History of India & World History
  1. 1.Ancient India: Civilizations, Religious Movements and Social-Cultural Life from the Mauryas to the Guptas
  2. 2.Medieval India — Political, Administrative and Military History
  3. 3.The Establishment of British Colonial Rule and the Economic Impact of Empire
  4. 4.Anti-British Uprisings, the Revolt of 1857, and Socio-Religious and Anti-Caste Reform Movements
  5. 5.Three Phases of the Indian Freedom Struggle, 1885-1947
  6. 6.GS Paper I — History of the World: American Revolution and the Birth of the USA
  + 15 more chaptersShow fewer

  1. 7.GS Paper I — History of the World: French Revolution and Its Impact on Europe
  2. 8.GS Paper I — History of the World: Industrial Revolution — Origins, Spread, and Social Consequences
  3. 9.GS Paper I — History of the World: Unification of Italy
  4. 10.GS Paper I — History of the World: Unification of Germany
  5. 11.GS Paper I — History of the World: Imperialism and Colonialism in Asia and Africa
  6. 12.GS Paper I — History of the World: World War I — Causes, Course, and Consequences
  7. 13.GS Paper I — History of the World: Russian Revolution (1917) and the Rise of Communism
  8. 14.GS Paper I — History of the World: Interwar Period — Rise of Fascism and Nazism
  9. 15.GS Paper I — History of the World: World War II — Causes, Course, and Consequences
  10. 16.GS Paper I — History of the World: Decolonization in Asia
  11. 17.GS Paper I — History of the World: Decolonization in Africa
  12. 18.GS Paper I — History of the World: Cold War — Formation of Power Blocs, Proxy Conflicts, Non-Aligned Movement
  13. 19.GS Paper I — History of the World: Disintegration of the Soviet Union and the Post-Cold-War World
  14. 20.GS Paper I — History of the World: Redrawal of National/Colonial Boundaries
  15. 21.GS Paper I — History of the World: Political Philosophies — Capitalism, Socialism, Communism — Comparative Theory and Historical Practice
• 6. Indian Economy
  1. 1.Five Year Planning and NITI Aayog
  2. 2.Growth, Development and Regional Disparities
  3. 3.National Agriculture, Industry and Services Sectors
  4. 4.Poverty and Unemployment: Concepts, Measurement and Trends
  5. 5.Demography, Population and Policy
  6. 6.Public Finance and the Union Budget: Tax Structure, Expenditure, Debt and Fiscal-Monetary Policy (2026-27)
• 7. Geography
  1. 1.India's Physical Setting: Physiography, Drainage, Climate, Soils, Vegetation, Wildlife and Resources
  2. 2.Agriculture, Industry, Transport and Population Geography of India
• 8. Current Events of National & International Importance
• 9(a). Punjab — Geography
  1. 1.Punjab: Geography and Resources
• 9(b). Punjab — People, Society and Culture
  1. 1.Punjab: History, Culture and the Freedom Struggle
  2. 2.Social Exclusion and Vulnerable Groups: Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, Minorities and Women
  3. 3.Social Policies and Welfare Schemes: Women, Scheduled Castes and Tribes, Backward Classes and Minorities, Population Policy and Poverty Alleviation in India
  4. 4.Punjab: Economy, Welfare and Administration
• 9(c). Punjab — History
  1. 1.Punjab: History, Culture and the Freedom Struggle
• 9(d). Punjab — Economy
  1. 1.Punjab: Economy, Welfare and Administration

Paper II · Civil Services Aptitude Test (Qualifying)

• Reading Comprehension, Antonyms/Synonyms, Grammar
• Interpersonal & Communication Skills
• Logical Reasoning, Analytical & Mental Ability
• Basic Numerical Skills
• Data Analysis, Graphs, Charts & Tables

English (Qualifying)

• Comprehension, Precis, Letter Writing, Essay Writing, Translation, Grammar

Punjabi (Qualifying)

• Comprehension, Precis, Letter Writing, Essay Writing, Translation, Grammar (Gurmukhi)

Essay

• Three Short Essays (English or Punjabi, Choice of Topics)

General Studies-I · History, Geography and Society

• 1.1 World History from the 18th Century
  1. 1.GS Paper I — History of the World: American Revolution and the Birth of the USA
  2. 2.GS Paper I — History of the World: French Revolution and Its Impact on Europe
  3. 3.GS Paper I — History of the World: Industrial Revolution — Origins, Spread, and Social Consequences
  4. 4.GS Paper I — History of the World: Unification of Italy
  5. 5.GS Paper I — History of the World: Unification of Germany
  6. 6.GS Paper I — History of the World: Imperialism and Colonialism in Asia and Africa
  + 10 more chaptersShow fewer

  1. 7.GS Paper I — History of the World: World War I — Causes, Course, and Consequences
  2. 8.GS Paper I — History of the World: Russian Revolution (1917) and the Rise of Communism
  3. 9.GS Paper I — History of the World: Interwar Period — Rise of Fascism and Nazism
  4. 10.GS Paper I — History of the World: World War II — Causes, Course, and Consequences
  5. 11.GS Paper I — History of the World: Decolonization in Asia
  6. 12.GS Paper I — History of the World: Decolonization in Africa
  7. 13.GS Paper I — History of the World: Cold War — Formation of Power Blocs, Proxy Conflicts, Non-Aligned Movement
  8. 14.GS Paper I — History of the World: Disintegration of the Soviet Union and the Post-Cold-War World
  9. 15.GS Paper I — History of the World: Redrawal of National/Colonial Boundaries
  10. 16.GS Paper I — History of the World: Political Philosophies — Capitalism, Socialism, Communism — Comparative Theory and Historical Practice
• 1.2 Indian Culture — Art Forms, Literature & Architecture
  1. 1.Indian Art and Culture: Classical Schools, Bhakti-Sufi Traditions and the Making of a Composite Culture
• 1.3 Modern Indian History (mid-18th Century to Present)
  1. 1.The Establishment of British Colonial Rule and the Economic Impact of Empire
  2. 2.Three Phases of the Indian Freedom Struggle, 1885-1947
• 1.4 Socio-Religious Reform Movements (with special reference to Punjab)
  1. 1.Anti-British Uprisings, the Revolt of 1857, and Socio-Religious and Anti-Caste Reform Movements
  2. 2.Punjab: History, Culture and the Freedom Struggle
• 1.5 The Freedom Struggle (with special reference to Punjab)
  1. 1.Three Phases of the Indian Freedom Struggle, 1885-1947
  2. 2.Punjab: History, Culture and the Freedom Struggle
• 1.6 Post-Independence Consolidation & Reorganization
  1. 1.Post-Independence Consolidation (1947-1964)
• 1.7 History of Punjab — Ranjit Singh & the Anglo-Sikh Wars
  1. 1.Punjab: History, Culture and the Freedom Struggle
• 2.1 Physical Geography & World Resource Distribution
  1. 1.India's Physical Setting: Physiography, Drainage, Climate, Soils, Vegetation, Wildlife and Resources
• 2.2 Geophysical Phenomena & Critical Geographical Features
  1. 1.Space Technology Applications and Disaster Management
  2. 2.Ecosystems and Biodiversity
• 2.3 Geography of Punjab
  1. 1.Punjab: Geography and Resources
• 3.1 Salient Features of Indian Society, Diversity of India
  1. 1.Salient Features of Indian Society: Unity in Diversity, Social Institutions and Social Change
• 3.2 Women, Population & Poverty/Developmental Issues
  1. 1.Social Issues in India: Poverty, Unemployment and Communalism
  2. 2.Demography, Population and Policy
• 3.3 Effects of Globalization on Indian Society
  1. 1.Sociology of Rural-Urban Change, Industrialization and Globalization
• 3.4 Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism & Secularism
  1. 1.Social Issues in India: Poverty, Unemployment and Communalism
• 3.5 Ethics and Society
  1. 1.GS Paper IV — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude: Foundations of Ethics
• 3.6 Human Values — Great Leaders & Reformers
  1. 1.GS Paper IV — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude: Human Values
• 3.7 Vulnerable Sections — Welfare Schemes (Centre & Punjab)
  1. 1.Social Exclusion and Vulnerable Groups: Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, Minorities and Women
  2. 2.Social Policies and Welfare Schemes: Women, Scheduled Castes and Tribes, Backward Classes and Minorities, Population Policy and Poverty Alleviation in India
  3. 3.Punjab: Economy, Welfare and Administration
• 3.8 Social Sector — Health, Education, Poverty & Malnutrition
  1. 1.GS Paper II — Governance & International Relations: Social Sector Development: Health and Education
  2. 2.GS Paper II — Governance & International Relations: Poverty, Hunger, and Human Resource Development

General Studies-II · Indian Constitution & Polity, Governance and International Relations

• 1.1 Indian Constitution — Evolution, Features, Amendments
  1. 1.Evolution of the Indian Constitution: Drafting, Preamble, Salient Features, Basic Structure and Amendments
• 1.2 Union-State Functions & Federal Structure
  1. 1.Federalism, Centre-State Relations, and Local Self-Government in India
• 1.3 Separation of Powers & Dispute Redressal
  1. 1.The Judicial System in India: Supreme Court, High Courts and Subordinate Judiciary; Judicial Review, Activism, Independence and Accountability
• 1.5 Parliament & State Legislatures
  1. 1.Union Governance Machinery and Constitutional Bodies
• 1.6 Executive, Judiciary & Ministries
  1. 1.Union Governance Machinery and Constitutional Bodies
  2. 2.The Judicial System in India: Supreme Court, High Courts and Subordinate Judiciary; Judicial Review, Activism, Independence and Accountability
• 1.7 Representation of People's Act
• 1.8 Constitutional Bodies — Appointments, Powers & Functions
• 1.9 District Administration, Panchayati Raj & Urban Local Bodies
  1. 1.State and District Governance
• 2.1 Statutory, Regulatory & Quasi-Judicial Bodies
• 2.2 Government Policies, NGOs & Development Organizations
  1. 1.Participatory Development and Inclusive Governance
• 2.3 E-Governance, Transparency & Role of Civil Services
  1. 1.Ethics, Transparency and Administrative Reforms
  2. 2.GS Paper II — Governance & International Relations: Governance, Transparency, and Accountability: E-Governance, RTI, and Citizens' Charters
  3. 3.GS Paper II — Governance & International Relations: Role of Civil Services in a Democracy
• 2.4 Values and Ethics in Governance
  1. 1.Nation, Ethics in Governance and Applied Psychology
• 2.5 Probity in Governance
  1. 1.GS Paper IV — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude: Probity in Governance
• 3.1 India and its Neighbourhood
  1. 1.Foreign Policy Overview: India's International Relations
• 3.2 Bilateral, Regional & Global Groupings
  1. 1.Foreign Policy Overview: India's International Relations
• 3.3 Developed/Developing Countries' Policies & Indian Diaspora
  1. 1.Foreign Policy Overview: India's International Relations
• 3.4 International Institutions, Agencies & Fora
  1. 1.Foreign Policy Overview: India's International Relations

General Studies-III · Economy, Statistics and Security Issues

• 1.1 Planning, Resource Mobilization, Growth & Employment
  1. 1.Five Year Planning and NITI Aayog
  2. 2.Growth, Development and Regional Disparities
• 1.2 Crops, Cropping Patterns & Irrigation
  1. 1.National Agriculture, Industry and Services Sectors
• 1.3 Public Distribution System & Food Security
  1. 1.National Agriculture, Industry and Services Sectors
• 1.4 Food Processing Industries
  1. 1.National Agriculture, Industry and Services Sectors
• 1.5 Land Reforms & Industrial Policy
  1. 1.National Agriculture, Industry and Services Sectors
• 1.6 Infrastructure & Investment Models
  1. 1.National Agriculture, Industry and Services Sectors
• 1.7 Human Resource Development & Unemployment
  1. 1.Poverty and Unemployment: Concepts, Measurement and Trends
  2. 2.Demography, Population and Policy
• 1.8 Punjab Economy — Planning, Industry & Infrastructure
  1. 1.Punjab: Economy, Welfare and Administration
• 3.1 Development-Extremism Linkages
  1. 1.GS Paper III — Economy, Tech & Security: Development and Extremism — Left-Wing Extremism/Naxalism
  2. 2.GS Paper III — Economy, Tech & Security: External State and Non-State Actors — Cross-Border Terrorism Linkages
• 3.2 External/Non-State Actors & Communication-Network Security
  1. 1.GS Paper III — Economy, Tech & Security: External State and Non-State Actors — Cross-Border Terrorism Linkages
  2. 2.GS Paper III — Economy, Tech & Security: Cyber Security — Challenges and Institutional Framework
  3. 3.GS Paper III — Economy, Tech & Security: Media, Social Networking and Radicalization
• 3.3 Cyber Security & Money Laundering
  1. 1.GS Paper III — Economy, Tech & Security: Cyber Security — Challenges and Institutional Framework
  2. 2.GS Paper III — Economy, Tech & Security: Media, Social Networking and Radicalization
  3. 3.GS Paper III — Economy, Tech & Security: Money Laundering and Financial Security
• 3.4 Border Security & Organized Crime-Terrorism Linkages
  1. 1.GS Paper III — Economy, Tech & Security: Border Area Security Management
  2. 2.GS Paper III — Economy, Tech & Security: Organized Crime and Its Linkages with Terrorism
• 3.5 Security Forces & Agencies
  1. 1.GS Paper III — Economy, Tech & Security: Security Forces and Agencies — Mandate and Structure

General Studies-IV · Science & Technology, Environment, Problem Solving & Decision Making

• 1.1 Science & Technology — Applications, Achievements & IPR
  1. 1.General and Applied Science for Civil Services
  2. 2.GS Paper III — Economy, Tech & Security: Space Technology and Digital/IT Technologies
  3. 3.GS Paper III — Economy, Tech & Security: Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and Emerging Technologies
  4. 4.GS Paper III — Economy, Tech & Security: Intellectual Property Rights
• 1.2 Modern Trends in Life Sciences — Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering
  1. 1.Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
• 2.1 Conservation, Pollution & Environmental Impact Assessment
  1. 1.Environment vs Development: Policy, Instruments and the Growth-Ecology Tension
• 2.2 Water Management
  1. 1.Natural Resources: Forest, Water, Land and Mining in India and Andhra Pradesh
• 2.3-2.4 Disasters, Natural Hazards & Risk Reduction
  1. 1.Space Technology Applications and Disaster Management
  2. 2.Climate Change and Sustainable Development

Interview

• Personality Test / Interview