APSC Combined Competitive Examination - Syllabus | 20 Dec 2025

Table of Contents

1. APSC Combined Competitive Examination - Syllabus
2. APSC CCE Preliminary Examination Syllabus
3. General Studies – Paper I
4. General Studies – Paper II
5. APSC CCE Main Examination Syllabus
6. Paper I – Essay
7. Paper II – General Studies I
8. Paper III – General Studies II
9. Paper IV – General Studies III
10. Paper V – General Studies IV
11. Paper VI – General Subject Paper on Assam
12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) prescribes a comprehensive syllabus for the Assam PCS Preliminary and Main Examinations, aimed at evaluating candidates’ general awareness, analytical ability, and understanding of administrative issues. The Preliminary Examination primarily tests General Studies, covering areas such as General Science, Current Affairs, History, Geography, Polity, Economy, and General Mental Ability, with due emphasis on Assam-specific topics. The Main Examination focuses on Indian and Assam history, culture, governance, economy, and geography. 

A clear understanding of the APSC syllabus is essential, as it defines the scope of preparation for both screening and merit-based stages of the Assam PCS examination.

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APSC CCE Preliminary Examination Syllabus  

The Preliminary Examination consists of two objective-type papers. 

General Studies – Paper I

(Marks: 200 | Questions: 100 | Duration: 2 Hours)

• 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 – Paper II 

(Marks: 200 | Questions: 80 | Duration: 2 Hours)

• 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)

APSC CCE Main Examination Syllabus

The Main Examination is descriptive in nature and carries 1500 marks across six papers.

Paper I – Essay

(Marks: 250 | Duration: 3 Hours)

To be written in the medium or language of the candidate’s choice. The candidate is required to write an essay on a specific topic. The choice of subjects will be given. 

Paper II – General Studies I

(Marks: 250 | Duration: 3 Hours) 

Indian History, Heritage, Culture and Society and Geography of the India and World  

• 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 Struggle - its various stages and important contributors /contributions 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 world (including India).  
• Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclones etc., 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.  

Paper III – General Studies II 

(Marks: 250 | Duration: 3 Hours) 

Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International 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, 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 poverty and hunger with emphasis on Assam. 
• Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, models, e-governance-applications, 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.

Paper IV – General Studies III 

(Marks: 250 | Duration: 3 Hours) 

Technology, Economic Development, Blo-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management 

• 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 ald 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, Space, Computers, robotics, Nanotechnology, 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.

Paper V – General Studies IV

(Marks: 250 | Duration: 3 Hours) 

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 utilise 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 the 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 – General Subject Paper on Assam

(Marks: 250 | Duration: 3 Hours) 

History, Heritage, Culture, Geography, Governance, Polity, Social Justice, International Relations, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, 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 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, Programmes 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 the State of Assam.

The APSC CCE syllabus defines the scope of preparation for the Assam PCS examination. A clear understanding of the syllabus helps aspirants focus on relevant topics, strengthen answer writing, and plan an effective preparation strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)