Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Exam - Mains Syllabus

• 16 Sep 2025

Table of Contents

PAPER-I (General Hindi and General English)

PAPER–II (Language & Literature)

PAPER-III (Social Sciences)

PAPER-IV (Indian Constitution & Polity, Public Administration & Good Governance)

PAPER-V (Indian Economy, Globalization and Sustainable Development)

PAPER-VI (General Science, Environment & Technology Development)

Access the complete and updated Jharkhand PCS Mains Syllabus right here. We provide a detailed, paper-wise breakdown of the JPSC Mains exam pattern, covering all compulsory and optional subjects. Understanding the official syllabus is the first crucial step to structuring your preparation effectively. Download the free PDF now to align your studies and boost your chances of success.

PAPER-I (General Hindi and General English)

The General Hindi and General English paper shall be a composite paper, consisting of two segments, namely (i) Hindi, and (ii) English. Both the segments shall be of equal weightage i.e., each of 50 marks.

The purpose of the paper is to test the working knowledge of the candidates in the above two languages. As such the questions to be asked in both the segments of this paper shall be of matric standard only and shall be confined to the following areas:

(A) General Hindi: 50 marks
(क) निबंध (400 शब्दों का)	15 अंक
(ख) व्याकरण	15 अंक
(ग) वाक्य विन्यास	10 अंक
(घ) संक्षेपण	10 अंक
(B) General English: 50 marks
1. Essay (400 words)	15 marks
2. Grammar	15 marks
3. Comprehension	10 marks
4. Precis	10 marks

Note: It will be only a qualifying paper in which out of 100 (combined both Hindi & English) every candidate will have to secure only 30 marks.

Thus, inclusion of 50 marks General English component will not adversely impact the chances of students from Hindi/Regional Language background.

PAPER–II (Language & Literature)

Candidates will have the option to choose one language and literature subject from the available list. This paper will carry a total of 150 marks.

List of Languages and Literature
1.	Oriyya Language & Literature
2.	Bangali Language & Literature
3.	Urdu Language & Literature
4.	Sanskrit Language & Literature
5.	English Language & Literature
6.	Hindi Language & Literature
7.	Santhali Language & Literature
8.	Panchpargania Language & Literature
9.	Nagpuri Language & Literature
10.	Mundari Language & Literature
11.	Kurux Language & Literature
12.	Kurmali Language & Literature
13.	Khortha Language & Literature
14.	Khadia Language & Literature
15.	Ho Language & Literature

PAPER-III (SOCIAL SCIENCES)

(History and Geography)

The question-paper of Social Sciences shall have two distinct sections; one of History and the other one of Geography; each of 100 marks.

The candidates will be required to answer one compulsory and two optional questions from each section i.e., six questions in all.

The compulsory question of each section, covering the entire syllabus of the concerned section, shall have ten objective type questions, each of two marks (10×2=20 marks).

In addition, there shall be four optional questions in each section of History and Geography.

Since there are four distinct sub-sections, both in History and Geography, one question will be drawn from each sub-section as to make a total of four optional questions in each of the two distinct sections of History and Geography, of which candidates will be required to answer only two questions, each of 40 marks.

The optional questions shall be answered in the traditional, descriptive style, requiring long-answers.

Section (A)-History: 100 Marks

(A) Ancient Period

• The Indus Valley Civilization: Origin, antiquity, extent, authorship and main features.
• Origin of the Aryans.
• Antiquity and Stratification of the Vedic literature: Society, economy and religion during Early (Rig-Vedic) period.
• The Lichchavis and their Republican Constitution.
• The Rise of the Magadhan empire.
• The Mauryas: Extent of empire, Kalinga War and its impact, Asoka's Dhamma, Foreign Policy, Development of Art & Architecture during the Mauryan period.
• The Kushanas: Kanishka; Extent of empire, His religious policy, Development of art, architecture and Letters during the Kushana period.
• The Guptas: Extent of empire, development of language and literature, art & architecture during the Gupta period.
• Harsha-Vardhan: The last great Hindu ruler of Northern India; cultural achievements during his period.
• The Cholas: Maritime activities in South-east Asian counturies, Chola administration, art & architecture.
• Cultural Achievements of the Pallavas.

(B) Medieval Period

• The Arab Invasion of India.
• The Ghaznavid invasion of India.
• The Delhi Sultanate: Market and Military Reforms of Allauddin Khilji; Utopian policies of Muhammad-bin- Tughlaq.
• The Mongol invasion of India.
• Religious Movements: (a) Sufism, (b) Bhakti Movement
• Dawn of a New-Islamic culture: Indo-Islamic architecture; Development of Urdu and Hindi languages.
• The Mughals: First Battle of Panipat, Achievements of Sher Shah Suri, Consolidation of Mughal empire, Establishment of Jagirdari and Mansabdari systems under Akbar, Akbar Religious and Rajput Policies, Aurangzeb's Religious and Rajput Policies, Mughal Architecture and Painting, Economic Condition during Mughal period.
• The Rise of the Marathas: Achievements of Shivaji, Northward expansion of the Marathas and their downfall.

(C) Modern Period

• Beginning of European settlements: Formation and growth of East India Company; Consolidation of British power in India; Battles of Plassey and Buxar; Control over Mysore; Subsidiary Alliance; Doctrine of Lapse; Doctrine of Escheat.
• Resistance to Colonial Rule: Peasant; Tribal and Cultural Renaissance; Revolt of 1857.
• Social Reforms Movements in Hindu Community: Brahma Samaj, Arya Samaj, Ram Krishna Mission, Prarthana Samaj and Theosophical Society of India.
• Social Reforms Movements in Muslim Community: Wahabi Movement & Aligarh Movement.
• Struggle for Raising Women's status: Abolition of Sati System, Widow Marriage Act, Consent Bill, Stress on Female Education.
• Land Revenue Administration under the British rule: Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari & Mahalwari Systems.
• Rise of Nationalism in India in the 19th century: Formation of Indian National Congress; Moderates and Extremists; Swadeshi Movement, Home Rule League Movement; Khilafat Movement.
• Mahatma Gandhi and Mass politics: Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, Quit India Movement.
• The partition of India and its consequences.
• India After lndependence: Integration of Princely states in Indian Union; Linguistic Reorganization of States; Non-aligned policy under Nehru and Indira Gandhi, Liberation of Bangladesh.

(D) History of Jharkhand

• Adi-dharma i.e., Sarana cult of Jharkhand tribals
• Concept of Sadan and emergence of Nagpuria language
• Tribal Revolts in Jharkhand and Nationalist struggle
• Birsa Movement
• Tana Bhagat Movement
• Freedom Movement in Jharkhand

Section (B)-Geography: 100 Marks

(A) Physical Geography (General Principles)

• Origin and evolution of earth, interior of earth, Wegner's Continental Drift Theory; Plate tectonics, Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Tsunamis.
• Major types of rocks and their characteristics, evolution and characteristics of landforms in the Fluvial, Glacial, Arid and Karst regions.
• Geomorphic processes: Weathering, mass wasting, erosion and deposition, soil formation, Landscape cycles, ideas of Davis and Penck.
• Composition, Structure and Stratification of the atmosphere.
• Insolation, heat budget of the earth.
• Horizontal and vertical distribution of temperature, inversion of temperature.
• Air masses and fronts, Tropical and temperate cyclones.
• Evaporation and Condensation: dew, frost, fog, mist and cloud, rainfall types.
• Classification of climates (Koppen and Thornthwaite), Greenhouse effect, global warming and climatic changes.
• Hydrological cycle, distribution of temperature and salinity in the oceans and seas, waves, tides and currents, ocean floor relief features.

(B) Physical and Human Geography of India

• Structure, relief and physiographic divisions, Drainage Systems: Himalayan and the Peninsular.
• Indian monsoon, mechanism, onset and retreat, climatic types (Koppen and Trewartha); Green Revolution and its impact on major crops of India. Food scarcity.
• Natural Vegetation-Forest types and distribution, wildlife, conservation, biosphere reserves.
• Major types of Soils. (ICAR classification) and their distribution; Soil degradation and conservation.
• Natural Hazards: Floods, Droughts, Cyclones, Landslides.
• Population growth, distribution and density.
• Age: Sex, ratio, rural-urban composition, Population, environment and development.
• Types of Settlements: rural and urban, Urban morphology, functional classification of urban settlements, Problems of human settlement in India.

(C) Natural Resources of India: Development and Utilization

• Land Resources: General land use, agricultural land use, geographical condition and distribution of major crops like, Rice, Wheat, Cotton, Jute, Sugarcane, Rubber, Tea and Coffee.
• Water Resources: Availability and utilization for industrial and other purposes, irrigation, scarcity of water, methods of conservation-rain water harvesting and watershed management, ground water management.
• Minerals and Energy Resources: Distribution and utility of (a) metallic minerals (Iron ore, copper, bauxite, manganese), (b) non-metallic and conventional minerals (coal, petroleum and natural gas), (c) hydroelectricity and non conventional sources of energy (Solar, Wind, bio-gas), (d) energy sources, their distribution and conservation.
• Development of Industries: Types of industries; factors of Industrial location, distribution and changing pattern of selected industries (iron and steel, cotton textile, sugar and petro-chemicals); Weber's theory of industrial location-its relevance in the modern world.
• Transport, Communication and International Trade:
  • Roads, railways and water ways.
  • Bases of International trade, changing pattern of India's foreign trade.

(D) Geography of Jharkhand and Utilization of its Resources:

• Geological history, landforms, drainage, climate, soil types and forests: agriculture and irrigation, Damodar & Subarnarekha valley projects; mineral resources of Jharkhand, their extraction and utilization.
• Population: Growth, distribution, density; Tribal population and their distribution, Problems of Tribes and Tribal development plans; their customs, rituals, festivals etc.
• Industrial and urban development, Major Industries-iron, Steel and Cement; Cottage industries.
• Pattern of urban settlement and Pollution Problems.

PAPER-IV (Indian Constitution & Polity, Public Administration & Good Governance)

• The question-paper of the Indian Constitution, Polity and Public Administration shall consist of two distinct sections i.e., one on Indian Constitution and Polity, and the other one on Public Administration & Good Governance, each of 100 marks.
• Candidates will be required to answer one compulsory and two optional questions from each section. The compulsory question of each section, covering the entire syllabus of the concerned section, shall have ten objective type of questions, each of two marks (10×2=20).
• In addition, there shall be four optional questions in each section, of which candidates will be required to answer only two questions, each of 10 marks. The optional questions shall be answered in the traditional descriptive form; requiring long answers.

Section (A)-Indian Constitution and Polity

• Preamble of the Indian Constitution (Secular, Democratic and Socialist)-Philosophy behind it.
• Salient features of the Indian Constitution, Concept of Public Interest Litigation; Basic structure of the Indian Constitution.
• Fundamental Rights & Duties.
• Directive Principles of the State Policy.
• Union Government:
  • Union Executive: Powers and functions of President, Vice President, Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers; Functioning under a Coalition Government.
  • Union Legislature: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha; Organization and Functions; Law making process; Parliamentary Committees; Parliament's control over Executive; Privileges and immunities of Parliament and its Members.
  • Union Judiciary: The Supreme Court; its role and powers. Principles of Natural Justice & Rule of Law. Judicial Review and Judicial Activism.
• State Government:
  • State Executive: Powers and functions of Governor, Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers.
  • State Legislature: Organization, Powers and functions, with special reference to Jharkhand.
  • State Judiciary: High Court; Organization, Powers and functions, Subordinate Judiciary.
  • The Panchayats and the Municipalities: Constitution, powers, functions and responsibilities with special reference to 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments.
• Centre-State Relationship: Administrative, Legislative and Financial.
  • Provisions relating to Administration of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribal Areas.
  • Special provisions relating to reservation of seats for S.C. and S.T. in Legislature, Services etc.
  • Emergency Provisions of the Constitution.
  • Comptroller & Auditor-General of India (CAG).
  • Election Commission of India.
  • Political Parties and Pressure Groups.

Section (B)-Public Administration & Good Governance

• Public Administration: Introduction, meaning, scope and significance.
• Public and Private Administration.
• Union Administration: Central Secretariat, Cabinet Secretariat, Prime Minister's Office, Planning Commission, Finance Commission.
• State Administration: State Secretariat, Chief Secretary, Chief Minister's Office.
• District Administration: Origin and development of the office of the District Magistrate and Collector; Changing Role of the District Collector, Impact of the separation of Judiciary on District Administration.
• Personnel Administration: Recruitment of Civil Services; Union Public Service Commission and the State Public Service Commission; Training of Civil Servants; Leadership and its qualities, Employee's morale and productivity.
• Delegation, Centralization and de-centralization of authority.
• Bureaucracy: Origin; Its merits and demerits; Role of Bureaucracy in Policy formulation and its implementation. Nexus between Bureaucracy and Political Executive; Generalist versus Specialist.
• Development Administration.
• Disaster Management: Causes, Meaning and Classification of Disaster, Disaster Mitigation; Immediate and Long-term measures.
• Good Governance: Meaning and concept of Good and Responsive Governance; Main features of Good Governance; Accountability, Transparency, Honesty and Quick Delivery; Role of Civil Society and Peoples Participation in Good Governance. Grievance Redressal Mechanism: Lokpal, Lokayukta, Central Vigilance Commissioner; Citizens Charter; Object, Machinery and Measures provided in (I) Right to Service Act; (III) Right to Information Act; (II) Right to Education Act; (IV) The Consumer Protection Act (v) Domestic Violence Against Women (Prevention) Act; (vi) Old Age Act.
• Human Rights: Concept and Meaning; Universal Declaration of Human Rights; National Human Rights Commission; State Human Rights Commission; Human Rights and Social Issues; Human Rights and Terrorism.

PAPER-V (Indian Economy, Globalization and Sustainable Development)

• The question-paper on Indian Economy, Globalization and Sustainable Development shall consist of five sections. Section I shall be compulsory. This section shall contain twenty objective questions each of two marks (20 × 2=40) marks).
• The twenty objective questions of this section shall be drawn from the entire syllabus of the paper of which 6 questions will be drawn from Group A, 6 from Group B, 4 from Group C and 4 from Group D of the syllabus.
• Section II, III, IV & V of the question-paper shall have two optional questions each: drawn respectively from Groups A, B, C&D of the syllabus, of which the candidates will be required to answer one question from each group, each question carrying 40 marks.
• Thus, altogether the candidates will be required to answer one objective type compulsory question carrying 40 marks, and 4 optional questions, each carrying 40 marks. The optional questions shall be answered in the traditional, descriptive form; requiring long answers.

Group (A)-Basic Features of Indian Economy

• National Income: Elementary concepts of national income and methods of its calculation eg., GDP, GNP, NDP, NNP, GSDP, NSDP, DDP at constant and current prices, at factor cost etc.
• Inflation: Concept, control of inflation; monetary, fiscal and direct measures.
• Demographic features: Work force composition, demographic dividend with special reference to census of 2011; National Population Policy.
• Agriculture and Rural Economy: Importance of agriculture in national economy, agricultural growth in India-production & productivity; causes of low productivity and measures taken by government to improve agricultural production; Green Revolution, Ever Green Revolution and Rainbow revolution; WTO and agriculture, Marketing and pricing of agricultural inputs and outputs.
• Industrial Economy: Policy initiative & charges.
• Public Finance: Nature, importance and scope of public finance; Public Revenue-Principles and types of taxation; direct, indirect, progressive and proportional, concept of VAT.
• Public Expenditure: Theories of public expenditure; causes of growth of public expenditure and its impact on economy; internal and external borrowings.
• Budget: Principles of budgeting; types of budgeting- Performance based, Zero-based; FRMD.
• Fiscal Policy: Concept and role of fiscal policy in achieving employment, stability and economic development.
• Centre-State fiscal relationship, role of Finance Commission; Financial aspects of 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments.
• Structure of Indian monetary and banking system in India.
• Composition and direction of India's trade; Balance of payment problem.

Group (B) Sustainable Development, Economic Issues and Indian Development Strategy

• Meaning and Measurement of Economic Development; Characteristics of Under Development.
• Indicators of development: HDI, GDI, GEM; India's HDI progress.
• Role of Foreign capital & technology in growth of economy.
• Sustainable development: concept and indicators of sustainable development, economic, social and environmental sustainability; concept of Green GDP; Strategy and policy for sustainable development in India.
• Meaning of inclusive growth and development policy and strategy during 11th and 12th Five Year Plans.
• Development status and issues pertaining to socially and economically marginalised sections, like STs, SCs, religious minorities, backward castes and women; schemes launched for their development by Central/ State Governments, including TSP, SCSP and minorities.
• Poverty and Unemployment: Measurements and trends; identification of BPL families, HPL, Multi-Dimensional Indian poverty index.
• Food and Nutritional Security: Trends in Food production and consumption in India; Problem of Food Security; Problems and issues of storage, procurement, distribution, import and export; Government policies, schemes and programmes such as PDS, ICDS and Mid-day Meal etc.
• Governmental policies for food and nutritional security.
• Planning Strategy: Objectives and strategy of Indian Five Year Plans; Functions and Role of NDC, Planning Commission.
• Decentralized Planning: Meaning and importance, PRIS and decentralised planning; major initiatives in India.

Group (C)-Economic Reforms, Nature and Impact on Indian Economy

• New Economic Reforms-Liberalisation, Privatization and Globalization, rationale and need for reforms, International financial institutions IMF, World Bank, WTO, their role and impact on Indian economy.
• Financial and Banking sector reforms, economic reforms and rural banking impact on rural credit: sources and problems of rural credit, Institutional credit, SHG, micro finance, NABARD, RRBs, Scheduled Commercial Banks, rural co-operatives, financial inclusion.
• Globalization of Indian economy: Its positive and negative impacts on different sectors, issues of FDI and FIl in India.
• Agricultural sector reforms and its impact on growth; issues of subsidies and public investment on agriculture, reforms and agrarian crisis.
• Industrial development and Economic reforms in India: Major changes in industrial policy, its impact on industrial growth and problems of SMEs; role of Public Sector enterprises in India's industrialization in post reforms period; Disinvestment and Privatisation of Public Enterprises.

Group (D)-Economy of Jharkhand: Features, Issues, Challenges and Strategies

• Economic growth and structure of Jharkhand's economy, sectoral composition, growth in SDP and per capita NSDP in last decade, Agricultural and industrial growth in Jharkhand.
• Demographic features of Jharkhand: Population growth, ratio, density, literacy, composition of work force, rural-urban composition etc., with special reference to Census of 2001 and 2011, inter district variations.
• Status of poverty, unemployment, food security, malnutrition, education and health indicators in Jharkhand, major Initiatives, Issues of agricultural and rural development, major programs and schemes; poverty alleviation programs; PURA, Bharat Nirman, MGNREGA, PMGSY, SGSY, JAY, NRLM etc.. Food security schemes.
• Land, forest and environmental issues in Jharkhand: Land reforms and agrarian relations, tribal land alienation, development induced displacement of people; its impacts and policy initiatives; Forest issues and implementation of FRA, Environmental degradation and State policy to deal with to.
• Five year plans in Jharkhand strategy and achievement in Xth and XIth plan, TSP and SCSP, Public finance trends in Jharkhand, Industrial policy in Jharkhand and industrial development.

PAPER-VI (General Science, Environment & Technology Development)

• The question paper of General Science, Environment & Technology Development shall have six sections. Section-I, shall have 20 objective type of questions, each of 2 marks (20 × 2 = 40 marks).
• Questions for this section will be drawn at the rate of four questions from each of the five Groups of the syllabus. Sections II, III, IV, V and VI of the question paper shall have two optional questions each, drawn respectively from Groups A, B, C, D and E of the syllabus; of which candidates will be required to answer only one question from each group, each question carrying 32 marks.
• Optional questions shall be answered in the traditional manner, requiring descriptive answers, not exceeding 500 to 600 words. Thus, altogether candidates will be required to answer one objective type compulsory question (40 marks) and five descriptive type optional questions (5 × 32 = 160 marks).

Group (A)-Physical Science

• System of Units: MKS, CGS and SI.
• Definition of speed, velocity, gravity, mass, weight, force, impact, work, power and energy.
• Solar system, relative position of Earth with respect to Sun and other planets, movement of earth and moon in solar system, lunar and solar eclipses.
• Concept and nature of sound, Wavelength and frequency, Infrasonic and Ultrasonic sounds, Sources of Infrasonic sound in nature, Ultrasonic sound characteristics and some applications.

Group (B)-Life Science

• The living world, Cell-Structure and its functions, Diversity of organism.
• Bio molecules-structure and function of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, Vitamins and deficiency diseases, Enzymes, Hormones - Plant hormones and growth regulation, Animal hormones and their functions.
• Cell reproduction-Cell cycle, Mitosis and Meiosis.
• Medallion Inheritance- Monohybrid and Dihybrid cross, Sex linked Inheritance, Sex Determination, DNA Structure & Function, DNA Replication, Protein Synthesis, Gene Regulation, Molecular basis of differentiation.
• Theories of Evolution of Life on earth, including Human Evolution.

Group (C)-Agriculture Science

• Different agro-climatic zones of Jharkhand, rainfall pattern and known abiotic stresses in each zone.
• Rain fed agriculture: Conventional food and horticultural crops of the state, Need for diversification of crops for food as well as nutritional security in the wake of climate change; Rain water harvesting and its role in improving agriculture output in Jharkhand; Fish farming
• Soil fertility status of Jharkhand- Application of Vermi compost and Farm Yard Manure (FYM) for improving soil health. Nitrogen fixing bacteria; their applications and Concept of Organic farming.
• Concept of Agro-forestry, Waste lands and means to reclaim them. Government schemes for the benefit of the farmers of the state.

Group (D)-Environmental Science

• Concept of Ecosystem, Structure and Function of Ecosystem, Natural resources-Renewable and Non-renewable resources
• Environmental Conservation-in situ and ex situ conservation
• Pollution-Air, Water, Sound and Soil, Solid Waste Management
• Biodiversity: concept, hotspots, threats to biodiversity
• Global Environmental Issues; Climate change, Global warming, Ozone layer depletion, Acid rain, Desertification
• Environmental Laws- The Environment (Protection) Act, The Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, The Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, Forest Conservation Act

Group (E)-Science & Technology Development

• National Policy on Science and Technology
• Energy demand of the country; Conventional and Non-conventional sources of energy; Nuclear Energy: its merits and demerits. Trends in Nuclear Policy, NPT and CTBT
• Space Technology- Indian space programmes. Application of Satellites for different purposes; Indian missile programme; Remote sensing; GIS and its application in weather forecasting, disaster warning, mapping of water, soil, and mineral resources etc.
• Use of Biotechnology in agriculture, animal breeding, pharmaceuticals, food technology, and environmental conservation; Possible adverse effects of biotechnological interventions
• Information technology: Computers and its application in data processing, data programmes, Cybercrime and cyber laws
• National Health Policy: national programmes for prevention and control of Malaria, Leprosy, T.B., Cancer, Aids, Blindness etc.

The Written Examination will consist of the following papers: 

Subject	Duration	Marks	Remarks
Paper-I: General Hindi & General English (50 marks each having separate answer sheets)	3 Hours	100	This paper will only be qualifying in nature in which out of 100 (combined both Hindi & English) every candidate will have to secure a minimum 30 marks.
Paper-II: Language and Literature: Under this paper, every candidate will have to opt for one Language and Literature out of fifteen languages*.	3 Hours	150	Descriptive Type
Paper-III: Social Sciences, having two distinct sections – History & Geography – of equal weightage.	3 Hours	200	Descriptive Type
Paper-IV: Indian Constitution & Polity, Public Administration & Good Governance	3 Hours	200	Descriptive Type
Paper-V: Indian Economy, Globalization and Sustainable Development	3 Hours	200	Descriptive Type
Paper-VI: General Sciences, Environment & Technology Development	3 Hours	200	Descriptive Type

Marks Taken into Account for Final Merit List
Main Examination (excluding Paper I)	950 Marks
Interview Test	100 Marks
Grand Total	1050 Marks