Punjab PSC Mains Syllabus 2023

The Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) is entrusted with the responsibility of conducting diverse civil services examinations for the state of Punjab. These examinations serve as a platform for recruiting candidates for civil services and various departmental positions. The selection process for the Punjab State Civil Services Combined Competitive Examination involves the following essential steps:

1. Preliminary Competitive Examination2. Main Competitive Examination, which comprises a written test and an interview.

Candidates can also refer to the linked article to obtain detailed information about upcoming government exams, which encompass current affairs and general awareness as crucial topics in the syllabus.

The PPSC Mains Exam Syllabus for the selection process in 2023 is as follows:

Once candidates successfully clear the Prelims written test with qualifying marks, they will be eligible to appear for the Main written exam of the PPSC 2023 selection process. The Main exam consists of two parts: the written test and the final Personality Test/Interview.

Punjab PSC Mains Pattern

Subject Name	Marks
Punjabi	100
English Compulsory	100
Essay	150
General Studies Paper 1	250
General Studies Paper 2	250
General Studies Paper 3	250
General Studies Paper 4	250

Paper I – Punjabi

Part A

1. Comprehension (Unseen Passage) – An unseen passage will be provided followed by questions to be answered.2. Precis Writing3. Letter writing (200 Words)4. Essay writing (Any general topic – 300 Words)5. Translation

Part B

1. Grammar

Paper II – English

Part A

1. Comprehension (Unseen Passage) – An unseen passage will be provided followed by questions to be answered.2. Precis Writing3. Letter writing (200 Words)4. Essay writing (Any general topic – 300 Words)5. Translation

Part B

1. Grammar

Paper III – General Essay

Candidates will be required to write three short essays in English or Punjabi on specified topics. The choice of subjects will be given. They will be expected to stay closely related to the subject of the essay, organize their ideas in an orderly fashion, and write concisely. Credit will be given for content value, effective and precise expression.

Paper IV – General Studies I (History, Geography and Society)

Section 1: History1. History of the world: Events from the 18th century, including the industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, and political philosophies like Communism, Capitalism, Socialism, etc., and their impact on society.2. Indian culture – Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.3. Modern Indian history from the middle of the eighteenth century until the present – significant events, personalities, and issues.4. Socio-religious reform movements with special reference to Punjab.5. The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country, with special reference to Punjab.6. Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.7. History of Punjab:   - Ranjit Singh's rise to power, civil and military administration, and relations with the British.   - Annexation of Punjab with special reference to the causes and consequences of the Anglo-Sikh wars.

Section 2: Geography1. Physical Geography: Salient features of the world's physical geography. Distribution of key natural resources across the world, including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world, including India.2. Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, cyclones, etc. Geographical features and their location. Changes in critical geographical features, including water bodies and ice-caps, and changes in flora and fauna, and the effects of such changes.3. Geography of Punjab:   - Physiographic details of Punjab.   - Geomorphic features of Punjab.   - Punjab's strategic location with reference to the International Border.   - Crops of Punjab.   - Modern concepts of Farming.   - Problems faced by agriculturists/Issues in Agriculture: Depletion of groundwater, etc.

Section 3: Society1. Salient features of Indian Society and Diversity of India.2. Role of women and women's organizations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems, and their remedies.3. Effects of globalization on Indian society.4. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.5. Ethics and Society: Essence, determinants, and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships.6. Human Values – Role of family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values; lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders and

 reformers – Gautam Buddha, Mahavira, Kabir, Guru Nanak; Swami Vivekananda, Jyotibha Phule, Ishwar Chandra Vidya Sagar, and Mahatma Gandhi.7. Vulnerable sections of the population – Welfare schemes by the Centre and State of Punjab and their performance; Mechanisms, laws, institutions, and bodies constituted for their protection and betterment.8. Issues relating to the development and management of the Social sector – Health, Education, Human resources, issues relating to poverty and malnutrition.

Paper V – General Studies II (Indian Constitution & Polity, Governance and International Relations)

Section 1: Indian Constitution & Polity1. Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure.2. 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.3. Separation of powers between various organs; Dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.4. Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.5. Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges, and issues arising out of these.6. 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.7. Salient features of the Representation of People's Act.8. Appointment to various Constitutional posts; Powers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.9. District Administration – Evolution of District Administration; Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies.

Section 2: Governance1. Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.2. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation; Development processes and the development organizations – the role of NGOs, SHGs, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.3. 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 civil services in a democracy; Changing trends in Governance.4. Values and Ethics in Governance – 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.5. Probity in Governance: Concept of Governance; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; corporate governance; 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.

Section 3: International Relations1. India and its neighborhood – relations.2. Bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests.3. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian Diaspora.4. Important International institutions, agencies, and fora – their structure and mandate.

Paper VI – General Studies III (Economy, Statistics, and Security Issues)

Section 1: Indian Economy1. Issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development, and employment; sustainable development; Inclusive growth and issues arising from it; Government Budgeting.2. Major crops, cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems; storage, transport, and marketing of agricultural produce – issues and related constraints; e

-technology in the aid of farmers; Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Technology missions; economics of animal rearing.3. Public Distribution System – objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security.4. Food processing and related industries in India – scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.5. Land reforms in India; Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy, and their effects on industrial growth.6. Infrastructure – Energy, Ports, Roads, models.7. Human Resource Development:   - Importance of Human capital in economic development.   - Nature, types, and problems of unemployment in India, Trends of Employment in India, Skill development and demographic dividend.8. Punjab Economy: Planning – various aspects of developmental planning; Industry; Infrastructure.

Section 2: Statistical Analysis, Graphs, and DiagramsThis part will test the candidate's ability to draw conclusions from information presented in a statistical, graphical, or diagrammatical form and to interpret the same.

Section 3: Issues related to Security1. Linkages between the development and spread of extremism.2. Role of external, State, and non-State actors in creating challenges to internal security; Challenges to internal security through communication networks; the role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges.3. Basics of cybersecurity; money-laundering and its prevention.4. Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.5. Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Paper VII – General Studies IV (Science & Technology, Environment, Problem-Solving & Decision-Making)

Section 1: Science and Technology1. Science and Technology.2. Developments and applications of science and technology and their effects in everyday life.3. Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.4. Recent developments in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nanotechnology, etc.5. Issues relating to intellectual property rights.6. Modern Trends in Life Sciences.7. Progress of Agricultural Science and its Biotechnology and its applications; Veterinary and Animal Sciences – the latest developments.8. Introduction to and applications of Genetic Engineering & Stem Cell Research.9. Human Diseases and Microbial infections; Common infection and preventive measures; preventive measures during outbreaks; Immunity and vaccination.

Section 2: Environment1. Conservation, environmental pollution, and degradation, Issues related to Climate change; environmental impact assessment.2. Water management – Issues in India; Present scenario, Methods, and importance of water conservation.3. Definition, nature, types, and classification of disasters.4. Natural Hazards: Floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, etc., Risk reduction and mitigation measures.

Section 3: Situations in Civil Service – Problem-Solving and Decision-MakingCandidates will be presented with duly structured situations and will be asked to analyze and suggest their own solutions to the problems arising out of those situations. The situations may include topics such as Natural disasters, Major Accidents, Law and order, Controlling riots, Handling public protests and dharnas, Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation, Designing Projects, Implementation of National Flagship Schemes/Programs, Public-Private Partnership in effective service delivery, Managing and financing Municipal services (e.g., Solid waste management), Conservation of natural resources (water, forests, etc.), Pollution control, Reviving a loss-making PSU, Planning and target achievement, gender sensitization and women empowerment, Empowerment of vulnerable sections of society, Improving Education and Enhancing Skill development, Urban settlement-Slums and housing issues, Managing Issues related to

 Health services delivery, and Universalizing Health coverage.