CSE Prelims & GS Syllabus

GS 3 Syllabus of UPSC CSE Mains Examination

General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.

The UPSC GS 3 holds its place as one of the nine written papers in the UPSC Mains examination. The topics covered in GS 3 syllabus encompass Economic Development, Technology, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management. This article offers an extensive breakdown of the UPSC Mains General Studies Paper GS 3 syllabus and its structure, serving as a valuable resource for preparing for the IAS Exam.

UPSC Mains General Studies Paper GS 3 syllabus

  • 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, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
  • Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
  • Disaster and disaster management.

PAPER PATTERN of UPSC Mains General Studies Paper GS 3 Syllabus

THE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS & THEIR ASSOCIATED WEIGHTAGE MARKS MAY DIFFERENTIATE AS PER THE EXAMINER’S OR COMMISSION’S DECISION ( IN A NUTSHELL, WE CAN’T ASSUME WHAT & HOW THEY WOULD SURPRISE US IN THE EXAM ROOM ) .

AS PER THE CURRENT TREND, THERE ARE 20 COMPULSORY QUESTIONS PRINTED IN HINDI AND ENGLISH WHICH ARE TO BE ANSWERED IN THE LANGUAGE SELECTED WHILE FILLING OUT THE APPLICATION FORM. QUESTIONS THAT ARE RESPONDED TO IN ANY OTHER LANGUAGE ARE NOT EVALUATED.

THE PAPER IS OF A TOTAL OF 250 MARKS. (FIXED)
THE WORD LIMIT FOR 10 MARKS QUESTIONS IS 150, AND FOR 15 MARKS IS 250. (IT CAN VARY, NOT SURE, JUST TAKE IT AS A SURPRISE )


Detailed syllabus of UPSC Mains General Studies Paper GS 3 syllabus

INDIAN ECONOMY

  • Issues related to planning
    • Imperative Vs. Indicative Vs. Structural Planning.
    • NITI Aayog Vs. Planning Commission
  • Mobilization of resources
    • Types of Resources – Financial, Human, Natural etc.
    • Need for Resource Mobilisation
    • Role of Savings & Investment
    • Government Resources – Tax & Non-Tax ( or Fiscal & Monetary Policy)
    • Banking Sector & NBFCs
    • Capital Market
    • External Sources – FDI, ODA etc.
    • Public Borrowing & Management of Public Debt
    • Challenges in Mobilising Resources for Development
  • Growth & Development
    • Balanced & Unbalanced Growth
    • Approaches to Development:
      • Market-Based Approach
      • Role of State and Planned Approach
      • Mixed Economy Approach
  • Employment
    • Terms Related to Employment – Labour Force Participation Rate, Employment Rate, Working Age Population etc.
  • Inclusive Growth & Issues Arising From It
    • 12th FYP & Inclusive Growth
  • Government Budgeting
    • Fiscal Policy
    • FRBM Act
  • Land Reforms in India
    • Recent Initiatives – Land Leasing, Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation & Resettlement Act, etc.
  • Phase of Liberalisation
  • Changes In Industrial Policy & their Effects on Industrial Growth
    • Industrial Policy Before 1991
    • Industrial Policy After 1991
    • National Manufacturing Policy
    • SEZs
    • Make in India
  • Investment Models
    • Domestic Investment Models ( PPP )
    • Foreign Investment Models ( FDI , FII )
    • Sector Specific Investment Models
    • Cluster Based Investment Models

AGRICULTURE

  • Major Crops Cropping Patterns
    • Importance , Types , Emerging trends/ ideas.
  • Irrigation Systems 
    • National Water Policy
    • Progress of Irrigation Under Five Year Plans
    • Systemic Irrigation Reforms
  • Transport & Marketing of Agricultural Produce
    • Process of Agricultural Marketing – Marketing Channels, Functionaries, Costs, etc.
      • Cooperative Marketing
      • APMCs
      • National Agricultural Market (NAM)
      • Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO)
      • Contract Farming
    • Futures Trading in Agricultural Commodities
  • Direct & Indirect Farm Subsidies & MSP
    • Types
    • Clash with WTO Agreements
  • Public Distribution System
    • Shortcomings or Problems of PDS system
    • Steps Taken by Government in this Regard
  • Food Security
    • Objectives
    • National food security mission ( NFSM )
  • Food Processing
    • SAMPADA, 12th FYP.
    • Location
    • Constraints and Challenges

BIODIVERSITY & ENVIRONMENT

  • Importance of Biodiversity – Ecosystem Services, Bio Resources of Economic Importance, Social Benefits .
  • Conservation
    • In-situ & Ex-Situ
    • Eco-Sensitive Areas
    • Ecological Hotspots
    • National Guidelines, Legislations & Other Programmes.
    • International Agreements & Groupings
  • Pollution & Degradation
    • Types , Causes/Sources
    • International Environment Agencies & Agreements
    • National legislation & policies
    • impact
      • Eutrophication , Hazardous Waste, Global Warming
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
  • Disaster Management
    • Government initiatives & Management

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

  • Mainly focus on recent past couple of years major news / happenings via any source , no need to do any bulk preparation on this topic
    • IT
    • Space
    • Nanotechnology
    • Biotechnology
    • Robotics
    • Defence
    • Nuclear
  • Intellectual Property Rights
    • Geographical Indicators
    • Evergreening, Compulsory Licensing, Prominent Cases
    • IPR Regime in India & international agreements

SECURITY

  • Extremism & Naxalism
  • Threats 
    • J&K Separatism and their inclination towards pakistan
    • North East Insurgency
    • Left Wing Extremism
    • North East Insurgency
  • State Sponsored Terrorism
  • Institution to curb
    • NIA
    • Way & means
      • UAPA
      • TADA
      • POTA
  • Cyber Warfare & security
    • Social Networking Sites & Role of Media in Internal Security Challenges
    • Steps to Counter Money Laundering
  • Land Boundary Disputes with Neighbours
    • Coastal & Terrestrial and their management
  • Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism
  • Security Forces & Agencies 
    • Central Armed Police Forces
    • Central Paramilitary Forces
    • intelligence bureau , R & WA

Comprehensive Insight into the Structure of Mains General Studies Paper 3

Key attributes defining the General Studies Paper 3 in the Mains Examination include:

  1. Twenty questions are presented in both English and Hindi, with responses restricted to the language chosen during application.
  2. The paper holds a total value of 250 marks.
  3. Questions carrying ten marks should adhere to a word limit of 150, while those with fifteen marks should remain within 250 words.
  4. This paper places a significant focus on Economic Development. This entails that certain answers may extend into Social Justice and international relations, spanning from GS II. Moreover, intersections can be anticipated between Environment and Geography knowledge required for GS-I, along with Economic Development and Biodiversity from GS II. To tackle this, meticulous analysis of each question and succinct, precise responses within the prescribed word limit are crucial. A thorough exploration of the UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 3 syllabus proves beneficial in this endeavor.
  5. The portion concerning Security and disaster management predominantly arises in the latter part of the paper. Thus, it is imperative to refresh knowledge on themes associated with Internal Security and Disaster Management, while also being acquainted with contemporary subjects such as cyberwar.

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