Overview

Procedure and scheme for the Preliminary Examination:

The preliminary competitive examination will consist of two papers of 200 marks each and shall comprise of objective type (multiple choice) questions.

The detail is as follows:-

Note:

• Both the papers will be of objective type multiple choice questions.

• CSAT Exam shall be of qualifying nature, without negative marking with the minimum cut off of 40 % marks.

• EXPLANATION: Candidates must secure atleast 40 % marks in Paper-Il (Civil Services Aptitude Test) to qualify the Preliminary Examination and these Paper-II (Civil Services Aptitude Test) marks will not be counted for the determination of merit of the Preliminary exam.

• The merit of the Preliminary Examination shall be solely based Paper -I (General Studies).

• Duration of each paper for preliminary examination will be two hours. However, Persons with disability candidates will be given additional 40 minutes.
• There will be no negative marking in the written preliminary examination test, however there may be negative marking for any objections to the Answer Key found false/frivolous/not supported by authentic evidence.
• The question paper shall be bilingual and shall be printed in English (Roman script) and Punjabi (Gurumukhi script) except for questions where candidates’ proficiency in language is to be tested.
• The standard of questions would be to test the knowledge as is expected of a person who has attained education at least up to graduation level.
• Preliminary Examination is only a screening test for selecting candidates who would be eligible to take the Main Examination and the marks obtained in this Examination shall not be counted towards the merit of the candidates arrived at after the Main Examination.
• Candidates equal to 13 times of the vacancies advertised in each category would qualify from amongst those appearing in the Preliminary Examination for the Main Examination, provided that, such number of candidates are available and, are otherwise eligible for admission to the Main Examination.

Syllabus for Punjab PCS Prelims

Paper –I (General Studies)

1. Everyday Science:
   States of matter, structure of atom, versatile nature of carbon. Acids, bases, salts, corrosion in metals, action of soaps. Life on Earth – evolution, marine & terrestrial life. Human body and life processes, nutrition, disease – its causes & prevention, infectious diseases, lifestyle diseases. Public health initiatives, mother and child health, immunisation & vaccination, HIV- AIDS, TB, polio etc. Force-laws of motion & gravitation, Archimedes principle. Energy – kinetic & potential. Light – reflection & refraction – concepts and applications. Sound – propagation & reflection- concepts and applications. Electric current – concepts and applications. Computers and telecommunication – concepts and applications.
2. Environmental studies:
   Composition and structure of the atmosphere. Solar system – heat balance & temperature. Atmospheric circulation & weather system, water cycle. Climate change – fossil fuels, greenhouse gases, renewable energy, clean development mechanism, carbon credits. Water – oceans, rivers, glaciers, lakes, groundwater etc. Biodiversity & conservation. Soil – types, crops, food chain etc. Pollution and toxicity etc.
3. Political theory & international order:
   Basic concept of freedom, equality, social justice, rights & duties, citizenship, nationalism, secularism etc.
   United Nations and its organs/agencies, other international organisations like the World Bank, IMF, WTO, EU, G20, BRICS etc. and their role in the World peace, trade & development.
4. Indian polity:
   Basic features, provisions, schedules of the Indian Constitution, key amendments. Panchayati Raj. Elections – People’s Representation Act, electoral reforms. Rise of regionalism and coalition politics. Armed challenges to the Indian state since independence.
5. History of India:
   The Indus valley civilisation. The Aryan and the Vedic age. Jainism and Buddhism. The Maurya Gupta periods.
   Advent of Islam and Sultanate period (political, social & cultural). The Bhakti Movement. The Mughals (political, social & cultural till Aurangzeb). The coming of the European Powers and the advent of the British rule. The Mutiny of 1857. The British rule and the Indian National Movement (1857-1947).
   World History:
   The Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution in Europe. The American Revolution 1776. The French Revolution 1789. The Russian Revolution 1917.
6. Indian Economy:
   Indian economic development (1950-1991) – key economic policies, public sector dominance, bank nationalisation etc. Five year plans – key goals and main achievements. Liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation era since 1991 – key policies, decisions and results. Performance of Indian economy since 1991 – Growth, fiscal & revenue deficits, trade, commerce & balance of payments, inflation, growth of service sector.
   Key challenges and responses – agriculture and food security, industrialisation, poverty alleviation & employment, rural & urban infrastructure, social sector – health, education etc. World Wars I & II.

7. Geography:
   Population – distribution, density, growth and comparison. Migration – types, causes and consequences. Human development. Human settlements. Land resources and agriculture. Water resources. Mineral and energy resources. Manufacturing industries. Planning and sustainable development in India. Transport
   and communication. International trade. Geographical perspective on selected issues and problems.

8. Current events of national and international importance.
9. Punjab:-
   a) Geography:
   Geographical and agro-climatic regions, rivers, water resources, sharing of waters, demographics, human development indices
   b) People, Society and Culture:
   Major personalities in history of Punjab, religious movements, major religions & spiritual personalities, Punjabi literature, folklore, performing arts, fine arts and crafts
   c) History:
   Sufis, saints and gurus, Lodhis and Mughals, Sikh rulers, the British period, nationalist movement in Punjab, Punjab in independent India.
   d) Economy:
   Agriculture, animal husbandry, industrial & service sectors, major occupations, development & economic growth, public finance (including central-state fiscal issues), public sector institutions, cooperatives etc.

CSAT Syllabus for Punjab PCS

1. Reading comprehension; Punjabi and English language comprehension, antonyms and synonyms, grammar and sentence formation
2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills
3. Logical reasoning, analytical and mental ability
4. Basic numerical skills; numbers, magnitudes, percentages, numerical relation appreciation
5. Data analysis; Graphic presentations, charts, tables, spreadsheets

Note: The topics listed in the syllabus are only indicative for the general
guidance of the candidates and cannot be deemed as exhaustive list.

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