Syllabus for UPSC Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service

UPSC Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service Syllabus

The UPSC Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (AFHQCS) Exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment into the Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service. The syllabus for this exam typically aligns with the general pattern of civil service examinations in India, focusing on a broad range of topics to test the candidate’s overall knowledge and understanding.

1. General Studies

The General Studies syllabus covers a wide array of topics, which are often divided into multiple papers. The core areas include:

Paper I: General Studies – I (GS-I)

• Indian Heritage and Culture: Art forms, literature, and architecture from ancient to modern times.
• History of India and Indian National Movement: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History, significant events, personalities, and issues.
• Geography of the World and Society: Physical, social, economic geography of India and the world, salient features of Indian society, diversity of India, globalization, and its impact on Indian society.

Paper II: General Studies – II (GS-II)

Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations:

• Indian Constitution: Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure.
• Polity: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, separation of powers, dispute redressal mechanisms, and institutions.
• Governance: Government policies and interventions, transparency, and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential.
• Social Justice: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections, issues related to poverty and hunger, and mechanisms for the protection and betterment of these sections.
• International Relations: India and its neighborhood relations, bilateral, regional, and global groupings, and agreements involving India and affecting India’s interests.

Paper III: General Studies – III (GS-III)

Economic Development, Technology, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management:

• Economy: Indian economy, budgeting, investment models, and resource mobilization.
• Science and Technology: Developments, achievements of Indians in science & technology, indigenization of technology, and developments of new technology.
• Environment and Ecology: Conservation, environmental pollution, degradation, and climate change.
• 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.
• Disaster Management: Various types of disasters and their management.

Paper IV: General Studies – IV (GS-IV)

Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude:

• Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants, and consequences of ethics in human actions.
• Attitude: Content, structure, function, and its influence on 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 in administration and governance.
• Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions.
• Probity in Governance: Concept of public service, philosophical basis of governance, information sharing, and transparency in government.
• Case Studies: Questions based on scenarios to assess the application of ethical principles in public life.

2. Essay Writing

• Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They are expected to keep their argument closely to the subject and arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion, and write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

3. General English

• Comprehension: Understanding of the passage and the ability to answer questions based on the passage.
• Precise Writing: Summarizing the passage into concise and clear points.
• Usage and Vocabulary: Testing the candidate’s knowledge of English grammar and usage.
• Short Essay: Writing essays on given topics to test articulation and expression.

4. Optional Subjects

• Candidates may be required to choose an optional subject relevant to the Armed Forces Headquarters service. The syllabus for optional subjects may include topics related to the field of defense studies, public administration, or any other relevant subject area as per the requirements specified by the commission.

5. Interview/Personality Test

• The personality test will assess the candidate’s mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, variety, and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion, and leadership.

6. Service-specific Papers

• The syllabus may include service-specific papers that test the candidate’s understanding of military organization, structure, and administration relevant to the Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service.