APSC 2026 Syllabus PDF, APSC Prelims & Mains Syllabus

What is APSC?

The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) is a state-level civil services examination conducted to recruit candidates for various Group A and Group B posts under the Government of Assam. The selection process includes Preliminary Examination, Mains Examination, and Interview (Personality Test).

Stages of the Examination

The APSC Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) is conducted in three stages:

1. Preliminary Examination (Prelims)

The Preliminary Examination consists of two objective-type (multiple-choice) papers:

Key Points:

• The Prelims are qualifying in nature.
• Paper II (CSAT) must be passed (min. 33%), but its marks are not counted for Mains shortlisting.
• Shortlisting for the Mains examination is done only on the basis of marks obtained in Paper I.
• There is negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer.

2. Mains Examination (Mains)

Candidates who qualify the Preliminary Examination become eligible for the Mains Examination. The Mains Examination is a written examination consisting of six merit-based papers:

3. Personality Test (Interview)

Candidates who qualify the Mains Examination are called for the Personality Test (Interview). This stage is designed to assess the candidate’s personality, awareness, judgment, and suitability for a career in the Assam Civil Services.

Total Marks Distribution

APSC Age Limit

To be eligible for the APSC CCE, a candidate must be at least 21 years of age and not more than 38 years of age on 1st January of the year of examination. Note: Age will be verified only on the basis of the Matriculation / HSLC certificate or an equivalent recognized document.

APSC Age Relaxation

Relaxation in the upper age limit is applicable as follows:

ST (Hills) / ST (Plains): Upper age limit relaxed by 5 years, i.e. up to 43 years

SC: Upper age limit relaxed by 5 years, i.e. up to 43 years

OBC / MOBC: Upper age limit relaxed by 3 years, i.e. up to 41 years

Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): Upper age limit relaxed by 10 years, irrespective of category

Ex-Servicemen:

Up to 50 years for Unreserved category

Up to 53 years for OBC / MOBC

Up to 55 years for SC / ST (Hills & Plains)

Educational Qualification for APSC CCE

A candidate must possess a Bachelor’s Degree from any university incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India, or from an educational institution recognized by the Government. Candidates who are in the final year of graduation may also apply, subject to producing proof of qualification before the Mains examination.

APSC Prelims Syllabus

Download APSC Prelims Syllabus PDF

Paper I: General Studies-I

Note: 30-35% questions in General Studies Paper I will be related to Assam

1. Current events of national and international importance.
2. History of India and Indian National Movement.
3. Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
4. Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights issues etc.
5. Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
6. General issues on Environment ecology, Bio-Diversity and Climate Change- that do not require subject specialization.
7. General Science.

Paper II: General Studies-II

Note: Paper II is of a qualifying nature and requires a minimum of 33% marks to qualify.

1. Comprehension.
2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability.
4. Decision making and problem solving.
5. General mental ability.
6. Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level).
7. Data Interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc.) (Class X level).

APSC Mains Syllabus

Download APSC Mains Syllabus PDF

In the APSC CCE Mains exam, the candidate can write answers in either English or Assamese Language.

Paper I: Essay

Marks: 250 | Duration: 3 Hours

Candidate is required to write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the Sections A and B, in about 1000-1200 words each. The choice of subjects will be given. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

Paper II: General Studies I

Marks: 250 | Duration: 3 Hours (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)

1. Indian Culture – Salient aspects of art forms, literature and architecture from ancient to modern times.
2. Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present – significant events, personalities, issues.
3. The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
4. Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
5. Salient features of Indian society, diversity of India.
6. Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
7. Effects of globalization on Indian society.
8. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
9. Salient features of India and world’s physical geography.
10. Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
11. Important geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location—changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

Paper III: General Studies II

Marks: 250 | Duration: 3 Hours (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)

1. 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. Statutory, Regulatory and various Quasi-Judicial bodies.
10. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
11. Development processes and the development industry – the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
12. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
13. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
14. Issues relating to poverty and hunger with emphasis on Assam.
15. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance – applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures with emphasis on Assam.
16. Role of civil services in a democracy.
17. India and its neighborhood relations.
18. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
19. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
20. Important international institutions, agencies and forums, their structure, mandate.

Paper IV: General Studies III

Marks: 250 | Duration: 3 Hours (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)

1. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
2. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
3. Government Budgeting.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Food processing and related industries in India – scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
7. Land reforms in India.
8. Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
9. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
10. Investment models.
11. 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.
12. Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
13. Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
14. Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
15. Disaster and disaster management with emphasis on Assam.
16. Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
17. Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
18. 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.
19. Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism with emphasis on Assam.
20. Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Paper V: General Studies IV

Marks: 250 | Duration: 3 Hours (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)

1. Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships.
2. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
3. Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
4. 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.
5. Emotional Intelligence – concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
6. Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
7. Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; 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; corporate governance.
8. Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters.
9. Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
10. Case Studies on above issues.

Paper VI: General Studies V (Assam)

Marks: 250 | Duration: 3 Hours (History, Heritage, Culture, Geography, Governance, Polity, Social Justice, International Relations, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management of Assam)

1. History, Art, Culture, Literature, Tradition & Heritage of Assam: Major landmarks in the History of Assam, Major Dynasties, their Administrative and Revenue systems, Socio-cultural issues, Freedom Movement, Political Awakening and Integration, Salient features of Architecture and Monuments, Arts, Paintings and Handicrafts, Important Works of literature, Fairs, Festivals, Folk Music and Folk Dances, Culture, Tradition and Heritage, Religious Movements, Leading Personalities.
2. Geography of Assam: Broad physical features, Major physiographic divisions, Natural Resources of Assam, Climate, Natural Vegetation, Forests, Wildlife and Bio-diversity, Mines and Minerals, Population and Major Industries.
3. Political and Administrative System of Assam: Governor, Chief Minister, State Assembly, High Court, Assam Public Service Commission, District Administration, State Human Rights Commission, State Election Commission, State Information Commission, Public Policy, Legal Rights and Citizen Charter.
4. Economy of Assam: Macro overview of Economy, Major Agricultural, Industrial and Service Sector Issues, Growth, Development and Planning, Infrastructure & Resources, Major Development Projects, Programmes and Schemes – Government Welfare Schemes for SC/ST/Backward Class/Minorities/Disabled Persons, Destitute, Women, Children, Old Age People, Farmers & Laborers.
5. Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management with relevant emphasis on State of Assam.

APSC Interview Syllabus

There is no predefined syllabus for the APSC CCE Interview. The Personality Test is designed to assess the candidate’s personality, suitability for civil services, and awareness of current and general issues. Candidates who clear the Mains stage of the APSC Combined Competitive Examination by securing the prescribed cut-off marks qualify for the final stage of the examination, known as the Personality Test or Interview. During the interview, the board evaluates the candidate’s overall personality and suitability for a career in the civil services. Questions are generally asked on topics such as current affairs, general awareness, hobbies, personal background, and situational judgment, among others.

FAQs