The Indian Police Service (IPS) is one of the three All India Services of the Government of India

UPSC IPS LCE Syllabus

Paper I – (200 marks); Duration: Two hours; Objective Type

  • Current events of national and international importance
  • History of India and Indian National Movement
  • Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic

Geography of India and the World

  • Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
  • Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
  • General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization General Science.

Paper II – (200 marks); Duration: Two hours; Objective Type

  • Comprehension
  • Interpersonal skills including communication skills;
  • Logical reasoning and analytical ability
  • Decision making and problem solving
  • General mental ability
  • Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. – Class X level)
  • English Language Comprehension skills (Class X level).

Paper III – English (200 marks); Duration: 3 hours; Qualifying Test; Descriptive Test

The aim of the paper is to test the candidate’s ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express his ideas clearly and correctly, in English.

The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows (indicative only):

  1. Comprehension of given passages;
  2. Precis Writing;
  3. Usage and Vocabulary;
  4. Paragraphs writing;

Answer to all questions in this Paper will have to be attempted in English only.

Paper IV: Essay (200 Marks); Duration: 3 hours; Descriptive Type

Candidates will be required to write two Essays. One topic will pertain to Indian Society/ politics/ Economy/ Development, Growth and related aspects. The other topic will pertain to security and related matters. Candidates will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

Paper V: General Studies (200 Marks); Duration: 3 hours; Descriptive Type

a) A brief idea about History and Geography of India.

b) Constitution of India and Indian Polity: This part will include questions on the Constitution of India, as well as all constitutional, legal, administrative and other issues emerging from the politico-administrative system prevalent in the country.

c) Current National Issues and Topics of Social Relevance: This part is intended to test the Candidate’s awareness of current National issues and topics of social relevance in the present-day India, such as the following:

  • The Indian economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
  • Issues arising from the social and economic exclusion of large sections from the benefits of development.
  • Other issues relating to the development and management of human resource.
  • Health issues including the management of Public Health, Health education and ethical concerns regarding health-care.
  • Law enforcement, internal security and related issues such as the preservation of communal harmony.
  • Issues relating to good governance and accountability to the citizens including the maintenance of human rights, and of probity in public life.
  • Environmental issues, ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources and national heritage.

d) India’s diversity, unity amidst diversity and pluralism as a part of the functioning of Indian Society. Conflicts due to political, economic, social and cultural reasons. Conflict resolution.

e) Democratic rights and privileges of citizens. Emerging social changes/trends relevant to governance.

f) National Security: Structure and functions of Defence Forces, Para Military Forces and Police. Origin, growth and dimensions of fundamentalism, militancy and terrorism. Local, regional, national and international dimensions of organized crime and terrorism; and efforts at countering them. “White-collar” and cyber crime, money launder ing and tax-havens. Technology in cr ime detect ion, prevent ion and investigation, including forensics. Weapons and weapons training that a uniformed officer should be aware of. Food security, energy security, water security, technological self-reliance as a part of security objectives, Disaster Management including natural and man made disasters.

g) Statistical Analysis, graph, and diagrams: This part will test the candidate’s ability to draw conclusions from information presented in the statistical, graphical, or diagrammatical form and to interpret them.