GS Paper-3 Syllabus for UPSC Main Exam

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

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.
Linkages between Development and Spread of Extremism.
Role of External State and Non-state Actors in creating challenges to Internal 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.
Security Challenges and their Management in Border Areas – Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism.
Various Security Forces and Agencies and their Mandate.

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GS Paper-3 Syllabus

1. Technology

1.1. Developments & their Applications & Effects in Everyday Life

(a) Chemicals in Food

Artificial Sweetening Agents
Food Preservatives

(b) Drugs

Antacid
Antihistamines
Neurologically Active Drugs
- Tranquilizers
- Analgesics
Antimicrobials
- Antibiotics
- Antiseptic and Disinfectant
Anti-Fertility Drugs, etc.

(c) Cleansing Agents

Soaps
Synthetic detergents

(d) Glass

(e) Water Softener

(f) Water Purification/Disinfection

(g) Microwave Oven, etc.

1.2. Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology

Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman
Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose
Satyendra Nath Bose
Meghnad Saha
Homi Jehangir Bhabha
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
P.J. Abdul Kalam
Vikram Sarabhai
Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya
Har Gobind Khorana
Tessy Thomas
N.R. Rao

1.3. Indignation of Technology & Developing New Technology

IT & Computers
Space
Nanotechnology
Biotechnology
Robotics
Defence
Nuclear

1.4. Awareness in Different Fields

IT & Computers
Space
Nanotechnology
Biotechnology
Robotics
Defence
Nuclear

1.5. Issues Relating to Intellectual Property Rights

Need for Intellectual Property Rights
Types of IPR
IPR Regime in India
International Agreements Related to IPRs
Geographical Indicators
Recent Issues – Ever greening, Compulsory Licensing, Prominent Cases etc.

2. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

2.1. Indian Economy & Issues Relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development & Employment

(a) Planning

Meaning of Planning
Need for Planning in Economic Development
Imperative Vs. Indicative Vs. Structural Planning
Objectives of Planning
Indian Planning History
Techniques of Indian Planning
Achievements & Failures of Indian Planning
Shortcomings of Planning in India
NITI Aayog Vs. Planning Commission

(b) Mobilization of Resources

Types of Resources – Financial, Human, Natural etc.
Need for Resource Mobilization
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 Mobilizing Resources for Development
Steps That Can Be Taken

(c) Growth & Development

Meaning of Development & Growth
Difference between Development & Growth
Determinants of Growth & Development
Importance & Limitations of Economic Growth
Jobless Growth
Pro-Poor Growth
Balanced & Unbalanced Growth
Dimensions of Development
Measurement & Indicators of Development
Approaches to Development:
- Market-Based Approach
- Role of State and Planned Approach
- Mixed Economy Approach
Challenges to Development & Growth

(d) Employment

Nature – Rural vs. Urban, Formal Vs. Informal
Terms Related to Employment – Labor Force Participation Rate, Employment Rate, Working Age Population etc.
Sectoral Distribution of Employment
Quality of Employment
Causes of Lack of Employment
Restructuring of Workforce
Government Initiatives for Generating Employment

2.2. Inclusive Growth & Issues Arising From It

What is Inclusive Growth?
Elements of Inclusive Growth
Need for Inclusive Growth
Indicators of Inclusive Growth
Challenges in Achieving Inclusive Growth in India
12^thFYP & Inclusive Growth

2.3. Government Budgeting

(a) Need for Government Budgeting

(b) Components of the Government Budget

Revenue Account – Revenue Receipts & Revenue Expenditure
Capital Account – Capital Receipts & Capital Expenditure

(c) Changes in Budgetary Process in 2017

(d) Measures of Government Deficit

Revenue Deficit
Fiscal Deficit
Primary Deficit

(e) Fiscal Policy

(f) Deficit Reduction

(g) FRBM Act

(h) Other Types of Budgets – Outcome, Zero-Based, etc.

2.4. Land Reforms in India

Rationale for Land Reforms
Components of Land Reforms
Impact of Land Reforms
Problems in Implementation of Land Reforms
Success of Land Reforms
Recent Initiatives – Land Leasing, Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation & Resettlement Act, etc.

2.5. Effects of Liberalization on the Economy

Phase of Liberalization
Impact on Different Sectors of the Economy

2.6. Changes In Industrial Policy & their Effects on Industrial Growth

Industrial Policy Before 1991
Industrial Policy After 1991
Phases of Industrial Growth
Linkage Between Economic Reforms and Economic Outcomes
Weaknesses and Failures of Industrial Policies
National Manufacturing Policy
SEZs
Make in India

2.7. Infrastructure

Energy
Ports
Roads
Airports
Railways

2.8. Investment Models

(a) Need for Investment

(b) Sources of Investment

(c) Types of Investment Models

Domestic Investment Models
- Public Investment Model
- Private Investment Model
- Public Private Participation Investment Model
Foreign Investment Models:
- FDI
- FII, etc.
Sector Specific Investment Models
Cluster Based Investment Models

(d) Investment Models Followed by India

2.9. Agriculture

(a) Major Crops Cropping Patterns in Various Parts of the Country

Importance of Cropping Pattern
Types of Cropping Pattern
Reasons Why Cropping Pattern Differ
Factors Influencing Cropping Pattern
Emerging Trends in Cropping Pattern
Long-Run Effects of Current Trends in Cropping Pattern

(b) Different Types of Irrigation & Irrigation Systems Storage

Modes of Irrigation
Sources of Irrigation
Choosing an Irrigation System
Problems Associated with Irrigation
Progress of Irrigation Under Five Year Plans
Environmental Effects of Irrigation
Need for Systemic Irrigation Reforms
Need for a National Water Policy

(c) Transport & Marketing of Agricultural Produce & Issues & Related Constraints

Process of Agricultural Marketing – Marketing Channels, Functionaries, Costs, etc.
Role of FCI
Regulated Markets
Warehousing
Cooperative Marketing
Shortcomings of Current Agricultural Marketing Process
APMCs
National Agricultural Market (NAM)
Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO)
Contract Farming
Futures Trading in Agricultural Commodities

(d) E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers, Technology Missions

(f) Issues Related to Direct & Indirect Farm Subsidies & Minimum Support Prices

Agricultural Pricing Policy
Rationale for Subsidies
Types of Subsidies
Effectiveness, Extent & Problems of Subsidies
Clash with WTO Agreements

(g) Public Distribution System Objectives, Functioning, Limitations, Revamping

Objectives/Significance
Functioning – Fair Price Shops, FCI, Ration Cards, Aadhar Linking, etc.
Shortcomings or Problems Associated with PDS
Need to Improve the Working of PDS
Measures to Improve the Loopholes & Lacunas Associated with PDS
Steps Taken by Government in this Regard

(h) Issues of Buffer Stocks & Food Security

Buffer Stock – Objectives & Norms in India
Impact of Government Procurement & Distribution
Need for Food Security
NFSM and the Food Security Related Government Initiatives

(i) Economics of Animal-Rearing

(j) Food Processing & Related Industries in India

Scope & Potential in India
Significance
Location
Constraints and Challenges
Upstream & Downstream Requirements
Supply Chain Management
Government Policies and Initiatives – SAMPADA, 12th FYP, etc.

3.BIODIVERSITY & ENVIRONMENT

3.1. Conservation

(a) What is Biodiversity?

(b) Types of Biodiversity – Genetic, Species, Ecosystem, etc.

(c) Importance of Biodiversity – Ecosystem Services, Bio Resources of Economic Importance, Social Benefits etc.

(d) Reasons for Loss of Biodiversity

(e) Conservation

In-situ & Ex-Situ
Eco-Sensitive Areas
Ecological Hotspots
National Guidelines, Legislation & Other Programs.
International Agreements & Groupings

3.2. Environmental Pollution & Degradation

(a) Types of Pollution & Pollutants

(b) Impact of Pollution & Degradation

Ozone Layer Depletion and Ozone Hole
Greenhouse Gas Effect & Global Warming
Eutrophication
Desertification
Acid Rain
Hazardous Waste, etc.

(c) Causes/Sources of Pollution & Degradation

(d) Prevention & Control of Pollution & Degradation

(e) National Environment Agencies, Legislation and Policies

(f) International Environment Agencies & Agreements

3.3. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

What is EIA?
Indian Guidelines & Legislations
EIA Process
Need & Benefits of EIA
Shortcomings of EIA in India
Measures to Make EIA Effective

3.4. Disaster Management

Types of Disasters
Management of Disasters
Community Level Disaster Management
Government Initiatives on Disaster Management

4. SECURITY

1. Linkages Between Development & Spread of Extremism

Factors Responsible for Spread of Extremism
Steps that State can Taken to Reduce the Spread of Extremism due to Underdevelopment
Naxalism

4.2. Role of External State & Non-State Actors in Creating Challenges to Internal Security

(a) Threats from Non-State Actors

J&K Separatism
Left Wing Extremism
North East Insurgency
Terrorism in Hinterland & Border Areas
Right Wing Terrorism

(b) Reasons for Spread of Terrorism

(c) State Sponsored Terrorism

(d) Institutional Framework to Tackle Challenge of Internal Security

NIA
NATGRID
MAC
UAPA
TADA
POTA
NCTC

4. 3. Challenges to Internal Security Through Communication Networks

Role of Media & Social Networking Sites in Internal Security Challenges
Challenges in Managing Social Media
Steps That can be Taken

4.4. Basics of Cyber Security

Cyber Security
Threats to Indian Cyber Security
Steps taken by India
International Cooperation on Cyber Security
Cyber Warfare
Terms Associated with Cyber Security

4.5. Money-Laundering & its Prevention

Process of Money Laundering
Impact of Money Laundering
Challenges to Tackle Money Laundering
Steps to Counter Money Laundering
Terms Related To Money Laundering

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GS Paper-3 Syllabus for UPSC Main Exam