APSC CCE Syllabus 2025: Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Model Papers
Comprehensive Guide for the Combined Competitive Examination
This guide offers a thorough overview of the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) syllabus, its exam structure, and other crucial details to assist aspiring candidates. The APSC has announced the CCE to fill 289 vacancies across various departments under the Assam Government.
The CCE syllabus has been updated in line with the Assam Public Services Combined Competitive Examination (Amendment) Rules, 2019, replacing prior regulations. These revisions aim to streamline the examination process, enhancing its transparency and effectiveness for candidates.
Overview of the APSC CCE
| Organization | APSC |
|---|---|
| APSC Full form | Assam Public Service Commission |
| Exam Name | APSC CCE 2025 |
| APSC Selection Process | Prelims – Mains – Interview |
| APSC Notification 2025 Date | 23rd March 2025 |
| APSC CCE 2024 Mode of application | Online |
| Official Website | apsc.nic.in |
Exam Pattern of APSC CCE
The Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) is structured into two distinct stages: the Preliminary Examination (Objective Type) and the Main Examination (Written Test & Interview). Understanding the nuances of each stage is vital for effective preparation.
Preliminary Examination
- Type: Two objective-type papers (General Studies I & II).
- Total Marks: 400 (200 marks each).
- Duration: 2 hours per paper.
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer.
- Paper I (General Studies I): Includes 30-35% questions related to Assam.
- Paper II (General Studies II): Minimum qualifying mark: 33%. This paper is qualifying only; its marks are not counted for merit ranking for Main Exam selection.
- Exam Centers: Guwahati, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Silchar, Tezpur, and others.
| Total Papers | Subject in the Exam | Total Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Studies-I | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper-II | General Studies-II | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 400 | 4 Hours |
Main Examination
- Components: Written Examination (6 papers) & Personality Test (Interview).
- Total Marks (Overall): 1680 (Written: 1500 marks + Interview: 180 marks).
- Written Exam Duration: 3 hours per paper.
- Medium: English or Assamese.
- Paper Breakdown (Written - 1500 Marks):
- Paper 1: Essay (250 marks)
- Papers 2 to 5: General Studies I, II, III, IV (250 marks each, total 1000 marks)
- Paper 6: Assam-related subject (General Studies V - Assam) (250 marks)
- Personality Test/Interview: 180 marks.
| Paper | Type of Paper | Marks | Exam Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Essay | 250 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 250 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 250 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 250 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Paper V | General Studies IV | 250 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Paper VI | General Studies on Assam | 250 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Total Marks | 1500 Marks |
APSC Interview Exam Pattern 2025
Applicants who pass the mains examination will be considered qualified to take the Interview. The selected candidates are called for the interview on a given date.
| Exam Component | Marks Allotted |
|---|---|
| Personality Test / Interview | 180 Marks |
Detailed Syllabus: Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination is the first hurdle, designed to screen candidates. It consists of two objective-type papers. General Studies Paper I is crucial for merit, while General Studies Paper II is qualifying. Familiarize yourself with the key topics for each paper below.
General Studies Paper I (Prelims) - General Topics
- **Current Affairs:** Current events of national and international importance, Awards, Sports, Discoveries, etc.
- **Indian National Movement:** National Renaissance, Early Uprising against British rule, Indian National Congress, Emergence of National leaders, Growth of Satyagraha and Militant Movements, Communalism and partition.
- **Indian History:** Medieval India, Establishment of the British and 1857 revolt, INC, Swadeshi Movement, Role of Newspapers and Journals, Mahatma Gandhi, Extremist Movement in India, India After Independence, Reorganisation of States, India’s Foreign Policy, Development in the Field of Science and Technology, Education, Health and Infrastructure, Political History of India Post 1951.
- **General Science:** Physics – Gravitation, Light, Motion, Volume, Weight, etc. Chemistry – Metals and Non-Metals, Acid and Base, Chemical Reaction etc. Biology – Human Body, Disease and Bacteria etc.
- **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.
- **Environment & Ecology:** General issues on environmental ecology, Bio-Diversity, and Climate Change (no subject specialization required).
- **Geography:** Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
General Studies Paper II (CSAT - Prelims)
Minimum qualifying mark: 33%. This paper is designed to test aptitude and general mental ability.
Reasoning:
- Logical Venn Diagrams, Directions, Number & Ranking, Figural Pattern, Cubes & Dice, Analogies, Arrangements, Mathematical Operations, Number Series, Classification, Blood Relations, Non-verbal Series, Coding-Decoding.
- Arithmetical Reasoning, Number Ranking, Figurative Classification.
English:
- Idioms & Phrases, Fill in the Blanks, Error Spotting, Comprehension Passages, One-word Substitution, Grammar, Vocabulary, Synonyms/Antonyms, Cloze Test.
Quantitative Aptitude:
- Time & Work, Mixture & Allegation, Discounts, Number Systems, Pipes & Cisterns, HCF & LCM, Profit & Loss, Average, Percentages, Problems on Ages, Time & Distance, Ratio & Proportion, Boats & Streams, Simple & Compound Interest, Data Interpretation.
Interpersonal Skills:
- Analytical Ability, Problem Solving, Interpersonal & Communication Skills, General Mental Ability.
Note: Negative marking of 0.25 marks is applicable for incorrect answers in this paper as well, so accuracy is important even for qualifying.
Detailed Syllabus: Mains Examination 2025
The Main Examination is the decisive stage, comprising six written papers and a personality test. Each General Studies paper carries significant weight. Explore the detailed syllabus for each paper below to strategize your preparation effectively.
Paper 1: Essay (250 Marks)
Candidates will be required to write an essay on a specific topic from a given choice. The evaluation will focus on the candidate's ability to adhere closely to the subject, organize ideas logically, and express thoughts concisely and effectively. This paper assesses writing skills and depth of understanding across various contemporary issues.
Paper 2: General Studies I - Indian Heritage, Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society (250 Marks)
Indian Culture:
- Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Modern Indian History:
- Significant events, issues, and personalities from the mid-18th century (1750s) to the present.
- Stages of the Freedom Struggle and contributors from various regions.
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within India.
Society:
- Diversity and salient aspects of Indian society.
- Role of women and women’s organizations.
- Population, poverty, urbanization, social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, secularism.
- Effects of globalization on Indian society.
Geography:
- Natural resources globally, including South Asia and India.
- Industrial locations and influencing factors.
- Geophysical phenomena like earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones.
- Critical geographical features and their changes.
Paper 3: General Studies II - Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations (250 Marks)
Indian Constitution:
- Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, and basic structure doctrine.
Comparison with Other Countries:
- Comparative analysis of constitutions.
Federal Structure:
- Union and State responsibilities, challenges in federalism, local-level devolution.
Separation of Powers:
- Mechanisms for dispute redressal.
Executive & Judiciary:
- Structure, organization, and functioning.
Parliament and State Legislatures:
- Conduct of business, powers, privileges.
Statutory Bodies:
- Constitutional, statutory, and quasi-judicial bodies.
Policies & Welfare:
- Welfare schemes, social sector issues, and governance.
- Development Processes, Welfare Schemes for weaker sections, Health, Education, Role of Civil services in Democracy.
International Relations:
- India’s relations with neighbors and global institutions.
- Indian Neighbour and the relation between them, International Laws and Politics and its impact on India, International Organisation and forums.
Paper 4: General Studies III - Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management (250 Marks)
Economy:
- Planning, resources, budgeting, inclusive growth, industrial policies, PPP models.
- Indian Economy & its issues, Inclusive growth and issues arising from it, Government budgeting.
- Effects of liberalization on the economy, Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc., Investment models.
Agriculture:
- Cropping patterns, irrigation, MSP issues, food security, land reforms.
- Major crops and cropping patterns in India, Irrigation System and different farming methods, Food processing & industries related to it, Land reforms in India.
Science & Technology:
- Innovations, IPR, awareness in IT, Space, Biotechnology, Robotics.
- Adaptation of Technology and its effects, Indigenization of technology, Awareness in the fields of IT, Nanotechnology, Space Technology, Computers, Robotics, Biotechnology, etc.
Environment:
- Conservation, pollution, EIA, and disaster management laws.
- Environmental issues, Disaster and its management.
Security:
- Internal security challenges, cyber threats, border issues, and terrorism.
- Internal security and its challenges in India, Various Security forces and agencies.
Paper 5: General Studies IV - Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude (250 Marks)
Ethics & Human Interface:
- Lessons from great leaders, dimensions of ethics in public and private relationships.
- Human values – lessons from great leaders, reformers and administrators; the role of family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Attitude:
- Influence of attitude on thought and behavior.
- Content, Structure, Functions, its influence and relation with thought and behaviour. Moral & Political attitudes, social influence, and persuasion.
Emotional Intelligence:
- Concepts and applications in governance.
- Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities in civil services.
Public/Civil Service Values:
- Ethical concerns in governance, accountability, transparency.
- Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, Objectivity, Empathy, Tolerance and Compassion for weaker sections.
Probity in Governance:
- Codes of conduct, RTI, citizen charters, corruption challenges.
- Probity in Governance, Public/Civil service values and ethics in public administration, Citizen Charters, Work Ethics, Quality of service delivery and utilization of public funds and challenge of corruption. Case studies on the above-mentioned issues.
Assam Specific Topics (Preliminary & Mains)
Regional knowledge about Assam is crucial for both the Preliminary and Main Examinations. Approximately 30-35% of the questions in General Studies Paper I (Prelims) will be specifically related to Assam. For the Main Examination, General Studies Paper V is entirely dedicated to Assam-specific topics.
Key areas include:
- **History, Art, and Culture of Assam:** Ancient dynasties, Ahom rule, contributions to the freedom movement. Assamese literature, various art forms, and vibrant festivals.
- **Geography of Assam:** Physical features, climate patterns, and rich biodiversity. Natural resources and aspects of industrial development within the state.
- **Political & Administrative System of Assam:** Constitutional framework, the functioning of autonomous councils, and overall governance structures.
- **Economy of Assam:** Focus on the agrarian economy, the significance of oil and tourism sectors, and other emerging economic areas.
- **Environment & Security in Assam:** Conservation efforts, challenges related to insurgency, and strategies for disaster management.
- **Governance and Welfare in Assam:** Specific welfare schemes and social sector issues relevant to the state.
- **Environment, Ecology and Bio-diversity of Assam.**
Model Papers & Further Resources
While this guide provides a comprehensive overview of the syllabus and exam pattern, practicing with model papers is crucial for understanding the exam's format and improving time management. You can typically find official model papers and previous year's question papers on the official Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) website.
Regularly checking the APSC website for the latest notifications, syllabus updates, and sample papers is highly recommended for all aspirants.
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