DRAFT — unverified
Unverified — pending official notification check.
Pattern from commission website and official notifications.
Official syllabus
Source: Official PPSC Punjab Civil Services notification (as mirrored in the 29 Jan 2025 Drishti IAS reproduction), Punjab Public Service Commission website · official document
Prelims
Paper I: General Studies (100 questions, 200 marks; no negative marking; counted for merit)
- Everyday Science: states of matter; structure of atom; versatile nature of carbon; acids, bases, salts; corrosion in metals; action of soaps; life on earth - evolution, marine and terrestrial life; human body and life processes; nutrition; disease - causes and prevention; infectious and lifestyle diseases; public health initiatives; mother and child health; immunisation and vaccination; HIV-AIDS, TB, polio; force, laws of motion and gravitation; Archimedes principle; energy (kinetic and potential); light (reflection and refraction); sound (propagation and reflection); electric current; computers and telecommunication
- Environmental studies: composition and structure of the atmosphere; solar system - heat balance and temperature; atmospheric circulation and weather systems; water cycle; climate change - fossil fuels, greenhouse gases, renewable energy, clean development mechanism, carbon credits; water - oceans, rivers, glaciers, lakes, groundwater; biodiversity and conservation; soil - types, crops, food chain; pollution and toxicity
- Political theory and international order: freedom, equality, social justice, rights and duties, citizenship, nationalism, secularism; United Nations and its organs/agencies; World Bank, IMF, WTO, EU, G20, BRICS and their role in world peace, trade and development
- Indian polity: basic features, provisions and schedules of the Indian Constitution; key amendments; Panchayati Raj; elections - People's Representation Act, electoral reforms; rise of regionalism and coalition politics; armed challenges to the Indian state since independence
- History of India: Indus Valley civilisation; Aryan and Vedic age; Jainism and Buddhism; Maurya and Gupta periods; advent of Islam and the Sultanate period (political, social and cultural); the Bhakti movement; the Mughals (political, social and cultural till Aurangzeb); coming of the European powers and the advent of British rule; the Mutiny of 1857; British rule and the Indian National Movement (1857-1947)
- World History: the Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution in Europe; the American Revolution (1776); the French Revolution (1789); the Russian Revolution (1917); World Wars I and II
- Indian Economy: economic development 1950-1991 (key policies, public sector dominance, bank nationalisation); five-year plans - goals and achievements; liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation since 1991 (key policies, decisions and results); performance of the Indian economy since 1991 - growth, fiscal and revenue deficits, trade and balance of payments, inflation, service sector growth; challenges and responses - agriculture and food security, industrialisation, poverty alleviation and employment, rural and urban infrastructure, social sector (health, education)
- Geography: population - distribution, density, growth and comparison; migration - types, causes and consequences; human development; human settlements; land resources and agriculture; water resources; mineral and energy resources; manufacturing industries; planning and sustainable development in India; transport and communication; international trade; geographical perspective on selected issues and problems
- Current events of national and international importance
- Punjab - Geography: geographical and agro-climatic regions, rivers, water resources, sharing of waters, demographics, human development indices
- Punjab - People, Society and Culture: major personalities in the history of Punjab, religious movements, major religions and spiritual personalities, Punjabi literature, folklore, performing arts, fine arts and crafts
- Punjab - History: Sufis, saints and gurus; Lodhis and Mughals; Sikh rulers; the British period; nationalist movement in Punjab; Punjab in independent India
- Punjab - Economy: agriculture, animal husbandry, industrial and service sectors, major occupations, development and economic growth, public finance (including central-state fiscal issues), public sector institutions, cooperatives
Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test / CSAT (80 questions, 200 marks; qualifying, no negative marking)
- Reading comprehension; Punjabi and English language comprehension; antonyms and synonyms; grammar and sentence formation
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills
- Logical reasoning, analytical and mental ability
- Basic numerical skills: numbers, magnitudes, percentages, numerical relation appreciation
- Data analysis: graphic presentations, charts, tables, spreadsheets
Mains
Paper I: Punjabi (Gurumukhi script), compulsory, 10+2 standard - 100 marks
- Comprehension and language skills at 10+2 level
Paper II: English, compulsory, 10+2 standard - 100 marks
- Comprehension and language skills at 10+2 level
Paper III: Essay - 150 marks
- Essays on current affairs, socio-political issues, economic and environmental concerns
Paper IV: General Studies Paper I (History, Geography and Society) - 250 marks
- History, geography and society with special emphasis on Punjab
Paper V: General Studies Paper II (Indian Constitution and Polity, Governance and International Relations) - 250 marks
- Constitution, polity, governance and international relations
Paper VI: General Studies Paper III (Economy, Statistics and Security issues) - 250 marks
- Economy, statistics and security issues
Paper VII: General Studies Paper IV (Science and Technology, Environment, Problem Solving and Decision Making) - 250 marks
- Science and technology, environment, problem solving and decision making
Interview
Merit of prelims is based on Paper I (GS) only; Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying with no negative marking. Mains: seven compulsory papers (1350 marks) + Interview 150 = 1500 total. Official notification states listed topics are indicative only, not exhaustive. Bilingual question papers: English (Roman) and Punjabi (Gurmukhi).