Group-I in revised pattern

Gearing up for Group-I in revised pattern

The proposal to change the scheme of examination by the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission has been a source of anxiety for many an aspirant


The recruitment for Group-I and Group-II services is likely to be announced soon and the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) has also sent signals in this regard. It is estimated that there will be about 700 vacancies at the Group-I level and about 2,500 vacancies at the Group-II level. However, there is a proposal to change the scheme of examination. The news of the change has been a source of the anxiety for many an aspirant. Here, we are attempting to dispe l some of the doubts being harboured by the prospective aspirants.

The existing scheme of examination has been patterned on the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. A preliminary examination called as the Screening Test is held at the first level. This examination is an objective type and serves as a filter to reduce the aspirants. Candidates who qualify at this examination are eligible to appear at the Main examination which is of a conventional descriptive type. It comprises General English, General Essay, General Studies and two optional papers. Candidates who qualify at the main examination are admitted to the Interview and the final merit list is prepared by adding the marks of the Mains and the Interview.

Under the existing scheme, as seen above, the aspirant has to choose two optionals from a list of 28 optionals. The success of the candidates depended on his scores in all the papers and the marks scored at the Interview. As the optionals accounted for the lion’s share i.e., 600 marks out of a total of 990, the marks scored by the candidate in the optionals was a crucial determinant of success. This scheme has been subject to criticism, from certain quarters on the grounds that it provides an unfair advantage to candidates opting for certain specified optionals. Also, the scheme of examination did not test the aspirants’ knowledge of our State.

With the avowed objective of providing a level playing field for every aspirant, and including an Andhra Pradesh dimension in the scheme of examination, it has been proposed to delete the optionals at the main examination and enlarge the scope of General Studies paper with an orientation towards the History and Economic Developments in Andhra Pradesh.

As the proposed scheme is a major departure from the existing scheme and the familiar scheme of the Civil Services Examination, most of the candidates are at loss at about the components of the various areas mentioned in the syllabus and the method of preparation to be followed. Given below is an analysis of the topics that can be included in the areas mentioned in this scheme:

As there is no change in the Screening Test we can expect questions like the previous years from General Science, Current Events, History, World Geography, Geography of A.P., Indian Polity and Economy and Mental Ability. This examination would be of an Objective Type with Multiple choice questions and therefore familiarity with the areas is sufficient. While the Civil Services examination has negative marking, there is no such provision in this examination.

General English paper would be of a qualifying nature and will comprise Comprehension, Precise Writing, Synonyms and Antonyms, filling in the blanks etc. It is necessary to qualify at this paper to be considered for the examination; however, the marks scored will not be added to determine the ranking.

In the General Essay paper there will be 6-8 topics from which the candidate has to write an essay for 3 hours on one of the topics. The topics can range from Empowerment for Women in India, Sustainable development, Relevance of Non-alignment in the present day, Impact of Computers on Humans etc. Marks would be awarded for effective and exact expression.

Paper-II comprises three areas namely History and Cultural Heritage of India Social History of Andhra Pradesh and A General overview of the Indian Constitution.



History and Cultural Heritage of India: History and Cultural Heritage of India would cover Ancient, Medieval and Modern India with an emphasis on the Socio-Cultural movements. A new feature that has been added is the 20th Century History of India. This would cover the Colonial Legacy, the National Movement, The evolution of Indian Constitution, The Linguistic Reorganization of the States, the Evolution and Consolidation of Political Parties, the Years of Emergency, the Punjab Crisis, and the Achievements of India in the New Millennium.

Social History of Andhra Pradesh: This would cover the entire History of Andhra Pradesh: The Satavahana Age, the Ishvakus, the Chalukyas, the Rashtrakutas, the Kakatiyas, the Aravidu dynasty, the Mughal rule, the Dar Commission, Martyrdom of Potti Sriramulu, Formation of Andhra State, Police action in Hyderabad State and Emergence of Andhra Pradesh. Emphasis in each of these areas is expected to be on the Society, Religion, Language and Literature, Architecture and Sculpture during each of the ages.

A general overview of the Indian Constitution: A general over view of the Indian Constitution would cover all the areas of Indian Polity like the Preamble, the Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Centre-State relations etc.

Paper-III has three components i.e., Planning in India, and the Indian Economy, Land Reforms and Social Changes in Andhra Pradesh after Independence AP’s Economy Present Status its Strengths and Weaknesses.

Planning in India and the Indian Economy: This is a vast area covering the entire Indian Economy the focus could be on Objectives and Achievements of Indians plans, the Strategy of Indian Planning, Resource Mobilisation and Pattern of Investment in Indian plans, Agricultural and Industrial Development under the plans etc. Relevance of planning in the present context could be a major area of focus.

Land reforms and Social changes in Andhra Pradesh after Independence: This is a new introduction into the syllabus. The emphasis could be on the various acts which brought about land reforms and the revenue administration. For example, the Inams Abolition Act (1955-56) the Coastal Andhra Zamindari Abolition Act (1947-48), the Muthadari System of Land Revenue Administration, The Tenancy Act of 1956, 1970, 1974 the Hindu Religious Temples Act 1967, The Land Ceiling Act of 1973 and its failure etc.

AP’s Economy Present Status its Strengths and Weaknesses: The section on A.P. Economy may cover areas like Agriculture and Irrigation, Revenue administration, Banking, Marketing and Insurance, Trade and Commerce, Transport and Communication, Education and Knowledge, Medical Care and Public Health, Electricity and Industry, Finance and Planning. The focus could be on Impact of external funding on Andhra Pradesh, Information Technology, Banking Sector Reforms, etc.


Paper-IV has three sections: The first section i.e., Role and Impact of Science and Technology in the Development of India is a familiar section and would cover developments Infrastructure, Energy, Nuclear Science, Electronics, Information Technology, Ocean development, etc.

The second section i.e., General awareness with the modern trends in life sciences expects the candidates to be aware of the latest development in the field of medicine and health problems and programmes, medical education, and medical research, etc.

The third section expects the candidates to be aware of various development and environmental problems like, bio-diversity, wild-life, environmental impact assessment, river and regeneration, environmental legislation, wild-life protection, etc.

Paper-V would have questions on data appreciation and interpretation, and problem solving. This would be akin to the statistics section in the civil services examination.
Group-II Exam

Under the existing scheme the Group-II examination which is completely of an objective type there is one paper on General Studies and two optional papers accounting for 450 marks. Candidates who qualify at this examination have to appear for an Interview accounting for 50 marks. The marks of the written test and the interview are added to determine the final merit list. The proposed scheme continues as an Objective Type examination but does away with the optionals.

The candidate’s knowledge is tested in three areas:

1) General Studies which includes the conventional areas;

2) Social History of Andhra Pradesh and General Overview of the Constitution;

3) Planning in the Indian Economy with the focus on Contemporary problems and Developments in Rural India with a specific reference to Andhra Pradesh.
Getting ready

With the change in syllabus, it is advisable that all prospective aspirants should start their preparation in earnest. As there is an overlap in the syllabus of the Group-I and the Group-II examinations, a combined preparation is advisable.

An Objective Type examination requires a worm’s eye view whereas a subjective type examination requires a bird’s eye view. A combination of both would be the winning formula for both the examinations.