UPSC Civil Services Examination Current Affairs and CSAT Aptitude Syllabus

Current Affairs and CSAT Aptitude syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Current Affairs and CSAT Aptitude in UPSC Civil Services Examination, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   National and International Current Affairs

   4 topics

   • Government Policies, Schemes and Initiatives
   • Important Reports, Indices and Surveys
     • Global indices and India's rankings
     • Economic Survey highlights
   • Key Bills, Acts and Judgements
   • Summits, Conferences and International Developments
2. 2

   Comprehension and Verbal Reasoning (CSAT)

   4 topics

   • Reading Comprehension
     • Passage analysis and inference
     • Tone, theme and author's argument
   • Interpersonal and Communication Skills
   • Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
     • Syllogisms and statements-conclusions
     • Seating arrangements and puzzles
   • Decision Making and Problem Solving
3. 3

   Basic Numeracy and Data Interpretation (CSAT)

   4 topics

   • Number System and Arithmetic
     • HCF, LCM and percentages
     • Ratio, proportion, profit and loss
   • Time, Speed, Work and Mensuration
   • Data Interpretation
     • Tables, bar charts and pie charts
     • Data sufficiency
   • Basic Probability and Permutations-Combinations

Current Affairs and CSAT Aptitude flashcards for UPSC Civil Services Examination

18 of 50 cards from the Current Affairs and CSAT Aptitude deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the primary objective of the PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) scheme, and how much income support does it provide annually?

   It provides income support to all landholding farmer families, paying Rs 6,000 per year in three equal installments of Rs 2,000 directly into bank accounts (DBT).

2. Which scheme launched in 2014 aimed at universal financial inclusion through zero-balance bank accounts, and what overdraft and insurance benefits does it offer?

   Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY). It offers a RuPay debit card, an overdraft facility (up to Rs 10,000), and accident insurance cover (Rs 2 lakh).

3. What is the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme, and what is the annual health cover it provides per family?

   It is the world's largest government-funded health assurance scheme providing Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to poor and vulnerable families.

4. What does the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan aim to achieve?

   It is a digital platform for integrated, multi-modal infrastructure planning, bringing 16+ ministries together for coordinated planning of roads, railways, ports, and logistics to reduce costs and project delays.

5. What is the goal of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme?

   To boost domestic manufacturing and exports by giving companies financial incentives on incremental sales of products made in India, across sectors like electronics, pharma, and automobiles.

6. Which organization publishes the Human Development Index (HDI), and what three dimensions does it measure?

   The UNDP publishes it. The three dimensions are: a long and healthy life (life expectancy), knowledge (education/schooling), and a decent standard of living (GNI per capita).

7. What does India's Economic Survey report measure, and which ministry/official prepares it?

   It reviews the state of the Indian economy over the past year and outlines prospects. It is prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, under the Chief Economic Adviser, and tabled before the Union Budget.

8. Which index measures multidimensional poverty in India using health, education, and standard of living, and which body computes the national version?

   The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). NITI Aayog computes India's National MPI; the global MPI is published by UNDP and OPHI (Oxford).

9. What does the Gini coefficient measure, and what do values of 0 and 1 represent?

   It measures income or wealth inequality. A value of 0 indicates perfect equality (everyone has the same income), and 1 indicates perfect inequality (one person has all income).

10. Which report ranks countries on press freedom, and which organization publishes it?

    The World Press Freedom Index, published annually by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

11. What is the key purpose of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005?

    It empowers citizens to request information from public authorities, promoting transparency and accountability in government; authorities must respond within 30 days (48 hours if life/liberty is involved).

12. What does the Goods and Services Tax (GST), introduced in 2017, replace, and what constitutional amendment enabled it?

    It replaced multiple indirect taxes (excise, service tax, VAT) with a single unified tax. It was enabled by the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016.

13. What landmark right did the Supreme Court establish in the 2017 Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India judgement?

    It held that the Right to Privacy is a fundamental right protected under Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of the Constitution.

14. What did the Supreme Court rule in the 2018 Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India case?

    It decriminalized consensual homosexual acts between adults by reading down Section 377 of the IPC as unconstitutional to that extent.

15. What is the significance of the Kesavananda Bharati (1973) judgement?

    It established the Basic Structure Doctrine, holding that Parliament can amend the Constitution but cannot alter its 'basic structure' (e.g., judicial review, federalism, secularism).

16. What was the main provision of the National Food Security Act, 2013?

    It provides subsidized foodgrains (rice, wheat, coarse grains) to about two-thirds of the population through the Public Distribution System, making access to food a legal right.

17. Which countries form the QUAD grouping, and what is its primary focus?

    India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. It is a strategic dialogue focused on maintaining a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

18. What is the full form of BRICS (post-2024 expansion includes which original five members), and what bank did it establish?

    Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa. It established the New Development Bank (NDB), headquartered in Shanghai.

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