The UPSC conducts the Combined Section Officers’ (Grade ‘B’) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE). This page provides an overview of the exam pattern and syllabus for the exam.

The evaluation process comprises two parts:
Part 1: A written examination worth 500 marks, conducted by UPSC.
Part 2: Evaluation of the record of service, carrying a maximum of 100 marks.

Thus, the total evaluation is based on 600 marks.

Written Exam (Part 1)
The written examination consists of three papers:

Syllabus of Paper 1 

Paper 1: Objective in nature.
Total marks: 150.
Duration: 2 hours.
Number of questions: 120.
Negative marking: One-third for every incorrect answer.

Syllabus of Paper 1 is given below:

• Salient features of the Five Year Plans,
• Indian Economy
• Major Developmental Schemes
• Current affairs both national and international.
• Constitution of India
• Rules of procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
• Machinery of the Govt. of India,
• Designation and allocation of subjects between Ministries, Departments and Attached & Subordinate Offices and their relation inter se.
• RTI Act, 2005.

Syllabus of Paper 2 

Paper 2: Objective in nature.
Total marks: 150.
Duration: 2 hours.
Number of questions: 120.
Negative marking: One-third for every incorrect answer.

The Syllabus of Paper 2 is different for different categories of posts.

Syllabus for Category I, VIII, XI:
1. Manual of office procedure (latest edition)
2. Notes on office procedure issued by the Institute of Secretarial Training and Management.
3. Handbook of orders regarding use of Hindi for official purpose of the Union issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. (for Category I & IV only)
4. Fundamental and Supplementary Rules (A.G.P.&T’s compilation, Chaudhury’s compilation, Swamy’s compilation).
5. The Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules.
6. The Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules.
7. The Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules.
8. Central Civil Service (Leave) Rules.
9. Compilation of the General Financial Rules, (Revised and Enlarged).
10. Delegation of Financial Power Rules.
11. Intelligence Bureau Standing Orders (for Category VIII only).

Syllabus for Category II:
1. Manual of office procedure (latest edition).
2. Notes on office procedure issued by the I.S.T.M.
3. Handbook of orders regarding use of Hindi for official purpose of the Union issued by the Min. of Home Affairs.
4. Fundamental and Supplementary Rules (A.G.P. & T’s compilation, Chaudhury’s compilation, Swamy’s compilation).
5. The Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules.
6. The Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules.
7. Compilation of the General Financial Rules (Revised and enlarged).
8. Delegation of Financial Power Rules.
9. Indian Foreign Service (PLCA) Rules.
10. Financial Powers of Government of India’s Representatives abroad.
11. Assisted Medical Attendance Schemes.
12. Indian Foreign Service (Conduct and Discipline) rules.

Syllabus for Category III:
1. Manual of Office Procedure issued by the Min. of Railways (Railway Board).
2. Handbook of orders regarding use of Hindi for official purpose of the Union issued by the Min. of Home Affairs.
3. Indian Railway Admn. and Finance (excluding Chapters V, VI, VIII & IX).
4. Indian Railway Financial Code Vol. I (excluding Chapter II and VI).
5. Indian Railway Establishment Code Vol. I.
6. The Railway Services (Conduct) Rules, 1966.
7. The Railway Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rule, 1968.

Syllabus for Category X:
1. Manual of office procedure (latest edition).
2. Notes on office procedure issued by the Institute of Secretarial Training and Management.
3. Handbook of orders regarding use of Hindi for official purpose of the Union issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
4. Fundamental and Supplementary Rules (A.G.P.&T’s compilation, Chaudhury’s compilation, Swamy’s compilation).
5. The Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules.
6. The Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules.
7. The Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules.
8. Central Civil Service (Leave) Rules.
9. Financial Regulations Part I (Revised Edition).

Syllabus of Paper 3

Paper 3: Subjective in nature.
Total marks: 200.
Duration: 2 hours.

Syllabus for paper 3:
Candidates are required to prepare notes and drafts on specific problems and précis from a passage.

The list of categories is given below:
Category I: Section Officers’ Grade of the Central Secretariat Service.
Category II: Section Officer Grade of the General Cadre of the Indian Foreign Service, Branch ‘B’
Category III: Section Officers’ Grade of the Railway Board Secretariat Service
Category VIII: Section Officers’ Grade of the Intelligence Bureau.
Category X: Section Officers in Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service
Category XI: Assistant Director/Section Officers/Manager Gr.I in Employees’ State Insurance CorporationI