The JPSC syllabus has three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Written Examination and Interview. Prelims contains two objective papers of 200 marks each. Mains contains six descriptive papers carrying 1,050 marks in total, followed by a 100-mark interview. This page explains the complete JPSC syllabus, paper pattern, subject weightage and the correct way to use the official PDF.
Updated for 2026: the syllabus framework below is based on the syllabus published by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission. Always compare it with the advertisement and any corrigendum issued for your examination cycle.
JPSC Exam Pattern at a Glance
| Stage | Pattern | Marks | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims Paper I | General Studies, objective | 200 | Screening |
| Prelims Paper II | Jharkhand-specific General Studies, objective | 200 | Screening |
| Mains | Six descriptive papers | 1,050 | Written merit stage |
| Interview | Personality assessment | 100 | Final selection stage |
Each Prelims paper has 100 questions, two marks per question and a duration of two hours. The official syllabus states that there is no negative marking. Candidates must, however, read the applicable recruitment rules for qualifying conditions and merit calculation.
JPSC Prelims Syllabus: Paper I General Studies
Paper I tests broad General Studies along with Jharkhand, current affairs and applied topics. The official distribution totals 100 questions.
| Section | Questions | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| History of India | 15 | Ancient, medieval and modern India |
| Geography of India | 10 | General, physical, economic, social and demographic geography |
| Indian Polity and Governance | 10 | Constitution, public administration, good governance and local government |
| Economic and Sustainable Development | 10 | Indian economy, development issues, reforms and globalisation |
| Science and Technology | 15 | General science, agriculture, technology and ICT |
| Jharkhand-specific questions | 10 | History, society, culture and heritage of Jharkhand |
| National and International Current Events | 15 | Important events and their relevance |
| General Miscellaneous | 15 | Environment, climate, human rights, urbanisation, sports, disaster management, poverty, awards and international bodies |
Paper I Topic Breakdown
- History: Ancient India 5 questions, Medieval India 5 questions and Modern India 5 questions.
- Geography: General Geography 3, Physical Geography 3, Economic Geography 2 and Social and Demographic Geography 2.
- Polity: Constitution of India 4, Public Administration and Good Governance 4, and Panchayats and Municipalities 2.
- Economy: Basic features of Indian Economy 4, Sustainable Development and economic issues 4, and Economic Reforms and Globalisation 2.
- Science and Technology: General Science 6, Agriculture and Technology Development 6, and Information and Communication Technology 3.
For the full micro-topic list and a prelims-only study sequence, open the JPSC Prelims syllabus.
JPSC Prelims Syllabus: Paper II Jharkhand General Studies
Paper II is entirely state-focused. It tests Jharkhand’s historical institutions, movements, communities, culture, land laws, economy, industries, environment and current affairs.
| Jharkhand section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| History of Jharkhand | 8 | 16 |
| Jharkhand Movement | 7 | 14 |
| Specific identities of Jharkhand | 5 | 10 |
| Folklore, dance, instruments, tourism and tribal culture | 5 | 10 |
| Literature and authors of Jharkhand | 5 | 10 |
| Important educational institutions | 3 | 6 |
| Sports of Jharkhand | 5 | 10 |
| Jharkhand land-related laws and Acts | 17 | 34 |
| Economic development and Jharkhand geography | 10 | 20 |
| Industrial, displacement and rehabilitation policies | 6 | 12 |
| Important industries and locations | 5 | 10 |
| Government schemes and sub-schemes | 5 | 10 |
| Forest management and wildlife protection | 5 | 10 |
| Climate facts, mitigation and adaptation | 7 | 14 |
| Disaster management in Jharkhand | 5 | 10 |
| Jharkhand trivia and current affairs | 7 | 14 |
The 17-question land-law section deserves special attention. It includes the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act. Prepare the purpose, protected communities, restrictions on land transfer, administrative authorities and important amendments from reliable legal and government material.
JPSC Mains Syllabus and Marks
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Hindi and General English | 100 |
| Paper II | Language and Literature selected from the prescribed list | 150 |
| Paper III | Social Sciences: History and Geography | 200 |
| Paper IV | Indian Constitution, Polity, Public Administration and Good Governance | 200 |
| Paper V | Indian Economy, Globalisation and Sustainable Development | 200 |
| Paper VI | General Sciences, Environment and Technology Development | 200 |
| Total written marks | 1,050 | |
Paper I: General Hindi and General English
This paper tests language competence through essay, comprehension, grammar and usage. It should not be ignored as “easy”; candidates need regular writing practice and accurate expression.
Paper II: Language and Literature
Candidates select a language and literature subject from the options permitted in the rules. Confirm the available languages and answer-writing instructions in the current notification and admit-card directions.
Paper III: Social Sciences
Prepare Indian history, Jharkhand’s historical experience, Indian and Jharkhand geography, resources, population, agriculture, urbanisation and regional development. Answers should connect national themes with Jharkhand examples.
Paper IV: Polity and Public Administration
The syllabus covers the Constitution, political institutions, public administration, governance, local government and public policy. Use constitutional provisions, commissions, judgments and Jharkhand administration examples where relevant.
Paper V: Economy and Sustainable Development
Cover the Indian economy, planning, agriculture, industry, public finance, poverty, employment, globalisation and sustainable development. Jharkhand’s mineral economy, tribal development, land issues and regional imbalance are important applications.
Paper VI: Science, Environment and Technology
Prepare basic science, technology applications, agriculture, health, biodiversity, pollution, climate change, natural resources and disaster management. Focus on explanation and practical relevance instead of technical jargon.
How to Prepare the JPSC Syllabus
- Print the official syllabus: mark every topic and keep it beside your study timetable.
- Separate national and Jharkhand content: do not postpone Paper II until the end.
- Study high-weightage areas first: land laws carry 17 questions in Paper II; history, science and current events each carry 15 in Paper I.
- Attach previous-year questions: write the year beside every syllabus topic asked in the past.
- Make short Jharkhand notes: maintain separate sheets for tribes, movements, rivers, minerals, industries, schemes, protected areas and districts.
- Begin Mains writing early: practise introductions, arguments, Jharkhand examples and short conclusions.
- Revise through tests: use timed MCQs for Prelims and timed answers for Mains.
Use JPSC Notes for Prelims and Mains for subject-wise Jharkhand material and the JPSC Civil Services Examination update page for notification-stage information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many papers are there in JPSC Prelims?
There are two objective General Studies papers. Each paper has 100 questions and carries 200 marks.
Is there negative marking in JPSC Prelims?
The official JPSC syllabus states that there is no negative marking. Candidates should still read the current examination instructions for any later rule change.
How many papers are there in JPSC Mains?
JPSC Mains has six descriptive papers carrying 1,050 marks in total.
Which JPSC Prelims section has the highest weightage?
In Paper I, History, Science and Technology, Current Events and General Miscellaneous each carry 15 questions. In Paper II, Jharkhand land-related laws carry 17 questions.
Where can I download the official JPSC syllabus?
Download it from the JPSC official syllabus page. Check that the document matches your examination and advertisement.
Official Source
Jharkhand Public Service Commission: official syllabus downloads
