Nagaland PSC Syllabus 2026: Check the new NPSC pattern with one 200-mark Prelims paper, six Mains papers, 200-mark Nagaland GS, Ethics, English, Essay and complete official syllabus.
The Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) has issued a common syllabus for the Nagaland Civil Services Examination. Under the new pattern, the examination consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Interview/Viva-Voce
The Preliminary Examination has one paper, while the Main Examination consists of six papers carrying 1,200 marks in total.

NPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
According to the official syllabus:
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Papers | 1 |
| Type | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Marks per Question | 2 marks |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Negative Marking | 33% / 0.66 mark for each incorrect answer |
| Question Nature | Conceptual based as per UPSC pattern |
| Basic Science/Numeracy/Data Interpretation Level | Class X level where specified |
The syllabus clearly states that the paper will contain conceptual-based questions as per UPSC pattern.
Nagaland PSC Prelims Syllabus 2026
The official document lists the following eight areas.
1. General Science
General appreciation and understanding of science, including matters of everyday observation and experience as may be expected of a well-educated person who has not made a special study of any scientific discipline.
2. History
The syllabus requires:
Broad general understanding of the subject in its social, economic, political aspects, social and cultural heritage of India, emphasizing unity in diversity.
3. Nagaland
The syllabus covers:
Political, economic, social, cultural and heritage of its people.
4. Geography
The syllabus specifies:
Geography of India including the physical, social, economic geography and the main features of Indian agricultural and natural resources.
5. Indian Polity and Economy
The official syllabus includes:
Country’s political, Executive, Judicial System, Local Bodies, Rural and Community Development and Economic Planning in India.
6. Indian National Movement
The syllabus states:
Nature and character of the Nineteenth century resurgence, growth of nationalism and attainment of independence.
7. General Mental Ability Test
The official syllabus includes:
Analysis of classified data, logical and behavioral reasoning, analogies, basic arithmetic, numerical ability and basic concept of computers.
8. Current Events
The syllabus includes:
Latest development on all the fields detailed above including science and technology and environmental awareness.
NPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2026
The Main Examination contains six papers, each carrying 200 marks and having a duration of 3 hours.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper II | General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper III | General Studies-III: Economic Development, Technology, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper IV | General Studies-IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper V | General Studies-Nagaland | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper VI | English Comprehension and Essay | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Total | 1,200 | 18 Hours |
This structure is shown directly on page 2 of the uploaded syllabus.
Paper I: General Studies I
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society
The official syllabus contains:
- Indian culture will cover salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
- Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present — significant events, personalities and issues.
- The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
- Post-Independence consolidation and reorganisation within the country.
- History of the world from the 18th century, including Industrial Revolution, World Wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonisation, decolonisation, communism, capitalism and socialism, their forms and effects on society.
- Salient features of Indian Society and Diversity of India.
- Role of women and women’s organisations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanisation, their problems and remedies.
- Effects of globalisation on Indian society.
- Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and secularism.
- Salient features of world’s physical geography.
- Distribution of key natural resources across the world, including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent; factors responsible for location of primary, secondary and tertiary sector industries.
- Important geographical phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic activity and cyclones, changes in geographical features including water bodies and ice caps, flora and fauna and effects of such changes.
Paper II: General Studies II
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations
The official syllabus contains:
- Indian Constitution — historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States.
- Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure.
- Devolution of powers and finances up to local levels.
- Separation of powers between various organs.
- Dispute-redressal mechanisms and institutions.
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
- Parliament and State Legislatures — structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers and privileges and related issues.
- Structure, organisation and functioning of the Executive and Judiciary.
- Ministries and Departments of Government.
- Pressure groups and formal/informal associations.
- Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
- Appointment to constitutional posts.
- Powers, functions and responsibilities of constitutional bodies.
- Statutory, regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies.
- Government policies and interventions for development and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
- Development processes and development industry.
- Role of NGOs, SHGs, groups and associations, donors, charities, institutions and other stakeholders.
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections.
- Issues relating to Health, Education and Human Resources.
- Poverty and hunger.
- Governance, transparency and accountability.
- E-governance.
- Citizens’ Charters.
- Role of civil services in democracy.
- India and its neighbourhood relations.
- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India or affecting India’s interests.
- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.
- Indian diaspora.
- Important international institutions, agencies and fora — structure and mandate.
Paper III: General Studies III
Economic Development, Technology, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
The official syllabus contains:
- Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development and employment.
- Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
- Government Budgeting.
- Major crops and cropping patterns.
- Types of irrigation and irrigation systems.
- Storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce.
- E-technology in aid of farmers.
- Direct and indirect farm subsidies.
- Minimum Support Prices.
- Public Distribution System.
- Buffer stocks and food security.
- Technology missions.
- Economics of animal-rearing.
- Food processing and related industries in India.
- Land reforms in India.
- Effects of liberalisation on the economy.
- Changes in industrial policy and effects on industrial growth.
- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
- Investment models.
- Science and Technology — developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
- Achievements of Indians in science and technology.
- Indigenisation of technology and developing new technology.
- Awareness in IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
- Conservation.
- Environmental pollution and degradation.
- Environmental Impact Assessment.
- Disaster and disaster management.
- Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
- Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
- Internal security challenges through communication networks.
- Role of media and social networking sites.
- Basics of cyber security.
- Money laundering and its prevention.
- Security challenges and their management in border areas.
- Linkages of organised crime with terrorism.
- Various security forces and agencies and their mandate.
Paper IV: General Studies IV
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
The official syllabus contains:
- Ethics and Human Interface.
- Essence, determinants and consequences of ethics in human actions.
- Dimensions of ethics.
- Ethics in private and public relationships.
- Human Values.
- Lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators.
- Role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
- Attitude — content, structure and function.
- Influence and relation of attitude with thought and behaviour.
- Moral and political attitudes.
- Social influence and persuasion.
- Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service.
- Integrity.
- Impartiality.
- Non-partisanship.
- Objectivity.
- Dedication to public service.
- Empathy.
- Tolerance.
- Compassion towards weaker sections.
- Emotional Intelligence — concepts, utilities and application in administration and governance.
- Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.
- Public/Civil Service values and Ethics in Public Administration.
- Ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions.
- Laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance.
- Accountability and ethical governance.
- Strengthening ethical and moral values in governance.
- Ethical issues in international relations and funding.
- Corporate governance.
- Probity in Governance.
- Concept of public service.
- Philosophical basis of governance and probity.
- Information sharing and transparency in government.
- Right to Information.
- Codes of Ethics.
- Codes of Conduct.
- Citizen’s Charters.
- Work culture.
- Quality of service delivery.
- Utilisation of public funds.
- Challenges of corruption.
- Case studies on the above issues.
Paper V: General Studies — Nagaland
This is the most important Nagaland-specific component of the new syllabus.
The official heading states:
Nagaland in all aspects — History, Art and Culture, Geography, Economy, Polity & Governance, Society and Current Affairs
History of Nagaland
The syllabus specifically covers:
- History of Nagaland from the 19th century onward till attainment of statehood.
- Wars between British and Naga villages.
- Bengal Eastern Frontiers Regulation Act, 1873.
- Advent of Christianity in Naga Hills.
- Naga Club.
- Naga Nationalist Movement.
- Various agreements signed.
- Events leading to formation of Nagaland as a State of the Indian Union.
Art and Culture
The official syllabus includes:
- festivals;
- historical places;
- customary law;
- administration of justice;
- tribal institutions such as:
- Morung
- Clan system
- Khel
- Monarchical (Angh) system
- Village Chieftain system
- Village Council
Economy
The syllabus covers both Rural and Urban Economy, including:
- agricultural system;
- land tenure system;
- trends and challenges in industry and commerce;
- infrastructure;
- start-up policy;
- schemes.
Geography, Environment and Biodiversity
The official syllabus contains:
- physical geography;
- demographic trends;
- economic resources;
- mineral resources;
- hydro projects;
- environmental conservation;
- biodiversity;
- infrastructure projects and their impact on environment and ecology;
- community conservation practices;
- forest governance;
- sustainable development in hill regions.
Polity and Governance
The syllabus includes:
- role of State Legislature;
- Acts and Legislations;
- special provisions such as Article 371A;
- urban governance;
- rural governance;
- ULBs;
- VDBs;
- Village Council;
- District Administration in all its aspects.
Society
The syllabus includes:
- vulnerable sections of society;
- women;
- children;
- gender issues;
- women empowerment;
- issue of drug menace.
Current Affairs
The final component is:
Nagaland Current Affairs.
Paper VI: General English
The official syllabus contains only two components.
English Comprehension and Grammar
The syllabus states:
English comprehension and grammar shall be objective type.
Essay
Candidates have to write:
2 essays
Each essay carries:
50 marks
The word limit is:
Not more than 1,200 words for each essay
Therefore, Essay contributes 100 marks within Paper VI.
Most Important Features of the New NPSC Pattern
The syllabus itself establishes these changes/features:
| Feature | New NPSC Pattern |
|---|---|
| Prelims papers | 1 |
| Prelims marks | 200 |
| Prelims questions | 100 MCQs |
| Prelims duration | 2 hours |
| Negative marking | 33% / 0.66 mark |
| Question approach | Conceptual, UPSC pattern |
| Mains papers | 6 |
| Mains total | 1,200 marks |
| Dedicated Nagaland GS | 200 marks |
| Ethics paper | 200 marks |
| English + Essay | 200 marks |
| Essays | 2 × 50 marks |
| Essay limit | Maximum 1,200 words each |
Frequently Asked Questions on Nagaland PSC Syllabus 2026
1. What is the new Nagaland PSC Syllabus 2026?
The new Nagaland PSC Syllabus 2026 covers three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Interview/Viva-Voce. Prelims has one objective paper, while Mains consists of six papers carrying 1,200 marks in total.
2. How many stages are there in the Nagaland PSC examination?
There are three stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Interview/Viva-Voce
3. How many papers are there in NPSC Prelims 2026?
There is only one paper in the Preliminary Examination under the new common syllabus.
4. How many questions are asked in Nagaland PSC Prelims?
The Prelims paper contains 100 multiple-choice questions.
5. How many marks is NPSC Prelims?
The Preliminary Examination carries 200 marks.
6. How many marks does each NPSC Prelims question carry?
Each question carries 2 marks.
7. What is the duration of Nagaland PSC Prelims?
The duration of the Preliminary Examination is 2 hours.
8. Is there negative marking in Nagaland PSC Prelims?
Yes. The new syllabus provides 33% negative marking for every incorrect answer.
Since each question carries 2 marks, approximately 0.66 mark is deducted for every wrong answer.
9. Is there a separate CSAT paper in Nagaland PSC?
No separate CSAT paper is mentioned in the new NPSC common syllabus.
Instead, aptitude-related areas such as logical reasoning, behavioural reasoning, analogies, basic arithmetic, numerical ability, data interpretation and data sufficiency are included within the single Preliminary paper.
10. Is the new NPSC Prelims based on the UPSC pattern?
Yes. The syllabus specifically states that the Preliminary paper will contain conceptual-based questions as per the UPSC pattern.