SPSC Exam Pattern & Syllabus (Sikkim)
The Sikkim Public Service Commission (SPSC) conducts the Combined Recruitment Examination (CRE) to fill administrative posts in the state. The selection process is carried out in three successive stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Mains Examination
- Interview / Personality Test
Stage I: Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary exam serves as a screening test to shortlist candidates for the Mains. It consists of two objective-type papers.
SPSC Prelims Exam Pattern
| Feature | Paper-I | Paper-II |
| Subjects Covered | General Studies | Aptitude Test (CSAT) |
| Number of Questions | 100 | 100 |
| Total Marks | 200 Marks | 200 Marks |
| Duration | 2 Hours | 2 Hours |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark deducted for every wrong answer | 1/3 mark deducted for every wrong answer |
SPSC Prelims Syllabus
Paper I: General Studies
- Current events of national and international importance.
- History of India and Indian National Movement.
- Indian and World Geography (Physical, Social, Economic).
- Indian Polity and Governance (Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.).
- Economic and Social Development (Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, etc.).
- General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change.
- General Science.
Paper II: CSAT
- Comprehension.
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability.
- Decision-making and problem-solving.
- General mental ability.
- Basic numeracy and Data interpretation (Class X level).
Stage II: Mains Examination
The Mains exam is descriptive in nature and consists of one qualifying paper and three merit-based papers.
SPSC Mains Exam Pattern
| Papers | Subject | Total Marks | Question Paper Pattern | Duration |
| Qualifying Paper | General English | 300 | MCQ (150 Marks) & Conventional/Essay (150 Marks) | 3 Hours |
| Paper I (Merit) | General Studies | 300 | MCQ (150 Marks) & Conventional/Essay (150 Marks) | 3 Hours |
| Paper II (Merit) | Optional Subject Paper-I | 300 | MCQ (150 Marks) & Conventional/Essay (150 Marks) | 3 Hours |
| Paper III (Merit) | Optional Subject Paper-II | 300 | MCQ (150 Marks) & Conventional/Essay (150 Marks) | 3 Hours |
Note: The English paper is of Matriculation standard and is qualifying only; its marks are not counted for final ranking.
SPSC Mains Syllabus
Qualifying Paper: English
- Comprehension of given passages.
- Precise Writing.
- Usage and Vocabulary.
- Short Essays.
Paper I: General Studies
- History & Culture: Indian Culture (Ancient to Modern), Modern Indian History, Freedom Struggle, Post-independence consolidation, and World History (Industrial Revolution, World Wars, etc.).
- Society: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity, Role of women, Population issues, Poverty, Urbanization, and Globalization effects.
- Geography: World’s physical geography and Geophysical phenomena (Earthquakes, Tsunami, etc.).
- Polity & Governance: Indian Constitution, Union and State functions, Federal structure challenges, Parliament and State legislatures, and Civil services role in democracy.
- International Relations: India and its neighborhood relations, regional and global groupings.
- Economy: Indian Economy, Planning, Growth, Budgeting, and Agriculture (Cropping patterns, Irrigation, Land reforms).
- Science & Environment: Developments in Science and Tech, IT, Space, Robotics, and Environmental pollution/degradation.
- Security: Internal security challenges, Cyber security, and Money-laundering.
Paper II & III: Optional Subject
Candidates must choose one optional subject from a list including (but not limited to): Agriculture, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Engineering (Civil/Electrical/Mechanical), Economics, Geography, History, Law, Management, Mathematics, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Zoology, and Literatures (English, Nepali, Hindi).
Stage III: Interview / Personality Test
The final stage evaluates the candidate’s mental caliber, social traits, and interest in current affairs.
- Total Marks: 100 Marks.
- Evaluation Criteria: Communication skills, problem-solving, general awareness, mental alertness, and knowledge of the customs and dialects of Sikkim.
- Final Ranking: The merit list is prepared out of a total of 1000 marks (900 from Mains Merit Papers + 100 from Interview).