The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) conducts the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) to recruit candidates for various administrative positions in Assam. This blog comprehensively guides the syllabus, exam pattern, and preparation strategies for APSC CCE Prelims and Mains 2025.
Overview
The APSC CCE is a highly competitive examination that assesses candidates’ knowledge, reasoning ability, and administrative aptitude. Candidates who clear the exam secure prestigious government positions in Assam.
Detail Information Organizer Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) Exam Name Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) Stages Prelims, Mains, Interview Eligibility Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline Age Limit 21–38 years (Relaxations apply) Official Website Click Here
Selection Process
The APSC CCE consists of three stages:
Preliminary Examination – Objective-type screening test.
Main Examination – Descriptive-type written examination.
Interview/Personality Test – Assessment of personality, communication, and decision-making skills.
Exam Pattern: A Comprehensive Breakdown
Preliminary Examination
Paper Subject Marks Duration Nature Paper I General Studies I 200 2 hours Objective (MCQ) Paper II General Studies II (CSAT) 200 2 hours Objective (MCQ) Total 400
Note: Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature with a minimum requirement of 33% marks.
Main Examination
Paper Subject Marks Duration Paper I Essay 250 3 hours Paper II General Studies I 250 3 hours Paper III General Studies II 250 3 hours Paper IV General Studies III 250 3 hours Paper V General Studies IV 250 3 hours Paper VI Optional Subject Paper I 250 3 hours Interview Personality Test 275 – Total 1775
Detailed Syllabus for Prelims and Mains
Prelims Syllabus
General Studies Paper I
Topic Subtopics Current Events National & International news, Government policies, Important Summits, Awards & Honors History Ancient, Medieval & Modern Indian History, Indian National Movement, Assam History Geography Physical & Economic Geography of India & World, Environment & Ecology, Assam Geography Polity & Governance Indian Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues Economy Economic Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives General Science Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Everyday Science Environment Biodiversity, Climate Change, Pollution & Conservation Efforts
General Studies Paper II (CSAT)
Topic Subtopics Comprehension Reading passages and answering questions Logical Reasoning Coding-Decoding, Analogies, Blood Relations, Syllogism, Statements & Assumptions Decision Making Situation-based problems, Ethical decision making General Mental Ability Number series, Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Data Sufficiency Basic Numeracy Arithmetic, Number Systems, Averages, Ratio & Proportion, Percentages Data Interpretation Graphs, Tables, Charts, Data Sufficiency
Mains Syllabus
General Studies Paper I
Topic Subtopics Indian Heritage & Culture Art, Architecture, Literature, Music, and Dance Forms History Ancient, Medieval & Modern Indian History, Post-Independence History Geography Physical & Economic Geography, Climate & Natural Resources, Assam-specific Geography
General Studies Paper II
Topic Subtopics Indian Polity & Governance Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues Social Justice Welfare Schemes, Health, Education, Gender Issues, Social Sector Initiatives International Relations India’s Foreign Policy, Global Organizations, Bilateral Relations
General Studies Paper III
Topic Subtopics Indian Economy Economic Growth, Development & Planning, Budgeting, Banking & Financial Institutions Science & Technology Space & IT, Developments in Science & Tech, Biotechnology, Robotics, AI Environment & Ecology Biodiversity, Conservation, Environmental Issues & Policies Security Issues Internal & External Security Threats, Cyber Security, Disaster Management
General Studies Paper IV
Topic Subtopics Ethics & Integrity Ethical Values in Public Administration, Accountability, Transparency Attitude & Aptitude Emotional Intelligence, Role of Civil Services in Governance Case Studies Applied Ethics, Decision-Making, and Problem-Solving in Governance
Optional Subject Paper I, and II
Topic Subtopics Selected Optional Subject Topics as per APSC-prescribed syllabus
Prelims Syllabus PDF Download
Main Syllabus PDF Download
How to Prepare: Strategies and Resources
Recommended Books
Subject Book Title Author General Studies General Knowledge 2025 Arihant Experts History India’s Struggle for Independence Bipan Chandra Polity Indian Polity M. Laxmikanth Economy Indian Economy Ramesh Singh Geography Certificate in Physical and Human Geography G.C. Leong Ethics Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude Subba Rao
Preparation Tips
Focus on NCERT books for foundational knowledge.
Practice answer writing regularly for Mains.
Attempt mock tests to improve accuracy and speed.
Revise current affairs from reliable sources like newspapers and monthly magazines.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake Suggestion Ignoring the syllabus Stick to the official syllabus for focused preparation. Not practicing answer writing Improve writing speed and answer structuring. Skipping mock tests Take regular mock tests for self-evaluation. Overlooking CSAT Ensure qualifying marks in Paper II of Prelims.
Important Links
Conclusion
The APSC CCE 2025 is a gateway to prestigious administrative positions in Assam. Understanding the exam pattern, syllabus, and preparation strategies will help candidates maximize their success rate. Stay updated with official notifications and maintain a consistent study schedule.
FAQs
What is the eligibility for APSC CCE 2025?
A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university is required.
How many stages are there in the APSC CCE?
The exam consists of three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview.
Is CSAT qualifying in APSC Prelims?
Yes, candidates must score at least 33% on the CSAT paper.
Where can I find the official syllabus?
The syllabus is available on the official APSC website.
Also Check