The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) has officially released the syllabus for the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) Preliminary test. This first-stage screening exam determines eligibility for the prestigious Assam Civil Services and other Group A/B posts. Here’s the most detailed analysis of the APSC Prelims 2025 syllabus:
APSC CCE Prelims 2025 Exam Structure
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Papers | 2 (General Studies I & CSAT) |
| Total Marks | 400 (200 each paper) |
| Duration | 2 hours per paper |
| Question Type | Objective MCQs |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer |
| Qualifying Criteria | Must clear both papers (CSAT requires 33%) |
Paper I: General Studies (200 Marks)
Core Syllabus Areas with Weightage Analysis
1. Current Affairs (25-30 Questions)
- National & International Importance (15%)
- Government schemes (Assam + National)
- Important summits (G20, ASEAN, etc.)
- Recent scientific developments
- Assam-Specific Current Events (10%)
- New state policies
- Economic surveys
- Cultural developments
2. History of India (20-25 Questions)
- Ancient Assam (5%)
- Varman dynasty
- Kamarupa kingdom
- Medieval Period (7%)
- Ahom administration
- Koch kingdom
- Mughal-Ahom conflicts
- Modern History (13%)
- Freedom struggle in Assam
- Tea plantation movements
- Post-independence reorganization
3. Indian & World Geography (15-20 Questions)
- Physical Geography (8%)
- Brahmaputra river system
- Assam’s seismic zones
- Economic Geography (7%)
- Tea/oil production areas
- Transport networks
- World Geography (5%)
- Major climate patterns
- Geographical phenomena
4. Indian Polity & Governance (15-18 Questions)
- Constitutional Framework (10%)
- Special provisions for Assam
- Sixth Schedule areas
- Governance (8%)
- Panchayati Raj in Assam
- Recent electoral reforms
5. Economic & Social Development (12-15 Questions)
- Key Indicators (7%)
- Assam’s GDP sectors
- Human Development Index
- Government Schemes (8%)
- Orunodoi scheme
- PM-KISAN implementation
6. Environment & Ecology (10-12 Questions)
- Assam’s Biodiversity (6%)
- National parks
- Endangered species
- Climate Change (6%)
- Flood management
- Carbon sequestration
7. General Science (8-10 Questions)
- Physics/Chemistry Basics (4%)
- Biology Focus (6%)
- Medicinal plants of Assam
- Zoonotic diseases
Paper II: CSAT (200 Marks)
Qualifying Paper (66/200 needed)
1. Comprehension (40 Marks)
- English passages (300-500 words)
- Assamese/Hindi alternatives
2. Logical Reasoning (50 Marks)
- Analogies (15%)
- Coding-decoding (10%)
- Seating arrangements (12%)
3. Analytical Ability (40 Marks)
- Data sufficiency (8%)
- Syllogisms (7%)
- Input-output analysis (5%)
4. Decision Making (30 Marks)
- Ethical dilemmas (10%)
- Administrative scenarios (8%)
5. Basic Numeracy (40 Marks)
- Number Systems (12%)
- Percentage & Ratios (10%)
- Time-Distance (8%)
Assam-Specific Focus Areas
30-35% weightage across both papers
- Historical Landmarks
- Treaty of Yandabo (1826)
- Assam Accord (1985)
- Cultural Heritage
- Bihu festivals
- Satras of Majuli
- Administrative Structure
- Autonomous councils
- Guwahati High Court jurisdiction
- Economic Indicators
- Tea industry challenges
- Oil & gas production
Preparation Strategy
1. Current Affairs Approach
- Daily: The Assam Tribune + PIB releases
- Weekly: Yojana/Kurukshetra analysis
- Monthly: APSC-specific current affairs compilations
2. Subject-wise Resource List
| Subject | Recommended Books |
|---|---|
| Assam History | “A Comprehensive History of Assam” – S.L. Baruah |
| Polity | “Assam Polity” – Spectrum Publications |
| Geography | “Oxford School Atlas” + Assam Board Class 12 Geography |
3. Time Management Plan
- Phase 1 (3 months): Concept building
- Phase 2 (2 months): Answer writing practice
- Phase 3 (1 month): Full-length mocks
The APSC CCE Prelims 2025 demands a strategic, Assam-focused preparation unlike any other state civil service exam. With 35% weightage to state-specific content and a unique CSAT qualifying paper, candidates must adopt a tailored approach to succeed.
Key Takeaways for Success
- Assam-Centric Focus is Non-Negotiable
- 30+ questions will test your knowledge of Assam’s history, geography, and current affairs
- Prioritize resources like “A History of Assam” by S.L. Baruah and Assam Board textbooks
- CSAT is Your Silent Gatekeeper
- 33% qualifying marks required (66/200)
- Daily practice of comprehension and logical reasoning is crucial
- Current Affairs Preparation Needs Layers
- National events (30%) + Assam developments (70%) balance
- Follow Assam Tribune, PIB Guwahati, and government schemes like Orunodoi
- Smart Resource Selection Saves Time
- For General Studies: Combine NCERTs (Class 6-12) with Assam-specific supplements
- For CSAT: Focus on previous year papers (2015-2024 patterns)
Final Preparation Checklist
✅ Create weekly Assam current affairs digests
✅ Solve 5 CSAT papers monthly to maintain speed
✅ Join APSC-specific test series (focus on Assam GK mocks)
✅ Revise Ahom administration & Sixth Schedule weekly
Remember: While the syllabus appears vast, consistent, targeted preparation focusing on Assam’s context can help you clear Prelims efficiently. The candidates who strategically balance state knowledge with national awareness will have the competitive edge.
“APSC isn’t just about hard work – it’s about working smart on what matters most for Assam.”
