Syllabus

The ICAR recruitment 2024 is a golden opportunity for all the candidates who are interested in making a career in the government sector. You need to be aware of the complete information related to the ICAR exam as it may help you in having a full-proof study plan. To score well you need to be aware of the syllabus of all the sections covered under the ICAR recruitment exam. ICAR Tier 1 exam consists of 4 sections - General Knowledge, General Intelligence & Reasoning Ability, Arithmetical & Numerical Ability, Language Comprehension(Hindi/ English)

Syllabus

The detailed ICAR exam syllabus for Tier 1, which is common for AO, Finance and Account Officer can be deduced from the table below.

SectionTopics
General Knowledge Current events of national and international importance, History of India and Indian national movement, World History, Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social and economic, Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, Agricultural and Geo-Cultural Development Issues, Human Rights, Social Conflicts, Disabilities, General Awareness specific to Structure & Functioning of ICAR, General Science and scientific research
General Intelligence & Reasoning Ability Logical Reasoning and analytical Ability – Verbal and Non-Verbal (Analogies, Similarities, Differences, space visualization, visual memory, discrimination, observation, relationship, concepts, arithmetical reasoning, verbal and figure classification, arithmetical number series), Decision making and Problem Solving, General Mental ability
Arithmetical & Numerical Ability Basic Numeracy (Number system, Simplification, Decimals, Fractions, L.C.M., H.C.F., Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, Average, Profit & Loss, Discount, Simple and Compound interest, Mensuration, Time and work, Time and Distance) (Class X level), Data Interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc.) (Class X level)
Language Comprehension ( English ) Comprehension of Language and Writing Ability, Précis writing, Usage and Vocabulary, Short Essays, Translation • Interpersonal Skills including communication skills

The syllabus of the ICAR Tier 2 exam for AO and Finance+ Account Officer is different. The Tier 2 of ICAR recruitment has four papers. The syllabus of Paper 1 and Paper 2 of ICAR Tier 2 for all the above-mentioned posts is the same while Paper 3 and Paper 4 have a different syllabus. Detailed ICAR AO and F&AO syllabus for Tier 2 is given in the table below.

ICAR Tier II Syllabus Paper I

General awareness of Development of Economic, Social, Scientific & Cultural Fields, History & Geography of India and World
Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times, Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteen century until the present – significant events, personalities, issues, The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributions from different parts of the country, Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country, History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism – their forms and effect on the society, Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India, Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and development issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies, Effects of globalization on Indian society, Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism, Salient features of world’s physical geography, Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India), Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes

ICAR Tier II Syllabus Paper II

Constitution of India, Polity, Governance, Social Justice
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 and challenges therein, Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressed mechanisms and institutions, Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries, Parliament and State legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business. Power & privileges and issues arising out of these, Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary – Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/ informal associations and their role in the Polity, Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act. Appointment to various Constitutional post, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies, Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies, Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation, Development processes and the development industry – the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders, Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections, Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/ Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources, Issues relating to poverty and hunger, Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e governance – applications, models successes, limitations and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures, Role of Civil services in democracy, Role of Indian Council of Agricultural Research in Agricultural Sector, its Importance and various Implications.

ICAR Tier II Syllabus Paper III

Essay Writing
Candidates may be required to write essays on current international/ national events and other multiple topics like social, cultural, economic and political aspects about which a graduate level candidate is expected to be aware. They will be expected to keep close to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. An opinion may be given and candidate may have to submit his/ her arguments for and against the opinion and sum up in the end of his/ her views. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression

ICAR Tier II Syllabus Paper IV

Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude
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, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion, Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections, Emotional intelligence-concepts and their utilities and application in administration and governance, Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world, Public/ Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of 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 Ethic, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption, Case studies on above issues.

ICAR Tier II Syllabus Paper IV Finance

Commerce & Business Economics
This paper will cover the topics like Accounting, Financial Accounting, Auditing, Business Organization, Cost Accounting, Taxation, Financial Institutions, commonly taught in the Degree Course of Indian Universities/ Institutes.
Financing/ Accounting
  • Accounting as a financial information system; Impact of behavioural sciences. Accounting Standards e.g., Accounting for Depreciation, Inventories, Research and Development Costs, Long-term Construction Contracts, Revenue Recognition, Fixed Assets, Contingencies, Foreign Exchange Transactions, Investments and Government Grants, Cash Flow Statement, Earnings per Share. Accounting for Share Capital Transactions including Bonus Shares, Right Shares. Employees Stock Option and Buy-Back of Securities. Preparation and Presentation of Company Final Accounts. Amalgamations, Absorption and Reconstruction of Companies.
Cost Accounting
  • Nature and functions of cost accounting. Installation of Cost Accounting System. Cost Concepts related to Income Measurement, Profit Planning, Cost Control and Decision Making. Methods of Costing: Job Costing, Process Costing, Activity Based Costing. Volume-cost-Profit Relationship as a tool of Profit Planning. Incremental Analysis/ Differential Costing as a Tool of Pricing Decisions, Product Decisions, Make or Buy Decisions, Shut-Down Decisions etc. Techniques of Cost Control and Cost Reduction: Building as a Tool of Planning and Control. Standard Costing and Variance Analysis. Responsibility Accounting and Divisional Performance Measurement.
Taxation
  • Income Tax: Definitions. Basis of charge; Incomes which do not form part of total income. Simple problems of Competition of Income (of individuals only) under various heads, i.e., Salaries, Income from House Property, Profits and Gains from Business or Profession, Capital Gains, Income from other sources, Income of other Persons included in Assessee’s Total income. Set-off and Carry forward of Loss. Deductions from Gross Total Income. Salient Features/ Provisions related to VAT and Services Tax.
Auditing
  • Company Audit: Audit related to Divisible Profits, Dividends, Special investigations, Tax audit. Audit of Banking, Insurance, Non-Profit Organization and Charitable Societies/ Trusts/ Organizations.
Foundation of Indian Business
  • Spectrum of Business Activities, Manufacturing and service sectors. India’s experience of liberalization and globalization, Technological innovations and skill development. ‘Make in India’ Movement. Social Multinational Corporations and Indian transnational companies. Social responsibility and ethics. Emerging opportunities in business; Franchising, Outsourcing, and E-commerce.
Business Enterprises
  • Sole Proprietorship, One Person Company, Joint Hindu Family Firm, Partnership firm, Joint Stock Company, Cooperative Society; Limited Liability Partnership. Choice of Form of Organisation. Entrepreneurial Process-Idea generation, Feasibility study. Basic considerations in setting up a Business Enterprise.
The process of Management
  • Planning; Decision-Making; Strategy Formulation. Organizing: Basic Considerations; Departmentation-Functional, Project, Matrix and Network; Delegation and Decentralisation of Authority; Dynamics of group behaviour. Leadership: Concept and Styles; Trait and Situational Theory of Leadership. Motivation: Concept and Importance; Maslow Need Hierarchy Theory; Herzberg Two Factors Theory, McGregor and Ouchi theory. Control: Concept and Process. Communication: Process and Barriers. Transactional Analysis (TA), Johari Window. Change Management: Resistance to change and strategies to manage change, conflict levels, causes and resolution. Functional and Dysfunctional aspects of conflict. Emerging issues in management.
Financial Markets and Institutions
  • Indian Financial System: An Overview Money Markets: Participants, Structure and Instruments. Commercial Banks. Reforms in Banking Sector. Monetary and Credit Policy of RBI. RBI as a Regulator. Capital Market: Primary and Secondary Market. Financial Market Instruments and Innovative Debt Instruments; SEBI as a Regulator. Financial Services: Mutual Funds, Venture Capital, Credit rating Agencies, Insurance and IRDA.

Books

Before you start making your ICAR exam preparation plan, one basic thing that remains the same in all cases is good quality study material i.e. high-quality books. The right book can help you to pass the ICAR exam with flying colours. Though several books are available in the market you should choose the books by going through the content. To help you out in this, you can refer to the list given below.

SubjectsBooksAuthor / Pulisher
General Knowledge Lucent General Knowledge Lucent Publication
General Knowledge Arihant Publication
General Intelligence & Reasoning Ability A modern approach to verbal & Non-verbal reasoning R S Agarwal
Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning S.Chand
Arithmetical & Numerical Ability Arithmetic Subjective and Objective for Competitive Examinations R S Agarwal
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations R S Agarwal
Fast Track Objective Arithmetic Rajesh Verma
Quicker Mathematics BSC Publications
English Language English Comprehension Wren & Martin
Word Power Made Easy Norman Lewis
Constitution of India, Polity, Governance, Social Justice Indian Polity M Laxmikanth
Introduction to the Constitution of India (21st Edition) Durga Das Basu
Our Constitution Paperback / Our Parliament Subhash C. Kashyap