APPSC Group 1 Syllabus 2026 — Prelims Paper I & Paper II
The APPSC Group 1 Preliminary Examination has two objective papers of 120 questions each: Paper I General Studies and Paper II General Aptitude. This page lays out every section of both papers with the chapters our Group 1 notes and tests are built on — including the Andhra Pradesh chapters that run through both papers.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-14
The two Prelims papers at a glance
Each paper is a 120-minute objective (OMR) paper of 120 questions for 120 marks — 240 marks in all. One-third of a question's marks is deducted for each wrong answer; a blank costs nothing. The Prelims only screens candidates for the Mains; its marks do not count in the final merit.
| Paper · Section | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|
| Paper I · A | History & Culture | 30 | 30 |
| Paper I · B | Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations | 30 | 30 |
| Paper I · C | Indian & AP Economy and Planning | 30 | 30 |
| Paper I · D | Geography | 30 | 30 |
| Paper II · A | General Mental Ability, Administrative & Psychological Abilities | 60 | 60 |
| Paper II · B | Science & Technology | 30 | 30 |
| Paper II · C | Current Events of Regional, National & International Importance | 30 | 30 |
| Total | Two papers · 120 minutes each | 240 | 240 |
Paper I · Section A — History & Culture
Indian history from the Indus Valley to the years after Independence, Indian art and culture, and the history and culture of Andhra Pradesh as a block of its own.
- India — The Indus Valley Civilisation; The Vedic Age; The Mauryan Empire; The Gupta Age; The Delhi Sultanate; The Bhakti & Sufi Movements; The Mughal Empire; Indian Architecture; Performing Arts; The Revolt of 1857; Socio-Religious Reform Movements; The Rise of Nationalism & the Congress; Civil Disobedience & the Road to 1939; Towards Freedom & Partition, 1939–1947; India after Independence, 1947–1977.
- Andhra Pradesh — Early Andhra & the Satavahanas; Ikshvakus, Vishnukundins & the Eastern Chalukyas; The Kakatiya Dynasty; The Vijayanagara Empire & Krishnadevaraya; The Andhra Renaissance & the Library Movement; The Freedom Movement in Andhra; Formation of Andhra State & Andhra Pradesh; Separate State Movements & Bifurcation (2014); Telugu Language & Literature.
Paper I · Section B — Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations
The Constitution and its institutions, governance, rights-based social justice and India's foreign relations. Learn the articles and the reasoning behind landmark provisions, not just names.
- Constitution & governance — Making of the Constitution; Preamble; Fundamental Rights; Directive Principles; Parliament; Centre–State Relations; Emergency Provisions; Supreme Court; Election Commission; Panchayati Raj; Governance & e-Governance; Right to Information.
- Social justice & international relations — Human Rights; Women's Rights; SC & ST Rights; Rights of Vulnerable Groups; Foreign Policy of India; India & its Neighbours; United Nations; Regional & Multilateral Groupings.
Paper I · Section C — Indian & AP Economy and Planning
Planning, growth, money and banking, public finance and the external sector for India — and a full block on the Andhra Pradesh economy after the 2014 reorganisation.
- Indian economy — Economic Planning; NITI Aayog; Economic Reforms of 1991; Poverty & Inequality; Indian Agriculture; RBI & Monetary Policy; Banking; Inflation; Budget & Deficits; GST; Union Budget 2026-27 & Economic Survey; External Sector.
- Andhra Pradesh economy — AP Reorganisation Act 2014; AP Economic Structure; AP Public Finance; AP Agriculture; AP Irrigation & River-Water Disputes; AP Industry; AP Services & IT; Amaravati & Regional Development; AP Government Programmes.
Paper I · Section D — Geography
Physical geography of the world and India, human and economic geography, and Andhra Pradesh geography. Maps and data (census, resources, projects) are asked often.
- World & India — Interior of the Earth; Atmosphere; Oceans; Physiography of India; Drainage of India; Indian Climate & Monsoon; Soils of India; Natural Hazards & Disasters; Census of India; Mineral & Energy Resources of India; Transport in India.
- Andhra Pradesh — AP: Location, Extent & Districts; Physiography of AP; Rivers of AP; Climate & Soils of AP; Forests & Wildlife of AP; Irrigation Projects of AP; Tribes of AP; Industrial Clusters of AP.
Paper II · Section A — General Mental Ability, Administrative & Psychological Abilities
With 60 questions this is the largest single block in the Prelims — half of Paper II. It mixes arithmetic and data interpretation, logical reasoning, and administrative and psychological abilities such as decision making and emotional intelligence.
- Arithmetic & data — Number System; HCF & LCM; Percentages; Ratio & Proportion; Averages; Profit & Loss; Simple Interest; Compound Interest; Time & Work; Speed, Time & Distance; Mensuration 2D; Mensuration 3D; Table DI; Pie Chart DI; Data Sufficiency; Probability.
- Reasoning — Analogy; Classification; Number Series; Coding-Decoding; Blood Relations; Direction Sense; Syllogism; Statements & Assumptions; Cause & Effect; Linear Arrangement; Circular Arrangement; Cubes & Dice; Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- Administrative & psychological abilities — Personality & its Assessment; Emotional Intelligence; Social Intelligence & Interpersonal Skills; Ethics & Values in Administration; Administrative Leadership; Decision Making & Problem Solving.
Paper II · Section B — Science & Technology
Everyday science and health, environment and biodiversity, space, defence, computing and energy. Questions favour applications and recent developments over textbook definitions.
- Selected chapters — Everyday Science; Human Body & Physiology; Health & Diseases; Biotechnology; Biodiversity; Pollution; Environmental Conventions; Indian Space Missions; Defence Technology; Nuclear Technology; Artificial Intelligence; Cyber Security; Renewable Energy; Green Hydrogen.
Paper II · Section C — Current Events of Regional, National & International Importance
Our Group 1 current-events stages run month by month from August 2025 to August 2026, for India and the world and separately for Andhra Pradesh. Add each new month as it comes until the exam.
Always confirm dates, vacancies, eligibility and the exam scheme in the official notification on psc.ap.gov.in, the official portal of the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC). AP Groups Hub is an independent preparation platform and is not connected with APPSC.
After the Prelims
Candidates who clear the Prelims go on to the Main Examination, which is made up of descriptive (written-answer) papers, followed by an interview. The Mains papers, their syllabus and marks are set out in the official notification — check psc.ap.gov.in for the 2026 scheme.
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Everything else you need for APPSC Group 1, in English and Telugu:
Frequently asked questions
How many papers are there in the APPSC Group 1 Prelims?
Two objective papers: Paper I General Studies and Paper II General Aptitude, each with 120 questions for 120 marks in 120 minutes — 240 marks in all.
Which section carries the most marks?
Paper II Section A — General Mental Ability, Administrative & Psychological Abilities — with 60 questions. Every other section has 30.
Are Andhra Pradesh topics part of the Group 1 syllabus?
Yes. Andhra Pradesh history and culture, economy, geography and current events run through both papers. Our Group 1 series gives each its own stages.
Is there negative marking in Group 1 Prelims?
Yes. In the scheme on our exam page, one-third of a question's marks is deducted for each wrong answer and a blank costs nothing. Confirm the rule in Notification No. 07/2026.
Can I study the Group 1 syllabus in Telugu?
Yes. On AP Groups Hub the notes, tests and full solutions are all in English and Telugu. The medium of the exam papers themselves is as per the official notification.
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