CSIR SO/ASO 2023 Syllabus & Exam Pattern: The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has released the CSIR Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2023 for Section Officer (SO) and Assistant Section Officer (ASO) posts on its official website. CSIR SO ASO syllabus and exam pattern for 2023 play an important role in guiding the candidates through their preparation. The syllabus outlines important topics and subjects for the exam, providing a comprehensive overview of what to expect. The candidates who are preparing for the CSIR exam should have detailed information about the CSIR SO/ASO 2023 Syllabus. The knowledge of the syllabus helps to boost the preparation as it includes all the topics that need to be prepared for the CSIR exam.
CSIR syllabus 2023: Overview
| CSIR Assistant Section Officer/ Section Officer: Important Details | |
| Organisation | Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) |
| Post | Section Officer (SO) and Assistant Section Officer (ASO) |
| CSIR Vacancies 2023 | 444 |
| Mode of Application Process | Online |
| Advt.No | E-I/RC/2023/1 |
| Application Start Dates | 8th December 2023 |
| Last Date to Apply | 12th January 2024 |
| Exam Date | February 2024 (Phase I) |
| CSIR Selection Process | Stage 1Stage 2, Interview/ Computer Proficiency Test |
| Subjects | General Intelligence, ReasoningMental AbilityGeneral Awareness |
| CSIR Official Website | https://www.csir.res.in/ |
CSIR Selection Process 2023
The selection for the Section Officer and Assistant Section Officer in the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) will be done in two stages i.e. Stage 1 and Stage 2. The details of both stages are as follows:
- Stage 1: Online Exam for both Posts
- Stage 2: Interview for SO and CPT for ASO
CSIR Exam Pattern 2023
Candidates preparing for the CSIR exam should have detailed knowledge about the exam pattern to ace the exam. A few details in pointer form are mentioned below:
CSIR SO/ASO 2023 Free Mock Test & Analyze Your Performance
CISR Exam Pattern for Section Officer (SO) Posts 2023
- Candidates who secure the minimum threshold marks in aggregate out of 350 marks (Paper – I and Paper – II) will be called for Paper-III (Descriptive Paper).
- Candidates who secure the minimum threshold marks in Paper– I, Paper- II and Paper- III in aggregate out of 500 marks will be called for Interview. Interview carries 100 marks.
- The total marks for the post of Section Officer (Gen/F&A/S&P) will be 600.
- Final Select/Wait List will be prepared considering the number of vacancies and total marks obtained by the candidates, subject to securing the minimum threshold marks.
- There will be a negative marking in Paper 1 and Paper 2, 0.33 marks will be deducted for for each wrong answer.
| Stage | Paper | Subject | Total Questions | Total Marks | Time Duration |
| 1 | I | General Awareness | 100 | 100 | 120 minutes |
| 1 | I | English Language and Comprehension | 50 | 50 | same as above |
| 1 | II | General Intelligence, Reasoning, and Mental Ability | 200 | 200 | 150 minutes |
| 2 | III | English/Hindi – Descriptive Paper | 3 | 150 | 120 minutes |
| 3 | – | Interview Exams | – | 100 | – |
CISR Exam Pattern for Assistant Section Officer (ASO) 2023
- Candidates who secure the minimum threshold marks in aggregate out of 350 marks (Paper – I and Paper – II) will be called for Paper-III (Descriptive Paper) and Computer Proficiency Test (CPT). CPT is Qualifying in nature and Marks obtained in CPT will not be counted towards final marks.
- The total marks for the post of Assistant Section Officer (Gen/F&A/S&P) will be 500, excluding CPT.
- Final Select/Wait List will be prepared keeping in view the number of vacancies and total marks obtained by the candidates, subject to securing the minimum threshold marks and qualifying marks in CPT.
- There will be a negative marking in Paper 1 and Paper 2, 0.33 marks will be deducted for for each wrong answer.
| Stage | Paper | Subject | Total Questions | Total Marks | Time Duration |
| 1 | I | General Awareness | 100 | 100 | 120 minutes |
| 1 | I | English Language and Comprehension | 50 | 50 | 120 minutes |
| 1 | II | General Intelligence, Reasoning, and Mental Ability | 200 | 200 | 150 minutes |
| 2 | III | English/Hindi – Descriptive Paper | 3 | 150 | 120 minutes |
| 3 | – | Computer Proficiency Test | – | 100 | – |
CSIR SO/ASO 2023 Syllabus
The detailed syllabus for all the subjects is mentioned below according to the examination stage.
| Subject | Sub Topics | Topics |
| General Awareness | History of India & Indian National Movement | Sources of Indian History, Harappan CivilizationThe Mauryan, Vedic, Post Mauryan period (200 BC-300 AD), Gupta & Post-Gupta period: Society, Economy & Polity, Chronology of Events in Medieval IndiaNorth India between 750-1200, The Sultans of Delhi, The Mughal Kings, The Marathas, The Saints of Medieval IndiaIndia in the Eighteenth Century, Rise of the Regional Powers Economic Impact of The British, Indian Renaissance and Reform Movement, Early Uprisings Against The British, The Revolt of 1857Nature and Causes For The Rise of National Movement, The Rise of Neo-Nationalists or Extremists, The Beginning of the Gandhian Era. |
| Constitution of India, Polity, Governance, Social Justice | Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structureFunctions 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 thereinComparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countriesSeparation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutionsParliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, the conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of theseAppointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional BodiesStructure, 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 PolityGovernment policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementationStatutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodiesWelfare 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 sectionsHealth, Education, Human ResourcesDevelopment processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholdersIssues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating toImportant aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measuresIssues relating to poverty and hunger | |
| Current events of National and International importance | National – National Issues, Indian Economy, Indian Polity, Judiciary, Environment, Science and Technology, States, Social Schemes, Sports News, Reports, Committee and Commission, Awards and Honours, Accident and calamities, First in India.International -Important Summits & Events, International Awards, First in the world, International leadership, International Reports, International committees and recommendations, Geographical events around the world. | |
| English Language &Comprehension | Comprehension, do as directed (Active-Passive; Direct-Indirect etc.), Prepositions, fill in the blanks, synonyms, antonyms, sentence correction, common errors, punctuation, idioms & phrases etc. |
CSIR SO/ASO 2023 Syllabus for Paper 2 Exam
| Subject | Sub Topics | Topics |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning and Mental Ability | General Intelligence & Reasoning | It would include questions of both verbal and non-verbal types. The test will include questions on analogies, similarities and differences, space visualization, problem-solving, analysis, judgement, decision making, visual memory, discriminating observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning, verbal and figure classification, arithmetical number series, non-verbal series etc. The test will also include questions designed to test the candidate’s abilities to deal with abstract ideas and symbols and their relationship, arithmetical computation and other analytical functions. |
| General Mental Ability | Analogy, Classification, Series, Coding-Decoding, Blood relations, Direction Sense Test, Logical Venn Diagrams, Alphabet Test, Sitting Arrangements, Mathematical Operations, Arithmetical Reasoning, Inserting the Missing Character, Number, Ranking and Time Sequence Test, Eligibility Test. | |
| Arithmetical and Numerical Ability: | Simplification, Decimals, Data Interpretation, Fractions, L.C.M., H.C.F., Ratio and proportion, Percentage, Average, Profit and loss, Discount, Simple and compound Interest, Mensuration, Time and work, Time & Distance, Tables & Graphs etc. | |
| General Science | Physics | Mechanics, heat, magnetism, Electricity, Light, sound, modern physics |
| Chemistry | Nature and composition of substances, atomic structure, radioactivity, isotopic isotope isotronic, chemical bond, Oxidation & Equipment, acid, ash and salt, Valency and Atomic Weight, General properties of gases, Merger, electrochemistry, thermochemistry, chemical kinetics, inducement, fuel, periodic classification of elements, Latin names and chemical symbols of elements, metallurgical treatment, metals and their compounds, non-metals and their compounds, organic chemistry, Various such as alloy, fertilizer, cement etc. | |
| Biology | Plant diseases, plant tissue, plant genetics, cell Biology, ecology, Pollution, health and nutrition, human physiology, classification of animal kingdom, branch of zoology, chief biologist. | |
| Computer/IT | Basic knowledge and fundamentals about Computer, Word Processing, Spread sheet, generation of Slides, Email etc. | |
| Economic & Social Development and General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change | Economic growth and development | Basic concept and definition of economy and economics, uses and transfer of resources, distributive effects, macro and micro economic policy, micro-macro balance, distributive impact of economic policies, development versus growth, determinant of growth and development, concepts such as HPI/MPI, HDI, PQLI, GEM, GDI/GII, TAI, Green index, sustainable development, India’s ranking in the various indices. |
| General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change | Terms like climate change, ecosystem, sustainable development, natural disaster, etc. are regularly featured in the news.Environment topics can be interlinked with core concepts of other subjects like geography, biology, botany, zoology and also the economy.Environment can also overlap with policy and governance since many government schemes are linked towards preserving the natural resources and environment, conservation of flora and fauna, and reducing pollution, etc. | |
| 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. | |
| Decision Making and Problem solving | Identify the problem, Identify the possible solutions, Select the best solution, Eliminate other solutions, Make the decision. | |
| Management Principles & Practices | Principles of management (Planning, organizing, Directing & Control etc.), Job analysis, Job description Job specification, Job design, Job change, Recruitment, Communication, Leadership, Motivation, Negotiations, Financial Management, Delegation, Working & Networking, Project Appraisal, Career Advancement, Procurement, Stores, Inventory Management, Facilities & Infrastructure Management | |
| National Geography | Basics of India, Physical features, River systems, Climate, Minerals and Industries, Agriculture, Natural vegetation and fauna, Economic infrastructure, Human Geography | |
CSIR SO/ASO 2023 Syllabus for Paper 3 Exam
English / Hindi – Descriptive Paper
- Essay writing (02 questions)
- Precis writing (01 questions)
- Letter/Application writing (01 questions)
CSIR Syllabus for CPT for ASO posts
Computer Proficiency Test
Computer Proficiency Test – Qualifying in Nature – For the posts of ASOs (Gen/F&A/S&P) only (Total Marks = 100) (Time : 01 Hour)
- CPT will judge proficiency in Word Processing, Spread Sheet, Generation of Slides etc. Exercises will include Typing of a passage and/or other word processing exercises; preparation of a spreadsheet; preparation of PowerPoint Presentation and related exercises that are required in the normal day-to-day functioning of
- an Office.
- CPT will be qualifying only. Candidates are required to obtain the Minimum cut-off marks in CPT.
- For PwBD candidates, Govt. of India/Staff Selection Commission (SSC) rules on CPT shall be followed.
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