APPSC Group 1 Syllabus 2026: Screening Test and Mains

The APPSC Group 1 syllabus for 2026 is published in Annexure II of Notification No. 07/2026, which covers the Screening Test, the Mains papers and the standard of each paper. The Screening Test is objective and has two papers. The Mains has two qualifying language papers and five descriptive merit papers. This page turns the official syllabus into a checklist you can study from.

The topic lists below are condensed from the Commission's own lists and grouped by subject for easy reading. The full text is in the notification, so use it as the final reference. We also show where the Screening Test and Mains overlap, so you study each topic once and use it twice.

Table of Contents

Syllabus at a glance

For marking rules and qualifying marks, see the APPSC Group 1 exam pattern page.

Key changes and points to know

• Official topic list exists: the notification publishes topics for every paper, so you do not need to rely on guesswork or coaching summaries.

• Degree standard: the Screening Test and Mains Papers I to V are set at degree standard. The Telugu and English Mains papers are at SSC standard.

• Andhra Pradesh focus: history, economy, geography and governance each carry a separate state-specific section, including the impact of the 2014 bifurcation.

• Current events: regional, national and international current events are part of Screening Paper II, with no fixed topic list.

• Check the notification: older syllabus pages may still show previous versions, so confirm against the PDF on the official website.

Screening Test Paper I syllabus

Paper I is General Studies with 120 questions. It has four parts, each worth 30 marks.

Each part carries the same marks, so none can be skipped. History and Economy have the widest lists, so give them the largest share of your first month.

Screening Test Paper II syllabus

Paper II is General Aptitude with 120 questions. Part A carries 60 marks, Part B(i) carries 30 marks and Part B(ii) carries 30 marks.

Part A is half the paper, so aptitude practice has the highest return in Paper II. Because it is a mix of reasoning, arithmetic and personality-based items, it rewards daily timed practice more than reading.

Mains syllabus paper by paper

Telugu and English (qualifying)

Both papers are at SSC standard, carry 150 marks each, and are descriptive. They do not count towards merit but you must pass them. English covers essay, letter, press release or appeal, report writing, writing on visual information, formal speech, precis, reading comprehension, grammar and translation. Telugu covers essay, verse explanation (Vemana and Sumathi Satakam), precis, comprehension, speech, press note, letter, application, report, translation both ways, word meanings, and synonyms and antonyms.

Paper I: General Essay

Candidates write three essays of about 800 words each, one from each of three sections. Section I is current affairs. Section II covers socio-political, socio-economic and socio-environmental issues. Section III covers cultural and historical aspects, civic awareness and reflective topics. The paper tests awareness and the ability to build a clear argument.

Paper II: History, Culture and Geography of India and Andhra Pradesh

• History and culture of India: pre-historic cultures to independence, the freedom struggle in three phases, linguistic reorganisation of states and the Constitution.

• History and culture of Andhra Pradesh: Satavahanas to Vishnukundins, Kakatiyas, Reddis, Vijayanagara, colonial period, social reformers, nationalist movement, formation of Andhra State in 1953, and the bifurcation of 2014.

• Geography: physical, economic, social, fauna and flora, and environmental geography of India and Andhra Pradesh.

Paper III: Polity, Constitution, Governance, Law and Ethics

• Polity: salient features, federal issues, local governance under the 73rd and 74th Amendments, Parliament, judiciary and judicial review.

• Public administration and governance: government policies, civil society, regulatory bodies, e-governance, the Citizen's Charter, RTI and social audit.

• Ethics and law: ethics in public service, human values, attitude, codes of conduct, and basic knowledge of civil, criminal, labour, cyber and tax laws.

Paper IV: Economy and Development of India and Andhra Pradesh

The paper has 12 units. They cover the challenges of the Indian economy, resource mobilisation, government budgeting, inclusive growth, agriculture, industrial policy and infrastructure, each paired with its Andhra Pradesh counterpart. Current-year Union and state budget highlights are explicitly listed.

Paper V: Science and Technology

This paper covers science policy, ICT and e-governance, the space programme, energy resources and policy, nuclear policy, environment and pollution, climate change, natural disasters, solid waste management and environmental legislation such as the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and international protocols.

Overlap between Screening Test and Mains

Interview

The notification does not publish a syllabus for the 75-mark interview. It is a personality test held after the Mains. Prepare by keeping up with current affairs, the state's present issues and the details in your own application.

How to cover the syllabus

1. Weeks 1 to 8: finish history, polity, economy and geography once, with state-specific sections alongside the national ones.

2. From week 3: read current affairs for 30 to 40 minutes a day and write monthly notes.

3. From week 6: take topic-wise tests and 20-minute sectional drills for aptitude.

4. From week 10: add science, technology and environment, then start writing essays and Mains answers.

5. Final phase: full-length papers, same-day analysis and revision from your error log.