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UPSC Optional Subject Syllabus: Medical Science | Medical Science Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

UPSC Medical Science Optional Syllabus 2025

Introduction to Medical Science Optional for UPSC

The Medical Science optional for the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination is a specialized and scoring subject tailored for candidates with a medical background, such as MBBS graduates or those with related qualifications. Comprising two papers, each worth 250 marks, it covers human anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, general medicine, surgery, and community medicine. The syllabus aligns closely with medical education, enabling precise, evidence-based answers enhanced by diagrams and clinical insights. With overlap in General Studies Paper III (Health, Biotechnology) and relevance to public health administration, it is a strategic choice for medical professionals. However, its extensive and technical syllabus demands 6-8 months of rigorous preparation, clinical knowledge, and updates on health policies and disease trends. Access comprehensive resources at Medical Science Optional Notes.

UPSC Optional Subject Syllabus: Medical Science | Medical Science Optional Notes for UPSC

Why Choose Medical Science Optional?

  • High Scoring Potential: Scientific, objective answers with diagrams and clinical data can secure high marks.
  • Background Alignment: Ideal for medical graduates due to familiarity with undergraduate medical curricula.
  • Overlap with General Studies: Covers ~30-40% of GS Paper III (Health, Nutrition, Diseases), reducing preparation load.
  • Administrative Relevance: Knowledge of diseases, health programs, and medical management is vital for roles in health policy and administration.
  • Resource Availability: Standard medical textbooks and online notes like Medical Science Optional Notes provide comprehensive coverage.
  • Predictable Patterns: Previous year questions (2018-2024) show consistent focus on clinical and applied topics, aiding targeted preparation. Access via Previous Year Questions.

Paper - I

Human Anatomy

  • Applied anatomy including blood and nerve supply of upper and lower limbs and joints of shoulder, hip, and knee
  • Gross anatomy, blood supply, and lymphatic drainage of tongue, thyroid, mammary gland, stomach, liver, prostate, gonads, and uterus
  • Applied anatomy of diaphragm, perineum, and inguinal region
  • Clinical anatomy of kidney, urinary bladder, uterine tubes, vas deferens
  • Embryology: Placenta and placental barrier; Development of heart, gut, kidney, uterus, ovary, testis, and their common congenital abnormalities
  • Central and Peripheral Autonomic Nervous System: Gross and clinical anatomy of ventricles of brain, circulation of cerebrospinal fluid; Neural pathways and lesions of cutaneous sensations, hearing, and vision; Cranial nerves distribution and clinical significance; Components of autonomic nervous system

Human Physiology

  • Conduction and transmission of impulse, mechanism of contraction, neuromuscular transmission, reflexes, control of equilibrium, posture, and muscle tone, descending pathways, functions of cerebellum, basal ganglia
  • Physiology of sleep and consciousness
  • Endocrine System: Mechanism of action of hormones; formation, secretion, transport, metabolism, function, and regulation of secretion of pancreas and pituitary gland
  • Physiology of Reproductive System: Menstrual cycle, lactation, pregnancy
  • Blood: Development, regulation, and fate of blood cells
  • Cardiovascular: Cardiac output, blood pressure, regulation of cardiovascular functions
  • Nervous System and Neurophysiology: Neural pathways, functions, and lesions

Biochemistry

  • Organ function tests: liver, kidney, thyroid
  • Protein synthesis
  • Vitamins and minerals
  • Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
  • Radio-immunoassays (RIA)

Pathology

  • Inflammation and repair
  • Disturbances of growth and cancer
  • Pathogenesis and histopathology of rheumatic and ischaemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus
  • Differentiation between benign and malignant tumours, primary and metastatic malignancies
  • Pathogenesis and histopathology of bronchogenic carcinoma, carcinoma breast, oral cancer, cancer cervix, leukaemia
  • Etiology, pathogenesis, and histopathology of cirrhosis liver, glomerulonephritis, tuberculosis, acute osteomyelitis

Microbiology

  • Humoral and cell-mediated immunity
  • Diseases caused by and laboratory diagnosis of:
    • Meningococcus, Salmonella
    • Shigella, Herpes, Dengue, Polio
    • HIV/AIDS, Malaria, E. Histolytica, Giardia
    • Candida, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus

Pharmacology

  • Mechanism of action and side effects of:
    • Antipyretics and analgesics
    • Antibiotics
    • Antimalaria, Anti Kala-azar
    • Antidiabetics
    • Antihypertensive, Antidiuretics
    • General and cardiac vasodilators
    • Antiviral, Antiparasitic, Antifungal
    • Immunosuppressants
    • Anticancer

Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

  • Forensic examination of injuries and wounds
  • Examination of blood and seminal stains
  • Poisoning, sedative overdose, hanging, drowning, burns
  • DNA and fingerprint study

Paper - II

General Medicine

  • Etiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and principles of management (including prevention) of:
    • Typhoid, Rabies, AIDS, Dengue, Kala-azar, Japanese Encephalitis
  • Etiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and principles of management of:
    • Ischaemic heart disease, pulmonary embolism, bronchial asthma
  • Pleural effusion, tuberculosis, malabsorption syndromes, acid peptic diseases, viral hepatitis, cirrhosis of liver
  • Glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis, renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, renovascular hypertension, complications of diabetes mellitus, coagulation disorders, leukaemia, hypo and hyperthyroidism, meningitis, encephalitis
  • Imaging in medical problems: Ultrasound, echocardiogram, CT scan, MRI
  • Anxiety and Depressive Psychosis, schizophrenia, and ECT

Paediatrics

  • Immunisation
  • Baby-friendly hospital
  • Congenital cyanotic heart disease
  • Respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopneumonias
  • Kernicterus
  • IMNCI classification and management
  • PEM grading and management
  • ARI and Diarrhoea of under five and their management

Dermatology

  • Psoriasis, allergic dermatitis, scabies, eczema, vitiligo, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Lichen Planus

General Surgery

  • Clinical features, causes, diagnosis, and principles of management of:
    • Laryngeal tumour, oral and oesophageal tumours
    • Cleft palate, harelip
    • Peripheral arterial diseases, varicose veins, coarctation of aorta
    • Tumours of thyroid, adrenal glands
    • Breast: abscess, cancer, fibroadenoma, adenosis
    • Bleeding peptic ulcer, tuberculosis of bowel, ulcerative colitis, cancer stomach
    • Renal mass, cancer prostate
    • Haemothorax
    • Stones of gallbladder, kidney, ureter, urinary bladder
  • Management of surgical conditions of rectum, anus, anal canal, gallbladder, and bile ducts
  • Splenomegaly, cholecystitis, portal hypertension, liver abscess, peritonitis, carcinoma head of pancreas
  • Fractures of spine, Colles’ fracture, bone tumours
  • Endoscopy
  • Laparoscopic surgery

Obstetrics and Gynaecology including Family Planning

  • Diagnosis of pregnancy
  • Labour management, complications of 3rd stage, antepartum and postpartum haemorrhage, resuscitation of the newborn, management of abnormal lie and difficult labour
  • Management of small for date or premature newborn
  • Diagnosis and management of anaemia, preeclampsia, toxaemia of pregnancy
  • Management of postmenopausal syndrome
  • Intrauterine devices, pills, tubectomy, vasectomy
  • Medical termination of pregnancy including legal aspects
  • Cancer cervix
  • Leucorrhoea, pelvic pain, infertility, dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), amenorrhoea, fibroid, prolapse of uterus

Community Medicine (Preventive and Social Medicine)

Recommended Resources

Category
Resources
Paper I
Paper II
Supplementary

Preparation Strategy

  • Understand the Syllabus: Prioritize high-weightage topics like General Medicine, Surgery, and Community Medicine. Refer to Paper I and Paper II.
  • Focus on Clinical Applications: Emphasize etiology, diagnosis, and management of diseases, supported by clinical examples.
  • Diagram Proficiency: Practice anatomical diagrams (e.g., heart, kidney) and flowcharts for physiological processes.
  • Current Affairs Integration: Stay updated on health policies, national programs, and disease outbreaks via WHO reports and government health portals.
  • Answer Writing Practice: Write concise, structured answers with clinical data and diagrams. Join test series for feedback.
  • Revise Past Papers: Analyze previous year questions (2018-2024) via Previous Year Questions to identify key areas.
  • Make Notes: Create concise notes for quick revision, focusing on drug mechanisms, disease management, and epidemiological data.
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FAQs on UPSC Optional Subject Syllabus: Medical Science - Medical Science Optional Notes for UPSC

1. What is the syllabus for the UPSC optional subject of Medical Science?
Ans. The syllabus for the UPSC optional subject of Medical Science includes topics such as Human Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Forensic Medicine, Preventive and Social Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, etc. It covers a wide range of medical subjects to assess the candidate's understanding and knowledge in the field.
2. How many papers are there for the UPSC optional subject of Medical Science?
Ans. There are two papers for the UPSC optional subject of Medical Science. Paper-I covers topics such as Human Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, and Pharmacology. Paper-II focuses on subjects like Forensic Medicine, Preventive and Social Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, etc. Each paper carries a maximum of 250 marks.
3. What are the frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the UPSC optional subject of Medical Science?
Ans. Some frequently asked questions related to the UPSC optional subject of Medical Science include: - What is the weightage of the Medical Science optional subject in the UPSC examination? - How can I prepare effectively for the Medical Science optional subject? - Are there any recommended books or study materials for the Medical Science optional subject? - Is it necessary to have a medical background to choose Medical Science as an optional subject? - What are the career prospects after choosing Medical Science as an optional subject in UPSC?
4. Can I choose Medical Science as an optional subject in UPSC without a medical background?
Ans. Yes, you can choose Medical Science as an optional subject in UPSC even if you do not have a medical background. However, it is recommended to have a basic understanding of medical concepts and terminology to grasp the subject effectively. It requires dedicated preparation and a thorough understanding of the syllabus to excel in this optional subject.
5. Are there any specific study materials or books recommended for the UPSC optional subject of Medical Science?
Ans. Yes, there are several recommended study materials and books for the UPSC optional subject of Medical Science. Some popular ones include "Review of Preventive and Social Medicine" by Vivek Jain, "Review of Pathology and Genetics" by Gobind Rai Garg and Sparsh Gupta, "Essentials of Medical Pharmacology" by KD Tripathi, and "Self-Assessment & Review of Basic Subjects" by Arvind Arora. It is advisable to refer to these books along with the standard medical textbooks to cover the entire syllabus comprehensively.
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