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

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

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)

• Principles, methods, approach, and measurements of Epidemiology
• Nutrition, nutritional diseases/disorders, and Nutrition Programmes
• Health information collection, analysis, and presentation
• Objectives, components, and critical analysis of National programmes for control/eradication of: Malaria, Kala-azar, Filaria, Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, STDs, Dengue
• Critical appraisal of healthcare delivery system
• Health management and administration: Techniques, Tools, Programme Implementation, and Evaluation
• Objectives, components, goals, and status of Reproductive and Child Health, National Rural Health Mission, and Millennium Development Goals
• Management of hospital and industrial waste

Recommended Resources

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.