The Sikkim Public Service Commission (SPSC) conducts the Combined Recruitment Examination (CRE) to fill administrative posts in the state. The selection process is carried out in three successive stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Mains Examination
- Interview / Personality Test
Stage I: Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary exam serves as a screening test to shortlist candidates for the Mains. It consists of two objective-type papers.
SPSC Prelims Exam Pattern
| Feature | Paper-I | Paper-II |
| Subjects Covered | General Studies | Aptitude Test (CSAT) |
| Number of Questions | 100 | 100 |
| Total Marks | 200 Marks | 200 Marks |
| Duration | 2 Hours | 2 Hours |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark deducted for every wrong answer | 1/3 mark deducted for every wrong answer |
SPSC Prelims Syllabus
Paper I: General Studies
- Current events of national and international importance.
- History of India and Indian National Movement.
- Indian and World Geography (Physical, Social, Economic).
- Indian Polity and Governance (Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.).
- Economic and Social Development (Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, etc.).
- General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change.
- General Science.
Paper II: CSAT
- Comprehension.
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability.
- Decision-making and problem-solving.
- General mental ability.
- Basic numeracy and Data interpretation (Class X level).
Stage II: Mains Examination
The Mains exam is descriptive in nature and consists of one qualifying paper and three merit-based papers.
SPSC Mains Exam Pattern
| Papers | Subject | Total Marks | Question Paper Pattern | Duration |
| Qualifying Paper | General English | 300 | MCQ (150 Marks) & Conventional/Essay (150 Marks) | 3 Hours |
| Paper I (Merit) | General Studies | 300 | MCQ (150 Marks) & Conventional/Essay (150 Marks) | 3 Hours |
| Paper II (Merit) | Optional Subject Paper-I | 300 | MCQ (150 Marks) & Conventional/Essay (150 Marks) | 3 Hours |
| Paper III (Merit) | Optional Subject Paper-II | 300 | MCQ (150 Marks) & Conventional/Essay (150 Marks) | 3 Hours |
Note: The English paper is of Matriculation standard and is qualifying only; its marks are not counted for final ranking.
SPSC Mains Syllabus
Qualifying Paper: English
- Comprehension of given passages.
- Precise Writing.
- Usage and Vocabulary.
- Short Essays.
Paper I: General Studies
- History & Culture: Indian Culture (Ancient to Modern), Modern Indian History, Freedom Struggle, Post-independence consolidation, and World History (Industrial Revolution, World Wars, etc.).
- Society: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity, Role of women, Population issues, Poverty, Urbanization, and Globalization effects.
- Geography: World’s physical geography and Geophysical phenomena (Earthquakes, Tsunami, etc.).
- Polity & Governance: Indian Constitution, Union and State functions, Federal structure challenges, Parliament and State legislatures, and Civil services role in democracy.
- International Relations: India and its neighborhood relations, regional and global groupings.
- Economy: Indian Economy, Planning, Growth, Budgeting, and Agriculture (Cropping patterns, Irrigation, Land reforms).
- Science & Environment: Developments in Science and Tech, IT, Space, Robotics, and Environmental pollution/degradation.
- Security: Internal security challenges, Cyber security, and Money-laundering.
Paper II & III: Optional Subject
Candidates must choose one optional subject from a list including (but not limited to): Agriculture, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Engineering (Civil/Electrical/Mechanical), Economics, Geography, History, Law, Management, Mathematics, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Zoology, and Literatures (English, Nepali, Hindi).
Stage III: Interview / Personality Test
The final stage evaluates the candidate’s mental caliber, social traits, and interest in current affairs.
- Total Marks: 100 Marks.
- Evaluation Criteria: Communication skills, problem-solving, general awareness, mental alertness, and knowledge of the customs and dialects of Sikkim.
- Final Ranking: The merit list is prepared out of a total of 1000 marks (900 from Mains Merit Papers + 100 from Interview).