🩺 OPTIONAL — MEDICAL SCIENCE

Papers: VI & VII · 500 marks. GS overlap: MODERATE — GS-II (health governance, schemes), GS-III (biotechnology, health tech). Best for: MBBS holders only. The syllabus assumes full medical training.

⚠️ Verify against the current UPSC notification at upsc.gov.in.

PAPER I

1. 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 gland, 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, anatomy of cranial and spinal nerves, component of the brain and spinal cord, lesions of spinal cord.
2. 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 reproduction — function of testes and ovary, menstrual cycle, contraception, pregnancy and parturition; blood — origin, formation and fate of blood cells, anaemia, haemostasis, coagulation, blood transfusion, blood groups; cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and digestive systems — physiology and regulation.
3. Biochemistry: organ function tests — liver, kidney, thyroid; protein synthesis; enzymes — classification, kinetics, regulation; vitamins and minerals; restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP); recombinant DNA technology and its applications; radio-immunoassays (RIA); metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins; free radicals and antioxidants.
4. Pathology: cell injury, necrosis and apoptosis; inflammation and repair; immunopathology; neoplasia — classification, carcinogenesis, tumour markers; pathogenesis and histopathology of rheumatic and ischaemic heart disease; pathogenesis and histopathology of glomerulonephritis; hepatic cirrhosis; tuberculosis of lung and gastrointestinal tract; pathologies of anaemias.
5. 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.
6. Pharmacology: mechanism of action and side effects of — antipyretics and analgesics, antibiotics, antimalarials, antikoch's, antiamoebic, antihypertensives, diuretics, immunosuppressants, anticancer drugs; drugs used in diabetes mellitus and asthma; vaccines.
7. Forensic Medicine and Toxicology: forensic examination of injuries and wounds; examination of blood and seminal stains; poisoning, sedative overdose, hanging, drowning, burns, DNA and finger print study.

PAPER II

1. General Medicine: etiology, clinical features, diagnosis and principles of management of — ischaemic heart disease, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary tuberculosis, pleural effusion, bronchial asthma; peptic ulcer, liver failure, viral hepatitis and cirrhosis of liver; glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis, renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, renovascular hypertension, renal calculi; cerebrovascular accidents, meningitis, encephalitis; diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, adrenal insufficiency; rheumatoid arthritis and SLE; nutritional and vitamin deficiency disorders; anaemias, leukaemias, lymphomas; HIV/AIDS; snake bite; emergency management of poisoning.
2. Paediatrics: immunisation, breastfeeding and infant nutrition; congenital cyanotic heart disease; respiratory distress syndrome; birth asphyxia; diarrhoeal disease and dehydration management; acute respiratory infections; malnutrition — kwashiorkor and marasmus; poliomyelitis, measles, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus.
3. Dermatology: psoriasis, allergic dermatitis, scabies, eczema, vitiligo, leprosy, fungal infections of skin, sexually transmitted diseases.
4. General Surgery: clinical features, causes, diagnosis and principles of management of — cleft palate, harelip; laryngeal tumour, oral and oesophageal tumours; peptic ulcer, carcinoma stomach; obstructive jaundice, gall bladder disease; renal mass, renal calculi; prostate hypertrophy and carcinoma; carcinoma of breast; intestinal obstruction, appendicitis, hernia; fractures — principles of management, common fractures; burns; endocrine surgery — thyroid, adrenal.
5. Obstetrics and Gynaecology including Family Planning: (a) Obstetrics — ante-natal care, complications of pregnancy — anaemia, hypertensive disorders, antepartum and postpartum haemorrhage; management of normal and abnormal labour; diagnosis and management of high-risk pregnancy. (b) Gynaecology — infections of genital tract; dysfunctional uterine bleeding; amenorrhoea; carcinoma cervix; fibroid and prolapse of uterus. (c) Family Planning — conventional contraceptives; IUD, oral pills; male and female sterilisation; medical termination of pregnancy.
6. Preventive and Social Medicine: principles, methods, approach and measurements of Epidemiology; nutrition, nutritional problems, nutritional programmes and their monitoring; social and environmental factors of health and diseases; concept and application of primary health care; health education; maternal and child health; national health programmes; health management and administration — techniques, tools, planning, monitoring and evaluation; international health agencies — WHO, UNICEF, World Bank; demography, population dynamics, family planning; disease surveillance; biomedical waste management.

BOOKLIST

STRATEGY

• PSM (Preventive and Social Medicine) is the highest-yield section for UPSC — it overlaps with GS-II health governance and national health programmes. Master Park thoroughly.
• Answer in points with headings — etiology, clinical features, investigations, management. Never write in flowing prose.
• Draw diagrams and flowcharts for pathogenesis and management algorithms.
• Update national health programmes and schemes annually.
• Solve 15 years of PYQs; UPSC's medical questions are less clinical-depth and more conceptual than professional exams.

Pros: familiar territory for MBBS holders; PSM synergises with GS-II; modest competition. Cons: MBBS required; very large syllabus alongside GS; time-consuming to maintain.