The Assam Public Service Commission is a constitutional body responsible for recruiting qualified candidates for various civil service vacancies in Assam. The commission conducts several examinations, with the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) being the most prestigious for recruitment to the Assam Civil Service, Assam Police Service, and other allied services. This comprehensive guide covers the complete syllabus and examination pattern for APSC CCE.
APSC CCE Exam Pattern
The APSC Combined Competitive Examination follows a two-stage selection process. Candidates must successfully navigate both stages to secure a job in Assam Civil Services.
Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers with objective-type multiple-choice questions.
Papers: 2 (General Studies I and General Studies II)
Duration: 2 hours for each paper
Maximum Marks: 200 marks per paper
Negative Marking: One-fourth mark deduction for each wrong answer
Qualifying Criteria: Minimum 33% marks required in General Studies II
Important Note: 30-35% of questions in General Studies I will be related to Assam.
Exam Centers: The Preliminary Examination is conducted across multiple centres including Amingaon, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Biswanath Chariali, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Diphu, Goalpara, Golaghat, Guwahati, Haflong, Hailakandi, Hamren, Hatsingimari, Hojai, Jorhat, Kajalgaon, Kokrajhar, Majuli, Mangaldoi, Morigaon, Mushalpur, Nagaon, Nalbari, North Lakhimpur, Silchar, Sivasagar, Sonari, Sribhumi, Tamulpur, Tezpur, Tinsukia, and Udalguri.
Syllabus of APSC CCE Prelims
| General Studies I | Syllabus |
| General Studies II | Syllabus |
| Question Paper (GS-I) | 2022 | 2023 |
| Question Paper (GS-II) | 2022 | 2023 |
Main Examination (Written & Interview)
Candidates who qualify in the Preliminary Examination advance to the Main Examination, which includes written papers and an interview.
(A) Written Examination
Selection Ratio: 11-12 times the number of vacancies (category-wise)
Papers: 6 papers (Essay and General Studies)
Duration: 3 hours for each paper
Maximum Marks: 250 marks per paper
Medium: English or Assamese
Exam Center: Guwahati
Syllabus of APSC CCE Written Exam
| Essay | Sample |
| General Studies I | Syllabus |
| General Studies II | Syllabus |
| General Studies III | Syllabus |
| General Studies IV | Syllabus |
| General Subject Paper on Assam | Syllabus |
(B) Interview Test
Selection Ratio: 1:3 against the number of vacancies
Maximum Marks: 180 marks
Focus Areas: Mental alertness, critical thinking, logical exposition, judgment, depth of interest, social cohesion, leadership, and intellectual integrity
Format: Purposive conversation rather than cross-examination
Important Note: No qualifying marks for the interview; scores are added to written examination marks
Final Selection and Merit Ranking
The Assam Public Service Commission employs a meticulous process for preparing the final merit list for APSC CCE 2025. After completion of both the written examination and interview stages, the Commission calculates each candidate’s aggregate score by combining their performance in all six written papers (totalling 1500 marks) and the personal interview (180 marks), for a grand total of 1680 marks.
This comprehensive assessment forms the basis of the final merit ranking, which strictly adheres to the principles of merit-based selection. Based on this merit list, candidates are then allocated to various civil service vacancies according to three critical factors: their overall rank in the merit list, the service preferences they expressed in their application forms, and the applicable reservation rules that ensure representation across all sections of society.
The APSC maintains absolute transparency in this selection process and recommends exactly the same number of candidates as the number of vacancies notified in the official advertisement. Importantly, the Commission ensures that no candidate is recommended for a vacancy they have not specifically opted for, respecting the candidates’ career preferences while maintaining the integrity of the selection process. This rigorous final selection methodology guarantees that only the most qualified and deserving candidates enter the prestigious civil services of Assam.
Books for APSC CCE Preparation
A quality guidebook can significantly enhance your preparation. Here are some recommended books for different topics.
APSC Question Papers: APSC CCE Prelims Solved Papers
Assam History: Assam: From Yandabo To Partition
Assam-Related Topics: Assam Year Book (English), Assam Year Book (Assamese)
Computer Awareness: Objective Computer Awareness
Current Affairs: Manorama Year Book 2025
General English: Objective General English by SP Bakshi
General Knowledge: Lucent’s General Knowledge
Geography: Indian and World Geography
Indian Economy: Pratiyogita Darpan General Studies: Indian Economy
Indian Polity: Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth
Modern Indian History: Modern India by Rajiv Ahir
Numerical Ability: Fast Track Objective Arithmetic
Reasoning: Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal
Remember that while guidebooks are valuable resources, they should supplement your studies rather than replace dedicated preparation. Consistent effort, disciplined study routines, and comprehensive coverage of the syllabus are essential for success in the APSC CCE examination.
Stay updated with the official APSC website for the latest notifications, syllabus changes, and examination dates for APSC CCE 2025.
