The questions asked from pathology, usually is centered on the common important topics, which the students are familiar from their undergraduate days onwards.
In 2018, many questions came from the oncology portion in pathology. One such question was about Metastasis and the factors related to it. Another was about chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).Oncology, is an important topic in pathology. These topics, at least most of them are linked to similar topics in surgery, medicine and pediatrics. Investing time to learn these topics would be of real help as you gradually progress through the syllabus. Breast cancer, was also asked about in 2018 especially focusing on invasive breast cancer.
In 2016, from oncology, the questions which came were about the difference between dysplasia and metaplasia and classification of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) as per FAB. In 2017, the definition of neoplasam came up. The difference between malignant and benign neoplasia was asked as a connected sub question. Also, carcinoma of cervix was another question from another very important topic in relation to cancer.
Now, we’ll take a look at the other questions which appeared in pathology section these three years. This includes, in 2018, the Pathology of nephrotic syndrome and granulomatous infections. Tuberculous granuloma and its pathology is an often asked question. In such questions usually some portion of the mark will be for a drawing. So, one should always be prepared to draw a simple picture which would clear the concept. Acute proliferative glomerulonephritis came up in 2017
Alcoholic cirrhosis is another area from where questions usually come up. In 2017, this was asked. Liver and its pathology, is very important. So spend some time here and learn about various forms of hepatic inflammation in depth. It would be good if you draw some figures while writing this answer. The lobular structure of liver, the functional units and their blood supply also is very important.
Myocardial infarction, the pathologic changes in relation to that and the enzymatic detection of the same should be thoroughly learnt. You should put some heart into this topic because, UPSC somehow asks about the heart a lot.
Pathology syllabus for UPSC CSE is a little tiresome. But if we can focus on the important areas, as per the previous questions, it is manageable. Please see the image for an overview of the last three years.
