- Constable — preliminary and final paper
- English; arithmetic at SSC standard; test of reasoning and mental ability; general science; the history of India, Indian culture and the national movement; Indian geography, polity and economy; and current events of national and international importance. The preliminary and final papers are set on the same syllabus at Intermediate standard, so preparation for one is preparation for both.
- Sub-Inspector — arithmetic and reasoning
- Arithmetic at SSC standard — number systems, percentages, ratio, averages, profit and loss, interest, time and work, time and distance, mensuration — together with verbal and non-verbal reasoning, analogy, classification, series, coding, direction sense and problem solving. Examined as a paper of its own in both the preliminary test and the final examination.
- Sub-Inspector — general studies
- The same subject areas as the Constable paper but at degree standard: general science and its applications, Indian history with weight on the national movement, Indian geography, the Constitution and polity, the economy, current affairs and the Andhra Pradesh state layer — its history, geography, economy and administration.
- Sub-Inspector — English
- A descriptive paper at degree standard: comprehension, précis, letter and report writing, essay, grammar and usage. Qualifying only, at 40, 35 or 30 per cent by category.
- Sub-Inspector — Telugu or Urdu
- A descriptive paper in the language chosen at application: comprehension, translation to and from English, essay and composition. Qualifying only, on the same thresholds.
The syllabus is published as an annexure inside each notification rather than as a separate document, and it is short — a list of subject headings rather than topics. Read it as a statement of standard rather than of content: "SSC standard" for arithmetic and "degree standard" for general studies are the instructions, and previous cut-offs are the best evidence of how hard the board actually sets the paper.
