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General Studies Syllabus

Current Events of National and International Importance
History of India and Indian National Movement
General and Day-to-day Science
Indian and World Geography
Indian Polity and Economy
General Mental Ability

Prelims

Preparing General Studies for prelims requires analytical, conceptual and critical approach with speedy selection of the answer. Paper I (General Studies) carries 200 marks, which has 100 multiple-choice questions, which are to be answered in 120 minutes. That makes one question to answer in less than a minute.

As there is no choice of subject for Paper-I and all the candidates are required to solve the same questions, this paper assumes enormous importance, as anyone spoiling this paper cannot have any chance of qualifying the examination.

In current events, knowledge of significant national and international events will be tested. In History of India, emphasis will be on broad general understanding of the subject in its social, economic and political aspects.

Questions in General Science will cover general appreciation and understanding of science including matters of everyday observation and experience, as may be expected of a well-educated person who has not made a special study of any particular scientific discipline.

Questions on the Indian National Movement will relate to the nature and character of the nineteenth century resurgence, growth of nationalism and attainment of independence.

In Geography, emphasis will be on Geography of India. Questions on the Geography of India will relate to physical, social and economic Geography of the country, including the main features of Indian agricultural and natural resources.

Questions on Indian Polity and Economy will test knowledge of the country’s political system and Constitution of India, Panchyati Raj, Social systems and economic developments of India. On general mental ability, the candidates will be tested on reasoning and analytical abilities.

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Main Examination

The nature and standard of questions in the main paper is such that a well-educated person is able to answer without any specialized study. They are framed so as to test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects that have relevance for a career in civil services.

The syllabus for each test is different. These tests aim to judge your awareness and well as your understanding and analysis of contemporary events.

Paper - I *

(a) History of Modern India and Indian Culture

The history of modern India, will cover history of the country form about the middle of nineteenth century and would also include questions on important personalities who shaped the freedom movement and social reforms the part relating to Indian culture form the ancient to modern times.

(b) Geography of India

In this, the questions will be asked on physical, economic and social geography of India.

(c) Indian Polity

This part will include questions on the constitution of India political system and related matters.

(d) Current National Issues

This part is intended to test the candidate’s awareness of current national issues and topics of social relevance in the present day India It includes topics such as demography, human resource and related issues, behavioral and social issues, social welfare problems such as child labor, gender equality, adult literacy, rehabilitation of the handicapped and other deprived segments of the society drug abuse public health etc. Law enforcement issues, human rights, corruption in public life communal harmony etc, Internal security and the related issues.

Environmental issues: ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources and national heritage the role of national institution their relevance and for change.

The role of national institution, their relevance and need for change.

Paper - II **

(a) India and the World

This part in intended to test candidate’s awareness of India’s relationship with the world in various spheres, such as the following:

(b) Indian Economy

In this part, questions will be on the planning and economic development of India, economic & trade issues, Foreign Trade, the role of and functions of IMF, World Bank, WTO etc.

(c) International Affairs & Institutions

This part will include questions on important
events in world affairs and on international
institutions.

(d) Development in the field of science &
Technology, communication and space.

In this part, questions will test the candidate’s awareness of the developments in the field of science & technology, communications and space and also basic ideas of computers.

(e) Statistical analysis, graph and diagrams

This part will include exercises to test the candidate’s ability to draw common sense conclusions from information presented in statistical, graphical or diagrammatical from and to point out deficiencies, limitations or inconsistencies therein.

Contemporary social issues and Indian Polity has been given more weight age in the examination as compare to other subjects like the History of Modern India since the revision of Main GS Syllabus in year 2000.

The relative marks assigned to each topic for Paper I is as follows:

History & Culture (90 marks), Indian Geography (30), Indian Polity (100) and Contemporary issues (80).

The candidates are required to keep in the mind the relative significance of the above topics and should make the preparation accordingly.

The1857 revolution, Major Reformers & Civil revolution, Establishment of Indian National Conference, Swadeshi Movement, Role of Gandhi in National Movement, Constitutional Developments, Urbanization, Demography & National Policies are the important topics from which the questions are generally framed in the main examination.

Indian polity has recently been gaining higher status. The questions are mostly asked abut the contemporary changes in political ideologies.

The social issue such as child labour, old age literacy, Human rights, problems of disabled AIDS, Millitancy, etc are the important social topics from point of view of the main examination. The cadidates are expected to write analytical answers on these topics.

The relative weight ages for the topics in Paper II are:

Indian & world (50), Indian economy (90), Inter national issues & institutions (50), Science & Technology (70) and Statistics (40).

Foreign policy, Defense, Major Organizations, Indian Economy has Planning, Agricultural Industry and Foreign Trade Banking are important topics from which questions are asked.

Biotechnology, Space technology, Information technology, Ecology, and Missile Technology are important topics in Science & Technology.

The statistical analysis requires regular practice.

Nature of questions

To be specific the basic nature of questions that are being asked from different parts of GS can be
understood with examples as

Physical geographical & geological structure, soil vegetation of India, demographic traits, current economic developments forms important aspects of geography as questions are generally framed form these.
Economic terminologies, planning, fiscal policies, financial policies facts and figures from the latest economic surveys recent change over in the economic status of the country are significant portions of Indian economy.
Chronological sequence of the major historical events of ancient, medieval & modern times, the significance of the each event in carving socio-economic political order of the country & the major comments or statements made by different senior leaders of the respective times are significant of Indian History.
Applicability of different articles of the constitution, contemporary modifications & applications of the constitutional clauses, functioning of Judiciary, Legislature and financial bodies forms the major Indian policy portions.

General Science includes physical science portions as periodic tables, basic organic & inorganic chemistry, nuclear, atomic and space science, Ion life sciences genetics, cell biology, scientific terminology, basic human physiology, ecology & environment

Reading material

Reading references to be minimal and to the point requires all the relevant NCERT texts along with India Year Book, Economic surveys, Yojna (Monthly Magazine) DD Basu, Indian Polity, Dutt & Sundaram Indian Economy.

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SYLLABUS

TEST RELATED REFERENCE & TEXT

TOPIC- GEOGRAPHY• Physical Geography - Goh-Cheng Leong , NCERT (11 std) New Version• Economic Geography- Made simple part - 1 ( 11 Std Old Version)• Social Geography/ India - 11th class N.C.E.R.T (11 & 12 Std ) 4 NCERT• Indian Agriculture & National Resources- 12th class (N.C.E.R.T.) & INDIA 2012,Hindu Survey

TOPIC- HISTORY Ancient India- (Old N.C.E.R.T.) Medival India- (Old N.C.E.R.T.)General Trend :- • Harappan Culture, (chapter 7) • Aryans and Age of Rig Veda (chapter 8) Late Vedic (chapter 9) • Jainism & Buddhism (chapter 10) • Magadhan Empire (chapter 11)Buddha (chapter 13) • Maurya (chapter 14, 15 & 16) • Satavahans (chapter 17)Cultural development in India (chapter 11) • Mughals & Afgans (chapter 12) Deccan (chapter 14) Mughals Empire (chapter 15) Economic and social life Mughal (chapter 16, 17, 18 & 19)Indian National Movement:- (Old N.C.E.R.T. XII) Nature and Character of the 19th century growth of Nationalism and Independence and National Movement. Book VIIIth class N.C.E.R.T. (All chapter) & XII Class N.C.E.R.T.

TOPIC - INDIAN POLITY AND GOVERNANCE•Political System & Constitution of India- Panchayati Raj, Current Polity (election, Article and Act, Center and State Relation, Parliamentary terms) Book Our Constitution- Subhas Kashyap or D.D. Basu & A.R. Desai• Our Parliament- Subhas Kashyap • 11th class N.C.E.R.T.• Hindu Editorial (News Paper Special Issue ) & India Year Book 2012(Publication Division) Democratic Politics - II (NCERT ,Class - X) Indian Constitution at Work (Class XI, New)

TOPIC- ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTSustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographic, social sector initiatives, Economic development in India.Book Indian Ecomonic development (NCERT, Class xi),Understanding Development (NCERT , Class X) Resources and Development (NCERT, Class VIII)• Economy Survey 2012 (Government of India) • India 2012 (Year Book) Ch. 1, 4, 7, 11, 12, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25 & 30• Budget (Union Budget /Rail Budget) Special Issue YOJANA (March Issue 2012)

TOPIC- GENERAL SCIENCE • Physics, Chemistry & Biology Required Book:- • 8 to 10th Std. N.C.E.R.T. and What, Why, How.(Series)

TOPIC- ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND BIO-DIVERSITY Fundamental of environmental realms, Principle of ecology ,Conservation and preservation approaches, Causes and Consequences of climate change.Book : Environment & Development (NCERT ) India Environment (NCERT, Class XI)Environmental( Botkin &Killer) Hindu Environment Survey 2011, IGNOU ( An Introduction the Environment – NEV - 001

TOPIC - CURRENT EVENTS Daily updating change, Sports, National & International Boundary dispute, Resources - discovery, Science & Technology, Nuclear Space Research, Computer, Disasters, WTO, WHO, Persons in News. Reference : Hindu News Paper , Manorama Year Book , India Year Book , Monthly Magazine (Yojana) Periodicals & Civil Services Times Magazine

Test Details Test for Gs + CSAT are 19. * These are framed on New UPSC pattern * Test enrolment can be taken without class enrolment * Details of answer will be provided after the test along with key * Result of the test will be displayed within 10 days * Test Discussion for the conducted tests will be held as per schedule. * Fee : 5100 /- Concession Ex students : 2550/-

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Study Material

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General Studies