General Studies
Paper - I
1. History of Modern India and Indian Culture
(i) Indian History
(a) History of the Country from about the middle of nineteenth century
(b) Important personalities who shaped the freedom movement and social reforms.
(ii) Indian culture
(a) All aspects of Indian culture from the ancient to modern times
(b) Principal features of literature, arts and architecture.
2. Geography of India
(a) Physical geography of India
(b) Economic geography of India
(c) Social geography of India
3. Constitution of India and Indian Polity
(a) Constitution of India
(b) Constitutional, legal, administrative and other issues emerging from the politico-administrative system prevalent in the country
4. Current National Issues and Topics of Social Relevance
(i) Current national issues
(ii) Topics of social relevance in present-day India:
The Indian economy and issues relating to :
a. Planning
b. Mobilization of resources
c. Growth
d. Development
e. Employment.
(ii) Issues arising from the social and economic exclusion of large sections from the benefits of development.
(iii) Issues relating to the development and management of human resource.
(iv) Health issues including:
a. Management of Public Health
b. Health education and
c. Ethical concerns regarding health-care, medical research and pharmaceuticals.
(v) Law and order including:
a. Law enforcement
b. Internal security
c. Preservation of communal harmony.
(vi) Issues relating to good governance and accountability to the citizens including:
a. Maintenance of human rights
b. Probity in public life
(vii) Issues related to:
a. Environmental
b. Ecological preservation
c. Conservation of natural resources and national heritage
Paper - II
1. India and the World
(i) Awareness of India's relationship with the world in various spheres such as the following
(a) Foreign Affairs with special emphasis on India’s relations with neighbouring countries and in the region.
(b) Security and Defence related matters.
(c) Nuclear policy, issues, and conflicts.
(ii) The Indian Diaspora and its contribution to India and the world.
2. India’s Economic Interaction with the World
Economic and trade issues such as
a. Foreign trade
b. Foreign investment
c. Economic and diplomacy issues relating to
i. Oil
ii. Gas
iii. Energy flows
d. The role and functions of
i. I.M.F.
ii. World Bank
iii. W.T.O.
iv. WIPO etc.
which influence India’s economic interaction with other countries and international institutions.
3. Developments in the Field of Science & Technology, IT and space
Developments in the field of
a. Science and technology
b. Information technology
c. Space
d. Basic ideas about:
i. Computers
ii. Robotics
iii. Nanotechnology
iv. Biotechnology
v. Intellectual property rights.
4. International Affairs and Institutions
(i) Important events in World affairs
(ii) International institutions.
5. Statistical analysis, graphs and diagrams
(i) Conclusions from information presented in statistical, graphical or diagrammatical form
(ii) Interpret information presented in statistical, graphical or diagrammatical form