Mains Exam Notes
PAPER-II
General Studies-I
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society
Topic-1: Indian Culture Will Cover The Salient Aspects Of Art Forms, Literature And Architecture From Ancient To Modern Times
Topic-2: Modern Indian History From About The Middle Of The Eighteenth Century Until The Present- Significant Events, Personalities, Issues
Topic-3: The Freedom Struggle – Its Various Stages And Important Contributors /Contributions From Different Parts Of The Country
Topic-4: Post-Independence Consolidation And Reorganization Within The Country
Topic-5: History Of The World Will Include Events From 18th Century Such As Industrial Revolution, World Wars, Redrawal Of National Boundaries, Colonization, Decolonization, Political Philosophies Like Communism, Capitalism, Socialism Etc.- Their Forms And Effect On The Society
Topic-6: Salient Features Of Indian Society, Diversity Of India
Topic-7: Role Of Women And Women’s Organization, Population And Associated Issues, Poverty And Developmental Issues, Urbanization, Their Problems And Their Remedies
Toipic-8: Effects Of Globalization On Indian Society
Topic-9: Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism & Secularism
Topic-10: Salient Features Of World’s Physical Geography
Topic-11: Distribution Of Key Natural Resources Across The World (Including South Asia And The Indian Subcontinent); Factors Responsible For The Location Of Primary, Secondary, And Tertiary Sector Industries In Various Parts Of The World (Including India)
Topic-12: Important Geophysical Phenomena Such As Earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic Activity, Cyclone Etc., Geographical Features And Their Location- Changes In Critical Geographical Features (Including Water Bodies And Ice-Caps) And In Flora And Fauna And The Effects Of Such Changes
PAPER-III
General Studies-II
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations
Topic-1: Indian Constitution- Historical Underpinnings, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Significant Provisions And Basic Structure
Topic-2: Functions And Responsibilities Of The Union And The States, Issues And Challenges Pertaining To The Federal Structure, Devolution Of Powers And Finances Up To Local Levels And Challenges Therein
Topic-3: Separation Of Powers Between Various Organs Dispute Redressal Mechanisms And Institutions
Topic-4: Comparison Of The Indian Constitutional Scheme With That Of Other Countries
Topic-5: Parliament And State Legislatures – Structure, Functioning, Conduct Of Business, Powers & Privileges And Issues Arising Out Of These
Topic-6: Structure, Organization And Functioning Of The Executive And The Judiciary Ministries And Departments Of The Government; Pressure Groups And Formal/Informal Associations And Their Role In The Polity
Topic-7: Salient Features Of The Representation Of People’s Act
Topic-8: Appointment To Various Constitutional Posts, Powers, Functions And Responsibilities Of Various Constitutional Bodies
Topic-9: Statutory, Regulatory And Various Quasi-Judicial Bodies
Topic-10: Government Policies And Interventions For Development In Various Sectors And Issues Arising Out Of Their Design And Implementation
Topic-11: Development Processes And The Development Industry- The Role Of NGOs, SHGs, Various Groups And Associations, Donors, Charities, Institutional And Other Stakeholders
Topic-12: Welfare Schemes For Vulnerable Sections Of The Population By The Centre And States And The Performance Of These Schemes; Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions And Bodies Constituted For The Protection And Betterment Of These Vulnerable Sections
Topic-13: Issues Relating To Development And Management Of Social Sector/Services Relating To Health, Education, Human Resources
Topic-14: Issues Relating To Poverty And Hunger
Topic-15: Important Aspects Of Governance, Transparency And Accountability, E-Governance- Applications, Models, Successes, Limitations, And Potential; Citizens Charters, Transparency & Accountability And Institutional And Other Measures
Topic-16: Role Of Civil Services In A Democracy
Topic-17: India And Its Neighborhood- Relations
Topic-18: Bilateral, Regional And Global Groupings And Agreements Involving India And/Or Affecting India’s Interests
Topic-19: Effect Of Policies And Politics Of Developed And Developing Countries On India’s Interests, Indian Diaspora
Topic-20: Important International Institutions, Agencies And Fora- Their Structure, Mandate
PAPER-IV
General Studies-III
Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
Topic-1: Indian Economy And Issues Relating To Planning, Mobilization Of Resources, Growth, Development And Employment
Topic-2: Inclusive Growth And Issues Arising From It
Topic-3: Government Budgeting
Topic-4: Major Crops Cropping Patterns In Various Parts Of The Country, Different Types Of Irrigation And Irrigation Systems Storage, Transport And Marketing Of Agricultural Produce And Issues And Related Constraints; E-Technology In The Aid Of Farmers
Topic-5: Issues Related To Direct And Indirect Farm Subsidies And Minimum Support Prices; Public Distribution System- Objectives, Functioning, Limitations, Revamping; Issues Of Buffer Stocks And Food Security; Technology Missions; Economics Of Animal-Rearing
Topic-6: Food Processing And Related Industries In India-Scope And Significance, Location, Upstream And Downstream Requirements, Supply Chain Management
Topic-7: Land Reforms In India
Topic-8: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy And Their Effects On Industrial Growth
Topic-9: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc
Topic-10: Investment Models
Topic-11: Science And Technology- Developments And Their Applications And Effects In Everyday Life
Topic-12: Achievements Of Indians In Science & Technology; Indigenization Of Technology And Developing New Technology
Topic-13: Awareness In The Fields Of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-Technology, Bio-Technology And Issues Relating To Intellectual Property Rights
Topic-14: Conservation, Environmental Pollution And Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment
Topic-15: Disaster And Disaster Management
Topic-16: Linkages Between Development And Spread Of Extremism
Topic-17: Role Of External State And Non-State Actors In Creating Challenges To Internal Security
Topic-18: Challenges To Internal Security Through Communication Networks, Role Of Media And Social Networking Sites In Internal Security Challenges, Basics Of Cyber Security; Money-Laundering And Its Prevention
Topic-19: Security Challenges And Their Management In Border Areas; Linkages Of Organized Crime With Terrorism
Topic-20: Various Security Forces And Agencies And Their Mandate
