ompulsory Subject - General Studies of Part A - Preliminary Examination of Civil

Services Exam:

General Science.
*

Current events of national and international importance

*

History of India and Indian National Movement

*

Indian and World Geography

*

Indian Polity and Economy

*

General Mental Ability

Questions on 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. 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 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, Panchayati Raj,
Social Systems and economic developments in India. On general mental ability, the
candidates will be tested on reasoning and analytical abilities.

Aim of Main Examination

The main Examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of
understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and
memory.

The scope of the syllabus for the optional subject papers for the examination is broadly of
the honours degree level i.e. a level higher than the bachelors degree and lower than the
masters degree. In the case of Engineering and law, the level corresponds to the
bachelor's degree.

Main
Essay

Candidates will be required to write an essay on a specific topic. The choice of subjects
will be given. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange
their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective
and exact expression.

General Studies - Compulsory of Part B - Main Examination of Civil

Services Exam

General Guidelines: The nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers
will be such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any
specialized study. The questions will be such as to test a candidate’s general awareness of
a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services. The
questions are likely to test the candidate’s basic understanding of all relevant issues, and
ability to analyze, and take a view on conflicting socio-economic goals, objectives and
demands. The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.

PAPER - I 1. History of Modern India and Indian Culture

The History of Modern India will cover history of the Country from 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 will
cover all aspects of Indian culture from the ancient to modern times as well as principal
features of literature, arts and architecture.

2. Geography of India

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

3. Constitution of India and Indian Polity

This part will include questions on the Constitution of India as well as all 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

This part is intended to test the candidate's awareness of current national issues and topics
of social relevance in present-day India, such as the following:

(i) The Indian economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources,
growth, development and employment.
(ii) Issues arising from the social and economic exclusion of large sections from the
benefits of development.
(iii) Other issues relating to the development and management of human resource.
(iv) Health issues including the management of Public Health, Health education and
ethical concerns regarding health-care, medical research and pharmaceuticals.
(v) Law enforcement, internal security and related issues such as the preservation of
communal harmony.
(vi) Issues relating to good governance and accountability to the citizens including the
maintenance of human rights, and of probity in public life.
(vii) Environmental issues, ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources and
national heritage.

PAPER - II 1. India and the World

This part will include questions to test candidate's awareness of India's relationship with
the world in various spheres such as the following:-

• Foreign Affairs with special emphasis on India’s relations with neighbouring

countries and in the region.
• Security and defence related matters.
• Nuclear policy, issues, and conflicts.
• The Indian Diaspora and its contribution to India and the world.

2. India’s Economic Interaction with the World

In this part, questions will be on economic and trade issues such as foreign trade, foreign
investment; economic and diplomacy issues relating to oil, gas and energy flows; the role
and functions of I.M.F., World Bank, W.T.O., 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

In this part, questions will test the candidate's awareness of the developments in the field
of science and technology, information technology, space and basic ideas about
computers, robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology and related issues regarding
intellectual property rights.

4. International Affairs and Institutions

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

5. Statistical analysis, graphs and diagrams

This part will test the candidate's ability to draw conclusions from information presented
in statistical, graphical or diagrammatical form and to interpret them.

books

Reference Book for General Studies and

Optional Subjects
General Studies : PRELIMS

(1) NCERT 8th TO 12th STD.

(2) Prelim’s Manuals - Spectrum or Unique

or TataMcGraw-Hill’s

(3) Any good School Atlas of Geography

(4) India Year Book

(5) History Ancient :

* Romila Thapar
* Medieval : NCERT
* Modern : Bipin Chandra
(6) News Paper

* The Hindu,
* Statesman

(7) Economics :

* Indian Economy by – Dutta &

Sundaram
* Economic Survey
* Pratiyogita Darpan Indian Economy

(8) Science :

* TataMcGraw-Hill’s + NCERT 8th to

12th Std.
* Science & Tech. - by Spectrum
Publication

(9) General Mental Ability :

* TataMcGraw-Hill’s Prelim’s Manual

* Maths by R. S. Aggarwal

(10) Polity :
 * Introduction to Indian Constitution –
D. D. Basu
* Perspectives on Constitution – P.M.
Bakshi

(11) Geography :

* NCERT VIIth to XII std.

* Goh Cheng Leong
* Atlas (School)

(12) Current Affairs :-

* News Paper + Magazines - Civil

Service Times, Competition
* Wizard, India Today, Chronicle,
Yojana, Out look, Front Line, Pratiyogita
Darpan, etc. + Spectrums guide on
current affairs (Published in April &
September)
Mains

1) History : -

• Indian Freedom Struggle of independence - Bipin Chandra

• Culture & Present Movements Relevant sections of - Krishna Reddy
• Socio – Religions Movement - Agnihotri ( Relevant Section )

(2) Economics : -
 • Dutta & Sundaram
• Uma Kapila
• Pratiyogita Darpan ( Indian Eco.)
• Economic Survey
• The Hindu Survey of Indian Industry
• For basic economics read XI th Std book of NCERT

(3) Statistics : -

• XI & XII (NCERT) and Spectrums Book

(4) Polity : -

• Perspectives on Indian Constitution – P. M. Bakshi

(5) India & World :-

• News paper cutting ( The Hindu Editorials) V. N. Khanna

(6) Current Affairs : -

• Spectrums Book (Published in Sept.)

(7) Geography : -

• NCERT ( XI , XII ), Goh Chang Leong , School Atlas

(8) Science & Tech : - Any Prelim Manual