Mains General Studies

PAPER-II

General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society

Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times

Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issue

The Freedom Struggle -its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country

Post-independence consolidation and  reorganization within the country

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

Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India

Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies

Effects of globalization on Indian society

Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism

Salient features of world’s physical geography

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)

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

Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

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

Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions

Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries

Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these

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

Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act

Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies,

Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial  bodies

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders

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

Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

Issues relating to poverty and hunger

Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures

Role of civil services in a democracy

India and its neighborhood-relations

Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora

Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate

PAPER-IV

General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment

Inclusive growth and issues arising from it

Government Budgeting

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

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

Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management

Land reforms in India

Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth

Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc

Investment models

Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology

Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights

Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Disaster and disaster management

Linkages between development and spread of extremism

Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security

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

Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism

Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate

PAPER-V

General Studies- IV:  Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society  Questions may utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects  The following broad areas will be covered

Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in   human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships  Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values

Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion

Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service , integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections

Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance

Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world

Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance

Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption

Case Studies on above issues