General Studies - I
A. History & Culture o Indian culture: art forms, literature, architecture from ancient to modern times. o Modern Indian history (~mid-18th century to present) — significant events, personalities, issues o The Freedom Struggle — its stages, contributions from various regions/leaders o Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country o History of the world (18th century onwards): industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies (communism, capitalism, socialism) and their effects on society B. Geography o Physical geography: Salient features of world's physical geography o Economic and human geograohy: Distribution of key natural resources (world + South Asia, Indian subcontinent). Factors for location of primary, secondary, tertiary sector industries o Important geophysical phenomena (earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic activity, cyclones etc.), geographical features and their location, changes in critical geographical features (water bodies, ice-caps) and flora-fauna, effects of such changes C. Society o Indian society: salient features, diversity o Role of women, women's organizations o Population and associated issues o Poverty and developmental issues o Urbanization: problems and remedies o Effects of globalization on Indian society o Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, secularism
General Studies - II
A. Polity & Constitution o Indian Constitution — historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, basic structure o Union - state relations: Functions and responsibilities of Union & States, issues and challenges of federal structure, devolution of powers/finances to local levels. Separation of powers, dispute redressal mechanisms/institutions o Comparative Politics: Comparison of Indian constitutional scheme with other countries o Legislature: Parliament and State Legislatures: structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers, privileges, issues o Executive and Judiciary: Structure, organization, functioning of Executive and Judiciary; Ministries/Departments o Electoral Politics: Salient features of Representation of People's Act o Constitutional Bodies: Appointment to constitutional posts, powers/functions/responsibilities of various constitutional bodies o Non-constitutional Bodies: Statutory, regulatory, and quasi-judicial bodies B. Governance o Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors, issues from their design and implementation o Development processes and development industry — role of NGOs, SHGs, donors, charities, institutional agencies o Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections by Centre/States, performance of these schemes; mechanisms /laws/ institutions/bodies for protection of vulnerable sections o Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services (health, education, HRD) o Issues relating to poverty and hunger o E-governance — applications, models, successes, limitations, potential o Role of civil services in democracy C. Social Justice D. International Relations o India and its neighborhood relations o Bilateral, regional, global groupings and agreements involving India/affecting India's interests o Diaspora and Global Policy Impacts: Effect of policies/politics of developed & developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora o Important International institutions, agencies, fora — structure, mandate
General Studies - III
A. Economy o Indian Economy — planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development, employment o Inclusive growth and issues arising from it o Government Budgeting o Agriculture: Major crops, cropping patterns, irrigation systems; storage, transport, marketing of agri produce; e-technology in aid of farmers Issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; animal husbandry economics o Food processing industries — scope, location, upstream/downstream requirements, supply chain management o Land reforms in India o Effects of liberalization on the economy, industrial policy changes, effects on industrial growth o Infrastructure — Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. Investment models B. Science & Technology o Achievements of Indians in science & tech; indigenization of technology, developing new technology o Awareness in IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nanotech, biotech, IPR issues C. Environment Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment, Biodiversity D. Disaster Management Disaster and disaster management E. Security o Development - Extremism linkage: Linkages between development and spread of extremism o Role of external state/non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security o Communication networks and media: Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media & social networking sites, basics of cyber security o Money-laundering and its prevention o Border security, terrorism and organized crime: Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism o Various security forces/agencies and their mandate
General Studies - IV
o Ethics and Human Interface: essence, determinants, consequences; dimensions of ethics in private/public relationships o Attitude: content, structure, function; influence on thought/behaviour; moral/political attitudes; social influence/persuasion o Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service: integrity, impartiality, objectivity, dedication, compassion for weaker sections o Emotional intelligence: concepts and utility in administration/governance o Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world o Public/Civil Service values, ethics in public administration: status/problems, ethical concerns in international relations, funding, role of NGOs o Corporate governance o Probity in Governance: concept of public service, philosophical basis, Information sharing, transparency, RTI, work culture, Citizen's Charters, ethics codes, ethics committees, challenges of corruption o Case Studies based on the above