Core-General Studies

For All competitive exams

1.Priority topics, study resources
2.Notes making
3.Q & A session / email
All PowerPoint Slides available
at Mrunal.org/Download

About yourself?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Fresh graduates, Stream

Ahmedabad vs. outside
Previous SPIPA, UPSC
CSAT-2014
SSC, IBPS, RBI, CAPF, CDS,
MBA
6. Site?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Polity (Constitution)
Economy
History
Geography
Environment & Biodiversity
Science
International Relation (CDS,
CAPF)
8. PIN, Awards, Sports (Hardly in
UPSC)

GA | GK | GS

6/8 Pillars
@MCQ
stage

UPSC CSAT 2013: Topicwise Breakup

Current Affairs

1. National- polity,
admin, Development
2. Economy
3. Science-Tech
4. International
5. Sports, PIN

Polity Books DD Basu, Kashyap, MV Paylee

Laxmikanth
CSAT, SSC
CAPF,CDS
State PSC

LucentGK
Banking
PSU

Polity : Parallel Study

1. President, VP
2. PM, Cabinet
3. Parliament
(Budget,
Committee)
4. SC
5. UPSC
6. 7th Sch. Union

1. Governor
2. CM
3. SLA/Vidhan
Sabha
4. High court
5. State PSC
6. 7th Sch. State,
Concurrent

7. FR, FD, DPSP, Alien

th
th
8. Amendment, J&K, 5 & 6
9. Finance commission =>
Planning Commission
=>NDC [12th FYP,
Schemes=> Economic
Survey]

Polity
Remaining
Blocks

10.Local Governance [PRI,

ULB]
11.Bodies: Statutory,
Constitutional- str,
functions, Person in
news
12.[British India acts,
reforms => History]

Polity
Remaining
Blocks

UPSC CDS(I)2014: NCERT Political science

Political theory ____.
1. deals with the ideas and Principles that shape
Constitutions
2. clarifies the meaning of freedom, equality and justice
3. probes the significance of principles of rule of law,
separation of power and judicial review
Correct Statements are:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 only
C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1,2 and 3 (Class11, Page6)

1. Skip

2. Attempt

3. Mark

13.NCERT Political science,

Sociology
(Mrunal.org/DOWNLOAD)
14.MCQs: Laxmikanth, GS
Manual, previous papers
LATER
1. Bills, Act: PRSindia.org
2. Parliament Handbook

Polity
Additional
After
Laxmikanth

1. EVM Totalizer, VVPAT

2. Twin nominations
3. Indelible ink, Deposits
4. RPA Act 126, 130
5. Leader of opposition
6. Lok Pal Selection,
JAC

Polity
Mrunal.org
/CURRENT

2013: National Development Council includes

1. The Prime Minister

2. The Chairman, Finance Commission
3. Ministers of the Union Cabinet
4. Chief Ministers of the States
Select the correct answer using the codes given
below:
A. 1, 2 & 3 only
B. 1, 3 & 4 only
C. 2 & 4 only
D. 1,
3&4
1.2,
Skip
2. Attempt
3. Mark

Types of MCQs
1. 2TF, 3TF, 4TF, 5TF (LAXMIKANTH by
heart)
2. Bodies: Procedure, function, jurisdiction
3. Match the following: years, articles,
functions
4. Person in news (PIN) not asked

1. Skip

2. Attempt

3. Mark

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Polity
Economy
History
Geography
Environment Biodiversity
Science (SSC, CDS, CAPF)
International Relation (CDS,
CAPF)
8. PIN, Awards, Sports (Hardly in
UPSC)

GA | GK | GS

MCQ
stage

How to approach Economy

Micro
Macro
Economy
Indian

International

Not Essential for Economy

Economy: Dutt Sundaram, Uma Kapila

Budget Speech
Economic Survey

1. NCERT Class11 Indias

Eco. Development
2. NCERT Class 12 Micro
+ Macro (SELECTIVE)
3. SELECTIVE: Ref.
Mrunal.org/economy

Economy
SPIPA:
Entrance

youtube.com/user/TheMrunalPatel

Videos
+
PowerPoints

How to approach Economy

Micro

Monetary Policy &

FI

Fiscal Policy

Econo
my

Macro
Indian
International

BoP + Foreign
Trade
Industries, infra.

Sust. + HRD
PIN, Biz GK

Economy
Financial
Intermediari
es

1.Banking=> RBI=> New license,

White label ATM, vs. NBFC
2.Finance=> SEBI => ord., Sahara,
3.Insurance=> IRDA, FDI
4.PFRDA, EPFO

Economy
Circular
Flow of
income=> FI

How to approach Economy

Micro

Monetary Policy &

FI

Fiscal Policy

Econo
my

Macro
Indian
International

BoP + Foreign
Trade
Industries, infra.

Sust. + HRD
PIN, Biz GK

1.Interim Budget, Railway

budget 2014
2.Budget-2014, Polity
angle Laxmikanth
3.Tax provisions, collection
order, Gross vs NET
4.Schemes-subsidies

Economy
Fiscal Policy

1.Deficit formulas
2.FRBM-Targets
3.Tax reform: DTC, GAAR,
VAT, GST, BTT, Money
laundering
4.Disinvestment, CPSEETF

Economy
Fiscal Policy

How to approach Economy

Micro

Monetary Policy &

FI

Fiscal Policy

Econo
my

Macro
Indian
International

BoP + Foreign
Trade
Industries, infra.

Sust. + HRD
PIN, Biz GK

1. BoT, Trade deficit

2. Import, export, trade
partners
3. CAD, figures, target
2014, reforms
4. Forex reserve
components, ranking

Economy

BoP, Foreign
Trade

5. FDI, FII definitions,

Mayaram, Convertibility
6. QE, Fed Tapering, Their
impact
7. World Bank, IMF, ADB,
WTO, BRICS BANK
8. Trade pacts: DTAA, BIPA,
FTA

Economy

BoP,
Foreign
Trade,
Investment

How to approach Economy

Micro

Monetary Policy &

FI

Fiscal Policy

Econo
my

Macro
Indian
International

BoP + Foreign
Trade
Industries, infra.

Sust. + HRD
PIN, Biz GK

GDP share of various

industries
Companies Act: ID,
women director, e-voting
Unorganized sector, law
WPI, CPI, IIP

Economy

Industries,
infra

Ports: major, minor; Railways

basic (gauge)
Bodies: CCI, TRAI, AAI, NHAI,
structure-function
SEZ, land acquisition salient
features
Geography angle: industries,
corridors

Economy

Industries,
infra

How to approach Economy

Micro

Monetary Policy &

FI

Fiscal Policy

Econo
my

Macro
Indian
International

BoP + Foreign
Trade
Industries, infra.

Sust. + HRD
PIN, Biz GK

Definition, who?
MDG, HDI-2014, Indias
performance
Census 2011, ranking
Schemes for weaker section:
POST-Budget-2014
Background: Investopedia,
Arthpedia, Ramesh Singh, Sanjeev
Verma etc.

Economy
Sustainable
Development
+ HRD

How to approach Economy

Micro

Monetary Policy &

FI

Fiscal Policy

Econo
my

Macro
Indian
International

CAPF; CDS; SSC;

RBI, IBPS
Interview

BoP + Foreign
Trade
Industries, infra.

Sust. + HRD
PIN, Biz GK

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Polity
Economy
History
Geography
Environment Biodiversity
Science (SSC, CDS, CAPF)
International Relation (CDS,
CAPF)
8. PIN, Awards, Sports (Hardly in
UPSC)

GA | GK | GS

@ MCQ
stage

Old NCERT

History (India,
World)
=>Tamilnadu ; GS
Manual
Geography
(USSR)
Economy
(academic)

New NCERT (7 to 12)

History (Art,
culture, religion)
Geography
Economy (11,
12)
Science
Pol.Sci., Socio

How to approach History

History
CSAT
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
StatePSC

Ancient
Medieval

Modern
(Freedom)
Post
Independence
World

first
Mains

History
Tamilnadu Class 11 12
(Mrunal.org/Download)
Revision table

Prelim + Mains

Quick reference + MCQs

Used 2nd hand

copies

Ignore if u have
not read earlier

Freedom Fighters (UPSC)

History : Mains GS1 (Post independence +

world)
Bipan

Jain

Useful

Norman Lowe

Arjun Dev

Mrunal.org/history

How to approach History

History
CSAT
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
StatePSC

Ancient
Medieval

Modern
(Freedom)
Post
Independence
World

first
Mains

EASY

How to approach Freedom Struggle

History
CSAT
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
State
service

Ancient

1857

Medieval

Reformers

Modern
(Freedom)
Post
Independence

ModerateExtremist

World

British
Reponses

Gandhi

Even before 1857

GG & their contribution
1857 reasons,
consequences
Revolts: peasant, Tribal
(Mrunal./Polity =>Land
reform)

Ancient | Medieval

Advent of
Europeans

1857: causes, events,

consequences
Reformers
Org. founders
Newspaper, books
Edu. Commission
(Hunter, Sadler..)

British Raj

1857 &
after

CAPF-2014
Who translated Dinabandhu Mitras play
Neel Darpan into English?
A. Reverend James Long
B. Dwarkanath Tagore
C. Michael Madhusudan Dutta (correct,
Pearson)
D. Rabindranath Tagore
1. Skip

2. Attempt

3. Mark

CAPF 2013 (3rd March Hindu)

In March 2014 mortal remains 1857 mutineers
were exhumed from a well at ____. These
remains are of ____ soldiers.
Choices:
A. Jallianwala Bagh, 36 Regiment of Sikh
Infantry
B. Lahore, 75 Regular Native Infantry Regiment
C. Ajnala, 26 Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
D. Satti Chaura Ghat, 19 Regiment of Bengal
Native Infantry
1. Skip
2. Attempt
3. Mark

How to approach Freedom Struggle

History
CSAT
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
State
service

Ancient

1857

Medieval

Reformers

Modern
(Freedom)
Post
Independence

ModerateExtremist

World

British
Reponses

Gandhi

1. Congress: GK session,
President
2. Moderate, Extremist, Surat
split
3. Home Rule, Beasant vs Tilak
4. Swaraj Party, Nehru report
5. Provincial Ministries vs
Muslim League

British Raj

Modern:
Moderates

1.Leaders (Bhagat
Singh)
2.org., newspapers
3.Conspiracy cases,
4.INA trial
5.RIN Mutiny

British Raj

Modern:
Revolution

1. Champaran, Abad,
Kheda;
2. NCM, Khilafat, CDM,
QIM, Partition
3. Gandhi-Irwin, GandhiAmebedkar, GandhiBose
4. Other freedom fighters
(mains)

British Raj

Gandhi

1.Reforms: Morley
Minto; MontagueChelmsford
2.Acts: 1909, 1919,
1935 & 1947;
(Laxmikanth)

British Raj

British
Response

British Raj

1. Anti-Reforms: Rowlett,
British
Jalliyanwala, Simon,
Response
RTC, Communal award
2. Partition: Linlithgow
offer, Wavell plan,
Cabinet Mission , Cripps
Mission, Mountbatton

How to approach History

History
CSAT
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
StatePSC

Ancient
Medieval

Modern
(Freedom)
Post
Independence
World

Tamilnadu Class 11 12 (/download)

Ancient
Medieval
Freedom
struggle
World History

Ancient

Tamilnadu Class 11 | old NCERT

New NCERT
Lucent GK (Ready revision tables)
General Studies Manual (MCQ)

Harappa
What found where?
Causes of decline
Vedic age basic (Sabha,
Samiti, litt.)

Ancient | Medieval

Ancient: What
to prepare?

1. Pillar doctrine
2. Sect, kings, travelers
3. Council
4. Places, monuments.
features

Ancient | Medieval

Buddism
Jainism
DETAIL

CSAT 2012: Difference between Chaitya & Vihar

A. Vihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya

is the dwelling place of the monks
B. Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara
is the dwelling place of the monks
C. Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the
cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to it
D. There is no material difference between
the two
1. Skip

2. Attempt

3. Mark

3 Mauryan Kings (victories, policies,

arch.)
1. Chandragupta Maurya
2. Bindusara
3. Asoka (pillar, messages)
+ Greek Envoys, Foreign
Travelers
+ caves, art form, authors
IGNORE: Bimbisara- Ajatshatru,
Udayin, Shisunag & Nanda.

Ancient | Medieval

Harappa
Vedic Age
Jain-Buddhism

1.Pushyamitra
2.RudraDaman
3.Kanishka
(Buddhism)

Ancient | Medieval

Only 3 After
Maurya

1. Samudragupta &
Vikramaditya
2. Harshavardhan & Huien
Tsang (TN)
3. Pala-Pallav-PratiharRahstrakuta (Culture)

Ancient | Medieval

Gupta Age &

after

1. (culture) Sangam literatureManimekalai, Tolkapiyam

2. Chera-Chaula-Pandya:
emblem, temples
3. Hoysala Architecture
4. All important for MAINS

Ancient | Medieval

South India :
Ancientmedieval

How to approach History

History
CSAT
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
StatePSC

Ancient

2nd

Medieval

cultur
e

Modern
(Freedom)
Post
Independence

first

World

Mains

GPSC (Gujarat under various

rulers)
can ignore in remaining exams
Religion
1. Sufi, bhakti, sikh
2. N.India: Kings (Administrative),
Poets, Mosques, Tombs,
Architecture
3. S. India: Vijayangar, Temples,
Europeans

Ancient | Medieval

Medieval

CSAT-2013: following Bhakti Saints

1. Dadu Dayal
2. Guru Nanak
3. Tyagaraja
Who among the above was/were preaching when
the Lodi dynasty fell & Babur took over?
A. 1 & 3
B. 2 only
C. 2 & 3
D. 1 & 2
1. Skip

2. Attempt

3. Mark

History: Others (For mains)

Post Independence
NCERT Political Science, Sociology
NIOS (Mrunal.org/download)
Bipan Chandra (GS1 Mains)
World History
Lucent GK (SSC, ACIO)
Tamilnadu Class 12 | old NCERT | Arjun
Dev | Mrunal.org/history

How to approach History

History
CSAT
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
StatePSC

Ancient

2nd

Medieval

cultur
e

Modern
(Freedom)
Post
Independence

first

World

Mains

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Polity
Economy
History
Geography
Environment Biodiversity
Science (SSC, CDS, CAPF)
International Relation (CDS,
CAPF)
8. PIN, Awards, Sports (Hardly in
UPSC)

GA | GK | GS

3/6
Pillars

How to approach Geography

Geograph
y
UPSC
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
StatePSC

Physical
World
Indian
Agro.

Environment

books

Physical

India

Geography (All in one)

Spectrum

UPSC: Prelim + Mains

Mahesh Barnwal
State Service

Spectrum

UPSC: Prelim + Mains

Physical Geography (NCERT)

Universe

Earth Basics
Geology
climate
Ocean
Disaster

Misc.
After NCERT is
done

Science Class 8 Ch.17

Geography Class 6 Ch.1
Geography Class 11 Ch 2.
Geography Class 6 Ch.2 to 6
Geography Class 11 Ch.1, 3 & 4
Geography Class 11 Ch.5 to 7
Geography Class 11 Ch.8 to 12
Geography Class 11 Ch.13 & 14
Geography Class 11 (Indian Geography) Ch.7
Science Class7 ch8
Science Class 8 ch15
Geography Class 11 Ch.1 & glossary
1. Goh Che Leongs Certificate Physical & Human Geography book OR
2. General Studies Manual
3. Spectrum

World Geography

NCERT Class
7
8
12 (Human
Geography)

Chapter
7 to 10
1,3,5,6
1 to 10

World Geography: focus?

Mountain range in each continent & highest peak
longest, largest rivers: countries covered by them
fresh water lakes; water falls : countries they belong
to (just top 3-5 names)
cold & hot deserts of the world: countries covered
by them
landlocked countries in Europe & Asia
Location of famous grassland (Veld, Prairies,
Pampas etc.), tribes (Pigmy, Masai etc.) & winds.
famous borders (e.g. Durand line, 38th parallel etc)

World Geography: What to focus?

Capitals of Middle East, European & South
East Asian countries
famous cities-their nick names/specialty; on
which river theyre located
famous monuments / heritage sites (Angkor
Wat, Machu Pichu etc)
famous strait & which sea do they join (e.g
Palk, Berring, Gibralter etc)
Places in current affairs: Ukrain, Crimea, South
China sea, Gwadar port

Indian Geography
topic

India basic
rivers

Economic
geography
Human
Geography
After NCERT is

class
6
9
11
9
10
11
12
10
12

chapters
7
1, 2, 4
1&2
3
3
3
6
1,5, 6, 7
7 to 12

9
12

6
1 to 4

1. Spectrum Geography OR Lucents GK Book

2. DR Khullars India: A comprehensive

1. simultaneously refer Oxford

School atlas
2. mountains, mountain passes,
rivers, borders, corridors
3. weather, cropping pattern
4. sanctuaries, national parks
5. Minute GK,
6. Mineral ranking

Geography

Indian
geography

Agriculture
NCERT class subject
chapters
science
3&9
7
geography
4
8
science
1
science
15
9
geography (India)
6
11
geography (Human)
5
12
geography (India land 5
& people)
Soil related chapter from Spectrum OR
After
NCERT Majid Hussain or DR Khullars book.

How to approach Environment

Geograph
y
UPSC
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
StatePSC

Physical
World
Indian
Agro.

Environment

NCERT: environment
CLASS
6
7
8
9
10
11

12

SUBJECT
geography
geo.
science
geo.
sci.
geo
science
Geo.
sci.
geo(Physical)
geo (India)
economy
Biology
chemistry

CHAPTERS
8
1 to 6
7, 16 to 18
8
7 & 18
5
14
2
14 to 16
15 & 16
4&5
9 (Sustainable development)
13 to 16
14

Free
NIOS
[Mrunal.org/download]
Mrunal.org/enb

Gujarati available

1. Definition, concepts:
biomagnification, algae bloom
2. Species: location, critically
endangered, difference (turtle,
cheetah)
3. Vulture-diclofenac
4. GHG example, Ozone holemechanism, pollution

Environment

/Current
/ENB

Environment

1. Energy: max potential, shale gas,

CBM, ethanol blending
Focus areas
2. National action plan to combat
climate change (NAPCC)mission-components, targets
3. Treaties, summit (theme, target),
Hotspots, Wetland

Treaties & summits

How to approach Environment

Geograph
y
UPSC
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
StatePSC

Physical
World

last

Indian

first

Agro.

first

Environment

first

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Polity
Economy
History
Geography
Environment Biodiversity
Science (SSC, CDS, CAPF)
International Relation (CDS,
CAPF)
8. PIN, Awards, Sports (Hardly in
UPSC)

GA | GK | GS

Last
Pillar

NCERT Science

Clas PHYSICS
Chemistr Biology
s
y
7
4, 13, 14 & 5 & 6
1,2,10; 11 & 12
15
8
11 to 16
3 to 6
2, 8, 9 & 10
9
8 to 12
1 to 4
5,6,7 & 13
10
10, 12 & 13 1 to 5
6 to 11
11
1,5,8
1,14
2 to 5
Environment
related
12
15
14,16
4,5 then 7 to 16
Psychology Ch4, Glossary

CDS 2014 (1)

People suffering from anorexia nervosa
1. Develop paralysis
2. Show poor reflex
3. Cannot speak properly
4. Eat very little and fear gaining weight
NCERT 12 Psychology Ch.4 Page 16
+Glossary
1. Skip

2. Attempt

3. Mark

CDS 2014(i)

Bone weakening is
caused by Deficiency
of ___.

1.
2.
3.
4.

Calcium
Phosphorus
Nitrogen
Carbon

Answer choices

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 only
C.1, 2 and 3
D.4 only

CDS 2014(i):

Deficiency of ___
is/are responsible
for weakening of
bones?
1. Calcium
2. Phosphorus
3. Nitrogen
4. Carbon

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 4
NCERT Class 12
Chemistry Ch 7 Page 2.

NCERT Science

Clas PHYSICS
Chemistr Biology
s
y
7
4, 13, 14 & 5 & 6
1,2,10; 11 & 12
15
8
11 to 16
3 to 6
2, 8, 9 & 10
9
8 to 12
1 to 4
5,6,7 & 13
10
10, 12 & 13 1 to 5
6 to 11
11
1,5,8
1,14
2 to 5
Ch7, p-Block element 44 pages
12
15
14,16
4,5 then 7 to 16

GS Manual : Physics real life

examples, chemical uses, disease
tables, MCQ practice;
Lucent GK: disease table, nutrient
uses

Science
After
NCERT

1. Space (Mangalyan, GSLV)

2. nanotech
3. medical
4. clean energy
5. Information Technology
TheHindu: Thursday edition: but
Hardly anything in prelim/Mains

Science
Tech
Current
Affairs

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Polity
Economy
History
Geography
Environment Biodiversity
Science (SSC, CDS, CAPF)
International Relation (summittheme)
8. PIN, Awards, Sports (/current)

GA | GK | GS
Mrunal.org
/Current
under that:
PIN-2014

1.Notes making
2.Newspapers,
magazines
3.Career backups

GA | GK | GS

NEXT