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GS General Info
GS General Info
2010
An effort to remove the myth that UPSC CSE syllabus is not bound. This
work identifies the topics which are expected to be covered completely
by the candidates.
Namma IAS
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Padmanabhanagar , Bangalore -560070
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Defining Scope of GS for CSE 2
Table of Contents
Introduction
The major myth in mind of the aspirant who starts his preparation is that General
Studies is “arbit” and could include anything under the sun . This perception is
wrong . GS may be huge but there is a boundary and this work is to make
aspirants know the boundaries , scope and source for their study .
In this examination 9/10 people “fail” . Hence it is but obvious that there will be
lot of pessimism about the examination . So a word of advice would be not to
heed to any pessimistic comments and keep your belief intact . “Belief in thyself”
is the only key to success . Be optimistic and hold a positive look for life .
X
Satish TJ
(Be in touch...)
Economy
Economy for Civil Services will be divide into 2 phases of study . The stratergy is to
understand the basics first which is the crux of the first phase and later how these
basic parameters are varying in Economic Survey .
Sources of lecture :
Economy Phase – I
t A multidimensional problem .
Absolute , relative poverty etc ..
Poverty gap . “Poor is a
Poverty Alleviation programs. poor because
he is poor”
Jobless Growth , employment elasticity ,
disguised and seasonal unemployment ,
Government measures to reduce
unemployment and recent reports.
Banking
RBI Facts
Monetary Policy ( BR, CRR, SLR , OMO
[ Repo , Reverse Repo , LAF ]
)
Qualitative Measures
Fiscal Policy
Taxation 1. Direct and Indirect taxes.
2. Ad valonum and Specific Tax .
• FRBM Act
Outcome Budgeting , Finance Commission (
13th ??)
Inflation • Causes ( Push , pull)
• Stag , galloping , core
• Deflation , recession
• Monetary , fiscal and Administrative
polices .
• CPI , WPI , PPI
• Recent RBI reports on these indices
WTO
• Doha Meet
New negotiations
TRIPS and Public Health
Reduction of Agriculture
Subsides
Reduction of Industrial Tariffs
S&DT
Environment and labor issues
• Latest meet updates
FDI
Routes Automatic Route ,
FIPB , Through NRI .
Polity
Indian Polity would expect you to know important issues and main articles .
Though 2008 civils exam did not emphasis much on polity , a command on polity
is appreciated which would supplement you efforts in subjects like public
administration and political science .
Sources :
1. DD Basu
2. Wizard polity .
Topic Issues
Introducing • Difference between written and
Constitution unwritten constitution .
and What is • Defining India
India ? Who • Citizenship , OCI , PIO
are Indians
Federalism • What makes any constitution federal
• Federal characteristics
• Anti-federal characteristics
Mode of formation
Position of states vs Union
Nature of polity
Centre – • Territorial extent and its limitations.
State • Distribution of legislative powers
Legislative • When can Union legislate over State
Relations list ?
• Doctrine of Pith and Substance and
Doctrine of Colorable legislation.
Emergency
Mutual Understanding
Centre – • Difference btw power of levying a tax
State and power to appropriate the tax .
Financial • Limitations on State to impose tax in
Relations certain cases .
• Taxes belonging exclusively to centre ,
taxes belonging exclusive to State ,
Taxes shared .
• Grant – in Aids .
• Finance Commission and Planning
Commison , issues of conflict btw
them.
• Borrowing power of Union and State .
• GST and Coalation era
• Non-justicible rights of State .
Conflict • InterState Councils
Resolution • Zonal Councils
mechanism • NIC
btw Centre • NDC
and State
• Suspension of FR . • Minnerva
• Doctrine of Eclipse and some more Mills
Doctines !! • Gopalan
• FR for army and amending power of • Maenaka
Parliament . Gandhi
Art 17 What is
untouchability
Art 18 Issue surrounding
Bharat Ratna .
Art 19 • Different
freedoms and
their
limitations
• Freedom for
Press , RTI
Art 20 • Arrested ??
Religious • Secularism ,
Rights • Controversy of
Conversion
Minorites • Who is a minority ,
their rights and
recent issues
regarding
admissions to higher
education
institutions.
Constituti Habeas Corpus ,
on Prohibition ,
Remedies Certiorari, Quo-
warranto ,
Mandamus .
Fundamenta • 11 fD
l Duties
Parliament RS
• RS , Composition , election
• Powers belonging exclusive to RS
• Its relevance , federal character and
non – federal character
• Domicile issue and open ballot issue .
LS
• Composition , election
• Powers belonging exclusive to LS
• Tenure , should there be a fixed
tenure
Representation of States and Delimitation
Speaker
• Special powers , speaker pro-term ,
Casting vote and other officers of
Parliament .
Sessions of Parliament
• Spl session of Parliament vs special
session of LS .
• Prorogation , Adjournment and
Dissolution
Qualification for MP and Disqualification
and privelges .
4 kinds of Bills
• Ordinary Bill , Money Bill , Finance Bill ,
Constitution Amendment Bill .
Budget
• Contingency Fund , Consolidated Fund
of India and public account
• Process of Budget , Appropriation and
Financial Bill
• Expenditure charged on CFI
• Token Cut vs Policy Cut vs Economy
cut .
• Vote on account
• Committees ( COPU , Estimates etc)
• Motions Vs Resolution
• Procedure of passing Bills,
CAG , •
Advocate
General
coalation .
• Powers
• Discretionary powers of Governor .
Special Responsibility
Discretion in practice
retirement)
• Control of Union over HC
• Original , Appellate jurisdiction
• NJC
• Regional Benches
• Court of Record and contempt of court
• PIL and Judicial Activism
Composition
CEC and ECs , are they same
Powers of EC ( Consti , Statutory
and plenary powers)
• Election reforms
RP Amendment 1988
Goswami committee
RP Ammendment 1996
Recognition of political party
Criminalisation of politics .
(Sanjay Dutt case and Navjot
Singh Sidhu case)
Loss of security
Right to recall
MCC
Referendum vs Plebiscite
• Different Electoral systems
• Defining democracy and its
components
Emergency • Art 352 before 44th Amendment and Bommai case
powers after 44th Amendment .
• Art 356 , 355 , 365
• Bommai case
• Financial emergency
• Difference btw Art 352 and 356
In this phase we will deal with the current events of relevance which have
occurred . This phase will be held after prelims .
History
1. Modern India
2. Ancient India
3. Medieval India
However the question will be predominantly from Modern India . One has to see
through Arts and Culture from remaining two parts .
Sources
Religion and
Philosphy
Hinduism • Meaning of Hinduism
• Vedas(Rig , Yajur, Sam , Atharva)
• Brahmana , Aranyaka and Upanishad
• Early Vedic vs later vedic
• Varna , ashrama
• Six system of Hindu philosophy
• Bhagavadgita , puranas , itihasa
Bhakti • Yaksha and Nagas
• Vasudeva – Bhagawata cult
• Alvars
• Prabandhas
• Nammaalvar and Tirumalisai Alvar
• Saivism , Nayanars, Agamarta , Sudha, vira-siva
• Shakti-cult
• Shankaracharya,kaplilakas,Ramanuja,Vishistadvaitha,
Bhaktimarga, Dvaitha
Jainism and
Buddhism
Sikhism Khalsa ,Akali, SKS
Islam Sunni and Shia
Sufism • Silsilah
• Chisti order , Suhrawardi ,
Qadiri,shattari,Firdausi,Naqshbandi
Christianity Trinity
Zorastrianism
Judaism Talmud , Torah
Festivals
Music • Basics
• Hindustani vs carnatic
• Compositions
• Modern Developments
• Personalites
Dance • Origin
• Basics
• Classical folk dance
• folkdance
Drama • Beginnings
• Classical theme
• Dramatists of Antiquity
• Folk theatre
• Modern Drama
• Some Modern developments
Art • Architecture and sculpture
• Metal sculpture
• Painting
• Places of cultural interest
Language and • Origin
Literature • Literary personalites
Geography
Sources
A detailed study of above NCERTS along with India Year Book is a must .
This book is released by government and available for free download from
Ministry of Information and Boardcasting .
Of late the trend is that student is expected to know IYB cover through cover .
Current Affairs
This is the most important part of the examination . One has to develop the knack
of reading newspaper for the same .
Sources
The world is evolutionary and not revolutionary in its occurrence of events .Hence
a good background of the event is essential for understanding importance of any
topic . Newspapers have to be read like any notes and one has to make notes
about the same . A student is advised to keep 3 books for the purpose of making
notes form Newspaper . Whenever you are reading newspaper make sure you
make notes from the same .
The trend generally is that from May to Feb for Prelims and Sep to Sep for Mains .
This part is of major significance for “Mains” and Wizard’s Science and Technology
along with Newspaper reading is sufficient . Some concepts will be built during
the backgrounder classes to help people grasp some concepts especially
regarding nuclear technology and space .
1. Nano-Technology
2. Space Technology
3. Bio-Technology
4. Robotics
5. Intellectual Property Rights
6. Internet
7. Nuclear Energy and its technology
A final word…..
UPSC Civil Service exam is a exam where 9 / 10 fail hence it is but obvious to hear
lot of negative comments regarding the same . One should keep his faith on the
examination which he would build and in fact enjoy during the course of his
preparation .
There is no better competitor than yourself . Be a better person today than what
you were yesterday . This simple process transforms a person to a learned and
gentle man .
UPSC never gives questions outside the syllabus . However without 100%
preparation one may not be able to crack the exam to his potential .
“Namma IAS” will be with you to help and guide you any time any day .