ART & CULTURE

Indian Culture - Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from
ancient to modern times

Indian Art Forms  Bhakti & Sufi Movements

 Indian Paintings o Spread of Bhakti

and Sufi
o Mural Movements
Paintings
o Women Poets of
o Miniature Bhakti
Paintings
Literature
o Mughal,
Rajput, Pahari  Classical Sanskrit Literature
Paintings
o Vedas,
 Dances in India Upanishads,
Puranas
o Classical
Dance Forms o Books written by
Kalidasa,
o Folk Dance
Vishakhadatta
Forms
etc
o Modern Dance
 Ancient Buddhist Literature
 Music
 Ancient Jainism Literature
o Classical
 Early Dravidian Literature (eg
Music
Sangam Period)
o Folk Music
 Medieval Literature
 Puppetry
 Trends in Medieval Literature
o String Puppets
 Modern Indian Literature
o Shadow
Architecture
Puppets
o Rod Puppets  Harappan Architecture

o Glove puppets  Mauryan Architecture

o Modern  Post-Mauryan Period Gupta

Puppetry Period

o Tribal  Temple Architecture

Puppetry o Nagara Style
 Pottery o Dravida Style
o Ochre o Vesara Style
Coloured
Pottery(OCP)  Cave Architecture
 o Black and Red o Buddhist Cave
Ware (BRW)
o Jaina Caves
o Painted Grey
o Gupta Period
Ware (PGW)
Caves
o Northern
 Medieval and Indo-Islamic
Black
Architecture
Polished Ware
(NBPW) o Imperial Style
Delhi Sultanate
o Glazed and
Unglazed o Provincial Style
Pottery
o Mughal Style
 Drama/Theatre
o Sikh Style of
o Classical Architecture
Sanskrit
o Rajput
Theatre
Architecture
o Regional
o Salient features
Theatre
 Colonial Architecture &
o Modern
Theatre Modern Architecture
o European
 Martial Arts
Influence
o Thang Ta
o Indo-Saracenic
o Gatka Architecture
o Kalaripayattu o Post-
Independence
o Mallakhamb
Period
o Silambam
 Contribution of Buddhism &
o Other Jainism to the Development
Important of Indian Architecture
Martial Arts
 Rock Cut Architecture
 Visual Art
o South Indian
o Sculptures of
o Western Indian
Harappan
Civilization o Eastern Indian
o Sculptures of
the Mauryan
Age
o Post-Mauryan
Period
 o Jain
Sculptures
o Buddhist
Sculpture
o Gupta
Sculpture
o Medieval
School of
Sculpture
o Modern Indian
Sculpture

ANCIENT HISTORY
Pre-Historic Post-Mauryan India

 Stone Age  Arrival of Indo-Greeks, Shakas,

Parthians & Kushana
 Chalcolithic Age
 Satavahanas and Other Indigenous
 Iron Age
Dynasties
Indus Valley Civilization (IVC)
 Schools of Art: Gandhara;
 Town Planning Mathura; Amravati

 Harappan Society  Imperial Guptas

o Political history of
 Characteristics of
Major Centers Guptas
o Gupta
 Harappan Art &
Architecture Administration

 Decline of Harappan o Development of Art

Culture & Culture

Vedic Society o Age of Golden age

o Economic
 Original Home of Conditions
Aryans
o Urban centres in
 Socio- Economic Gupta period
Characters of Vedic
Society  Harshavardana
 Vedic Literature o Sources for Harsha’s
Period
 Social Organization
and Varna System o Early life of Harsha
 Religion and Thought o Harsha’s
Administration
Pre-Mauryan Period o Important Officials of
the empire
 Mahajanpadas
o Economy under
 Haryanka dynasty Harsha
 Shishunaga dynasty o Huen Tsang
 Nanda dynasty o Society
Jainism and Buddhism o Religion
 Gautam Buddha  The Southern Dynasties
 Mahavira o Satavahanas (230 BC
TO AD 225)
 Growth of Jainism and
Buddhism o Pallavas (AD 330–
796)
Mauryan Empire
o Chalukyas (AD 535–
 Chandragupta and 1190)
Bindusara
o Pandyas of Madurai
 Arthasastra (Book by (AD 590–1323)
Kautilya)
o Chola Dynasty (AD
 Megasthenes 850–1310)
 Asoka and His o Rashtrakutas (AD
Successors 753–973)
 Asoka’s Inscriptions
and Sites
 Asoka’ a Dhamma
 Mauryan.
Administration,
Economy, Society and
Art
 Decline of Maurya

MEDIEVAL HISTORY
Delhi Sultanate Sur Dynasties

 Slave (Ghulam) Maratha Empire

or Mamluk
Dynasty Deccan Sultanate

 Khilji Dynasty  Ahmednagar Sultanate

 Tughluq  Bijapur Sultanate
dynasty
 Berar Sultanate
  Sayyid Dynasty  Golconda Sultanate
 Lodi dynasty  Bidar Sultanate
Struggle for Empire in North
India (Afghans, Rajputs and
Mughals)

Mughals

 Babur
 Humayun
 Akbar
 Jahangir
 Shah Jahan
 Aurangzeb
 Later Mughals
 Decline of
Mughal Empire

MODERN HISTORY
Modern Indian History from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the
present- significant events, personalities, issues

The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions

from different parts of the country

Important Modern History Events Before Beginning of Mass Nationalism (1919-

1857 1939)

 Later Mughals  Mahatma Gandhi – His Ideas

& Leadership
 Regional powers in
18th Century  Montagu-Chelmsford
Reforms
 Carnatic Wars
 Rowlatt Act, Satyagrah and
 Battle of Plassey & Buxar
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
 Anglo-Mysore War  Non-cooperation & Khilafat
 Anglo Punjab War Movement
 Socio-economic Condition  Swarajists & No-Changers
of People  Emergence of New Forces –
 European Penetration of Socialistic Ideas, Youth &
India Trade Unionism
  British Conquest of India  Revolutionary Activity
 British Policies & Their  Simon Commission & Nehru
Impact – Economic, Report
Administrative & Socio-
 Civil Disobedience
cultural
Movement
 Socio-cultural Reform
 Round Table Conferences
Movements
 Communal Award & Poona
 Uprisings Against British
Pact
Pre-1857
 Participation in Elections to
Revolt of 1857
Central Legislature (1934) &
 Causes, Leaders, and Nature Provincial Assemblies
of revolt of 1857 (1937)

 Suppression of revolt of  Government of India Act,

1857 1935

 Consequences of Revolt of Towards Freedom & Partition (1939-

1857 1947)

 Act of Good Governance  National Movement During

1858 World War II
Growth of Nationalism in India (1858-  August Offer
1905)
 Individual Satyagraha
 Political, Economic &  Growth of Communalism
Administrative Unification
of the Country  Peasant Movements

 Role of Western Education  State People’s Struggle

 Role of Press  Cripps Mission

 Rediscovery of India’s Past  Quit India Movement
 Early Political Movements  Wavell Plan

 Formation of INC  INA & Subhash Chandra

Bose
 Era of Moderates
 Cabinet Mission
Growth of Militant Nationalism &
Revolutionary Activities (1905-1918)  Nationalist Upsurge Post-
World War II
 Swadeshi & Boycott
 Independence with Partition
Movement
 Surat Split
 International Influence
 Morley – Minto Reforms
  Growth of Communalism

Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity Effects of Globalization on Indian

of India society

 Features of Indian society  Understanding

Globalisation – Its
 Diversity (Types – caste,
Different Dimensions
linguistic, social and religious,
race, tribe and ethnicity,  Globalisation & Culture -
culture) Homogenisation vs.
Glocalisation
 Challenges posed by Diversity
 Factors Driving
 Unity
Globalisation
 Pluralism
 Globalisation & India
 Unity in Diversity  Impact of Globalisation
 Inequality and Exclusion on India - Socio-cultural,
economic, on women,
 Family System agrarian sector etc.
 Examples of above.  Does Globalisation cause
Role of Women and Women’s Organization Poverty?
Social Empowerment
 Women’s organizations in
Indian history  Which are the Socially
 Types of women’s Disadvantaged Groups?
organizations  Meaning and concept of
 Level of penetration social empowerment
 19th Century Social Reform  Dimensions of Social
Movements and Early Women's Empowerment
Organisations –  Why do we need social
o Agrarian Struggles empowerment?
and Revolt  Government Initiatives to
o Participation in Aide Social
Freedom Struggle Empowerment
 Women’s organization (With  Empowerment in reality
Examples) and India’s experience
 Problems faced by women’s Communalism
organizations
 Communalism – Its
 Is a larger vocal role possible Characteristics
and ways to achieve the same
 Communalism in India in
the Past
  Role of SHGs, Micro finance  Communalism in
Institution Contemporqary India
Population and Associated Issues  Causes of Communalism

 Basic Demography of India  Consequences of

Communalism
 Population Trends in India and
their Implications  Measures to Control &
Eradicate Communalism
 Causes and Effects of Over
Population  Secularism as an
Antidote to
 Challenges of Population Communalism
Explosion
Regionalism
 Changing Age Structure of
Indian Population  Concept of Region &
Regionalism
 Demogarphic Dividend: Boon
or Bane for India  Different Forms of
Regionalism
 Population Aging in India
 Regionalism in India
 India's Population Policy &
Initiatives  Causes of Regionalism
Poverty and Developmental Issues  Concept of 'Sons of Soil'

 Concept of Development and  Consequences of

Poverty Regionalism

 Types of Poverty  Federalism &

Regionalism
 Measurement of Poverty –
Poverty Line  Role of Regional Parties

 Causes of Poverty  Measures to Contain

Regionalism
 Poverty as a Social Problem
 Regionalism in the
 Socio-economic Spread of International Sphere
Poverty
Secularism
 Consequences of Poverty –
 Concept of Secularism
o Inequality
 Indian Model of
o Continuation of
Secularism
Vicious Cycle
 Secularism in India
o Who is worst
affected by  Nature & Practice of
poverty? Secularism in India
 Problem of Rising Urban  Uniform Civil Code
Poverty
  Poverty Alleviation Initiatives  Challenges faced by
Secularism in India
 Policy shifts from “Trickle
Down” Economics to Inclusive  Measures to Make India
or Pro-poor Development to Truly Secular
Reduce Poverty
 Relation between Poverty
Reduction and Development:
Poverty-Inequality-
Development Nexus
Urbanization, their problems and their
remedies

 Urbanisation Trends in India

and Their Implications -
Demographic and Social
Dimensions
 Factors Driving Urbanisation
 State of Service Delivery and
Challeges posed by
Urbanisation
 Problems of Urban Areas
 Social Consequences of
Urbanisation
 Impact of Urbanisation in Rural
Areas
 Urban Planning and Role of
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)
 Reforms Required and
Government Initiatives Taken
So Far
 Problems of Slums

WORLD AND INDIAN GEOGRAPHY

Salient features of World’s Physical Important Geophysical Phenomena such
Geography as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic
activity, cyclone etc., geographical
 Geomorphology features and their location-changes in
o Origin & critical geographical features (including
Evolution of Water-bodies and Ice-caps) and in flora
Earth and fauna and the effects of such
changes
 o Interior of the  Earthquakes
Earth
o Why Does
o Distribution of Earth Shake?
Continents &
o Earthquake
Oceans
Waves
o Plate Tectonic
o Shadow Zone
Theory
o Types of
o Distribution of
Earthquake
Earthquakes &
Volcanoes o Measuring
Earthquake
o Rocks & Rock
Cycle o Effects of
Earthquake
o Geomorphic
Processes –  Tsunami
Endogenic &
o What Causes
Exogenic
Tsunami
o Landforms &
o Effect of
their Evolution
Tsunami
o Geological Time
o Mitigating the
Scale
Impact of
 Oceanography Tsunami
o Hydrological  Volcanoes
Cycle
o Types of
o Seafloor Volcanoes
Spreading
o What Causes
o Ocean Floor Volcanoes?
Configuration
o Volcanic
o Temperature & Landforms
Salinity of
o Intrusive
Oceans
volcanic
o Movement of Landforms
Oceans –
o Extrusive
Waves, Tides,
Currents Volcanic
Landforms
 Climatology
o Distribution of
o Earth’s Volcanoes
Atmosphere –
Composition &  Cyclone
Structure o Tropical
Cyclones
 o Solar Radiation, o Anti-Cyclone
Heat Budget &
o Extra Tropical
Temperature
Cyclones
o Atmospheric
 Factors Causing Changes in
Circulation &
Critical Geographical
Weather
Features
Systems
 Examples of Changing
o World Climate
Geographical Features -
(examples)
Melting of Ice Sheets,
 Soil Geography Desertification etc.
o Soil & Soil  Impact of Changing
Contents Geographical Features
o Process of Soil  Physical Geography of
Formation India
o Soil Forming o Physiography
Factors of India
o Types of Soils o Drainage
(examples) System
o Soil Erosion & o Climate
Conservation
o Soils in India
Distribution of Key Natural Resources
o Natural
across the world (including South Asia
Vegetation
and the Indian sub-continent)
 Human Geography
 Types of Resources
o Demography
o On the Basis of
Origin, o Urbanization
Ownership, o Census
Exhaustability
etc.  Economic Geography
 Land Resources o Agriculture
o Land Utilisation o Mineral
resource
o Land Use
Pattern o Energy
resources
o Land
Degradation & o Industry
Conservation
o Transport
 Forest Resources
o Types &
Distribution –
 Grasslands,
Forests etc.
o Causes of
Depletion
o Conservation of
Forests
 Water Resources
o Marine &
Freshwater
o Water Scarcity
& Need For
Conservation
o Integrated Water
Resources
Management
 Agricultural Resources
o Types of
Farming
o Cropping
Patterns
o Contribution to
Economy,
Employment &
Output
o Food Security
 Mineral & Energy Resources
o Classification of
Minerals –
Ferrous & Non-
Ferrous
o Occurrence of
Minerals
o Conservation of
Minerals
o Classification of
Energy
Resources –
Conventional &
Non-
Conventional
 o Occurrence of
Energy
Resources
o Conservation of
Energy
Resources
Factors responsible for the location of
primary, secondary, and tertiary sector
industries in various parts of the world
(including India)

 Classification of Industries
 Location & Distribution of
the Industries on the Basis of
o Raw Material
o Labour
o Market
o Capital
o Land
o Grants &
Financial
Incentives
o Power
o Transport
o Water
o Communication
 Distribution of Major
Industries – Iron & Steel, IT,
Cotton Textile
 Agglomeration & Footloose
Industries

POLITY

Indian Constitution
Historical Underpinning & Evolution Significant Provisions

 Regulating Act (1773) to  Fundamental Rights

Independence Act (1947)
 Directive Principles of
 Constituent Assembly State Policy
 Objective Resolution  Judicial Review
 Enactment & Enforcement of  Universal Adult
Constitution Franchise
Features  Single Citizenship
 Separation of Powers
 Written
Basic Structure
 Flexible & Rigid
 Federal & Unitary  The Doctrine
 Parliamentary Form of  Judgments & Cases
Government (Presidential vs.
Parliamentary Type of
Government)
Amendments

 List of
Significant Amendments &
Their Provisions
 Procedure for Amending
Constitution
 Issues & Challenges Pertaining to the Federal Structure

Federal Structure in India - Is India truly  Inter-State Councils

Federal?
 Public Acts, Records and Judicial
Proceedings
Cooperative & Competitive Federalism
 Inter-State Trade and Commerce
Centre-State Relations
 Zonal Councils
 Legislative Relations Emergency Provisions
 Administrative Relations
Role of Governor
 Financial Relations
Reports of Various Commissions
 Trends in Centre-State Relations
Inter-State Relations  2nd ARC, Punchhi, Sarkaria, etc.

 Inter-state Water Disputes

Functions & Responsibilities of the Union and the States

 7th Schedule  Financial Functions

 Legislative Functions  Administrative & Quasi-
Judicial Functions

Devolution of Powers & Finances to Local Levels & Challenges Therein

 Role of State Government  Reasons for Ineffective

Performance
 Role of State Finance
Commission  Panchayat Devolution Index (
NITI Aayog)
 11th & 12th Schedule
 Steps That Can Be Taken to
Improve Their Performance

Separation of Powers Between Various Organs

 Doctrine of Separation of  Provisions for Checks &

Power Balances in Indian
Constitution
 Separation of Power in Indian
Constitution  Related Judgments -
Golaknath case, Kesavananda
 Doctrine of Checks &
Bharati, Indira Gandhi Vs Raj
Balances Narain, Ram Jawaya vs
Punjab

Dispute Redressal Mechanisms and Institutions

  RTI  Tribunals, etc.
 PIL

Comparison of the Indian Constitutional Scheme With That of Other Countries Parliament
& State Legislatures

Structure, Functioning, Conduct of  Secular State

Business, Powers & Privileges
 Universal Adult Franchise
 Written Constitution  Single Citizenship
 Blend of Rigidity and Flexibility  Emergency Provisions
 Federal System with Unitary Bias  Three-tier Government
 Parliamentary Form of  Due Process of Law vs.
Government Procedure Established by Law
 Synthesis of Parliamentary  Impeachment of President, etc.
Sovereignty and Judicial
Supremacy
 Integrated and Independent
Judiciary
 Fundamental Rights, Directive
Principles of State Policy,
Fundamental Duties

Structure, Organization & Functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary

Executive Judiciary

 Union:  Three-Tier Structure

o President  Chief Justice of India
o Prime Minister  SC & HC Judges
o Council of Ministers  Jurisdiction
 o Cabinet Secretariat
 State:
o Governor
o Chief Minister
o Council of Ministers
o Secretariat

Ministries and Departments of the Government

 Cabinet Ministries  Parliamentary Secretaries

 Other Ministries

Pressure Groups & Formal/informal Associations & Their Role in Polity

 Characteristics of Pressure  Functions, Role & Importance of

Groups Pressure Groups
 Pressure Groups & Political  Techniques/Methods of Pressure
Parties Groups
 Pressure Groups & Interest  Pressure Groups in India
Groups
 Shortcomings of Pressure Groups
 Types of Pressure Groups

Salient Features of Representation of People's Act

Appointment to Various Constitutional Posts

Appointment, Powers, Functions &  National Commission for STs

Responsibilities of:
 Special Officer for Linguistic
Minorities
 Election Commission
 Comptroller and Auditor General
 Union Public Service
of India
Commission
 Attorney General of India
 State Public Service Commission
 Advocate General of the State
 Finance Commission
 National Commission for SCs

Statutory, Regulatory & Quasi-Judicial Bodies

 NITI Aayog  Central Pollution Control Board

 RBI  Medical Council of India
 National Human Rights  Inland Waterways Authority of
Commission India
 State Human Rights Commission  Central Ground Water Authority
 Central Information Commission  Directorate General of Civil
Aviation
 Central Vigilance Commission
 Pension Fund Regulatory and
 Central Bureau of Investigation
Development Authority
 Lokpal and Lokayuktas  Food Safety and Standards
 National Commission for Authority of India
Women
 Bar Council of India
 National Commission for
 University Grants Commission
Backward Classes
 Financial Stability and
 National Commission for
Development Council
Minorities
 All India Council for Technical
 Insurance Regulatory and
Education
Development Authority
 National Green Tribunal
 Securities and Exchange Board
of India  Competition Appellate Tribunal
 Competition Commission of  Income-Tax Appellate Tribunal
India
 Cyber Appellate Tribunal
 Telecom Regulatory Authority of
 Intellectual Property Appellate
India
Board
 Central Electricity Regulatory
Commission
 Atomic Energy Regulatory Board

GOVERNANCE

Government Policies & Interventions for Development

Government Policies & Interventions in  Analysis of Main Schemes:
Various Sectors
o Beti Bachao Beti
Padhao
 Health, Gender, Education,
Poverty, Economic etc o Smart City
Issues Arising Out of Their Design & o Swachh Bharat
Implementation Abhiyan
o MGNERGA
 Concerns/Issues
o Digital India
 Suggestions for Improvement
o Make in India
 Critical Assessment of Centrally
Sponsored Schemes (CSS) o Skill India
 Rationalisation of CSS o PM Jan Dhan
Yojana
o Start-up India etc.

Development Processes & the Development Industry

 Role of Social Capital  Challenges

Organisations
 Measures to Make SHGs
 Indian Context Effective
 Classification  Case Studies: Kudumbashree
(Kerala), Mahila Arthik Vikas
 Provisions for the Third Sector in
Mahamandal (Maharashtra)
the Indian Constitution
Societies, Trusts and Cooperatives
 National Policy on the Voluntary
Sector 2007
 Societies
Non-Governmental Organisations
 Trust
 Role and Impact of Non-  Religious Endowments
governmental Organizations
 Cooperatives –
 Issue Areas: Accreditation,
o Need for
Legitimacy & Accountability,
Cooperatives
Foreign Funding etc.
o Constitutional
Self Help Groups (SHGs)
Provisions
 Need for SHGs o National Policy on
Co-operatives, 2002
 Benefits of SHGs
o Issues and
 Weaknesses of SHGs Challenges in the
Cooperatives Sector
 Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency & Accountability

Governance  Features of CC
 Six Principles of CC
 Dimensions of Governance
 Shortcomings of CC
 Good Governance (GG)
 Measures to Make CC Effective
 Aspects of GG
 Sevottam Model
 Barriers to GG
Aspects of Transparency
 Necessary Pre-conditions for GG
 How to Ensure GG Elements & Types of Accountability
E-Governance
Means to ensure Transparency & Accountability
 Applications
 RTI
 Models
 Social Audit
 Successes
 Whistleblower Protection Bill
 Limitations
 Lokpal & Lokayuktas Act
 Potential
 Recent e-governance Initiatives by
Government
Citizens Charters (CC)

 Components of CC

Role of Civil Services in a Democracy

Relationship Between Civil Service And  Arbitrary & Whimsical
Democracy Transfers
 Political Interference &
Role Played By Civil Services
Administrative Acquiescence
 Advisory Role in Policy Making  Gradual Erosion in Values &
Ethics
 Institutionalise Socio-economic
change  Redtapism
 Discharge Delegated Functions  Elitist in Nature
 Administer Law of the Land  Poor Pay
 Watchdogs  Tendency to Capture Power
 Continuity in times of Political Reforming Bureaucracy to Strengthen
Instability Democracy
 Record-Keeping
 Setting Right the Asymmetry of
 Channel of Communication Power
Ailments/Issues Afflicting Indian Civil  Insulating Civil Servants from
Services Undue Political Interference
 Professionalisation with
 Lack of Professionalism & Poor Stability of Tenure &
Capacity Building Competition
 Inefficient Incentive Systems  Citizen-Centric Administration
 Outdated Rules & Procedures  Accountability
 Systemic Inconsistencies in  Outcome Orientation
Promotion
 Promoting Public Service
 Lack of Adequate Transparency Values & Ethics
& Accountability Procedures
 Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections

Schemes for the Following Vulnerable Sections  STs:

o National
 SCs & STs
Commission for
 Minorities Scheduled Tribes
 Children o Tribal Sub Plan
 Elderly o TRIFED
 Disabled o Scheduled Tribes
and Other
 Women Traditional Forest
 Transgender Dwellers
(Recognition of
Performance of These Schemes Forest Rights)
Act
Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions & Bodies Constituted for
Protection & Betterment of These Vulnerable Sections  Minorities:
o National
 SCs: Commission for
o The Protection of Civil Rights Act Minorities

o The Scheduled Castes and the o National

Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Commission for
Atrocities) Act Religious and
Linguistic
o National Commission for Scheduled Minorities
Castes
Women & Children
o Scheduled Castes Sub Plan
 The Immoral Traffic
 Disabled:
(Prevention) Act
o The Rehabilitation Council of India
 The Indecent Representation
Act
of Women (Prevention) Act
o The Persons with Disabilities (Equal
Opportunities, Protection of Rights  The Dowry Prohibition Act
and Full Participation) Act  The Commission of Sati
o Mental Retardation and Multiple (Prevention) Act
Disabilities Act  The Prohibition of Child
o The National Trust for Welfare of Marriage Act
Persons with  Protection of Women from
Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Domestic Violence Act
Retardation and Multiple Disabilities
Act  Juvenile Justice (Care and
Protection of Children) Act
o Rights of the Persons with Disabilities
Act  Central Adoption Resource
Agency (CARA)
 The Protection of Children
from Sexual Offences
(POCSO) Act
  Sexual Harassment of Women
at Workplace (Prevention,
Prohibition and Redressal)
 Pre-Conception and Pre Natal
Diagnostic Techniques
(PC&PNDT) Act
 Gender Budgeting
 National Policy for Women
 Domestic Violence Act
 Maternity Benefit
(Amendment) Act
Elderly

 Maintenance and Welfare of

Parents and Senior Citizens
Act

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Issues Relating to Development & Management of Social Sector/Services

Health Education

 India’s Performance on Various  Status of Literacy in India

Health Indicators  Education Structure in India
 Challenges Faced by Education
 Weaknesses of Indian Healthcare
Sector in India
System
 Reforms Required
 Health Infrastructure in India
 Government Initiatives
 Universal Health Coverage
 ASER Report
 12th FYP Strategy
 Financing Education
 Universal Health Coverage
 Subramanian Panel Report
 Health Insurance
Human Resource
 National Family Health Survey
 National Health Policy  Need For Skill Development
 National Health Mission  Skill Development Initiatives
 Maternal & Adolescent Health  Challenges in Skilling Landscape
in India
 Child Health
 Shortcomings of Current Skill
 Antimicrobial Resistance
Development Initiatives
 Disease Burden in India
 Reforms Required
 Measures to Ensure Good Health
 Steps that can Be Taken
Outcomes
 Government Initiatives

Issues Relating to Poverty & Hunger

  Relation between Poverty &  MDGs & SDGs
Hunger
 Food and nutrition insecurity - a
 Distribution of Poverty & Hunger consequence of structural
inequities
 Magnitude & Trends of Poverty
& Hunger  Constraints in Reducing Poverty
& Hunger
 Causes of Poverty & Hunger
 Measure to Reduce Poverty &
 Cost/Impact of Poverty &
Hunger – National Food Security
Malnutrition Act, Mid-day Meal Scheme,
MGNREGA etc.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

India and its Neighborhood – Relations

India’s Relations With  Bangladesh

 Sri Lanka
 China
 Afghanistan
 Pakistan
 Nepal
 Myanmar
 Maldives
 Bhutan

Bilateral, Regional & Global Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting
India's Interests
India’s Major Foreign Policy Doctrines  BBIN & BCIM
Since 1947
 BIMSTEC
 Non-aligned Movement (NAM)  IBSA
 Nuclear Doctrine  ASEAN & RCEP
 Gujral Doctrine  India-Africa Forum
 Look East to Act East  SCO
 Think West, etc.  Ashgabat Agreement
Bilateral Relations With  FIPIC
 IOR-ARC
 Major Powers Like – USA,
Russia, Japan  Mekong Ganga Cooperation
(MGC)
 Central Asian Countries
 Raisina Dialogue
 West Asian Countries
 Heart of Asia Conference
 African Countries
 East Asia Summit
 Australia & New Zealand
 G-20
 EU & European Countries
 Asian Development Bank
 Latin American Countries
 National Security Summit
 Pacific Countries
 Multilateral Nuclear Export
Regional & Global Groupings Regulatory Regimes: Wassenar,
MTCR, Australia Group
 SAARC
 Asian Development Bank
 BRICS
 APEC, etc
 Effect of Policies & Politics of Developed & Developing Countries on India's Interests

 One Belt One Road  WTO Reforms

 International North–South Transport  South China Sea Conflict
Corridor
 Brexit
 Global Trade War
 Deglobalisation & Protectionism – US
 Global Currency War Sanctions on Iran, US Pullout from Paris
Agreement, H-1B Visa Issue etc.
 Syrian Crisis
 OPEC Oil Prices Manipulation, etc.
 UN Reforms

Indian Diaspora

 Spread of Indian Diaspora  LM Singhvi High Level

Committee on the Diaspora
 India’s Diaspora Policy &
Engagement Initiatives  Role played by Indian Diaspora
o OCI  Issues Concerning the Diaspora:
o Pravasi Bharatiya o Dual Nationality
Divas
o Remittances, etc.
o Know India
Programme, etc.

Important International Institutions

 UN & its Agencies  IMF

 WTO  World Economic Forum
 World Bank  Commonwealth of Nations, etc.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Indian Economy & Issues Relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth,

Development & Employment
Planning  Determinants of
Growth &
 Meaning of Planning Development
 Need for Planning in Economic  Importance &
Development Limitations of
Economic Growth
 Imperative Vs. Indicative Vs. Structural
Planning  Jobless Growth
 Objectives of Planning  Pro-Poor Growth
 Indian Planning History  Balanced &
Unbalanced Growth
 Techniques of Indian Planning
 Dimensions of
 Achievements & Failures of Indian Planning Development
 Shortcomings of Planning in India  Measurement &
 NITI Aayog Vs. Planning Commission Indicators of
Development
Mobilisation of Resources
 Approaches to
 Types of Resources – Financial, Human, Development:
Natural etc. o Market-
 Need for Resource Mobilisation Based
Approach
 Role of Savings & Investment
o Role of
 Government Resources – Tax & Non-Tax ( State and
or Fiscal & Monetary Policy) Planned
 Banking Sector & NBFCs Approach
o Mixed
 Capital Market
Economy
 External Sources – FDI, ODA etc. Approach
 Public Borrowing & Management of Public  Challenges to
Debt Development &
Growth
 Challenges in Mobilising Resources for
Development Employment
 Steps That Can Be Taken
 Nature – Rural vs.
Growth & Development Urban, Formal Vs.
Informal
 Meaning of Development & Growth
 Terms Related to
 Difference between Development & Growth Employment – Labour
Force Participation
Rate, Employment
Rate, Working Age
Population etc.
  Sectoral Distribution
of Employment
 Quality of
Employment
 Causes of Lack of
Employment
 Restructuring of
Workforce
 Government
Initiatives for
Generating
Employment

Inclusive Growth & Issues Arising From It

 What is Inclusive Growth?  Indicators of Inclusive Growth

 Elements of Inclusive Growth  Challenges in Achieveing
Inclusive Growth in India
 Need for Inclusive Growth
 12th FYP & Inclusive Growth

 

Government Budgeting
Need for Government Budgeting  Fiscal Deficit
 Primary Deficit
Components of the Government Budget
Fiscal Policy
 Revenue Account – Revenue
Receipts & Revenue Expenditure Deficit Reduction
 Capital Account – Capital
FRBM Act
Receipts & Capital Expenditure
Changes in Budgetary Process in 2017 Other Types of Budgets – Outcome, Zero-
Based, etc.
Measures of Government Deficit

 Revenue Deficit

Land Reforms in India

 Rationale for Land Reforms  Success of Land Reforms

 Components of Land Reforms  Recent Initiatives - Land Leasing,
Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation
 Impact of Land Reforms
& Resettlement Act, etc.
 Problems in Implementaion of
Land Reforms

Effects of Liberalization on the Economy

 Impact on Different Sectors of the

Phase of Liberalisation Economy

Changes In Industrial Policy & their Effects on Industrial Growth

 Industrial Policy Before 1991  Weaknesses and Failures of

Industrial Policies
 Industrial Policy After 1991
 National Manufacturing Policy
 Phases of Industrial Growth
 SEZs
 Linkage Between Economic
Reforms and Economic  Make in India
Outcomes

Infrastructure

 Energy  Airports
  Ports  Railways
 Roads

Investment Models

Need for Investment  Foreign Investment Models:

o FDI
Sources of Investment
o FII, etc.
Types of Investment Models  Sector Specific Investment
Models
 Domestic Investment Models
 Cluster Based Investment Models
o Public Investment
Model Investment Models Followed by India
o Private Investment
Model
o Public Private
Participation
Investment Model

AGRICULTURE

Major Crops Cropping Patterns in Various Parts of the Country

 Importance of Cropping Pattern  Factors Influencing Cropping

Pattern
 Types of Cropping Pattern
 Emerging Trends in Cropping
 Reasons Why Cropping Pattern
Pattern
Differ
 Long-Run Effects of Current
Trends in Cropping Pattern

Different Types of Irrigation & Irrigation Systems Storage

 Modes of Irrigation  Progress of Irrigation Under Five Year

Plans
 Sources of Irrigation
 Environmental Effects of Irrigation
 Choosing an Irrigation System
 Need for Systemic Irrigation Reforms
 Problems Associated with Irrigation
 Need for a National Water Policy

Transport & Marketing of Agricultural Produce & Issues & Related Constraints
 Process of Agricultural  APMCs
Marketing - Marketing Channels,
 National Agricultutral Market
Functionaries, Costs, etc.
(NAM)
 Role of FCI
 Farmer Producer Organisations
 Regulated Markets (FPO)
 Warehousing  Contract Farming
 Cooperative Marketing  Futures Trading in Agricultural
Commodities
 Shortcomings of Current
Agricultural Marketing Process

E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers, Technology Missions

Issues Related to Direct & Indirect Farm Subsidies & Minimum Support Prices

 Agricultural Pricing Policy  Effectiveness, Extent & Problems

of Subsisies
 Rationale for Subsidies
 Clash with WTO Agreements
 Types of Subsidies

Public Distribution System Objectives, Functioning, Limitations, Revamping

 Objectices/Significance  Need to Improve the Working of

PDS
 Functioning - Fair Price Shops,
FCI, Ration Cards, Aadhar  Measures to Improve the
Linking, etc. Loopholes & Lacunaes
Associated with PDS
 Shortcomings or Problems
Associated with PDS  Steps Taken by Governement in
this Regard

Issues of Buffer Stocks & Food Security

 Buffer Stock – Objectives &  Need for Food Security

Norms in India
 NFSM And othe Food Security
 Impact of Government Realted Government Initiatives
Procurement & Distribution

Economics of Animal-Rearing
 Food Processing & Related Industries in India

 Scope & Potential in India  Upstream & Downstream

Requirements
 Significance
 Supply Chain Management
 Location
 Government Policies and
 Constraints and Challenges
Initiatives – SAMPADA, 12th
FYP, etc.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Developments & their Applications & Effects in Everyday Life

Chemicals in Food  Anti-Fertility Drugs, etc.

Cleansing Agents
 Artificial Sweetening Agents
 Food Preservatives  Soaps
Drugs  Synthetic detergents
Glass
 Antacid
 Antihistamines Water Softener
 Neurologically Active Drugs
Water Purification/Disinfection
o Tranquilizers
Microwave Oven, etc.
o Analgesics
 Antimicrobials
o Antibiotics
o Antiseptic and Disinfectant

Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology

 Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman  A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

 Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose  Vikram Sarabhai
 Satyendra Nath Bose  Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya
 Meghnad Saha  Har Gobind Khorana
 Homi Jehangir Bhabha  Tessy Thomas
 Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar  C.N.R. Rao
 Issues Relating to Intellectual Property Rights

 Need for Intellectual Property Rights  International Agreements Related to IPRs

 Types of IPR  Geographical Indicators
 IPR Regime in India  Recent Issues - Evergreening,
Compuslory Licensing, Prominent Cases
etc.

Indigenization of Technology & Developing New Technology

 IT & Computers  Robotics

 Space  Defence
 Nanotechnology  Nuclear
 Biotechnology

Awareness in Different Fields

 IT & Computers  Robotics

 Space  Defence
 Nanotechnology  Nuclear
 Biotechnology

BIODIVERSITY & ENVIRONMENT

Conservation

What is Biodiversity? Conservation

Types of Biodiversity – Genetic, Species,  In-situ & Ex-Situ

Ecosystem, etc.
 Eco-Sensitive Areas
Importance of Biodivesirty – Ecosystem  Ecological Hotspots
Services, Bio Resources of Economic
 National Guidelines, Legislations
Importance, Social Benefits etc.
& Other Programmes.
Resasons for Loss of Biodiversity  International Agreements &
Groupings

Environmental Pollution & Degradation

Types of Pollution & Pollutants Causes/Sources of Pollution & Degradation

Impact of Pollution & Degradation Prevention & Control of Pollution &

Degradation
 Ozone Layer Depletion and
Ozone Hole National Environment Agencies, Legislations
and Policies
 Greenhouse Gas Effect & Global
Warming
International Environment Agencies &
 Eutrophication Agreements
 Desertification
 Acid Rain
 Hazardous Waste, etc.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

 What is EIA?  Need & Benefits of EIA

 Indian Guidelines & Legislations  Shortcomings of EIA in India
 EIA Process  Measures to Make EIA Effective

Disaster Management

 Types of Disasters  Community Level Disaster

Management
 Management of Disasters
 Governement Initiatives on
Disaster Management

SECURITY

Linkages Between Development & Spread of Extremism

 Factors Responsible for Spread of  Naxalism

Extremism
 Steps that State can Taken to
Reduce the Spread of Extremism
due to Underdevelopment
 Role of External State & Non-State Actors in Creating Challenges to Internal Security

Threats from Non-State Actors Institutional Framework to Tackle Challenge

of Internal Security
 J&K Separatism
 NIA
 Left Wing Extremism
 NATGRID
 North East Insurgency
 MAC
 Terrorism in Hinterland & Border
Areas  UAPA
 Right Wing Terrorism  TADA
Reasons for Spread of Terrorism  POTA
 NCTC
State Sponsored Terrorism

Challenges to Internal Security Through Communication Networks

 Role of Media & Social  Steps That can be Taken

Networking Sites in Internal
Security Challenges
 Challenges in Managing Social
Media

Basics of Cyber Security

 Cyber Security  International Cooperation on Cyber

Security
 Threats to Indian Cyber Security
 Cyber Warfare
 Steps taken by India
 Terms Associated with Cyber
Security

Money-Laundering & its Prevention

 Process of Money Laundering  Steps to Counter Money

Laundering
 Impact of Money Laundering
 Terms Related To Money
 Challenges to Tackle Money
Laundering
Laundering

Security Challenges & their Management in Border Areas

  Challenges in Managing Border  India's Policy in Border Area
Security – Coastal & Terrestrial Security Management
 Land Boundary Disputes with
Neighbours

Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism

 Types of Organised Crime  Indian Context – Link between

Organised Crime & Terrorism
 Challenges in Controlling
Organised Crime

Various Security Forces & Agencies & Their Mandate

 Central Armed Police Forces  Security & Intelligence Agencies

 Central Paramilitary Forces – IB. R&WA, etc.

 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.