General Studies-I

(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)

Indian Culture - 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, issues.
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 sub-
continent); 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.

Art & Culture

Indian Culture - Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times
Indian Art Forms Bhakti & Sufi Movements
Spread of Bhakti and Sufi Movements
Indian Paintings Women Poets of Bhakti
Mural Paintings
Miniature Paintings Literature
Mughal, Rajput, Pahari Paintings
Dances in India Classical Sanskrit Literature
Classical Dance Forms Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas
Folk Dance Forms Books written by Kalidasa, Vishakhadatta etc
Modern Dance Ancient Buddhist Literature
Music Ancient Jainism Literature
Classical Music Early Dravidian Literature (eg Sangam Period)
Folk Music Medieval Literature
Puppetry Trends in Medieval Literature
String Puppets Modern Indian Literature
Shadow Puppets
Rod Puppets Architecture
 Glove puppets Harappan Architecture
Modern Puppetry Mauryan Architecture
Tribal Puppetry Post-Mauryan Period Gupta Period
Pottery Temple Architecture
Ochre Coloured Pottery(OCP) Nagara Style
Black and Red Ware (BRW) Dravida Style
Painted Grey Ware (PGW) Vesara Style
Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) Cave Architecture
Glazed and Unglazed Pottery Buddhist Cave
Drama/Theatre Jaina Caves
Classical Sanskrit Theatre Gupta Period Caves
Regional Theatre Medieval and Indo-Islamic Architecture
Modern Theatre Imperial Style Delhi Sultanate
Martial Arts Provincial Style
Thang Ta Mughal Style
Gatka Sikh Style of Architecture
Kalaripayattu Rajput Architecture
Mallakhamb Salient features
Silambam Colonial Architecture & Modern Architecture
Other Important Martial Arts European Influence
Visual Art Indo-Saracenic Architecture
Sculptures of Harappan Civilization Post-Independence Period
Sculptures of the Mauryan Age Contribution of Buddhism & Jainism to the Development of Indian Architecture
Post-Mauryan Period Rock Cut Architecture
Jain Sculptures South Indian
Buddhist Sculpture Western Indian
Gupta Sculpture Eastern Indian
Medieval School of Sculpture
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 Dynasties
Iron Age Schools of Art: Gandhara; Mathura; Amravati
Imperial Guptas
Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) Political history of Guptas
Gupta Administration
Town Planning Development of Art & Culture
Harappan Society Age of Golden age
Characteristics of Major Centers Economic Conditions
Harappan Art & Architecture Urban centres in Gupta period
Decline of Harappan Culture Harshavardana
Sources for Harsha’s Period
Vedic Society Early life of Harsha
Harsha’s Administration
Original Home of Aryans Important Officials of the empire
Socio- Economic Characters of Vedic Society Economy under Harsha
Vedic Literature Huen Tsang
Social Organization and Varna System Society
Religion and Thought Religion
The Southern Dynasties
Satavahanas (230 BC TO AD 225)
Pre-Mauryan Period Pallavas (AD 330–796)
Chalukyas (AD 535–1190)
Mahajanpadas
 Haryanka dynasty Pandyas of Madurai (AD 590–1323)
Shishunaga dynasty Chola Dynasty (AD 850–1310)
Nanda dynasty Rashtrakutas (AD 753–973)

Jainism and Buddhism

Gautam Buddha
Mahavira
Growth of Jainism and Buddhism

Mauryan Empire

Chandragupta and Bindusara

Arthasastra (Book by Kautilya)
Megasthenes
Asoka and His Successors
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) or Mamluk Dynasty Maratha Empire

Khilji Dynasty
Tughluq dynasty Deccan Sultanate
Sayyid Dynasty
Lodi dynasty Ahmednagar Sultanate
Bijapur Sultanate
Struggle for Empire in North India (Afghans, Berar Sultanate
Golconda Sultanate
Rajputs and Mughals)
Bidar Sultanate
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 1857 Beginning of Mass Nationalism (1919-1939)

Later Mughals Mahatma Gandhi – His Ideas & Leadership

Regional powers in 18th Century Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
Carnatic Wars Rowlatt Act, Satyagrah and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
 Battle of Plassey & Buxar Non-cooperation & Khilafat Movement
Anglo-Mysore War Swarajists & No-Changers
Anglo Punjab War Emergence of New Forces – Socialistic Ideas, Youth & Trade
Socio-economic Condition of People Unionism
European Penetration of India Revolutionary Activity
British Conquest of India Simon Commission & Nehru Report
British Policies & Their Impact – Economic, Administrative Civil Disobedience Movement
& Socio-cultural Round Table Conferences
Socio-cultural Reform Movements Communal Award & Poona Pact
Uprisings Against British Pre-1857 Participation in Elections to Central Legislature (1934) &
Provincial Assemblies (1937)
Revolt of 1857 Government of India Act, 1935

Causes, Leaders, and Nature of revolt of 1857 Towards Freedom & Partition (1939-1947)
Suppression of revolt of 1857
Consequences of Revolt of 1857 National Movement During World War II
Act of Good Governance 1858 August Offer
Individual Satyagraha
Growth of Nationalism in India (1858-1905) Growth of Communalism
Peasant Movements
Political, Economic & Administrative Unification of the State People’s Struggle
Country Cripps Mission
Role of Western Education Quit India Movement
Role of Press Wavell Plan
Rediscovery of India’s Past INA & Subhash Chandra Bose
Early Political Movements Cabinet Mission
Formation of INC Nationalist Upsurge Post-World War II
Era of Moderates Independence with Partition

Growth of Militant Nationalism & Revolutionary

Activities (1905-1918)

Swadeshi & Boycott Movement

Surat Split
International Influence
Morley – Minto Reforms
Growth of Communalism

Post-Independence India
Post-independence Consolidation and Reorganization within the country
Nation Building Polity

Partition and Its Aftermath Era of One-Party Dominance

Integration of Princely States Emergence of Opposition Parties
Linguistic Regionalism in India Emergency: Crisis of Democratic Order
Reorganisation of States Rise of Regional Parties
Issue of Official Language Coalition Era
Tribal Consolidation
Regional Aspirations Social

Foreign Policy Popular Movements

Communalism
Non-Aligned Movement Indian Women Since Independence
Panchsheel Issue of Women and Evolution of Women Movement
Wars with Pakistan & China Naxalism
 Nuclear Policy Post-Independence Policy of Science And
Technology
Economy
India’s Policy in the Field of the Science and Technology
Planned Development Impact of Economic Reform on the Science and Technology in
Green Revolution, Operation Flood & Cooperatives India
Agrarian & Land Reforms
Industrial Reforms
LPG Reforms

World History
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
Beginning of the Modern World World Between the Two Wars

Renaissance Europe After the War – Fascism & Nazism

Discovery of Sea Routes The Great Depression
Reformation Emergence of Soviet Union
Counter Reformation Nationalist Movements in Asia & Africa
Industrial Revolution US as a Strong Power
European Nations Settle North America
Rise of Slave Trade World War II
American War of Independence
Foundation of American Colonies Fascist Aggression & Response of Western Democracies
The Independence of United States of America Outbreak of the War
The American Revolutionary War Theatres of the War
What was the impact of American Revolution? US Entry into the War
US Civil War Global Nature of the War
Impact of Civil War on USA The Holocaust
Global Impact of US Civil War Resistance Movements
Impact on India After-effects of the War
French Revolution
Causes Decolonialisation & Redrawal of National Boundaries
The revolution in France
France under Napoleon Europe after World War II
Impact of revolution Cold War
Significance of revolution Rise of Asia & Africa
Nationalism in Europe Developments in West Asia & North Africa
Rise of the nation- state system Spread of Communism
Unification of Italy Korean War
Unification of Germany Vietnam War
Rise of Capitalism, Colonialism & Imperialism Cuban Crisis
Colonialism Collapse of Soviet Union
The age of Imperialism (1870-1914)
Imperialism in Asia
Analysis of Colonialism
Concept, Types & Social Impact of Political
Philosophies
World War I
Communism
Capitalism
Causes of the War
Socialism
Scope & Course of the War
Russian Revolution
Major events in pre-revolution Russia
Causes
Course of revolution
 Consequences
Aftermath of the war
Post-Lenin Russia
End of the War & Peace Treaties
Consequences of the War
League of Nations

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

Population and Associated Issues Regionalism

Basic Demography of India Concept of Region & Regionalism

Population Trends in India and their Implications Different Forms of Regionalism
Causes and Effects of Over Population Regionalism in India
Challenges of Population Explosion Causes of Regionalism
Changing Age Structure of Indian Population Concept of 'Sons of Soil'
Demogarphic Dividend: Boon or Bane for India Consequences of Regionalism
Population Aging in India Federalism & Regionalism
India's Population Policy & Initiatives Role of Regional Parties
Measures to Contain Regionalism
Poverty and Developmental Issues Regionalism in the International Sphere

Concept of Development and Poverty Secularism

Types of Poverty
Measurement of Poverty – Poverty Line Concept of Secularism
Causes of Poverty Indian Model of Secularism
Poverty as a Social Problem Secularism in India
 Socio-economic Spread of Poverty Nature & Practice of Secularism in India
Consequences of Poverty – Uniform Civil Code
Inequality Challenges faced by Secularism in India
Continuation of Vicious Cycle Measures to Make India Truly Secular
Who is worst affected by poverty?
Problem of Rising Urban Poverty
Poverty Alleviation Initiatives
Policy shifts from “Trickle Down” Economics to Inclusive
or Pro-poor Development to 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 Geography Important Geophysical Phenomena such as
earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone
Geomorphology etc., geographical features and their location-
Origin & Evolution of Earth
Interior of the Earth
changes in critical geographical features (including
Distribution of Continents & Oceans Water-bodies and Ice-caps) and in flora and fauna
Plate Tectonic Theory and the effects of such changes
Distribution of Earthquakes & Volcanoes
Rocks & Rock Cycle Earthquakes
Geomorphic Processes – Endogenic & Exogenic Why Does Earth Shake?
Landforms & their Evolution Earthquake Waves
Geological Time Scale Shadow Zone
Oceanography Types of Earthquake
Hydrological Cycle Measuring Earthquake
Seafloor Spreading Effects of Earthquake
Ocean Floor Configuration Tsunami
Temperature & Salinity of Oceans What Causes Tsunami
Movement of Oceans – Waves, Tides, Currents Effect of Tsunami
Climatology Mitigating the Impact of Tsunami
Earth’s Atmosphere – Composition & Structure Volcanoes
Solar Radiation, Heat Budget & Temperature Types of Volcanoes
Atmospheric Circulation & Weather Systems What Causes Volcanoes?
World Climate (examples) Volcanic Landforms
Soil Geography Intrusive volcanic Landforms
Soil & Soil Contents Extrusive Volcanic Landforms
Process of Soil Formation Distribution of Volcanoes
Soil Forming Factors Cyclone
Types of Soils (examples) Tropical Cyclones
 Soil Erosion & Conservation Anti-Cyclone
Extra Tropical Cyclones
Distribution of Key Natural Resources across Factors Causing Changes in Critical Geographical Features
the world (including South Asia and the Indian Examples of Changing Geographical Features - Melting of Ice
Sheets, Desertification etc.
sub-continent) Impact of Changing Geographical Features
Physical Geography of India
Types of Resources Physiography of India
On the Basis of Origin, Ownership, Exhaustability Drainage System
etc. Climate
Land Resources Soils in India
Land Utilisation Natural Vegetation
Land Use Pattern Human Geography
Land Degradation & Conservation Demography
Forest Resources Urbanization
Types & Distribution – Grasslands, Forests etc. Census
Causes of Depletion Economic Geography
Conservation of Forests Agriculture
Water Resources Mineral resource
Marine & Freshwater Energy resources
Water Scarcity & Need For Conservation Industry
Integrated Water Resources Management Transport and Communication
Agricultural Resources
Types of Farming
Cropping Patterns
Contribution to Economy, Employment & Output
Food Security
Mineral & Energy Resources
Classification of Minerals – Ferrous & Non-Ferrous
Occurrence of Minerals
Conservation of Minerals
Classification of Energy Resources – Conventional
& Non-Conventional
Occurrence of Energy Resources
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
Raw Material
Labour
Market
Capital
Land
Grants & Financial Incentives
Power
Transport
Water
Communication
Distribution of Major Industries – Iron & Steel, IT, Cotton
Textile
Agglomeration & Footloose Industries