Gs General Info

2010

satishtj

Defining Scope of GS for CSE

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.

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Defining Scope of GS for CSE

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Table of Contents Topics Introduction Economy Polity History Art and Culture Geography India Year Book Manorama Year Book Current Affairs Science and technology A final word

Page Nos 3 4-10 11-20 21 22-23 24 25 26 27 28 29

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Introduction

Civil Service Examination is in fact only examination where students from different streams like arts , science or literature enjoy same footing . You may be a IIT-JEE topper or a topper throughout your academics, but this will not ensure you success at CSE . It needs a strategy and dedication more than any mathematic intelligence . It demands “art of reasoning” of science as well as “empathy and expression “ of arts .

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 . “Success is sweet but it demands sweat” . All the best …………………………

X Satish TJ (Be in touch...)

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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 : Indian Economy Issues Macro Economy Issues Current Issues

11th std NCERT Indian Economy NCERT IC . Dhingra and Internet

Economy Phase – I Topics

Issues Covered

Human Development Report

HDI HPI – I and II TAI GDI PQLI

Development

Paradigm. Economic Growth ED HD Sustainable Development

Poverty and Unemploymen

Theme of lecture “Indices are the dimensions of measurement ” Focus of paradigm Quantity Narrow Broad capability sustainability

Measurement GDP ( is this real ??) Gini Coefficient PQLI HDI,GDI,HPI Green GDP, Genuine savings, green index

“Money is only a means to an end – Education. Health”

Defining poverty and recent estimates on poverty .

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A multidimensional problem . Absolute , relative poverty etc .. Poverty gap . Poverty Alleviation programs.

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“Poor is a 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

Money

M0, M1 , M2 , M3 , M4 , concept of High powered money .

Banking

PLR , LIBOR, MIBOR Credit Info Bureau , Asset Reconstruction Co , CAR/ CRAR , BASEL – II , Sarfesi Act. Deposits ( Time , Demand). An Institutional overview. SCB , RRB etc . Lead Bank scheme , Differential Interest scheme , service area approach , priority sector , Non – performing assets and Asset Reconstruction fund .

Fiscal Policy Taxation

1. Direct and Indirect taxes. 2. Ad valonum and Specific Tax .

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3. Progressive vs Regressive Tax. Understanding Budget preparation . Understanding Deficits 5types • Revenue deficit • Budget deficit • Fiscal deficit • Primary deficit • Monetized deficit

India’s Tax structure and reforms • IT , Corp Tax , Service Tax , FBT • MODVAT / CENVAT/VAT • STT , BTT • MAT • Customs and Excise , Tonnage tax • GST

Kelkar Task force

Inflation

• FRBM Act Outcome Budgeting , Finance Commission ( 13th ??) • Causes ( Push , pull) • Stag , galloping , core • Deflation , recession • Monetary , fiscal and Administrative polices . • CPI , WPI , PPI • Recent RBI reports on these indices

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WTO

• Differences and similarities between GATT and WTO . • Original 6 point agenda
Free Trade
Abolition of MFA
TRIPS
TRIMS
GATS
AOM  Market Access  Reduction of Subsidies  Patenting of Agriculture [ Product patent , Super 301, Special 301, Amber , Green and Blue box subsidies , Deminimus Support and Sui Genisis , Swizz formula ] • Singapore Issues ( 4 issues)
Competition policy
Trade facilitation policy
Transparency in govt procurement
MAI • 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 “Namma IAS” Blog :http://nammaias.blogspot.com Contact:09844042465

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Defining Scope of GS for CSE World Bank and IMF FDI and FII

IDA and IFC , SDR’s.

FDI Routes

Magnitude , Source , Sectors , Benefits , dangers /demerits , promotion FPI Routes

Hedge Funds Stock Market

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Automatic Route , FIPB , Through NRI . MLIGA , FERA , FEMA , FIIA , FIFA

FII, GDR and ADR , offshore funds , Tobin Tax PN

Primary and Secondary market , Bulls and Bears , Merchant Banking , SEBI, De-mat , NSDL , CDSI, SDT , Badla , Rolling settlement , Short selling , buy back , Employee stock options , derivatives , NIFTY/SENSEX , NASDAQ , CRISIL ,ICRA , CARE ,NSE , BSE.

Industry • Corporatization , Disinvestment , Privatization • MRTP ( 69) and CCI ( 2002) • Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility • Power Sector – 11th FYP • IIFCL • PPP
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BOT ( Toll) , BOT ( Annuity) , DBFOT Exports

• Foreign Trade Policy • Tariff Rationalization
Peak Rate of Customs duty
Rationalization of duty structure
Types of duties ( Addl duties of customs [ countervailing duty]
Anti – Dumping and safeguard duty ( NAMA !!)
Duty Drawback Scheme , Duty Exemption Scheme , DEPB etc • SEZ , AEZ , EPZ . • FOCUS-LAC , FOCUS- AFRICA .

Economic Cooperation Agreements

5 levels . Level 1 : PTA Level 2: FTA Level 3: Customs Union Level 4: Common Market Level 5: Economic Union Exchange Rate Full float , dirty float, pegged , crawled peg, Management Dollarized . Balance of Current Account Deficit , Capital account payments deficit. Forex Reserves The importance of it . Planning

Different curves

Perspective , Rolling , Indicative , Greesham’s law . 1. Philips curve . 2. Gini and Loren’z curve. 3. Lafer curve .

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Defining Scope of GS for CSE REPORTS OF CURRENT INTERSTS

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Current updates as it comes .

Economy Phase –II In this phase we will be analyzing the Economic Survey which is released by Government of India during Feb every year . The above concepts which we learn in phase-I can be seen in application . This is the most important aspect for the Mains . One has to be prepare with Economic survey before Mains .

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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 Introducing Constitution and What is India ? Who are Indians Federalism

Centre – State Legislative Relations

Centre – State Administrati ve relations

Issues • Difference between written and unwritten constitution . • Defining India • Citizenship , OCI , PIO • What makes any constitution federal • Federal characteristics • Anti-federal characteristics
Mode of formation
Position of states vs Union
Nature of polity • Territorial extent and its limitations. • Distribution of legislative powers • When can Union legislate over State list ? • Doctrine of Pith and Substance and Doctrine of Colorable legislation. • Distribution of Executive powers • When can union give direction to State
.Normal Times

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Centre – State Financial Relations

• • • • •

Conflict Resolution mechanism btw Centre and State

• • • • • • •

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Emergency
Mutual Understanding Difference btw power of levying a tax and power to appropriate the tax . Limitations on State to impose tax in 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 . InterState Councils Zonal Councils NIC NDC

Preamble

• Why is preamble just a decorative element ? • Ideals and aspiration found in preamble • Use of preamble • Is preamble amendable

Fundamenta l Rights

• Difference btw English , US and Indian concept • What is State • FR – not really fundamental !! • Classification of FR • Doctrine of Basic feature.

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Important cases • SajjanSingh • Golaknath • Keshavanada Bharati Page 12

Defining Scope of GS for CSE • Suspension of FR . • Doctrine of Eclipse and some more Doctines !! • FR for army and amending power of Parliament .

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• Minnerva Mills • Gopalan • Maenaka Gandhi


Difference btw “Equality before law” and “Equal protection of law” .
Exceptions RRCSP
Equal opportunity for employment.
Mandal – I and Mandal – II.

Art 14

Art 15 Art 16

Art 17

Art 20

What is untouchability Issue surrounding Bharat Ratna . • Different freedoms and their limitations • Freedom for Press , RTI • Arrested ??

Art 21

Wide interpretation by

Art 18 Art 19

SC

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Defining Scope of GS for CSE Religious Rights Minorites

Constituti on Remedies

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• Secularism , • Controversy of Conversion • Who is a minority , their rights and recent issues regarding admissions to higher education institutions. Habeas Corpus , Prohibition , Certiorari, Quowarranto , Mandamus .

DPSP

• Uses of DPSP. • Relation between FR and DPSP and Doctrine of Harmonization . • Why is DPSP not justicible ? • Discussions of individual articles of DPSP

Fundamenta l Duties

• 11 fD

President

• What is executive power . • Election of Prez,Dispute resolution , Term of office . • Veto powers . • Position of President ( Is he a rubber stamp) • Powers of President • Summoning , dissolving Ls , Ordinace , pardon etc .

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• Champakam Derairajan vs SOM • Kerala Education Bill

• Ram Jawya • Samsher Singh . • UN Rao vs Indira Gandhi . •

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• Discretionary power of Prez. COM

• Difference btw Cabinet , MOS and deputy Minister . Parliamentary Secretary . • Collective responsibility , Individual Responsibility and Legal Responsibility

PM

• His powers and position

Forms of Government

• • • • • • • • •

Conventions

• Differnet types of conventions in polity

Parliament

Parliamentary vs Presidential PM form of Govt . Cabinet form of Govt. Caretaker form of Govt . Interim form of Govt. Minority form of Govt . Coalation Govt . National Govt. Shadow Govt .

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

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Women and Reservation 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

•

Governor

• Arguments for and against Nomination • Changing position of governor in

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coalation . • Powers • Discretionary powers of Governor .
Special Responsibility
Discretion in practice • Can Governor dismiss CM? State Legislature

Judiciary

• How to create a LC ? composition ( Remember the co-operative movement) • Qualification , Disqualification and privelges . • Difference btw RS and LC in powers • Difference btw Veto powers of Governor and Veto of President • Difference btw Ordinance making powers of Gov and Prez • Difference btw Pardon powers of Gov and Prez Supreme Court • Appointment of Judges . • Qualification . • Removal of a judge • Independence • SC as a federal court , as a court of appeal , as a guardian court . • Original Jurisdiction , Appelate , Appeal by special leave , Advisory judistriction , Miscelleaneous High Court • Constitution , Apptmt of judge, Qualification for a judge . • Independence of judge and difference btw SC and HC judge ( after

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Defining Scope of GS for CSE

• • • • • •

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retirement) Control of Union over HC Original , Appellate jurisdiction NJC Regional Benches Court of Record and contempt of court PIL and Judicial Activism

J&K , Delhi special status

• Reasons and what these special status are

Elections

• 326, 325 , 327,328,329 • Election Commission .
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)
Opinion poll vs Exit poll
EVM • Election Terms
Presiding officer
Who is a Civil servant in context of elections
Returning officer
Special voter

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Defining Scope of GS for CSE

• • Emergency powers

• • • • •


Loss of security
Right to recall
MCC
Referendum vs Plebiscite Different Electoral systems Defining democracy and its components Art 352 before 44th Amendment and after 44th Amendment . Art 356 , 355 , 365 Bommai case Financial emergency Difference btw Art 352 and 356

Freedom of Inter-State trade and commerce

• Art 301 to 307 • Diff btw art 19 1(g) and Art 301 • Concept of compensatory and regulatory tax

Service under union & State

• Article 310 , 311 the reservoir of corruption ?? • Doctrine of “pleasure “ and its exemptions • UPSC and its provisions

Languages , Minorites , SC , ST

• Provisions and respective commissions

Miscellaneo us

• Fast Tract Courts • Lok Adalats

Schedules

• The case of Oaths , can a minster take oath in name of CM ??

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Bommai case

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• Schedule 9 – the blanket for JR • Anti-Defection • Schedule 5 vs Schedule 6 Reports • NCWRC, 2nd ARC Polity – phase 2 In this phase we will deal with the current events of relevance which have occurred . This phase will be held after prelims .

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History History has 3 parts namely 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 1. Spectrum Modern India 2. Selected chapters from Bipin Chandra’s “India’s struggle for Independence” 3. Goroover and Goroover selected chapters especially some quotations. Topic 1857-1905

1905 - 1919 1919 - 1922 1922 - 1930 1930-35

Focus Comments Pre-congress Institutions , Congress and its initial agenda , Bengal split , Swaraj movement , Moderates The Extremists and Revolutionary Terrorism NC ML and Jinnah and Lahore Congress Civil Disobedience and RTC

1937 Elections 1942 Post 1940 developments

Quit India August Offer to Mount Batten Spectrum is a must read cover to cover .

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Art and culture . Religion and Philosphy Hinduism

Bhakti

Jainism and Buddhism Sikhism Islam Sufism

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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 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

Khalsa ,Akali, SKS Sunni and Shia • Silsilah • Chisti order , Suhrawardi , Qadiri,shattari,Firdausi,Naqshbandi Trinity

Christianity Zorastrianism Judaism Talmud , Torah Ideas and

• Advaita , Akal Takath , Bodhisatva, Din-I illahi , Dvaita ,

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Defining Scope of GS for CSE Thoughts

Personalites

Festivals Music

Hijrah, Lokayata , Mimamsa, Nirankari, Nyaya , Sankhya,Shariah,Tantricism , Tirthankara, urs , uttaramimamsa , Vaishavika , vishistadvaitha,Yoga • Andal , Arjan Dev Guru , Chaitanya , Chandidas, Kwaja Muinuddin Chisti, Shaik Nizamuddin Auliya , Shaikh salim, • Eknath , Gokulnath , Gobind Singh , Jnana Deva , Kabir , Lokacharya , Mirabai, Nagarjuna , Guru Nanak, Ramana Maharshi , Ramdas , Sankar , Tukaram , Tulsidas .

Language and Literature

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Govt and culture

• Institutions • Cultural policy

Dance

Drama

Art

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Basics Hindustani vs carnatic Compositions Modern Developments Personalites Origin Basics Classical folk dance folkdance Beginnings Classical theme Dramatists of Antiquity Folk theatre Modern Drama Some Modern developments Architecture and sculpture Metal sculpture Painting Places of cultural interest Origin Literary personalites

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Geography Geography is divided into 4 sections . Geography concepts, World Geography and Indian Geography , People and Economy .

Sources 1. NCERT for World Geography 2. New NCERT for Indina and its 22 maps 3. People and Economy , new NCERT . A detailed study of above NCERTS along with India Year Book is a must .

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India Year Book 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 . There are many strategies to become a master of this book mainly 1. Using a diagrammatic picturization. 2. Mnemonics 3. Forming a question to get the paragraph as the answer . Further details will be made available in the classes .

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Manorama Year Book . This is a excellent book on general knowledge . Only selective reading is necessary and relevant page numbers and boxes will be made available to students in February along with memory aids for the same .

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Current Affairs This is the most important part of the examination . One has to develop the knack of reading newspaper for the same . Sources 1. 2. 3. 4.

The Hindu newspaper Wizard’s 1000 questions for prelims and Mains . Vajiram’s Current affairs material for prelims and Mains. Websites of Government

Art of reading a Newspaper. 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 . 1. India and the World(A complete book) Most of editorial articles and front page articles . There is no use of one cutting and pasting a article without reading it . One has prepare a good notes understanding the crux of the article and also take a stand if the occurrence of particular event in India’s interest or otherwise . 2. Personalities , Books in News ,Awards 3. Energy , Environment , polity 1 book 4. Science and Technology ,sports 5. Social Issues ( A complete book) orm which month to which month should current affairs be covered The trend generally is that from May to Feb for Prelims and Sep to Sep for Mains .

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Science and Technology 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 . This component has following sections 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Nano-Technology Space Technology Bio-Technology Robotics Intellectual Property Rights Internet Nuclear Energy and its technology

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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 . All the Best …

“Sail in the ship of ambition and anchor at the harbor of success “

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