February 4, 2025 1:00 am
(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.
Complete Break down of Syllabus
General Studies-I Syllabus
1. Indian Heritage and Culture
| Topic | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Indian Art Forms | – Paintings: Mural, Miniature (Mughal, Rajput, Pahari) – Dance: Classical (Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, etc.), Folk, Modern – Music: Classical (Hindustani, Carnatic), Folk, Modern |
| Puppetry | – String Puppets (Kathputli) – Shadow Puppets (Tholu Bommalata) – Rod Puppets (Putul Nach) – Glove Puppets (Pavakoothu) – Modern and Tribal Puppetry |
| Pottery | – Ochre Coloured Pottery – Black and Red Ware – Painted Grey Ware – Northern Black Polished Ware – Glazed and Unglazed Pottery |
| Visual Art & Sculpture | – Harappan Civilization Sculptures – Mauryan Period Sculptures (Ashokan Pillars, Yaksha-Yakshi) – Gupta Period Sculptures – Medieval and Modern Indian Sculpture |
| Architecture | – Harappan (Town Planning, Drainage) – Mauryan (Stupas, Pillars) – Temple (Nagara, Dravida, Vesara) – Cave (Buddhist, Jain, Hindu) – Indo-Islamic (Delhi Sultanate, Mughal, Sikh) – Colonial & Modern (Indo-Saracenic) |
2. Ancient History
| Topic | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Pre-Historic Period | – Paleolithic (Stone Age) – Mesolithic – Neolithic – Chalcolithic – Iron Age |
| Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) | – Town Planning – Major Centers (Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Dholavira) – Art & Architecture – Decline of Harappan Culture |
| Vedic Period | – Early and Later Vedic Period – Socio-Economic Life – Vedic Literature (Rigveda, Samaveda) – Social Organization and Varna System |
| Religious Movements | – Jainism: Mahavira’s Teachings, Growth, Literature – Buddhism: Teachings of Buddha, Councils, Spread across Asia |
| Mauryan Empire | – Chandragupta, Bindusara – Asoka (Kalinga War, Inscriptions, Dhamma) – Mauryan Administration and Decline |
| Post-Mauryan Period | – Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Kushanas – Satavahanas – Gandhara, Mathura, and Amaravati School of Art |
| Gupta Period | – Political History – Golden Age of India – Gupta Administration – Art & Culture (Sculpture, Paintings, Literature) – Decline |
| Southern Dynasties | – Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Chalukyas – Architecture and Temple Building – Administration, Trade, and Economy |
3. Modern Indian History
| Topic | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Modern Indian History | – Events from mid-18th century (Battle of Plassey) – Rise of Regional Powers – Decline of Mughal Empire |
| The Freedom Struggle | – 1857 Revolt (Causes, Leaders, Suppression) – Key Movements (Swadeshi, Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India) |
| British Administration and Policies | – British Expansion – Economic Impact of British Rule – Social and Cultural Policies (Education, Press) |
| Rise of Nationalism | – Early Nationalist Organizations – Role of INC, Moderates, Extremists – Revolutionary Activities |
| Towards Independence | – Growth of Communalism – Gandhi’s Role – Cripps Mission, INA, Partition, Independence |
4. Post-Independence India
| Topic | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Nation Building | – Integration of Princely States – Reorganization of States (Linguistic Regionalism) |
| Economic Policies | – Planned Development (Five-Year Plans) – Green Revolution – Industrial Reforms (LPG) |
| Social Issues | – Tribal and Regional Aspirations – Communalism, Secularism, Naxalism |
| Foreign Policy | – Non-Aligned Movement – Relations with Pakistan and China – Nuclear Policy |
5. World History
| Topic | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| 18th Century Events | – Industrial Revolution – American and French Revolutions |
| Political Philosophies | – Rise of Capitalism, Socialism, Communism – Nationalism and the Nation-State Concept |
| Colonialism and Imperialism | – European Colonization of Asia and Africa – Imperialism in Asia |
| World Wars and Interwar Period | – Causes and Consequences of WWI and WWII – Russian Revolution – Fascism, Nazism, and the Great Depression |
| Cold War Era | – Korean War – Vietnam War – Decolonization – Collapse of Soviet Union |
6. Indian Society
| Topic | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Salient Features of Society | – Diversity of India (Caste, Religion, Language) – Family System – Unity in Diversity |
| Role of Women | – Women’s Organizations – Role in Freedom Struggle – Social Reform Movements |
| Population Issues | – Population Trends and Policies – Demographic Dividend – Aging Population |
| Urbanization | – Urban Problems (Slums, Housing) – Urban Planning – Government Initiatives |
| Social Empowerment | – Disadvantaged Groups – Government Initiatives for Social Empowerment |
7. Geography
| Topic | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| World’s Physical Geography | – Geomorphology (Earth’s Structure, Plate Tectonics) – Oceanography (Seafloor, Currents) – Climatology (Weather, Climate) |
| Natural Resources | – Key Resources (Land, Water, Forest, Minerals) – Distribution and Conservation |
| Geophysical Phenomena | – Earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanoes, Cyclones |
| India’s Physical Geography | – Physiographic Divisions – Drainage Systems – Climate, Soils, Natural Vegetation |
| Economic Geography | – Agriculture – Mineral and Energy Resources – Industrial Location |
This syllabus provides a more detailed breakdown with each major section and sub-topic, organized for easier study planning.
