COMBINED CIVIL SERVICES - I

Group I Services
(Preliminary Examination)
General Studies ‐ Degree standard
TOPICS FOR OBJECTIVE TYPE
UNIT – I : General Science
Physics ‐ Universe ‐ General Scientific laws ‐ Scientific instruments ‐ Inventions and
discoveries ‐ National scientific laboratories ‐ Science glossary‐Mechanics and
properties of matter‐Physical quantities, standards and units‐Force, motion and
energy‐ electricity and Magnetism ‐ electronics & communications ‐ Heat, light and
sound‐Atomic and nuclear physics‐Solid State Physics‐Spectroscopy – Geophysics ‐
Astronomy and space science.
Chemistry ‐ Elements and Compounds‐Acids, bases and salts ‐ Oxidation and
reduction – Chemistry of ores and metals ‐Carbon, nitrogen and their compounds‐
Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides‐Biochemistry and biotechnology‐Electrochemistry‐
Polymers and plastics.
Botany ‐ Main Concepts of life science‐The cell‐basic unit of life‐Classification of living
organism‐Nutrition and dietetics‐Respiration‐Excretion of metabolic waste‐Bio‐
communication.
Zoology ‐ Blood and blood circulation‐Endocrine system‐Reproductive system‐
Genetics the science of heredity‐Environment, ecology, health and hygiene, Bio‐
diversity and its conservation‐Human diseases, prevention and remedies‐
Communicable diseases and non‐ communicable diseases‐Alcoholism and drug
abuse‐Animals, plants and human life.
UNIT ‐ II: Current Events
History - Latest diary of events – National ‐ National symbols ‐Profile of States‐
Defence, national security and terrorism‐World organizations‐pacts and summits‐
Eminent persons & places in news‐Sports & games‐Books & authors ‐Awards &
Honours‐Cultural panorama‐Latest historical events‐ India and its neighbours‐ Latest
terminology‐ Appointments‐who is who?
Political Science - India’s foreign policy ‐ Latest court verdicts – public opinion ‐
Problems in conduct of public elections‐ Political parties and political system in India‐
Public awareness & General administration‐ Role of Voluntary organizations & Govt.,‐
Welfare oriented govt. schemes, their utility.
Geography - Geographical landmarks‐Policy on environment and ecology.

Economics‐ Current socio‐economic problems‐New economic policy & Govt. sector.

Science ‐ Latest inventions on science & technology ‐ Latest discoveries in Health

Science ‐ Mass media & communication.
UNIT – III: Geography ‐ Earth and Universe ‐ Solar system ‐ Atmosphere
hydrosphere, lithosphere ‐Monsoon, rainfall, weather and climate ‐ Water resources ‐
rivers in India ‐ Soil, minerals & natural resources‐Natural vegetation‐Forest &
wildlife‐Agricultural pattern, livestock & fisheries‐Transport & communication‐Social
geography – population‐density and distribution‐Natural calamities – disaster
management‐Climate change ‐ impact and consequences ‐ mitigation measures‐
Pollution Control.
UNIT – IV: History and culture of India - Pre‐historic events ‐Indus valley
civilization‐Vedic, Aryan and Sangam age‐Maurya dynasty‐Buddhism and Jainism‐
Guptas, Delhi Sultans, Mughals and Marathas‐Age of Vijayanagaram and the
bahmanis‐South Indian history‐Culture and Heritage of Tamil people‐Advent of
European invasion‐Expansion and consolidation of British rule‐Effect of British rule
on socio‐economic factors‐Social reforms and religious movements‐India since
independence‐Characteristics of Indian culture‐Unity in diversity –race, colour,
language, custom‐India‐as secular state‐Organizations for fine arts, dance, drama,
music‐Growth of rationalist, Dravidian movement in TN‐Political parties and populist
schemes – Prominent personalities in the various spheres – Arts, Science, literature
and Philosophy – Mother Teresa, Swami Vivekananda, Pandit Ravishankar ,
M.S.Subbulakshmi, Rukmani Arundel and J.Krishnamoorthy etc.

UNIT – V : INDIAN POLITY ‐ Constitution of India ‐ Preamble to the constitution ‐

Salient features of constitution ‐ Union, State and territory ‐ Citizenship‐rights amend
duties ‐ Fundamental rights ‐ Fundamental duties ‐ Human rights charter ‐ Union
legislature – Parliament ‐ State executive ‐ State Legislature – assembly ‐ Status of
Jammu & Kashmir ‐ Local government – panchayat raj – Tamil Nadu ‐ Judiciary in
India – Rule of law/Due process of law ‐ Indian federalism – center – state relations ‐
Emergency provisions ‐ Civil services in India ‐ Administrative challenges in a welfare
state ‐ Complexities of district administration ‐ Elections ‐ Election Commission Union
and State ‐ Official language and Schedule‐VIII ‐ Amendments to constitution ‐
Schedules to constitution ‐ Administrative reforms & tribunals‐ Corruption in public
life ‐ Anti‐corruption measures – Central Vigilance Commission, lok‐adalats,
Ombudsman, Comptroller and Auditor General of India. ‐ Right to information ‐
Central and State Commission ‐ Empowerment of women‐ Voluntary organizations
and public grievances redressal ‐ Consumer protection forms.

UNIT – VI: INDIAN ECONOMY ‐ Nature of Indian economy ‐ Five‐year plan

models‐an assessment ‐ Land reforms & agriculture ‐ Application of science in
agriculture ‐Industrial growth ‐ Capital formation and investment‐Role of public
sector & disinvestment‐Development of infrastructure‐ National income ‐ Public
finance & fiscal policy ‐ Price policy & public distribution‐ Banking, money &
monetary policy ‐ Role of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) ‐ WTO‐globalization &
privatization ‐ Rural welfare oriented programmes ‐ Social sector problems –
population, education, health, employment, poverty ‐ HRD – sustainable economic
growth‐ Economic trends in Tamil Nadu ‐ Energy Different sources and development ‐
Finance Commission ‐ Planning Commission ‐ National Development Council.
UNIT – VII: INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT ‐ National renaissance‐ Early uprising
against British rule‐1857 Revolt‐ Indian National Congress ‐ Emergence of national
leaders‐ Gandhi, Nehru, Tagore, Netaji ‐Growth of militant movements ‐ Different
modes of agitations‐Era of different Acts & Pacts‐World war & final phase struggle ‐
Communalism led to partition‐ Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle ‐ Rajaji, VOC,
Periyar, Bharathiar & Others ‐ Birth of political parties /political system in India since
independence.
UNIT – VIII : APTITUDE & MENTAL ABILITY TEST ‐ Conversion of information to
data ‐ Collection, compilation and presentation of data ‐ Tables, graphs, diagrams‐
Parametric representation of data‐Analytical interpretation of data ‐Simplification‐
Percentage‐Highest Common Factor (HCF)‐Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)‐Ratio
and Proportion‐Simple interest‐Compound interest‐Area‐Volume‐Time and Work‐
Behavioral ability ‐ Basic terms, Communications in information technology ‐
Application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) ‐ Decision making
and problem solving.
Logical Reasoning: Puzzles – Dice ‐ Visual Reasoning‐ Alpha numeric Reasoning‐
Number Series ‐ Logical Number/Alphabetical/Diagrammatic Sequences.
….
 (Syllabus)
COMBINED CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION- I
Group - I Services (Main Examination)
( Degree Standard)

PAPER - I

UNIT- I : Modern history of India and Indian culture

UNIT- II : Social issues in India and Tamil Nadu
UNIT- III : General Aptitude & Mental Ability (SSLC Standard)

PAPER - II

UNIT- I : Indian Polity and emerging political trends across the

world affecting India

UNIT- II : Role and impact of Science and Technology in the

development of India

UNIT- III : Tamil Society ‐ Its Culture and Heritage

PAPER - III
UNIT- I : Geography of India with special reference to Tamil Nadu

UNIT- II : Environment, Bio Diversity and Disaster Management

UNIT- III : Indian Economy - Current economic trends and impact

of global economy on India
 SYLLABUS

COMBINED CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION - I

Group - I Services (Main Examination)
(Degree Standard)
PAPER – I - General studies

UNIT- I: MODERN HISTORY OF INDIA AND INDIAN CULTURE

Advent of European invasion ‐ Expansion and consolidation of British

rule - Early uprising against British rule ‐ 1857 Revolt - Indian National
Congress ‐ Growth of militant movements ‐ Different modes of agitations -
Emergence of national leaders ‐ Gandhi, Nehru, Tagore, Netaji, Moulana
Abulkalam Azad, Ambedkar and Patel ‐ Era of different Acts & Pacts ‐
Second World War & final phase struggle ‐ Communalism led to partition.

Effect of British rule on socio‐economic factors ‐ National

renaissance - Socio religious reform movements.

India since independence ‐ Characteristics of Indian culture ‐ Unity

in diversity ‐ Race, Language, Religion Custom ‐ India: a secular state ‐
Organizations for fine arts, dance, drama and music.

Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle ‐ Bharathiar, VOC,

Subramania Siva, Rajaji, Periyar and others - Political parties and Welfare
schemes.

Latest diary of events: National and International ‐ National

symbols- Eminent personalities & places in news ‐ Sports & Games ‐
Books & Authors ‐ Awards & Honours ‐ Cultural panorama ‐ Latest
historical events - Latest terminology ‐ Appointments ‐ who is who?

UNIT- II : SOCIAL ISSUES IN INDIA AND TAMIL NADU

Population Explosion ‐ Unemployment issues in India & Tamil Nadu ‐

Child Abuse & Child Labour - Poverty - Rural and Urban Sanitation –
Illiteracy.
 Women Empowerment ‐ Role of the Government in Women
Empowerment - Social injustice to Women ‐ Domestic violence, Dowry
menace, Sexual assault - Role of women and women’s organisations

Social changes in India - Urbanization and its impact on the society

– Problems and remedies ‐ Impact of violence on Society – Religious
violence, Terrorism and Communal violence ‐ Regional Disparities ‐
Problems of Minorities ‐ Human Rights issues.

Education – Linkage between Education and Social Development ‐

Community Development Programmes ‐ Employment Guarantee Schemes
‐ Self Employment and Entrepreneurship Development ‐ Role of N.G.Os in
Social Welfare – Government Policy on Health.

Welfare Schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the

Central and State governments and their performance.

Current Affairs

UNIT-III : GENERAL APTITUDE & MENTAL ABILITY

(SSLC Standard)

Conversion of information to data ‐ Collection, compilation and

presentation of data ‐ Tables, Graphs, Diagrams ‐ Parametric
representation of data ‐ Analytical interpretation of data ‐ Percentage ‐
Highest Common Factor (HCF) ‐ Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) ‐ Ratio
and Proportion ‐ Simple interest ‐ Compound interest ‐ Area ‐ Volume‐
Time and Work - Probability.

Information technology ‐ Basic terms, Communications ‐ Application

of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) ‐ Decision making
and problem solving ‐ Basics in Computers / Computer terminology.

*****
 COMBINED CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION- I
Group - I Services (Main Examination)
(Degree Standard)
PAPER – II - General studies

UNIT – I : INDIAN POLITY AND EMERGING POLITICAL TRENDS

ACROSS THE WORLD AFFECTING INDIA

Constitution of India: Historical background - Making of the Indian

Constitution - Preamble - Salient features of the Indian Constitution -
Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties - Directive Principles of State
Policy - Schedules to the Indian Constitution.

Union Executive: President, Vice - President, Prime Minister and Council

of Ministers, Attorney General of India.

Union Legislature: Parliament: Lok - Sabha and Rajya - Sabha -

Composition, Powers, Functions and Legislative procedures.

Union Judiciary: Structure, Powers and Functions of the Supreme Court -

Judicial Review - Latest Verdicts.

State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister - Speaker and Council of

Ministers , Advocate General of the State.

State Legislature: State Legislative Assembly - Organization, Powers and

Functions.

State Judiciary: Organisation, Powers and Functions of High Courts,

District Courts and Subordinate Courts.

Local Government: Historical Development - Features and working of 73rd

and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.

Union Territories: Evolution of States and Union Territories -

Administration of Union Territories.

Federalism in India: Centre - State Relations - Centre - State

Administrative Relations - Centre - State Legislative Relations and Centre -
State Financial Relations.
Civil Services in India: Historical background - Classification of Civil
Services – Recruitment & Training of Civil Servants.

State Services: Classification of State Services and Recruitment.

Official Language: Constitutional provision - Official Language Act,

VIII Schedule to the Constitution.

Amendments: Major Amendments to the Indian Constitution.

Special Status to Jammu & Kashmir: Art 370.

Political Parties: National & Regional parties, Pressure Groups, Interest

Groups, Public Opinion, Mass Media, Non-Governmental Organizations
(NGOs) and their role.

Issue Areas in Indian Administration: Corruption in India - Anti -

Corruption Measures - CVC - Lok Adalats - Ombudsman - RTI Act -
Minister - Secretary Relationship - Generalist Vs. Specialist controversy.

Constitutional and Non-Constitutional Bodies - Composition, Powers and

Functions.

Profile of States - Defence, National Security and Terrorism - World

Organisations - Pacts and Summits.

India's Foreign Policy: Foreign Affairs with Special emphasis on India's

relations with neighbouring countries and in the region - Security and
defence related issues - Nuclear Policy - Issues and conflicts. The Indian
Diaspora and its contribution to India and to the World.

Current Affairs

UNIT – II : ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN

THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA

Science and Technology – Role, Achievements and Developments -

Their applications and effects in everyday life ‐ Energy ‐ Conventional and
Non-conventional - Self sufficiency ‐ Oil exploration ‐ Defence Research
Organizations and other science and technology institutions - Ocean
Research and Development - Role and Functions.

Advancements in the fields of I.T., Space, Computers, Robotics,

Nano-Technology ‐ Mobile Communication - Remote sensing and its
benefits.

Health and hygiene ‐ Human diseases - Prevention and remedies ‐

Communicable diseases and non‐communicable diseases - Genetic
Engineering - Organ transplantation - Stem cell Technology - Medical
Tourism - Advancements in Horticulture & Agriculture.

Achievements of Indians in the fields of Science and Technology.

Latest inventions in science & technology.

UNIT – III : TAMIL SOCIETY - ITS CULTURE AND HERITAGE

Candidates may answer the questions in this unit EITHER in Tamil

OR in English.

1) Tamil Society : Origin and expansion.

2) Art and Culture : Literature, Music, Film, Drama, Architecture,

Sculpture, Paintings and Folk Arts.

3) Socio - economic history of Tamil Nadu from Sangam age to

till date.

4) Growth of Rationalist, Dravidian movements in Tamil Nadu -

Their role in the socio – economic development of Tamil Nadu.

5) Social and cultural life of contemporary Tamils : Caste, Religion,

Women, Politics, Education, Economy, Trade and relationship
with other countries.

6) Tamil and other Disciplines: Mass Media,

Computer etc.
******
 COMBINED CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION- I
Group - I Services (Main Examination)
( Degree Standard)
PAPER – III ‐ General studies

UNIT-I : GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO

TAMILNADU

Location - Physical features - Major Rivers - Weather & Climate -

Monsoon, Rainfall ‐ Natural resources:- Soil, Water, Forest, Minerals and
Wild life - Agricultural pattern – Livestock - Fisheries - Industries; Major
industries - Growth and Development - Social- Cultural geography -
Population : Growth, Density and Distribution - Racial, linguistic and
major tribes.

Oceanography - Bottom relief features of Indian Ocean, Arabian

sea and Bay of Bengal.

Basics of Geospatial Technology: Geographical Information

System (GIS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).
Map: Geographical landmarks - India and its neighbours.

Current Affairs

UNIT II: ENVIRONMENT, BIODIVERSITY AND DISASTER

MANAGEMENT

Ecology: Structure and function of Ecosystem – Ecological succession -

Biodiversity conservation: Types – Biodiversity Hot Spots in India –
Biodiversity : Significance and Threats – In situ and Ex situ conservation
measures – Roles of Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) & Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD).

Environmental Pollution and Management: Air, Water, Soil, Thermal

and Noise pollution and control strategies – Solid and Hazardous waste
management - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Steps in EIA
process – Environmental Clearance – Environmental Auditing.
Climate Change: Global Environmental Issues and Management –
Changes in monsoon pattern in Tamil Nadu and India – Environmental
consequences of climate change and mitigation measures – Clean and
Green Energy – Environmental Sustainability.

Environmental Laws, Policies & Treaties in India and Global scenario -

Natural calamities and Disaster Management – Environmental Health and
Sanitation.

Current Affairs

UNIT III : INDIAN ECONOMY - CURRENT ECONOMIC TRENDS AND

IMPACT OF GLOBAL ECONOMY ON INDIA

Features of Indian Economy – Demographical profile of India –

National Income – Capital formation - NEP (New Economic Policy) – NITI
AYOG – National Development Council.

Agriculture – Role of Agriculture – Land reforms – New Agricultural

Strategy – Green Revolution – Price Policy, Public Distribution System
(PDS), Subsidy, Food Security– Agricultural Marketing, Crop Insurance,
Labour – Rural credit & indebtness – WTO & Agriculture.

Industry - Growth ‐ Policy – Role of public sector and disinvestment

– Privatisation and Liberalization – Public Private Partnership (PPP) –
SEZs. – MSMEs. – Make in India.

Infrastructure in India – Transport System - Energy – Power –

Communication - Social Infrastructure - Science & Technology - R&D.

Banking & Finance – Banking, Money & Finance – Central Bank –

Commercial Bank – NBFIs. - Stock Market – Financial Reforms – Financial
Stability – Monetary Policy – RBI & Autonomy.

Public Finance – Sources of Revenue – Tax & Non-Tax Revenue – Canons

of taxation – GST – Public expenditure – Public debt – Finance
Commission – Fiscal Policy.
 Issues in Indian Economy – Poverty & inequality – Poverty
alleviation programmes – MGNREGA – New Welfare programmes for rural
poverty – Unemployment – Inflation – Inflation targeting – Sustainable
economic growth – Gender issues.

India’s Foreign Trade – BOP, EX-IM Policy, FOREX Market, FDI;

Globalization & its impact – Global economic crisis & impact on Indian
economy.

International Agencies – IMF (International Monetary Fund) World

Bank - BRICS - SAARC - ASEAN.

Tamil Nadu Economy & Issues – Gross State Domestic Product –

Trends in State’s economic growth – Demographic profile of Tamil Nadu –
Agriculture – Industry & entrepreneurship development in Tamil Nadu –
Infrastructure – Power, Transportation systems – Social Infrastructure –
SHGs. & Rural Women empowerment – Rural poverty & unemployment –
Environmental issues – Regional economic disparities – Local
Government - Recent government welfare programmes.

Current Affairs
*****