ANCIENT HISTORY
1. Prehistoric Cultures in India

 Periodization of Indian pre history

 Sources of prehistory
 Stone age
o Palaeolithic (2 million BC – 10,000 BC)

o Mesolithic (10,000 BC – 8,000 BC)

o Palaeolithic (8000 BC – 4000 BC)

 Chalcolithic Age (4000 BC – 1500 BC)

 Iron age (1500 BC-200 BC)
 Impact of Iron

2.  Pastoral and Farming Communities

 Neolithic Phase
 Chalcolithic Phase
 Early Iron Phase
 Geographical Distribution and Characteristics

3. Indus Valley Civilization

 Major cities
 Town Planning
 Harappan Trade
 Agriculture
 Domestication of animals
 Crafts
 Religion
 Harappan Pottery
 Weights and Measures
 Script and Language
 Images
 Decline of Harappan Culture
4. Vedic Society

 Original Home of Aryans

 Features of Aryan Culture
 Vedic Texts
 Sources for Reconstructing 
 Vedic Society and Culture
 Geography of the Rig Vedic Period
 Geography of the later Vedic Phases
 Economic Conditions
 Political Organization and Evolution of Monarchy
 Social Organisation and Varna System
 Religion and Thought

5. Pre Mauryan-Period

 Formation of states
 The Sixteen Mahajanapadas
 Republics
 Rise of urban centres
 Haryanka dynasty
 Shishunaga dynasty
 Nanda dynasty

6. The Mauryan Empire

 Chandragupta and Bindusara

 Megasthenes
 Asoka and His Successors
 Asoka’s Inscriptions and Sites
 Asoka’ a Dhamma
 Mauryan. Administration, Economy, Society and Art
 The Arthasastra

7. Post Mauryan India (BC-200-AD 300)

 Society Evolution of Jatis

  Sangam Texts-and Society
 Satavahanas and Other Indigenous Dynasties
 Foreign Dynasties
 Commercial Contacts with the Outside World
 Schools of Art

8. Growth of Jainism and Buddhism

 Jainism
 Buddhism

9. Imperial Guptas

 Sources of Gupta Rule

 Political history of Guptas
 Fahien
 Gupta Administration
 Gupta Culture
 Urban centres in Gupta period
 Economic Conditions

10. Harshavardhana

 Sources for Harsha’s Period

 Early life of Harsha
 Harsha’s Administration
 Important Officials of the empire
 Economy under Harsha
 Society
 Religion

11. The Southern Dynasties

 The Satavahanas (230 BC TO AD 225)

 The Pallavas (AD 330–796)
 The Chalukyas (AD 535–1190)
 The Pandyas of Madurai (AD 590–1323)
 
MEDIEVAL INDIA

1. Central Asian Politics and the Advance of Babur towards

India

 The Timurids
 The Timurid-Uzbek and Uzbek-Iran Conflict and Babur
 Babur’s Advance towards India

2. Struggle for Empire in North- India (Afghans, Rajputs and

Mughals)

 Struggle between Ibrahim Lodi and Babur

 The Battle of Panipat
 Babur’s problems after the Battle of Panipat
 Struggle with Rana Sanga
 Problems of the Eastern Areas and the Afghans
 Babur’s Contribution and Significance of his Advent into India

3. Struggle for Empire in North India

 Humayun and the Afghans

 Early Activities of Humayun, and the Tussle with Bahadur Shah
 The Gujarat Campaign
 The Bengal Campaign, and Struggle with Sher Khan

4. The Establishment of the North Indian Empire

 The Surs
 Sher Shah’s Early Life
 Social and Political Background of Bihar and the Rise of Sher
Shah to Power.
 The Sur Empire (1540-56)
 Contributions of Sher Shah

5. Consolidation and Expansion of the Empire - Akbar

  Conflict with the Afghans - Hemu
 Struggle with the Nobility: Bairam Khan’s
 Regency; Revolt of Uzbek Nobles
 Early Expansion of the Empire (1560-76) - Malwa, Garh-
Katanga, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Eastern India
 Relations with the Rajputs - Growth of a Composite Ruling
Class
 Rebellions, and Further Expansion of the Empire in the North
West

6. State and Government under Akbar

 Akbar’s Concept of Suzerainty

 Structure of Government, Central and Provincial - the Vikalat,
Central Ministries, Provincial Government,
 District and Local Government
 The Working of Government - the Ruler, Land-Revenue
System, the Dahsala System.
o The Mansabdari System and the Army

7. Akbar’s Religious Views

 Relations with the Ulama and Social Reforms

 The Early Phase (1556-73)
 The Second Phase (1573-80) - the Ibadat Khana
 Debates - the Mahzar – Breach with Orthodox
 Ulama - Re-organisation of Madad-i-Maash Grants
 Third or Final Phase - Din-i-Ilahi 
 State Policies and religious toleration

8. The Deccan and the Mughals (upto 1657)

 The Deccani States upto 1595

 Mughal Advance towards the Deccan
 Mughal Conquest of Berar, Khandesh and parts of
Ahmadnagar
  Rise of Malik Ambar, and Frustration of Mughal Attempt at
Consolidation (1601-27)
 Extinction of Ahmadnagar, Acceptance of Mughal
 Suzerainty by Bijapur and Golconda
 Shah Jahan and the Deccan (1636-57)
 Cultural Contribution of the Deccani States

9. Foreign Policy of the Mughals

 Akbar and the Uzbeks

 The Question of Qandahar and Relations with Iran
 Shah Jahan’s Balkh Campaign
 Mughal - Persian Relations - the Last Phase

10. India in the First Half of the Seventeenth Century

 Jahangir’s Accession - his Early Difficulties

 Territorial Consolidation and Expansion of the Empire - Mewar,
East India and Kangra
 Nur Jahan, and the Nur Jahan ‘Junta’
 The Rebellions of Shah Jahan, and the coup de main of
Mahabat Khan
 Jahangir as a Ruler

 State and Religion in the First Half of the Seventeenth Century

 Shah Jahan - Consolidation and Expansion of the Empire
 Evolution of the Mughal Ruling Class and the Mansabdari
System

11. Aurangzeb - Religious Policies, North India and the Rajputs

 War of Succession
 Religious Policy: First Phase (1658-79)
 Reforms and Puritanical Measures, Hindu
 Temples, Jizyah; Second Phase (1679-1707)
 Territorial Consolidation and
 Expansion of Empire - North India
  Popular Revolts - Jats, Satnamis, Afghans and Sikhs
 Breach with Marwar and Mewar

12. Climax and Crisis of the Mughal Empire the Marathas and
the Deccan

 Rise of the Marathas - Early Career of Shivaji 

 Treaty of Purandar - the Agra Visit
 Shivaji’s Swaraj – Administration and Achievements
 Aurangzeb and the Deccani States (1658-87)
 Marathas and the Deccan (1687-1707)
 Assessment of Aurangzeb and the Jagirdari Crisis

13. Society-Structure and Growth

 Rural Society
 Towns and Town Life
 Artisans and Master-Craftsmen
 Women
 Servants and Slaves
 Standard of Living
 The Ruling Classes - Nobility, Rural Gentry
 The Middle Strata
 The Commercial Classes

14. Economic Life-Patterns and Prospects

 Inland Trade
 Overseas Trade - Role of Foreign Trading companies - Position
of Indian merchant’s over-land Trade
 The Mughal State and Commerce
 Trend of India’s Economy and Prospects during the First Half
of the Eighteenth Century

15. Religion, Fine Arts, Science and Technology

 Religion- Hindu Religion, Sikh Religion, Islam

  Fine Arts - Architecture, Painting, Language and Literature,
Music
 Science and Technology

16. Northern India in the First Half of the Eighteenth Century

 Bahadur Shah I, and the Beginning of the Struggle

 For Wizarat - Rajput Affairs - Marathas
 Deccan - Accentuation of the Party Struggle
 Struggle for ‘New’ Wizarat: Zulfiqar Khan and Jahandar Shah
(1712-13)
 The Sayyid Brothers’ Struggle for ‘New’ Wizarat
 The Saiyid ‘New’ Wizarat
 The Wizarat of M. Amin Khan and Nizam-ul-Mulk
 Rise of Regional States, Beginning of Foreign Invasions of
India (1725-48)

17. The Maratha Bid for Supremacy

 The Marathas and their Policy of Expansion

 The Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk
 The Maratha Advance into Gujarat and Malwa
 The Maratha Advance into Doab and Punjab
 First Phase (1741-52); Second Phase (1752-61);
 Third Battle of Panipat

 
MODERN HISTORY
1. Scenario before 1857

 Later Mughals
 Regional powers in 18th Century
 The British conquest of India
 The wars during British conquest of India
 British Administration before 1857

2. Revolt of 1857
  Indian National Movement (1858-1905)
 Early Nationalists and Swadeshi Movement
 Government of India Act 1909
 Home rule league movement

3. The struggle for Swaraj

 Montague’s statement – Aug 1917

 Emergence of Gandhi – as a mass leader
 Khilafat & non-Cooperation Movement (NCM)
 Swaraj party
 Revolutionary Terrorism phase II (1920’s)
 Simon Commission and Nehru report

4. Intimation of freedom

 Civil Disobedience Movement

 Round table conference
 Poona pact
 Government of India Act 1935
 Tripuri session – 1939

 August offer
 Individual Satyagraha 1940-41

5. Towards achievement of freedom

 Popular struggles in the princely states

 2nd World War and Nationalist response

6. Partition of India

 Rise of Communalism
 Wavell plan
 Cabinet Mission Plan
 Mountbatten plan
7. During the freedom struggle

 Indian renaissance/socio-religious movement

 Civil Rebellions during British
 Tribal movements during British period
 Peasant’s movement during British period
 Working class Movement (1850-1900)
 Growth of communalism
 Left and communist trends in National Movement
 Press and education during British period
 Role of women in Freedom Struggle
 Governor generals of India
 Viceroys of India
 Important persons
 Important newspaper/journals
 Congress sessions

 
POST INDEPENDENCE INDIA
1. Reorganisation of states

 Constitutional provisions related to State formation

 Factors that led to merger
 Accession of the princely states
 Accession of States under France and Portuguese
 Accession of Sikkim
 Rehabilitation of the Refugees
 Federal crisis
 Regional aspirations, insurgencies and areas of tension
 Accommodation and national integration

2. Linguistic Regionalism in India

 Constitutional position and language policy

 Language and regionalism
 Recent controversy due to rise of Hindi
3. Tribal Issue and Policy Consolidation

 Issues & Present Status

 Policy consolidation

4. Issue of Women and Evolution of Women Movement

 Issues & challenges

 Women movements
 Government policy response and legislation
 Governmental schemes

5. Problem of Caste and Social consolidation

 Caste practices in India

 Ambedkar Movement
 Constitutional provisions
 Recent government initiatives for emancipation of Scheduled
Castes
 Issues of Manual Scavenging

6. Communalism & Social Consolidation

 Secularism
 Causes of Communalism in India
 Consequences of the communalism and social consolidation

7. Issue of Linguistic Minorities

 Operational Inefficiency
 Government initiatives

8. Overview of Economic Development since Independence

 Planning in India

9. Agriculture
  Industry
 Service sector
 Current challenges facing the Indian economy
 Agriculture
 Journey through Five Year Plans
 Land Reforms
 Post Green Revolution Agricultural Issues
 Agrarian Movements
 Achievements in Agriculture Since Independence
 Recent Challenges

10. Industry

 Industrial development since independence

 Public sector since independence
 Sectoral Development
 Private Sector since Independence
 Industrial Policy since Independence
 Make in India

11. New Economic Policy

 Impact of New Economic Policy

12. Post-Independence Policy of Science and Technology

 India’s Policy in the Field of the Science and Technology

 Institutional Framework for Science and Technology
Development
 Science and Technology in Pre- Reform Period
 Impact of Economic Reform on the
 Science and Technology in India:
o New Policy Initiatives in the S&T

o Agenda of the Skill Training

 
WORLD HISTORY
1. Beginning of Modern Age

 Disintegration of the Feudal System

 Renaissance

 Humanism
 Art and Architecture
 Literature
 Science
 Reformation etc.

 Explorations, Discovery, Trade

 Colonization – Rise of Nation State
 The English Revolution

2. French Revolution

 Causes
 The revolution in France
 France under Napoleon
 Impact of revolution
 Significance of revolution

3. Nationalism in Europe

 Rise of the nation- state system

 Unification of Italy
 Unification of Germany

4. Colonialism and Imperialism

 Colonialism
 The age of Imperialism (1870-1914)
 Imperialism in Asia
 Analysis of Colonialism

5. Emergence of USA
  Foundation of American Colonies
 The Independence of United States of America
 The American Revolutionary War
 What was the impact of American Revolution?
 Political Effects of the Revolution
 How did the American Revolution influence the French
Revolution?
 US Civil War
 Impact of Civil War on USA
 Global Impact of US Civil War
 Impact on India

6. World War-I

 Major causes of the war

 Course of the war
 Analysis of major events of the war
 Consequences of World War I
 Aftermath of World War I
 League of Nations

7. Russian Revolution

 Major events in pre-revolution Russia

 Causes
 Course of revolution
 Consequences
 Aftermath of the war

 Post-Lenin Russia

8. Inter-War Years (1919 To 1939)

 The Great Depression

 The Great Depression- an economic perspective
 Rise of Fascism in Italy
 Rise of Nazism in Germany
  Soviet Union (USSR)

9. World War- II

 Foundations of the war

 Course of the war
 Aftermath of war
 Analysis of the war
 Decolonization phase

10. Development in Middle East

 Democratic reforms in Middle East

 Arab nationalism

 Israel

11. Cold War

 Reasons
 Development of Cold War (1945-1953)
 To what extent was there a thaw after 1953?
 Nuclear Arms Race and the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

12. Post-Cold-War World

 Global issues since 1991

 Integration of Europe
 European integration- a timeline
 Rise of global Islamic terrorism

 Rise of China

13. Communism, Socialism and Capitalism

 Capitalism (concept, types and example)

 Communism (concept, types, example)
 Relevance of capitalism in present era
 
INDIAN CULTURE
1. Visual Art

 Sculptures of Harappan Civilization

 Sculptures of Mauryan Age
 Post-Mauryan Period
 Jain Sculptures
 Buddhist Sculpture
 Gupta Sculpture
 Medieval School of Sculpture
 Modern Indian Sculpture

2. Architecture in Ancient India

 Harappan Period
 Mauryan Architecture
 Post-Mauryan Period
 Gupta Period
 Temples of Khajuraho
 Temples of Odisha
 Temples of Gwalior
 Temples of Gujarat
 Temples of Rajasthan
 Temples of Bengal
 Temples of Assam
 Temples of Himachal Pradesh
 Temples of Jammu and Kashmir
 Pallava Period
 Chola Period
 Pandya Temples
 Vijayanagar Period
 NayakaTemples
 Temples of Kerala
 Vesara Style
  Hoysala Style
 Rashtrakuta Period

3. Indo-Islamic Architecture

 Imperial Style (Delhi Sultanate)

 Provincial Style
 Mughal Style
 Sikh Style of Architecture
 Rajput Architecture
 Salient features

4. Modern Architecture

 European Influence
 Indo-Saracenic Architecture
 Post-Independence Period

5. Indian Paintings

 Tradition of Mural Paintings in India

 Tradition of Miniature Paintings in India
 Paintings in the Deccan
 Rajput School of Painting
 Pahari School of Painting
 Miniature Painting in South India
 Regional Paintings
 Modern Paintings
 Contemporary Paintings

6. Pottery Tradition in India

 Ochre: Colored Pottery (OCP)

 Black and Red Ware (BRW)
 Painted Grey Ware (PGW)
 Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW)
 Glazed and Unglazed Pottery
7. Music in India

 Main Pillars of Indian Music

 Forms of Indian Music
 Musical Instruments
 Institutions Related to Music

8. Dances in India

 Concept of Dance in India

 Concept of Ashta Nayika
 Eight Classical Dance Forms in India
 Folk Dances
 Modern Dances

9. Martial Arts in India

 Genesis of Martial Arts

 Forms of Traditional Martial Arts

10. Indian Theatre

 Classical Sanskrit Theatre

 Regional Theatre
 Modern Theatre
 Renaissance of Indian Theatre

11. Indian Puppetry

 String Puppets
 Shadow Puppets
 Rod Puppets
 Glove puppets
 Modern Puppetry
 Tribal Puppetry

12. Indian Cinema

  Cinema in India
 History of Indian Cinema
 Classification of Indian Cinema Film
 Music of India

13. Religions in India

 Pre-Vedic Religion
 Hinduism
 Buddhism
 Jainism
 Sikhism
 Islam
 Christianity
 Zoroastrianism
 Judaism
 Philosophy in India

14. Bhakti & Sufi Movements

 Bhakti Movement
 Vaishnava Acharyas: Metaphysical Foundation
 Other Saints of Bhakti Movement
 Maharashtra Dharma
 Sufism

15. Languages & Literature in India

 Sanskrit Literature
 Pali Literature
 Prakrit Literature
 Tamil Literature
 Telugu Literature
 Malayalam Literature
 Kannada Literature
 Odia Literature
  Assamese Literature
 Bengali Literature
 Gujarati Literature
 Rajasthani Literature
 Punjabi Literature
 Marathi Literature
 Hindi Literature
 Persian Literature
 Urdu Literature

16. Miscellaneous Topics

 Indian Handicrafts
 Indian Universities
 Personalities Related to Culture
 Places of Cultural Interest
 Fairs and Festivals in India
 Cultural Institutions in India
 Awards and Honors Associated with Culture
 The Calendar
 The Eras
 Science and Technology in Ancient India
 UNESCO’s List of Cultural Heritage in India
 Legal Provisions Related to the Protection and Promotion of
Indian Culture and Heritage

17. Recent developments

 Schemes for Cleanliness of Tourist Places

o Swachh Bharat - Swachh Smarak
o Swachh Bharat - Swachh Pakwan (Hunar Zaika)

o Swachh Bharat - Swachh Paryatan

o Swachh Smarak Swatchh Bharat’ app

 National Tourism Policy, 2015

 Schemes for Development of Cultural Heritage

 Sanskriti App
o Cultural Mapping of India
o Cultural Heritage Youth Leadership Programme

o Preservation of Cultural Heritage of Himalayas

o Nearly 100 Monuments Identified for Portal on “Must-

See Monuments

 Schemes for Monument Development

 Hriday
 Swadesh Darshan
 Prasad Scheme
 Adarsh Smarak Yojana
 Monuments of National importance

 Cultural Scheme Monitoring System

 Schemes for promotion of Culture

 Culture Ministry to Grade Artists, Writers for Selection Process

o Schemes for Serious Literature and Litterateurs
o National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities

o National Mission on Manuscripts

o National Mission on Libraries

o Gandhi Heritage Sites Mission

 International Initiatives for Cultural Development and

Recognition

 Project Mausam
 International Buddhist Conclave
 World’s Heritage
 UNESCO inscribed Yoga in the Representative list of Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity
 UNESCO Creative Cities Network
 UNESCO Global Geopark

 National Virtual Library of India

  Animal Sports in India

 Jallikattu
 Kambala
 Bulbul Fight
 Bullock Cart Racing
 GI Tag
o Definition

o GI vs. Trademark
o Rights under GI

o Famous Goods
o Latest addition

 Festivals in News
 International Yoga Day
 Rashtriya Ekta Diwas
 Buddhist Circuit

 
GEOGRAPHY
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
1. Geomorphology

 The origin of the Earth

o Early Theories

o Modern Theories – BBT

o Star Formation

o Formation of Planets
o Solar System

 The Evolution of the Earth

o Layered Structure (5 layers)

o Evolution of Lithosphere
o Evolution of Atmosphere

o Evolution of Hydrosphere
 Geological History of the Earth

 Earth
 o Latitude and Longitude including important Parallels and
Meridians
o Motions of the Earth - Rotation, Revolution and their
effects
o Inclination of the Earth’s Axis and its effects
o Local and Standard Time and the International Date Line,
Calendar
o Eclipses - Solar, Lunar

 Origin of Life
 Geological Time Scale
 Interior of the Earth
o Sources of Information
 Direct

 Indirect -EarthQuake Waves, Volcanoes

o Crust

o Mantle
o Core

 Geology
o Minerals

 Major Elements of the Earth’s Crust

 Minerals – Feldspar, Quartz,

 Pyroxene Amphibole, Mica, Olivine
 Physical Characteristics–Crystal Form, Cleavage Fracture,
Lusture, Color, Streak
 Transparency, Structure, Hardness, Specific Gravity
 Metallic minerals – precious Ferrous, Non-Ferrous
 Non-metallic Minerals – Sulphur, Phosphates, Cement

 Rocks (Aggregate of Minerals)

 Petrology
 Rocks & landforms
 Rocks & Soils
  3 Family of Rocks

 Igneous
 Sedimentary
 Metamorphic

 Rock Cycle

 Earthquakes

 Waves: P, S, Body, Surface,

 Shadow Zone
 Types of Earthquakes
 Effects
 Frequency
 Locating an Epicenter

 Volcano

 Types
o Shield
o Composite
o Caldera
o Flood Basalt

o Mid Ocean Ridge

 Landforms (intrusive)

 Batholiths
 Laccoliths
 Lapoliths
 Phacoliths
 Sills
 Dykes
 Geomorphic Processes

 Earth’s Surface
o Exogenic Forces

o Endogenic Forces
o Gradation, Degradation & Aggradation

 Geomorphic Process
 Endogenic Process
o Diastrophism
 Orogenic

 Epeirogenic
 Earthquakes

 Plate movements
o Volcanism

o Exogenic Forces
 Denudation Processes

 Weathering
 Mass movements

 Erosion Transportation & Deposition

 Distribution of Continents & Oceans

 Theories
o Continental Drift Theory

 Alfred Wegner 1912

 Pangea, Panthalasa

 Laurasia, Gondwanaland

 Evidence in support of Continental Drift Theory

 Jigsaw Fit
 Rocks of Same age across oceans
 Tillite
 Placer Deposits
 Distribution of Fossils
  Forces of Drifting

 Pole Fleeing Force

 Tidal Force

 Post Drift Studies

 Convectional Current Theory

 Mapping of the Ocean Floor

 Continents – plate Tectonics

 Lithospheric Plates
 Major Plate
 Minor Plates

 Plate Boundaries

 Divergent
 Convergent
 Transform

 Rates of Plate Movements

 Force of plate movements
 Indian Plate

 Movement from 71 million years ago till Today

 Landforms and their Evolution

 Causes

 Geomorphic Processes
 Agents
 Geomorphic Agents
 o Erosional or Destructional
o Depositional or Constructional
 Agents and their Impacts
o Wind, Running Water, Ground Water, Glaciers, Waves &
Currents
 Winds
o One of the Two dominant agents in Hot deserts

o Cause – Deflation Abrasion Impact

o Erosional landforms

 Pediments and Pedi plains

 Playas

 Deflation Hollows and Caves

 Mushroom, Table & Pedestal Rocks

 Depositional Landforms
o Barchans

o Seif
o Parabolic

o Transverse
o Longitudinal

 Running Water
o Humid Regions

o Two Components
 Overland Flow – Sheet

 Linear Flow – Streams

o Stages

 Youth Mature Old

o Erosional Landforms

o Valleys
 Rills

 Gullies
 Valleys – V Shape, Gorge (Hard Rocks), Canyon

(Sedimentary)
o Potholes & Plunge pools

o Incised or entrenched meanders

 o River Terraces – paired & unpaired
 Depositional Landforms
o Alluvial Fans

o Delta
o Flood Plains, Natural Levees, Point Bars

o Meanders, Slip off bank,

o Undercut bank

o Oxbow lake
o Braided Channels

 Ground Water (Karst Topography)

o Permeable Rocks

 Percolation
 Bedding Plains

o Limestone and Dolomite Regions

 Balkans, Adjacent to Adriatic regions

 Erosional Landforms
 Pools-Swallow Hole, Valley Sinks (Uvalas),

Sinkholes, Collapse sinks (Dolines), Lapies,

Ridges, Limestone Pavements
 Caves – Altering bed of Rocks (Shale
sandstone quartzite), Caves and Tunnels
 Depositional landforms
o Stalactites 

o Stalagmites
o Pillar Columns

 Glaciers
o Erosional Landforms

 Cirque of Tarn Lakes

 Hors and Serrated Regions – Arete

 Glacial Valleys / Troughs – Fiords

o Depositional Landforms

 Glacial Tills
 Moraines

 Eskers
  Outwash Plains
 Drumlins
o Waves and Currents
 High Rocky Coasts & Low Sedimentary Coasts
 Erosional Landforms

 Cliffs
 Terraces

 Caves
 Stacks

 Depositional Landforms
 Beaches and Dunes

 Bars Barriers Spits

 Weathering

 Weather over Earth Materials

 Factors

 Geological
 Climatic

 Topographic
 Vegetative

o Major Processes
 Chemical

 Physical or Mechanical
 Biological

o Chemical – Forces Chemical Action

 Solution

 Carbonation
 Hydration

 Oxidation & Reduction

o Physical Forces Gravitational, Expansion, Water Pressure
 Unloading & Expansion
 Temperature changes and Expansion

 Freezing, Thawing, & Frost Wedging

 Salt Weathering

o Biological Weathering
  Burrowing
 Wedging
 Plant Roots

 Effects of Weathering
 Exfoliation (Flaking)– Exfoliation

 Domes, Tors
o Significance of Weathering

 Soil Formation
 Biomes and Biodiversity

 Leaching / Enrichment
 Mass Movements
o Activating causes
o Forms of movement – Heave

o Flow Slide
o 3 major Groups – Slow Movement, Rapid Movements,

landSlides
 Landforms across the world:
o Rivers and lakes
o Mountain and Peaks

o Plateaus

 
2. Climatology
Composition

 Gases
 Water Vapour
 Dust Particles
 Structure

Exosphere

 Thermosphere
 Mesosphere
 Stratosphere
 Troposphere
  Altitude vs Temperature

Solar Radiation Heat Balance Temperature

 Insolation
 Aphelion and Perihelion
 Variability of Insolation at the surface of the Earth

 Day Season Year

 Rotation on Axis, Angle of
 Inclination of sun rays, Length of the day
 Transparency of Atmosphere, configuration of land in terms of
its aspect.

Heat Balance

 Heating and cooling of atmosphere

 Conduction
 Convection
 Advection

 Terrestrial Radiation
 Heat Budget of the Planet Earth
 Macro Budget

 Albedo
 Shortwave Radiation
 Long wave Earth Radiation

 Variation in the net Heat Budget at the Earth’s Surface

Temperature

 Factors controlling T distribution

 Distribution of T Month of January-July
 Range of T Month of January-July
 Inversion of Temperature
Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems

 Atmospheric Pressure
 Vertical variation of pressure
 Horizontal distribution of pressure
 World Distribution of Sea Level Pressure
 Factors affecting the velocity and direction of the WIND
o Pressure Gradient Force

o Frictional Force
o Coriolis Force

o Pressure and Wind (Cyclonic & Anticyclone Circulation)

General Circulation of the Atmosphere Pattern of Planetary Winds

 Latitudinal Variation of Atmospheric Heating

 Emergence of Pressure Belts
 Migration of Belts Following apparent Path of Sun
 Distribution of continents & Oceans
 Rotation of the Earth

Circulation

 Simplified Global Circulation – Hadley Cell, Ferrel Cell

 Seasonal Wind
 Local Wind
 Land and Sea Breezes
 Mountain and Valley winds
 AIR MASS – fronts
 ExtraTropical Cyclone
 Thunderstorms
 Tornadoes

Water in the Atmosphere

 Water Vapour
 Precipitation
 Humidity – Absolute and Relative
 Saturation – Dew Point
 Evaporation and Condensation

 Dew
 Frost
 Fog & Mist

 Clouds

 Types – Cirrus Cumulus Stratus Nimbus

 High – Cirrus Cirrostratus Cirrocumulus
 Middle – Altostratus Altocumulus
 Low – Stratocumulus Nimbostratus
 Vertical Development – Cumulus and Cumulonimbus

 Precipitation

 Rainfall Snowfall Sleet Hail Hailstones

 Types of Rainfall

 Conventional
 Orographic
 Cyclonic
 World Distribution of Rainfall

 World Climate

 The Hot, Wet Equatorial Climate

 The Tropical Monsoon and Tropical
 Marine Climates
 The Savanna or Sudan Climate
 The Hot Desert and Mid-Latitude Desert Climates
 The Warm Temperate Western  Margin (Mediterranean)
Climate
 The Temperate Continental (Steppe) Climate
 The Warm Temperate Eastern Margin (China Type) Climate
  The Cool Temperate Western Margin (British Type) Climate
 The Cool Temperate Continental (Siberian) Climate
 The Cool Temperate Eastern Margin (Lauren-tian) Climate
 The Arctic or Polar Climate

3. Oceanography

 Water on the Surface of the Earth

o Hydrological Cycle
 Component

 Processes
 Oceans
o Relief of the Ocean floor
o 4 divisions of the ocean floor

 Continental Shelf
 Continental Slope

 Deep sea plain

 Oceanic deep and Trenches

o Minor relief features

 Mid oceanic ridges

 Seamount
 Submarine canyons

 Guy outs
 Atoll

o Temperature of the Ocean Water

 Vertical

 Spatial
 Factors affecting Temperature Distribution

 Latitude
 Unequal distribution of land & Water 

 Prevailing wind

 Ocean Currents
  Horizontal & Vertical Distribution
o Thermocline
o 3 layers

 Salinity of the Ocean Water

 Factors affecting salinity

 Evaporation and precipitation
 Fresh water flow from rivers
 Wing
 Ocean currents
o Horizontals distribution of salinity
o Vertical Distribution of salinity

 Density of Ocean Waters

Movements of ocean Water

 Factors influencing Movement

 Temperature
 Salinity
 Density
 Sun Moon winds

Motion – Horizontal & Vertical Currents

Waves

 Motion of waves and water molecules

 Characteristics Of WAVE
o Crest and Trough

o Height
o Amplitude

o Period
o Length

o Speed
o Frequency
 o Tides

Relation between Gravitational Forces and Tides

 Tidal currents
 Types of Tides

 Based on Frequency – Semi Diurnal, Diurnal, mixed

 Based on SME position – spring and Neap Tides

 Importance of Tides

 Ocean Currents

 Influenced by 2 forces
 Primary Force that initiates the movement

 Heating of solar energy

 Wind
 Gravity
 Coriolis force

 Secondary force that influence the currents to flow

 Characteristic – Drift – 5 knots
 Types of ocean currents
o Surface currents & Deep-water currents based on Depth
o Cold and Warm Currents based on Temperature

 Major Ocean currents of the World

 Effects of Ocean Currents

4. Water Resource

 Underground water resource

 Surface water resources
  Inland water resources: Utilization of inland water resources by
ma
 Oceanic water resources: Main features of ocean
 Utilization of oceans by man
 Water consumption patterns
 Water pollution
 Conservation of water resources
 Techniques of water conservation

5.  Biogeography

 Soil
o Soil Characteristics
o Factors Responsible for Soil Formation

o Stages of Soil Formation

o Soil Forming Processes

o Soil Profiles and Horizons

o Soil Classification

o Soil Erosion and Conservation

 Vegetation resources
o Types of natural vegetation
o Forests

o Significance of forests
 Economic significance, Ecological significance

 Cultural significance
 Factors of forest development
 Extent of forest cover
 Classification of forests
o Grasslands
o Desert vegetation

o Tundra Vegetation
 Economic utilization of forests
 Deforestation
 o Deforestation in tropical forests
o Deforestation in temperate forests
o Rate and extent of deforestation

o Causes and factors of deforestation: Immediate causes of

deforestation
o Indirect deforestation
o Underlying causes of deforestation

 Conservation of forests
o Forest conservation strategies

o Reforestation
o Monoculture plantation

o Afforestation
 Types of forestry
o Social forestry
o Agroforestry

 
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

1. Demography

 Concept of Human Resources

 Population Distribution
 Factors of population distribution
o Physical Factors
o Socio Cultural Factors

o Demographic Factors
 World Population Distribution
o Ecumene
o Non-ecumene

 Continent wise distribution of Population

 Density of population
 Pattern of Population density
 Population Increase (Growth) in the World
 Causes of Rapid Increase in Population
  Present Trend
 Future Projection
 Determinants of Population Growth
 Natural Increase
 Characteristic of Population
o Age Composition
o Population Pyramids

o Sex Composition
o Literacy

 Theories of population growth

o Malthusian theory

o Marxian theory
o Demographic transition theory

 Optimum population
o Over-population

o Under-population
 Population problems
o Population problems of developing countries
o Population problems of developed countries

o Population dilemma of Europe

 Population Policies: of China, of India
 Various types of rural settlements
 Relationship between house types with relief, climate and
building materials

 
2. Urbanization

 Basic Feature and Pattern of India’s Urbanization

 Issues of Urbanization in India
o Rural Urban Migration

o Emergence of Slums
o Urban Transport

o Waste Disposal
o Water Supply, Drainage and Sanitation
 o Electronic Waste
o Urban Poverty
o Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Bill, 2013

 Way Forward to Tackle Issues Related to Urbanization

o Inclusive Cities/Smart cities

o Recent government programmes:

 Migration

 Displacement
 Importance of the Rehabilitation Policy

 Urban settlements: types

 Urbanization process in India.

 Morphology of urban settlements

 Town planning and patterns of rural settlement

 Settlement types of the world

 Migration: Push factors and pull factors

 Emigration during colonial, post-independent and

post-liberalisation period
 Internal versus world migration
 Functional classification of cities

 Difference between boundaries and frontiers, their

classification
 Rural urban fringe characteristics, advantages,
problems
 National urbanization policy
 Principles of urban planning

 Land cover transformation

 Factors affecting rural settlements, their types and

patterns
 Cities – hierarchical classification, morphological

classification

3. Census

 Literacy
 Sex ratio
  Family Planning
 Old Age
 Age Structure
 Density
 Population growth
 Census terminology

 
ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY
1. Agriculture
Land resource

 Land-use
 Land capability classification
 Causes of Land Degradation
 Impact of Land Degradation
 Steps taken by GOI
 Sustainable Land Management

Basic terms related to Agriculture

 Performance of the agriculture sector

 Types of farming in India
 Dry zone farming
 Organic farming
 Cropping seasons in India
 Cropping Pattern in India
 Agriculture regionalization
 Infrastructure factors: Seeds;
 Fertilizers; Irrigation
 Land use pattern in India

 Institutional Factors as land reform

 Horticulture sector in India
 Agricultural revolutions
 Agricultural labourers
  Price Policy for Agriculture
 Agricultural marketing
 Agricultural Insurance
 Agricultural Census
 Major schemes in agricultural sector
 National Policy for farmers
 Impact of climate change on agriculture
 What is sustainable agriculture?
 Use of IT in agriculture
 Agriculture Issues and Challenges

Productivity of Crops and conditions for growth

Wheat

 Conditions of growth
 Varieties
 Types of cultivation
 Production patternInternational trade
 Rice
 Conditions of growth
 Varieties
 Methods of cultivation
 Production pattern
 International trade

Maize (Corn)

 Conditions of growth
 Production pattern
 International trade

Barley

 Conditions of growth
 Production pattern
 International trade
Oats

 Rye
 Beverages

Tea

 Condition of growth
 Production pattern
 International trade

Coffee

 Types of coffee
 Conditions of growth
 Production pattern
 International trade

Cocoa

 Conditions of growth
 Production pattern
 International trade

Tobacco

 Conditions of growth
 Production pattern
 International trade

Fibre Crops

 Cotton
o Varieties of cotton

o Conditions of growth
o Production pattern

o International trade
 Jute
 o Conditions of growth
o Production pattern
o International trade

o Substitutes of Jute: Flax, Hemp

o Abaca, Henequen

o Sisal
 Raw Silk
o Production pattern
o International trade

 Natural Rubber
o Other sources of rubber

o Plantations in South-east Asia

o Production pattern

o International trade
 Sugarcane
o Conditions of growth
o Production pattern

o International trade
o Sugar Beet - Conditions of growth

 Production pattern
 Sugar industry
 Sugar consumption
 International trade

 
2. Mineral resource

 Types of minerals: Metallic minerals

 Non-metallic mineral
 Distribution of minerals and mining regions
 Distribution, production and international trade of Metallic
minerals: Ferrous metals: Iron ore
 Ferro-alloys and non-ferrous
 Manganese
  Chromium
 Nickel
 Tungsten
 Antimony
 Copper
 Bauxite and Aluminium
 Zinc; Lead
 Tin
 Precious metals: Gold
 Silver
 Platinum
 Mineral chemicals
o Mica

o Potash
o Phosphate

o Nitrates
o Sulphur

 Conservation of mineral resources

3. Energy resources

 Classification of energy
 Production of conventional energy
 General trends of energy production and consumption
 Reserves and sources of energy
 Coal
o Nature and origin of coal
o Constituents and kinds of coal

o Coal fields and coal production

o By products of coal

o Conservation of Coal Petroleum

 Petroleum
o Nature and properties of petroleum
 o Origin and recovery
o Exploration
o Petroleum refining

o Petroleum reserves
o Producing areas

o Consumption of petroleum
o International trade

o OPEC and its role in oil trade

 Natural gas: Reserves and Production
 Hydro-electricity
o Advantages of hydro-electricity

o Ideal conditions for generation of hydro-electricity

o Distribution of potential hydro-power

o Hydro-electric power generation

 Atomic (nuclear) energy
o Atomic: source minerals: Uranium
o World distribution of uranium

o Production of uranium
o Thorium

o Production of atomic (nuclear) energy

o Nuclear energy: the energy of future

 Alternative (non-conventional) sources of energy

o Solar energy

o Wind energy
o Geothermal power

o Tidal energy
o Wave energy

o Biomass energy
 Alternate Energy Sources
o Hydrogen as a Fuel for Future or Hydrogen as an
Alternative Energy Source
o Microbial Fuel Cell
o Energy Context with Respect to Indian Scenario

o Energy Plantation
  Energy crisis

 
4. Industry

 Industrial development
 Iron and Steel Industry
o Process of iron and steel production
o Location of iron and steel industry

o Early localization
o Development of iron manufacture

o Distribution of iron and steel industry

o Global steel production

o International trade
o Growth potential of the steel industry

 Textile Industry
o Cotton textile industry: Location of the industry

o Recent trends in localization

o Distribution and production of cotton textiles

o Woolen textile industry: Location of the industry

o Silk textile industry: Raw silk manufacture

o Silk textile manufacturing

o Synthetic (artificial) silk industry:

o Distribution of man-made fibre and fabrics.

 Engineering Industries
o Machine tools and machines: Areas of production
o Industrial machinery: Textile machinery

o Other industrial machinery

o Agricultural machinery

 Manufacturing of transport equipment

o Automobile industry

o Railway car and locomotive industry

o Shipbuilding

o Recent trends
o Aircrafts industry
 Chemical Industry
o Classes of chemicals: Branches of chemical industry
o Heavy chemical industry

o Production of acids and alkalis

o Rise of chemical industry

o Fertilizer industry: Nitrogen fertilizers

o Phosphate fertilizers

o Potash fertilizers
o Explosives

o Glass industry: Production of glass

 Agro-industries
o Synthetic rubber industry
o Pulp and paper industry: Essential

o conditions for pulp production

o Production of paper and paper board

o Newsprint
o International trade

o Salient features of pulp and paper industry

 Cement industry
o Distribution of cement industry
o Recent trends: Main global competitors

 Petroleum refining industry: Localization

o Site selection of petroleum refineries

o History of oil refineries

o World pattern of oil refining

o Petroleum products
 Industrial Regions
o Characteristics of industrial regions
o Delimitation of an industrial region

o Principal industrial regions of the world

o Industrial regions of Anglo America-USA, Canada,

Western Europe and Central Britain, Germany, Belgium,

Netherlands, France, Italy, Eastern Europe, Poland,
Former USSR
 o Eastern Asia—Japan, China, the ‘Dragons’, India, High
tech patterns

 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS 

1. Recent developments in transport sector

 Long term irrigation fund

 Sports Sector Gets the Infrastructure Status
 Railways India Development Fund
 National Infrastructure Investment Fund
 Defence Innovation Fund
 Merger of Railway Budget with General Budget
 Non-Fare Revenue Policies in
 Indian Railways
 Rail Safety Fund
 Flexi Fare Method in Railway
 Rail Cadre Management
 Tri-Netra in railways
 National Rail Plan 2030
 Draft Policy on Suburban Tracks
 India’s First Caterpillar Train
 Mission 41k
 Green corridor concept
 Made in India ‘Medha’ train
 Antyodaya Express
 Station Redevelopment Project
 Smart Railway Station
 Yatri Mitra Seva
 National Highways Interconnectivity
 Vehicle Fleet Modernization Programme
 Transit Oriented Development Policy
 Logistic Efficiency Enhancement Programme
 Indian Bridge Management System
 Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism (LWE)
Affected Areas
 North East Road Network Connectivity Project
 TIR Convention
 National Road Safety Policy
 Sagarmala
 Urja Ganga Gas Line Project
 TARANG
 E-trans
 DEEP (Discovery of Efficient Electricity Price)
 GARV II APP
 Trading of Energy Saving Certificates
 24X7 Powers for All
 Draft National Electricity Plan
 Habitat Commitment Index
 AirSewa Portal

2. Recent developments in Industrial Sector

 Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor

 Amritsar-Kolkata corridor
 Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor
 Bengaluru-Mumbai Economic Corridor
 Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor
 East Coast Economic Corridor
 Apex Corridor Development Authority
 Star Rating of Mines
 Tamra Portal
 Mining Surveillance System
 Coal Mitra
 M-SIPS for Electronic Sector
 Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act or RERA
 Indian Enterprise Development Service
 Trade Receivables Discounting System
 SME Business Environment Index
  Medipark
 ZED Scheme
 Startup Mentorship Circle
 FAME

 
3. Recent developments in agriculture field

 AADHAR Based Biometric Authentication in PDS: Pros and

Cons
 Volatility in Pulse Prices
o Arvind Subramanian Committee on Pulse Crises
o Government Raises Buffer Stock of Pulses

o PUSA Arhar 16 to Bridge Demand-Supply Gap

 Agro Irradiation Centers
 Options Trading in Agricultural Produce
 Agricultural Marketing and Farm Friendly Reforms Index
 National Food Security Act
 Digitization and Agriculture
 Direct Benefit Transfer in Fertilized Sector
 Aquaponic Farm
 Gift Milk Scheme
 Draft Regulation on Fortification of Foods
 Law Commission Recommendation on Food Laws
 Concept of Modern Terminal Markets
 Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries
o e-Pashuhaat Portal

o Schemes of Biotech Kisan and Cattle Genomics

o Rashtriya Gokul Mission

o Mission Fingerling
 Terms in Brief
o Krishi Puruskar for Small Farmers
o Ornamental Fishing

o Agricultural Science Congress

o RubSiS
 o Ethanol Blending
o National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
o Amendments to the NABARD Act, 1981

o Revenue Insurance Scheme for Plantation Crops

o Best Horticulture Award

o Neem Coating of Urea

 Soil Health Card Scheme
 Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
 ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
 PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana
 National Agriculture Market

4. Places in news

 Majuli Island
 Ashalim Project
 Loktak Lake
 Barren Island
 Rio de Janeiro
 Gotthard Base Tunnel
 Panama Canal
 Akodara
 Genetic Garden of Halophytes
 Maharashtra
 Morocco
 Sankhuwasabha
 Andhra Pradesh
 Hambantota Port
 Tirunelveli
 Palmyra
 Sabarimala Circuit
 Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, Iraq,
 Yemen and Iran
  Tembhli
 Mahanadi and Tributaries
 Agartala Rail Link
 Mekadatu Project on Kaveri
 Yettinahole Project
 Country’s first Water Metro Project
 Indus basin: Shahpur Kandi Dam Project
 Ghatampur Thermal Power Project
 Deepest Rail Project
 Lost Continent
 Zealandia
 World’s First Polluted River discovered by Scientists
 Pre-historic camping site found in Ladakh
 Report on Palaeo Channel of North West India
 Cyclones in News

 
INDIAN SOCIETY FEATURES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
 
1. Salient features of Indian society.

 Features of Indian society

 Changes within Indian society and their repercussions
 Causes of changes
 Indian society today

 
2. Diversity of India.

 What is diversity?
 Types of diversities in India
 Can diversity be equated with difference?
 The unity in diversity- a reality or a chimera
 Some examples
 Manner of reconciliation
 
3. Role of women’s organizations.

 Women’s organizations in Indian history

 Types of women’s organizations
 Level of penetration
 Women’s organization – a ray of hope
 Few case studies
 Problems faced by women’s organizations
 Is a larger vocal role possible and ways to achieve the same
 Role of SHGs, Micro finance Institutions

 
4. Poverty and development issues

 Poverty
 Concept of development
 Sen vs Bhagwati model
 Crisis of development
 Certain case studies
 Government’s initiatives and the five year plans
 Role of civil society organizations

 
5. Effects of globalization on Indian Society

 What is the meaning of globalization?

 Kinds of impact of globalization–economic, political,
developmental and socio-cultural
 Is the impact solely positive or negative

 
6. Social empowerment

 Meaning and concept of social empowerment

 Why do we need social empowerment?
  Specific sections for whom social empowerment is the life
blood
 Social empowerment through the five year plans
 Government’s initiatives for empowerment
 Empowerment in reality and India’s experience
 Other approaches /players/tools for social empowerment and
some case studies on the same

 
7. Communalism

 Meaning and concept of communalism

 Historicity of communalism
 Recent incidents
 Role of third parties in inciting/perpetrating communalism
 Communalism under the law
 Can communalism be eradicated from the Indian society
completely?

 
8. Secularism

 Meaning and concept of secularism

 Secularism through the vantage point of Indian Constitution
 Comparisons of models Indian & Western
 Gandhi ji on religion
 Indian philosophy on secularism
 Threats on the secular spirit
 Is the Indian democracy mature enough to handle the gravity
of secularism?

9. Regionalism

 Meaning and concept of regionalism

 Theories on regionalism
 Regionalism in its various manifestations
  Role of various players
 Recent incidents causing a wave of flurry
 Possible ways to tackle the same

 
SOCIAL JUSTICE
1. Welfare schemes for vulnerable Sections of the population
by the Centre and States

 Constitutional arrangement
 Women welfare
 Child welfare
 SC/ST welfare
 OBC welfare
 Minorities welfare
 Old age welfare
 Legislations
 Issues
 Reforms needed

 
2. Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

 Education structure in India

 Primary, secondary and higher education
 Initiatives taken by GOI in education
 Issues
 Reforms needed
 Recommendations of committees
 Future prospects in education sector
 Skill development
 Health indicators
 Health structure in India
 Private and Public health structure
 Issues
 Reforms needed
  NITI Aayog Report
 Economic development and human development
 SDGs and India

 
3. Issues relating to poverty and hunger

 Poverty definition by different committees

 Poverty data in India
 Causes of poverty
 Poverty and unemployment
 Poverty and social conflict
 Impact of LPG on poverty
 Linkage between poverty and development
 Rural poverty
 Urban poverty
 Feminization of poverty
 Poverty alleviation measures
 Problems in implementation of Poverty alleviation
programmes
 Poverty and Hunger
 Food security programmes and issues
 Hunger and health
 Impact of hunger and poverty on economic development of
the nation
 Controversy related to Poverty Data Estimation

 
4. The Scheduled and Tribal Areas

 5th Schedule Areas

 6th Schedule Areas
 Composition of autonomous councils
 Role and functions of councils
 Role of Governor with respect to tribal areas
 Tribal sub plan
 
WELFARE SCHEMES
1. Start-up and Skill Development

 Start Up India Scheme

 Stand up India Scheme
 National Student Startup Policy
 National Skill Development Mission
 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
 Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana
 Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana
 Skill Development Initiative Scheme
 Self-Employment & Talent Utilisation (SETU)
 Atal Innovation Mission

 
2. Vulnerable Sector

 Social Security
 Atal Pension Yojana
 Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana
 Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
 Minorities
 Nai Roshni Scheme
 USTAAD Scheme (Upgrading the Skills and Training in
Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development)
 Nai Manzil Scheme
 Women and Child Development
 Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
 Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
 Digital Gudda Guddi Board
 Sabla
 Ujjawala Scheme
 Janani Suraksha Yojana
 Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram
  SC/ST
 Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana
 Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana
 Disability
 Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan)

 
3. Health

 National Health Mission

 National Ayush Mission
 Swasthya Rakshan Program
 Jan Aushadhi Scheme
 Mission Indradhanush
 NFHS-4 survey

 
4. Education

 Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat

 Mid-Day Meal Scheme
 Ishan Uday
 GIAN (Global Initiative of Academic Networks)
 Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan
 SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active - Learning for Young Aspiring
Minds)

5. Rural & Urban Development

 Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana

 Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan
 Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission
 Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana
 Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
 Swachch Bharat Abhiyan
 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Gramin
  Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban
 Housing for all by 2022
 Smart Cities Mission
 Hriday - National Heritage City Development and
Augmentation Yojana
 Amrut (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban
Transformation)

 
6. Miscellaneous Schemes

 Jeevan Praman
 Digilocker
 Bharatnet Project (National Optical Fibre Network)
 INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit
 for Inspired Research)
 SAKAAR
 Digital India
 Namami Gange Project (Integrated Ganga Conservation
Mission Project)
 Ganga Gram Yojana
 Jal Kranti Abhiyan
 Khelo India
 One Rank One Pension Scheme
 PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation)
 Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF)

 
7. Inclusive growth

 Measurement criteria
 Government initiatives for inclusive growth
 Basic Amenities: Housing/Drinking Waters/ Sanitations
 Sustainable Development

 
8. Rural Development

 Rural development and poverty alleviation

 Review of the Existing Programmes
 Development Administration
 Panchayati Raj
 Agriculture and Rural Development

 
9. Social Sector Bills

 The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act

 ‘Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016’
 ‘Child Labor (Prohibition and Amendment) Bill, 2016’
 Maternity Benefit Bill, 2016
 Pre-Conception & Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT)
Act
 Mental Health Care Bill, 2013
 Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO)
 Anti-Trafficking Bill with Stringent Penalty
 HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Bill-2014 -
Amendments
 Domestic Violence Act, 2005 - SC Widens Ambit
 Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014 with more Benefits
 Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2016
 The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of
Atrocities) Amendment Act

 
SOCIAL ISSUES IN NEWS

1. Secularism, Regionalism & Communalism

 Secularism and Anti-Conversion

 Regionalism: Demand for smaller states
 Repercussions of making Hindi compulsory
  Socio-Economic Caste Census, 2011

2. Issues related to Women

 Maternity benefit Amendment Bill

 Altruistic surrogacy in India
 Status of widows
 Acid Attacks
 SC banned Women Sterilization in India
 Issue of Sex ratio
 Issue of Triple Talaq
 Female Foeticide and Infanticide
 Reservation for Women in Legislature
 Women in Combat Duties
 Women in panchayats
 Women participation in Economy
 Challenges faced by Working Women
 Draft National Policy for Women, 2016

3. Issues related to Children

 Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses

 Issue of malnutrition in India
 Amendments proposed in Child Labour Act
 Plight of street children
 Adoption Regulations, 2017
 National Child Policy
 Out of school children: Issues and steps needed

 Cradle Baby Scheme

 Juvenile Justice System
 Child Marriages in India
 Draft bill on child abduction
  National Action Plan for Children, 2016
 Report on the Protection of Children (Inter-Country Removal
and Retention) Bill, 2016

4. Social issues

 Social stigma attached with HIV

 Issues related to Transgender and Transgender Persons Bill,
2015
 Euthanasia Issue: An Analysis
 Right to Privacy and Aadhaar
 Mental Health Care Bill
 Anti-Trafficking Bill, 2016
 Challenge of ageing with dignity
 Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act
 Maintenance of Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act
 Manual Scavenging
 Mob lynching and Rule of Law
 Issue related to Undertrials
 Issues related to Sanitation
 Sharp reality of displacement
 Moral policing
 Income inequality in India
 Forest Rights Act: Analysis

 
5. Health & Education

 Issue of poor infrastructure in schools

 No Detention Policy
 New Policy on Education
 Lancet Report on Healthcare spending
 New Health Policy, 2017
 Technology Adaptation in Health Care
  Food Fortification

 
6. Government initiatives in social sector

 Progress Panchayat initiative

 National Sex Offender Registry
 Slum Redevelopment
 Issue of farmer suicide in India
 Anthropological Survey of India
 National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward
Classes
 T.V.S.N. Prasad Report on Pellet Guns
 Uniform Civil Code
 Concept of Open Prison

 
Polity & Governance
 
1. Historical Evolution & Features

 Importance of Constitution
 Historical evolution of the Constitution
 Constituent Assembly
 Objectives of the Constitution
 Salient features of Indian Constitution
 Unitary features
 Federal features
 Parliamentary form of government
 Presidential form of government
 Parliamentary vs. Presidential system of government

 
2. Preamble

 Preamble
 o Basic features
o Value premises of constitution
o Terminologies as:
 Democratic
 Sovereign

 Socialist
 Secular

 Republic
 Justice

 Equality
 Liberty

 Fraternity
 Integrity

 
3. Citizenship

 Basic constitutional features

 Methodology of getting citizenship
 Modes of Losing the Citizenship of India
 Concept of dual citizenship
 Citizenship provisions in J&K
 Special privileges enjoyed by citizens in India

 
4. Fundamental Rights

 Significance of Fundamental Rights

 Right to Equality
 Right to Freedom
 Right against Exploitation
 Right to Freedom of Religion
 Cultural and Educational Rights
 Right to Constitutional Remedies
 Difference between procedure established by law and due
process of law
  Writs and their uses
 Restrictive limitations on fundamental rights

 
5. DPSP

 Basic features
 Directives
 Economic and Social DPSP
 Gandhian DPSP
 Administrative DPSP
 DPSP related to International Peace
 Implementation of DPSP
 Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy
Controversy

 
6. Fundamental Duties

 Features
 Link of Fundamental Rights & Fundamental Duties

7. Other Principles

 Process of law making in India

 Role of Constitutional and extra constitutional bodies in law
making
 Basic structure: How it evolves?
 Different types of majorities required in Indian Constitution
 DPSP Fundamental Rights
 Doctrines Terminologies

8. Separation of Powers

 Features in American and UK Constitution

  Checks and balances provisions in Indian Constitution
 Judicial Review
 Concept of Separation of Powers

9. Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of

other countries

 It should cover Comparison of USA, UK, India and neighbours

10. Union & States

 State Reorganization Commission (brief)

 Components of Indian territory
 Process of formation of new states
 Zonal Councils
 Union territories
 Special provisions for states

11. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States

 Regulating functions of Government

 Development functions of government
 Service providing functions of government
 Problems in implementation
 Recommendations for improvement
 Interrelationship between union, state and local government
in implementation of roles
 Constitutional provisions related to financial devolution
 Issues of financial devolution

12. The federal structure

 Administrative relations
 Legislative relations
 Financial relations
 Misuse of Article 356
 Issues related to concurrent list
  Issues related to appointment of Governor
 Issues related to state formation
 Poor devolution of finances

 Reserving bill for Presidential approval

 Central sponsored schemes and issues
 Special package for different states
 Issues between Centre and State after 1990 reforms
 Foreign policy and Centre and State Relations

13. The President

 Importance of President
 Qualification
 Election procedure
 Advantages and disadvantages of single transferable form of
voting
 Presidents’ Term of Office and emoluments
 Executive Powers
 Legislative Powers
 Emergency Powers
 Financial Powers
 Miscellaneous powers
 Judicial powers
 Presidents Impeachment
 President as nominal head
 Issues
o Ordinance making power

o Passage of bills
 Misuse of emergency provisions
o Pardon power
o Coalition government

14. Vice President

 Office of the Vice-President

  Functions

15. Prime Minister

 Appointment of PM
 Functions of PM
 Role of PM with respect to
o CoM
o President

o Lok Sabha
o Political Party

o Coalition Government

16. Council of Ministers

 Division of CoM
 Role of CoM
 Role of Cabinet
 Responsibilities of the Ministers

17. Attorney General of India

 Qualification
 Functions
 Powers with respect to parliament

18. Parliament

 Composition of Rajya Sabha

 Composition of Lok Sabha

 Composition of Legislative assembly and Legislative Council

 Qualification and disqualification of MPs and MLAs
 Vacation of seats
 Sessions of parliament
 Law making procedure
 Officers of Parliament and state legislature
  Parliament Proceedings
 Motions and resolutions in Parliament
 Powers and Privileges
 Financial proceedings
 Comparison of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
 Comparison of Legislative assembly and council
 Women reservation in Parliament and issues
 Lowering of Parliamentary powers
 Parliamentary committees and their working
 Judicial activism and Parliament
 Delegated legislation and issues

 
19. The Union Judiciary

 Integrated judicial system

 Supreme Court
o Composition
o Independence of Supreme Court

o Jurisdiction of SC
o Judicial Review

 High Court
o Composition

o Terms and removal

o Jurisdiction

o Other powers
o Lower judiciary

o Appointment
o Powers

 The role of the Supreme Court of India as guardian of the

Constitution and protector of Fundamental Rights
 Judicial Review
 PIL
 Judicial Activism
 Judiciary appointment
  Collegiums System
 NJAC Controversy
 National Court of Appeal
 Judicial Accountability
 Issues of corruption in judiciary

20. Ministries and Departments of the

Government

 Functioning of Ministries
 Central Secretariat
 Cabinet Secretary
 Field organizations
 Reforms needed
 International methodology

21. Panchayats

 Provisions of 73rd AA and 74th AA

 Role and functions of different tiers
 Municipal Corporations
 Municipal Councils
 Nagar Panchayats
 The steps taken towards women’s empowerment
 Role of State Election commission
 Role of State Finance Commission
 Smart City Mission & Municipal Governance

22. Dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions

 What is Dispute redressal mechanism?

 Need of Dispute redressal mechanisms
 Administrative tribunal and issues
 Fast Track Courts and issues
 Gram Nyayalayas and issues
 Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats and issues
  Family Courts and issues
 Lok Adalat and issues
 NALSA and issues
 Dispute redressal for Weaker section
 Arbitration Mechanism
 International Arbitral Centre
 Commercial Court

23. Comptroller And Auditor-General of India

 Appointment
 Functions
 Role of CAG in good governance

24. The Governor

 Appointment, term of office, qualification, etc

 Powers
 Discretionary powers
 Ordinance making power

25. Chief Minister

 Appointment
 Powers and responsibilities
 Relationship between the Governor and the Chief Minister
 Relationship between CoM and the Chief Minister

26. The Advocate-General for the State

 Appointment
 Functions

27. State legislature

 The composition of Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad

 Qualifications of the Members of Legislature
  Powers and Functions of State Legislature
 Relationship between both the Houses
 Officers of State Legislature
 Powers, Privileges and Immunities of State Legislatures and
their Members
 Legislative procedure
 Governor’s assent to Bills
 Procedure in Financial Matters/Budget

 
Governance

1. Need and importance of Government Policies

 Growth and development

 Human development and human capital formation
 Equality (interpersonal and interregional) and social justice
 Unity and integrity
 Trust between state and citizens

2. Effective Implementation

 What is effective implementation? Best outcomes in view of

given time, resources and constraints
 Analysis of different important schemes

3. Government intervention

 Good Governance-Role of institutions, bureaucrats and other

stakeholders
 Transparency and accountability
 Optimum use of resources- Right targeting, plugging leakages
and wasteful expenditure, use of available knowledge,
research and innovation.
 Monitoring and evaluation- Outcome budget, zero base
budgeting, input output analysis, cost-benefit analysis
  Setting up institutions and regulatory norms task forces,
steering committees and review committees.

4. Development process and industry

 Difference between Growth and Development

 Main Constraints of development
 Main Stakeholders in development process
 Self Help Groups
o Meaning
o Importance

o Objectives
o Institutional Structure and organization

o Funding
 Micro Finance
o Meaning and importance
o Objectives

o Structure and Organization

o Advantages

o Micro Finance in India

 Non-Government Organizations
o What are NGOs?
o Difference between Non Government Organizations

(NGOs) and International Non Governmental

Organizations (INGOs)
o United Nations Criteria for INGO and NGO
o NGOs and development projects

 NGOs and Community development

 NGOs involved in relief and rehabilitation
 NGOs involved in disaster management
 NGOs and advocacy

5. Important aspects of governance, transparency and

accountability

 Citizen centric governance

  Features of good governance
 Legislative accountability
 Administrative accountability
 Judicial accountability
 Ombudsman
 Whistleblowers concept
 Anti corruption machinery
 Role of citizens
 Role of media
 Social audit
 Systematic reforms

6. e-Governance

 Introduction
 Applications
 Models
 Successes
 Limitations
 Future prospects

7. Citizens Charters

 Citizens Charters
 Introduction
 Models
 Features
 CC in India
 Issues in CC implementation
 Reform needed

8. Role of civil services in a democracy

 Concept of civil services

 Need for civil services
 Different role of civil services
  Law making
 Policy formulation
 Policy implementation
 Policy evaluation
 Civil services as protector of democracy
 To protect minorities (religious and linguistic)
 To promote Inclusive and sustainable growth

9. Pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their

role in the Polity

 What are pressure groups?

 Types
 The significance of pressure groups in India
 Differentiate between a pressure group and a political party
 Evaluation of pressure groups role

 
10. Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers,
functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies

 Appointment of CAG (procedure of appointment) -

composition of CAG
 Functions and responsibilities of CAG
 Powers and privileges of CAG (provided by constitution and
different ACTs of Parliament.)
 Appointment of ECI (procedure of appointment) - composition
of ECI
 Functions and responsibilities of ECI
 Powers and privileges of ECI (provided by constitution and
different ACTs of Parliament)
 Appointment to UPSC (procedure of appointment)-
composition of UPSC
 Functions and responsibilities of UPSC
 Powers and privileges of UPSC (provided by constitution and
different ACTs of Parliament.)
  Appointment to Finance commission (procedure of
appointment) - composition of Finance commission
 Functions and responsibilities of Finance commission
 Powers and privileges of the Finance commission (provided by
constitution and different ACTs of Parliament.)
 National commission for SCs and STs.

11. Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies

 SEBI
 CVC
 CBI
 Planning Commission
 NDC
 PMO
 Zonal Council
 TRAI
 IRDA
 National Human Rights Commission
 State Human Rights Commission
 Central Information Commission
 State Information Commission
 National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
 Tribunal
 Medical Council Of India
 Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority
 Biodiversity Authority Of India
 Press Council Of India
 Forward Markets Commission
 Inland Waterways Authority Of India
o RBI

12. Elections in India

 Salient features of the Representation of People Act, 1950

 Salient features of Representation of Peoples Act, 1951
  Electoral reforms
 Criminalization of politics
 Negative or neutral voting
 State funding of Elections
 Irregularities in polling

13. Political Parties in India

 Political parties in India

 Party reforms
 Problems in the working of parties 
 Casteism and politics
 Reforms in Party system in India
 Strengthening of Anti-defection measures

14. Role of Pressure Groups

 Types of pressure groups

 Role of pressure group in developing countries
 Functions of pressure groups in India
 Pressure groups and Methods
 Pressure groups and Democracy
 Criticism of pressure groups

Recent Developments

1. Bills

 Representation of People (Amendment) Bill 2010

 Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies,
Benefits and Services) Act, 2016’
 Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill,
2016
 The Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016
 Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996
 Lokpal & Lokayukta (Amendment) Act, 2016
 Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2016
  Whistleblowers Amendment Bill

2. Union & State Government

 Imposition of President Rule: An Analysis

 Frequent promulgation of Ordinance
 Provisions related to Removal of Governors
 Politicization of the post of Governor
 Relevance of Rajya Sabha
 Frequent disruption of Parliament and its impact
 Anti-Defection Law
 Issue related to Office of Profit
 Special privileges to MPs and its implication
 Freebies Politics in India
 Political Parties and RTI
 Basics of Separation of Power in India

3. Judiciary

 Issue related to appointment of judges

 Proposal for National Court of Appeal
 Concept of defamation in India
 Contempt of Court
 What are contempt proceedings?
 Public Interest Litigation
 Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2017 Controversy
 Issue of Judicial overreach
 National Litigation Policy
 All India Judicial Services
 Judicial reforms
 Future challenges may be faced by Indian Judiciary
 Administrative Tribunals

4. Local Government
 Nagaland Reservation in Urban bodies: Issue
 Education qualification made mandatory for contesting Local
Government Elections
 Reforms needed in Municipalities in Sync with Urban
development Missions
 14th Finance Commission and Local Governments

5. Elections

 Simultaneous Elections: feasibility and benefits

 Introduction of NOTA in elections
 Bill on Right To Recall Legislators
 Benefits of recognition as a National party
 Provision of Compulsory Voting
 State funding in elections
 Corporate funding laws
 Election Commission Proposal for countering bribe-for-votes
 About Paper Trail Units
 Issues related to the working of Political Parties
 Voting rights to NRI
 Role of civil society in free and fair election
 Women voices in elections
 Law Commission Report on Electoral Reforms

6. Organisations/Bodies

 14th Finance Commission: Analysis

 7th Pay Commission Report and Repercussions
 AFSPA and Second ARC
 Inter-State River Water Dispute
 Role of Niti Aayog
 Significance of Public Accounts Committee
 Autonomy of CBI
 Analysis of functioning of CAG
 Right to Information
 Accountability and transparency in NGOs
 Need of Indian Skill Development Service

7. Initiatives for Transparency & Accountability

 Saving life and Good Samaritan Law

 Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI)
 Right Based Approach in Policy Making
 Direct Benefit transfer
 Issues related to Making Aadhaar Mandatory
 Reforms needed in Indian Bureaucracy
 Performance appraisal system in bureaucracy
 Curb on VIP culture

8. Scheme

 Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)

 Swachh Bharat Mission
 National Skill Development Mission
 National Food Security Act, 2013
 Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana
 Smart City Mission
 Namami Gange

9. Reports & Policies

 Niti aayog’s report on rationalization of Centrally Sponsored

Schemes
 Law Commission’s 268th Report on Bail Reforms
 Law Commission Report on Hate Speech
 Model Land Leasing Law prepared by NITI Aayog
 Standing Committee Report on water conservation
 Report on Working Group on Migration

10. Miscellaneous

 Liquor ban on highways: critical analysis

 SC Makes National Anthem Mandatory
  National Water Framework Bill
 Regionalism: Demand for smaller states
 Directly Elected Mayor
 Special category status to states: Meaning and demand
 Analysis of Singur Verdict
 Debate on the issue of Lobbying in India
 Media Role and Censorship issue
 Fundamental Duties – Awareness Campaigns is the Duty of
Centre
 National Anthem - Mandatory in Cinema Halls - Article 51(a)
 Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971
 Triple Talaq Issue
 Uniform Civil Code
 MGNREGA: Right to Work
 Making AADHAR Mandatory Violates Fundamental Rights

 
International Relations
India & Neighbours

1. India – Nepal Relations

 Background of Relation
 Political
 Economic
 The Issue of Water and Hydropower Cooperation
 Social
 Psychological
 The Recent Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi
 Recommendations to Improve Relations

2. India and Bhutan

 Economy: A Broad Overview

 India, Bhutan and China: issues
 The Recent Landmark visit by Indian Prime Minister

3. Indo-Afghan Bilateral Relations

 A Long History of Bilateral Relations

 The India-Afghanistan Development Partnership
 Strategic factors undergirding India’s Partnership with
Afghanistan
 Afghanistan after NATO Withdrawal
 Options for India

4. India-Bangladesh Relations

 Development Partnership
 India-Bangladesh Relations in line with ‘Look East’ policy
 Recent Boundary Agreements and their analysis

5. India-Maldives Relations

 Geostrategic Importance of Maldives

 Development Cooperation
 Security Risks

6. India-Sri Lanka Relations

 Commercial Relations
 Developmental Cooperation
 Fishermen Issue

7. India-Myanmar Relations

 Relation through ages

 Recent change in policy
 China Role

8. Indo-Pak Relations

 Major Crisis
  Water Dispute
 Current Internal Scenario
 Impact on India
 Developments in Last One Year

9. Indo-China Relations

 Economic Relation
 China India Water Related Issue
 “String of Pearls Strategy”
 China’s Maritime Silk Route Implications for India

10. South China Sea Dispute

 Main Disputes
 Resources as a Driver of Competition
 Attempts for Resolution
 India and South China Dispute

11. Security Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region

 The Pivot to Asia – US Policy Shift

 South China Sea- Issues of Mistrust
 Piracy off the coast of Somalia
 Neighbourhood Issues and Terrorism
 Energy Routes
 Fisheries and Livelihood Issues
 Environmental Security
 Declaration of Indian Ocean as Zone of Peace
 India and Asian Nations relations

India & Asian Nations Relations

1. CIS Countries of Central Asia

 India-Turkmenistan
 India-Kazakhstan
 India Tajikistan
  China And Central Asia
 International North-South Transport Corridor
 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

2. India-Mongolia

 India-Mongolia Bilateral Cooperation

 Deal on Uranium Supply
 Visit

3. India – UAE Relations

 Political and economic relation

 Oil Economic Relation

4. India – IRAN

 Iran Nuclear Deal and India

 India Iran Relations
 US-Geopolitical and Geo-Economic Consideration in Iran

5. India – ISRAEL

 Israel and Palestine

 India – Israel Relations

6. India – Saudi Arabia

 Areas of Cooperation
 Challenges in relations

7. Asia-Pacific Region

 Zones of Activity
 Regional Groupings
 Geopolitics of Asia Pacific

8. India-South East Asia

  Steps in Indo-ASEAN Relations
 India-ASEAN Security Co-operation

9. Indo-Japan Bilateral Relationship

 Economy Centric Relationship

 Contemporary Perspective

10. India – South Korea

 India South Korea Relations

 Economic Partnership in Recent Years

11. India-Vietnam

 Economic Cooperation
 Strategic Cooperation
 Geo-political Issues concerning India-Vietnam Energy
Cooperation
 China’s Response
 India’s Response

India & Asian Nations Relations

1. Indian Diaspora

 Role played by Indian Diaspora

 Issue of safety of Indians abroad
 Schemes for Welfare of Overseas Indian
 Narendra Modi and Indian Diaspora

India & Other Nation & Institutions

1. India and Africa

 Historical Connections
 Gandhi’s Role
 Nehru’s Role
 Strengthening of Ties
 South-south Engagement
 Current Dynamics
 Economic Cooperation
 Human resources development and capacity building
 Energy Cooperation
 Military Security Co-operation
 Trade Policy under Modi
 Afro-Indian Trade
 Indian investment in Africa
 African investment in India
 Development cooperation and assistance

2. Indo-Australia Relationship

 Immigration Issue and Indian Diaspora

 Economic Relationship
 Issue of Nuclear Cooperation
 India-Russia Bilateral Relationship
 Shanghai Cooperation Organization
 Warming Relationship between Pakistan and Russia

3. France

 Strategic Partnership
 Prime Minister’s Recent Visit to France

4. Germany

 Indian-Germany Economic Relations

5. United Kingdom

 Ties in Current Context

 Scotland’s Referendum
 India & BREXIT
6. India-US Relations

 Area of Cooperation: Strategic Consultations

 Area of Co-operation : Counter terrorism and Internal Security
 Area of Cooperation : Trade and Economic
 Area of Cooperation : Energy and Climate Change
 Area of Cooperation : Science & Technology (S&T) and Space
 Area of Cooperation : People to People Ties
 Area of Cooperation : Defence Cooperation
 Intellectual Property Issues
 India and International Organisations

7. The World Trade Organization

 Representation in the WTO and Economic Groupings

 How the WTO takes Decisions
 The WTO Secretariat and Budget
 How Countries Join the WTO
 Assisting Developing and Transition Economies
 Specialized Help for Export Promotion
 The WTO’s Part in Global Economic Policy-making
 Nairobi Package adopted at 10th WTO Ministerial Conference
 WTO reports rise in protectionism

8. International Monetary Fund

 International Monetary Fund (IMF)

 India gets more Voting Rights in IMF Reforms

9. Nuclear Security Summit

 The fourth Nuclear Security Summit: 2016

 Threats of Nuclear Terrorism
 Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)
 Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)
 Recent Support for NSG Membership for India
 Why is India seeking to become a member of NSG?
 Why are certain countries opposing India’s entry into NSG?
 Argument in favour for India Joining NSG

10. BRICS

 Economic Environment in BRICS Countries

 Last BRICS Summit in Goa, India
 BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit

11. BIMSTEC

 Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters

12. IBSA

 IBSA Potential
 Need for Revitalizing IBSA
 India’s Policy Options
 Technological Collaboration

13. SAARC

 Indo-Pak Conflict
 Problem of Resource Development
 Prospects For SAARC

14. Relevance of Non-Alignment in present India

 What is NAM?
 Relevance in present era

15. India-ASEAN Economic Cooperation

 Singapore
 Vietnam
 Indonesia
 India ASEAN FTA in Service
 
Economy
Basic Economy

1. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning

 Indian Economy in Pre-independence Period

 Economy on Eve of Independence
 Challenges
 Features
 Post-Independence India
 Issues
 Agriculture and its development so far
 Industry
 Services
 Phases of Economic Development in India
 Nehruvian Socialist Economy
 Economic Reforms
 Planning
 Objectives
 Technical details
 Planning History
 Analysis of each plan

2. Resource Mobilization

 Types of resources: Physical capital and finance capital

 Need for resource mobilization- Police State and Democratic
Welfare State
 Sources of resource mobilization: Public Sector and Private
Sector
 Savings and investment over the five year plan
 Budgetary resources: Tax and Non tax
 Role of Public Debt in resource mobilization and effects:
Market borrowing, loans, grants, etc.
 Role of fiscal and monetary policies in resource mobilization
 Role of foreign investment in resource mobilization,
desirability and consequences
 Multilateral agencies and resource mobilization

3. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it

 Meaning and concept of Inclusion

 India’s experience
 Social sector initiatives and inclusion process
 Ground reality and working of flagship schemes
 India’s growth story in this context
 Why is India's growth not inclusive?
 Rural economy based growth
 Need for Sustainable agriculture, food security and resilience
for growth.
 Public distribution schemes: Way to inclusive growth.
 Financial inclusion as an instrument of inclusive growth.
 Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation as a strategy
for inclusive growth
 Social sector development as an instrument for inclusive
growth.
 Public private partnership for inclusive growth
 Industrial Integration for inclusive growth
 Sectoral and regional diversification as a tool for inclusive
growth.

4. Government Budgeting

 Budget terminology
 Types of budget
 Features of outcome budgeting
 Merger of Railway and General Budget
 Benefits of budgeting
 Flaws in budgeting process
 Budget analysis

5. Investment models

 Measures of Investment
 Capital and investment
 Factors affecting investment
 Classification of Investment
 FDI
 Angel Investors and Start-ups
 M&A
 Investment Models
 Role of State
 PPP (Public-Private Partnership)
 Savings and Investment Trends

6. Fiscal Policy

 Fiscal Policy in India

 Important Budgetary Terms and Fiscal Concept
 Government Revenues & Spending
 Deficits
 Balance Sheet

7. Taxation

 Taxation Meaning
 Principles of Taxation
 Objectives of Taxation
 Taxation for Mobilization of Resources
 Tax System in India
 Subsidies
 Tax Reforms
 GST

8. Monetary policy in India

 Instruments of Monetary Policy
 Monetary policy in pre-reform Era (1948 – 1991)
 Monetary Policy in Post-Reform Era (Since – 1991)
 Urjit Patel Committee Report
 Monetary Policy Committee and Inflation Targeting

9. Financial system

 Money Market in India

 Capital Market in India
 Indian Capital Market Regulatory Framework
 Primary Market Reforms in India
 Secondary Market Reforms in India

10. Banking

 Indian Banking System

 Functions of Commercial Banks
 Challenges Faced by Commercial Banks in India
 Nationalization of Banks in India
 Banking Reforms in India
 New Bank Licence Criteria
 Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks Criteria
 Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC)
 Terminologies/Concepts Related to Banking in India
 Financial Inclusion
 NPAs
 Bills related to Banking

11. Foreign trade & International Organisations

 International Trade
 Trade Policy
 Balance of Payments
 Foreign Capital
 Impact of Globalization on Indian Economy
  International Monetary Fund
 WTO
 World Bank Group
 AIIB and NDB

Agriculture

1. Role of Agriculture in Indian Economy

2. Land resource

 Land-use
 Land capability classification
 Causes of Land Degradation
 Impact of Land Degradation
 Steps taken by GOI
 Sustainable Land Management

3. Land Reforms

 Objectives of Land Reforms in India

 Progress of Land Reforms in India
 Progress of Ceiling Legislation
 NITI Aayog Report on Land Leasing

4. Agriculture Finance

 Features of Agricultural Finance

 Criteria for Agricultural Credit
 Need for Agricultural Finance
 Sources of Agricultural Finance
 Problems of Agricultural Finance
 Measures taken to improve credit flow to agriculture
 Co-operative Credit Societies in India

5. Agricultural Credit Institutions

 Commercial Bank
 Lead Bank Scheme
 Multi Agency Approach
 Regional Rural Banks
 National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
(NABARD)
 Reserve Bank of India
 Kisan Credit Card Scheme
 Self Help Group (SHG)
 Bank Linkage Programme
 Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)
 Government Policy For Agricultural Credit
 Farmers Service Societies (FSS)

6. Crop Insurance in India

 Historical Background
 Issues Related to Crop Insurance
 Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
 Comparison with Earlier Crop Insurance Schemes
 Challenges

7. Agriculture Marketing

 Process of Agricultural Marketing in India

 Structure of Agricultural Marketing in India
 Importance of Proper Agriculture Marketing
 Government Measures to Improve Agricultural Marketing in
India
 Analysis of APMC Act

8. Subsidies

 Objectives of subsidies
 Transfer of resources from gainers from economic policies to
losers from economic policies
 Farm Subsidies
  Fertiliser subsidies
 Subsidy on power
 Subsidy on irrigation
 Rationale of Minimum Support Price
 Impact of MSP on inflation
 Public Distribution System: Objectives, functioning, limitations,
revamping, evolution from universal PDS to targeted PDS,
Targeted PDS, a critical analysis of cost and benefit of PDS
 Buffer Stock policy and government’s intervention in food
market to keep prices under reasonable limits to help
consumers
 Food Security bill, questions of resource mobilization for the
FSB, criticism of the FSB
 Important questions on the future of subsidies

9. Agricultural Revolutions in India

 Green Revolution
 White Revolution – Operation Flood
 Yellow Revolution
 Blue Revolution
 Golden Fiber Revolution: Jute

10. Food Processing

 Processed Foods Scenario with respect to Specific Sectors

 Policy Initiatives
 Infrastructure Development in Food Processing Sector
 Issues in Food Processing Sector
o FDI Policy in Food Processing
o Notable Trends in the Indian Food Processing Sector

o Strategies Adopted in Budget

o New foreign and domestic investment

o Sector-specific government policies

 
INDUSTRY

1. Industrial policy and industrial development: Main Issues

 Mahalanobis strategy and India’s industrial policy-Discussing

Industrial policy resolution 1948 and 1956 critically
 New Economic Policy and Industrial policy under the policy of
liberalization, privatization and globalization
 Phases of Industrial development

2. Main features of Industrial development in India

 Roles of private sector and public sector, Investment in the

industrial sector, employment, productivity, profit etc.
 Strategies for disinvestment and privatization
 Role of Small, Medium and Micro enterprises, Government
Policy, main problems, effects of globalization
 New Manufacturing Policy
 Industrial disbursal and Industrial corridors
 SEZs- Main issues like land use, relocation of same industries
that exist, exports earnings vs loss of tax income
 Industrial sickness, institutional mechanism to support the sick
industries, exit policy issues
 Main constraints in the industrial development of India
 Effects of globalization on industries, Sub-prime crisis and
sovereign debt crisis on Industry in India
 Industrial Finance in India: Role of development banking,
commercial banking, venture capital, angel capital in
industrialization and promotion of entrepreneurship
 Make in India achievements

TRANSPORT

 Transport
 Importance and development of transport
 Means of transport
  Transport costs and economic distance
 Operating costs in transport
 Relative importance of means of transport: Railways, Roads,
Pipeline, Oceans, Air transport
 Profits and freight rates
 Government’s transport policy
 Transport patterns in the world:
 Oceanic transport Ocean transport routes
 Inland waterways
 Main regions of inland waterways
 Railways: Factors affecting the railroads
 Distribution of railroads in the world
 Factors influencing air transport
 Pipeline Transport
 Petroleum (oil) Pipelines
 Gas Pipelines
 Transport costs and specialization
 Transport and trade in the modern era
 Transport costs and scale economies
 Falling transport costs increase trade between neighbours
 Failing transport costs lead to concentration within countries
 Negative externalities of transport
 Important issues
o Ownership and financing
o Pricing of Public utilities

o Infrastructure as avenues for investment

o Project delays-reasons and measures to overcome

o Public Private Partnership and related issues

o Operation and Maintenance of roads, railways, irrigation

and power projects-Main problems and solutions

o Impact of Infrastructure-Economic impacts, impact on

social development, environmental impacts

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
1. Finance

 Changes in Budget process in India

 Public Debt Management Cell
 IBBI and INSOLVENCY RULES
 Demonetization and its impact
 Goods and Services Tax
 Digital Payments scenario
 Task Force Releases draft Bill to establish a Financial Data
Management Center
 Task Force report on Financial Redress Agency Released
 Law Commission submits report on Income Tax related to
Minors
 Consumer get free hand on paying service charge
 Monetary Policy Committee Review
 Report of Working Group on development of Corporate Bond
Market in India
 Concept of municipal bonds
 Lower taxes, higher compliance: implication on economy

2. Banking

 Bank Consolidation: Pros and Cons

 Concept of willful defaulter
 Concept of bad bank
 Shadow banking
 Non Performing Assets
 Debate on RBI autonomy
 Indradhanush Analysis
 MCLR regime
 Unified Payment Interface
 India’s Post payment bank
 Issue of Balance Sheet Syndrome
 Differentiated Bank Licenses

3. Industry
 Standing Committee submits report on Industrial Policy
 Draft National Food Processing Policy Released
 Initiatives for Fund for start-ups
 Companies need to look beyond CSR
 Merger of telecoms
 National Company Law Tribunal
 Initiatives to support MSME sector
 Model Shop and Establishment Bill, 2016
 National Capital Goods Policy
 H1B visa rules and IT sector
 Ease of doing business initiatives in Realty sector
 Coal linkage policy
 Ministry releases Draft Labor Code on Social Security
 Analysis of Competition Commission of India

4. Agriculture

 NITI Aayog report on Agriculture

 Agricultural Index by NITI Aayog
 Defects in Procurement Policy
 Reforming trade in agriculture products
 Report on incentivising production of pulses released by
Ministry of Finance
 Draft Model APMC Act, 2016 released

5. Infrastructure

 Sagarmala project
 Inland waterways in India
 Safety issues in Railways
 Draft policy for providing New Suburban Rail Systems released
 NITI Aayog releases report on the impact of social service
obligations by Railways
 Indian Railway Tourism Policy
 Aviation Sector and Regional Connectivity Scheme
 Air Service Agreement
 HELP
 Ministry of Power releases guidelines on cross-border trading
of electricity
 Supreme Court bans sale of vehicles not compliant with BS IV
standards
 Multi-Modal Transport System

6. External sector

 Model Bilateral investment treaty

 Phasing out of FIPB
 FDI status and issues
 Permanent residency status to foreign investors
 Dispute Settlement Mechanism in WTO
 Increase in International Trade Dispute
 FTP 2015-20
 Reforms in IMF quota 

7. Committees

 FSLRC - Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission:

Analysis
 Nachiket Mor Committee Report
 PJ Nayak Committee
 Vijay Kelkar Committee on PPP
 Parthasarathi Shome committee on GAAR
 Urjit Patel Committee Report on Monetary Policy
 Mahapatra Committee (NBFC Loan Restructuring)
 Usha Thorat Committee
 Debroy Committee on Railways
 N.K. Sing Panel Report on FRBM
 Shanta Kumar Committee
 Ratan Watal Committee on Digital Payments

8. Miscellaneous
  Unemployment survey
 India’s first International Arbitration Centre inaugurated.
 Ponzi scheme and Issues
 Fat tax: concept analysis
 National Student Startup Policy

 
Science & Technology
Biology

1. Chemical Building Blocks of Life

2. History and Origin of Life
3. Cells

 Cell Structure
 Membranes
 Cell-Cell Interactions
 Energy and Metabolism
 Respiration
 Photosynthesis
 How Cells Divide
 Sexual Reproduction

4. Genetics

 Inheritance
 DNA, The Genetic Material
 Gene Expression
 Gene Regulation
 Mutation
 Recombinant DNA Technology

5. Classification of Living Things

 Classification and Domains of Life

 General Biology/Classification of Living Things/Viruses
 Prokaryotes
 Eukaryotes
 Protists
 Plants
 Fungi
 Animals

6. Evolution

 Evolution of Life
 Animal Evolution
 Human Evolution

7. Tissues

 Epithelial tissue
 Connective tissue
 Muscle tissue

8. Economic Zoology

 Beneficial animals: Corals - Earthworm -Vermiculture -

Beneficial insects Prawns - Lobsters - Crabs – Pearl oysters -
Fishes - Guano - Aquarium Vivarium
 Harmful animals: Disease causing organisms Vectors -
Poisonous organisms – Fouling organisms - Pests.

9. Endocrine System

 Hypothalamus
 Pineal body (epiphysis)
 Pituitary gland (hypophysis)
 Thyroid
 Adrenal glands
 Reproductive glands

10. Respiration
 External and Internal Respiration
 Respiratory system in Plants
 Respiratory System in Insects
 Respiratory System in Humans and Animals

11. The Transport System in Organisms

 Transport system in a Cell

 Transport System in Plants
 Transport System in Animals
 Blood Vascular System
 The Lymphatic System

12. Skeletal and Muscular Systems

 Bone and Skeleton System (Osteology)

 Ligaments (Syndesmology)
 Muscular System (Myology)
 Vertebrates

13. Reproduction

 Asexual Reproduction in Plants

 Asexual Reproduction in Animals
 Sexual Reproduction in Plants
 Sexual Reproduction in Animals
 Sexual Reproduction in Humans

14. Excretion, Osmoregulation and Thermoregulation

 Excretory products
 Excretion in plants
 Excretion in Animals
 Osmoregulation, ADH and formation of Urine in Animals
 Physiological and Behavioural Adjustments

15. Nutrition
  Classification by Source of Energy and Carbon
 Plant Nutrition
 Animal Nutrition
 Human Diet
 The Digestive System

Institutions & Policy

 India’s policy in the field of the science and technology

 The S&T policy resolution in 1958
 S&T policy of the 1983
 S&T policy of the 2003
 S&T policy 2013
 Institutional structure
 Department of Science & Technology
 CSIR
 Survey of India
 Science and Engineering Research Council
 Technology Development Board
 National Accreditation Board For Testing And Calibration
Laboratories
 Science and technology as a source of Human Resource
Development
 Awards related to Science
 New Initiatives Aligned with the National Agenda
 India and World collaboration in science projects
 Technology Vision Document 2035
 National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-2020
 National Intellectual Property Rights Policy
 Organ donation rules in India
 Policy on Synthetic Biology

Biotechnology

1. Genetics and biotechnology

 Industrial genetics
 Protoplast and cell fusion technologies
 Genetic engineering
 DNA sequencing
 Nucleic acid probes
 Genomics and proteomics
 Antisense and RNA interface
 Potential laboratory biohazards of genetic engineering
 Bioprocess/fermentation technology

2. Biological fuel generation

 Global warming and the significance of fossils fuels

 Photosynthesis: the ultimate energy source
 Biofuels from biomass
 Bioethanol from biomass
 Biodiesel
 Methane
 Hydrogen

3. Environmental Biotechnology

 Microbial Ecology Environmental Biotechnology

 Waste water and sewage treatment
 Landfilling technologies
 Composting
 Bioremediation
 Detect and monitoring of pollutants
 Microbes and the geological environment
 Environmental sustainability and clean technology

4. Plant and Forest Biotechnology

 Plant biotechnology
 Forest biotechnology

5. Animal and Insect Biotechnology

 Genetic manipulation and transgenic animals
 Genetically engineered hormone and vaccines
 Animal organs for human patients
 Genetically modified insects

6. Food and beverage biotechnology

 Food and beverage fermentations

 Microorganisms as food
 Enzymes and food processing
 Amino acids, vitamins and sweeteners
 Organic acids and polysaccharides
 Public acceptance and safety of new biotechnology foods
 Biotechnology and medicine
 Pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals
 Antibiotics
 Vaccines and monoclonal antibodies
 Biopharmaceuticals/therapeutic proteins
 Pharmacogenetics
 Molecular biology and human disease
 Diagnostics in developing countries
 Gene Therapy
 Systems biology and medicine
 Stem cell biotechnology

7. Protection of biotechnological inventions

 Patent protection Trade secrets

 Plant breeders’ rights

8. Recent initiatives in Health & Biotechnology

 Diseases in News
 India Declared Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus, H5N1 and
Yaws Free
 IPV Injection
 Mission Indradhanush
 New TB Drug Regimen
 E-Cigarettes
 Digital Biopiracy
 Kendrapara Sheep
 DNA Tagging of Convicts
 U.K. Grants Gene Editing Licence
 Genetically Modified Mosquito
 Designer Babies’ OR Three Parents Babies
 U.K. Grants Gene Editing Licence
 National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-2020

9. Space

 Types of orbits
 Launch Vehicle
 Satellite communication in India
 INSAT Satellite application
 Remote sensing applications
 Cryogenic rockets
 Global Positioning System
 Galileo
 GLONASS
 IRNSS
 GAGAN
 Chandrayaan – I & II
 Mars Orbiter Mission
 Space Organisations
 Space race/Space junk
 Recent updates
 South Asia Satellite: Significance
 Neutrino Observatory
 Solar Mission- ADITYA
 Gravitational Waves
 FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope)
 Spitzer Space Telescope
 Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope
 Chandra X-ray Observatory
 James Webb Space Telescope
 ARIES/Devasthal Telescope
 Multi Application Solar Telescope
 Thirty Metre Telescope
 Resourcesat- 2A
 ASTROSAT
 Sunspot
 Magnetars
 Neutron stars
 Air-breathing propulsion system
 Space Junk
 Graveyard Orbit
 India, NASA join hands for
 Astrobiology Mission
 Neutrino Observatory
 Indian Space Vision-2025

10. Defence

 Missile system and classification

 On the basis of type
 On the basis of launch vehicle
 On the basis of Range
 On the basis of propulsion system
 India’s Missile System
o Agni

o Prithvi
o Trishul

o Nag
o Dhanush

o Astra
o Prahaar
 BrahMos Missile System
 Indian Submarines and Naval Ships
 Light Combat Aircraft
 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
 Stealth technology
 Chemical Weapon
 Biological Weapon

11. NUCLEAR ENERGY

 Types of nuclear reactions

 Nuclear Power Reactor
 N-Power Policy of India
 Advantages of Nuclear Energy
 Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy
 Non-energy applications of Nuclear energy
 Impact of Radiation
 Issue of Radioactive Waste
 Institutions involved in Nuclear energy Development, AERB
 Safety standards in Nuclear Power plants
 Nuclear & Radiological Disasters

12. IT, Electronics & Telecom

 Computers
 Generation of computers
 Computer terminologies
 Supercomputer and its applications
 Information technology
 Components of IT
 IT enabled services
 Application of IT
 Display technologies
 Cathode ray
 LCD
 LED
 Plasma Monitors
 OLED
 Telecommunications
 Mobile generations
 Smartphone
 Important concepts
 Government initiatives
 Digital India Initiative
 MeghRaj
 Code Free for India
 E-Kranti
 Bharat Net project
 Bharat QR
 Contemporary debates
 Net Neutrality
 Internet of Things
 Big Data Initiative and Privacy
 Cyber crime and security

13. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN IT & TELECOM

 Cyber Swachhta Kendra

 BharatQR
 Digital Transaction Methodologies
 Smart Credit Cards
 Bharat Net Project
 Wi-fi Technology
 BlockChain Technology and Bitcoins
 Digital Terrestrial Television
 Transmission System
 Disaster Management Network
 Param Ishan
 Internet of Things

14. Nano-Science & Nano Technologies

 What is Nanoscience and Nanotechnology?
 Origination of Nanoscience and Technology
 Basics of Nanoscience
 Nanomaterials
 Applications of nanotechnology
 Nano medicine
 Semiconductors and computing
 Food
 Textiles
 Sustainable energy
 Environment
 Transport
 Space
 Agriculture
 Adverse Health and Environmental
 Impacts of Nanotechnology
 Social and Ethical Impacts:
 Nano-science and nano-technology in India

15. Robotics

 What is Robotics?
 Machine vs Computer vs Robots
 Parts of a Robot
 Controller
 Manipulator
 End Effector
 Sensor
 Classification of Robots
 Rolling Robots
 Walking Robots
 Autonomous Robots
 Artificial Intelligence
 Applications of Robotics
 Industrial Sector
  Aerospace
 Healthcare Delivery
 Outer Space
 Exploration
 Military Robots
 Disaster Areas
 Entertainment
 Agriculture
 Domestic work

 
Environment & Ecology
ECOLOGY & BIODIVERSITY

1. Types of Ecology

 Ecological Hierarchy
 Scope of Ecology
 Habitat & Ecological Niche
 Deep vs Shallow Ecology
 Ecological Principles
 Ecological Community
o Structure and Characteristics of a Community
o Stratification

o Ecotones
o Ecological Dominance

o Seasonal and Diurnal Fluctuation

o Periodicity

o Turnover
o Interdependence

 Ecological Succession
o Types and Process of Succession

o Climax Community
 Range of Tolerance , Maximum Range
 Difference between Ecology ,
 Environment and Ecosystem

2. Ecosystem and its dynamics

 Ecosystem Definitions
 Functions and Properties of Ecosystem
 The Structure/Components of Ecosystem
o Abiotic Components
o Biotic Components

 Ecosystem Dynamics
o Flow of Energy in Ecosystem

o Trophic Levels
o Food Chain

o Types & Significance of Food Chain

o Food Web

o Models for Energy Flow

o Ecological Productivity

o Ecological Pyramid
 Biomagnifications
 Biological Control
 Organic Farming

3. Biogeochemical Cycles

 Parts of a Bio Geochemical Cycle

 Types of Biogeochemical Cycle
o Carbon Cycle

o Nitrogen Cycle
o Phosphorus Cycle

o Sulphur Cycle

4. Biomes: Forest, Grassland, Mountain, and Desert

Ecosystems

 Biome
 Grasslands
 Tundra
 Deserts
 Thar desert
 Mountain biome

5. Aquatic Life Zones: Ocean, Rivers, Lakes, and Wetlands

 Aquatic ecosystems
 Basic facts about the ocean
 Importance of the ocean
 Zones of the ocean
o Marine life
 Coral reefs
 Coral reefs in India
 Conserving coral reefs
 Mangroves
 Mangroves in India
 Freshwater in India
 Importance of lakes
 National Lake Conservation Plan
 Wetlands and their importance
 Ramsar Convention
 Ramsar Sites
 Montreux Record
 Extent and distribution of wetlands in India
 Conserving the wetlands of India

6. Biodiversity Basics

 Biodiversity
 Important kinds of biodiversity
 Degree of diversity in an ecosystem
o Endemic species

 Keystone species
 Indicator species
 Invasive species
 Allopatric and sympatric speciation
 Bioinformatics
o Biodiversity distribution

 Megadivers Countries
 Uses and values of biodiversity
 State of global biodiversity
 Threats to biodiversity
 Biodiversity Hotspots
 Eco-regions
 Role of traditional knowledge in biodiversity
 Biopiracy
 Extinction of species
 Mass extinction
 IUCN’s classification scheme
 IUCN Red-List of Threatened Species
 Level of biodiversity in India
 Biogeographic classification of India

7. Biodiversity Conservation

 Ex-situ aid in-situ conservation

 Seed banks
 Zoos in biodiversity conservation
 Botanical gardens
 Protected areas
 State of protected areas in the world
 UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB)
 Characteristics of biosphere reserves
o International agreements for biodiversity conservation

 Convention on Biological Diversity

 Cartagena Protocol
 Nagoya Protocol
 Aichi Biodiversity Targets
o Important Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Areas of India
 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of India
  Global Tiger Initiative
 Project Tiger
 Project Elephant
 Indian Rhino Vision
 Recovery Programme for Critically Endangered Species
o Use of indigenous knowledge for conserving biodiversity
o Seed village

8. Effect of Human Activities on Environment

 Effect of Modern Agriculture on Environment

 Effect of Housing on Environment
 Effect of Power Generation on Environment
 Effect of River Valley Projects

(Water Resource Projects) on Environment

 Effect of Mining on Environment

 Effect of Transportation Activities on Environment
 Effect of Tourism on Environment

9. Water Resource degradation

 Water Cycle (Hydrological Cycle)

 Availability and Quality Aspects (groundwater depletion)
 Water-borne and Water-induced Diseases
 Fluoride Problem in Drinking Water
 Arsenic Problem in Drinking Water

10. Minerals & Environmental Degradation

 Mining and Environment

 Sensitivity of Select Ecosystems to Mining
 Impact of Mining
 Indirect Impact of Mining
 International Laws on Mining
 Main Act or Statute to regulate the impact of Indian Mining
Sector
 Sustainable Mining

11. Deforestation

 Causes of Deforestation
 Implications of Deforestation for Climate Change
 Consequences of Deforestation on the Wildlife of India
 Impact of Deforestation on Indian Monsoon
 Impact of Deforestation on People
 Deforestation Leads to Water and Soil Resources Loss and
Flooding
 Economical Impacts
 Strategies for Reducing Deforestation
 Government Programmes for Conservation of Forests
 Legislations for Conservation of Forests using People
Participation
 Steps for Improving People Participation in Forest Resource
Management
 Use of Local Traditional Methods

12. Waste Management

 Solid Waste
 Hazardous Waste
 E-Waste
 Bio Medical Waste
 Plastic Waste
 Methods for Waste Management
 Effects of Poor Waste Disposal
 Landfill

13. Sustainable Development

 Principles of sustainability
 Measurement of Sustainability or Sustainable Ethics or
Equitable Utilisation of Natural Resource
 Sustainable Lifestyle (Role of an individual in sustainable,
development)
 Challenges to Sustainable Development
 International Efforts to Achieve Sustainability

14. Environmental Pollution

 Air Pollution
 Sources of Air Pollution
 Effects of Air Pollution
 Classification of Air Pollutant
 Control Measures of Air Pollution
 Air Pollution Disasters
 Long Range Transport of Gaseous Air Pollutants
 National Ambient Air Quality Standards
 Water Pollution
 Sources of Water Pollution
 Types of Water Pollutants
 Effects of Water Pollution
 Water Quality Standards
 Control of Water Pollution
 Thermal Pollution
 Sources of Thermal Pollution
 Effects of Thermal Pollution
 Control of Thermal Pollution
 Soil Pollution or Land Degradation
 Sources of Soil Pollution
 Effects of Soil Pollution
 Control Measures
 Noise Pollution
 Air-borne Diseases
 Toxic Substances: Toxicant, Toxicity and Toxicology
 Factors affecting toxicity
 Carcinogens

15. Solid Waste Management

 Sources of Solid Waste

 Effect of Solid Waste
 Control Measures of Solid Waste
 Solid Waste Management Rules
 Hazardous Waste Management (HWM)

16. Coastal Ecosystem Management

 Mangroves
 Salient features of Mangroves
 Importance of Mangroves
 Mangroves in India
 Mangroves under threats
 Legal and Regulatory Approaches for Protection
 Estuaries
 Importance of estuaries
 Threats to estuaries
 Coral Reefs
 Geographical Conditions Required
 Uses of coral reefs
 Conservation of coral reef
 Steps for Coastal Ecosystem Management

17. Recent developments

 Air Pollution
 Report on Air Pollution
 Bharat Stage Emission Standards
 Polluters Pay Model
 Household Air Pollution
 Open Waste Burning and its Impact
 Graded Response Action Plan on Pollution
 UN Sets Limits on Global Airline Emissions
 Waste Management
 Biodegradable Plastics
 Green Train Corridors
 Oil Spill
 Solid Waste Management-Buffer Zone
 Other News
 Report of Parliamentary Committee on Forest Fires
 Urban Forestry Scheme
 Draft Notification to Regulate Pet Shops
 Ban on Import of Animal Skin
 River linking Project and Impact on
 Environment
 Algal Bloom Issue
 Illegal Salt Mining and its Impact
 India’s Wetland Report, 2016
 Deep Sea Mining
 Mass Coral Bleaching
 Ganga River Pollution

18. Environmental Impact Assessment

 Government Body which Executes EIA

 Environmental Effects Analysed under EIA
 Process of EIA
 EIA Ruling 1984

19. Environmental Laws

 Environmental Laws: Provisions in the Indian Constitution

towards Environmental Protection
 Salient Features of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act,1981*
 Salient Features of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1974
 Salient features of Forest Conservation Act, I980
 Salient Features of Wildlife Protection Act,1972
 Salient Features of Environment (Protection) Act,1986
 Role of Government in Environmental Protection

20. Environment related Institutions and Organizations

 Pollution Control Boards

 National Green Tribunal
 Forest Survey of India
 National Board for Wildlife

21. Schemes

 Ecomark Scheme
 National Afforestation Program
 National River Conservation Plan
 National Mission for Clean Ganga
 National Air Quality Index (AQI)
 National Action
 Programme to Combat Desertification
 UJALA Scheme
 Bharat Stage Norms

22. International Environmental Governance

 UNEP
 UNDP
 Centre for Biological Diversity
 WWF for Nature
 IUCN - Red List
 Birdlife International
 International Conventions/Protocols & their Objectives

23. Basics of Climate change

 GreenHouse Effect and Global Warming

 Global Climate Change: International Efforts to Control Global
Warming or Global Climate Change
 Ozone Layer Depletion/Ozone Hole
 Acid Rain
 El Nino
 La Nina

24. Urbanization and climate

 Pollution in metros and climate change

 Real estate boom and environment degradation
 Urban Heat Island
 Polythene bags and pollution
 Methane generation from waste

25. Impact of agriculture on climate

 Agriculture increases Carbon Dioxide Emissions

 Monoculture practice impacts biodiversity
 Pollution due to use of chemical fertilizers
 Soil-related effects
 Fertilizers’ Effect on the Environment
 Impact of livestock on environment
 Impact of use of Pesticides on environment
 Impact of GM crop on environment
 Emission of Methane from agricultural practices
 Sustainable Agriculture Techniques

26. Global Warming & Health

 Health impacts of global warming

 Mosquito-borne diseases
 Ozone depletion and human health

27. Recent developments

 Carbon Neutrality Concept

  Climate Change Indicators: WMO report
 IPCC 5th Assessment Report
 Paris Agreement
 Marrakech Climate Change Conference
 International Solar Alliance (ISA)
 Kyoto Protocol (2nd Commitment 2013-20)
 Kigali Agreement
 Climate Change Performance Index

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

1. Wildlife

 Man-Animal Conflicts in India

 Poaching activities in India
 Controlling wildlife crimes using sniffer dogs
 Draft on animal cruelty
 Formation of Tiger Reserves: Critical Analysis
 International treaties for wildlife conservation
 Use of drones for wildlife conservation

2. Combating Pollution

 Indoor Air Pollution and its impact

 Impact of Particulate Matter
 Smog and its impact
 Plastic Pollution
 Light Pollution
 Oil Spill
 Solid Waste Management
 E-waste Management Rules 2016
 Groundwater contamination
 Bharat Stage Norm
 What is the Polluters Pay Model?

3. Climate Change
 Paris Agreement
 Marrakech Climate Change Conference
 Kigali Agreement
 Kyoto Protocol (2nd Commitment)
 International Solar Alliance
 Programmes and Policies Initiated for Mitigating Climate
Change
 International Collaboration for Mitigating Climate Change
 Carbon Neutrality Concept
 Concept of Green Bond
 Green Climate Fund
 Carbon Tax Feasibility in India
 Concept of Green Building
 Climate Change and Cities
 Ethical issue involved in climate change
 Climate change and its impact on Health

4. Renewable Energy

 National Solar Mission

 Status of Hydro Power energy in India
 Status of Wind Energy in India
 Green Transportation

5. Initiatives for Environmental Conservation

 Ganga River Pollution

 Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act
 Draft National Wildlife Action Plan
 Draft Wetland Management Rules
 Initiatives to enhance green cover
 Policy on Promotion of City Compost
 Living status to Rivers
 National Hydrology Project

6. Environmental Institutions
  Pollution Control Board: Analysis
 National Green Tribunal: Analysis
 Forest Survey of India
 Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee
 Traditional Knowledge Digital Library
 T S R Subramanian Panel Report

7. Miscellaneous Issues

 Algal bloom Issue

 Melting of Antarctica and its impact
 River linking project and its impact
 Public participation for environmental conservation

 
Internal Security

1. Internal Security Challenges

 Internal Security Challenges

 Social Diversity as Issues of Security Threat
 Challenges from within
 Neighbours as Issue of Security Threat
 Non-State Actors as Issue of Security Threat
 Global Indices and Measurement of Vulnerability of a State
Towards such Non-State Actors
 Law and Order vs. Internal Security

2. Terrorism Threat to India

 Terrorism Threat to India

 Changing face of Terrorism
 Terror Threats Faced by India
 Broader Framework to Deal with Terrorism
 Drawbacks in Intelligence Infrastructure

3. Organized Crime
 Types of Organized Crime
 Problems in controlling organized crimes
 Combating organized crimes
 Linkage of Terrorism and Organized Crime in India

4. Linkage between Development and Spread of Extremism

 Stated Purpose of the Naxal Movement

 Why did naxalism get huge support from the common man?
 Why is naxalism the biggest threat to internal security?

5. Insurgency in North-East

 Issues & Conflicts

 Assam Insurgency

6. Security Challenges in Border Areas

 Challenges to Border Management

 Issues Faced in Border Management
 Community Participation for Border Management

7. Basics of Cyber Security

 Types of Cyber Crimes

 Impact and Steps needed
 Recent Incident: Ransomware
 The National Cyber Security Policy of India 2013

8. Cyber Warfare

 Factors Contributing/Aggravating Rise of Cyber Attack

 Recent Initiatives for Tackling Cyber Warfare

9. Social Media and Internal Security Threat

 Regulation of Social Media in India for Internal Security

 Challenges in Monitoring Social Media
  Steps Needed

10. Money Laundering

 Meaning of Money Laundering

 Harmful Effects of Money Laundering
 Steps taken by the Government

11. Black Money in India

 Parallel Economy in India

 What are the various measures taken by the Government to
curb Black Money?
 Impact of demonetisation on black money
 Criticisms

12. Police Reforms in India

 The Organisational Structure

 Duties and Responsibilities of the Police
 Centre’s Role in Policing
 Traditional Security Challenges
 Non-Traditional Security Challenges (NTS)
 Recommendations for Police Reforms
 Police we Want in 21st Century

13. Various Security Forces and their Mandate

 Assam Rifles
 Border Security Force (BSF)
 Indo-Tibetan Border Police
 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
 Central Reserve Police Force
 National Security Guard
 Issues with Paramilitary Forces

 
Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

1. Ethics Basic Introduction

 Dimensions of Ethics
 Essence of Ethics
 Approaches of Ethical Study as Indian Perspective and
Western Perspective
 Basic concept of ethics morality and value
 Ethics in public life
 Ethics in Economic Life
 Freedom and Discipline
 Duties and Rights
 Virtue Ethics
 Consequences of Ethics in Human Actions
 Values and Ethics in Government:
o Legislature, Executive and judiciary

 Contribution of Family in Value Education

 Contribution of Society in Inculcating Values
 Role of Educational Institutions in Inculcating Values

2. Human Values

 Human value & Socialization

 Individual Personality and Value
 Values and Skill
 Fundamental and Instrumental Values
 Democratic values
 Role of ethical value in governance and society
 Significance of value in civil services
 Aesthetic values
 Values in work life and professional ethics

3. Aptitude and foundational values of civil services

 Essential Aptitude for civil servants

 Foundational Values of Civil Services
 Neutrality
 Anonymity
 Civil Services Accountability
 Integrity
 Humility
 Adaptability
 Magnanimity
 Perseverance
 Impartiality and Non-Partisanship
 Tolerance and compassion for the weaker section
 Contribution to society

4. India & World Thinkers

 Indian Thinkers
o Mahatma Gandhi

o Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
o Rabindranath Tagore

o Swami Dayanand Saraswati

o Mahadeva Govinda Ranade

o Sri Aurobindo
o Swami Vivekananda

o Sardar Patel
o Buddha Bhim Rao Ambedkar

o Raja Ram Mohan Roy

o Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj

o Mother Teresa
o Amitabha Chowdhury

o Aruna Roy
o T. N. Seshan

o E. Sreedharan
 Administrative Thinkers
o Max Weber
o Elton Mayo
 o Peter Drucker
o Chestar Barnard
o Mary Parker Follet

 World Thinkers
o Plato

o Aristotle
o Socrates

o Jeremy Bentham
o JS Mill

o Thomas Hobbes
o John Locke

o Jean Jacques Rousseau

o John Rawls

o Immanuel Kant
o Carol Gilligan

o Jean Paul Sartre

o Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

o Confucius
o René Descartes

o Karl Marx
o Adam Smith

o Thomas Aquinas
o David Hume

o Democritus
o Galileo

o Friedrich Nietzsche
o Montesquieu

o Voltaire
o Thomas Jefferson

 Indian & World Leaders

o Benjamin Franklin

o Martin Luther King

o Dalai Lama

o Nelson Mandela
 o Mahatma Gandhi
o Siddhartha Gautama
o Aung San Suu Kyi
o Swami Vivekanand
o Albert Einstein
o Abraham Lincoln
o Mother Teresa
o J L Nehru
o Lee Kuan Yew
o Henry Ford
o Abdul Kalam
o Muhammad Yunus
o Wangari Maathai
o Kofi Annan
o Lech Walesa
o Desmond Tutu
o Isaac Newton
o Elie Wiesel
o King Ashoka
o Sun Yat Sen

5. Attitude

 Components of Attitude
o Affective component

o Cognitive component
o Behavioral component

 Functions of Attitude
o Adjustive Function

o Ego-Defensive Function
o Value-Expressive Function

o Knowledge Function
o Attitude Formation Model

o Impact of Beliefs and Values

o Group Influences
 o Social Influence
o Persuasion Tactics
o Tools of Persuasion
o Moral Attitude formation
o Political Attitude formation

6. Emotional Intelligence

 Theories Associated with Emotional Intelligence

 Can Emotional Intelligence be Developed?
 Components of Emotional Competencies
o The Self-Awareness Cluster: Understanding Feelings and
Accurate Self-Assessment
o The Self-Management Cluster: Managing Internal States,
Impulses, and Resources
o The Social Awareness Cluster: Reading People and
Groups Accurately
o The Relationship Management Cluster: Inducing
Desirable Responses in Others
 Importance of Emotional Intelligence at Workplace
 Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Civil Services

7. Values & Ethics in Public Administration

 Ethical Concerns in Public Institution

 Ethical Concerns in Private Institutions
 Ethical Dilemmas in Public and Private Institutions
 Laws, Rules and Regulations as Source of Ethical Guidance
 Accountability and Ethical Governance
 Strengthening of Ethical and Moral Values in Governance
 Moral Judgments in International Relations
 Ethical Relation in Funding
 International Relations and concept of Moral Responsibility
 Ethics in working of international organizations
 What is Corporate Governance?
 Models of Corporate Social Responsibility
 Steps taken by World Bank for Good Corporate Governance
 Norms for Corporate Government in India
 Concept of business ethics

8. Probity in Governance

 Concept of Public Service

 Philosophical basis of Governance and Probity
 Information Sharing, Transparency and Right to Information
 Flaws in RTI and recommendations for improvement
 Importance of vigilant citizens
 Information sharing and participation
 Importance of Code of ethics
 Code of Ethics in Professions
 Code of Conduct for Ministers; for Legislators; for Civil
Servants; for Regulators and for the Judiciary
 Components of a Citizen Charter
 Steps in formulation of a Citizen’s Charter
 Concept of Work Culture
 The Indian Approach to Work
 Methods of improving Work Culture
 Quality of Service Delivery
 Utilisation of Public Funds
 Problems in Fund Release and Utilization
 Parliamentary Control on Expenditure
 Corruption in India: extent, dimension, and response
 Corruption as a social evil
 Probity in public life Corrupt practice among civil servants and
official misconduct
 Exposing corruption: Civil Society initiatives and role of
Whistleblower Act
 Tackling corruption: Role of government and institutions of
governance
 Controlling corruption: Various approaches and efficacy
Applied Ethics

1. Euthanasia Issue

 Social and ethical angle

 Different arguments related to Euthanasia
 Conclusion

2. Surrogacy

 Case study
 Issues
 Ethical Issues
 Concept of ethical surrogacy
 Conclusion

3. Ethics & Sports

 Importance of sports
 Ethical Issue: Need for sportsmanship
 Ethical Issue: Doping
 Ethical Issue: Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
 Ethical Issue: Sports as a Business
 Steps needed

4. Media Ethics

 Role of Media
 Ethical Issues faced by Reporters
 Trial by Media
 Media Prejudice
 Ethical Dilemma faced by Photojournalists
 Digital Media Ethics
 Paid News

5. Business Ethics
 Principles of Business Ethics
 Dimensions related to Business Ethics in Organisation
 Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
 Journey from Philanthropy to Corporate Social Responsibility
 Issues related to Corporate Social Responsibility
 Issues in implementation of Business Ethics

6. Ethics Related to Economic Sanctions

 Why are Economic Sanctions placed?

 Ethics in Economic Sanctions
 Conclusion

7. Refugees & Ethics

 Why Migration occur?

 Case study of Syria
 Dilemmas related to Refugee crisis
 Steps needed

8. Ethical Dilemmas of Globalization

 What is Globalisation
 Free trade in Globalised world
 Issues with Newly developed trade patterns
 Criticism against global regime
 Way forward

9. Ethics of War

 Ethics and War theories

 Evils of war

10. Environmental Ethics

 Linkage between Ethics and Environment

 Theories related to Environmental ethics
  Role of individual

11. Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

 Issues related to Stem Cell

 Issues related to cloning
 Issues related to designer babies

12. Animal Ethics

 Introduction
 Issues of conducting research on animals
 Issue of keeping animals as pets
 Issue of Cruelty against animals
 Conclusion

13. Food Adulteration and Ethics

 Ethical dimension
 Ethical issue related to food additive

14. Abortion: Ethical or Unethical

 Law of abortion in India

 Recent Supreme Court verdict
 Ethical Issue: Health of Women vs. fetus
 Justifi cation for abortion
 Argument against abortion
 Abortion and women rights
 Abortion and father rights

15. Honour Killing

 Honour killing is unethical

 Role of khap panchayat

16. Marital Rape

  Why Marital Rape should and should not be criminalized?
 What are the hurdles?

17. Ethical Issue Involved in Child

 Labour
 Rights of children
 Child labour and company
 Solution
 Role of consumer

18. Ethical Issue Involved in Treating Juvenile as Adult

 Juvenile justice system

 Negative implications

19. Ethics and Old Age

 Ethical issues
 Issues faced
 Importance of autonomy

20. Ethics in Public and Private Relationships

 Ethical values in Private relationships

 Ethical principles in Public relationships
 Linkage between Private relationships and Public relationships