IAS General Studies - Startergy @ Namma IAS

satishtj
Defining Scope of GS for CSE

2010

An effort to remove the myth that UPSC CSE syllabus is not bound. This
work identifies the topics which are expected to be covered completely
by the candidates.

Namma IAS
#12/23 , 2nd cross , Gummiah Layout
Padmanabhanagar , Bangalore -560070
09844042465
080-26393374

Defining Scope of GS for CSE 2

Table of Contents

Topics Page Nos
Introduction 3
Economy 4-10
Polity 11-20
History 21
Art and Culture 22-23
Geography 24
India Year Book 25
Manorama Year Book 26
Current Affairs 27
Science and technology 28
A final word 29

“Namma IAS” Blog :http://nammaias.blogspot.com Contact:09844042465 Page 2


Introduction

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

The major myth in mind of the aspirant who starts his preparation is that General
Studies is “arbit” and could include anything under the sun . This perception is
wrong . GS may be huge but there is a boundary and this work is to make
aspirants know the boundaries , scope and source for their study .

In this examination 9/10 people “fail” . Hence it is but obvious that there will be
lot of pessimism about the examination . So a word of advice would be not to
heed to any pessimistic comments and keep your belief intact . “Belief in thyself”
is the only key to success . Be optimistic and hold a positive look for life .

“Success is sweet but it demands sweat” .

All the best …………………………

X
Satish TJ
(Be in touch...)



Economy

Economy for Civil Services will be divide into 2 phases of study . The stratergy is to
understand the basics first which is the crux of the first phase and later how these
basic parameters are varying in Economic Survey .

Sources of lecture :

Indian Economy Issues 11th std NCERT Indian Economy
Macro Economy Issues NCERT
Current Issues IC . Dhingra and Internet

Economy Phase – I

Topics Issues Covered Theme of
lecture
Human HDI
Development HPI – I and II “Indices are
Report TAI the
GDI dimensions of
PQLI measurement
”
Development Paradigm. Focus of Measurement
paradigm
Economic Quantity GDP ( is this
Growth real ??) “Money is
ED Narrow Gini Coefficient only a means
Broad PQLI to an end –
HD capability HDI,GDI,HPI Education.
Sustainable sustainability Green GDP, Health”
Development Genuine
savings, green
index

Poverty and Defining poverty and recent estimates on
Unemploymen poverty .



t A multidimensional problem .
Absolute , relative poverty etc ..
Poverty gap . “Poor is a
Poverty Alleviation programs. poor because
he is poor”
Jobless Growth , employment elasticity ,
disguised and seasonal unemployment ,
Government measures to reduce
unemployment and recent reports.

Banking
RBI Facts
Monetary Policy ( BR, CRR, SLR , OMO
[ Repo , Reverse Repo , LAF ]
)

Qualitative Measures

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

Banking PLR , LIBOR, MIBOR
Credit Info Bureau , Asset Reconstruction Co ,
CAR/ CRAR , BASEL – II , Sarfesi Act.
Deposits ( Time , Demand).

An Institutional overview. SCB , RRB etc .
Lead Bank scheme , Differential Interest
scheme , service area approach , priority sector
, Non – performing assets and Asset
Reconstruction fund .

Fiscal Policy
Taxation 1. Direct and Indirect taxes.
2. Ad valonum and Specific Tax .



3. Progressive vs Regressive Tax.

Understanding Budget preparation .
Understanding Deficits
5types
• Revenue deficit
• Budget deficit
• Fiscal deficit
• Primary deficit
• Monetized deficit

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

Kelkar Task force

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



WTO

• Differences and similarities between
GATT and WTO .
• Original 6 point agenda
Free Trade
Abolition of MFA
TRIPS
TRIMS
GATS
AOM
Market Access
Reduction of Subsidies
Patenting of Agriculture

[ Product patent , Super 301, Special 301,
Amber , Green and Blue box subsidies ,
Deminimus Support and Sui Genisis , Swizz
formula ]

• Singapore Issues ( 4 issues)
Competition policy
Trade facilitation policy
Transparency in govt procurement
MAI

• Doha Meet
New negotiations
TRIPS and Public Health
Reduction of Agriculture
Subsides
Reduction of Industrial Tariffs
S&DT
Environment and labor issues
• Latest meet updates



World Bank IDA and IFC , SDR’s.
and IMF
FDI and FII

FDI
Routes Automatic Route ,
FIPB , Through NRI .

Magnitude , Source , MLIGA , FERA ,
Sectors , Benefits , FEMA , FIIA , FIFA
dangers /demerits ,
promotion
FPI
Routes FII, GDR and ADR ,
offshore funds ,
Tobin Tax
Hedge Funds PN

Stock Market Primary and Secondary market , Bulls and Bears
, Merchant Banking , SEBI, De-mat , NSDL ,
CDSI, SDT , Badla , Rolling settlement , Short
selling , buy back , Employee stock options ,
derivatives , NIFTY/SENSEX , NASDAQ , CRISIL
,ICRA , CARE ,NSE , BSE.
Industry
• Corporatization , Disinvestment ,
Privatization
• MRTP ( 69) and CCI ( 2002)
• Corporate Governance and Social
Responsibility
• Power Sector – 11th FYP
• IIFCL
• PPP
SPV , Brownfield , Greenfield ,
dovetailing ,



BOT ( Toll) , BOT ( Annuity) , DBFOT

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

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

Planning Perspective , Rolling , Indicative , Greesham’s
law .

Different 1. Philips curve .
curves 2. Gini and Loren’z curve.
3. Lafer curve .



REPORTS OF Current updates as it comes .
CURRENT
INTERSTS

Economy Phase –II

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



Polity

Indian Polity would expect you to know important issues and main articles .
Though 2008 civils exam did not emphasis much on polity , a command on polity
is appreciated which would supplement you efforts in subjects like public
administration and political science .

Sources :

1. DD Basu
2. Wizard polity .

Topic Issues
Introducing • Difference between written and
Constitution unwritten constitution .
and What is • Defining India
India ? Who • Citizenship , OCI , PIO
are Indians
Federalism • What makes any constitution federal
• Federal characteristics
• Anti-federal characteristics
Mode of formation
Position of states vs Union
Nature of polity
Centre – • Territorial extent and its limitations.
State • Distribution of legislative powers
Legislative • When can Union legislate over State
Relations list ?
• Doctrine of Pith and Substance and
Doctrine of Colorable legislation.

Centre – • Distribution of Executive powers
State • When can union give direction to State
Administrati .Normal Times
ve relations


Emergency
Mutual Understanding
Centre – • Difference btw power of levying a tax
State and power to appropriate the tax .
Financial • Limitations on State to impose tax in
Relations certain cases .
• Taxes belonging exclusively to centre ,
taxes belonging exclusive to State ,
Taxes shared .
• Grant – in Aids .
• Finance Commission and Planning
Commison , issues of conflict btw
them.
• Borrowing power of Union and State .
• GST and Coalation era
• Non-justicible rights of State .
Conflict • InterState Councils
Resolution • Zonal Councils
mechanism • NIC
btw Centre • NDC
and State

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

Fundamenta • Difference btw English , US and Indian Important cases
l Rights concept
• What is State • SajjanSingh
• FR – not really fundamental !! • Golaknath
• Classification of FR • Keshavanada
• Doctrine of Basic feature. Bharati



• Suspension of FR . • Minnerva
• Doctrine of Eclipse and some more Mills
Doctines !! • Gopalan
• FR for army and amending power of • Maenaka
Parliament . Gandhi

Art 14 Difference btw
“Equality before
law” and “Equal
protection of law” .
Exceptions
Art 15 RRCSP
Art 16 Equal
opportunity
for
employment.
Mandal – I
and Mandal –
II.

Art 17 What is
untouchability
Art 18 Issue surrounding
Bharat Ratna .
Art 19 • Different
freedoms and
their
limitations
• Freedom for
Press , RTI
Art 20 • Arrested ??

Art 21 Wide interpretation by
SC



Religious • Secularism ,
Rights • Controversy of
Conversion
Minorites • Who is a minority ,
their rights and
recent issues
regarding
admissions to higher
education
institutions.
Constituti Habeas Corpus ,
on Prohibition ,
Remedies Certiorari, Quo-
warranto ,
Mandamus .

DPSP • Uses of DPSP. • Champakam
• Relation between FR and DPSP and Derairajan vs
Doctrine of Harmonization . SOM
• Why is DPSP not justicible ? • Kerala
• Discussions of individual articles of Education
DPSP Bill

Fundamenta • 11 fD
l Duties

President • What is executive power . • Ram Jawya
• Election of Prez,Dispute resolution , • Samsher
Term of office . Singh .
• Veto powers . • UN Rao vs
• Position of President ( Is he a rubber Indira
stamp) Gandhi .
• Powers of President •
• Summoning , dissolving Ls , Ordinace ,
pardon etc .


• Discretionary power of Prez.

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

PM • His powers and position

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

Conventions • Differnet types of conventions in polity

Parliament RS
• RS , Composition , election
• Powers belonging exclusive to RS
• Its relevance , federal character and
non – federal character
• Domicile issue and open ballot issue .
LS
• Composition , election
• Powers belonging exclusive to LS
• Tenure , should there be a fixed
tenure
Representation of States and Delimitation



Women and Reservation

Speaker
• Special powers , speaker pro-term ,
Casting vote and other officers of
Parliament .
Sessions of Parliament
• Spl session of Parliament vs special
session of LS .
• Prorogation , Adjournment and
Dissolution
Qualification for MP and Disqualification
and privelges .
4 kinds of Bills
• Ordinary Bill , Money Bill , Finance Bill ,
Constitution Amendment Bill .
Budget
• Contingency Fund , Consolidated Fund
of India and public account
• Process of Budget , Appropriation and
Financial Bill
• Expenditure charged on CFI
• Token Cut vs Policy Cut vs Economy
cut .
• Vote on account
• Committees ( COPU , Estimates etc)
• Motions Vs Resolution
• Procedure of passing Bills,

CAG , •
Advocate
General

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


coalation .
• Powers
• Discretionary powers of Governor .
Special Responsibility
Discretion in practice

• Can Governor dismiss CM?

State • How to create a LC ? composition (
Legislature Remember the co-operative
movement)
• Qualification , Disqualification and
privelges .
• Difference btw RS and LC in powers
• Difference btw Veto powers of
Governor and Veto of President
• Difference btw Ordinance making
powers of Gov and Prez
• Difference btw Pardon powers of Gov
and Prez

Judiciary Supreme Court
• Appointment of Judges .
• Qualification .
• Removal of a judge
• Independence
• SC as a federal court , as a court of
appeal , as a guardian court .
• Original Jurisdiction , Appelate ,
Appeal by special leave , Advisory
judistriction , Miscelleaneous
High Court
• Constitution , Apptmt of judge,
Qualification for a judge .
• Independence of judge and difference
btw SC and HC judge ( after


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

J&K , Delhi • Reasons and what these special status
special are
status

Elections • 326, 325 , 327,328,329
• Election Commission .

Composition
CEC and ECs , are they same
Powers of EC ( Consti , Statutory
and plenary powers)
• Election reforms
RP Amendment 1988
Goswami committee
RP Ammendment 1996
Recognition of political party
Criminalisation of politics .
(Sanjay Dutt case and Navjot
Singh Sidhu case)

Opinion poll vs Exit poll
EVM
• Election Terms
Presiding officer
Who is a Civil servant in context
of elections
Returning officer
Special voter



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

Freedom of • Art 301 to 307
Inter-State • Diff btw art 19 1(g) and Art 301
trade and • Concept of compensatory and
commerce regulatory tax

Service • Article 310 , 311 the reservoir of
under union corruption ??
& State • Doctrine of “pleasure “ and its
exemptions
• UPSC and its provisions

Languages , • Provisions and respective commissions
Minorites ,
SC , ST

Miscellaneo • Fast Tract Courts
us • Lok Adalats

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



• Schedule 9 – the blanket for JR
• Anti-Defection
• Schedule 5 vs Schedule 6

Reports • NCWRC, 2nd ARC
Polity – phase 2

In this phase we will deal with the current events of relevance which have
occurred . This phase will be held after prelims .



History

History has 3 parts namely

1. Modern India
2. Ancient India
3. Medieval India

However the question will be predominantly from Modern India . One has to see
through Arts and Culture from remaining two parts .

Sources

1. Spectrum Modern India
2. Selected chapters from Bipin Chandra’s “India’s struggle for
Independence”
3. Goroover and Goroover selected chapters especially some quotations.

Topic Focus Comments
1857-1905 Pre-congress Institutions ,
Congress and its initial
agenda , Bengal split ,
Swaraj movement ,
Moderates
1905 - 1919 The Extremists and
Revolutionary Terrorism
1919 - 1922 NC
1922 - 1930 ML and Jinnah and
Lahore Congress
1930-35 Civil Disobedience and
RTC
1937 Elections
1942 Quit India
Post 1940 developments August Offer to Mount
Batten
Spectrum is a must read cover to cover .



Art and culture .

Religion and
Philosphy
Hinduism • Meaning of Hinduism
• Vedas(Rig , Yajur, Sam , Atharva)
• Brahmana , Aranyaka and Upanishad
• Early Vedic vs later vedic
• Varna , ashrama
• Six system of Hindu philosophy
• Bhagavadgita , puranas , itihasa
Bhakti • Yaksha and Nagas
• Vasudeva – Bhagawata cult
• Alvars
• Prabandhas
• Nammaalvar and Tirumalisai Alvar
• Saivism , Nayanars, Agamarta , Sudha, vira-siva
• Shakti-cult
• Shankaracharya,kaplilakas,Ramanuja,Vishistadvaitha,
Bhaktimarga, Dvaitha

Jainism and
Buddhism
Sikhism Khalsa ,Akali, SKS
Islam Sunni and Shia
Sufism • Silsilah
• Chisti order , Suhrawardi ,
Qadiri,shattari,Firdausi,Naqshbandi
Christianity Trinity
Zorastrianism
Judaism Talmud , Torah

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



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

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

Govt and • Institutions
culture • Cultural policy



Geography

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

Sources

1. NCERT for World Geography
2. New NCERT for Indina and its 22 maps
3. People and Economy , new NCERT .

A detailed study of above NCERTS along with India Year Book is a must .



India Year Book

This book is released by government and available for free download from
Ministry of Information and Boardcasting .

Of late the trend is that student is expected to know IYB cover through cover .

There are many strategies to become a master of this book mainly

1. Using a diagrammatic picturization.
2. Mnemonics
3. Forming a question to get the paragraph as the answer .

Further details will be made available in the classes .



Manorama Year Book .

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



Current Affairs

This is the most important part of the examination . One has to develop the knack
of reading newspaper for the same .

Sources

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

Art of reading a Newspaper.

The world is evolutionary and not revolutionary in its occurrence of events .Hence
a good background of the event is essential for understanding importance of any
topic . Newspapers have to be read like any notes and one has to make notes
about the same . A student is advised to keep 3 books for the purpose of making
notes form Newspaper . Whenever you are reading newspaper make sure you
make notes from the same .

1. India and the World(A complete book)
Most of editorial articles and front page articles . There is no use of
one cutting and pasting a article without reading it . One has prepare
a good notes understanding the crux of the article and also take a
stand if the occurrence of particular event in India’s interest or
otherwise .
2. Personalities , Books in News ,Awards
3. Energy , Environment , polity 1 book
4. Science and Technology ,sports
5. Social Issues ( A complete book)

orm which month to which month should current affairs be covered

The trend generally is that from May to Feb for Prelims and Sep to Sep for Mains .



Science and Technology

This part is of major significance for “Mains” and Wizard’s Science and Technology
along with Newspaper reading is sufficient . Some concepts will be built during
the backgrounder classes to help people grasp some concepts especially
regarding nuclear technology and space .

This component has following sections

1. Nano-Technology
2. Space Technology
3. Bio-Technology
4. Robotics
5. Intellectual Property Rights
6. Internet
7. Nuclear Energy and its technology



A final word…..

UPSC Civil Service exam is a exam where 9 / 10 fail hence it is but obvious to hear
lot of negative comments regarding the same . One should keep his faith on the
examination which he would build and in fact enjoy during the course of his
preparation .

There is no better competitor than yourself . Be a better person today than what
you were yesterday . This simple process transforms a person to a learned and
gentle man .

UPSC never gives questions outside the syllabus . However without 100%
preparation one may not be able to crack the exam to his potential .

“Namma IAS” will be with you to help and guide you any time any day .

All the Best …

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


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