General Studies Syllabus
UNIT – I: HISTORY: MODERN INDIA
Advent of European invasion- Effect of British rule on socio-economic factors – Social reforms and religious movements – India since independence – Characteristics of Indian culture – India – a secular state – Organizations for fine arts, dance, drama, music – Growth of rationalist, Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu – Political parties and populist schemes – National renaissance – Early uprising against British rule – 1857 Revolt -Indian National Congress -Emergence of national leaders -Growth of militant movements -Different modes of agitations – Era of different Acts & Pacts – World war & final phase struggle – Communalism led to partition – Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle.
UNIT – II: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Basic concepts of Science- Natural disasters and safeguard measures – Chemistry of ores and metals -Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides – Biochemistry and biotechnology – Polymers and plastics–Electrochemistry – Main concepts of life science – Nutrition and dietetics – Respiration – Excretion of metabolic waste – Bio – communication – Govt.policy /organizations on Science and Technology – Role, achievement & impact of Science and Technology – Energy – self sufficiency – oil exploration – Defence Research Organization – Ocean research and development – Genetics – the science of heredity – Environment, ecology, health and hygiene, Bio – diversity and its conservation – Human diseases, prevention and remedies – Communicable diseases and non -communicable diseases – Alcoholism and Drug abuse – Computer science and advancement – Genetic Engineering – Remote sensing and benefits
UNIT – III: INDIAN POLITY
Constitution of India – Preamble to the constitution – Salient features of constitution -Union, state and territory – Citizenship – rights and duties – Fundamental rights – Directive principles of state policy – Fundamental duties – Human rights charter -Union executive – Union legislature –parliament – State executive – State legislature – assembly – Status of Jammu & Kashmir – Local government -panchayatraj – Indian federalism – centre state relations – Judiciary in India – Rule of law /Due process of law – Emergency provisions – Civil services in India – Administrative Challenges in a welfare state – Complexities of district administration – Elections – Election Commission Union and State -Official language and Schedule – VIII – Amendments to constitution – Schedules to constitution – Administration of Union and States with special reference to Tamil Nadu.
UNIT – IV: INDIA Vs FOREIGN NATIONS
India’s foreign policy – Foreign Affairs with special emphasis on India’s relations with neighbouring countries and in the region – Security and defence related matters -Nuclear policy, issues and conflicts -The Indian Diaspora and its contribution to India and the world.
UNIT – V: INDIAN GEOGRAPHY
Earth and universe – Solar system – Atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere – Monsoon,rainfall, weather and climate – Water resources – rivers in India – Soil, minerals & natural resources – Natural vegetation – Forest & wildlife – Agricultural pattern, livestock &fisheries – Transport including Surface Transport & communication – Social geography- population – density and distribution – Natural calamities – disaster management -Bottom topography of Indian ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal – Climate change -impact and consequences – mitigation measures – Pollution Control.
UNIT – VI: CURRENT AFFAIRS
National symbols – Profile of states – Defence, national security system and terrorism – World organizations and Pacts and Summits – Latest inventions on science & technology – Eminent personalities & places in news – Sports & games – Books & authors – Awards & honours – Cultural panorama – Latest historical events – Policy on environment and ecology – India and its neighbours – Latest terminology – Appointments- who is who? – Latest court verdicts – public opinion – Problems in conduct of public
elections – Political parties and political system in India – Public awareness & general administration – Role of voluntary organizations & govt. – Welfare oriented govt.schemes, their utility – New economic policy & govt. sector – Mass media &
communication.
UNIT VII: INDIAN ECONOMY
Nature of Indian economy ‐ Five ‐ year plan models ‐ an assessment ‐Land reforms & agriculture ‐ Application of science in agriculture ‐ Industrial growth ‐ Capital formation and investment ‐ Role of public sector & disinvestment ‐ Development of infrastructure ‐ National income ‐ Public finance & fiscal policy ‐ Price policy & public distribution –Consumerism & Consumer protection ‐ Banking, money & monetary policy ‐ Role of Foreign Direct Investment ‐WTO – Liberalization, globalization & privatization ‐ Rural welfare oriented programmes ‐ HRD ‐ sustainable economic growth ‐ Economic trend in Tamil Nadu ‐Energy Different sources and development ‐ Finance Commission ‐ Planning Commission ‐National Development Council ‐ Poverty Alleviation Programmes – Impact of global economy on India.
UNIT VIII: SOCIO ECONOMIC ISSUES
Population Explosion ‐Unemployment issues in India & Tamil Nadu ‐ Child Labour ‐ Economic Issues (a) Poverty (b)Sanitation‐ Rural and Urban (c) Corruption in public life ‐ Anti ‐Corruption measures ‐CVC,Lok‐adalats, Ombudsman, CAG. – Illiteracy –Women Empowerment‐ Role of the Government Women Empowerment Social injustice
to womenfolk ‐ Domestic violence, dowry menace, sexual assault ‐ Loss of cultural heritage due to economic development -Urbanization and its impact on the society ‐ Impact of violence on the growth of the nation – Religious violence, Terrorism and Communal violence ‐ Regional Disparities ‐Problems of Minorities ‐ Human Rights issues ‐ Right to information ‐ Central and State Commission ‐ Faith and conflict among legislature, executive, judiciary and media. ‐ Education – Linkage between Education and Economic Growth ‐ Community Development Programme ‐ Employment Guarantee Scheme ‐ Self Employment and Entrepreneurship Development ‐ Role of N.G.O’s in Social Welfare – Government Policy on Health.
General English
UNIT –I: COMPREHENSION
From a given passage (prose or poem) comprehend and identify the central theme and answer questions based thereon. The candidate would not be asked to evaluate or assess the argument, its tone or style.
UNIT –II: USE OF VERBS, ARTICLES AND PREPOSITIONS
Use of verbs, articles and prepositions in different contexts. Construction of sentence.Detecting common mistakes in the usage of verbs, articles and prepositions.
UNIT –III: VOCABULARY
Knowledge of words, phrases and idiomatic expression in common English usage to describe different activities, situations and contexts. Differentiate between the usage and meaning of words having similar vocalization (example: flora/fauna; efficiency/efficacy/effectiveness; price/prize; affect/effect; etiquette/ attitude etc.) and detect the commonly committed mistakes. Construction of sentence.
UNIT – IV: LETTER WRITING
Writing letters on following themes:
a) Seeking leave of absence from duty to attend to a personal work from the employer/ official superior
b) Writing a letter to the editor of the leading newspaper or magazine expressing candidate’s views on a topic of general or local importance
c) Writing a letter of condolence to a friend or a colleague on the demise of a close relative or friend.
d) Writing a letter congratulating a friend on his promotion or election to an office of prestige or influence or on his passing a public exam or on a happy event like wedding or birth in the friend’s family
e) Writing a letter to a close friend or family member informing him or her about the candidate’s travel to an exciting place and witnessing an unusual event.
UNIT – V: PRÉCIS WRITING
Read and understand a given passage, sifting the essential from the non-essential information and prepare a cohesive summary not exceeding 1/3rd the size of the given passage and give a suitable eye catching title.
UNIT – VI: ESSAY WRITING
Write an essay of 250 to 300 words on a matter of topical interest (Political, economic,religious, cultural, environmental, social, socio-economic etc.)
