General Studies1: Culture History Geography

1: History and Culture & Reading sources
 

Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.	NIOS, IGNOU tourism studies, Spectrum book on Culture.
Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.	Bipin Chandra +/- Spectrum +/- GS Manual.

2: History of World & Reading sources

events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.

NCERT. Selective reading of IGNOU BA History. IGNOU MA history

3: Socio stuff & Reading sources

Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.	Starting point is IGNOU MPS 003 India democracy and Development. Then there is Decent material scattered in IGNOU Sociology, political science and Public Administration (BA, MA).
Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Effects of globalization on Indian society
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

4: Geography & Reading sources

General Studies	Before change	2013
Preliminary exam	Geography = Physical + World  + India	Same
Mains	Geography = only Indian Geography.	Now Geography = Physical + World  + India.

Now, Let’s check the syllabus of geography (general studies)

Physical Geography

Topics	Comment
Salient features of world’s physical geography.	Starting point is NCERTS / GS Manual.
Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location. changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.	Starting point is NCERTS + GS Manual + NIOS biodiversity + selective reading of IGNOU Disaster  Management.+Majid/Spectrum

India and World Geography

Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent	Starting point NCERTs
factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)