| General Studies–I | Section- 1: HISTORY | - History of the world: Events from the 18th century; industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like Communism, Capitalism, Socialism, etc. -their forms and effect on society.
- Indian culture- Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
- Modern Indian history from the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, and issues.
- Socio-religious reform movements with special reference to Punjab.
- The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country with special reference to Punjab.
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
- History of Punjab:
- Ranjit Singh’s rise to power, civil and military administration and relations with the British
- The annexation of Punjab with special reference to the causes and consequences of the Anglo-Sikh wars.
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| Section-2: GEOGRAPHY | - Physical Geography: Salient features of the world’s physical geography. Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)
- 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 flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
- Geography of Punjab:
- Physiographic details of Punjab; Geomorphic features of Punjab, Punjab’s strategic location concerning International Border;
- Crops of Punjab; Modern concepts of Farming; Problems faced by agriculturists/ Issues in Agriculture: Depletion of groundwater, etc.
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| Section-3: SOCIETY | - 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
- Ethics and Society: Essence, determinants, and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships.
- Human Values – Role of family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values; lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders and reformers- Gautam Buddha, Mahavira, Kabir, Guru Nanak; Swami Vivekananda, Jyotibha Phule, Ishwar Chandra Vidya Sagar, and Mahatma Gandhi.
- Vulnerable sections of the population – Welfare schemes by the Centre and State of Punjab and their performance; Mechanisms, laws, institutions, and Bodies constituted for their protection and betterment.
- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector- Health, Education, Human Resources; Issues relating to Poverty and Malnutrition.
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| GENERAL STUDIES– II | Section-1: INDIAN CONSTITUTION & POLITY | - Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure.
- Functions and responsibilities of Union and the States, issues, and challenges about the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
- Separation of powers between various organs; Dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
- Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, the conduct of business, powers & privileges, and issues arising out of these.
- Structure, organization, and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary; Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
- Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
- Appointment to various Constitutional posts; Powers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies
- District Administration – Evolution of District Administration; Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies.
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| Section-2 GOVERNANCE | - Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation; Development processes and the development organizations- the role of NGOs, SHGs, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders
- Important aspects of governance, transparency, and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures; Role of civil services in a democracy; Changing trends in Governance 13
- Values and Ethics in Governance- Ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations, and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding.
- Probity in Governance: Concept of Governance; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; corporate governance; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
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| Section-3: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | - India and its neighborhood- relations;
- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests;
- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora
- Important International institutions, agencies, and fora- their structure and mandate.
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| GENERAL STUDIES– III | Section-1: Indian Economy | - Issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development, and employment; sustainable development; Inclusive growth and issues arising from it; Government Budgeting;
- Major crops, cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems; storage, transport, and marketing of agricultural produce- issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers; Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Technology missions; economics of animal rearing.
- Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security;
- Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management
- Land reforms in India; Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy, and their effects on industrial growth.
- Infrastructure- Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc; Investment models
- Punjab Economy: Planning- various aspects of developmental planning; Industry; Infrastructure.
- Human Resource Development:
- Importance of Human capital in economic development
- Nature, types, and problems of unemployment in India, Trends of Employment in India, Skill development and demographic dividend
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| Section-2: Statistical analysis, graphs, and diagrams | This part will test the candidate’s ability to draw conclusions from information presented in a statistical, graphical, or diagrammatical form and to interpret the same. |
| Section-3: Issues related to Security | - Linkages between development and spread of extremism;
- Role of external, State and non-State actors in creating challenges to internal security; Challenges to internal security through communication networks; the role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges,
- Basics of cybersecurity; money-laundering and its prevention;
- Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
- Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
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| GENERAL STUDIES– IV | Section-1: Science and Technology | - Science and Technology
- Developments and applications of science and technology and their effects in everyday life
- Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
- Recent developments in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, etc.
- Issues relating to intellectual property rights.
2. Modern Trends in Life Sciences - Progress of Agricultural Science and its impact– Introduction to Biotechnology and its applications; Veterinary and Animal Scienceslatest developments.
- Introduction to and applications of Genetic Engineering & Stem Cell Research
- Human Diseases and Microbial infections; Common infections and preventive measures; preventive measures during outbreaks; Immunity and vaccination
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| Section-2: Environment | - Conservation, environmental pollution, and degradation, Issues related to Climate change; environmental impact assessment
- Water management- Issues in India; Present scenario, Methods, and importance of water conservation
- Definition, nature, types, and classification of disasters
- Natural Hazards: Floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, etc., Risk reduction and mitigation measures
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| Section-3: Situations in Civil Service -Problem Solving and Decision Making | - Tackling situations of Natural disasters/ Major Accidents/ Law and order, Controlling riots
- Handling public protests and dharnas, Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation, Designing Projects, 17 Implementation of National Flagship Schemes/ Programs, Public-Private Partnership ineffective service delivery, Managing and financing Municipal services e.g. Solid waste management, Conservation of natural resources- water, forests, etc,
- Pollution control, Reviving a loss-making PSU, Planning and target achievement, Gender sensitization, and women empowerment,
- Empowerment of vulnerable sections of the society, Improving Education and Enhancing Skill development, Urban settlement sums and Housing issues, Managing Issues related to Urban/ Rural drinking water supply and sanitation, etc.
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