Syllabus Csma
Syllabus Csma
Syllabus Csma
General Guidelines: The nature & standard of questions in the General Studies papers will be such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study. The questions will be such as to test a candidates general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services. The questions are likely to test the candidates basic understanding of all relevant issues, & ability to analyze, & take a view on conflicting socio-economic goals, objectives & demands. The candidates must give relevant, meaningful & succinct answers.
Paper-I
(1) History of Modern India & Indian Culture The History of Modern India will cover history of the Country from about the middle of nineteenth century & would also include questions on important personalities who shaped the freedom movement & social reforms. The part relating to Indian culture will cover all aspects of Indian culture from the ancient to modern times as well as principal features of literature, arts & architecture. (2) Geogrphy of India In this part, questions will be on the physical, economic & social geography of India. (3) Constitution of India & Indian Polity This part will include questions on the Constitution of India as well as all constitutional, legal, administrative & other issues emerging from the politico-administrative system prevalent in the country. (4) Current National issues & topics of social relevance This part is intended to test the candidate's awareness of current national issues & topics of social relevance in present-day India, such as the following: (i) The Indian economy & issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development & employment. (ii) Issues arising from the social & economic exclusion of large sections from the benefits of development. (iii) Other issues relating to the development & management of human resource. (iv) Health issues including the management of Public Health, Health education & ethical concerns regarding health-care, medical research & pharmaceuticals. (v) Law enforcement, internal security & related issues such as the preservation of communal harmony. (vi) Issues relating to good governance & accountability to the citizens
including the maintenance of human rights, & of probity in public life. (vii) Environmental issues, ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources & national heritage.
Paper-II
(1) India & the World This part will include questions to test candidate's awareness of India's relationship with the world in various spheres such as the following:Foreign Affairs with special emphasis on Indias relations with neighbouring countries & in the region. Security & defence related matters. Nuclear policy, issues, & conflicts. The Indian Diaspora & its contribution to India & the world. (2) Indias Economic Interaction with the World In this part, questions will be on economic & trade issues such as foreign trade, foreign investment; economic & diplomacy issues relating to oil, gas & energy flows; the role & functions of I.M.F., World Bank, W.T.O., WIPO etc. which influence Indias economic interaction with other countries & international institutions. (3) Developments in the Field of Science & Technology, IT & space In this part, questions will test the candidate's awareness of the developments in the field of science & technology, information technology, space & basic ideas about computers, robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology & related issues regarding intellectual property rights. (4) International Affairs & Institutions This part will include questions on important events in world affairs & on international institutions. (5) Statistical analysis, graphs & diagrams This part will test the candidate's ability to draw conclusions from information presented in statistical, graphical or diagrammatical form & to interpret them.
Geography - Optional
Paper-I Principles of Geography Section-A Physical Geography
i) Geomorphology : Factors controlling landform development; endogenetic & exogenetic forces; origin & evolution of the earth's crust; physical conditions of the earth's interior; geosynclines; continental drift; isostasy; sea-floor spreading; plate tectonics; mountain building; volcanicity; earthquakes; concepts of geomorphic cycles; landforms associated with fluvial, arid, glacial, coastal & karst cycle; groundwater; Applied Geomorphology. ii) Climatology : Temperature & pressure belts of the world; heat budget of the earth; atmospheric circulation; planetary & local winds; monsoons & jet streams; air masses & fronts; temperate & tropical cyclones; types & distribution of precipitation; Koppen's & Thornthwaite's classification of world climate; hydrological cycle; climatic change. iii) Oceanography : Bottom topography of the Atlantic, Indian & Pacific Oceans; temperature & salinity of the oceans; ocean deposits; ocean currents & tides; marine resources-biotic, mineral & energy resources; coral reefs; sea-level changes. iv) Biogeography : Genesis of soils; classification & distribution of soils; soil profile; soil erosion & conservation; factors influencing world distribution of plants & animals; problems of deforestation & conservation measures; social forestry, agro-forestry. v) Environmental Geography : Human ecological adaptations; transformation of nature by man; environmental degradation & conservation; ecosystems & their management; global ecological imbalances-problems of pollution, global warming, reduction in biodiversity & depletion of forests.
iv) Regional Planning : Concept of a region; types of regions & methods of regionalisation; growth centres & growth poles; regional imbalances; environmental issues in regional planning; planning for sustainable development. v) Models, Theories & Laws in Human Geography : System analysis in Human Geography; Malthusian, Marxian & Demographic Transition models; Central Place theories of Christaller & Losch; Von Thunen's model of agricultural location; Weber's model of industrial location; Rostov's model of stages of growth. Heart-land & Rimland theories; laws of international boundaries & frontiers. Note : Candidates will be required to answer one compulsory map question pertinent to subjects covered by this paper.
panchayati raj & decentralised planning; command area development; watershed management; planning for backward area, desert drought-prone, hill & tribal area development; multi-level planning; geography & regional planning. iv) Political Aspects : Geographical basis of Indian federalism; state reorganisation; regional consciousness & national integration; international boundary of India & related issues; disputes on sharing of water resources; India & geopolitics of the Indian Ocean. v) Contemporary Issues : Environmental hazards-landslides, earthquakes, floods & droughts, epidemics; issues related to environmental pollution; changes in patterns of land use; principles of environmental impact assessment & environmental management; population explosion & food security; environmental degradation; problems of agrarian & industrial unrest; regional disparities in economic development; concept of sustainable growth & development. Note : Candidates will be required to answer one compulsory map question pertinent to subjects covered by this paper.
5. Accountability & control: Concepts of accountability & control; Legislative, Executive & Judicial control over administration; Citizen & Administration; Role of media, interest groups, voluntary organizations; Civil society; Citizen's Charters; Right to Information; Social audit. 6. Administrative Law: Meaning, scope & significance; Dicey on Administrative law; Delegated legislation; Administrative Tribunals. 7. Comparative Public Administration: Historical & sociological factors affecting administrative systems; Administration & politics in different countries; Current status of Comparative Public Administration; Ecology & administration; Riggsian models & their critique. 8. Development Dynamics: Concept of development; Changing profile of development administration; 'Anti-development thesis'; Bureaucracy & development; Strong state versus the market debate; Impact of liberalisation on administration in developing countries; Women & development - the self-help group movement. 9. Personnel Administration: Importance of human resource development; Recruitment, training, career advancement, position classification, discipline, performance appraisal, promotion, pay & service conditions; employer-employee relations, grievance redressal mechanism; Code of conduct; Administrative ethics. 10. Public Policy: Models of policy-making & their critique; Processes of conceptualisation, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation & review & their limitations; State theories & public policy formulation. 11. Techniques of Administrative Improvement: Organisation & methods, Work study & work management; e-governance & information technology; Management aid tools like network analysis, MIS, PERT, CPM. 12. Financial Administration: Monetary & fiscal policies; Public borrowings & public debt Budgets - types & forms; Budgetary process; Financial accountability; Accounts & audit.
associations; Political rights; Grievance redressal mechanism; Civil service neutrality; Civil service activism. 9. Financial Management: Budget as a political instrument; Parliamentary control of public expenditure; Role of finance ministry in monetary & fiscal area; Accounting techniques; Audit; Role of Controller General of Accounts & Comptroller & Auditor General of India. 10. Administrative Reforms since Independence: Major concerns; Important Committees & Commissions; Reforms in financial management & human resource development; Problems of implementation. 11. Rural Development: Institutions & agencies since independence; Rural development programmes: foci & strategies; Decentralization & Panchayati Raj; 73rd Constitutional amendment. 12. Urban Local Government: Municipal governance: main features, structures, finance & problem areas; 74th Constitutional Amendment; Global-local debate; New localism; Development dynamics, politics & administration with special reference to city management. 13. Law & Order Administration: British legacy; National Police Commission; Investigative agencies; Role of central & state agencies including paramilitary forces in maintenance of law & order & countering insurgency & terrorism; Criminalisation of politics & administration; Police-public relations; Reforms in Police. 14. Significant issues in Indian Administration: Values in public service; Regulatory Commissions; National Human Rights Commission; Problems of administration in coalition regimes; Citizen-administration interface; Corruption & administration; Disaster management.