UPSC Mains Exam Syllabus - History (Optional)

::Paper – 1::

1. Sources

• Archaeological sources :
• Exploration, excavation, epigraphy, numismatics, monuments.
• Literary sources:
• Indigenous: Primary and secondary; poetry, scientific literature, literature, literature in regional
• languages, religious literature.
• Foreign account: Greek, Chinese and Arab writers.

2. Pre-history and Proto-history :

• Geographical factors; hunting and gathering (paleolithic and mesolithic); Beginning of agriculture (neolithic and chalcolithic).

3. Indus Valley Civilization :

• Origin, date, extent, characteristics-decline, survival and significance, art and architecture.

4. Megalithic Cultures :

• Distribution of pastoral and farming cultures outside the Indus, Development of community life, Settlements, Development of agriculture, Crafts, Pottery, and Iron industry.

5. Aryans and Vedic Period :

• Expansions of Aryans in India :
• Vedic Period: Religious and philosophic literature; Transformation from Rig Vedic period to the later Vedic period; Political, social and economical life; Significance of the Vedic Age; Evolution of Monarchy and Varna system.

6. Period of Mahajanapadas :

• Formation of States (Mahajanapada): Republics and monarchies; Rise of urban centres; Trade routes; Economic growth; Introduction of coinage; Spread of Jainism and Buddism; Rise of Magadha and Nandas.
• Iranian and Mecedonian invasions and their impact.

7. Mauryan Empire :

• Foundation of the Mauryan Empire, Chandragupta, Kautilya and Arthashastra; Ashoka; Concept of Dharma; Edicts; Polity, Administration, Economy; Art, architecture and sculpture; External contacts; Religion; Spread of religion; Literature.
• Disintegration of the empire; sungas and Kanvas.

8. Post-Mauryan Period (Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas, Western Kshatrapas) :

• Contact with outside world; growth of urban centres, economy, coinage, development of religions, Mahayana, social conditions, art, architecture, culture, literature and science.

9. Early State and Society in Eastern India, Deccan and South India:

• Kharavela, The Satavahanas, Tamil States of the Sangam Age; Administration, Economy, land grants, coinage, trade guilds and urban centres; Buddhist centres; Sangam literature and culture; Art and architecture.

10. Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas:

• Polity and administration, Economic conditions, Coinage of the Guptas, Land grants, Decline of urban centres, Indian feudalism, Caste system, Position of women, Education and educational institutions; Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi, Literature, scientific literature, art and architecture.

11. Regional States during Gupta Era:

• The Kadambas, Pallavas, Chalukyas of Badami; Polity and Administration, Trade guilds, Literature; growth of Vaishnava and Saiva religions. Tamil Bhakit movement, Shankaracharya; Vedanta; Institutions of temple and temple architecture; Palas, Senas, Rashtrakutas, Paramaras, Polity and administration; Cultural aspects. Arab conquest of Sind; Alberuni, The Chaluky as of Kalyana, Cholas, Hoysalas, Pandyas; Polity and Administration; Local Government; Growth of art and architecture, religious sects, Institution of temple and Mathas, Agraharas, education and literature, economy and society.

12. Themes in Early Indian Cultural History:

• Languages and texts, major stages in the evolution of art and architecture, major philosophical thinkers and schools, ideas in Science and Mathematics.

13. Early Medieval India, 750-1200:

• Polity: Major political developments in Northern India and the peninsula, origin and the rise of Rajputs.
• The Cholas: administration, village economy and society “Indian Feudalism”.
• Agrarian economy and urban settlements.
• Trade and commerce.
• Society: the status of the Brahman and the new social order.
• Condition of women.
• Indian science and technology.

14. Cultural Traditions in India, 750-1200:

• Philosophy: Skankaracharya and Vedanta, Ramanuja and Vishishtadvaita, Madhva and BrahmaMimansa.
• Religion: Forms and features of religion, Tamil devotional cult, growth of Bhakti, Islam and its arrival in India, Sufism.
• Literature: Literature in Sanskrit, growth of Tamil literature, literature in the newly developing languages, Kalhan's Rajtarangini, Alberuni's India.
• Art and Architecture: Temple architecture, sculpture, painting.

15. The Thirteenth Century:

• Establishment of the Delhi Sultanate: The Ghurian invasions - factors behind Ghurian success.
• Economic, Social and cultural consequences.
• Foundation of Delhi Sultanate and early Turkish Sultans.
• Consolidation: The rule of Iltutmish and Balban.

16. The Fourteenth Century:

• “The Khalji Revolution”.
• Alauddin Khalji: Conquests and territorial expansion, agrarian and economic measure.
• Muhammad Tughluq: Major projects, agrarian measures, bureaucracy of Muhammad Tughluq.
• Firuz Tugluq: Agrarian measures, achievements in civil engineering and public works, decline of the Sultanate, foreign contacts and Ibn Battuta's account.

17.Society, Culture and Economy in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries:

• Society: composition of rural society, ruling classes, town dwellers, women, religious classes, caste and slavery under the Sultanate, Bhakti movement, Sufi movement.
• Culture: Persian literature, literature in the regional languages of North India, literaute in the languages of South India, Sultanate architecture and new structural forms, painting, evolution of a composite culture.
• Economy: Agricultural Production, rise of urban economy and non-agricultural production, trade and commerce.

18. The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century-Political Developments and Economy:

• Rise of Provincial Dynasties : Bengal, Kashmir (Zainul Abedin), Gujarat.
• Malwa, Bahmanids.
• The Vijayanagara Empire.
• Lodis.
• Mughal Empire, first phase : Babur, Humayun.
• The Sur Empire : Sher Shah’s administration.
• Portuguese colonial enterprise, Bhakti and Sufi Movements.

19. The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century- Society and culture:

• Regional cultures specificities.
• Literary traditions.
• Provincial architectural.
• Society, culture, literature and the arts in Vijayanagara Empire.

20. Akbar:

• Conquests and consolidation of empire.
• Establishment of jagir and mansab systems.
• Rajput policy.
• Evolution of religious and social outlook. Theory of Sulh-i-kul and religious policy.
• Court patronage of art and technology.

21. Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century:

• Major administrative policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb.
• The Empire and the Zamindars.
• Religious policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb.
• Nature of the Mughal State.
• Late Seventeenth Century crisis and the revolts.
• The Ahom kingdom.
• Shivaji and the early Maratha Kingdom.

22. Economy and society, in the 16th and 17th Centuries:

• Population Agricultural and craft production.
• Towns, commerce with Europe through Dutch, English and French companies : a trade revolution.
• Indian mercantile classes. Banking, insurance and credit systems.
• Conditions of peasants, Condition of Women.
• Evolution of the Sikh community and the Khalsa Panth.

23. Culture during Mughal Empire:

• Persian histories and other literature.
• Hindi and religious literatures.
• Mughal architecture.
• Mughal painting.
• Provincial architecture and painting.
• Classical music.
• Science and technology.

24. The Eighteenth Century:

• Factors for the decline of the Mughal Empire.
• The regional principalities: Nizam’s Deccan, Bengal, Awadh.
• Maratha ascendancy under the Peshwas.
• The Maratha fiscal and financial system.
• Emergence of Afghan power Battle of Panipat, 1761.
• State of, political, cultural and economic, on eve of the British conquest.

IAS Mains General Studies Study Kit

UPSC Mains Exam Syllabus - Hindi (Literature)

::Paper – 1::

(Answers must be written in Hindi)

Section "A"

1. History of Hindi Language and Nagari Lipi

I. Grammatical and applied forms of Apbhransh, Awahatta & Arambhik Hindi.
II. Development of Braj and Awadhi as Literary language during medieval period.
III. Early form of Khari-boli in Siddha-Nath Sahitya, Khusero, Sant Sahitaya, Rahim etc. and Dakhni Hindi.
IV. Development of Khari-boli and Nagari Lipi during 19th Century.
V. Standardisation of Hindi Bhasha & Nagari Lipi.
VI. Development of Hindi as a National Language during freedom movement.
VII. The development of Hindi as a National Language of Union of India.
VIII. Scientific & Technical Development of Hindi Language.
IX. Prominent dialects of Hindi and their inter-relationship.
X. Salient features of Nagari Lipi and the efforts for its reform & Standard form of Hindi.
XI. Grammatical structure of Standard Hindi.

Section "B"

2. History of Hindi Literature

I. The relevance and importance of Hindi literature and tradition of writing History of Hindi Literature.
II. Literary trends of the following four periods of history of Hindi Literature.
A : Adikal—Sidh, Nath and Raso Sahitya.
Prominent poets—Chandvardai, Khusaro, Hemchandra, Vidyapati.
B : Bhaktikal—Sant Kavyadhara, Sufi Kavyadhara, Krishna Bhaktidhara and Ram Bhaktidhara.
Prominent Poets—Kabir, Jayasi, Sur & Tulsi.
C : Ritikal—Ritikavya, Ritibaddhkavya & Riti Mukta Kavya. Prominent Poets—Keshav, Bihari, Padmakar and Ghananand.
D : Adhunik Kal—
a. Renaissance, the development of Prose, Bharatendu Mandal.
b. Prominent Writers—Bharatendu, Bal Krishna Bhatt & Pratap Narain Mishra.
c. Prominent trends of modern Hindi Poetry: Chhayavad, Pragativad, Prayogvad, Nai Kavita, Navgeet and Contemporary poetry and Janvadi Kavita.
Prominent Poets—Maithili Sharan Gupta, Prasad, Nirala, Mahadevi, Dinkar, Agyeya, Muktibodh, Nagarjun.

3. Katha Sahitya

A : Upanyas & Realism
B : The origin and development of Hindi Novels.
C : ProminentNovelists—Premchand, Jain-endra, Yashpal, Renu and Bhism Sahani.
D : The origin and development of Hindi short story.
E : Prominent Short Story Writers—Premchand, Prasad, Agyeya, Mohan Rakesh & Krishna Sobti.

4. Drama & Theatre

A : The Origin & Development of Hindi Drama.
B : Prominent Dramatists—Bharatendu, Prasad, Jagdish Chandra Mathur, Ram Kumar Verma, Mohan Rakesh.
C : The development of Hindi Theatre.

5. Criticism

A : The origin and development of Hindi criticism : Saiddhantik, Vyavharik, Pragativadi. Manovishleshanvadi & Nai Alochana.
B : Prominent critics—Ramchandra Shukla, Hajari Prasad Dwivedi, Ram Vilas Sharma & Nagendra.

6. The other form of Hindi prose—Lalit Nibandh,Rekhachitra, Sansmaran, Yatra-vrittant.

IAS Mains General Studies Study Kit

UPSC Mains Exam Syllabus - German Optional

PAPER-I

Answers must be written in German

Section-A

1. Structure of Language : Candidates are expected to have a thorough knowledge of German grammar with reference to specific aspects such as word order, syntactic structures and semantics.

2. Essay in German : Candidates are expected to demonstrate command over techniques of written expression in German by writing an essay on
a contemporary topic of a general nature.

Section-B

1. Translation of a text of a general nature from English into German.

2.Socio-political and cultural history of Germany from the 18th century onwards with special reference to :

• Impact of Enlightenment on German society and culture
• The impact of Prussian culture on Germany.
• Cultural debates in the Weimar Republic.
• The concept of culture under National Socialism in Germany.
• The development of two German literatures and cultures after 1945.
• Reunification of Germany and the problems of cultural pluralism.
• The role and relevance of German language and literature in the European Union.

IAS Mains General Studies Study Kit

UPSC Mains Exam Syllabus - Geography (Optional)

::Paper – 1::

Principles of Geography

Physical Geography :

1. GEOMORPHOLOGY : Factors controlling landform development; endogenetic and exogenetic forces; Origin and evolution of the earth’s crusts; Fundamentals of geomagnetism; Physical conditions of the earth’s interior; Geosynclines; Continental drift; Isostasy; Plate tectonics; Recent views on mountain building; Volcanicity; Earthquakes and Tsunamis; Concepts of geomorphic cycles and Land scape development; Denudation chronology; Channel morphology; Erosion surfaces; Slope development; Applied Geomorphology; Geomorphology, economic geology and environment.

2. Climatology : Temperature and pressure belts of the world; Heat budget of the earth; Atmospheric circulation; Atmospheric stability and instability. Planetary and local winds; Monsoons and jet streams; Air masses and fronto; Temperate and tropical cyclones; Types and distribution of precipitation; Weather and Climate; Koppen’s Thornthwaite’s and Trewar Tha’s classification of world climate; Hydrological cycle; Global climatic change, and role and response of man in climatic changes Applied climatology and Urban climate.

3. Oceanography : Bottom topography of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans; Temperature and salinity of the oceans; Heat and salt budgets, Ocean deposits; Waves, currents and tides; Marine resources; biotic, mineral and energy resources; Coral reefs coral bleaching; Sea-level changes; Law of the sea and marine pollution.

4. Biogeography : Genesis of soils; Classification and distribution of soils; Soil profile; Soil erosion, Degrada-tion and conservation; Factors influencing world distribution of plants and animals; Problems of deforestation and conservation measures; Social forestry, agro-forestry; Wild life; Major gene pool centres.

5. Environmental Geography : Principle ecology; Human ecological adaptations; Influence of man on ecology and environment; Global and regional ecological changes and imbalances; Ecosystem their management and conservation; Environmental degradation, management and conservation; Biodiversity and sustainable development; Environmental policy; Environmental hazards and remedial measures; Environmental education and legislation.

Human Geography :

1. Perspectives in Human Geography : Areal differentiation; Regional synthesis; Dichotomy and dualism; Environmentalism; Quantitative revolution and locational analysis; Radical, behavioural, human and welfare approaches; Languages, religions and secularisation; Cultural regions of the world; Human development indix.

2. Economic Geography : World economic development: measurement and problems; World resources and their distribution; Energy crisis; the limits to growth; World agriculture: typology of agricultural regions; Agricultural inputs and productivity; Food and nutritions problems; Food security; famine: causes, effects and remedies; World industries: location patterns and problems; Patterns of world trade.

3. Population and Settlement Geography : Growth and distribution of world population; Demographic attributes; Causes and consequences of migration; Concepts of over-under-and optimum population; Population theories, world population problems and policies, Social well-being and quality of life; Population as social capital.

Types and patterns of rural settlements; Environmental issues in rural settlements; Hierarchy of urban settlements; Urban morphology; Concept of primate city and rank-size rule; Functional classification of towns; Sphere of urban influence; Rural-urban fringe; Satellite towns; Problems and remedies of urbanization; Sustainable development of cities.

4. regional Planning : Concept of a region; Types of regions and methods of regionalisation; Growth centres and growth poles; Regional imbalances; Regional development strategies; Environmental issues in regional planning; Planning for sustainable development.

5. Models, Theories and Laws in Human Geography : System analysis in Human geography; Malthusian, Marxian and demographic transition models; Central Place theories of Christaller and Losch; Perroux and Boudeville; Von Thunen’s model of agricultural location; Weber’s model of industrial location; Ostov’s model of stages of growth. Heart-land and Rimland theories; Laws of international boundaries and frontiers.

IAS Mains General Studies Study Kit

UPSC Mains Exam Syllabus - English (Literature)

::Paper – 1::

The syllabus consists of two papers, designed to test a first-hand and critical reading of texts prescribed from the following periods in English Literature : Paper 1 : 1600-1900 and Paper 2 : 1900–1990.
There will be two compulsory questions in each paper : (a) A short-notes question related to the topics for general study, and (b) A critical analysis of UNSEEN passages both in prose and verse.

(Answers must be written in English)

Texts for detailed study are listed below. Candidates will also be required to show adequate knowledge of the following topics and movements :
The Renaissance; Elizabethan and Jacobean Drama; Metaphysical Poetry; The Epic and the Mock-epic; Neo-classicism; Satire; The Romantic Movement; The Rise of the Novel; The Victorian Age.

Section "A"

1. William Shakespeare : King Lear and The Tempest.

2. John Donne. The following poems :

–Canonization;
–Death be not proud;
–The Good Morrow;
–On his Mistress going to bed;
–The Relic;

3. John Milton : Paradise Lost, I, II, IV, IX.

4. Alexander Pope. The Rape of the Lock.

5. William Wordsworth. The following poems :

– Ode on Intimations of Immortality.
– Tintern Abbey.
– Three years she grew.
– She dwelt among untrodden ways.
– Michael.
– Resolution and Independence.
– The World is too much with us.
– Milton, thou shouldst be living at this hour.
– Upon Westminster Bridge.

6. Alfred Tennyson : In Memoriam.

7. Henrik Ibsen : A Doll’s House.

Section "B"

1. Jonathan Swift, Gulliver’s Travels.
2. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
3. Henry Fielding. Tom Jones.
4. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
5. George Eliot. The Mill on the Floss.
6. Thomas Hardy. Tess of the d’Urbervilles.
7. Mark Twain. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

IAS Mains General Studies Study Kit

(The Gist of Kurukshetra) ग्रामीण युवाओं के लिए कौशल विकास और रोजगार [June-2018]

ग्रामीण युवाओं के लिए कौशल विकास और रोजगार

भारत की जनसांख्यिकीय बढ़त का लाभ लेने के उद्देश्य से कौशल विकास के लिए वर्ष 2009 में पहली बार राष्ट्रीय नीति बनाई गई थी । इस नीति का लक्ष्य वर्तमान में लागू कौशल–तंत्र की सीमा और क्षमता बढ़ाकर बदलती आवश्यकताओं के अनुरूप सभी तक इसकी पहुंच को सुनिश्चित करना, जीवन पर्यन्त ज्ञानार्जन का संवर्धन तथा सरकारी और निजी क्षेत्र के कौशल विकास संबंधी बहुविधी प्रयासों का स्कूली शिक्षा में समावेशन एवं प्रशिक्षण संस्थानों की क्षमता बढ़ाना है ।

कौशल विकास पारिस्थितिकी में आए बदलाओं और कौशल विकास कार्यक्रमों के क्रियान्वयन के दौरान मिले अनुभवों को /यान में रखते हुए वर्ष 2015 में नई राष्ट्रीय कौशल विकास एवं उद्यमिता नीति की घोषण की गई । नई नीति का लक्ष्य द्रुत गति, गुणवता और दीर्घकालिकता के साथ कौशल उन्ययन नवाचारों को बढ़ावा देना है । इसके अंतर्गत सरकारी क्षेत्र, औद्योगिक क्षेत्रों एवं स्वयंसेवी संस्थाओं में चल रही कौशल गतिविधीयों के लिए समावेशी तंत्र की व्यवस्था की गई है तथा इसके द्वारा शुरू की गई अनिवार्य उद्यमिता में वैतनिक और स्वरोजगार हेतु कौशल उन्नयन का प्रावधान है ।

कौशल विकास के लिए अवसरंचना के अंतर्गत राष्ट्रीय कौशल विकास एजेंसी, राष्ट्रीय कौशल विकास कोष आते हैं । वर्ष 2014 में इन सबा विलय कर एक नया विभाग ‘कौशल विकास एवं उद्यमिता’ गठित किया गया जिसे वर्ष 2014 में कौशल विकास एवं उद्यमिता मंत्रालय में परिवर्तित कर दिया गया । राज्यों के स्तर पर कौशल किवकास कार्यक्रमों को लागू करने के लिए राज्यों को परामर्श दिया गया है कि वे नोडेल एजेंसी के रूप मे ंराज्य कौशल विकास मिशनों की स्थापना करें ।

ग्रामीण युवाओं के लिए कौशल विकास योजना

प्रधानमंत्री कौशल विकास योजना एक फ्लैंगशिप योजना है जिसे वर्ष 2015 में युवाओं को उद्योगों की आवश्यकताओं के अनुरूप प्रशिक्षण लेकर अपने लिए बेहतर रोजगार प्राप्त करने के योग्य बनाने के लिए शुरू किया गया था । यह योजना रोजगार पाने के इच्छुक युवाओं को लघुकालीन प्रशिक्षण सहयोगी/प्रशिक्षण केंद्रों के मा/य से उनकी पूर्व अ/ययन मान्यता को मान्य करते हुए उन्हें रोजगार दिलवाने के लिए शुरू की गई थी ।

ब्रू परियोजना % इस परियोजना का उद्देश्य मिजोरम की ब्रू जनजाति का कौशल उन्नयन करना है जिसे विस्थापन होने के कारण उतरी त्रिपुरा में स्थित आंतरिक विस्थापित व्यक्ति केन्द्रांे में रहना पड़ रहा है । कतकरी मूल आदिवासी जनजाति % इस परियोजना का लक्ष्य महाराष्ट्र की कतकरी जनजाति के 1020 युवाओं का कौशल उन्नयन करना है । ओडिशा में कौशल विकास % परियोजना का लक्ष्य ओडिशा के 62 स्थानीय आदिवासी समुदायों के 12,000 प्रत्याशियों का कौशल उन्नयन करना है । इन 62 में से 13 समुदाय मूल आदिवासियों के रूप में वर्गीकृत है ।

UPSC सामान्य अध्ययन प्रारंभिक एवं मुख्य परीक्षा (Combo) Study Kit 2018

UPSC Mains Exam Syllabus - Economics (Optional)

::Paper – 1::

1. Advanced Micro Economics :

• (a) Marshallian and Walrasian Approaches to Price determination.
• (b) Alternative Distribution Theories : Ricardo, Kaldor, Kalecki.
• (c) Markets Structure : Monopolistic Competition, Duopoly, Oligopoly.
• (d) Modern Welfare Criteria : Pareto Hicks and Scitovsky, Arrow’s Impossibility Theorem, A. K. Sen’s Social Welfare Function.

2. Advance Macro Economics :

• Approaches to Employment Income and Interest Rate determination : Classical, Keynes (IS-LM) curve, Neo-classical synthesis and New classical, Theories of Interest Rate determination and Interest Rate Structure.

3. Money-Banking and Finance :

• (a) Demand for and Supply of Money : Money Multiplier Quantity Theory of Money (Fisher, Pigou and Friedman) and Keynes’ Theory on Demand for Money, Goals and Instruments of Monetary Management in Closed and Open Economies. Relation between the Central Bank and the Treasury. Proposal for ceiling on growth rate of money.
• (b) Public Finance and its Role in market economy : in stabilization of supply, allocation of resources and in distribution and development. Sources of Government revenue, forms of Taxes and Subsidies, their incidence and effects. Limits to taxation, loans, crowding-out effects and limits to borrowings. Public expenditure and its effects.

4. International Economics :

(a) Old and New theories of International Trade.

• (i) Comparative advantage,
• (ii) Terms of Trade and offer curve.
• (iii) Product cycle and Strategic trade theories.
• (iv) Trade as an engine of growth and theories of underdevelopment in an open economy.

(b) Forms of protection : Tariff and quota.

(c) Balance of Payments Adjustments : Alternative Approaches.

• (i) Price versus income, income adjustments under fixed exchange rates.
• (ii) Theories of Policy mix.
• (iii) Exchange rate adjustments under capital mobility.
• (iv) Floating Rates and their implications for developing Countries: Currency Boards.
• (v) Trade Policy and Developing Countries.
• (vi) BOP, adjustments and Policy Coordination in open economy macro-model.
• (vii) Speculative attacks.
• (viii) Trade Blocks and Monetary Unions.
• (ix) WTO : Trims, TRIPS, Domestic Measures, Different Rounds of WTO talks.

5. Growth and Development:

(a) (i) Theories of growth : Harrod’s model;

• (ii) Lewis model of development with surplus labour.
• (iii) Balanced Unbalanced Growth.
• (iv) human capitals and Economic Growth.
• (v) Research and Development and Economic Growth.

(b) Process of Economic Development of less developed countries: Myrdal and Kuznets on economic development and structural change: Role of Agriculture in Economic Development of less developed countries.

(c) Economic Development and International Trade and Investment, Role of Multinationals.

(d) Planning and economic Development: changing role of Markets and Planning, Private-Public Partnership.

(e) Welfare indicators and measures of growth—Human development indices. The basic needs approach.

(f) Development and Environmental Sustainability—Renewable and Non Renewable Resources, Environmental Degradation, Intergenerational equity development.

IAS Mains General Studies Study Kit

UPSC Mains Exam Syllabus - Civil Engineering (Optional)

::Paper – 1::

Part-A : Engineering Mechanics

Eengineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials and Structural Analysis.

Eengineering Mechanics:

• Units and Dimensions, SI Units, Vectors, Concept of Force, Concept of particle and rigid body. Concurrent, Non Concurrent and parallel forces in a plane, moment of force and Varignon's theorem, free body diagram, conditions of equilibrium, Principle of virtual work, equivalent force system.
• First and Second Moment of area, Mass moment of Inertia.
• Static Friction, Inclined Plane and bearings.
• Kinematics and Kinetics :
• Kinematics in Cartesian and Polar Coordinates, motion under uniform and nonuniform acceleration, motion under gravity. Kinetics of particle : Momentum and Energy principles, D' Alembert's Principle, Collision of elastic bodies, rotation of rigid bodies, simple harmonic motion, Flywheel.

Strength of Materials:

• Simple Stress and Strain, Elastic constants, axially loaded compression members, Shear force and bending moment, theory of simple bending, Shear Stress distribution across cross sections, Beams of uniform strength, Leaf spring. Strain Energy in direct stress, bending & shear. Deflection of beams : Mecaulay's method, Mohr's Moment area method, Conjugate beam method, unit load method. Torsion of Shafts, Transmission of power, close coiled helical springs, Elastic stability of columns, Euler's Rankine's and Secant formulae. Principal Stresses and Strains in two dimensions, Mohr's Circle, Theories of Elastic Failure, Thin and Thick cylinder : Stresses due to internal and external pressure-Lame's equations.

Structural Analysis:

• Castiglianio's theorems I and II, unit load method, method of consistent deformation applied to beams and pin jointed trusses. Slope-deflection, moment distribution, Kani's method of analysis and column Analogy method applied to indeterminate beams and rigid frames.
• Rolling loads and Influences lines : Influences lines for Shear Force and Bending moment at a section of a beam. Criteria for maximum shear force and bending Moment in beams traversed by a system of moving loads. Influences lines for simply supported plane pin jointed trusses.
• Arches : Three hinged, two hinged and fixed arches, rib shortening and temperature effects, influence lines in arches.
• Matrix methods of analysis : Force method and displacement method of analysis of indeterminate beams and rigid frames.
• Plastic Analysis of beams and frames : Theory of plastic bending, plastic analysis, statical method, Mechanism method.
• Unsymmetrical bending : Moment of inertia, product of inertia, position of Neutral Axis and Principle axes, calculation of bending stresses.

Part-B

Design of Structures: Steel, Concrete and Masonry Structures

Structural Steel Design:

• Structural Steel : Factors of safety and load factors. Rivetted, bolted and welded joints and connections. Design of tension and compression members, beams of built up section, rivetted and welded plate girders, gantry girders, stancheons with battens and lacings, slab and gusseted column bases.
• Design of highway and railway bridges : Through and deck type plate girder, Warren girder, Pratt truss.

Design of Concrete and Mansonry Structures:

• Concept of mix design. Reinforced Concrete : Working Stress and Limit State method of design-Recommendations of I.S. codes design of one way and two way slabs, staircase slabs, simple and continuous beams of rectangular, T and L sections. Compression members under direct load with or without eccentricity, Isolated and combined footings.
• Cantilever and Counter fort type retaining walls.
• Water tanks : Design requirements for Rectangular and circular tanks resting on ground.
• Prestressed concrete : Methods and systems of prestressing, anchorages, Analysis and design of sections for flexure based on working stress, loss of prestress.
• Design of brick masonry as per I.S. Codes.
• Design of masonry retaining walls.

Part-C

Fluid Mechanics, Open Channel Flow and Hydraulic Machines

Fluid Mechanics : Fluid properties and their role in fluid motion, fluid statics including forces acting on plane and curve surfaces.

Kinematics and Dynamics of Fluid flow : Velocity and accelerations, stream lines, equation of continuity, irrotational and rotational flow, velocity potential and stream functions, flownet, methods of drawing flownet, sources and sinks, flow separation, free and forced vortices.

• Control volume equation, continuity, momentum, energy and moment of momentum equations from control volume equation, Navier-Stokes equation, Euler's equation of motion, application to fluid flow problems, pipe flow, plane, curved, stationary and moving vanes, sluice gates, weirs, orifice meters and Venturi meters.

Dimensional Analysis and Similitude: Buckingham's Pi-theorem, dimensionless parameters, similitude theory, model laws, undistorted and distorted models.

Laminar Flow : Laminar flow between parallel, stationary and moving plates, flow through tube.

Boundary layer : Laminar and turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate, laminar sublayer, smooth and rough boundaries, drag and lift.

Turbulent flow through pipes : Characteristics of turbulent flow, velocity distribution and variation of pipe friction factor, hydraulic grade line and total energy line, siphons, expansion and contractions in pipes, pipe networks, water hammer in pipes and surge tanks.

Open channel flow : Uniform and non-uniform flows, momentum and energy correction factors, specific energy and specific force, critical depth, resistance equations and variation of roughness coefficient, rapidly varied flow, flow in contractions, flow at sudden drop, hydraulic jump and its applications surges and waves, gradually varied flow, classification of surface profiles, control section, step method of integration of varied flow equation, moving surges and hydraulic bore.

Hydraulic Machines and Hydropower:

• Centrifugal pumps-Types, characteristics, Net Positive Suction Height (NPSH), specific speed. Pumps in parallel.
• Reciprocating pumps, Airvessels, Hydraulic ram, efficiency parameters, Rotary and positive displacement pumps, diaphragm and jet pumps.
• Hydraulic turbines, types classification, Choice of turbines, performance parameters, controls, characteristics, specific speed.
• Principles of hydropower development. Type, layouts and Component works. Surge tanks, types and choice. Flow duration curves and dependable flow. Storage an pondage. Pumped storage plants. Special features of mini, micro-hydel plants.

Part-D

Geo Technical Engineering

• Types of soil, phase relationships, consistency limits particles size distribution, classifications of soil, structure and clay mineralogy.
• Capillary water and structural water, effective stress and pore water pressure, Darcy's Law, factors affecting permeability, determination of permeability, permeability of stratified soil deposits.
• Seepage pressure, quick sand condition, compressibility and consolidation, Terzaghi's theory of one dimensional consolidation, consolidation test.
• Compaction of soil, field control of compaction. Total stress and effective stress parameters, pore pressure coefficients.
• Shear strength of soils, Mohr Coulomb failure theory, Shear tests.
• Earth pressure at rest, acive and passive pressures, Rankine's theory, Coulomb's wedge theory, earth pressure on retaining wall, sheetpile walls, Braced excavation.
• Bearing capacity, Terzaghi and other important theories, net and gross bearing pressure.
• Immediate and consolidation settlement.
• Stability of slope, Total Stress and Effective Stress methods, Conventional methods of slices, stability number.
• Subsurface exploration, methods of boring, sampling, penetration tests, pressure meter tests.
• Essential features of foundation, types of foundation, design criteria, choice of type of foundation, stress distribution in soils, Boussinessq's theory, Newmarks's chart, pressure bulb, contact pressure, applicability of different bearing capacity theories, evaluation of bearing capacity from field tests, allowable bearing capacity, Settlement analysis, allowable settlement.
• Proportioning of footing, isolated and combined footings, rafts, buoyancy rafts, Pile foundation, types of piles, pile capacity, static and dynamic analysis, design of pile groups, pile load test, settlement of piles, lateral capacity. Foundation for Bridges. Ground improvement techniques-preloading, sand drains, stone column, grouting, soil stabilisation.

IAS Mains General Studies Study Kit

UPSC Mains Exam Syllabus - Botany (Optional)

::Paper – 1::

1. Microbiology and Plant Pathology: Viruses, bacteria, and plasmids-structure and reproduction. General account of infection, Phytoimmunology. Applications of microbiology in agriculture, industry, medicine and pollution control in air, soil and water.

Important plant diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, fungi and nematodes. Mode of infection and dissemination. Molecular basis of infection and disease resistance/ defence. Physiology of parasitism and control measures. Fungal toxins.

2. Cryptogams: Algae, Fungi, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes-structure and reproduction from evolutonary viewpoint. Distribution of Cryptogams in India and their economic potential.

3. Phanerogams: Gymnosperms: Concept of Progymonosperms. Classification and distribution of Gymnosperms. Salient features of Cycadales, Coniferrals and Gnetales, their structures and reproduction. General account of Cycadofilicales, Bennettitales and Cordaitales.

Angiosperms: Systematics, anatomy, embryology, palynology and phylogeny. Comparative account of various systems of Angiosperm Classiification. Study of angiospermic families-Magnoliaceae, Ranunculaceae, Brassicaceae (Cruciferae), Rosaceae, Leguminosae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceaie, Dipterocarpaceae, Apiaceae (Umbelliferae), Asclepiadaceae, Verbenaceae, Solanaceae, Rubiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Asteraceae (Composite), Poaceae (Gramineae), Arecaceae (Palmae), Liliaceae, Musaceae, Orchidaceae.

Stomata and their types. Anomalous secondary growth, Anatomy of C 3 and C 4 plants.

Development of male and female gametophytes, pollination, fertilization. Endospermits development and function. Patterns of embryo development. Polyembryony, apoxmix, Applications of palynology.

4. Plant Utility and Exploitation:

Origin of cultivated plants, Vavilov's centres of origin. Plants as sources for food, fodder, fibres, spices, beverages, drugs, narcotics, insecticides, timber, gums, resins and dyes.

Latex, cellulose Starch and their products. Perfumery. Importance of Ethnobotany in Indian context. Energy plantation. Botanical Gardens and Herbaria.

5. Morphogenesis: Totipotency, polarity, symmetry and differentiation. Cell, tissue, organ and protoplast culture. Somatic hybrids and Cybrids.

IAS Mains General Studies Study Kit

(The Gist of Kurukshetra) राष्ट्रीय सामजिक सहायता कार्यक्रम [June-2018]

राष्ट्रीय सामजिक सहायता कार्यक्रम

राष्ट्रीय सामाजिक सहायता कार्यक्रम के तहत सरकार गरीबी रेखा से नीचे के परिवारों के 3 करोड़ से अधिक बुजुर्गोंविधवाओं और दिव्यांग लाभार्थियों को प्रत्यक्ष हस्तांतरण के लिए प्रतिबद्ध है। राष्ट्रीय सामाजिक सहायता कार्यक्रम के तहत अभावों से जूझ रहे परिवारों तक नकद हस्तांतरण की सुविधा खाद्य सुरक्षा और स्वास्थ्य बीमा समेत समग्र सामाजिक सुरक्षा का एक महत्वपूर्ण भाग है।

वर्ष 2016 में एनएसएपी योजना को सर्वाधिक महत्वपूर्ण योजना के तहत लाने का जब से रणनीतिक फैसला लिया गया तब से केंद्र सरकार योजना की शत-प्रतिशत जरूरतें पूरी करने के लिए वित्तीय प्रतिबद्धता को लगातार बढ़ा रही है। वित्तवर्ष 2018-19 के लिए एनएसएपी योजना को 9975 करोड़ रुपये आवंटित किए गए जो वर्ष 2014-15 के दौरान 7241 करोड़ रुपये के रुपये आवटित किए 1 में आवंटित बजट से 38 प्रतिशत है। वित्तवर्ष 2017-18 के अधिक दौरान एनएसएपी तहत /केंद्रशासित प्रदेशों को 8696 करोड़ के राज्यों रुपये की राशि जारी की गई जो वर्ष 2014-15 के दौरान जारी राशि से 23 प्रतिशत अधिक है।

योजना में पारदर्शिता बढ़ाने और कमियां हटाने के लिए सरकार ने कई कदम उठाए हैं। एनएसएपी के तहत लाभार्थियों के आंकड़े एनएसएपीपीपीएस पर डिजिटल फार्म में रखे गए हैं। योजना के तहत 173 लाख लाभार्थियों के आधार उनकी सहमति से जोड़े-नंबर गए करने का फैसला लिया हैं। सरकार ने आधार आधारित व्यवस्था (एबीपीएस) स्वीकार करने की तारीख बढ़ाकर 30 जून 2018 है।

UPSC सामान्य अध्ययन प्रारंभिक एवं मुख्य परीक्षा (Combo) Study Kit 2018

UPSC Mains Exam Syllabus - Bengali (Literature)

::Paper – 1::

History of Language and Literature. [Answers must be written in Bengali]

Section A : Topics from the History of Bangla language

1. The chronological track from Proto Indo-European to Bangla (Family tree with branches and approximate dates).
2. Historical stages of Bangla (Old, Middle, New) and their linguistic features.
3. Dialects of Bangla and their distinguishing characteristics.
4. Elements of Bangla Vocabulary.
5. Forms of Bangla Literary Prose—Sadhu and Chalit.
6. Processes of language change relevant for Bangla :
Apinihiti (Anaptyxis), Abhishruti (umlaut), Murdhanyibhavan (cerebralization), Nasikyibhavan (Nasalization), Samibhavan (Assimilation), Sadrishya (Analogy), Svaragama (Vowel insertion) —Adi Svaragama, Madhya Svaragama or Svarabhakti, Antya Svaragama, Svarasangati (Vowel harmony), y—shruti and w—shruti.
7. Problems of standardization and reform of alphabet and spelling, and those of transliteration and Romanization.
8. Phonology, Morphology and Syntax of Modern Bangla.
(Sounds of Modern Bangla, Conjuncts; word formations, compounds; basic sentence patterns.)

Section B : Topics from the History of Bangla Literature.

1. Periodization of Bangla Literature : Old Bangla and Middle Bangla.
2. Points of difference between modern and pre-modern Bangla Literature.
3. Roots and reasons behind the emergence of modernity in Bangla Literature.
4. Evolution of various Middle Bangla forms ; Mangal Kavyas, Vaishnava lyrics, Adapted narratives (Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavata) and religious biographies.
5. Secular forms in middle Bangla literature.
6. Narrative and lyric trends in the nineteenth century Bangla poetry.
7. Development of prose.
8. Bangla dramatic literature (nineteenth century, Tagore, Post-1944 Bangla drama).
9. Tagore and post-Tagoreans.
10. Fiction, major authors : Bankimchandra, Tagore, Saratchandra, Bibhutibhusan, Tarasankar, Manik ).
11. Women and Bangla literature : creators and created.

IAS Mains General Studies Study Kit

(The Gist of Kurukshetra) भारतीय चिकित्सा पद्धतियों का बढ़ता दायरा [June-2018]

भारतीय चिकित्सा पद्धतियों का बढ़ता दायरा

भारतीय चिकित्सा पद्धतियों का अपना प्राचीन इतिहास रहा है। भारत हमेशा से चिकित्सा के क्षेत्र में अग्रणी रहा है। बिच के कुछ कालखंड को छोड़ दे तो भारत की प्राचीन चिकित्सकीय परंपरा हमेशा से सर्वोपरी रही है। वर्तमान समय में भी देश-दुनिया के लोग इस बात को मानने लगे हैं कि स्वस्थ रहना है तो भारतीय स्वास्थ्य पद्धतियों को अपनाना ही होगा। आयुर्वेदयूनानी, होमियोपैथी, सिद्धा प्राकृतिक चिकित्सायोग एवं सोवा-रिग्पा जैसी चिकित्सा पद्धतियों को संवर्धित करने एवं इनकी पहुंच आमजन तक पहुंचाने के लिए ही भारत सरकार ने अलग से ‘आयुष मंत्रालय बनाया है। इस कड़ी में आगे बढ़ते हुए भारत सरकार की पहल के कारण योग को अंतरराष्ट्रीय पहचान जून 2015 में मिला। और पूरी दुनिया ने एक स्वर में 21 जून 2015 को पहला अंतरराष्ट्रीय योग दिवस मनाने पर अपनी सहमति प्रदान की। तब से योग का ग्राफ लगातार बढ़ता ही जा रहा है। योग के लिहाज से 27 सितंबर2014 का वह दिन बहुत ही ऐतिहासिक था। जब प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेंद्र मोदी संयुक्त राष्ट्र महासभा में योग के महत्व को दुनिया को समझा रहे थे। उन्होंने कहा था कि ‘योग भारत की प्राचीन परंपरा का एक अमूल्य उपहार है यह दिमाग और शरीर की एकता का प्रतीक है, मनुष्य और प्रकृति के बीच सामंजस्य है, विचार 5 संयम और पूर्ति प्रदान करने वाला है तथा स्वास्थ्य और भलाई के लिए एक समग्र दृष्टिकोण को भी प्रदान करने वाला है। यह व्यायाम के बारे में नहीं है, लेकिन अपने भीतर एकता की भावना, दुनिया और प्रकृति की खोज के विषय में है। हमारी बदलती जीवनशैली में यह चेतना बनकर हमें जलवायु परिवर्तन से निपटने में मदद कर सकता है।

यहां ध्यान देने वाली बात यह है कि 11 दिसम्बर2014 को संयुक्त राष्ट्र में 193 सदस्यों द्वारा 21 जून को अंतर्राष्ट्रीय योग दिवस मनाने के प्रस्ताव को मंजूरी मिली। अपने देश के इस प्रस्ताव को महज 90 दिनों में पूर्ण बहुमत से पारित किया गया। इस महीने 21 जून को फिर से पूरी दुनिया अंतरराष्ट्रीय योग दिवस मनाने जा रही है। भारत सरकार भी पूरे देश में योग को बढ़ावा देने के लिए अलग-अलग मंचों पर कार्यक्रम आयोजित कर रही है। साथ ही स्वयसेवी संस्थाएं भी इस दिवस को और व्यापक बनाने के लिए जुट गई हैं। योग से जुड़ी कुछ सामान्य जानकारी सबके लिए जरूरी है। आइए जानते हैं—
सामान्य योगाभ्यास से जुड़ी सावधानियां

UPSC सामान्य अध्ययन प्रारंभिक एवं मुख्य परीक्षा (Combo) Study Kit 2018

(Current Based) Question:

UPSC Mains Exam Syllabus - Arabic Optional

PAPER-I:

(Answers must be written in Arabic)

Section-A:

1. (a) Origin and development of the language- an outline.
(b) Significant features of the grammar of the language, Rhetorics, Prosody.
(c) Short Essay in Arabic.

Section-B:

2. Literary History and Literary Criticism : Socio-Cultural Background, Classical literature, literary movements, modern trends, origin and development of modern prose : drama, novel, short story, essay.

IAS Mains General Studies Study Kit

UPSC Mains Exam Syllabus - Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science (Optional)

::Paper – 1::

1. Animal Nutrition

Energy sources, energy, metabolism and requirements for maintenance and production of milk, meat, eggs and wool. Evaluation of feeds as sources of energy.

1.1. Trends in protein nutrition: sources of protein metabolism and synthesis, protein quantity and quality in relation to requirements. Energy protein ratios in ration.

1.2. Minerals in animal diet : Sources, functions, requirements and their relationship of the basic minerals nutrients including trace elements.

1.3. Vitamins, Hormones and Growth Stimulating, substances : Sources, functions, requirements and inter-relationship with minerals.

1.4. Advances in Ruminant Nutrition-Dairy Cattle: Nutrients and their metabolism with reference to milk production and its composition. Nutrient requirements for calves, heifers, dry and milking cows and buffaloes. Limitations of various feeding systems.

1.5 Advances in Non-Ruminant Nutrition-Poultry-Nutrients and their metabolism with reference to poultry, meat and egg production, Nutrients requirements and feed formulation and broilers at different ages.

1.6 Advances in Non-Ruminant Nutrition-Swine-Nutrients and their metabolism with special reference to growth and quality of meat production, Nutrient requirement and feed formulation for baby-growing and finishing pigs.

1.7. Advances in Applied Animal Nutrition-A critical review and evaluation of feeding experiments, digestibility and balance studies. Feeding standards and measures of food energy. Nutrition requirements for growth, maintenance and production. Balanced rations.

2. Animal Physiology :

2.1 Growth and Animal Production : Prenatal and postnatal growth, maturation, growth curves, measures of growth, factors affecting growth, conformation, body composition, meat quality.

2.2 Milk Production and Reproduction and Digestion : Current status of hormonal control of mammary development, milk secretion and milk ejection. Male and Female reproduction organ, their components and function. Digestive organs and their functions.

2.3 Environmental Physiology : Physiological relations and their regulation; mechanisms of adaptation, environmental factors and regulatory mechanism involved in animal behaviour, methods of controlling climatic stress.

2.4 Semen quality : Preservation and Artificial Insemination-Components of semen, composition of spermatozoa, chemical and physical properties of ejaculated semen, factors affecting semen in vivo and in vitro. Factors affecting semen production and quality preservation, composition of diluents, sperm concentration, transport of diluted semen. Deep Freezing techniques in cows, sheep and goats, swine and poultry.

Detection of estrus and time of insemination for better conception.

3. Livestock Production and Management :

3.1 Commercial Dairy Farming-Comparison of dairy farming in India with advanced countries. Dairying under fixed farming and as a specialised farming, economic dairy farming, Starting of a dairy farm. Capital and land requirement, organisation of the dairy farm.

Procurement of goods; opportunities in dairy farming, factors determining the efficiency of dairy animal, Herd recording, budgeting, cost of milk production; pricing policy; Personnel Management. Developing Practical and Economic ration for dairy cattle; supply of greens throughout the year, field and fodder requirements of Dairy Farm, Feeding regimes for day and young stock and bulls, heifers and breeding animals, new trends in feeding young and adult stock; Feeding records.

3.2 Commercial meat, egg and wool production: Development of practical and economic rations for sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits and poultry. Supply of greens, fodder, feeding regimens for young and mature stock. New trends in enhancing production and management. Capital and land requirements and socio-economic concept.

3.3 Feeding and management of animals under drought, flood and other natural calamities.

4. Genetics and Animal Breeding :

Mitosis and Meiosis; Mendelian inheritance; deviations to Mendelian genetics; Expression of genes; Linkage and crossing over; Sex determination, sex influenced and sex limited characters; Blood groups and polymorphism; Chromosome aberrations; Gene and its structure; DNA as a genetic material; Genetic code and protein synthesis; Recombinant DNA technology, Mutations, types of mutations, methods for detecting mutations and mutation rate.

4.1 Population Genetics Applied to Animal Breeding: Quantitative Vs. qualitative traits; Hardy Weinberg Law; Population Vs. individual; Gene and genotypic frequency; Forces changing gene frequency; Random drift and small populations; Theory of path coefficient; Inbreeding, methods of estimating inbreeding coefficient, systems of inbreeding; Effective population size; Breeding value, estimation of breeding value, dominance and epistatic deviation; partitioning of variation; Genotype X environment correlation and genotype X environment interaction; Role of multiple measurements; Resemblance between relatives.

4.2 Breeding Systems : Heritability, repeatability and genetic and phenotypic correlations, their methods of estimation and precision of estimates; Aids to selection and their relative merits; Individual, pedigree, family and within family selection; Progeny testing; Methods of selection; Construction of selection indices and their uses; Comparative evaluation of genetic gains through various selection methods; Indirect selection and Correlated response; Inbreeding, upgrading, cross-breeding and synthesis of brees; Crossing of inbred lines for commercial production; Selection for general and specific combining ability; Breeding for threshold character.

IAS Mains General Studies Study Kit