PAPER - I
UNIT - I: MODERN HISTORY OF INDIA AND INDIAN CULTURE
- Advent of European invasion ‐ Expansion and consolidation of British rule - Early uprising against British rule ‐ 1857 Revolt - Indian National Congress ‐ Growth of militant movements ‐ Different modes of agitations - Emergence of national leaders ‐ Gandhi, Nehru, Tagore, Netaji, Moulana Abulkalam Azad, Ambedkar and Patel ‐ Era of different Acts & Pacts ‐ Second World War & final phase struggle ‐ Communalism led to partition.
- Effect of British rule on socio‐economic factors ‐ National renaissance - Socio religious reform movements. India since independence ‐ Characteristics of Indian culture ‐ Unity in diversity ‐ Race, Language, Religion Custom ‐ India: a secular state ‐ Organizations for fine arts, dance, drama and music. Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle ‐ Bharathiar, VOC, Subramania Siva, Rajaji, Periyar and others - Political parties and Welfare schemes.
- Latest diary of events: National and International ‐ National symbols- Eminent personalities & places in news ‐ Sports & Games ‐ Books & Authors ‐ Awards & Honours ‐ Cultural panorama ‐ Latest historical events - Latest terminology ‐ Appointments ‐ who is who?
UNIT - II : SOCIAL ISSUES IN INDIA AND TAMIL NADU
Population Explosion ‐ Unemployment issues in India & Tamil Nadu ‐ Child Abuse & Child Labour - Poverty - Rural and Urban Sanitation – Illiteracy.Women Empowerment ‐ Role of the Government in Women Empowerment - Social injustice to Women ‐ Domestic violence, Dowry menace, Sexual assault - Role of women and women’s organisations Social changes in India - Urbanization and its impact on the society – Problems and remedies ‐ Impact of violence on Society – Religious violence, Terrorism and Communal violence ‐ Regional Disparities ‐ Problems of Minorities ‐ Human Rights issues.
Education – Linkage between Education and Social Development ‐ Community Development Programmes ‐ Employment Guarantee Schemes ‐ Self Employment and Entrepreneurship Deveopment ‐ Role of N.G.Os in Social Welfare – Government Policy on Health.
Welfare Schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Central and State governments and their performance.
UNIT - III : GENERAL APTITUDE & MENTAL ABILITY
Conversion of information to data ‐ Collection, compilation and presentation of data ‐ Tables, Graphs, Diagrams ‐ Parametric representation of data ‐ Analytical interpretation of data ‐ Percentage ‐ Highest Common Factor (HCF) ‐ Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) ‐ Ratio and Proportion ‐ Simple interest ‐ Compound interest ‐ Area ‐ Volume‐ Time and Work - Probability Information technology ‐ Basic terms, Communications ‐ Application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) ‐ Decision making and problem solving ‐ Basics in Computers / Computer terminology.
PAPER - II
UNIT – I : INDIAN POLITY AND EMERGING POLITICAL TRENDS ACROSS THE WORLD AFFECTING INDIA
Constitution of India: Historical background - Making of the Indian Constitution - Preamble - Salient features of the Indian Constitution - Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties - Directive Principles of State Policy - Schedules to the Indian Constitution. Union Executive: President, Vice - President, Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Attorney General of India. Union Legislature: Parliament: Lok - Sabha and Rajya - Sabha - Composition, Powers, Functions and Legislative procedures. Union Judiciary: Structure, Powers and Functions of the Supreme Court - Judicial Review - Latest Verdicts. State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister - Speaker and Council of Ministers , Advocate General of the State. State Legislature: State Legislative Assembly - Organization, Powers and Functions. State Judiciary: Organisation, Powers and Functions of High Courts, District Courts and Subordinate Courts. Local Government: Historical Development - Features and working of 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992. Union Territories: Evolution of States and Union Territories - Administration of Union Territories. Federalism in India: Centre - State Relations - Centre - State Administrative Relations - Centre - State Legislative Relations and Centre - State Financial Relations.
Civil Services in India: Historical background - Classification of Civil Services – Recruitment & Training of Civil Servants. State Services: Classification of State Services and Recruitment. Official Language: Constitutional provision - Official Language Act, VIII Schedule to the Constitution. Amendments: Major Amendments to the Indian Constitution. Special Status to Jammu & Kashmir: Art 370. Political Parties: National & Regional parties, Pressure Groups, Interest Groups, Public Opinion, Mass Media, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and their role. Issue Areas in Indian Administration: Corruption in India - Anti - Corruption Measures - CVC - Lok Adalats - Ombudsman - RTI Act - Minister - Secretary Relationship - Generalist Vs. Specialist controversy. Constitutional and Non-Constitutional Bodies - Composition, Powers and Functions. Profile of States - Defence, National Security and Terrorism - World Organisations - Pacts and Summits. India's Foreign Policy: Foreign Affairs with Special emphasis on India's relations with neighbouring countries and in the region - Security and defence related issues - Nuclear Policy - Issues and conflicts. The Indian Diaspora and its contribution to India and to the World.
UNIT – II : ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA
Science and Technology – Role, Achievements and Developments - Their applications and effects in everyday life ‐ Energy ‐ Conventional and Non-conventional - Self sufficiency ‐ Oil exploration ‐ Defence Research Organizations and other science and technology institutions - Ocean Research and Development - Role and Functions. Advancements in the fields of I.T., Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-Technology ‐ Mobile Communication - Remote sensing and its benefits. Health and hygiene ‐ Human diseases - Prevention and remedies Communicable diseases and non‐communicable diseases - Genetic Engineering - Organ transplantation - Stem cell Technology - Medical Tourism - Advancements in Horticulture & Agriculture. Achievements of Indians in the fields of Science and Technology. Latest inventions in science & technology.
UNIT – III : TAMIL SOCIETY - ITS CULTURE AND HERITAGE
Tamil Society : Origin and expansion.
Art and Culture : Literature, Music, Film, Drama, Architecture, Sculpture, Paintings and Folk Arts.
Socio - economic history of Tamil Nadu from Sangam age to till date.
Growth of Rationalist, Dravidian movements in Tamil Nadu - Their role in the socio – economic development of Tamil Nadu.
Social and cultural life of contemporary Tamils : Caste, Religion, Women, Politics, Education, Economy, Trade and relationship with other countries.
Tamil and other Disciplines: Mass Media, Computer etc.
PAPER - III
UNIT - I : GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO TAMILNADU
Location - Physical features - Major Rivers - Weather & Climate - Monsoon, Rainfall ‐ Natural resources:- Soil, Water, Forest, Minerals and Wild life - Agricultural pattern – Livestock - Fisheries - Industries; Major industries - Growth and Development - Social- Cultural geography - Population : Growth, Density and Distribution - Racial, linguistic and
major tribes. Oceanography - Bottom relief features of Indian Ocean, Arabian sea and Bay of Bengal. Basics of Geospatial Technology: Geographical Information System (GIS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Map: Geographical landmarks - India and its neighbours.
UNIT - II: ENVIRONMENT, BIODIVERSITY AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Ecology: Structure and function of Ecosystem – Ecological succession - Biodiversity conservation: Types – Biodiversity Hot Spots in India – Biodiversity : Significance and Threats – In situ and Ex situ conservation measures – Roles of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) & Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Environmental Pollution and Management: Air, Water, Soil, Thermal and Noise pollution and control strategies – Solid and Hazardous waste management - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Steps in EIA process – Environmental Clearance – Environmental Auditing.
Climate Change: Global Environmental Issues and Management – Changes in monsoon pattern in Tamil Nadu and India – Environmental consequences of climate change and mitigation measures – Clean and Green Energy – Environmental Sustainability. Environmental Laws, Policies & Treaties in India and Global scenario - Natural calamities and Disaster Management – Environmental Health and Sanitation.
UNIT - III : INDIAN ECONOMY - CURRENT ECONOMIC TRENDS AND IMPACT OF GLOBAL ECONOMY ON INDIA
Features of Indian Economy – Demographical profile of India – National Income – Capital formation - NEP (New Economic Policy) – NITI AYOG – National Development Council. Agriculture – Role of Agriculture – Land reforms – New Agricultural Strategy – Green Revolution – Price Policy, Public Distribution System (PDS), Subsidy, Food Security– Agricultural Marketing, Crop Insurance, Labour – Rural credit & indebtness – WTO & Agriculture. Industry - Growth ‐ Policy – Role of public sector and disinvestment – Privatisation and Liberalization – Public Private Partnership (PPP) – SEZs. – MSMEs. – Make in India. Infrastructure in India – Transport System - Energy – Power –Communication - Social Infrastructure - Science & Technology - R&D. Banking & Finance – Banking, Money & Finance – Central Bank – Commercial Bank – NBFIs. - Stock Market – Financial Reforms – Financial Stability – Monetary Policy – RBI & Autonomy. Public Finance – Sources of Revenue – Tax & Non-Tax Revenue – Canons of taxation – GST – Public expenditure – Public debt – Finance Commission – Fiscal Policy. Issues in Indian Economy – Poverty & inequality – Poverty alleviation programmes – MGNREGA – New Welfare programmes for rural poverty – Unemployment – Inflation – Inflation targeting – Sustainable economic growth – Gender issues. India’s Foreign Trade – BOP, EX-IM Policy, FOREX Market, FDI; Globalization & its impact – Global economic crisis & impact on Indian economy. International Agencies – IMF (International Monetary Fund) World
Bank - BRICS - SAARC - ASEAN. Tamil Nadu Economy & Issues – Gross State Domestic Product – Trends in State’s economic growth – Demographic profile of Tamil Nadu –Agriculture – Industry & entrepreneurship development in Tamil Nadu – Infrastructure – Power, Transportation systems – Social Infrastructure – SHGs. & Rural Women empowerment – Rural poverty & unemployment – Environmental issues – Regional economic disparities – Local Government - Recent government welfare programmes.