Core-General Studies

For All competitive exams

1.Priority topics, study resources
2.Notes making
3.Q & A session / email
All PowerPoint Slides available
at Mrunal.org/Download
1. Fresh graduates, Stream
2. Ahmedabad vs. outside
3. Previous SPIPA, UPSC
4. CSAT-2014
5. SSC, IBPS, RBI, CAPF, CDS,
MBA
6. Site?
About yourself?
GA | GK | GS
1. Polity (Constitution)
2. Economy
3. History
4. Geography
5. Environment & Biodiversity
6. Science
7. International Relation (CDS,
CAPF)
8. PIN, Awards, Sports (Hardly in
UPSC)
6/8 Pillars
@MCQ
stage
UPSC CSAT 2013: Topicwise Breakup
1. National- polity,
admin, Development
2. Economy
3. Science-Tech
4. International
5. Sports, PIN
Current Affairs
Polity Books DD Basu, Kashyap, MV Paylee
Laxmikanth
CSAT, SSC
CAPF,CDS
State PSC
LucentGK
Banking
PSU
1. President, VP
2. PM, Cabinet
3. Parliament
(Budget,
Committee)
4. SC
5. UPSC
6. 7
th
Sch. Union
1. Governor
2. CM
3. SLA/Vidhan
Sabha
4. High court
5. State PSC
6. 7
th
Sch. State,
Concurrent
Polity : Parallel Study
7. FR, FD, DPSP, Alien
8. Amendment, J&K, 5
th
& 6
th

9. Finance commission =>
Planning Commission
=>NDC [12
th
FYP,
Schemes=> Economic
Survey]

Remaining
Blocks
Polity
10.Local Governance [PRI,
ULB]
11.Bodies: Statutory,
Constitutional- str,
functions, Person in
news
12.[British India acts,
reforms => History]



Remaining
Blocks
Polity
1. Skip 2. Attempt 3. Mark
n Review
Political theory ____.
1. deals with the ideas and Principles that shape
Constitutions
2. clarifies the meaning of freedom, equality and justice
3. probes the significance of principles of rule of law,
separation of power and judicial review
Correct Statements are:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1,2 and 3 (Class11, Page6)

UPSC CDS(I)2014: NCERT Political science
13.NCERT Political science,
Sociology
(Mrunal.org/DOWNLOAD)
14.MCQs: Laxmikanth, GS
Manual, previous papers
LATER
1. Bills, Act: PRSindia.org
2. Parliament Handbook

Additional
After
Laxmikanth
Polity
1. EVM Totalizer, VVPAT
2. Twin nominations
3. Indelible ink, Deposits
4. RPA Act 126, 130
5. Leader of opposition
6. Lok Pal Selection,
JAC
Mrunal.org
/CURRENT
Polity
1. Skip 2. Attempt 3. Mark
n Review
1. The Prime Minister
2. The Chairman, Finance Commission
3. Ministers of the Union Cabinet
4. Chief Ministers of the States
Select the correct answer using the codes given
below:
A. 1, 2 & 3 only
B. 1, 3 & 4 only
C. 2 & 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 & 4
2013: National Development Council includes
1. Skip 2. Attempt 3. Mark
n Review
1. 2TF, 3TF, 4TF, 5TF (LAXMIKANTH by
heart)
2. Bodies: Procedure, function, jurisdiction
3. Match the following: years, articles,
functions
4. Person in news (PIN) not asked

Types of MCQs
GA | GK | GS
1. Polity
2. Economy
3. History
4. Geography
5. Environment Biodiversity
6. Science (SSC, CDS, CAPF)
7. International Relation (CDS,
CAPF)
8. PIN, Awards, Sports (Hardly in
UPSC)
MCQ
stage
Economy
Micro
Macro
Indian
International
How to approach Economy
Not Essential for Economy
Economy: Dutt Sundaram, Uma Kapila
Budget Speech
Economic Survey
1. NCERT Class11 Indias
Eco. Development
2. NCERT Class 12 Micro
+ Macro (SELECTIVE)
3. SELECTIVE: Ref.
Mrunal.org/economy
SPIPA:
Entrance
Economy
Videos
+
PowerPoints
youtube.com/user/TheMrunalPatel
Econo
my
Micro
Macro
Indian
International
Monetary Policy &
FI
Fiscal Policy
BoP + Foreign
Trade
Industries, infra.
Sust. + HRD
PIN, Biz GK
How to approach Economy
Financial
Intermediari
es
Economy
1.Banking=> RBI=> New license,
White label ATM, vs. NBFC
2.Finance=> SEBI => ord., Sahara,
3.Insurance=> IRDA, FDI
4.PFRDA, EPFO
Circular
Flow of
income=> FI
Economy
Econo
my
Micro
Macro
Indian
International
Monetary Policy &
FI
Fiscal Policy
BoP + Foreign
Trade
Industries, infra.
Sust. + HRD
PIN, Biz GK
How to approach Economy
1.Interim Budget, Railway
budget 2014
2.Budget-2014, Polity
angle Laxmikanth
3.Tax provisions, collection
order, Gross vs NET
4.Schemes-subsidies
Fiscal Policy
Economy
1.Deficit formulas
2.FRBM-Targets
3.Tax reform: DTC, GAAR,
VAT, GST, BTT, Money
laundering
4.Disinvestment, CPSE-
ETF
Fiscal Policy
Economy
Econo
my
Micro
Macro
Indian
International
Monetary Policy &
FI
Fiscal Policy
BoP + Foreign
Trade
Industries, infra.
Sust. + HRD
PIN, Biz GK
How to approach Economy
1. BoT, Trade deficit
2. Import, export, trade
partners
3. CAD, figures, target
2014, reforms
4. Forex reserve
components, ranking
BoP, Foreign
Trade
Economy
5. FDI, FII definitions,
Mayaram, Convertibility
6. QE, Fed Tapering, Their
impact
7. World Bank, IMF, ADB,
WTO, BRICS BANK
8. Trade pacts: DTAA, BIPA,
FTA
BoP,
Foreign
Trade,
Investment
Economy
Econo
my
Micro
Macro
Indian
International
Monetary Policy &
FI
Fiscal Policy
BoP + Foreign
Trade
Industries, infra.
Sust. + HRD
PIN, Biz GK
How to approach Economy
GDP share of various
industries
Companies Act: ID,
women director, e-voting
Unorganized sector, law
WPI, CPI, IIP
Industries,
infra
Economy
Ports: major, minor; Railways
basic (gauge)
Bodies: CCI, TRAI, AAI, NHAI,
structure-function
SEZ, land acquisition salient
features
Geography angle: industries,
corridors
Industries,
infra
Economy
Econo
my
Micro
Macro
Indian
International
Monetary Policy &
FI
Fiscal Policy
BoP + Foreign
Trade
Industries, infra.
Sust. + HRD
PIN, Biz GK
How to approach Economy
Definition, who?
MDG, HDI-2014, Indias
performance
Census 2011, ranking
Schemes for weaker section:
POST-Budget-2014
Background: Investopedia,
Arthpedia, Ramesh Singh, Sanjeev
Verma etc.
Sustainable
Development
+ HRD
Economy
Econo
my
Micro
Macro
Indian
International
Monetary Policy &
FI
Fiscal Policy
BoP + Foreign
Trade
Industries, infra.
Sust. + HRD
PIN, Biz GK
How to approach Economy
CAPF; CDS; SSC;
RBI, IBPS
Interview
GA | GK | GS
1. Polity
2. Economy
3. History
4. Geography
5. Environment Biodiversity
6. Science (SSC, CDS, CAPF)
7. International Relation (CDS,
CAPF)
8. PIN, Awards, Sports (Hardly in
UPSC)
@ MCQ
stage
Old NCERT
History (India,
World)
=>Tamilnadu ; GS
Manual
Geography
(USSR)
Economy
(academic)
Science

History (Art,
culture, religion)
Geography
Economy (11,
12)
Science
Pol.Sci., Socio
New NCERT (7 to 12)
History
CSAT
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
StatePSC
Ancient
Medieval
Modern
(Freedom)
Post
Independence
World
How to approach History
first
Mains
Tamilnadu Class 11 12
(Mrunal.org/Download)
History
Prelim + Mains
Revision table
Quick reference + MCQs
Ignore if u have
not read earlier
Used 2
nd
hand
copies
Freedom Fighters (UPSC)
History : Mains GS1 (Post independence +
world)
Useful
Mrunal.org/history
Bipan Jain
Norman Lowe
Arjun Dev
History
CSAT
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
StatePSC
Ancient
Medieval
Modern
(Freedom)
Post
Independence
World
How to approach History
first
Mains
EASY
History
CSAT
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
State
service
Ancient
Medieval
Modern
(Freedom)
1857
Reformers
Moderate-
Extremist
Gandhi
British
Reponses
Post
Independence
World
How to approach Freedom Struggle
Ancient | Medieval
Even before 1857
GG & their contribution
1857 reasons,
consequences
Revolts: peasant, Tribal
(Mrunal./Polity =>Land
reform)
Advent of
Europeans
British Raj
1857: causes, events,
consequences
Reformers
Org. founders
Newspaper, books
Edu. Commission
(Hunter, Sadler..)
1857 &
after
1. Skip 2. Attempt 3. Mark
n Review
Who translated Dinabandhu Mitras play
Neel Darpan into English?
A. Reverend James Long
B. Dwarkanath Tagore
C. Michael Madhusudan Dutta (correct,
Pearson)
D. Rabindranath Tagore

CAPF-2014
1. Skip 2. Attempt 3. Mark
n Review
In March 2014 mortal remains 1857 mutineers
were exhumed from a well at ____. These
remains are of ____ soldiers.
Choices:
A. Jallianwala Bagh, 36 Regiment of Sikh
Infantry
B. Lahore, 75 Regular Native Infantry Regiment
C. Ajnala, 26 Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
D. Satti Chaura Ghat, 19 Regiment of Bengal
Native Infantry
CAPF 2013 (3
rd
March Hindu)
History
CSAT
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
State
service
Ancient
Medieval
Modern
(Freedom)
1857
Reformers
Moderate-
Extremist
Gandhi
British
Reponses
Post
Independence
World
How to approach Freedom Struggle
British Raj
1. Congress: GK session,
President
2. Moderate, Extremist, Surat
split
3. Home Rule, Beasant vs Tilak
4. Swaraj Party, Nehru report
5. Provincial Ministries vs
Muslim League
Modern:
Moderates
British Raj
1.Leaders (Bhagat
Singh)
2.org., newspapers
3.Conspiracy cases,
4.INA trial
5.RIN Mutiny
Modern:
Revolution
British Raj
1. Champaran, Abad,
Kheda;
2. NCM, Khilafat, CDM,
QIM, Partition
3. Gandhi-Irwin, Gandhi-
Amebedkar, Gandhi-
Bose
4. Other freedom fighters
(mains)
Gandhi
British Raj
1.Reforms: Morley
Minto; Montague-
Chelmsford
2.Acts: 1909, 1919,
1935 & 1947;
(Laxmikanth)
British
Response
British Raj
1. Anti-Reforms: Rowlett,
Jalliyanwala, Simon,
RTC, Communal award
2. Partition: Linlithgow
offer, Wavell plan,
Cabinet Mission , Cripps
Mission, Mountbatton
British
Response
History
CSAT
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
StatePSC
Ancient
Medieval
Modern
(Freedom)
Post
Independence
World
How to approach History
Tamilnadu Class 11 12 (/download)
Ancient
Medieval
Freedom
struggle
World History
Tamilnadu Class 11 | old NCERT
New NCERT
Lucent GK (Ready revision tables)
General Studies Manual (MCQ)
Ancient
Ancient | Medieval
Harappa
What found where?
Causes of decline
Vedic age basic (Sabha,
Samiti, litt.)
Ancient: What
to prepare?
Ancient | Medieval
1. Pillar doctrine
2. Sect, kings, travelers
3. Council
4. Places, monuments.
features
Buddism
Jainism
DETAIL
1. Skip 2. Attempt 3. Mark
n Review
A. Vihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya
is the dwelling place of the monks
B. Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara
is the dwelling place of the monks
C. Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the
cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to it
D. There is no material difference between
the two
CSAT 2012: Difference between Chaitya & Vihar
Ancient | Medieval
3 Mauryan Kings (victories, policies,
arch.)
1. Chandragupta Maurya
2. Bindusara
3. Asoka (pillar, messages)
+ Greek Envoys, Foreign
Travelers
+ caves, art form, authors
IGNORE: Bimbisara- Ajatshatru,
Udayin, Shisunag & Nanda.
Harappa
Vedic Age
Jain-Buddhism
Ancient | Medieval
1.Pushyamitra
2.RudraDaman
3.Kanishka
(Buddhism)

Only 3 After
Maurya
Ancient | Medieval
1. Samudragupta &
Vikramaditya
2. Harshavardhan & Huien
Tsang (TN)
3. Pala-Pallav-Pratihar-
Rahstrakuta (Culture)
Gupta Age &
after
Ancient | Medieval
1. (culture) Sangam literature-
Manimekalai, Tolkapiyam
2. Chera-Chaula-Pandya:
emblem, temples
3. Hoysala Architecture
4. All important for MAINS

South India :
Ancient-
medieval
History
CSAT
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
StatePSC
Ancient
Medieval
Modern
(Freedom)
Post
Independence
World
How to approach History
first
Mains
2
nd

cultur
e
Ancient | Medieval
GPSC (Gujarat under various
rulers)
can ignore in remaining exams
Religion
1. Sufi, bhakti, sikh
2. N.India: Kings (Administrative),
Poets, Mosques, Tombs,
Architecture
3. S. India: Vijayangar, Temples,
Europeans


Medieval
1. Skip 2. Attempt 3. Mark
n Review
1. Dadu Dayal
2. Guru Nanak
3. Tyagaraja
Who among the above was/were preaching when
the Lodi dynasty fell & Babur took over?
A. 1 & 3
B. 2 only
C. 2 & 3
D. 1 & 2

CSAT-2013: following Bhakti Saints
Post Independence
NCERT Political Science, Sociology
NIOS (Mrunal.org/download)
Bipan Chandra (GS1 Mains)
World History
Lucent GK (SSC, ACIO)
Tamilnadu Class 12 | old NCERT | Arjun
Dev | Mrunal.org/history
History: Others (For mains)
History
CSAT
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
StatePSC
Ancient
Medieval
Modern
(Freedom)
Post
Independence
World
How to approach History
first
Mains
2
nd

cultur
e
GA | GK | GS
1. Polity
2. Economy
3. History
4. Geography
5. Environment Biodiversity
6. Science (SSC, CDS, CAPF)
7. International Relation (CDS,
CAPF)
8. PIN, Awards, Sports (Hardly in
UPSC)
3 / 6
Pillars
Geograph
y
UPSC
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
StatePSC
Physical
World
Indian
Agro.
Environment
How to approach Geography
books
Physical India
Geography (All in one)
Spectrum
UPSC: Prelim + Mains
Mahesh Barnwal
State Service
Spectrum
UPSC: Prelim + Mains
Physical Geography (NCERT)
Universe Science Class 8 Ch.17
Geography Class 6 Ch.1
Geography Class 11 Ch 2.
Earth Basics Geography Class 6 Ch.2 to 6
Geography Class 11 Ch.1, 3 & 4
Geology Geography Class 11 Ch.5 to 7
climate Geography Class 11 Ch.8 to 12
Ocean Geography Class 11 Ch.13 & 14
Disaster Geography Class 11 (Indian Geography) Ch.7
Science Class7 ch8
Science Class 8 ch15
Misc. Geography Class 11 Ch.1 & glossary
After NCERT is
done
1. Goh Che Leongs Certificate Physical & Human Geography book OR
2. General Studies Manual
3. Spectrum
World Geography
NCERT Class Chapter
7 7 to 10
8 1,3,5,6
12 (Human
Geography)
1 to 10
Mountain range in each continent & highest peak
longest, largest rivers: countries covered by them
fresh water lakes; water falls : countries they belong
to (just top 3-5 names)
cold & hot deserts of the world: countries covered
by them
landlocked countries in Europe & Asia
Location of famous grassland (Veld, Prairies,
Pampas etc.), tribes (Pigmy, Masai etc.) & winds.
famous borders (e.g. Durand line, 38
th
parallel etc)

World Geography: focus?
Capitals of Middle East, European & South
East Asian countries
famous cities-their nick names/specialty; on
which river theyre located
famous monuments / heritage sites (Angkor
Wat, Machu Pichu etc)
famous strait & which sea do they join (e.g
Palk, Berring, Gibralter etc)
Places in current affairs: Ukrain, Crimea, South
China sea, Gwadar port
World Geography: What to focus?
Indian Geography
topic class chapters
India basic
6 7
9 1, 2, 4
11 1 & 2
rivers
9 3
10 3
11 3
12 6
Economic
geography
10 1,5, 6, 7
12 7 to 12
Human
Geography
9 6
12 1 to 4
After NCERT is
done
1. Spectrum Geography OR Lucents GK Book
2. DR Khullars India: A comprehensive
Geography OR
3. General Studies Manual OR
1. simultaneously refer Oxford
School atlas
2. mountains, mountain passes,
rivers, borders, corridors
3. weather, cropping pattern
4. sanctuaries, national parks
5. Minute GK,
6. Mineral ranking
Indian
geography
Geography
NCERT class subject chapters
7
science 3 & 9
8
geography 4
science 1
9
science 15
11
geography (India) 6
12
geography (Human) 5
geography (India land
& people)
5
After
NCERT
Soil related chapter from Spectrum OR
Majid Hussain or DR Khullars book.
Agriculture
Geograph
y
UPSC
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
StatePSC
Physical
World
Indian
Agro.
Environment
How to approach Environment
CLASS SUBJECT CHAPTERS
6 geography 8
7 geo. 1 to 6
science 7, 16 to 18
8 geo. 8
sci. 7 & 18
9 geo 5
science 14
10 Geo. 2
sci. 14 to 16
11 geo(Physical) 15 & 16
geo (India) 4 & 5
economy 9 (Sustainable development)
12 Biology 13 to 16
chemistry 14
NCERT: environment
Free
NIOS
[Mrunal.org/download]
Mrunal.org/enb
Gujarati available
1. Definition, concepts:
biomagnification, algae bloom
2. Species: location, critically
endangered, difference (turtle,
cheetah)
3. Vulture-diclofenac
4. GHG example, Ozone hole-
mechanism, pollution
/Current
/ENB
Environment
1. Energy: max potential, shale gas,
CBM, ethanol blending
2. National action plan to combat
climate change (NAPCC)-
mission-components, targets
3. Treaties, summit (theme, target),
Hotspots, Wetland
Focus areas
Environment
Treaties & summits
Geograph
y
UPSC
CAPF,
CDS
SSC-CGL
StatePSC
Physical
World
Indian
Agro.
Environment
How to approach Environment
first
first
first
last
GA | GK | GS
1. Polity
2. Economy
3. History
4. Geography
5. Environment Biodiversity
6. Science (SSC, CDS, CAPF)
7. International Relation (CDS,
CAPF)
8. PIN, Awards, Sports (Hardly in
UPSC)
Last
Pillar
Clas
s
PHYSICS Chemistr
y
Biology
7 4, 13, 14 &
15
5 & 6 1,2,10; 11 & 12
8 11 to 16 3 to 6 2, 8, 9 & 10
9 8 to 12 1 to 4 5,6,7 & 13
10 10, 12 & 13 1 to 5 6 to 11
11 1,5,8 1,14 2 to 5
12 15 14,16 4,5 then 7 to 16
NCERT Science

Environment related
Psychology Ch4, Glossary
1. Skip 2. Attempt 3. Mark
n Review
People suffering from anorexia nervosa
1. Develop paralysis
2. Show poor reflex
3. Cannot speak properly
4. Eat very little and fear gaining weight
NCERT 12 Psychology Ch.4 Page 16
+Glossary
CDS 2014 (1)
Bone weakening is
caused by Deficiency
of ___.
1. Calcium
2. Phosphorus
3. Nitrogen
4. Carbon
Answer choices
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 4 only
CDS 2014(i)
Deficiency of ___
is/are responsible
for weakening of
bones?
1. Calcium
2. Phosphorus
3. Nitrogen
4. Carbon

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 4
NCERT Class 12
Chemistry Ch 7 Page 2.
CDS 2014(i):

Clas
s
PHYSICS Chemistr
y
Biology
7 4, 13, 14 &
15
5 & 6 1,2,10; 11 & 12
8 11 to 16 3 to 6 2, 8, 9 & 10
9 8 to 12 1 to 4 5,6,7 & 13
10 10, 12 & 13 1 to 5 6 to 11
11 1,5,8 1,14 2 to 5
12 15 14,16 4,5 then 7 to 16
NCERT Science

Ch7, p-Block element 44 pages
GS Manual : Physics real life
examples, chemical uses, disease
tables, MCQ practice;
Lucent GK: disease table, nutrient
uses


After
NCERT
Science
1. Space (Mangalyan, GSLV)
2. nanotech
3. medical
4. clean energy
5. Information Technology
TheHindu: Thursday edition: but
Hardly anything in prelim/Mains
Current
Affairs
Science
Tech
GA | GK | GS
1. Polity
2. Economy
3. History
4. Geography
5. Environment Biodiversity
6. Science (SSC, CDS, CAPF)
7. International Relation (summit-
theme)
8. PIN, Awards, Sports (/current)
Mrunal.org
/Current
under that:
PIN-2014
GA | GK | GS
1.Notes making
2.Newspapers,
magazines
3.Career backups
NEXT