OPSC OAS Mains General Studies (GS) Syllabus (New Pattern and OLD)

The main Examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory. The nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers (Paper II to Paper V) 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 candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services. The questions are likely to test the candidate’s basic understanding of all relevant issues, and ability to analyze, and take a view on conflicting socio-economic goals, objectives and demands. The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.

Syllabi of the General Studies papers included in the scheme of Civil Services (Main) Examination are given as follows:

Paper-I: Essay

Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

Paper-II: General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.)

Heritage and Culture

• Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
• Temple Architecture of Odisha
• Socio-cultural Development in Odisha
• Bhakti Movement in Odisha and its impact on the Society of Odisha
• Evolution and Growth of odia language and literature and development of Odia literature
• Regional Tradition of Odisha Festivals

History

• Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
• The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
• Kalinga War and Its significance
• Dynastic History of odisha: Mahameghavahana Kharavela, The Bhaumakaras and the Somavamsis, The Gangas and the Gajapatis
• Early Resistance Movements in Odisha- Paik Rebellion, Vir Surendra Sai and the Revolt of 1857
• Creation of Odisha Province
• Freedom Movement and Praja Mandal Movements in Odisha; Social Bases of Odia Nationalism, Integration of Princely States in Odisha; Social Reform Movements in Odisha

Indian Society

• Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India and Odisha.
• 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 as a whole and Odisha.
• Distribution and growth of tribes and tribal population in Odisha; Urbanization- Growth of urban population and urban centres in Odisha
• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

Geography of India with Special Reference to Odisha

• Physical, Economic and Social Geography of Odisha
• Salient features of world’s physical geography.
• 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 in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
• Odisha’s Natural Resources: Water, Forests and Minerals
• Odisha’s Physiography and Riverine System

Paper-III: General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and Inter-State relations.

Governance, Constitution, Polity and Inter-State Relations

• Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
• Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to 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, 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, Odisha Right to Public Services Act and Odisha Lokayukta Act
• Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
• Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
• 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 Central and State civil services in a democracy.
• Panchayati Raj Institution (PRIs) in Odisha
• Odisha and its neighbourhood-relations

Social Justice

• Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation- India and Odisha
• Development processes and the development industry —the role of MSMEs & Women SHGs
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections- India and Odisha
• Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources- India and odisha
• Issues relating to poverty and hunger- Sustainable Development Goals

Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

Science and Technology

• Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
• Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
• Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio- technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

Economic Development

• Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
• Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
• Government Budgeting- India and Odisha.
• Land reforms in India and Odisha.
• Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
• Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways in the Country and Odisha.
• Industrialization in Odisha- Issues and Prospects

Agriculture

• Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, – different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers in India and Odisha.
• Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security;
• Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing in India and Odisha.
• Food processing and related industries in India and Odisha- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.

Biodiversity and Environment

• Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
• Disaster and disaster management in the Country and Odisha- State Institutions and Policies on Disaster Management.

Security and Disaster Management

• Linkages between development and spread of extremism, Left-wing Extremism in Odisha
• Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money- laundering and its prevention. Acts and Policies relating to Cyber Security and Money Laundering
• Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
• Various Security forces and agencies of the Country and Odisha and their mandate.

Paper-V: General Studies- IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered :

Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in- human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics – in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.

Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non- partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.

Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.

Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.

Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; 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; corporate governance.

Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; 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.

Case Studies on above issues.

Old Pattern

Paper-I

(a) History of Modern India and Indian Culture-

1) The History of Modern India will cover the following :

• History of India since 1857
• Important personalities who shaped the Freedom Movements in Odisha and India
• Social Reform Movements

2) Indian culture will cover the following;

• Indian culture from ancient times to modern times
• Temple architecture of Odisha.
• Socio-cultural developments in Odisha

(b) Geography of India will cover the following-

• Physical, economic and social geography of India.
• Odisha’s Physiography and Drainage system
• Odisha’s Natural Resources – Water, forest and minerals.

(c) Indian Polity will include the following-

• Constitution of India
• Political system of India
• Government and politics in Odisha
• Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Odisha.

(d) Current National issues and topics of social relevance

This part is intended to test the candidate’s awareness of current national issues and topics of social relevance in the present day India such as;

Demography & Human Resource Development, Behavioural & Social issues and Social Welfare problems : Child labour, gender inequality, adult literacy, rehabilitation of the handicapped and other deprived segments of society, drug abuse, public health, education and unemployment.

(e) Legal and environmental issues –

• Human Rights
• Corruption in public life
• Communal harmony
• Protection of minorities
• Internal security and related issues
• Environment and ecological issues;
• Ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources and national heritage.
• Role of national institutions, their relevance and need for change

Paper-II

(a) India and the World :

This part is intended to test candidate’s awareness of India’s relationship with the world in various spheres, such as the following;

• Foreign Affairs
• External security and related matters
• Nuclear policy
• Indians abroad

(b) Indian Economy :

This part will include the following;

• Planning, economic development, economic reforms and development of the Corporate Sector in India
• Economic and Trade issues
• Foreign trade
• Role and functions of IMF, World Bank and WTO V Reserve Bank of India – its role and functions
• Odishan Economy : Development during the post Reform Period.
• Regional disparity

(c) International Affairs & Institutions :

This part will include the following;

• Important events in world affairs
• International institutions like UN, ILO, EU, SAARC, WHO, ICJ

(d) Developments in the field of science & technology, communications and space :

In this part questions will test the candidate’s awareness of the developments in the field of science and techonology, communications and space and also on basic ideas of computer;

(e) Statistical Analysis, Graphs & Diagrams :

This part will include exercises to test the candidates ability to draw common sense conclusions from information presented in graphical, statistical or diagrammatical form and to point out deficiencies, limitations or inconsistencies therein. The candidates should also be aware of techniques of counting and elementary probability.