APPSC Group I - Prelims Paper-I General Studies - Syllabus

(A) History and Culture

• Indus Valley Civilization: Features, Sites, Society, Cultural History, Art and Religion. Vedic Age- Mahajanapadas, Religions-Jainism and Buddhism.
• The Maghadas, the Mauryan , Foreign invasions on India and their impact, the Kushans. The Sathavahanas, the Sangam Age, the Sungas, the Gupta Empire – their Administration- Social, Religious and Economic conditions-Art, Architecture, Literature, Science and Technology.
• The Kanauj and their Contributions, South Indian Dynasties – The Badami Chalukyas, the Eastarn Chalukyas, the Rastrakutas, the Kalyani Chalukyas, the Cholas, the Hoyasalas, the Yedavas, the Kakatiyas and the Reddis.
• The Delhi Sultanate, the Vijaynagar Empire and the Mughal Empire, the Bhakti Movement and Sufism – Administration, Economy, Society, Religion, Literature, Arts and Architecture.
• The European Trading companies in India- their struggle for supremacy-with special reference to Bengal, Bombay, Madras, Mysore, Andhra and Nizam, Governor-Generals and Viceroys.
• Indian War of Independence of 1857 – Origin, Nature, causes, consequences and significance with special reference to Concerned State, Religious and Social Reform Movements in 19th century in India and Concerned State, India’s Freedom Movement, Revolutionaries in India and Abroad.
• Mahatma Gandhi, his thoughts, Principles and Philosophy. Important Satyagrahas, the Role of Sardar Patel, Subash Chandrabose in Freedom Movement and Post independence consolidation.
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, his life and contribution to making of Indian Constitution, India after Independence – Reorganization of the States in India.

(B) Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

1. Indian Constitution: Evolution, features, Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, Directive Principles of State Policy, Amendments, Significant Provisions and Basic Structure.
2. Functions and Responsibilities of the Union and the States, Parliament and State Legislatures: Structure, Function, Power and Privileges. Issues and challenges pertaining to Federal Structure: Devolution of Power and Finances up to local levels and Challenges therein.
3. Constitutional Authorities: Powers, Functions and Responsibilities – Panchayati Raj – Public Policy and Governance.
4. Impact of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization on Governance – Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-judicial bodies.
5. Rights Issues (Human rights, Women rights, SC/ST rights, Child rights) etc.
6. India’s Foreign Policy — International Relations — Important Institutions, Agencies and Fora, their structure and mandate – Important Policies and Programmes of Central and State Governments.

(C) Indian and Andhra Pradesh Economy and Planning

1. Basic characteristics of Indian Economy as a developing economy – Economic development since independence objectives and achievements of planning – NITI Ayog and its approach to economic development – Growth and distributive justice – Economic development Human Development Index – India’s rank in the world – Environmental degradation and challenges – Sustainable Development – Environmental Policy
2. National Income and its concepts and components –India’s National Accounts – Demographic issues – Poverty and Inequalities – Occupational Structure and Unemployment – Various Schemes of employment and poverty eradication – Issues of Rural Development and Urban Development
3. Indian Agriculture –Irrigation and water – Inputs of agriculture – Agricultural Strategy and Agricultural Policy – Agrarian Crisis and land reforms – Agricultural credit – Minimum Support Prices -Malnutrition and Food Security – Indian Industry – Industrial Policy – Make-in India – Start-up and Stand-up programmes – SEZs and Industrial Corridors – Energy and Power policies – Economic Reforms – Liberalisaion, Privatisation and Globalization –International Trade and Balance of Payments – India and WTO
4. Financial Institutions – RBI and Monetary Policy – Banking and Financial Sector Reforms – Commercial Banks and NPAs – Financial Markets –Instabilities – Stock Exchanges and SEBI – Indian Tax System and Recent changes – GST and its impact on Commerce and Industry – Centre, States financial relations- Financial Commissions – Sharing of resources and devolution – Public Debt and Public Expenditure – Fiscal Policy and Budget
5. Andhra Pradesh
   • The characteristics/ basic features of Andhra Pradesh economy after bifurcation in 2014 – Impact of bifurcation on the endowment of natural resources and state revenue – disputes of river water sharing and their impact on irrigation – new challenges to industry and commerce – the new initiatives to develop infrastructure –power and transport -information technology and e-governance – Approaches to development and initiatives in agriculture, industry and social sector – Urbanisation and smart cities – Skill development and employment – social welfare programmes
   • A.P. Reorganisation Act, 2014 – Economic Issues arising out of bifurcation – Central government’s assistance for building a new capital, compensation for loss of revenue, development of backward districts – Issues such as Vizag railway zone, Kadapa steel factory, Dugarajapatnam airport, Express ways and industrial corridors etc., – Special Status and Special Assistance- Controversy – Government’s stand and measure

(D) Geography

1. General Geography: Earth in Solar system, Motion of the Earth, Concept of time, Season, Internal Structure of the Earth, Major landfornns and their features. Atmosphere-structure and composition, elements and factors of Climate, Airmasses and Fronts, atmospheric disturbances, climate change. Oceans: Physical, chemical and biological characteristics, Hydrological Distasters, Marine and Continental resources.
2. Physical: World, India and concerned State : Major physical divisions, Earthquakes, landslides, Natural drainage, climatic changes and regions, Monsoon, Natural Vegetation, Parks and Sanctuaries, Major Soil types, Rocks and Minerals.
3. Social: World, India and concerned State : distribution, density, growth, Sex-ratio, Literacy, Occupational Structure, SC and ST Population, Rural-Urban components, Racial, tribal, religious and linguistic groups, urbanization, migration and metropolitan regions.
4. Economic: World, India and concerned State: Major sectors of economy, Agriculture, Industry and Services, their salient features. Basic Industries-Agro, mineral, forest, fuel and manpower based Industries, Transport and Trade, Pattern and Issues.