Indian National Movement

Indian National Movement

    1. British expansion : The Carnatic Wars, Conquest of Bengal. Mysore and its resitance to British expansion: The three Anglo-Maratha Wars. Early structure of British raj: Regulating and Pitt's India Acts.

    2. Economic Impact of the British Raj : Drain of Wealth (Tribute); land revenue settlements (zamindari, ryotwari, mahalwari); Deindustrialisation; Railways and commercialisation of agriculture; Growth of landless labour.

    3. Cultural encounter and social changes: Introduction of western education and modern ideas. Indian Renaissance, social and religious reform movements; growth of Indian middle class; The press and its impact: rise of modern literature in Indian languages. Social reforms measures before 1857.

    4. Resistance to British rule : Early uprisings; The 1857 Revolt- causes, nature, course and consequences.

    5. Indian Freedom struggle-the first phase: Growth of national consciousness; Formation of Associations; Establishment of the Indian National Congress and its Moderate phase;- Economic Nationalism; Swadeshi Movement; The growth of "Extremism" and the 1907 split in Congress; The Act of 1909 - the policy of Divide and Rule; Congress-League Pact of 1916.

   6 . Gandhi and his thought; Gandhian techniques of mass mobilisation- Khilafat and Non Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience and Quit India Movement; Other strands in the National Movement-Revolutionaries, the Left, Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army.

    7. Separatist Trends in Indian nationalist politics- the Muslim League and the Hindu Mahasabha; The post -1945 developments; Partition and Independence.

    8. India independent to 1964. A parliamentary, secular, democratic (republic the 1950 Constitution). Jawaharlal Nehru's vision of a developed, socialist society. Planning and state-controlled industrialization. Agrarian reforms. Foreign policy of Non-alignment. Border conflict with China and Chinese aggression.

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UPSC-CSE Preliminary Examination Syllabus

CSE Preliminary Examination  Paper - 1
 

 Paper I - (200 marks) Duration : Two hours

    1.Current events of national and international importance.
    2.History of India and Indian National Movement.
   3.Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
   4.Indian Polity and Governance - Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
  5.Economic and Social Development -Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.
    6.General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialisation
    7.General Science.

 CSE Preliminary Examination  Paper - 2 (APTITUDE)

Paper II- (200 marks) Duration: Two hours

    1.Comprehension
    2.Interpersonal skills including communication skills;
    3.Logical reasoning and analytical ability
    4.Decision-making and problemsolving
    5.General mental ability
   6.Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. - Class X level)
    7.English Language Comprehension skills (Class X level).

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Ashokan Inscription

The Minor Rock Edict of the Emperor Ashoka at Sasaram is located about two kilometers east of the famous mausoleum of Shershah Suri, on a hill, which seems to be as a eastern most extension of the Kaimur range, presently known as Chandan Shahid or Chand-Tan Shaheed Pahar after a grave/majar of a Muslim saint on the top of the hill. The inscription, which is now almost invisible, was engraved on the elongated stone under a very small rock shelter.

In the rock shelter or the cave there is another stone, attached obliquely with the engraved rock on which a major or grave of some Kajaliya Baba is now under worship and is under the possession of muslim community who have constructed a small wall in front portion of the rock shelter for fixing an iron gate.The rock shelter is very small having a height of only three feet and its interior space can accommodate hardly two persons inside the rock shelter.It seems that this rock shelter, having Asokan Minor Rock edict is under possession of Muslim community for quite longer period and they are applying lime coat/white washing regularly, with the result that the inscription is getting invisible.The text of this inscription was published by A. Cunningham, Buhler, Senat and Hultzsch and others scholars.

This inscription is written in eight lines addressed to the local officer. The king Ashoka issued this order after completing of two and half of year of his conversion into Buddhism and proclamation is issued by the king when he was on Dhamma Yatra (Pilgrimage) and has spent 256 nights away from his capital and datable to his 13th regional year i.e. 257 B.C.

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Megasthenes

Megasthenes was a Greek historian who came to India in the fourth century B.C. as a representative or ambassador of Seleucus Nicator. He lived in the court of Chandra­gupta Maurya for about five years (302-298 B.C.)

Megasthenes was born in 350 B.C.

Megasthenes has written an account of India and also that of Chandragupta’s reign in his book entitled “INDIKA”. This book is not at present available but most of its passages are found in the form of quotations in the writings of various Greek and Roman auth­ors. From these passages we come to know that Megasthenes had tried to write about everything that he had seen in India—its geography, government, religion and society.

Most of the scholars attach a great importance to the information received from Megasthenes. He has written in detail about Chandragupta Maurya’s administration as well as the Indian society in the Mauryan period.

Megasthenes on Mauryan Administration

Megasthenes has given us the following useful information regarding the Mauryan administration.

About the King: Megasthenes gives a detailed description of the personal life of Chandragupta Maurya. He led a very splendid life and his palace was unique in its beauty. The king did not sleep in one room for two continuous days. He did not favor meeting the people too much.

About Civil Administration: Megasthenes has written a lot about the civil administration of Chandragupta Maurya. He writes that the king was an autocrat and he was the master of un­limited powers. He kept himself fully aware of the main events of his empire through his spies.

About the Indian Society: Besides dealing with the Mauryan administration Megasthenes has provided us very valu­able information regarding the Indian society in the Mauryan period.

Megasthenes died on 290 B.C.

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Chandragupa Maurya

Chandragupta Maurya was born sometime around 340 BCE, reportedly in Patna, now in the Bihar state of India. Given the vast span of time since his birth, it is unsurprising that scholars are uncertain of many details. For example, some texts claim that both of Chandragupta’s parents were of the Kshatriya (warrior/prince) caste, while others state that his father was a king but his mother was a maid from the lowly Shudra (servant) caste.

It seems likely that his father was Prince Sarvarthasiddhi of the Nanda Kingdom. Chandragupta’s grandson, Ashoka the Great, later claimed a blood relationship to Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, but this claim is unsubstantiated.

We know almost nothing about Chandragupta Maurya’s childhood and youth before he took on the Nanda Empire. This supports the hypothesis that he was of humble origin, since nobody recorded anything about him until he founded the Mauryan Empire.

Overthrow of the Nanda:

From an early age, Chandragupta was brave and charismatic - a born leader. The young man came to the attention of a famous Brahmin scholar, Chanakya, who bore a grudge against the Nanda.

 Chanakya began to groom Chandragupta to conquer and rule in the place of the Nanda Emperor; he helped the young man to raise an army, and taught him tactics through different Hindu sutras.

Chandragupta allied himself to the king of a mountain kingdom, perhaps the same Puru who had been defeated but spared by Alexander, and set out to conquer the Nanda. Initially, the upstart’s army was rebuffed, but after a long series of battles Chandragupta’s forces laid siege to the Nanda capital at Pataliputra. In 321 BCE, the capital fell, and 20-year-old Chandragupta Maurya started his own dynasty - the Mauryan Empire.

The only one of Chandragupta’s queens or consorts for whom we have a name is Durdhara, the mother of his first son, Bindusara. However, it is likely that Chandragupta had many more consorts.

According to legend, Prime Minister Chanakya was concerned that Chandragupta might be poisoned by his enemies, so started introducing small amounts of poison into the emperor’s food in order to build up a tolerance. Chandragupta was unaware of this plan, and shared some of his food with his wife Durdhara when she was very pregnant with their first son. Durdhara died, but Chanakya rushed in and performed an emergency operation to remove the full-term baby. The infant Bindusara survived, but a bit of his mother’s poisoned blood touched his forehead, leaving a blue bindu; spot that inspired his name.

Unfortunately, we do not know about any of Chandragupta’s other wives or children. Bindusara is likely still remembered more because of his son than for his own reign. He was the father of one of India’s greatest monarchs ever - Ashoka the Great.

When he was in his fifties, Chandragupta became fascinated with Jainism, an extremely ascetic belief system. His guru was the Jain saint Bhadrabahu.

In 298 BCE, the emperor renounced his rule, handing over power to his son Bindusara. Chandragupta traveled south to a cave at Shravanabelogola, now in Karntaka. There, the founder of the Mauryan Empire meditated without eating or drinking for five weeks, until he died of starvation. This practice is called sallekhana or santhara.

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The Arthashastra

The Arthashastra is the title of a handbook for running an empire, written by Kautilya (also known as Chanakya, c. 350-275 BCE) an Indian statesman and philosopher, chief advisor and Prime Minister of the Indian Emperor Chandragupta, the first ruler of the Mauryan Empire. 

The title Arthashastra is a Sanskrit word which is normally translated as The Science of Material Gain, although Science of Politics or Science of Political Economy are other accepted translations for Kautilya’s work.
 

The Arthashastra summarizes the political thoughts of Kautilya. This book was lost for many centuries until a copy of it, written on palm leaves, was rediscovered in India in 1904 CE. This edition is dated to approximately 250 CE, many centuries after the time of Kautilya, but the main ideas in this book are largely his. 

 The book contains detailed information about specific topics that are relevant for rulers who wish to run an effective government. Diplomacy and war (including military tactics) are the two points treated in most detail but the work also includes recommendations on law, prisons, taxation, irrigation, agriculture, mining, fortifications, coinage, manufacturing, trade, administrations, diplomacy, and spies.

The ideas expressed by Kautilya in the Arthashastra are completely practical and unsentimental. Kautilya openly writes about controversial topics such as assassinations, when to kill family members, how to manage secret agents, when it is useful to violate treaties, and when to spy on ministers. Because of this, Kautilya is often compared to the Italian Renaissance writer Machiavelli, author of The Prince, who is considered by many as unscrupulous and immoral. It is fair to mention that Kautilya's writing is not consistently without principles in that he also writes about the moral duty of the king. He summarizes the duty of a ruler, saying, “The happiness of the subjects is the happiness of the king; their welfare is his. His own pleasure is not his good but the pleasure of his subjects is his good”. Some scholars have seen in the ideas of Kautilya a combination of Chinese Confucianism and Legalism.

Kautilya’s book suggests a detailed daily schedule for how a ruler should structure his activities. According to his view, the duties of a ruler should be organized as follows:

    First 90 minutes, at sunrise, the ruler should go through the different reports (revenue, military, etc.).
    Second 90 minutes, time for public audiences.
    Third 90 minutes for breakfast and some personal time (bath, study, etc.).
    Fourth 90 minutes for meeting with ministers.
    Fifth 90 minutes for correspondence.
    Sixth 90 minutes for lunch...

Kautilya goes on to describe an exhausting schedule in which the king has roughly four and half hours to sleep and the rest of the time is almost entirely involved in running the kingdom.

The Arthashastra offers a list with the seven components of the state: The king, the ministers, the country (population, geography and natural resources), fortification, treasury, army, and allies. Kautilya goes on to explain each of these individual components and stresses the importance of strengthening these elements in one’s kingdom and weakening them in the enemies’ states by using spies and secret agents.

One of the most interesting ideas presented by Kautilya is the “Mandala theory of interstate relations”. A mandala is  a schematic visual representation of the universe, which is a common artistic expression in many Asian cultures. Kautilya explains that, if we can imagine our kingdom in the centre of a circular mandala, then the area surrounding our kingdom should be considered our enemies’ territory. The circle surrounding our enemies’ territories belongs to our enemies’ enemies, who should be considered our allies since we will share many interests with them. The circle surrounding our enemies’ enemies territory will be the allies of our enemies. Kautilya then goes on analysing twelve levels of concentric circles and offers detailed advice on how to deal with each state according to the layer they belong to in the mandala construct.

The various types of foreign policy are also explained in the Arthashastra: peace, war, neutrality, preparing for war, seeking protection and duplicity (pursuing war and peace at the same time with the same kingdom).

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The Mauryan Empire

The Maurya Empire (322 – 185 B.C.E.), ruled by the Mauryan dynasty, was a geographically extensive and powerful political and military empire in ancient India. Originating from the kingdom of Magadha in the Indo-Gangetic plains of modern Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bengal, the empire's capital city was at Pataliputra near modern Patna. Chandragupta Maurya founded the Empire in 322 B.C.E. after overthrowing the Nanda Dynasty. He began rapidly expanding his power westward across central and western India. Local powers had been disrupted by the westward withdrawal of Alexander the Great's and his Macedonian and Persian armies. By 316 B.C.E. the empire had fully occupied Northwestern India, defeating and conquering the satraps left by Alexander.

At its zenith, the Empire stretched to the northern natural boundaries of the Himalaya Mountains, and to the east into Assam. To the west, it reached beyond modern Pakistan and significant portions of Afghanistan, including the modern Herat and Kandahar provinces and Balochistan. Emperor Bindusara expanded the Empire into India's central and southern regions, but it excluded a small portion of unexplored tribal and forested regions near Kalinga, India.

The Mauryan Empire was arguably the largest empire to rule the Indian subcontinent. Its decline began fifty years after Ashoka's rule ended, and it dissolved in 185 B.C.E. with the rise of the Sunga Dynasty in Magadha. Under Chandragupta, the Mauryan Empire conquered the trans-Indus region, defeating its Macedonian rulers. Chandragupta then defeated the invasion led by Seleucus I, a Greek general from Alexander's army. Under Chandragupta and his successors internal and external trade, and agriculture and economic activities, all thrived and expanded across India. Chadragupta created a single and efficient system of finance, administration, and security. The Mauryan empire stands as one of the most significant periods in Indian history.

After the Kalinga War, the Empire experienced a half century of peace and security under Ashoka. India was a prosperous and stable empire of great economic and military power. Its political and trade influence extended across Western and Central Asia into Europe. During that time Mauryan India also enjoyed an era of social harmony, religious transformation, and expansion of learning and the sciences. Chandragupta Maurya's embrace of Jainism increased social and religious renewal and reform across his society. Ashoka's embrace of Buddhism was the foundation of social and political peace and non-violence across all of India. The era fostered the spread of Buddhist ideals into Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, West Asia, and Mediterranean Europe.

Chandragupta's minister Kautilya Chanakya wrote the Arthashastra, considered one of the greatest treatises on economics, politics, foreign affairs, administration, military arts, war, and religion ever produced. Archaeologically, the period of Mauryan rule in Southern Asia falls into the era of Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW). The Arthashastra and the Edicts of Ashoka serve as primary sources of written records of the Mauryan times. The Lion Capital of Asoka at Sarnath, remains the emblem of India.

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Geographical distribution and characteristics of Pastoral and Farming communities (2000-500 BC)

Geographical distribution and characteristics of Pastoral and Farming communities (2000-500 BC)

 
The region falls into three major areas: the stretch between Peshawar and Taxila comprising the Peshawar valley and the Potwar plateau, the area between Swat and Chitral and finally the valley of Kashmir. The Neolithic levels of Saraikhola in the Potwar plateau gave way to Kot Diji related horizon and in some way this region as a whole was within the trading network of the contemporary Indus plains. In the Swat Chitral region the large number of sites that have been excavated show the use of different metals, stone and other objects among which are shell, coral and ivory which must have reached this region from the Indus plains. The rock shelter site of Ghaligai which perhaps goes back to 3000 BC provides the baseline in Swat -Chitral. The proto-historic graveyards of the region are dated between the second quarter of the second millennium BC and the late centuries BC. The evidence of such graveyards and associated settlements has been categorised as the Gandhara Grave Culture.

 

These Copper Age graves are marked by in-flexed burials and urn burials after cremation. Grave sites and associated settlements have been investigated at a large number of sites including Loebanr, Aligrama, Birkot Ghundai, Kherari, Lalbatai, Timargarha, Balambat, Kalako-Deray and Zarif Karuna located in the valleys of Chitral, Swat, Dir and Buner etc. In Kashmir more than 30 Neolithic sites have been found scattered but most of them are in the Baramula, Anantnag and Srinagar regions. This distribution points out that this was not a culture isolated from the plains. Handmade grey pottery with a mat impressed base is a distinguishing feature of the ceramic phase of the Kashmir Neolithic at both its excavated sites - Gufkral and Burzahom. The Neolithic phase in Kashmir merged into a megalithic phase around the middle of the second millennium BC. Handmade grey pottery with a mat impressed base is a distinguishing feature of the ceramic phase of the Kashmir Neolithic at both its excavated sites- Gufkral and Burzahom. The Neolithic phase in Kashmir merged into a megalithic phase around the middle of the second millennium BC.Ladakh and Almora,Northeast Rajasthan,South India,Eastern India,Malwa.

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The three main phases of the Indus Valley Civilization

The three main phases of the Indus Valley Civilization are:

    Early Harappan (Integration Era)
    Mature Harappan (Localization Era)
    Late Harappan (Regionalization Era)

Early Harappan Phase

The Early Harappan Phase lasted from 3300 BC to 2800 BC. It is related to the Hakra Phase, identified in the Ghaggar-Hakra River Valley. The earliest examples of the Indus script date back to 3000 BC. This phase stands characterized by centralized authority and an increasingly urban quality of life. Trade networks had been established and there was also domestication of crops. Peas, sesame seeds, dates, cotton, etc, were grown during that time. Kot Diji represents the phase leading up to Mature Harappan Phase.

Mature Harappan Phase

By 2600 BC, Indus Valley Civilization had entered into a mature stage. The early Harappan communities were turning into large urban centers, like Harappa and Mohenjodaro in Pakistan and Lothal in India. The concept of irrigation had also been introduced. The following features of the Mature Phase were more prominent:

Late Harappan Phase

The signs of a gradual decline of the Indus River Valley Civilization are believed to have started around 1800 BC. By 1700 BC, most of the cities were abandoned. However, one can see the various element of the Ancient Indus Valley Civilization in later cultures. Archaeological data indicates the persistence of the Late Harappan culture till 1000-900 BC. The major reasons of the decline of the civilization are believed to be connected with climate change. Not only did the climate become much cooler and drier than before, but substantial portions of the Ghaggar Hakra river system also disappeared.

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Indus Valley Civilization- Extent

The Ancient Indus River Valley Civilization extended from Balochistan to Gujarat and from the east of the river Jhelum to Rupar. Some time back, a number of sites were also discovered in Pakistan's NW Frontier Province. Harappan Civilization covered most of Pakistan, along with the western states of India. Even though most of the sites have been found on the river embankments, some have been excavated from the ancient seacoast and islands as well. As per some archaeologists, the number of Harappan sites, unearthed along the dried up river beds of the Ghaggar-Hakra River and its tributaries, is around 500. Apart from that, those along the Indus and its tributaries are approximately 100 in number.

This civilization was spread over an area of about 1600 kilometers from West to East and 1100 kilometers from North to South. However, recent excavations in Gujarat have shown that the extent of the civilization is much more than what people had thought it to be earlier. Research scholars are of the opinion that this civilization has spread over an area of 1,300,000 square kilometers, which is more than that of any ancient civilization known so far.

Important Sites :

Though there are many sites of the Indus Valley Civilization, Mohen-jo-Daro and Harappa are considered more important, as these were the biggest centers of the civilization.

Mohen-jo-Daro in the Sindhi language, means the 'Mound of the Dead'. It was located in the Larkana district of Sindh (now in Pakistan). Here a big city was found buried under the mound.

Harappa was situated on the bank of the river Ravi in the Montgomery district of West Punjab (now in Pakistan). Mohen-jo-daro type of civilization existed also in this city.

Other important sites were Chanu daro in Sindh (Pakistan) about 130 kilomatres south of Mohen-jo-daro, Lothal near Ahmedabad in Gujarat, kali bangan in Rajasthan, Alamgir near Hatinapur in U.P. and Ropar in the Punjab, at the foothills of Shivalik.

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UPSC-CSE Preliminary Examination Syllabus

INDIAN HISTORY	MATHEMATICS
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION	CHEMISTRY
POLITICAL SCIENCE	PHYSICS
PSYCHOLOGY	BOTANY
SOCIOLOGY	ZOOLOGY
ECONOMICS	MEDICAL SCIENCE
STATISTICS	ANIMAL HUSBANDARY VETERINARY SCIENCE
PHILOSOPHY	AGRICULTURE
GEOGRAPHY	CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOLOGY	ELECTRIAL ENGINEERING
LAW	MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
COMMERCE	........................................

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Zoology

I. Cell structure and function:

    (a) Prokaryote and eukaryote.

    (b) Structure of animal cell, structure and functions of cell organelles.

    (c) Cell cycle-mitosis, meiosis.

    (d) Structure and contents of nucleus including nuclear membrane, structure of chromsome and gene, chemistry of genetic components.

    (e) Mendel's laws of inheritance, linkage and genetic recombination; cytoplasmic inheritance.

    (f) Function of gene: replication, transcription and translation; mutations (spontaneous and artificial); Recombinant DNA: principle and application.

    (g) sex determination in Drosophila and man; sex linkage in man.

    II. Systematics :

    (a) Classification of non-chordates (up to sub-classes) and chordates (up to orders) giving general features and evolutionary relationship of the following phyla:

    Protozoa, Porifera, Coelenterata, Platyhelminthes, Nematheliminthes, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Minor Phyla (Bryozoa, Phoronida and Chaetognatha) and Hemichordata.

    (b) Structure reprodcution and life history of the following types:

    Amoeba, Monocystis, Plasmodium, Paramaecium, Sycon, Hydra, Obelia, Fasciola, Taenia, Ascaris, Neanthes, Pheretima, Hirudinia, Palaemon, Buthus, Periplaneta, Lamellidens, Pila, Asterias and Balanoglossus.

    (c) Classification of chordates (up to orders), giving general features and evolutionary relationship of the following:

    Protochordata; Agnatha; Gnathostomata-Pisces, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves and Mammalia.

    (d) Comparative functional anatomy of the following based on type animals (Scoliodon, Rana, Calotes, Columba and Oryctolagus): integrument and its derivatives, endoskeleton, digestive system, respiratory system, circulatory system including heart and aortic arches, urinogenital system; brain and sense organs (eye and ear); endocrine glands and other hormone producing structures, (Pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, gonads) their function.

    III. Vertebrate Physiology and Biochemistry :

    (a) Chemical composition of protoplasm; nature and function of enzymes; vitamins, their sources and role; colloids and hydrogen ion concentration; biological oxidation, electron trasport and role of ATP, enegetics, glycolysis, citric acid cycle; vertebrate hormones: their type, sources and fucntions; pheromones and their role.

    (b) Neuron and nerve impulse-conduction and transmission across synapses; neurotrasmitters and their role, including acetyl cholinesterase activity.

    (c) Homeostasis; osmoregulation; active transport and ion pump.

    (d) Composition of carbohydrates, fats, lipids and proteins; steroids.

    IV. Embryology :

    (a) Gametogenesis, fertilization, cleavage; gastrulation in frog and chick

    (b) Metamorphosis in frog and retrogressive metamorphosis in ascidian; extra-embryonic membranes in chick and mammal; placentation in mamals; Biogenetic law.

    V. Evolution :

    (a) Origin of life; principles, theories and evidences of evolution; species concept.

    (b) Zoogeographical realms, insular fauna; geological eras.

    (c) Evolution of man; evolutionary status of man.

    VI. Ecology, Wildlife and Ethology :

    (a) Abiotic and biotic factors; concept of ecosystem, food chain and energy flow; adaptation of aquatic, terrestrial and aerial fauna; intra-and inter-specific animal relationships; environmental pollution: Types, sources, causes, control and prevention.

    (b) Wildlife of India; endangered species of India; sanctuaries and national parks of India.

    (c) Biological rhythms.

    VII. Economic Zoology :

    (a) Beneficial and harmful insects including insect vectors of human diseases.

    (b) Industrial fish, prawn and molluscs of India.

    (c) Non-poisonous and poisonous snakes of India.

    (d) Venomous animals-centipede, wasp, honey bee.

    (e) Diseases causd by aberrant chromosomes/genes in man; genetic counselling; DNA as a tool for forensic investigation.

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UPSC Prelims -Statistics Syllabus

Probability

Random experiment, sample space, event, algebra of events, probability on a discrete sample space, basic theorems of probability and simple examples based there on, conditional probability of an event, independent events, Bayes' theorem and its application, discrete and continuous random variables and their distributions, expectation, moments, moment generating function, joint distribution of two or more random variables, marginal and conditional distributions, independence of random variables, covariance, correlation, coefficient, distribution of function of random variables. Bernoulli, binomial, geometric, negative binomial, hypergeometric, Poisson, multinomial, uniform, beta, exponential, gamma, Cauchy, normal, longnormal and bivariate normal distributions, real-life situations where these distributions provide appropriate models, Chebyshev's inequality, weak law of large numbers and central limit theorem for independent and identically distributed random variables with finite variance and their simple applications.

Statistical Methods

Concept of a statistical population and a sample, types of data, presentation and summarization of data, measures of central tendency, dispersion, skewness and kurtosis, measures of association and contingency, correlation, rank correlation, intraclass correlation, correlation ratio, simple and multiple linear regression, multiple and partial correlations (involving three variables only), curve-fitting and principle of least squares, concepts of random sample, parameter and statistic, Z, X2, t and F statistics and their properties and applications, distributions of sample range and median (for continuous distributions only), censored sampling (concept and illustrations).

Statistical Inference

Unbiasedness, consistency, efficiency, sufficiency, Completeness, minimum variance unbiased estimation, Rao-Blackwell theorem, Lehmann-Scheffe theorem, Cramer-Rao inequality and minimum variance bound estimator, moments, maximum likelihood, least squares and minimum chisquare methods of estimation, properties of maximum likelihood and other estimators, idea of a random interval, confidence intervals for the paramters of standard distributions, shortest confidence intervals, large-sample confidence intervals.

Simple and composite hypotheses, two kinds of errors, level of significance, size and power of a test, desirable properties of a good test, most powerful test, Neyman-Pearson lemma and its use in simple example, uniformly most powerful test, likelihood ratio test and its properties and applications.

Chi-square test, sign test, Wald-Wolfowitz runs test, run test for randomness, median test, Wilcoxon test and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test.

Wal's sequential probability ratio test, OC and ASN functions, application to binomial and normal distributions.

Loss function, risk function, minimax and Bayes rules.

Sampling Theory and Design of Experiments

Complete enumeration vs. sampling, need for sampling, basic concepts in sampling, designing large-scale sample surveys, sampling and non-sampling errors, simple random sampling, properties of a good estimator, estimation of sample size, stratified random sampling, systematic sampling, cluster sampling, ratio and regression methods of estimaton under simple and stratified random sampling, double sampling for ratio and regression methods of estimation, two-stage sampling with equal-size first-stage units.

Analysis of variance with equal number of observations per cell in one, two and three-way classifications, analysis of covariance in one and two-way classifications, basic priniciples of experimental designs, completely randomized design, randomized block design, latin square design, missing plot technique, 2n factorial design, total and partial confounding, 32 factorial experiments, split-plot design and balanced incomplete block design.

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UPSC Prelims -Sociology Syllabus

Unit I : Basic Concepts :

Society, community, association, institution. Culture-culture change, diffusion, Cultural-tag, Cultural relativism, ethnocentrism, acculturation.

Social Groups-primary, secondary and reference groups.

Social structure, social system, social action.

Status and role, role conflict, role set.

Norms and values-conformity and deviance.

Law and customs.

Socio-cultural processes :

socialisation, assimilation, integration, cooperation, competition, conflict, accommodation, Social distance, relative deprivation.

Unit II : Marriage, Family and Kinship :

Marriage : types and norms, marriage as contract, and as a sacrament.

Family : types, functions and changes.

Kinships : terms and usages, rules of residence, descent, inheritance.

Unit III : Social Stratification :

Forms and functions; Caste and Class. Jajmani system, purity and pollution, dominant caste, sanskritisation.

Unit IV : Types of Society :

Tribal, agrarian, industrial and post-industrial.

Unit V : Economy and Society :

Man, nature and social production, economic systems of simple and complex societies, non-economic determinants of economic behaviour, market (free) economy and controlled (planned) economy.

Unit VI : Industrial and Urban Society :

Rural-Urban Continuum, urban growth and urbanisation-town, city and metropolis; basic features of industrial society; impact of automation on society; industrialisation and environment.

Unit VII : Social Demography :

Population size, growth, composition, and distribution in India; components of population growth-births, deaths and migration; causes and consequences of population growth; population and social development; population policy.

Unit VIII : Political Processes :

Power, authority and legitimacy; political socialisation; political modernisation, pressure groups; caste and politics.

Unit IX : Weaker Sections-and Minorities :

Social justice-equal opportunity and special opportunity; protective discrimination; constitutional safeguards.

Unit X : Social Change :

Theories of change; factors of change; science, technology and change. Social movements-Peasant Movement, Women's Movement, Backward Caste Movement, Dalit Movement.

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UPSC Prelims -Public Administration Syllabus

1. Introduction : Meaning, scope and significance. Evolution and status of the discipline. Comparative Public Administration and Development Administration. Public and Private Administration: State versus market debate. New Pubic Administration. New Public Management perspective.

    2. Basic concepts and principles : Organisation, hierarchy, Unity of command, Span of control, Authority and Responsibility, Co-ordination, Centralization and Decentralization, Delegation, Supervision, Line and Staff.

    3. Theories of Administration : Scientific Management (Taylor and the Scientific Managment Movement), Classical Theory (Fayol, Urwick, Gulick and others) Bureaucratic Theory (Weber and his critics). Ideas of Mary Parker Follett and C.I. Barnard; Human Relations School (Elton Mayo and others). Behavioral Approach, Systems approach.

    4. Administrative Behaviour : Decision making with special reference to H. Simon, communication and control, leadership theories. Theories of motivation (Maslow and Herzberg)

    5. Accountability and Control : The concepts of Accountability and control : Legislative, executive and judicial control. Citizen and Administration: Role of civil society, people's participation and Right to Information.

    6. Administrative Systems : Comparative administrative features of USA, Great Britain, France and Japan.

    7. Personnel Administration : Role of Civil Service in developing societies; position classification, Recuritment, Training, Promotion, Pay and Service conditions. Relations with the Political Executive; Administrative Ethics.

    8. Financial Administration : Budget: Concepts and forms. Formulation and execution of budget, deficit financing and public debt, Accounts and Audit.

    9. Union Government and Administration in India. British legacy : Constitutional context of Indian Administration; The President, Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers; Central Secretariat; Cabinet Secretariat, Prime Minister's Office, Planning Commission; Finance Commission; Election Commission; Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. Public enterprises: Patterns, role performance and impact of liberalization.

    10. Civil Services in India : Recruitment to All India and Central Services. Union Public Service Commission; Training of Civil Servants. Generalists and Specialists. Minister-Civil Servant relationship.

    11. State and District Administration : Governor, Chief Minister, Secretariat, Chief Secretary, Directorates, District Collector: changing role.

    12. Local Government : Panchayati Raj and Urban local Government: Main features, structures, finances and problem areas. 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendements.

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UPSC Prelims - Psychology Syllabus

1. Introduction to psychology :

Concept and definition of psychology. Nature and Scope. Branches of psychology. Application of psychology to soceity and social problems.

    2. Methods in Psychology :

Characteristics of psychological studies, Observation. Survey method, Clinical and case study method. Experimental method. Application of the method.

    3. Quantitive Analysis :

Measures of central tendency and dispersion. Correlation. Levels of measurement. Reliability and validity. Application in test construction.

    4. Physiological Psychology :

Structure of neuron, nerve impulses, synapse and neurotransmitters. Central and peripheral nervous system-structure and neural control of behaviour. Hemispheric specialisation. Endocrine system and hormonal control of behaviour. Application of hemispheric knowledge to diagnostic purposes.

    5. Development of human behaviour :

Individual Differences : Heredity and environment. Life span developent. Role of early experience and mastering of developmental tasks. Sensitive or critical periods of development in human life cycle and its application.

    6. Perception :

Preceptual processes. Perceputal organsiation. Perception of form, colour, depth and time. Perceptual readiness and constancy. Role of motivation, social and cultural factors in perception. Application of knowledge of perception to skill development (e.g. for certain jobs like that of driving, airline pilots etc.)

    7. Learning :

Classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Modeling and observational learning. Transfer of training. Learing and motivation. Application of the above to the improvement of academic performance in education.

    8. Memory :

Physiological basis of memory. Memory and forgetting. Measurement of memory (Recall, Recognition, Relearning). Short term and long term memory. Theories of forgetting (Decay and Interference theories and Repressive forgetting). Application of Mnemonic devices etc, to improving memory.

    9. Cognition and Language :

Concept of formation. Nature and development of thinking. Language and thought and acquisition of language. Problem solving. Creative thinking and its applications.

    10. Intelligence and Aptitude :

Definition and concept. Theories and models of Intelligence. Measurement of intelligence and aptitude. Exceptional intelligence. Mental retardation. Concepts of multiple, emotional and artificial intelligence and their application.

    11. Motivation and Emotion :

Definition and concept of instinct, needs, drives and motives. Theories of motivation and their application (drive reduction theory, Maslow's motivational hierarchy). Social motivation: Achievement, power, affiliation motives and influence of early experiences. Physiological basis of emotion. Theories of emotion (James-Lange and Cannon-Brad theories, cognitive physiological theory).

    12. Personality :

Concepts and Definition of personality. Sutdy of personality (Trait, type and eclectic approaches) Development of personality (Freud, Erikson, Biological and socio-cultural determinants). Measurement of Personality (Projective tests, pencil-paper tests). Application of personality profiles in fitting a person to a job.

    13. Adjustment and Stress :

Concept and definition. Factors affecting adjustment (frustration and conflict). Sources of stress and reactions to stress. Coping with stress. Application of stress management techniques.

    14. Social Behaviour :

Socio-cultural factors and behaviour. Development of attitudes, stereotypes and prejudice, Measurement of Attidutes (Thurstone, Likert attitude scale and Bogardus Social Distance scale). Strategies for reducing prejudice and changing atitude. Person perception, implicit personality theory and integrating impressions. Application of person perception to impression management.

    15. Application of Psychology :

Health and mental health (yoga, meditation and relaxation therapies). Education (Programmed learning,. self instructional learning and learning styles). Community (self help through group cohesiveness and leadership). Industry (Assessment centre approach in selection, recruitment and training). Environment (man-nature interaction, personal space concept, pollution reduction) Information technology (Application to commercial, educational and health areas).

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