• Prehistoric India: The syllabus begins with the Stone Age, necessitating a distinction between the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic periods based on tool technology and subsistence patterns. The Chalcolithic Age marks the transition to metal usage.
• Indus Valley Civilization (IVC): This is a high-yield topic. Candidates must analyze the Origin and Extent of the civilization, key sites (Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Lothal, Dholavira), and their specific features (Great Bath, Dockyard). Core concepts include Urban Planning, Drainage Systems, Script and Language, Social Stratification, and theories regarding its Decline
• Vedic Period: The transition from the Early Vedic (Rig Vedic) to the Later Vedic period is critical. Key concepts include the Varna System, Sabha and Samiti, the nature of Aryan Migration, and the evolution of religious rituals (Yajnas)
• Mahajanapadas and Rise of Magadha: The “Second Urbanization” led to the formation of sixteen Mahajanapadas. The rise of Magadha under the Haryanka, Shishunaga, and Nanda dynasties set the stage for the Mauryan Empire.
• Religious Reforms: The genesis of Buddhism and Jainism is pivotal. Detailed study is required of the life of Buddha and Mahavira, their teachings (Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, Tri-ratnas), the Buddhist Councils, and the schism into sects (Hinayana, Mahayana, Vajrayana, Digambara, Svetambara)
• Mauryan Empire: This chapter covers the first major pan-Indian empire. Key topics include Chandragupta Maurya, the Arthashastra polity, Ashoka’s Dhamma, and Mauryan Art (Stupas, Pillars, Caves).
• Post-Mauryan Period: The period of flux involving foreign invasions (Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Kushanas) and indigenous powers (Satavahanas, Sungas) is crucial for art and culture (Gandhara, Mathura, Amravati schools).
• Gupta Empire: Often termed the “Golden Age,” this section focuses on the administrative system, the revival of Brahmanism, and advancements in Science and Literature (Kalidasa, Aryabhata).
• Sangam Age: The history of South India under the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas, primarily reconstructed through Sangam Literature

The study of ancient history focuses on the evolution of society, culture, and state formation.

• Early Medieval: The Tripartite Struggle (Palas, Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas) and the Chola Empire (noted for local self-government and naval power).
• Delhi Sultanate: The five dynasties (Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi). Concepts include the Iqta System, Market Reforms of Alauddin Khilji, and the administrative experiments of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
• Mughal Empire: The consolidation of power from Babur to Aurangzeb. Key themes are the Mansabdari System, Jagirdari Crisis, Religious Policies (Sulh-i-kul), and the development of Indo-Islamic architecture
• Bhakti and Sufi Movements: The socio-religious reform movements featuring saints like Kabir, Guru Nanak, Mirabai, and the Chishti and Suhrawardi Sufi orders.
• Regional Kingdoms: The rise of the Marathas (Shivaji’s administration, Ashtapradhan) and the Vijayanagara Empire (Nayankara system)

• Advent of Europeans: The arrival of the Portuguese, Dutch, English, and French, culminating in the Carnatic Wars and the establishment of British supremacy.
• British Expansion: The policies of Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse; wars with Mysore, Marathas, and Sikhs.
• Economic Impact: The Land Revenue Systems (Zamindari, Ryotwari, Mahalwari), Commercialization of Agriculture, and Deindustrialization (Drain of Wealth theory).
• Revolt of 1857: Causes (political, social, military), spread, suppression, and the Queen’s Proclamation of 1858.
• Socio-Religious Reforms: The 19th-century renaissance led by Raja Ram Mohan Roy (Brahmo Samaj), Dayanand Saraswati (Arya Samaj), Vivekananda, and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
• Freedom Struggle:
  • Moderate Phase (1885-1905): Petition politics, formation of INC.
  • Extremist Phase (1905-1917): Swadeshi Movement, Surat Split.
  • Gandhian Era (1917-1947): Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India Movement.
  • Revolutionary Nationalism: HRA, HSRA, Bhagat Singh, Subhash Chandra Bose (INA).
  • Partition and Independence: Mountbatten Plan, Indian Independence Act 1947

• Constitutional Framework: Evolution of Indian Constitution, Preamble, Union and its Territory, Citizenship (Current Affairs such as CAA/NRC, SIR revisions).
• Fundamental Rights (FR): Detailed analysis of Articles 12-35, distinct features of Writs (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, etc.), and landmark judgments (Kesavananda Bharati, Puttaswamy case).
• Directive Principles (DPSP) & Duties: Classification of DPSP (Socialist, Gandhian, Liberal-Intellectual), Relationship between FR and DPSP, Fundamental Duties (Article 51A).
• System of Government: Parliamentary vs Presidential, Federal vs Unitary, Centre-State Relations (Legislative, Administrative, Financial).
• Union Executive & Legislature: President (Election, Pardoning powers), Vice-President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers, Parliament (Sessions, Motions, Bills, Budget, Committees).
• State Executive & Legislature: Governor (Discretionary powers), Chief Minister, State Legislature.
• Judiciary: Supreme Court (Original, Appellate, Advisory jurisdiction), High Courts, Subordinate Courts, Judicial Activism, PIL, Collegium System.
• Local Government: Panchayati Raj (73rd Amendment, PESA) and Urban Local Bodies (74th Amendment).
• Constitutional Bodies: ECI, UPSC, SPSC, Finance Commission, CAG, NCSC, NCST, NCBC, GST Council.
• Non-Constitutional Bodies: NITI Aayog, NHRC, CIC, CVC, Lokpal, CBI

• National Income Accounting: Concepts of GDP, GNP, NNP, GVA, Methods of calculation, Real vs Nominal GDP, GDP Deflator.
• Money and Banking: Functions of RBI, Monetary Policy Tools (Repo, Reverse Repo, CRR, SLR, OMO), Banking Structure (PSBs, Private, RRBs, Cooperatives), NPA Crisis, Basel Norms, Financial Inclusion
• Fiscal Policy: Budgeting (Revenue/Capital receipts & expenditure), Deficits (Fiscal, Revenue, Primary), FRBM Act, Taxation (GST, Direct Taxes), Finance Commission.
• Inflation: Types (Demand-pull, Cost-push), Indices (WPI, CPI), Effects on economy, Control measures.
• External Sector: Balance of Payments (Current/Capital Account), Exchange Rates (NEER, REER), Forex Reserves, Convertibility, FDI vs FII, International Organizations (IMF, WTO, World Bank, ADB)
• Social Development: Poverty (Lines, Committees), Unemployment (Types), Inequality (Lorenz Curve, Gini Coefficient), SDGs, Human Development Index (HDI)

• Ecology: Ecosystem components, Food Chain/Web, Ecological Pyramids, Biomagnification, Biogeochemical Cycles (Nitrogen, Carbon, Phosphorous).
• Biodiversity: Levels of Diversity, Biodiversity Hotspots, IUCN Red List, Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves), Tiger Reserves
• Climate Change: Greenhouse Effect, Global Warming, Ozone Depletion, Ocean Acidification, Mitigation Strategies (Carbon Credit, Carbon Tax).
• Legislation & Conventions: Wildlife Protection Act 1972, Environment Protection Act 1986, Biodiversity Act 2002, UNFCCC (Kyoto, Paris Agreement), CBD (Nagoya, Cartagena Protocols), CITES, Ramsar Convention.

• Basic Science: Application-based Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Diseases, Vitamins, Vaccines).
• Space Technology: Orbits (LEO, GEO), Launch Vehicles (PSLV, GSLV, SSLV), Missions (Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, Gaganyaan), Gravitational Waves, Black Holes.
• Defence Technology: Missile Systems (Ballistic vs Cruise), Submarines (Scorpene, Nuclear), Aircraft, Drones.
• Biotechnology: Genetic Engineering, CRISPR-Cas9, Cloning, Stem Cells, GM Crops.
• IT & Computers: AI, Big Data, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, 5G/6G, IoT, Quantum Computing, Supercomputers.
• Nanotechnology: Basics and applications in medicine/industry.

Candidates must choose one language from the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

• Comprehension: Understanding of given passages.
• Précis Writing: Summarizing a text to one-third of its length.
• Usage and Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms, Corrections.
• Short Essays: Writing on general topics.
• Translation: English to Indian Language and Indian Language to English.

• Comprehension: Analyzing English passages.
• Précis Writing: Summarizing English texts.
• Usage and Vocabulary: Grammar correction, sentence structuring, supply of missing words.
• Short Essays: Expressing ideas clearly in English

• Visual Arts
  • Architecture: Harappan, Mauryan (Stupas), Gupta (Temple origins), Temple Styles (Nagara, Dravida, Vesara), Indo-Islamic (Arcuate, Minarets), Colonial (Gothic, Indo-Saracenic).
  • Sculpture: Indus seals, Gandhara vs Mathura vs Amravati schools, Chola Bronze (Nataraja).
  • Paintings: Mural (Ajanta, Ellora), Miniature (Mughal, Rajput, Pahari), Folk (Madhubani, Warli).
• Performing Arts:
  • Dance: 8 Classical forms (Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Sattriya) and Folk dances.
  • Music: Hindustani vs Carnatic styles.
  • Theatre: Traditional forms like Yakshagana, Bhand Pather, Nautanki.
  • Literary Arts: Vedic literature, Sangam literature, Bhakti poetry, Chronicles

• Mid-18th Century: Fragmentation of Mughal Empire, Rise of regional states.
• Freedom Struggle: Detailed study of phases—1857 Revolt, Moderate era, Swadeshi Movement, Gandhian Mass Movements (NCM, CDM, QIM), Revolutionary activities, INA, RIN Mutiny.
• Personalities: Contributions of Gandhi, Nehru, Ambedkar, Patel, Bose, Tagore, Tilak, Bhagat Singh, etc.
• Post-Independence Consolidation: Integration of Princely States (Operation Polo, Junagadh), Linguistic Reorganization of States (SRC Act), Tribal integration, Wars (1962, 1965, 1971), Emergency (1975), Land Reforms, Green Revolution

• Enlightenment & Modern Ideas: Kant, Rousseau.
• Industrial Revolution: Causes, Impact on society/economy.
• Nation State System: Unification of Germany and Italy.
• Imperialism & Colonialism: Scramble for Africa, Colonization of Asia.
• Revolutions: American Revolution, French Revolution, Russian Revolution.
• World Wars: Causes and consequences of WWI and WWII.
• Cold War: Bipolar world, NAM, Korean/Vietnam wars, Disintegration of USSR.
• Political Philosophies: Capitalism, Socialism, Communism

• Salient Features: Caste System, Family/Kinship, Unity in Diversity.
• Women’s Issues: Role of women, Women’s organizations, Patriarchal challenges, Laws.
• Population & Urbanization: Demographic dividend, Migration, Slums, Smart Cities.
• Globalization: Impact on culture, language, family, economy.
• Social Empowerment: Issues of SC/ST/OBC/Minorities/Elderly/Disabled.
• Ideological Issues: Communalism, Regionalism, Secularism.²

• Physical Geography: Key concepts of Geomorphology, Climatology, Oceanography (as in Prelims but descriptive).
• Resource Distribution: Global distribution of key natural resources (Iron, Coal, Petroleum, Rare Earths).
• Industrial Location: Factors responsible for location of primary, secondary, tertiary industries (Weber’s theory).
• Geophysical Phenomena: Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Volcanoes, Cyclones.
• Critical Geography: Changes in flora/fauna, melting ice caps, shrinking water bodies

• Evolution & Features: Historical underpinnings, Salient features, Basic Structure Doctrine.
• Functions & Responsibilities: Union vs States, Devolution of powers to local levels.
• Separation of Powers: Checks and balances, Dispute redressal mechanisms.
• Comparison: Indian Constitution vs USA, UK, France, etc.
• Parliament & Legislatures: Structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges.
• Executive & Judiciary: Ministries, Departments, Pressure groups, Judiciary structure & issues.
• RPA: Representation of People’s Act (Salient features).
• Constitutional Bodies: Appointment, powers, responsibilities.
• Statutory/Regulatory Bodies: NGT, TRAI, SEBI, CCI, etc.

• Government Policies: Interventions in health, education, etc.
• Development Processes: Role of NGOs, SHGs, Donors, Charities.
• Welfare Schemes: For vulnerable sections, performance and mechanisms.
• Institutional Frameworks: Laws and bodies for protection of the vulnerable.
• Governance Concepts: Transparency, Accountability, E-Governance (Applications, models, success, limitations), Citizen Charters, RTI.
• Civil Services: Role in democracy (Steel frame vs changing role).

• Health: Healthcare infrastructure, Ayushman Bharat, Malnutrition.
• Education: NEP 2020, Higher education, Primary education, Digital divide.
• Human Resources: Skilling, Vocational training, Demographic dividend.
• Poverty & Hunger: Issues, Food security, SDG targets.

• Neighbors: India’s relations with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Maldives.
• Groupings: Bilateral, Regional (SAARC, BIMSTEC, ASEAN), Global (UN, WTO, G20, BRICS, SCO, QUAD).
• Global Politics: Effect of policies of developed/developing countries on India (US Fed rates, China’s BRI).
• Diaspora: Role and issues of Indian diaspora.
• Institutions: Structure and mandate of global bodies.

• Planning & Growth: Indian economy issues, mobilization of resources, growth vs development, employment.
• Inclusive Growth: Financial inclusion, Inequality reduction.
• Budgeting: Components of Government Budget.
• Agriculture:
  • Crops: Major cropping patterns, Millets.
  • Irrigation: Types, Micro-irrigation.
  • Marketing: APMC, e-NAM, Supply chain.
  • Technology: E-technology in aid of farmers.
  • Subsidies: Direct/Indirect, MSP issues, WTO norms.
  • PDS: Functioning, limitations, buffer stocks, Food Security.
  • Food Processing: Scope, significance, supply chain management.
• Land Reforms: History and impact.
• Liberalization: Effects on economy, Industrial policy changes.
• Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways.
• Investment Models: PPP, FDI models.

• Developments: Application in everyday life.
• Indigenization: Developing technology locally.
• New Technologies: IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotech, Biotech.
• IPR: Intellectual Property Rights issues.

• Conservation: Strategies, Protected areas.
• Pollution: Air, Water, Noise, E-waste, Plastic.
• EIA: Environmental Impact Assessment.

• Disasters: Natural (Flood, Cyclone, Earthquake, Drought) & Man-made.
• Management: Frameworks (Sendai), NDMA, NDRF, Mitigation strategies.

• Extremism: Linkages between development and extremism (Naxalism).
• Non-State Actors: Role in internal security.
• Cyber Security: Basics, threats, money laundering.
• Border Management: Challenges, organized crime linkages (Terrorism, Drugs).
• Security Forces: Mandate of various agencies (CAPFs, NIA, RAW, IB).