Combined Civil Services (Main) Examination- Group-II Services

Question Paper Pattern for Paper-II
General Studies (Degree Standard) (Descriptive Type)

Download Syllabus PDF
Total Marks: 300
Time: 3 Hours
Question Paper Pattern

PART-A - 10 Mark Questions

Answer all the questions

Unit in the Syllabus No.of Questions Marks (10 marks) Each answer in words
Unit -I19 x 10= 90 Marks100 words

(9 x 100= 900 words)
Unit-III2
Unit-IV1
Unit-V3
Unit-VI1
Unit-VII1
Total 9 90 marks 900 words

PART-B - 10 Mark Questions

Answer any Three questions out of Five Questions
(Candidates may answer the questions in this unit either in Tamil OR in English)

Unit in the Syllabus No.of Questions No. of Questions to be answered Marks (10 marks) Each answer in words
Unit -II 5 3 3x 10= 30 Marks 100 words
(3 x 100= 300 words)
Total 5 3 30 marks 300 words

PART-C - 15 Mark Questions

In Each Section answer any two questions out of Three questions.

Unit in the Syllabus Section Total No. of Questions No. of Questions to be answered Marks ( 15 Marks) Each answer in words
Unit -ISec. A322x15= 30200 words

(12 x 200=
2400 words)
Unit-IIISec. B322x 15= 30
Unit-IVSec. C322x 15= 30
Unit-VSec. D322x 15= 30
Unit-VISec. E322x 15= 30
Unit-VIISec. F322x 15= 30
Total - 18 12 180 marks 2400 words
Combined Civil Services (Main) Examination – II (Group – II Services)
General Studies (Degree Standard) [300 marks]
Unit I: Modern History of India with specific reference to Tamil Nadu
(40 marks)

Advent of Europeans: The Portuguese, the Dutch, the English, the Danish and the French;

Expansion of British rule: Carnatic Wars;

Early uprisings against British Rule: Revolt of Poligars, South Indian Rebellion, Vellore Mutiny, Indian National Movements - Moderates, Extremists and Terrorist Movements – Gandhian Era;

Early stage of Freedom movement in Tamil Nadu – First voice for freedom struggle from Tamil Nadu – Protests by Pulithevar, Veerapandya Kattabomman, Dheeran Chinnamalai, Velunachiar, Kuyili and others; Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle – V.O.Chidambaram, Bharathiyar, V.V. Subramanian, Vanchinathan, Subramania Siva, T.S.S Rajan, Rajaji, Sathyamoorthy, Kamaraj, Rukmani Lakshmi Pathi, Ambujammal and others;

Types of freedom struggle – Sacrifices – Magazines – Literature – Plays/Drama – Songs – Films etc.;

Contribution of women in the freedom struggle and social work: Dr Muthulakshmi Ammaiyar, Muvalur Ramamirtham, Cuddalore Anjalai Ammal, Thillaiyadi Valliammai, and others;

Impact of British Rule: Christian Missionaries, Development of Education, Judiciary, Local Self Governance System, Police, Transport and Communication - Disappearance of Indigenous Industries - Spread of Western Culture;

Origin and Growth of “Social – Justice” ideology, Socio- Religious Movements, Political Parties and Achievements.

Unit II: Tamil Society – Culture and Heritage
(30 marks)

Ancient Tamil Society – Archeological excavation evidence – Arikamedu, Adichanallur, Keezhadi – Sangam Literature – Classical Tamil;

Thirukkural - Guidance for way of life to human elevation - Guidelines given by Thirukkural in the field of administration, judiciary and day to day life - Philosophical thoughts laid down by Thirukkural for betterment and integration of the whole of humanity;

Socio political movements of 19th and 20th centuries, Vallalar’s Samarasa Sutha Sanmarga Satya Sangam – Origin and development of Justice Party – Impact of Rationalism Movement, Self-Respect Movement, History and Development of Dravidian Movement, Tani Tamil Iyakkam (Pure Tamil Movement) - Tamil Society Reforms personalities – Thanthai Periyar, Arignar Anna, and other scholars;

Arts – Cultural conventions of Tamilians – Ancient cultural knowledge of Tamilians – Conventional thoughts of Tamilians;

Cultural Elements: Tamil Nadu State Government Symbols - Experts in Cultural Fields - Folk Dances, Folk Music, Folk Drama, and World Tamil Conferences.

Unit III: Social Issues in India with specific reference to Tamil Nadu
(50 marks)

Population Explosion: Fertility – Mortality – Migration – Morbidity – Census 2011 - Population control programmes – National Population Policy 2000 – Family planning and its achievements;

Health Care: Poor sanitation – Rural and Urban disparities – Poor infrastructure – Insufficient health care delivery – Role of Panchayat Raj and Urban Development Agencies – Health policy in India – Health care programmes in India;

Child Labour and Child Abuse: Child Education – School Dropouts – Gender disparities – Initiatives to eliminate Child Labour in India – Media and enhanced vulnerability – Laws to protect child abuse and welfare schemes;

Women Empowerment: Domestic violence – Dowry problems – Sexual assault – Eve teasing – Kidnapping – Laws and awareness programmes – Role of Government and NGOs in women empowerment – Welfare schemes;

Marginalised Groups: Problems – Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes – Elderly – People with disability – Transgender - Religious minorities – Central and State Government welfare programmes to marginalised groups.

Social Changes: Urbanization - Modernization – Globalization – Policy, Planning and Programmes in India – Impact of Violence on Society – Religious Violence – Terrorism and Communal Violence – Causes and Remedies; Current Affairs.

Unit IV: Science and Technology in Development
(40 marks)

Robotics and Applications;

Atomic and Nuclear Physics – Applications of nuclear energy;

Diodes and Transistors and their Applications;

Broadcasting Technology;

Electrochemical cells - Types of electrodes – Batteries - Lithium-ion Battery;

Fuels: Gaseous fuels – LPG, Natural gas and water gas;

Polymers: Thermoplastics and Thermosetting plastics, PVC, PET, Nylon 66, Teflon;

Medicinal Chemistry: Analgesics - Paracetamol and Aspirin, Antibiotics - Penicillin and Chloromycetin;

Biotechnology: Applications of Biotechnology – Plant Genetic Engineering – concepts - transgenic plants, edible vaccines, Terminator Gene technology, BT Cotton, Golden rice, Flavr Savr tomato, Social and ecological impact of genetically modified crops - Biotechnological methods for crop improvement - Application of plant tissue culture in Forestry, Horticulture - Recombinant DNA Technology – DNA cloning - DNA fingerprinting – applications of PCR and ELISA in disease diagnosis – hybridoma techniques in the production of Mono Clonal Antibodies (MCA) – Animal cell culture techniques – stem cells and its applications;

Applications of GIS;

Nanotechnology – Fundamentals – Applications - Nano Fertilizer, Nano Pesticides, Green Nanotechnology and Nano-farming;

Advanced reproductive techniques: In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) – Intra–Uterine Insemination (IUI) – Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) – Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer (GIFT) – cryopreservation of sperm;

Components of Computer – Computer Organization and Architecture – System Software and Application Software – Data Communication Networks – Cryptography – Computer Graphics and Multimedia – Mobile Computing and Communication – Web Technology and applications – E-Commerce – Cloud Computing Architecture – IOT – Artificial Intelligence Applications – Machine learning - Cyber Security – Biometrics – Blockchain Technology; Current Affairs.

Unit V: Constitution, Polity and Governance in India with specific reference to Tamil Nadu
(60 marks)

Constitution of India: Preamble and Philosophical features – Salient features and Sources – Union, States and Union Territories - Citizenship - Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, Directive Principles of State Policy;

Union Executive: President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Council of Ministers – Cabinet – Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) – Parliament Committees – Major Constitutional Amendments;

State Government: Chief Minister and Council of Ministers

Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly: Structure, Powers and Functions;

Local Governments: Three-tier system - 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments - Tamil Nadu Panchayat Act 1994 – Grama Sabha – Working of PRIs in Tamil Nadu – District Collector’s role in Development Administration;

Dynamics of Indian Federalism: Centre-State relations: Administrative, Legislative, Financial – Issues and Challenges;

Judiciary in India: Supreme Court, High Courts, District Courts – Subordinate Courts (Structure and Functions) – Judicial Review - Judicial Activism – Public Interest Litigation;

Electoral System in India – Election Commission (Constitutional Provisions, Composition, powers and functions);

Party system in India: Regional and National political parties in India and Tamil Nadu;

Integrity in Indian Polity: Corruption in Politics – Anti-Corruption measures: Lokpal and Lok Ayukta – Central Vigilance Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General of India - Central Bureau of Investigation - Enforcement Directorate - Right to Information – Right to Services – Consumers’ Rights – Consumer Protection Act 2019 – Human Rights Act 1993 – National Human Rights Commission, State Human Rights Commission - Social Audit – Citizen’s Charter;

Political parties in Tamil Nadu: Regional and National Parties – Welfare schemes and measures of successive Governments in Tamil Nadu after 1947 – Reservation and Language policy in Tamil Nadu – Impact of welfare schemes and measures in the socio-economic development of Tamil Nadu;

Education and Health Administrative Structure in Tamil Nadu: Evolution – Achievements of Tamil Nadu in various fields: Education, Health, Industrial, Information Technology, Agriculture, Women and Marginalised Groups;

E-governance and Mobile governance initiatives in Tamil Nadu – Public Service Delivery through e-governance. TNeGA – e Service Centres;

Problems in Public Service delivery in Tamil Nadu; Current Affairs.

Unit VI: Geography of India, Environment, Biodiversity and Disaster Management in India with specific reference to Tamil Nadu
(40 marks)

Geographical Location – Physical units – River system – Climate – Soil – Natural vegetation – Agriculture crops – Livestock – Fisheries;

Irrigation – Multipurpose Projects;

Minerals: iron ore, manganese, copper, bauxite, gold, silver, mica, coal, petroleum and natural Gas;

Energy Resources: hydel, thermal, nuclear, wind, tidal and solar;

Industries: textile, jute, sugar, cement, iron and steel, automobile and shipbuilding;

Transport: road, railway, water and air;

Environment - Global and national environmental issues – pollution - air, water, soil, thermal, radioactive, noise, electronic and solid wastes - Management of municipal solid wastes and bio-medical wastes;

Biodiversity and Conservation: Definition, types - genetic, species and ecosystem diversity - values - threats to biodiversity - habitat destruction, invasive species and anthropogenic activities - climatic change and wildfire;

Causes and consequences of species extinction;

Biodiversity conservation: in-situ and ex-situ;

Biodiversity conservation strategies: international environmental governance - Biodiversity Act (BDA), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF);

Biodiversity hotspots of India;

Sustainable development – Sustainable development goals and targets - clean and green energy - Paris Agreement and COP28;

Disaster Management: Overview of disasters - definitions and types; Introduction to disaster risk management framework;

Natural calamities - Anthropogenic disasters - global warming and climate change, industrial accidents; Climate change governance - mitigations and adaptations;

Role of space technology in disaster management, National action plan for climate change - Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority – Tamil Nadu Disaster Management Plan – Role of NGO and Civil society organisation in disaster management and mitigation in Tamil Nadu; Current Affairs.

Unit VII: Indian Economy with specific reference to Tamil Nadu
(40 marks)

Nature of Indian Economy: An assessment – Structure of Indian Economy - New Economic Policy: Rationale – Components – Privatisation, Deregulation, Trade Liberalisation. Indian Economy since 1991 Reforms (Overview only) –

Sources of Revenue: Revenue Receipts – Capital Receipts – Revenue Expenditure – Capital Expenditure;

Reserve Bank of India: Functions, Monetary Policy – Components - Fiscal Policy: Fiscal reforms – Fiscal Responsibility and Budgetary Management (FRBM) Act

Finance Commission: Revenue sharing between Union and State Governments – Recommendations of recent Finance Commission;

Agricultural and Rural Development: Land Reforms – Rural Credit, Modern Farming Technics and Marketing - e-NAM (electronic – National Agricultural Marketing) – Price Policy – M.S. Swaminathan Commission’s Recommendations - Subsidies – Commercialisation and Diversification of Agriculture – Rural Development Programmes – Poverty Alleviation Programmes – National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS);

Labour: Employment – Types – Sectoral Distribution – Labour Welfare Measures – Recent Indian Employment Report of International Labour Organisation (ILO) (Overview only);

Poverty and Human Development: Estimates of Inequality and Poverty alleviation measures – Human Development Index (HDI), Gender Development Index (GDI), Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM) and Happiness Index (HI);

Foreign trade: Composition, Direction and Organisation of Trade – Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) - Balance of Trade – Balance of Payment – External Debt; Current Affairs.

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