AMIGOS IAS

SYLLABUS FOR GROUP-I MAINS EXAMINATION

Paper: English (Compulsory Language paper)

Paper: Telugu (Compulsory Language paper)

PAPER-I – GENERAL ESSSAY (DEGREE STANDARD) 

Marks – 150                    Medium: English/Telugu                             Time- 180 Minutes

The candidates are required to attempt three essays, one from each of the three sections, in about 800 words each.

Objective:

This paper is designed to test candidate’s (i) knowledge / awareness of a variety of Subjects and (ii) their ability to compose a sustained piece of writing in the form of an essay

Contents:

Section –I   (i) Current affairs

Section – II (i) Socio- political issues

(ii)Socio- economic issues

(iii)Socio- environmental issues

Section – III (i) Cultural and historical aspects

(ii) Issues related to civic awareness

(iii) Reflective topics

Areas of Testing:

This paper would test the following:

1. Ability to compose a well-argued piece of writing
2. Ability to express coherently and sequentially
3. Awareness of the subject chosen

Evaluation / Marking: 

Credit will be given for the following:

1. Observing established rules and format for essay writing
2. Grammatical correctness of expression
3. Originality of thought and expression.

PAPER — II: HISTORY, CULTURE AND GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA AND ANDHRA PRADESH (DEGREE STANDARD)

Marks — 150                               Medium: English / Telugu                       Time- 180 Minutes

A .History and Culture of India: 

1. Pre-Historic Cultures in India- Indus Valley Civilization- Vedic Culture- Mahajanapadas – Emergence of New Religions-Jainism, Buddhism- Rise of the Magadha and Age of the Mauryas- Ashoka Dharma- Foreign Invasions on India- The Kushans. The Satavahanas, the Sangam Age in South India- the Sungas- the Guptas- the Kanauj  and their Contributions- Historical Accounts of Foreign travelers- Early Educational  Institutions.
2. The Pallavas, the Badami Chalukyas, the Eastern Chalukyas, the Rashtrakutas, the Kalyani Chalukyas and the Cholas- Socio Cultural Contributions, Language, Literature Art and Architecture- Delhi Sultanates- Advent of Islam and its Impact- Religious Movements like Bhakti and Sufi and Its Influence. Growth of Vernacular Languages, Scripts, Literature, Fine Arts- Socio Cultural Conditions of  the Kakatiyas, the Vijayanagaras, the Bahmanis, the Qutubsahis and their cotemporary  South Indian kingdoms.

3. The Mughals Administration, Socio-Religious life and Cultural developments- Shivaji and  Rise of Maratha Empire- Advent of Europeans in India.Trade practices- Rise of East India Company its Hegemony- Changes in Administration, Social and Cultural spheres- Role of Christian Missionaries.
4. Rise of British rule in India from 1757 to 1856 – Land Revenue Settlement, Permanent  Settlement, Ryothvari and Mahalvari-1857 Revolt and its Impact-Education, Press, Cultural  changes- Rise of National Consciousness and Changes- Socio-Religious Reform  Movements in 19th century- Rajaram Mohan Roy, Dayananda Saraswathi, Swamy  Vivekananda, Annie Besant, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and others. Rise of Indian Nationalism- Activities of Indian National Congress- Vandemataram, Home Rule Movements- Self Respect Movement- Jyothiba Phule, Narayana Guru, Periyar Ramaswamy Naicker- Role of Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Vallabai PatelSatyagraha- Quit India Movement- Dr B.R. Ambedkar and his Contributions.
5. Indian Nationalism in three phases- Freedom Struggle 1885-1905, 1905-1920 and Gandhi Phase 1920-1947- Peasant, Women, Tribal and Workers Movements- Role of Different parties in Freedom Struggle- Local and Regional Movements- Inter Religious Unity and Communalism. Independence and Partition of India- India after Independence- Rehabilitation after partition- Linguistic Re-organization of States- Integration of the Indian States- Indian Constitution- Economic policies- Foreign Policy Initiatives.

B .History and Culture of Andhra Pradesh: 

6. Ancient: The Satavahanas, the Ikshvakus, the Salankayanas, the Pallavas and the Vishnukundins- -Social and Economic Conditions- Religion, Language (Telugu), Literature, Art and Architecture- Jainism and Buddhism in Andhra.The Eastern Chalukyas, the Rashtrakutas, the Renati Cholas and others- Socio-Cultural life, Religion- Telugu Script and Language, Literature, Art and Architecture.

7. Medieval: Socio- Cultural and Religious Conditions in Andhradesa 1000 to 1565 A.D.- Antiquity, Origin and Growth Telugu Language and Literature (Kavitraya- Asthadiggajas)- Fine Arts, Art& Architecture during the reign of Kakatiyas, Reddis, Gajapatis and Vijayanagaras and their feudatories. Historical Monuments-Significance, Contribution of Qutubshahis to Andhra History and  Culture-Regional Literature- Praja Kavi -Vemana and others.
8. Modern: European Trade Establishments in Andhra- Andhra Under the Company RuleRole of Christian Missionaries- Socio-Cultural, Literary Awakening- C.P. Brown, Thamos Munro, Mackenzie-Zamindary, Polegary System- Native States and Little Kings. Role of Social Reformers- Gurajada Apparao, Kandukuri Veeresalingam, Raghupati Venkataratnam Naidu, Gidugu Ramamurthy, Annie Besant and others- Library Movement in Andhra Pradesh- Role of News Paper- Folk and Tribal Culture, Oral Traditions, Subaltern Culture, Role of women.
9. Nationalist Movement: Role of Andhra leaders- Justice Party, Non-Brahmin MovementNationalist and Revolutionary Literature- Gurram Jashva, Boyi Bheemanna, Sri Sri,  Garimella Satyanarayana, Rayaprolu Subbarao, Unnava Lakshminarayana, Tripuraneni Ramaswamy Choudhary and others. Andhra Mahasabhas, Andhra Movement- prominent leaders- Alluri Sitaramraju, Duggirala Gopalakrishnaiah, Konda Venkatappayya,Pattabhi Seetaramaiah, Ponaka Kanakamma, Dokka Sitamma- Grandhlaya Movement- Ayyanka Venkataratnam, Gadicherla Harisarvothamarao, Kasinanathuni Nagesvara Rao- Potti Sreeramulu Formation of Andhra State,1953- Emergence of Andhra Pradesh,1956- Andhra Pradesh 1956 to2014- Causes for Bifurcation, 2nd June 2014 Impact.
10. Andhra Pradesh: Bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and its impact on Administrative, Economic, Social, Political, Cultural and Legal Implications- Loss of Capital City, Building of New Capital and its financial Implications- Division of Employees and their Native Issues- Effect of Bifurcation on Trade& Commerce, Industry – Implication of Financial Resources of State Government. Developmental Opportunities- Socio-Economic, Cultural and Demographic impact of Bifurcation- Impact on River water sharing and other link issues- Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act.2014- the Arbitrariness of certain provisions.

C. Geography: India and Andhra Pradesh

10. Physical Features and Resources: India and Andhra Pradesh, Major land forms, Climatic changes, Soil types, Rivers, Water, Streams, Geology, Rocks, Mineral Resources, Metals, Clays, Construction Materials, Reservoirs, Dams —Forests, Mountains, Hills, Flora and fauna, Plateau Forests, Hill Forests, Vegetation Classification.
11. Economic Geography : Agriculture, Live stocks, Forestry, Fishery, Quarrying, Mining, House hold Manufacturing, Industries — Agro, Mineral, Forest, Fuel and man power, Trade and Commerce, Communication, Road Transport, Storage and others.
12. Social Geography: Population Movements and Distribution, Human Habitations, Density, Age, Sex, Rural, Urban, Race, Caste, Tribe, Religion, Linguistic, Urban Migration, Education Characteristics.
13. Fauna and Floral Geography: Wild Animals, Animals, Birds, Reptiles, Mammals, Trees and Plants and others.
14. Environmental Geography: Sustainable Development, Globalization, Temperature, Humidity, Cloudiness, Winds, Special Weather Phenomena, Natural Hazards — Earth Quakes, Land Slides, Floods, Cyclones, Cloud Burst, Disaster Management, Impact Assessment, Environmental Pollution, Pollution Management

PAPER III – POLITY, CONSTITUTION, GOVERNANCE, LAW AND ETHICS (DEGREE STANDARD) 

Marks — 150                                      Medium: English / Telugu                  Time- 180 Minutes

(A) Indian Polity and Constitution: 

1. Indian Constitution and its salient features – Functions and duties of the Indian Union and the State Governments.
2. Issues and challenges pertaining to the Federal structure — Role of Governor in States – Distribution of powers between the Union and States (Union list, State list and Concurrent list) — Issues and challenges.
3. Rural and Urban Local Governance under 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment – Constitutional Authorities and their Role.
4. Parliament and State Legislatures — structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
5. Judiciary in India — Structure and functions, important provisions relating to emergency and constitutional amendments, judicial review, Public Interest Litigation.

(B) Public Administration and Governance:

6. Meaning, Nature and Scope of Public Administration — Evolution in India —Administrative ideas in Kautilya’s Arthashastra; Mughal administration; Legacy of British rule.
7. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues and problems of implementation.
8. Development processes – the role of civil society, NGOs and other stakeholders –
9. Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial authorities – Role of Civil Services in Democracy.
10. Good governance and e-governance- Transparency, accountability and responsiveness in governance — Citizen’s Charter. RTI, Public Service Act and their implications, Concept of Social Audit and its importance.

(C). Ethics in Public Service and knowledge of law

11. Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and Consequences of Ethics in Human actions: dimensions of Ethics: Ethics in Private and Public relationships, Ethicsintegrity and Accountability in Public Service.
12. Human values: Understanding the Harmony in existence Human relationships in the society and in the Nature. Gender Equability in the relationships Role of family, society and Educational Institutions in imparting values to citizens, lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrations.
13. Attitude: Content, Functions, its influence and relation with thought and behaviour, Moral and Political attitudes, role of Social influence and persuasion. Emotional intelligenceConcepts and their utilities and application in Administration and Gov
14. Concept of Public Service, “Philosophical basis of Governance professional Ethics in the light of right understanding and Vision for Holistic Technologies, Codes of Ethics, codes of Conduct, RTI, Public Service Act, Leadership Ethics, Work culture, Ethical principles with in an Organizational content. – Ethical and moral values in governance, Ethical issues in international relations, corruption, Lokpal, Lokayukta
15. Basic Knowledge of Laws in India

Constitution of India: Nature and salient features – Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy – Bifurcation of powers between centre and state (state list, union list and concurrent list) – Powers of judiciary, executive and legislature.

Civil and Criminal laws: hierarchy of civil and criminal courts in India – difference between substantial and procedural laws – order and decree – new developments in criminal laws, Nirbhaya Act.

Labour Law: Concept of social welfare legislations in India, changing trends in employment and necessity for new labour laws.

Cyber Laws: Information Technology Act – Cyber Security and Cyber Crime – difficulties in determining competent jurisdiction of courts in case of cyber-crimes.

Tax Laws: Laws relating to income, Profits, Wealth Tax, Corporate Tax – GST

Paper — IV — ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA AND ANDHRA PRADESH (DEGREE STANDARD)

Marks — 150                          Medium: English/Telugu                          Time – 180 Minutes

1) Major Challenges of Indian Economy – Inconsistent growth rate, Low growth rates of agriculture and manufacturing sectors, inflation and oil prices, current account deficit and unfavorable balance of payments, falling rupee value, growing NPAs and capital infusion – money laundering and black money – Insufficient financial resources and deficiency of capital, Lack of Inclusive growth and Sustainable development – Nature, causes, consequences and solutions of these problems

2) Resource Mobilization in Indian Economy: Sources of financial resources for public and private sectors – budgetary resources – tax revenue and non-tax revenue – public debt : market borrowings, loans and grants etc., external debt from multilateral agencies – foreign institutional investment and foreign direct investment – desirability and consequences of utilizing different sources – Monetary and fiscal policies – financial markets and institutions of developmental finance – investment in industries and infrastructure projects – Physical resources – Energy resources

3) Resource mobilization in Andhra Pradesh – Budgetary resources and constraints – Fulfillment of the conditions of A.P Bifurcation Act – central assistance and issues of conflict – public debt and projects of external assistance – Physical resources – Mineral and forest resources – Water disputes with neighboring states

4) Government Budgeting: Structure of Government budget and its components –Budgeting process and recent changes – of – Types of budget – types of deficits, their impact and management – Highlights of current year’s union budget and its analysis -GST and related issues – Central assistance to states – Issues of federal finance in India – Recommendations of the latest finance commission

5) Government budgeting in Andhra Pradesh – Budget constraints – Central assistance and issues of conflict after bifurcation of the state – management of deficits – – Highlights and Analysis of the current year budget – State finance commission and local finance in Andhra Pradesh

6) Inclusive Growth: Meaning of inclusion – Causes of exclusion in India – Strategies for and instruments of inclusion : Poverty alleviation and employment , Health and Education, women empowerment, social welfare schemes – Food Security and Public Distribution System – sustainable agriculture – Integrated Rural development -regional diversification – Public and partnership for inclusive growth – Financial inclusion All Andhra Pradesh government’s current schemes for inclusive growth and financial inclusion – Public Distribution system and DWCRA

7) Agricultural Development: Role of agriculture in economic development – Contribution of to GDP– Issues of finance, production, marketing – green revolution and changing focus to dryland farming, organic farming and sustainable agriculture – minimum support prices – agriculture policy – Swaminathan commission – Rainbow revolution

8) Agriculture Development in Andhra Pradesh: Contribution to SGDP-Regional disparities in irrigation and agricultural development -changing cropping pattern – focus on horticulture and fisheries and dairying – Government schemes to promote agriculture in Andhra Pradesh

9) Industrial Development and Policy : Role of industrial sector in economic development – Evolution of industrial policy since independence – Industrial Policy, 1991and its impact on Indian economy – Contribution of Public Sector to industrial development in India – impact of liberalization and privatization and globalization on industrial development – Disinvestment and privatization – – Problems of core industries -Micro, small and medium enterprises, their problems and policy – industrial sickness and support mechanism – Manufacturing policy – Make-in India – Start up programme – NIMZs- SEZs, industrial corridors –

10) Industrial Policy of the AP Government – Incentives to industries – Industrial corridors in and SEZs in Andhra Pradesh – Bottlenecks for industrial development – Power project

11) Infrastructure in India: Transport infrastructure : Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways – Major projects of transport infrastructure in India – Communication infrastructure – Information Technology –e-governance – Digital India – Energy and Power – Urban infrastructure – smart cities – urban environment – solid waste management – Weather forecast and disaster management – Issues of finance, ownership, operation and maintenance of all kinds of infrastructure – Public-private partnership and related issues – Pricing of public utilities and government policy – environmental impacts of infrastructure projects

12) Infrastructure Development in Andhra Pradesh – Transport , Energy and ICT infrastructure – Bottlenecks – Government policy – Ongoing projects.

Paper – V SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DEGREE STANDARD)

1. Integration of Science, Technology and Innovation for better human life; Science & Technology in everyday life; National Policies on proliferation of Science, Technology and Innovation; India’s contribution in the field of Science and Technology. Concerns and challenges in the proliferation and use of science and technology; Role and Scope of Science and Technology in nation building. Major Scientific institutes for Science and technology in AP and India. Major Scientific Institutes for Research and Development in AP and India. Achievements of Indian Scientist in the field of Science and Technology-Indigenous technologies and developing new technologies.
2. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) – its importance, advantages and challenges; E-governance and India; Cyber Crime and policies to address security concerns. Government of India Policy on Information Technology (IT). IT Development in AP and India.
3. Indian Space Programme – Past, Present and Future; Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) — it’s activities and achievements; Satellite Programmes of India and Use of Satellites in different fields like Health, Education, Communication Technology, Weather forecasting affecting human lives; Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
4. Indian’s energy needs, efficiency and resources; Clean energy resources; Energy policy of India – Government Policies and Programmes. Conventional and NonConventional energy resources. Energy demands, Indian Energy Sciences, Conventional energy powers, Tharmal, renewable energy resources, Solar, wind, Bio and wasted based, energy policies Geotharmal and Tidel Sources, energy Policies in India, energy security. Salient features of Nuclear Policy of India; Development of Nuclear programmes in India, Nuclear Policies at the International level and India’s stand on them.

5. Development Vs. Nature / Environment; Depletion of Natural Resources- Metals, Minerals — Conservation Policy. Environmental Pollution Natural and Anthropogenic and Environmental degradation. Sustainable Development — possibilities and challenges; Climate Change and Its effect on the world; Climate justice — a global phenomenon; Environment Impact Assessment, Natural Disasters — Cyclones, Earth Quakes, Landslides & Tsunamis — Prediction Management. Correlation between Health & Environment, Social Forestry, Afforestation and deforestation, Mining in AP and India. Types of Natural resources- renewable and Nonrenewable. Forest resources. Fishery resources. Fossil Fuels- Coal, Petroleum and Natural Gas. Mineral resources. Water resources — Types, Water shed management. Land resources — types of soils and soil reclamation.
6. Environmental pollution and Solid waste management: Sources, impacts and control of – air pollution, water pollution and soil pollution. Noise pollution Solid waste management – Types of solid waste, impacts of solid waste, recycling and reuse. Remedial measures for Soil erosion and Costal erosion. Global Environmental issues and role of information Technology in Environment and Human Health, Ozone layer depletion, Acid rain, Global Warming and its impacts.
7. Environmental legislation: International Law, Montreal protocol, Kyoto protocol, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate change, CITES. The Environment (Protection) act 1986, Forest conservation Act, Wildlife protection act. Biodiversity Bill of India – cop 21 – Sustainable Development Goals – National Disaster Management Pollicy, 2016 of India and Disaster management initiatives in India. White Revolution, Green Revolution, and Green Pharmacy.
8. Nature, Scope and Applications of Biotechnology and Nanotechnology in India; Ethical, Social and Legal concerns, Government policies; Genetic engineering, issues related to it and its impact on human life. Bio – diversity, fermentation, Immuno – diagnosis techniques.
9. Human diseases-microbial infections. Common infections and preventive measures. Introduction to bacterial, viral, protozoal and fungal infections. Basic knowledge of infections-diarrhoea, dysentry, cholera, tuberculosis, malaria, viral infections like HIV, Encephalitis, Chikungunya, bird flu-preventive measures during out breaks. Introduction to Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. Basic concepts of genetic engineering. Tissue culture methods and applications. Biotechnology in agriculture- Bio-pesticides, Bio-fertilizers, Bio-fuels, genetically modified crops. Animal husbandry- transgenic animals. Vaccines: Introduction to immunity, Fundamental concepts in vaccination, Production of Modern Vaccines (production of Hepatitis vaccine) Issues related to Intellectual Property Rights in the field of Science and Technology. Promotion of Science in AP and India.