UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination Syllabus GS Paper 1

  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, Biodiversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization
  7. General Science.

Micro Decode syllabus: Current Events of National and International Importance

  • Major government initiatives and schemes
  • Major bills passed in Parliament in recent sessions
  • Economic survey and Budget highlights
  • India’s rankings in global indexes
  • International organizations and summits
  • Recent constitutional amendments
  • Key Supreme Court and High Court judgments
  • Important National and International appointments
  • Major Awards (Noble, Padma etc)
  • Major Sports events and Indian achievements
  • Major International conflicts and peace agreements
  • India’s Bilateral and multilateral agreements
  • India’s Foreign policy developments
  • Important National and International Reports
  • Environmental disasters
  • Major Technological developments
  • Important national and International reports
  • Places and countries in news due to Civil wars, Military conflicts or economic crisis
  • Ethnic groups/racial groups in news due to various reasons

Micro Decode syllabus: History of India and Indian National Movement

Ancient India

  • Pre-historic India: Key sites, Economy and Culture, Characteristic tools associated with key sites and period.
  • Indus Valley Civilization: Sites, Features, Art forms, Urbanization, Economy, Comparison with other cultures/Civilizations, Crafts, Important findings, Historians associated with the period.
  • Vedic Culture: Settlements, Expansion, Vedic vs later vedic phase, Religion and Society, Economy, Transition from Pastoralism to Agriculture
  • Mahajanpadas and Second Urbanisation : Political developments, Geographical extent, Urban centres, Economy, Culture,
  • Jainism and Buddhism: Foundation, Teachings, Sects, Events
  • Mauryan Empire: Administration, Dhamma, Ashoka’s Edicts, Historians and archeologists associated with the period, Art and architecture.
  • Post-Mauryan Kingdoms: Shungas, Satvahanas, Kushanas, Sakas (Scythians), Parthians (Pahlavas), Indo-Greeks, Culture and society, Land grants, Trade routes, Religious changes, Art and architecture.
  • Sangam Age: Literature, Polity, Society and culture, Cholas, Cheras, pandyas
  • Gupta Period: Political events, Administration,
  • Harshavardhana : Political events, Religion, society and culture
  • Expansion of Civilization in Eastern India: Kalingas (Kharvela), Assam (Kamarupa)
  • Pre-medieval history:
  • Gurjara-Pratiharas : Important rulers, Tripartite Struggle with Rashtrakutas and Pala
  • Palas of Bengal: Important rulers, Tripartite Struggle with Rashtrakutas and Pratiharas
  • Rashtrakutas : Important rulers , Rock-cut architecture
  • Chauhans (Chahmanas)
  • Chandellas : Important rulers, Temple architecture
  • Paramaras
  • Gahadvalas
  • Southern India: Cholas, Later Chalukyas, Hoysalas
  • Cholas: Important rulers, Naval expeditions, Administration, Local governance system, Art and architecture
  • Later chalukyas : Important rulers, Political conflicts
  • Hoysalas : Important rulers, Belur and Halebidu Temples
  • Arab and Early Turkish Invasions:
  • Muhammad bin Qasim : Conquest of Sindh
  • Mahmud of Ghazni
  • Muhammad Ghori : Battles and Foundation of Sultnate
  • Cultural developments
  • Bhakti movements origin
  • Tantrism
  • Social and Economic changes:
  • Caste system: Rigidity and emergence of sub-castes
  • Feudalism: Political and Economic fragmentation
  • Women’s status
  • Agriculture: Role of Iron, crops, irrigation systems
  • Trade: Trade routes, Guild systems (Shrenis)
  • Crafts: Textiles, Metallurgy
  • Art and architecture:
  • Cave architecture
  • Evolution of Temple architecture
  • Sculpture
  • Paintings
  • Administrative systems:
  • Revenue administration: Important departments, terms, Land grant system
  • Justice : Texts, terms, customs
  • Developments in Science and Technology : Astronomy, Mathematics, Metallurgy and Textiles.
  • Literature :
  • Sanskrit Literature
  • Pali literature
  • Prakrit literature
  • Important texts and associated authors
  • Regional literature : Tamil, Telugu and kannada
  • Schools of philosophy
  • Education : Important Institutions, themes
  • Terminologies : Administration, Political, Economic, Religious and Cultural etc.

Medieval India

  • Delhi sultanate:
  • Slave/Mamluk synasty :
  1. Foundation and consolidation
  2. Important rulers
  3. Administrative Reforms
  • Khalji dynasty :
  1. Important rulers
  2. Alaud-din Khalji : Market reforms, Deccan campaigns, Military initiatives, Mangols invasions
  • Tuglaq dynasty:
  1. Important rulers
  2. Muhammad Bin Tuglaq : Capital transfer, Currency initiative
  3. Firoz shah Tuglaq : Agriculture initiatives, Public works
  • Sayyid dynasty
  • Lodhi Dynasty :
  1. Important rulers
  2. Afghan nobility
  3. Battle of Panipat
  • Mughal Empire:
  • Foundation : Battle of Panipat, Khanwa and Chanderi
  • Akbar : Expansion of empire, Administrative reforms, Rajput policy, Cultural Synthesis
  • Jahangir : Justice chain , Nur jahan’s influence, Paintings
  • Shahjahan : Political campaigns, Architecture
  • Aurangzeb : Deccan expedition, Religious policy, Agriculture crisis
  • Regional Kingdoms
  • Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646): Economy, Taxation system, Socio-cultural landscape
  • Bahmani Sultanate and Deccan Sultanates
  • Regional Powers: Bengal, Gujarat, Malwa sultanates
  • Maratha empire: Shiva ji, Peshva period
  • Later Mughals
  • Art and Culture
  • Construction materials
  • Fusion of different styles
  • Architecture: Synthesis (Indo-Islamic)
  • Music: Hindustani classical (Amir Khusro)
  • Paintings
  • Spread of Bhakti movement
  • Sufi movements
  • Economic developments:
  • New crops
  • Irrigation system
  • Trade
  • Industry: Textiles, Ship building, Metalwork
  • Administrative systems:
  • Delhi sultanate administration: Central, Provincial, Military, Land revenue, Iqta system,Tax systems
  • Mughal Administration: Central administration, Provincial administration, Mansabdari system, Zabti, Dahsala and Batai systems of land revenue systems
  • Regional: Vijayanagara and Bahmani, Maratha administration (Asta Pradhan)
  • Literature:
  • Persian: Court language, Historical texts
  • Evolution of new language literature: Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Braj bhasha

Modern India

  • Advent of Europeans (1498-1757)
  • Portuguese: Vasco da Gama, Estado da India, decline
  • Dutch: VOC, trade factories, conflicts with Portuguese
  • English: East India Company (1600), early trade settlements
  • French: French East India Company, Pondicherry
  • Anglo-French Rivalry: Carnatic Wars, Battle of Plassey (1757)
  • Establishment of British Rule (1757-1857)
  • Bengal: Plassey (1757), Buxar (1764), Dual Government
  • Mysore Wars: Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan
  • Maratha Wars: Subsidiary Alliance, Doctrine of Lapse
  • Anglo-Sikh Wars: Annexation of Punjab
  • Administrative Changes: Regulating Act 1773, Pitt's India Act 1784
  • Social Reforms: Sati abolition, Widow remarriage, education
  • Socio-Religious Reform Movements (19th Century)
  • Bengal: Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Brahmo Samaj, Young Bengal
  • Western India: Prarthana Samaj, Arya Samaj (Dayananda Saraswati)
  • South India: Ramakrishna Mission, Theosophical Society
  • Muslim Reforms: Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Aligarh Movement

Indian National Movement

  • Rise of Indian Nationalism (1885-1905)
  • Indian National Congress: Formation (1885), Moderate Phase
  • Early Leaders: Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Surendranath Banerjee
  • Economic Critique: Drain Theory, Deindustrialization
  • Press and Associations: Vernacular Press Act, political associations
  • Extremist Phase & Swadeshi Movement (1905-1919)
  • Partition of Bengal (1905): Causes, consequences, annulment (1911)
  • Extremist Leaders: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal
  • Revolutionary Activities: Secret societies, individual terrorism
  • World War I: India's participation, economic impact
  • Gandhian Era (1919-1947)
  • Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22): Causes, course, suspension
  • Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34): Salt March, Round Table Conferences
  • Quit India Movement (1942): Do or Die, mass participation
  • Other Movements: Khilafat, Peasant movements, Labor movements
  • Constitutional Developments
  • Regulating act, 1773 to Government of India Act, 1935
  • Round Table Conferences (1930-32): Gandhi's participation
  • Cabinet Mission Plan (1946): Grouping scheme, interim government
  • Indian Independence Act (1947): Partition, two dominions

Micro Decode syllabus: Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World

  • Universe and Solar System
  • Origin of Universe: Big Bang Theory, expanding universe
  • Solar System: Formation, planets, characteristics
  • Earth's Origin: Nebular hypothesis, planet formation
  • Moon: Phases, tides, lunar calendar
  • Sun: Solar radiation, sunspots, solar wind
  • Interior Structure of Earth
  • Earth's Layers: Crust, mantle, core (inner/outer)
  • Continental Drift Theory: Wegener's theory, evidence
  • Plate Tectonics: Types of plates, boundaries, movement
  • Earthquakes: Causes, types, measurement (Richter scale)
  • Volcanoes: Types, distribution, volcanic landforms
  • Geomorphology (Landforms)
  • Weathering: Physical, chemical, biological processes
  • Erosion and Deposition: Agents (water, wind, ice, glaciers)
  • River Landforms: V-valleys, waterfalls, meanders, deltas
  • Coastal Landforms: Cliffs, beaches, spits, lagoons
  • Glacial Landforms: Moraines, cirques, fjords
  • Desert Landforms: Sand dunes, oasis, pediments
  • Karst Topography: Limestone regions, caves, sinkholes
  • Climatology
  • Atmosphere Structure: Troposphere, stratosphere, etc.
  • Weather vs Climate: Definitions and differences
  • Temperature Distribution: Factors, isotherms
  • Pressure Systems: High/low pressure, pressure belts
  • Wind Systems: Trade winds, westerlies, monsoons
  • Precipitation: Types, orographic/convectional rainfall
  • Climate Classification: Köppen's classification
  • Oceanography
  • Ocean Relief: Continental shelf, slope, abyssal plains
  • Ocean Temperature: Distribution, thermoclines
  • Ocean Currents: Warm/cold currents, causes, effects
  • Tides: Causes, types, tidal range
  • Ocean Resources: Fishing, minerals, energy
  • Population Geography
  • Population Distribution: Factors affecting distribution
  • Population Density: Arithmetic, physiological density
  • Population Growth: Demographic transition model
  • Population Composition: Age-sex pyramid, dependency ratio
  • Migration: Types, causes, consequences
  • Urbanization: Urban growth, problems, solutions
  • Settlements
  • Rural Settlements: Types, patterns, factors
  • Urban Settlements: Classification, hierarchy
  • Urban Morphology: CBD, residential zones
  • Smart Cities: Concept, features, examples
  • Sustainable Development: Urban planning concepts
  • Economic Geography
  • Agriculture: Types, factors, Green Revolution
  • Industries: Classification, location factors, industrial regions
  • Services: Tertiary, quaternary sectors
  • Transport: Modes, networks, connectivity
  • Trade: International trade patterns, ports
  • Cultural Geography
  • Languages: Distribution, language families
  • Religions: Major religions, distribution
  • Cultural Regions: Folk culture vs popular culture
  • Cultural Diffusion: Spread of ideas, innovations
  • Physical Features of India
  • Location: Latitudinal/longitudinal extent, neighboring countries
  • Physiographic Divisions
  1. Himalayas: Formation, divisions, passes
  2. Northern Plains: Formation, divisions (Punjab, Ganga, Brahmaputra)
  3. Peninsular Plateau: Deccan Plateau, Western/Eastern Ghats
  4. Coastal Plains: Western (Konkan, Malabar) and Eastern (Coromandel)
  5. Islands: Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep
  • Drainage System of India
  • Major Rivers:
  1. Himalayan Rivers: Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus systems
  2. Peninsular Rivers: Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Narmada, Tapi
  • River Characteristics: Perennial vs seasonal, drainage patterns
  • Water Disputes: Interstate water sharing issues
  • River Linking Project: Ken-Betwa, other projects
  • Climate of India
  • Monsoon System: Southwest, northeast monsoons
  • Seasons: Winter, summer, monsoon, post-monsoon
  • Rainfall Distribution: Isohyets, rainfall regions
  • Climate Controls: Latitude, altitude, distance from sea
  • Climate Change Impact: On monsoons, agriculture
  • Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
  • Forest Types: Tropical evergreen, deciduous, thorny, montane
  • Forest Distribution: State-wise, ecological significance
  • Wildlife: National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves
  • Conservation: Project Tiger, Project Elephant, biodiversity hotspots
  • Forest Policy: National Forest Policy, Joint Forest Management
  • Natural Resources
  • Mineral Resources:
  1. Energy Minerals: Coal (types, distribution), petroleum, natural gas
  2. Metallic Minerals: Iron ore, bauxite, copper, manganese
  3. Non-metallic: Limestone, mica, gypsum
  • Water Resources: Availability, usage, conservation
  • Land Resources: Land use pattern, soil types, degradation
  • Agriculture in India
  • Cropping Patterns: Kharif, Rabi, Zaid crops
  • Major Crops: Rice, wheat, cotton, sugarcane, jute
  • Agricultural Regions: Crop concentration areas
  • Green Revolution: Impact, limitations, future prospects
  • Agricultural Problems: Fragmentation, productivity, marketing
  • Industries in India
  • Industrial Development: Pre-independence vs post-independence
  • Major Industries:
  1. Iron & Steel: TISCO, SAIL, location factors
  2. Textiles: Cotton, silk, synthetic textiles
  3. Petrochemicals: Refineries, petrochemical complexes
  4. Information Technology: Software parks, IT hubs
  5. Industrial Regions: Traditional vs modern industrial areas
  6. Industrial Policy: Liberalization, Make in India
  • Transport in India
  • Railways: Network, types, major projects
  • Roadways: National highways, expressways, rural roads
  • Airways: Major airports, air cargo, connectivity
  • Waterways: Inland waterways, major ports
  • Pipelines: Oil, gas pipeline networks

Micro Decode syllabus: Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

  • Historical Underpinnings of the Indian Constitution
  • Regulating Act of 1773 to Indian Independence Act of 1947.
  • Making of Constitution: Constituent Assembly: Composition, Working, Committees.
  • Salient Features of the Indian Constitution
  • Preamble
  • Text, Meaning, amendments and Significance.
  • Union and its Territory (Articles 1-4)
  • Formation of States, Reorganization of States.
  • Power of Parliament to reorganize states.
  • Citizenship (Articles 5-11)
  • Fundamental Rights (Articles 12-35)
  • Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) (Articles 36-51)
  • Classification: Socialist, Gandhian, Liberal-Intellectual.
  • Difference between FRs and DPSP.
  • Enforcement of DPSP.
  • Amendments
  • Conflict and Harmony with FRs
  • Fundamental Duties (Article 51A)
  • 42nd Amendment (1976) and 86th Amendment (2002).
  • Structure of Government
  • The Union Executive
  1. The President: Election, Qualifications, Impeachment, Powers (Executive, Legislative, Financial, Judicial, Emergency), Veto Power, Ordinance Making Power.
  2. The Vice-President: Election, Functions as Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
  3. The Prime Minister & Council of Ministers: Appointment, Powers, Relationship with President, Collective Responsibility.
  4. Central Council of Ministers: Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, Deputy Ministers.
  • The Union Legislature (Parliament)
  1. Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha: Composition, Powers, Functions, Special Powers of each House.
  2. Speakers & Chairman: Powers and Roles.
  3. Parliamentary Proceedings: Sessions, Motions (No-Confidence, Censure, Adjournment), Devices of Parliamentary Control (Question Hour, Zero Hour).
  4. Legislative Process: Ordinary Bills, Money Bills (Difference, Process).
  5. Parliamentary Committees: Standing Committees, Financial Committees (PAC, Estimates, COPU).
  • The State Executive
  1. The Governor: Appointment, Powers, Role, Controversies (e.g., use of discretion).
  2. The Chief Minister & Council of Ministers.
  • State Legislature: Unicameral/Bicameral, Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council
  • The Judiciary
  1. Supreme Court: Composition, Appointment of Judges (Collegium System vs. NJAC), Jurisdiction (Original, Appellate, Advisory), Powers.
  2. High Courts: Composition, Jurisdiction, Powers.
  3. Subordinate Courts.
  • Constitutional Bodies
  1. Election Commission of India: Composition, Powers, Role.
  2. Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG): Role, Independence.
  3. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) & State PSCs: Composition, Functions.
  4. Finance Commission: Composition, Functions, Terms of Reference.
  5. National Commission for SCs, STs, BCs.
  6. Attorney General of India & Advocate General of States.
  • Non-Constitutional/Statutory Bodies
  1. NITI Aayog: Composition, Functions (vs. Planning Commission).
  2. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), State HRCs.
  3. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Lokpal & Lokayuktas.
  4. Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), National Investigation Agency (NIA).
  5. Recent Bodies: GST Council, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
  • Emergency Provisions (Articles 352-360)
  • National Emergency (Article 352): Grounds, Effects, Revocation, Amendments (44th Amendment).
  • President's Rule/State Emergency (Article 356): Grounds, Effects, Judicial Review (S.R. Bommai Case).
  • Financial Emergency (Article 360).
  • Centre-State Relations
  • Legislative Relations: Union List, State List, Concurrent List, Doctrine of Pith and Substance, Parliamentary legislation in state field.
  • Administrative Relations.
  • Financial Relations: Allocation of resources, Finance Commission, GST Council.
  • Inter-State Councils, Zonal Councils.
  • Special Provisions for Some States: Article 370 (Abrogation and ne arrangements) & 371 (A-J).
  • Panchayati Raj & Municipalities
  • 73rd & 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts.
  • Three-Tier System: Composition, Powers, Functions, Reservations.
  • State Election Commission, Finance Commission.
  • Schemes and policies related to Local Governance.
  • Constitutional Amendments
  • Procedure for Amendment (Article 368).
  • Important Amendments
  • Tribunals: Administrative Tribunals.
  • Rights & Vulnerable Sections: Scheduled Areas, Fifth & Sixth Schedules, Welfare Schemes for SCs, STs, Women, Children, Minorities.
  • Recent Government Schemes & Policies.
  • Important Supreme Court & High Court Judgments
  • Reports by CAG, Finance Commission, NHRC, etc.
  • Bills and Acts passed by Parliament.
  • Issues in News: Technology and constitution

Micro Decode syllabus: Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.

  • Basic Macro economy Concepts
    • National Income Accounting: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - Nominal vs. Real, GNP, NNP, Per Capita Income. Methods of calculating GDP (Production, Income, Expenditure).
    • Money & Banking: Money Supply (M0, M1, M2, M3), Functions of RBI and Commercial Banks. Monetary Policy (Repo Rate, Reverse Repo Rate, CRR, SLR), Inflation Targeting.
    • Fiscal Policy: Government Budget (Revenue vs. Capital Account), Deficits (Fiscal, Revenue, Primary), Public Debt, FRBM Act.
    • Inflation: Types, Causes, and Measurement (Wholesale Price Index - WPI, Consumer Price Index - CPI).
    • Economic Growth vs. Economic Development
      1. Difference between quantitative growth and qualitative development.
      2. Human Development Index (HDI): Dimensions (Health, Education, Standard of Living). India's rank and performance (latest UNDP reports).
      3. Other Indices: Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI), Gender Inequality Index (GII).
  • Social Issues, Inclusion, and Demographics
    • Poverty and Inequality
    1. Poverty: Definitions (Absolute vs. Relative Poverty). Poverty Lines in India (Tendulkar Committee, Rangarajan Committee). Causes, characteristics, and trends.
    2. Inequality: Income and Wealth Inequality. Measurement (Lorenz Curve, Gini Coefficient). Causes and consequences of rising inequality in India.
  • Demographics
    1. Population Census: Key findings and trends from the 2011 Census.
    2. Demographic Dividend: Concept, opportunities, and challenges for India.
    3. Key Terms: Population Pyramid, Dependency Ratio, Sex Ratio, Literacy Rate.
    4. National Population Policy, 2000.
  • Social Sector Initiatives
      1. Health: National Health Mission (NHM), Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY & Health & Wellness Centres), National Digital Health Mission (NDHM). Key indicators: Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), Life Expectancy.
      2. Education: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Samagra Shiksha, National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Mid-Day Meal Scheme. Key indicators: Gross Enrolment Ratio, Drop-out Rate.
      3. Employment & Skill Development: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), National Career Service (NCS) Portal.
      4. Women & Child Development: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, POSHAN Abhiyan, Mission Vatsalya, Sakhi Niwas (One Stop Centres).
      5. Rural Development: Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - NRLM (DAY-NRLM), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G).
      6. Urban Development: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban (PMAY-U), AMRUT, Smart Cities Mission.
      7. Financial Inclusion: Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Stand-Up India.
  • Key Sectors of the Economy
    • Agriculture and Related Sectors
    1. Importance and challenges (e.g., low productivity, fragmentation of landholdings).
    2. Key Concepts: Minimum Support Price (MSP), Public Procurement & Buffer Stocks, Food Subsidy, Issue of Farmer's Income.
    3. Government Schemes: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) for organic farming, e-NAM (National Agricultural Market).
  • Industry and Infrastructure
    1. Industrial Policies: Industrial Policy Resolution 1956, New Industrial Policy 1991 (LPG Reforms).
    2. Infrastructure: Importance of Roads, Railways, Ports, Airways, and Digital Infrastructure.
    3. Government Initiatives: Make in India, Start-up India, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes, National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), Gati Shakti Master Plan.
  • Services Sector
      1. IT & ITES: Role in the Indian economy.
      2. Tourism: Potential and government initiatives.
  • Sustainable Development
    • Concept: Definition, Pillars (Economic, Social, Environmental).
    • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 17 Goals and their targets. India's progress and performance (tracked via NITI Aayog's SDG India Index).
    • Environmental Sustainability: Climate Change, India's pledges at COP (Nationally Determined Contributions - NDCs), National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), Green India Mission.
  • Government Finances and Planning
    • Taxation: Direct vs. Indirect Taxes. GST (Goods and Services Tax) - Structure, Council, Benefits. Important amendments (101st Constitutional Amendment Act).
    • Subsidies: Types (food, fertilizer, fuel), Issues (leakages, mis-targeting), and Reforms (Direct Benefit Transfer - DBT).
    • Planning in India: Transition from Five-Year Plans (Planning Commission) to the current system (NITI Aayog).
  • External Sector
    • Balance of Payments (BoP): Current Account, Capital Account.
    • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) vs. Foreign Institutional Investment (FII).
    • Foreign Exchange Reserves.
    • International Organizations: India and the World Trade Organization (WTO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank.
  • Sundry/Miscellaneous Topics
    • Cooperatives: Constitutional 97th Amendment Act, Ministry of Cooperation.
    • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
    • Social Audit.
  • Current themes and linkages to look for
    • Economic Survey & Union Budget: Read the highlights, especially the chapters on social sectors, and key policy announcements.
    • Reports: World Economic Outlook (IMF), World Development Report (World Bank), key data from Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), NITI Aayog reports (e.g., on SDGs, MPI).
    • Recent Government Schemes/Policies: Focus on new launches or significant modifications to existing schemes.
    • Important Committees and their recommendations.

Micro Decode syllabus: General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate change

  • Core Environmental Ecology Concepts
  • Ecology:
  1. Basics of Ecosystem: Structure (Biotic & Abiotic components), Functions.
  2. Energy Flow: Food Chains, Food Webs, Ecological Pyramids (of number, biomass, energy).
  3. Nutrient Cycling: Biogeochemical Cycles - Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Water. Understand the reservoirs, processes, and human impacts on these cycles.
  • Environment:
  1. Principles of Ecology: Habitat, Niche, Symbiosis, Biotic Interactions (Predation, Competition, Parasitism, Mutualism).
  2. Population and Community Ecology: Characteristics, Growth Models.
  3. Ecological Succession: Process, Types (Primary & Secondary), Pioneer species, Climax community.
  • Biodiversity and Its Conservation
  • Levels of Biodiversity: Genetic, Species, and Ecosystem diversity.
  • Patterns of Biodiversity: Latitudinal and Altitudinal gradients.
  • India's Biodiversity:
  1. Biogeographic Zones of India: (e.g., Trans-Himalayan, Himalayan, Desert, Semi-Arid, Western Ghats, Deccan Plateau, Gangetic Plain, North-East, Coastal, Islands).
  2. Biodiversity Hotspots: Definition, criteria. Hotspots in India - Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats & Sri Lanka, Sundaland.
  3. Species Classification & Conservation: IUCN Red List Categories (Extinct, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, etc.).
  4. Important Species: Critically Endangered Species of India (e.g., Great Indian Bustard, Bengal Florican, Hangul, River Dolphin). Endemic and Keystone species.
  • Protected Area Networks: National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, Community Reserves. Tiger Reserves & Project Tiger. Elephant Reserves & Project Elephant.
  • Biosphere Reserves: Structure (Core, Buffer, Transition), UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme.
  • International Conventions & Agreements:
  1. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) - Aichi Targets, Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
  2. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).
  3. CMS (Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species).
  4. RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands.
  • Legal and institutional Efforts:
  1. Wildlife Protection Act, 197: Schedules, key provisions.
  2. Biological Diversity Act, 2002: National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs).
  3. Animal Welfare Boards.
  4. Captive Breeding, Seed Banks, Gene Banks.
  • Environmental Pollution and Degradation
  • Types of Pollution:
  1. Air Pollution: Pollutants (SPM, PM2.5, PM10), causes (vehicular, industrial), effects (Smog, Acid Rain), initiatives (National Clean Air Programme - NCAP).
  2. Water Pollution: Causes (industrial effluents, sewage), Eutrophication, Water borne diseases. Initiatives (Namami Gange, National River Conservation Plan).
  3. Soil Pollution: Causes (pesticides, fertilizers, industrial waste), Soil erosion, Desertification.
  4. Noise Pollution: Sources, impacts, regulations.
  • Waste Management:
  1. Solid Waste: Rules, concepts of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Legacy waste, Plastic Waste Management Rules, E-Waste Management.
  2. Biomedical Waste Management Rules.
  3. Hazardous Waste Management.
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA):
  1. Process, stages, public hearing.
  2. EIA Notification, 2006 and subsequent amendments.
  • Major Environmental Movements: Chipko Movement, Silent Valley Movement, Narmada Bachao Andolan, Appiko Movement.
  • Climate Change
  • Concepts
  1. Greenhouse Effect: Natural vs. Enhanced Greenhouse Effect.
  2. Greenhouse Gases (GHGs): CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, etc., and their Global Warming Potential (GWP).
  • Global Response & Governance:
  1. UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change): Principles (Common but Differentiated Responsibilities - CBDR).
  2. Kyoto Protocol: Mechanisms (Clean Development Mechanism - CDM, Joint Implementation, Emissions Trading).
  3. Paris Agreement: Key goals (limit warming to 1.5-2°C), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Long-Term Strategies, Global Stocktake.
  4. COPs (Conference of Parties): Key outcomes from recent and most important COPs.
  • India's Response to Climate Change:
  1. National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Its 8 core missions (e.g., National Solar Mission, National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Mission on Sustainable Habitat).
  2. India's NDCs: Panchamrit goals (e.g., non-fossil energy capacity, carbon intensity reduction).
  3. Other Initiatives: International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), LiFE Movement (Lifestyle for Environment).
  • Institutions:
  1. IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change): Its assessment reports (AR6 is the latest).
  2. Global Climate Funds: Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund.
  • Acts, Policies, and International Conventions
  • Environmental Laws in India:
  1. Environment Protection Act, 1986.
  2. Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
  3. Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
  4. Forest Rights Act, 2006.
  5. Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
  6. Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification.
  • International Conventions
  1. Vienna Convention & Montreal Protocol.
  2. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
  3. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
  • Organizations & Institutions:
  1. In India: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), Forest Survey of India (FSI), Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
  2. Global: IUCN, WWF, TRAFFIC, UNEP.

Key Themes for Current Affairs Integration

  • New Species Discoveries in India.
  • Human-Animal Conflict (e.g., Elephants, Leopards).
  • New Reports: IPCC Reports, IUCN Red List Updates, FSI India State of Forest Report (ISFR), WWF Living Planet Report.
  • New Rules/Amendments: EIA, Plastic Waste, Wetland Rules.
  • Climate Change Impacts: Extreme weather events (cyclones, floods, heatwaves), Glacial melt (e.g., Himalayan glaciers), Sea-level rise.
  • Renewable Energy: Solar, Wind, Green Hydrogen, related government initiatives.
  • Conservation Projects/Status: Cheetah Reintroduction Project, Lion Census, Tiger Census.

Micro Decode syllabus: General Science

Biology

  • Basics of Life:
  • Cell Biology: Structure of Plant and Animal Cell, Cell Organelles and their functions (Mitochondria, Nucleus, Ribosomes, etc.), Cell Division (Mitosis & Meiosis).
  • Biomolecules: Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, Enzymes, Vitamins and their deficiencies, Minerals.
  • Human Physiology:
  • Digestive System: Organs, enzymes, process of digestion, common disorders.
  • Respiratory System: Process of breathing, exchange of gases, common diseases (Asthma, COPD).
  • Circulatory System: Blood components (RBC, WBC, Platelets), Blood Groups, Heart structure, Blood Pressure, Common diseases (Hypertension, Atherosclerosis).
  • Nervous System: Brain parts (Cerebrum, Cerebellum, Medulla) and their functions, Spinal Cord, Neurons, Reflex Action.
  • Excretory System: Kidneys (structure and function), Nephron, Dialysis.
  • Skeletal & Muscular System: Basics of bones and joints, types of muscles.
  • Endocrine System: Major glands (Pituitary, Thyroid, Pancreas, Adrenals) and the hormones they secrete (Insulin, Thyroxine, Adrenaline) and related disorders (Diabetes, Goitre).
  • Reproductive System: Basics of human reproduction.
  • Diseases and Defense Mechanisms:
  • Types of Diseases: Infectious vs. Non-Infectious, Congenital vs. Acquired.
  • Microbes: Viruses, Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa. Difference between them.
  • Common Diseases: Causative agents, symptoms, and prevention of diseases like Malaria, Dengue, Tuberculosis, COVID-19, AIDS, etc.
  • Immunity: Innate and Acquired Immunity (Active vs. Passive). Vaccines and how they work. Mission Indradhanush.
  • Health Programs: National Health Mission, Ayushman Bharat, Eradication programmes for TB, Leprosy, etc.
  • Plant Science
  • Photosynthesis: Process, raw materials, products, factors affecting it.
  • Respiration in Plants.
  • Plant Hormones (Phytohormones): Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins.
  • Nutrition in Plants: Autotrophic and Heterotrophic (e.g., Insectivorous plants).
  • Important Concepts: Transpiration, Tropisms.
  • Biotechnology and its Applications:
  • Basics of DNA, RNA, Genes, and Chromosomes.
  • Genetic Engineering: Recombinant DNA Technology, GM Crops (Bt Cotton, Bt Brinjal), Biofortified crops (e.g., Golden Rice).
  • Human Genome Project.
  • Applications in Medicine: Gene Therapy, Stem Cell Technology, CRISPR, DNA Fingerprinting.
  • Institutions: Department of Biotechnology (DBT), ICMR.

Physics

  • Mechanics:
  • Laws of Motion: Newton's Laws, Inertia.
  • Force and Motion: Gravitation, Escape Velocity, Kepler's Laws.
  • Pressure: Atmospheric Pressure, applications (e.g., Syringe, Hydraulic Lift).
  • Optics:
  • Reflection and Refraction: Laws, Lenses (Convex, Concave), Image formation.
  • Human Eye: Defects (Myopia, Hypermetropia, Presbyopia) and corrections.
  • Optical Instruments: Microscope, Telescope.
  • Electricity and Magnetism:
  • Basic Concepts: Current, Voltage, Resistance, Ohm's Law.
  • Circuits: Series and Parallel.
  • Magnetism: Electromagnets, Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction.
  • Household Electricity: AC vs. DC, Earthing, Fuses, Short Circuits.
  • Energy:
  • Forms of Energy: Kinetic, Potential, Solar, Nuclear.
  • Sources of Energy: Conventional (Thermal, Hydro, Nuclear) and Non-Conventional (Solar, Wind, Biomass, Hydrogen). Link with Environment.
  • Nuclear Physics: Nuclear Fission and Fusion, Radioactivity and its applications, India's Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme.
  • Sound and Waves:
  • Basics of Sound: Frequency, Amplitude, Ultrasound and its applications (e.g., Sonar), Infrasound.
  • Doppler Effect.
  • Modern Physics:
  • Units and Measurement: SI Units, Nano-technology.

Chemistry

  • Basic Concepts:
  • Matter: Elements, Compounds, Mixtures.
  • Atom: Structure (Proton, Neutron, Electron), Atomic Number, Mass Number, Isotopes, Isobars.
  • Periodic Table: Periods and Groups, trends.
  • Chemical Substances and Reactions:
  • Acids, Bases, and Salts: pH scale, indicators, everyday examples.
  • Chemical Reactions: Types (Combination, Decomposition, Displacement), Oxidation-Reduction (Redox), Rusting of Iron.
  • Catalysts: Definition and examples (e.g., Catalytic converters in cars).
  • Chemistry in Everyday Life
  • Food Chemistry: Preservatives, Artificial Sweeteners, Edible Colours.
  • Cleaning Agents: Soaps and Detergents - how they work.
  • Materials: Polymers (Plastics, Nylon), Alloys (Steel, Brass), Nanomaterials.
  • Fertilizers and Pesticides: Urea, NPK, Organic farming.
  • Explosives and Propellants: TNT, RDX.
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Water: Hardness of Water and its removal, Water purification.
  • Air: Common pollutants (CO, SO2, NOx), their sources and effects. Link with Environment module.

Science & Technology

  • Space Technology: ISRO missions, new satellites (for communication, navigation, earth observation), private space players, Space Policy.
  • Defence Technology: DRDO projects (Missiles like Agni, BrahMos, UAVs), indigenisation efforts.
  • IT & Communications: 5G/6G Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Cyber Security, Supercomputers (National Supercomputing Mission).
  • Biotechnology: New vaccines, diseases in news, GM crops, stem cell research, biotech regulations.
  • Health & Medicine: New diseases, drug discoveries, medical devices, health missions, traditional medicine (AYUSH).
  • Energy & Environment: Renewable energy achievements (Solar, Wind), Green Hydrogen, Nuclear energy deals, Waste-to-Energy technologies.
  • Agriculture: Digital agriculture, soil health cards, precision farming.
  • Government Initiatives/Schemes: Digital India, Make in India, AI Task Force, National Biopharma Mission.