Target Prelims 2022 Crash Course

1. Constitution of India: Historical Background, Drafting Committee and the making of the Constitution, Influence of other Constitutions; Salient features of the Constitution
2. Preamble: Features of the Preamble
3. Schedules: Basic idea about the 12 Schedules
4. Union and its Territory: Basic idea about Articles 1-4, State’s Reorganization and different Commissions, Recent issues
5. Citizenship: Basic idea about Articles 5-11, PIO, NRI, OCI and Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Privileges available to Indian Citizens and foreigners, Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019, New policies, schemes and recent changes in voting, NRC and NPR.
6. Fundamental Rights (FRs): Basic idea about Articles 12-35, Different types of Writs, Enforcement and Exceptional cases with regard to FRs, RTE and recent issues related to FRs
7. Fundamental Duties (FDs): Article 51-A, Difference between FRs and FDs, Significance and Criticism, Enforcement of FDs, Recent issues related to FDs

1. Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP): Basic idea about Articles 36-51, Key features of DPSP, Classification of DPSP, Comparison/Conflicts between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles, Keshavananda Bharati Case, Minerva Mills Case, Golaknath Case, Important amendments related to DPSP.
2. Union Executive: Basic idea about Articles 52-73, Qualifications and Election of the President and Vice President, Functions and Powers of President- (Executive, Legislative, Financial, Judicial, Diplomatic, Military and Emergency Powers), Impeachment of the President and provisions related to resignation of the President and the Vice President, Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers- Basic idea about Articles 74 & 75, Attorney General for India- Powers and Functions, Resignation and Removal
3. Union Legislature: Basic idea about Articles related to the Parliament, Role and functions of the Parliament, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Special powers of Rajya Sabha, Sessions, Motions, Parliamentary procedures – Summoning, Prorogation, Joint Sitting; Parliamentary proceedings like Question Hour, Zero Hour, and Adjournment Motion etc, Bills and law making procedure, Budget, Funds and it’s summary, Anti-defection law and 10th schedule, Parliamentary Privileges, Parliamentary Committees

1. Judiciary: Basic idea about Articles related to the Judiciary, Qualification and appointment of Supreme court and High court Judges, Role and Responsibilities, Removal procedure of Judges, Recent controversy, verdicts and Constitutional provisions
2. State Executive: Governor- Appointment, Removal and Special powers, Executive, Legislative, Financial, Judicial and discretionary powers of the Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, Powers of Chief Minister, Advocate General
3. State Legislature: State legislature compared to the Parliament with regard to composition, powers and functions, Bicameral legislatures, Creation and abolition of the Legislative councils, Administration of Union Territories (UT), Special provisions for Delhi and Puducherry

1. Universe: Theories related to the Solar System, Theories related to the formation of the universe, Recent updates on the same
2. Basic idea about Earth: The motion of the Earth – Rotation and Revolution, Latitudes and Longitudes, The inclination of the Earth’s Axis – effect on seasons, Solar Eclipse, Lunar Eclipse and Tides and their significance
3. Geomorphology: Earth’s movement (exo-genetic and endo-genetic), Earthquakes, Volcanic activity, The basic idea about Continental Drift Theory, Plate Tectonics Theory, Sea Floor spreading

1. Interior of the Earth: Crust, the Mantle, and the Core– Boundaries and Composition
2. Mass Movements of landforms, erosion and deposits: Basic information about geographical landforms and their significance, Rock system and Classification of Rocks
3. Hydrosphere: Bottom relief of ocean, Salinity and temp variation, Ocean Currents, Ocean deposits, Ocean resources, Recent issues and developments with reference to oceanography- Eg: UNCLOS

1. Climatology: Structure and composition of the atmosphere, Factors controlling the temperature distribution, Insolation and terrestrial radiation, Heat budget, Global warming and ozone layer, Humidity and condensation, Clouds, Classification of clouds, Precipitation- Precipitation mechanism, Different types and forms of precipitation, Pressure belts, Atmospheric circulation, Winds- Planetary Winds, Seasonal and Local Winds, Cyclones- Tropical and Temperate cyclones, Formation of cyclones, Characteristics and impact, Jet streams, Various atmospheric phenomenon

1. Quantitative Aptitude: Number series, HCF & LCM, Divisibility rules, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Averages, Mixtures & Alligations, Mensuration 3D, Simple Equations, Linear Equations, Time, Speed & Distance, Time & Work, Pipes & Cisterns, Boats & Streams, Permutations & Combinations, Sets & Venn diagrams, Data Interpretation.

1. Center-State and Interstate relations: Legislative Relations, Administrative Relations, Financial Relations, Basic idea about Articles 262 and 263, Composition and Functions of Interstate and Zonal councils, Inter-State Trade and Commerce, Recent disputes between states, controversies etc, New policies or schemes which impact interstate relations
2. Emergency Provisions: National Emergency- Article 352, President’s rule or State Emergency- Article 356, Financial Emergency- Article 360, 44th amendment Act, Effects and implications of Emergency, Role of the President during Emergency, Revoking Emergency

1. Panchayati Raj Institutions and Municipalities: Evolution, The 73rd and the 74th Amendment Act, Elections, Auditing, Powers and authority of Panchayats, three tier structure, District Planning Committee and Metropolitan Planning Committee, Urban development etc
2. Constitutional Bodies: Finance Commission, Election Commission, UPSC, SPSC, JPSC, National Commission for SCs and ST’s, etc- Composition, Powers and Functions

1. Non-Constitutional Bodies: Basic idea about Composition, Functions and Working of Non-Constitutional bodies such as National Human Rights Commission, Central Information Commission, Central Vigilance Commission, Central Bureau of Investigation, State Human Rights Commission, State Information Commission, etc
2. Administration of Special Areas: Basic idea about 5th Schedule and 6th Schedule, Recent issues related to Administration of Special Areas
3. Tribunals: Basic idea about Article 323A and Tribunals under Article 323B, Recent controversial issues related to Tribunals, Different Tribunals and their importance

1. Basic idea about India: Location, Latitude, Longitude, Time zone, Neighboring countries, States and their positions and the States on International boundaries, Important straits
2. Physical features of India:

• The Himalayas:
  • Geological Formation
  • Physiographic divisions
  • Climate, Vegetation, Soil and Biodiversity
  • Major passes
  • Significance
• The Great North Indian plains:
  • Geological Formation
  • Physiographic divisions
  • Climate, Vegetation, Soil and Biodiversity
  • Significance
• Peninsular Plateau:
  • Geological formation
  • Deccan plateau
  • Central Highlands
  • Western and Eastern Ghats
  • Socio-economic issues
• Indian Desert
• Coastal plains and Islands

1. River systems– Characteristics, Comparison and Significance: 

• Himalayan rivers
• Peninsular rivers
• River basins
• Hydro-Power projects, Power plants and Major Dams
• Regional development and planning
• West flowing and east-flowing rivers
• Interlinking of rivers

1. Climate in India:

• Monsoon
  • Driving mechanism
  • Effects of La-Nina and El-Nino
• Seasons of India
• Cyclones

1. Minerals and industries:

• Distribution of minerals
• Industrial policies
• Location factors
• Issues and challenges related to industries
• Industrial clusters

1. Agriculture and Allied activities Characteristics and Problems:

• Land utilization
• Types of agricultural practices
• Soils and Crops
• Trends in agriculture (Green Revolution)
• Irrigation
• Major irrigation projects
• Land reforms
• Government policies and schemes
• Animal husbandry (livestock resources)

1. Natural vegetation and Fauna- Characteristics, Importance, Comparison and Significance:

• Classification of natural vegetation
• Rainfall distribution
• Wildlife sanctuaries
• National Forest Policy
• Biosphere reserves
• National parks
• Environmental issues
• Red-listed species (in recent news)

1. Economic infrastructure:

• Transportation,
• Roadways (National Highways)- Railways- Airways- Waterways (Major inland waterways) and its significance
• Power and energy sector
• Sources of conventional and non-conventional energy
• Energy conservation and crisis
• Recent developments

1. Human Geography

• Demographics
• Recent census- 2011

1. Logical Reasoning: Clocks, Calendars, Syllogisms, Seating Arrangements, Blood Relations, Age-Related problems, Cubes and Dices, Series & Coding, Directions

1. Prehistoric cultures in India
2. Indus Valley Civilization: Origins,  Different phases, Society, Economy, and Culture, Contacts with other cultures- Factors that led to the decline
3. Geographical distribution and characteristics of pastoral and farming societies
4. Vedic society, Vedic texts- change from Rigvedic to later Vedic phases
5. Vedic society: Religion, Upanishads, Political and social organization, Evolution of the Varna system and Monarchy

1. Formation of the State and urbanization, From the Mahajanapadas to the Nandas
2. Buddhism and Jainism- Factors responsible for the spread of Buddhism
3. The Mauryan Empire- Chandragupta and Megasthenes
4. Ashoka and his inscriptions, Dhamma, Culture, Administration and Art
5. Society in the Post-Mauryan India (BC 200-AD 300)
6. The Satavahanas and formation of the state in the Peninsula

1. Sangam texts and society
2. Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Parthians, Kushans, Kanishka- contacts with the outer world
3. The Guptas and their descendants
4. Post Guptas, Pallavas & Chalukyas in the South
5. Literature, Science, Arts, Economy, and Society- modification in the political organization of the empire

1. Early Medieval India: Major dynasties; Political and Agrarian organization, Status of women, Extent of social mobility, The Arabs in Sind and the Ghaznavids
2. 750-1200 CE: Cultural trends, Religious circumstances: The significance of temples and monastic institutions, Shankaracharya, Islam, Sufism
3. 13th and 14th Centuries: Ghorian invasions- its reasons and consequences, Delhi Sultanate under the Slave Rulers; Alauddin Khalji: invasion; administrative, agrarian and economic measures; Muhammad Tughluq’s innovations; Firuz Tughluq and the decline of the Delhi Sultanate; Development of urbanization and commerce; Spiritual movements in Hinduism and Islam; Literature. Architecture, Technological changes

1. The 15th and early 16th Century: Key Provincial dynasties, Vijayanagara Empire, The Lodhis, First stage of the Mughal Empire, The Sur Dynasty and its administration, Monotheistic movements: Kabir, Guru Nanak and Sikhism, Bhakti movement; The spread of regional literature, Art and Culture
2. The Mughal Empire, Akbar: Administrative measures, Policy of Sulh-I-Kul, Jagir and Mansab systems; Jahangir, Shahjahan, and Aurangzeb: Extension of the Mughal empire in the Deccan, Religious policies, Shivaji, Persian and regional literature, Religious idea: Abul Fazl; Maharashtra dharma, Architecture, Painting, Economy: State of affairs of peasants and artisans, Escalation in trade; Trade with Europe, Social stratification and position of women

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1. The decline of the Mughal Empire-  Reasons behind the decline; The advent of Europeans; Maratha power under the Peshwas, Important regional states 
2. British expansion: The Carnatic Wars, Integration of Bengal, Mysore etc, The three Anglo-Maratha Wars, Important legislations to control the EIC- Regulating and Pitt’s India Acts etc, Early composition of the British raj
3. Economic Impact of the British Raj: Land revenue settlements like Zamindari, Ryotwari, Mahalwari; Deindustrialisation; Railways and commercialisation of agr
4. iculture; Increase in the number of landless laborers

1. Quantitative Aptitude: Number series, HCF & LCM, Divisibility rules, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Averages, Mixtures & Alligations, Mensuration 3D, Simple Equations, Linear Equations, Time, Speed & Distance, Time & Work, Pipes & Cisterns, Boats & Streams, Permutations & Combinations, Sets & Venn diagrams, Data Interpretation

1. Cultural encounter and social changes: Introduction of western education and modern ideas, Indian Renaissance, Social and religious reform movements; Rise of the Indian middle class; The Press and its impact: The rise of modern literature in the Indian languages, Social reforms before 1857
2. Confrontation with the British: Early uprisings; The 1857 Revolt- Reasons, Character, Course and Outcome
3. Indian Freedom Struggle: Growth of national consciousness, Creation of Associations, Formation of the Indian National Congress and its moderate phase

1. Swadeshi Movement, Economic Nationalism, The rise of Extremism and the split in Congress, Policy of Divide and Rule
2. The Morley-Minto Reforms, The Ghadar Movement, The Home Rule Movement, The Lucknow Pact 1916, Montague-Chelmsford Reforms 1919
3. Gandhian techniques of mass mobilization- Khilafat movement, Non-Cooperation Movement
4. Rise of the Left, The second phase of Revolutionary Movements, Anti-Simon Commission Agitations, The Nehru Report 1928, The Lahore Session 1929 

1. The Civil Disobedience Movement, The Government of India Act 1935
2. Provincial Elections of 1937, The Praja Mandal Movement, Second World War and its impact on the Indian National Movement, The August Offer 1940, The Individual Satyagraha (1940-41), The Cripps Proposal 1942, The Quit India Movement 1942, Subhash Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army, Rajagopalachari Formula & Desai Liaqat Plan, Wavell Plan and Simla Conference 1945, General Elections in India (1945), The Naval Mutiny of 1946, The Indian Independence Act 1947
3. British policy towards India, Role of the Indian Press, Development of Education, Peasant Movements, Working Class Movements, Evolution of Civil Services and Judiciary

1. English: Reading Comprehension

1. Recent developments in Space Technology 
2. Indian Nuclear Programme and Technology 
3. Renewable and Non-renewable sources of Energy

1. National Income Aggregates: GDP, NDP, GNP, NNP, Cost and Price of National Income etc
2. Planning in India, NITI Aayog
3. Inflation: Definition, Types of Inflation- Low Inflation, Galloping Inflation, Hyperinflation, Core and Headline Inflation, Inflationary Gap, Deflationary Gap, Inflation Tax, Inflation Spiral, Phillips Curve, Reflation, Stagflation, Inflation Targeting, Skewflation, GDP Deflator, Base Effect, Revised WPI, Consumer Price Index, Producer Price Index, Housing Price Index, Depression, Recovery, Boom & Recession
4. Taxation: Methods of Taxation- Progressive Taxation, Regressive Taxation, Proportional Taxation; Goods and Services Tax, Commodities Transaction Tax, Securities Transaction Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Minimum Alternate Tax, Income Tax, Corporate Tax, Dividend Distribution Tax, Tax Expenditure, Tax Incidence, Global Minimum Corporate Tax, Agricultural Infrastructure Development Cess, Tax Buoyancy and Elasticity

1. Banking, RBI and NBFCs: NBFCs, Reserve Bank of India- Functions, RBI’s Reserves & Surplus Capital, Monetary Policy- Cash Reserve Ratio, Statutory Liquidity Ratio, Bank Rate, Repo Rate, Long Term Repo Rate, Reverse Repo Rate, Marginal Standing Facility (MSF), Base Rate, MCLR; Nationalization and Development of Banking in India, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Co-operative Banks, Priority Sector Lending, NPAs and Stressed Assets, NARCL and NABFID, The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, SARFAESI Act 2002, Wilful Defaulters, Basel Accords- Capital Adequacy Ratio; Liquidity of Money- Narrow Money, Broad Money, Money Supply, High Power Money, Money Multiplier; Credit Rating, Non-Resident Indian Deposits, Nidhi, Chit Fund, Financial Inclusion- Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana, Small & Payment Banks, Gold Investment Schemes, Sovereign Gold Bonds, Gold Monetisation Scheme, Mudra Bank
2. Money and Capital markets: G-Secs, Call Money, Treasury Bills, Cash Management Bills, Certificate of Deposit, Commercial Paper, Interbank Offer Rate, SDLs, Alternative Investment Funds, Mutual Funds, Types of Bonds, REITs and InvITs, ECBs
3. Stock Markets: Primary and Secondary Markets, Stock Exchange- NSE, BSE, Role of SEBI, Derivatives, Indian Depository Receipts (IDRs), QFI Scheme, Participatory Notes (PNs) 

1. Indian Architecture, Sculpture and Pottery 
2. Indian Music 
3. UNESCO’s List of Tangible World Heritage Sites in India 

1. Indian Paintings 
2. Indian Dance Forms 
3. Indian Theatre
4. UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage
5. Martial Arts in India 

1. Religion in India 
2. Indian Literature 
3. Schools of Philosophy 
4. Science and Technology through the ages 
5. Cultural Institutions in India

1. English: Reading Comprehension

1. Ecology: Definition, Components & Levels of Organization
2. Ecosystem: Functions, Energy flows and Ecological Pyramids, Ecological Succession, Terrestrial and Marine Ecosystems, Government initiatives and schemes to preserve fragile Ecosystems

1. Biotechnology and Genetics 
2. Health and Diseases
3. Nano-technology and Artificial Intelligence

1. Agriculture and Food Management: Kharif & Rabi crops, Minimum Support Price, Market Intervention Scheme, Procurement Price, Issue Price, Economic Cost of Foodgrains, Open Market Sale Scheme, Price Stabilization Fund, Buffer Stock, Farm Subsidies, Agricultural Extension Services, PMFBY, WTO and Agricultural Subsidies- AMS, Amber Box, Blue Box, Green Box, S&D Box, Export Subsidies, Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures, NAMA, Swiss Formula, National Food Security Act
2. Industry, Investment and Infrastructure: Industrial Policy Resolution 1948, Industrial Policy Resolution 1956, Industrial Policy Statement 1969, Industrial Policy Statement 1973, Industrial Policy Statement 1977, Industrial Policy Resolution 1980, Industrial Policy Resolution 1985 & 1986, New Industrial Policy 1991, Disinvestment, MSME Sector, FDI Policy measures, Ease of Doing Business, Make in India, Start-up India, UDAY Scheme, PPP Models, National Infrastructure Pipeline 

1. Fiscal Policy, Government Budgeting and Finance Commission: Plan and Non-Plan Expenditure, Revenue and Non-Revenue Receipts, Tax Revenue Receipts, Non-Tax Revenue Receipts, Revenue Expenditure, Revenue Deficit, Effective Revenue Deficit, Revenue Budget, Capital Budget, Capital Receipts, Capital Expenditure, Capital Deficit, Fiscal Deficit, Primary Deficit, Monetised Deficit, Deficit Financing, FRBM Act 2003, Zero-Base Budgeting, Output-Outcome Framework, Gender Budgeting, Public Debt, Central transfer to States, State Finances, 15th Finance Commission
2. External Sector: Forex Reserves, External Debt, Fixed Currency Regime, Floating Currency Regime, Managed Exchange Rates, Foreign Exchange Market, Exchange Rate in India, Trade Balance, Trade Policy, Depreciation, Devaluation, Revaluation, Appreciation, Current Account, Capital Account, Balance of Payment (BoP) Convertibility, Convertibility in India, Current Account, Capital Account, LERMS, NEER, REER, Soft Currency, Hot Currency, Special Economic Zone, GAAR, Foreign Investment, Trade Promotion, Export Promotion Schemes, BIPA & BIT, New Foreign Trade Policy, RCEP and issues around FTAs

1. The Union Budget 2022-23 and the Economic Survey 2021-22
2. International Organizations: International Monetary Fund, India’s Quota & Ranking, World Trade Organization (WTO), India and the WTO, Anti-Dumping provisions, Trade Facilitation By India

1. Human Development: Human Development Index, Multidimensional Poverty Index, Gender Issues, Poverty Estimates- Types of Poverty, Poverty Line, Head Count Ratio, Poverty related committees, Sustainable Development, UBI; Inclusive Growth, Socio-Economic and Caste Census, Skill development, Employment, Labor reforms, Health, Social sector expenditure and schemes related to the same

1. Biodiversity: Important plant and animal species in news, Protected areas such as National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves etc, Threats, Conservation efforts (Indian and Global)
2. Environmental Pollution: Major pollutants, Air, Water and Soil Pollution, Solid and E-Waste management, Plastic management, International organizations and initiatives for reduction of Pollution

1. Climate Change: Global warming, GHGs, Ocean Acidification, Ozone depletion, Climate Change organizations such as UNFCCC, REDD, important initiatives and COPs related to these conventions
2. Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies including initiatives such as Carbon storage, Carbon credits, Glasgow summit etc
3. Acts, International Organizations and Reserves in India and the World: Wildlife Protection Act 1972, Environmental Protection Act 1986 etc; Environmental organizations in India, Important conventions such as CBD, CITES, CMS etc; Conservation sites in India

1. Information and Communication Technology, Intellectual Property Rights
2. Recent developments in Defense research and technology
3. General Science: Basics of Physics, Chemistry and Biology

1. Logical Reasoning: Clocks, Calendars, Syllogisms, Seating Arrangements, Blood Relations, Age-Related problems, Cubes and Dices, Series & Coding, Directions