Lakshya: A Compendium of General Studies for UPSC Civil Services and State Services Examinations 2025, 2ed

Preface

About the Authors

Learning Tools

Acknowledgement

Unit I: Indian Polity

1.1 Constitution of India: Historical Underpinnings and Features

1.2 Making of the Constitution

1.3 Philosophy of the Constitution

1.4 Outstanding Features of the Indian Constitution

1.5 Nature of the Federal System

1.6 Territory of the Union

1.7 Citizenship

1.8 Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties

1.9 Directive Principles of State Policy

1.10 Amendments of the Constitution

1.11 The Union Executive

1.12 Union Legislature

1.13 State Executive

1.14 State Legislature

1.15 Administration of Union Territories, Acquired Territories, and Special Areas

1.16 UT of Jammu and Kashmir

1.17 Local Governance

1.18 Federal System—Distribution of Legislative, Executive, and Financial Powers

1.19 Administrative Relations Between the Union and Inter State Relations

1.20 Emergency Provisions

1.21 The Judiciary

1.22 Rights and Liabilities of the Government and Public Servants

1.23 The Services and Public Service Commissions

1.24 Elections

1.25 Languages

Unit II: International Relations: India and the World

2.1 The Era of Cold War

2.2 India’s Foreign Policy

2.3 India’s Relations with Different Countries

2.4 Multilateral Organisations

2.5 Key Theories of International Relations 2

Unit III: Disaster Management

3.1 Disaster Management

3.2 Various Types of Disasters

3.3 Natural Disasters (NDs)

3.4 Different NDs

3.5 Man-Made Disasters

3.6 Acid Rain (AR)

3.7 Alternative Categories of Disasters/Calamities

3.8 India’s Disaster Landscape

3.9 India’s Vulnerability Overview

3.10 Disaster Management (DM) Act of 2005

3.11 Disaster Management Policy

Unit IV: Geography

World Geography:

4.1 Fundamentals of Geography

4.2 Universe and Cosmos

4.3 The Planets

4.4 Continents and Oceans of the World

4.5 Earth

4.6 Internal Structure of Earth, Rocks, Earthquakes

4.7 Landforms

4.8 Weathering and Erosion

4.9 Atmosphere

4.10 Pressure and Winds

4.11 Cyclones, Anticyclones and Related Concepts

4.12 Climate

4.13 Hydrosphere

Geography of India:

4.14 A Glance of India

4.15 Physiographic Divisions of India

4.16 Drainage Patterns in India: A Hydrological Overview

4.17 Climate of India

4.18 India’s Forests and Natural Vegetation

4.19 Agriculture in India

4.20 India’s Mineral Resources

4.21 Industries in India

4.22 Transport in India

4.23 Tribal Groups in India and Their Respective Regions

4.24 Towns and Industries

4.25 Literacy of States (Census)

4.26 Sex Ratio

Unit V: Environment and Ecology

5.1 Key concepts

5.2 Pollution

5.3 Biodiversity and Wildlife

5.4 Conservation of Biodiversity: Protected Area Networks

5.5 Environmental Issues

5.6 Miscellaneous

Unit VI: History and Culture

Ancient History:

6.1 Pre-Historic Period

6.2 VEDIC AGE and ARYANS

6.3 Pre-Mauryan Period

6.4 Magadha Empire

6.5 Persian Invasion

6.6 Alexander’s Invasion

6.7 Mauryan Empire (321–185 BC)

6.8 Sangam Age

6.9 Gupta Empire (320–540 AD)

6.10 The Hunas

6.11 The Maitrakas of Vallabhi

6.12 The Vakatakas (250–500 AD)

6.13 Harshavardhana (606–647 AD)

6.14 Chalukyas (of Badami)

6.15 Pallavas

6.16 Rashtrakutas

6.17 Pratiharas

6.18 Palas

6.19 Senas

6.20 Chauhans

6.21 Cholas

6.22 Most Important Pointers

Art and Culture:

6.23 Pre-Historic Art

6.24 Indus Valley Civilisation Art

6.25 Arts of Mauryan Age

6.26 Buddhist Monuments in South India

6.27 Mural Traditions and Cave Architecture Traditions in West India

6.28 Temple Architecture

6.29 Temple Architecture Styles

6.30 Buddhist Architecture and Sites Post-Gupta Period

6.31 Jain Temple Architecture in India

6.32 Bronze Sculpture Art

6.33 Indo-Islamic Architecture: A Fusion of Styles and Influences

6.34 Structures Built in Medieval Period

6.35 Religion and Philosophy

6.36 Classical Dances of India

6.37 Music

6.38 Languages

6.39 Scripts

6.40 Sanskrit Literature

6.41 Theatres of India

6.42 Puppetry

6.43 Paintings

Medieval History:

6.44 The Emergence of New Dynasties

6.45 Administration in the Kingdoms

6.46 Prashastis and Land Grants

6.47 The Cholas

6.48 The Prophet Muhammad and the Origins of Islam

6.49 The Important Islamic Caliphates

6.50 The Rise and Spread of Islam in 7th–8th Centuries

6.51 Islam Enters into India

6.52 Arab Conquest of Sindh

6.53 Situation of Constant Flux in West and Central Asia

6.54 Ghazi Inroads in the North-Western Region of India

6.55 Political Geography of North India in Early 11th Century

6.56 Political Geography of North India in the Early 12th Century

6.57 Movement Towards the Upper Ganga Valley

6.58 Delhi Sultanate

6.59 Bahmani and Vijayanagara Kingdoms

6.60 The Mughal Empire

6.61 Sher Shah Suri

6.62 The Marathas

6.63 Sikhism

6.64 The Bhakti Movement

6.65 Sufism

6.66 Famous Personalities of Medieval India

6.67 List of Important Tables

Modern India:

6.68 Advent of the Europeans

6.69 Conquest of Bengal

6.70 Conquest of Mysore

6.71 Maratha Wars

6.72 British Administrative Policies in India

6.73 Executors of British Policies—Governor Generals

6.74 Socio-Religious Reform Movements

6.75 The Revolt of 1857

6.76 India’s National Freedom Struggle

6.77 The Formation of the Muslim League (1906)

6.78 Surat Split (1907)

6.79 Morley Minto Reforms (1909)

6.80 Home Rule Movement (1916)

6.81 Montague–Chelmsford Reforms (1919)

6.82 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre—13th April, 1919

6.83 Non-Cooperation Movement (1920)

6.84 Khilafat Movement (1919)

6.85 Indian Working Class

6.86 Simon Commission

6.87 Some Commissions

6.88 Peasant Movements

6.89 Swaraj Party (1923)

6.90 Trade Union Movement in India

6.91 Civil Disobedience Movement (1930)

6.92 Round Table Conferences

6.93 Socialists

6.94 Revolutionary Terrorism

6.95 Government of India Act (1935)

6.96 August Offer (1940)

6.97 Cripps Mission (1942)

6.98 Quit India Movement (QIM) (1942)

6.99 Royal Indian Navy Mutiny (1946)

6.100 Cabinet Mission (1946)

6.101 Mountbatten Plan (1947)

6.102 Integration of States

6.103 Indian National Army (INA)

6.104 India’s Viceroys

6.105 Mahatma Gandhi: Father of the Nation

6.106 Rabindranath Thakur (Tagore)

6.107 Jawaharlal Nehru (1889–1964)

6.108 Famous Statements

World History:

6.109 Pre-Historic Period

6.110 Mesopotamian or Sumerian Civilisation (4100–1750 BC)

6.111 Egyptian Civilisation (3000 BC– 750 BC)

6.112 Indus Valley Civilisation

6.113 Chinese Civilisation

6.114 Persian Civilisation (6th Century BC)

6.115 Greek Civilisation

6.116 Macedonian Empire

6.117 Roman Civilisation

6.118 American Civilisation

6.119 Middle Ages (5th–15th Century)

6.120 Renaissance

6.121 Reformation (16th Century)

6.122 United States of America

6.123 French Revolution (1789)

6.124 The Industrial Revolution (1750 AD–1850 AD)

6.125 Russian Revolution

6.126 Chinese Revolution (1911)

6.127 First World War (1914–1918)

6.128 Unification of Italy

6.129 Fascism

6.130 Unification of Germany

6.131 Second World War (1939–45)

Unit VII: General Science and Technology

Physics:

7.1 Units and Dimensions

7.2 Work, Power, and Energy

7.3 Gravitational Force

7.4 Hydrostatics

7.5 Surface Tension

7.6 Thermometry

7.7 Thermal Expansion

7.8 Thermodynamics

7.9 Light and Related Phenomenon

7.10 Electricity

7.11 Atomic and Nuclear Physics

7.12 Radioactivity

7.13 Sound Waves

Chemistry:

7.14 Important Concepts of Chemistry

7.15 Atomic Structure and Related Concepts

7.16 Types of Reactions and Acids, Bases, Salts, and Buffer

7.17 Gases

7.18 Metals, Non-Metals, Alloys, and Metallurgy

7.19 Energy Resources

7.20 Electrochemistry

7.21 Air

7.22 Carbon and Its Compound

7.23 Man-Made Materials

7.24 Miscellaneous

Biology:

7.25 Skeletal System

7.26 Skeletal System Disorders

7.27 Articulation of Bones—The Joints

7.28 Types of Joints

7.29 The Muscular System

7.30 Respiratory System

7.31 Circulatory System

7.32 Blood

7.33 The Nervous System

7.34 Sensory Organs

7.35 Digestive System

7.36 Excretory System

7.37 Reproductive System

7.38 Endocrine System

7.39 Diseases

7.40 Major Diseases

7.41 Lymphatic System and Immunity

7.42 Animal Kingdom

7.43 Plant Biology

7.44 Plant Anatomy

7.45 Plant Physiology

7.46 Plant Reproduction

7.47 Plant Genetics

7.48 Plant Diseases

7.49 Cell

7.50 Nucleic Acids

7.51 Origin of Life

7.52 Miscellaneous Facts About Human Body

Technology:

7.53 Orbits

7.54 Satellites

7.55 Defence Technology

7.56 Communication Technology

7.57 Nanotechnology

7.58 Biotechnology

7.59 ISRO

Computers and IT:

7.60 Computers

7.61 Glossary

Unit VIII: Sports

8.1 Olympic Games

8.2 Asian Games

8.3 Commonwealth Games (CWG)

8.4 South Asian Federation (SAF) Games

8.5 FIFA World Cup

8.6 Cricket World Cup

8.7 Hockey World Cup

8.8 Other Sport

Unit IX: Indian Economy

9.1 Understanding a Nation’s Income

9.2 Productivity and Growth

9.3 Savings, Investment and the Financial System

9.4 Money and the Financial System in India

9.5 The Monetary Policy

9.6 Cost of Living—Inflation

9.7 Unemployment

9.8 International Economics

9.9 Budget and Fiscal Policy

9.10 The Three Sectors of Indian Economy

9.11 Poverty and Social Infrastructure

9.12 Business Models of Investment

9.13 Sustainable Development

Appendix: GK Essential

National-Insignia:

A.1 National Flag

A.2 National Emblem

A.3 National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana)

A.4 National Song (Vande Mataram)

A.5 National Calendar (Saka)

A.6 National Animal

A.7 National Bird

A.8 National Flower

A.9 National Tree

A.10 National Fruit

A.11 National Day

Countries with Capitals and Currencies:

A.12 List of Countries with their Capital and Currency

First in India and World:

A.13 First Females in India

A.14 First Males in India

A.15 First in the World

Awards and Honours:

A.16 Civilian Awards in India

A.17 Gallantry Awards in India

A.18 Sports Awards in India

A.19 Film Awards in India

A.20 Literary Awards in India

A.21 Other National Awards in India

A.22 International Awards

A.23 Nobel Prize Winners from India

A.24 Grammy Awards Indian Winners

A.25 Pulitzer Prize Winners in India

A.26 Magsaysay Awards Winners in India

A.27 Man Booker Prize Indian Winners

A.28 Right Livelihood Award Indian Winners

Indian and International Organizations and their Headquarters:

A.29 Indian Institutions and their Locations

A.30 Defence Institutes of India

A.31 ISRO Centres and Units

A.32 International Organisations and their Headquarters

Important Days, Week, Years & Decades (National & International):

A.33 Important National and International Days and Weeks

A.34 Important International Years

A.35 Important International Decades

Books and Authors:

A.36 Books and Authors

List of Indian Cities Situated on River Banks:

A.37 Indian Cities with their States on the Banks of Rivers

A.38 List of Global Cities Situated on the Banks of Rivers

A.39 Highest Mountains in the World

Geographical Epithets:

A.40 Places and their Epithets

Important International Boundary Lines:

A.41 Important International Borders

Emblems of Various Countries:

A.42 Countries and their National Emblem

A.43 Countries and their National Animal

A.44 Countries and their National Birds

A.45 Countries and their Major Political Parties

A.46 Countries and their News Agency

A.47 Countries and their Parliament’s Name

Important Monuments and their Locations

A.48 Locations and their Landmarks

A.49 Famous Places in India

A.50 Temples and their Locations

A.51 Indian Organisations and their Locations

Old Names and New Names of Countries, Cities & Other Areas:

A.52 Historical and Contemporary Names of Countries, Cities, and Other Regions in India and Worldwide

Security & Intelligence Agencies and Their Locations:

A.53 Security and Intelligence Agencies and their Locations

Symbols, Newspapers & Others

A.54 Nations and their Respective Newspapers

A.55 Countries and their Respective Official Publications

A.56 UNO Secretary Generals and their Terms

A.57 SAARC Designated Years

A.58 SAARC Designated Decades

A.59 Symbols and their Meaning

Wonders of the World

A.60 Wonders of the World

Foundation Day of the State & Union Territories

A.61 State/Union Territories and their Foundation Day

A.62 Prominent Individuals and their Titles, Final Resting Place and Date of Passing

A.63 Places Associated with Eminent Individuals

A.64 Eminent Personalities and their Nicknames

A.65 Masterpieces and Milestones: Works of Great Personalities Across the Globe

A.66 Institution/Eminent Works and Founder

Indian Defence Services:

A.67 Indian Defence Services

A.68 Ranks (Officers) of all Indian Armed Forces

A.69 Special Features of Indian Armed Forces

A.70 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)

A.71 Special Features of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)

List of Military Exercises

A.72 List of Bilateral Exercises

A.73 List of Multilateral Naval Exercises

A.74 Latest Exercises

Military exercises conducted by the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy along with their Participating Countries

A.75 Indian Army Exercises

A.76 Indian Air Force Exercises

A.77 Indian Navy Exercises

A.78 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

A.79 UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in India