Lakshya: A Compendium of General Studies for UPSC Civil Services and State Services Examination
ISBN: 9789357468497
1004 pages
Description
Lakshya: A Compendium of General Studies is an indispensable resource meticulously crafted for aspirants of UPSC Civil Services, State Services, and other competitive examinations. Focused on the syllabus prescribed by the UPSC for the Preliminary Examination, the book takes a strategic and comprehensive approach for covering both static and dynamic aspects of various subjects like Governance, History, Geography, Economy, Science and Technology, General Knowledge, International Relations, and Disaster Management. The book is tailored to streamline your preparation and keep it exam-focused with precise and well-structured content based on latest trends and developments, including the Economic Survey and Union Budget 2024 presented by the Ministry of Finance.
Preface About the Authors Learning Tools Acknowledgement
Unit I: Indian Polity Key Concepts • Constitution of India: Historical Underpinnings and Features • Making of the Constitution • Philosophy of the Constitution • Outstanding Features of the Indian Constitution • Nature of the Federal System • Territory of the Union • Citizenship • Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties • Directive Principles of State Policy • Amendments to the Constitution • Union Executive • Union Legislature • State Executive • State Legislature • Administration of Union Territories, Acquired Territories, and Special Areas • UT of Jammu and Kashmir • Local Governance • Federal System—Distribution of Legislative, Executive, and Financial Powers • Administrative Relations Between the Union and the States and Inter- State Relations • Emergency Provisions • The Judiciary • Rights and Liabilities of Government and Public Servants • The Services and Public Service Commissions • Elections • Languages
Model Questions for the Preliminary Examination Previous Year’s Questions Answer Key
Unit II: International Relations: India and the World Key Concepts • Era of the Cold War • India’s Foreign Policy • India’s Relations with Different Countries • Multilateral Organisations • Key Theories of International Relations
Model Questions for the Preliminary Examination Previous Year’s Questions Answer Key
Unit III: Disaster Management Key Concepts • Disaster Management • Various Types of Disasters • Natural Disasters (NDs) • Different NDs • Human-Made Disasters • Acid Rain (AR) • Alternative Categories of Disasters/Calamities • India’s Disaster Landscape • India’s Vulnerability Overview • Disaster Management (DM) Act of 2005 • Disaster Management Policy
Model Questions for the Preliminary Examination Answer Key
Unit IV: Geography Key Concepts World Geography: • Fundamentals of Geography •Universe and Cosmos • The Planets • Continents and Oceans of the World • Earth • Internal Structure of the Earth, Rocks, Earthquakes • Landforms • Weathering and Erosion • Atmosphere • Pressure and Winds • Cyclones, Anticyclones and Related Concepts • Climate • Hydrosphere Geography of India: • A Glance of India • Physiographic Divisions of India • Drainage Patterns in India: A Hydrological Overview • Climate of India • India’s Forests and Natural Vegetation • Agriculture in India • India’s Mineral Resources • Industries in India • Transport in India • Tribal Groups in India and Their Respective Regions • Towns and Industries • Literacy of States (Census) • Sex Ratio
Model Questions for the Preliminary Examination Previous Year’s Questions Answer Key
Unit V: Environment and Ecology Key Concepts • Key concepts • Pollution • Biodiversity and Wildlife • Conservation of Biodiversity: Protected Area Networks • Environmental Issues • Miscellaneous Model Questions for the Preliminary Examination
Previous Year’s Questions Answer Key
Unit VI: History and Culture Key Concepts Ancient History: • Pre-Historic Period • Vedic Age and Aryans • Pre-Mauryan Period • Magadha Empire • Persian Invasion • Alexander’s Invasion • Mauryan Empire (321–185 BC) • Sangam Age • Gupta Empire (320–540 AD) • The Hunas • The Maitrakas of Vallabhi • The Vakatakas (250–500 AD) • Harshavardhana (606–647 AD) • Chalukyas (of Badami) • Pallavas • Rashtrakutas • Pratiharas • Palas • Senas • Chauhans • Cholas • Most Important Pointers Art and Culture: • Pre-Historic Art • Indus Valley Civilisation Art • Arts of the Mauryan Age • Buddhist Monuments in South India • Mural Traditions and Cave Architecture Traditions in West India • Temple Architecture • Temple Architectural Styles • Buddhist Architecture and Sites Post-Gupta Period • Jain Temple Architecture in India • Bronze Sculpture Art • Indo-Islamic Architecture: A Fusion of Styles and Influences • Structures Built in Medieval Period • Religion and Philosophy • Classical Dances of India • Music • Languages • Scripts • Sanskrit Literature • Theatres of India • Puppetry • Paintings Medieval History: • The Emergence of New Dynasties • Administration in the Kingdoms • Prashastis and Land Grants • The Cholas • The Prophet Muhammad and the Origins of Islam • The Important Islamic Caliphates • The Rise and Spread of Islam in 7th–8th Centuries • Islam Enters into India • Arab Conquest of Sindh • Situation of Constant Flux in West and Central Asia • Ghazi Inroads in the North-Western Region of India • Political Geography of North India in the Early 11th Century • Political Geography of North India in the Early 12th Century • Movement Towards the Upper Ganga Valley • Delhi Sultanate • Bahmani and Vijayanagara Kingdoms • The Mughal Empire • Sher Shah Suri • The Marathas • Sikhism • The Bhakti Movement • Sufism • Famous Personalities of Medieval India • List of Important Tables: Maratha ministers Modern India: • Advent of the Europeans • Conquest of Bengal • Conquest of Mysore • Maratha Wars • British Administrative Policies in India • Executors of British Policies—Governor Generals • Socio-Religious Reform Movements • The Revolt of 1857 • India’s National Freedom Struggle • The Formation of the Muslim League (1906) • Surat Split (1907) • Morley Minto Reforms (1909) • Home Rule Movement (1916) • Montague–Chelmsford Reforms (1919) • Jallianwala Bagh Massacre—13th April, 1919 • Non-Cooperation Movement (1920) • Khilafat Movement (1919) • Indian Working Class • Simon Commission • Some Commissions • Peasant Movements • Swaraj Party (1923) • Trade Union Movement in India • Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) • Round Table Conferences • Socialists • Revolutionary Terrorism • Government of India Act (1935) • August Offer (1940) • Cripps Mission (1942) • Quit India Movement (QIM) (1942) • Royal Indian Navy Mutiny (1946) • Cabinet Mission (1946) • Mountbatten Plan (1947) • Integration of States • Indian National Army (INA) • India’s Viceroys • Mahatma Gandhi: Father of the Nation • Rabindranath Thakur (Tagore) • Jawaharlal Nehru (1889–1964) • Famous Statements World History: • Pre-Historic Period • Mesopotamian or Sumerian Civilisation (4100–1750 BC) • Egyptian Civilisation (3000 BC– 750 BC) • Indus Valley Civilisation • Chinese Civilisation • Persian Civilisation (6th Century BC) • Greek Civilisation • Macedonian Empire • Roman Civilisation • American Civilisation • Middle Ages (5th–15th Century) • Renaissance • Reformation (16th Century) • United States of America • French Revolution (1789) • The Industrial Revolution (1750 AD–1850 AD) • Russian Revolution • Chinese Revolution (1911) • First World War (1914–1918) • Unification of Italy • Fascism • Unification of Germany • Second World War (1939–45)
Model Questions for the Preliminary Examination Previous Year’s Questions Answer Key
Unit VII: General Science and Technology Key Concepts Physics: • Units and Dimensions • Work, Power, and Energy • Gravitational Force • Hydrostatics • Surface Tension • Thermometry • Thermal Expansion • Thermodynamics • Reflection of Light • Electricity • Atomic and Nuclear Physics • The Four Fundamental Forces • Radioactivity • Carbon Dating • Photoelectric Effect • Sound Waves Chemistry: • Important Concepts of Chemistry • Atomic Structure and Related • Concepts • Types of Reactions and Acids • Bases, Salts, and Buffer • Gases • Metals, Non-Metals, Alloys, and Metallurgy • Energy Resources • Electrochemistry • Air • Carbon and Its Compound • Human-Made Materials • Miscellaneous Biology: • Skeletal System • Skeletal System Disorders • Articulation of Bones—The Joints • Types of Joints • The Muscular System • Respiratory System • Circulatory System • Blood • The Nervous System • Sensory Organs • Digestive System • Excretory System • Reproductive System • Endocrine System • Diseases • Major Diseases • Lymphatic System and Immunity • Animal Kingdom • Plant Biology • Plant Anatomy • Plant Physiology • Plant Reproduction • Plant Genetics • Plant Diseases • Cell • Nucleic Acids • Origin of Life • Miscellaneous Facts About Human Body • Orbits • Satellites • Defence Technology • Communication Technology • Nanotechnology • Biotechnology Computers and IT: • Computers • Glossary
Model Questions for the Preliminary Examination Previous Year’s Questions Answer Key
Unit VIII: Sports Key Concepts • Olympic Games • Asian Games • Commonwealth Games (CWG) • South Asian Federation (SAF) Games • FIFA World Cup • Cricket World Cup • Hockey World Cup • Other Sports
Model Questions for the Preliminary Examination Previous Year’s Questions Answer Key
Unit IX: Indian Economy Key Concepts • Understanding a Nation’s Income • Productivity and Growth • Savings, Investment, and the Financial System • Money and the Financial System in India • The Monetary Policy • Cost of Living—Inflation • Unemployment • International Economics • Budget and Fiscal Policy • The Three Sectors of Indian Economy • Poverty and Social Infrastructure • Business Models of Investment • Sustainable Development
Appendix: GK Essential Key Concepts National-Insignia: • National Flag • National Emblem • National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana) • National Song (Vande Mataram) • National Animal • National Bird • Language • National Days Countries with Capitals and Currencies: • List of all Countries, Capital, and Currency First in India and World: • First Females in India • First Males in India • First in the World Awards and Honours: • Civilian Awards in India • Gallantry Awards in India • Sports Awards in India • Film Awards in India • Literary Awards in India • Other National Awards in India • International Awards • Nobel Prize Winners from India • Grammy Awards Indian Winners • Pulitzer Prize Winners in India • Magsaysay Awards Winners in India • Man Booker Prize Indian Winners • Right Livelihood Award Indian Winners Indian and International Organizations and their Headquarters: • Indian Institutions and their Locations • Defence Institutes of India • ISRO Centres and Units • International Organisations and their Headquarters Important Days, Week, Years, and Decades (National and International): • Important National and International Days and Weeks • Important International Years • Important International Decades Books and Authors: • Books and Authors List of Indian Cities Situated on the Banks of Rivers: • Indian Cities with States Situated on the Banks of Rivers • List of Global Cities Situated on the Banks of Rivers • Highest Mountains in the World Geographical Epithets: • Places and their Epithets Important International Boundary Lines: • Important International Borders Emblems of Various Countries: • Countries and their National Emblem • National Animal • Countries and their National Birds • Countries and their Major Political Parties • Countries and their News Agency • Countries and their Parliament’s Name • Locations and their Landmarks • Famous Places in India • Temples and their Locations • Indian Organisations and their Locations Old Names and New Names of Countries, Cities, and Other Areas: • Historical and Contemporary Names of Countries, Cities, and Other Regions in India and Worldwide Security and Intelligence Agencies and Their Locations: • Security and Intelligence Agencies and their Locations • Nations and their Respective Newspapers • Countries and their Respective Official Publications • UNO Secretary Generals and their Terms • SAARC Designated Years • SAARC Designated Decades • Symbols and their Meaning • Wonders of the World • Union Territories and their Foundation Day • Prominent Individuals and their Titles, Final Resting Place and Date of Passing • Places Associated with Eminent Individuals • Eminent Personalities and their Nicknames • Masterpieces and Milestones: Works of Great Personalities Across the Globe • Institution/Eminent Works and Founder Indian Defence Services: • Indian Defence Services • Ranks (Officers) of all Indian Armed Forces • Special Features of Indian Armed Forces • Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) • Special Features of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)
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