General Studies – I (Compulsory) (Code No : 008)
Standard : Degree
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Total Marks : 200
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Nature of Paper : Conventional Type
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Duration : 3 Hours
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Note:
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1)
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Answers to this paper must be written either in English or in Marathi.
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2)
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The Nature and standard of questions in the paper will be such that a well educated person will be able to answer without any specialised study and its intention is to test candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects.
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3)
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This paper will test the candidate’s ability to comprehend, to analyse, to criticise subject matter related to the topics/sub topics mentioned below.
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4)
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It is expected from candidates to study the latest and recent developments and happenings pertaining to the topics/sub topics mentioned below.
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Section - A (Marks : 40 )
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1)
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History:
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.01)
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Brief history of Maharashtra: Socio-cultural development during the following regimes - Satvahanas - Vakatakas - Chalukyas - Rashtrakutas - Shilahars - Yadavas – Muslim regimes and Marathas.
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.02)
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History of Modern India (1818-1857) particularly Maharashtra: Introduction of modern education - Press, Railway, Post and Telegraph, Industries, Land reforms and Socio-religious reforms – Its impact on society.
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.03)
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Social and economic awakening: Indian Nationalism - 1857 revolt and after, Indian National Congress (1885 - 1947), Role of important personalities, Role of Press and Education in social awakening in pre- independent India.
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.04)
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The other contemporary movements during pre-independence: Satyashodhak Samaj - Dr. B.R.Ambedkar's Movement - Hindu Mahasabha- Muslim League - National Revolutionary Movement - Leftist Movement – Peseant Movement - Tribal uprising.
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.05)
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Post Independence development: Integration of princely states, formation of Linguistic states, Samyukta Maharashtra movement major political parties and personalities involved therein, Major developments and personalities during 1960-1990.
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.06)
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Cultural Heritage of Maharashtra (Ancient to Modern) : Performing Arts (Dance, Drama, Films, Music and Folk Arts), Visual Arts (Architecture, Painting and Sculpture) and Festivals.
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.07)
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Impact of Literature on socio - psychological development of Maharashtra: Bhakti, Dalit, Urban and Rural Literature.
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Section – B ( Marks : 40 )
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2)
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Geography of India – with special reference to Maharashtra :
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.01)
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Location and extent - India's strategic location with reference to her neighbours, Indian Ocean Rim, Asia and the World.
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.02)
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Physical Geography:
Evolution of the Subcontinent - Major physiographic regions - Problems of floods and river pollution - Physiographic details of Maharashtra.
a) Climate: Distribution of Rainfall. Rainfall in Maharashtra - spatial and temporal variability - Agroclimatic zones of Maharashtra - Problem of Drought and scarcity, DPAP (Draught Prone Area Programme) –Water requirement in Agricultural, Industrial and Domestic Sectors. Problem of Drinking Water.
b) Soils - problems of soil erosion and degradation in Maharashtra.
c) Natural Vegetation and wild life - Forest types in India and Indian wild life - National Parks – Sanctuaries in Maharashtra - Tiger Project.
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.03)
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Economic Geography:
Minerals and Energy Resources : There distribution, importance and development in Maharashtra. Tourism in Maharashtra - Religious, Medicinal, Eco-Tourism and Cultural Heritage.
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.04)
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Human and Social Geography:
Distribution of population. Migration of population - effects of migration on source and destination areas. Rural settlements in Maharashtra. Problems of Urban and Rural Settlements – Environmental, Housing, Slum, Water Supply and Sanitation, Urban Traffic and Pollution.
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Section – C ( Marks : 40)
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3)
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Indian Polity (With special Reference to Maharashtra) :
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.01)
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The Constitution of India: Making of the Constitution - Philosophy of the Preamble - Salient Features of the Constitution (Secular democratic and socialist) - Fundamental Rights and Duties - Directive Principles of State Policy such as Free and Compulsory primary education, Uniform Civil Code - Centre - State relations and Formation of New States - Independent Judiciary - Amendment Procedure : Major Amendments to the Constitution : Landmark Judgments used for interpreting the Constitution.
Structure and Functions of major Commissions and Boards: Election Commission, Union and State Public Service Commissions, National Women's Commission, Human Rights Commission, National Minorities S.C./S.T. Commission - River Water Dispute Settlements Board etc.
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.02)
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The Political System (Structure, Powers and Functions of Governments) :
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a) The Central Government - The Union Executive: President- Vice-President - Prime Minister and Council of Ministers - Attorney General of India - Comptroller and Auditor General of India
b) The Union Legislature - Parliament, Speaker and Dy. Speaker - Parliamentary Committees - Parliament's Control over Executive.
c) Judiciary: Organisation of Judiciary - Integrated Judiciary - Functions - Role and Power of the Supreme Court and High Court - Subordinate Courts – Lok Pal, Lok Aayukt and Lok Nyayalaya - Judiciary as a watch-dog protecting the Constitutional Order- Judicial Activism.
d) The State Government: The State Executive - Governor - Chief Minister and the Council of Minister - Role, Functions and Powers - The State Legislature - Legislative Assembly - Legislative Council - Compositions - Powers, Functions and Role - Legislative Committees.
e) The Local Governments :
(1) Urban - Municipal Corporations, Municipal councils, Municipalities, Nagarpanchayat and Cantonment Boards. Structure, Officials, Resources, Powers- Functions and Controls.
(2) Rural - Panchayat Raj System - Zilla Parishad, Taluka Panchayat and Village Panchayat - Structure - Officials - Resources - Powers- Functions and Controls
(3) Significance of 73rd and 74th Amendment to the Constitution.
(4) Empowerment of local government and their role in development.
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.03)
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Parties and Pressure Groups: Nature of Party system - Role of National Parties - Ideology, organisation and electoral performance - Regional Parties - Ideology, Organisation and electoral performance - Major Pressure Groups and Interest Groups in Maharashtra - their Role and impact on Policy making.
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.04)
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The Media: Print and Electronic Media - its impact on policy making, shaping of the public opinion and educating the people.
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.05)
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The Electoral Process: Main features of Electoral process - single member territorial Constituencies. Reserved constituencies for weaker sections - Adult Franchise - Role of Election Commission - General Elections - Major trends – Patterns of Voting behaviour - and Factors influencing the voting behaviour - Problems and difficulties in conducting Free and Fair Elections - Electoral Reforms.
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.06)
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Challenges and Responses to Indian Democracy: Social and Economic inequalities – Regional imbalances - illiteracy and unemployment.
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Section - D ( Marks : 40 )
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4)
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Human Resource Development (HRD) :
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.01)
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Human Resource Development in India - Present status of population in India - quantitative aspect (size and growth - Sex, Age, Urban and Rural) and qualitative aspects (Education and Healthcare). Population policy and projection upto 2050. Importance and need of Human Resource planning in modern society. Components and factors involved in planning of Human Resources. Nature, types and problems of unemployment in India, Trends of Employment in India, Demand estimate of skilled manpower in different Sectors and Areas. Governmental and Voluntary Institution engaged in development of manpower e.g. NCERT, NIEPA, UGC, Open Universities, AICTE, ITIs, NCVT, IMC etc. Problems and issues related to HRD. Govt. employment policy, various schemes to reduce unemployment and underemployment.
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.02)
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Education: Education as a tool of HR development and social change. Education (Pre-primary to Higher Education) system in India. Problems and issues (Universalisation of education, vocationalisation of education. Quality improvement, Dropout etc.) Education for - Girls, Socially and Economically underprivileged classes, Handicapped, Minorities, Talent Search etc. Govt. policies, Schemes and programms for Education, Govt. and Voluntary Agencies involved in promoting, regulating and monitoring Formal, Non- formal and Adult education. e-Learning. Impact of globalisation and privatisation on Indian education.
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.03)
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Vocational Education: As a tool of HR development. Vocational/Technical Education- Present status, systems and training in India particularly in Maharashtra. Govt. policies, schemes and programs – Problems, issues and efforts to overcome them. Institutes involved in promoting, regulating, accrediting vocational and Technical Education.
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.04)
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Health: As an essential and major component of HRD, Vital Statistics, World Health Organisation (WHO) - objectives, structure, functions and its programmes. Govt. Health policies, schemes and programmes, Healthcare system in India. Problems and issues related to Healthcare and efforts to overcome them.
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.05)
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Rural Development: Empowerment of panchayat Raj system. Village Panchayat and its role in Rural development, Land reforms and development, Role of cooperative institutes in Rural Development, Financial Institutes involved in Rural Development, Rural Employment Schemes, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation programs. Infrastructure development e.g. Energy, Transportation, Housing and communication in rural area.
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Section - E ( Marks : 40 )
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5)
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Human Rights :
Concept –Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR 1948)- International human rights
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