General Studies – I (Compulsory) (Code No : 008)


General Studies – I (Compulsory) (Code No : 008)


Standard  : Degree
Total Marks : 200
Nature of Paper : Conventional Type
Duration : 3 Hours

Note:
1)
Answers to this paper must be written either in English or in Marathi.

2)
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.

3)
This paper will test the candidate’s ability to comprehend, to analyse, to criticise subject matter related to the topics/sub topics mentioned below.

4)
It is expected from candidates to study the latest and recent developments and happenings pertaining to the topics/sub topics mentioned below.

Section - A  (Marks : 40 )
1)
History:

.01)
Brief history of Maharashtra: Socio-cultural development during the following regimes - Satvahanas - Vakatakas - Chalukyas - Rashtrakutas - Shilahars - Yadavas – Muslim regimes and Marathas.

.02)
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.

.03)
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.

.04)
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.

.05)
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.

.06)
Cultural Heritage of Maharashtra (Ancient to Modern) : Performing Arts (Dance, Drama, Films, Music and Folk Arts), Visual Arts (Architecture, Painting and Sculpture) and Festivals.

.07)
Impact of Literature on socio - psychological development of Maharashtra: Bhakti, Dalit, Urban and Rural Literature.

Section – B  ( Marks : 40 )
2)
Geography of India – with special reference to Maharashtra :

.01)
Location and extent - India's strategic location with reference to her neighbours, Indian Ocean Rim, Asia and the World.

.02)
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.

.03)
Economic Geography:
Minerals and Energy Resources : There distribution, importance and development in Maharashtra.  Tourism in Maharashtra - Religious, Medicinal, Eco-Tourism and Cultural Heritage.

.04)
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.
Section – C  ( Marks : 40)
3)
Indian Polity (With special Reference to Maharashtra) :

.01)
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.

.02)
The Political System (Structure, Powers and Functions of Governments) :


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.

.03)
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.

.04)
The Media: Print and Electronic Media - its impact on policy making, shaping of the public opinion and educating the people.

.05)
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.

.06)
Challenges and Responses to Indian Democracy: Social and Economic inequalities – Regional imbalances - illiteracy and unemployment.
Section - D ( Marks : 40 )
4)
Human Resource Development  (HRD) :

.01)
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.

.02)
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.

.03)
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.

.04)
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.

.05)
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.

Section - E ( Marks : 40 )
5)
Human Rights :
Concept –Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR 1948)- International human rights

MPSC Revised Syllabus for State Services (Main) Examination


MAHARASHTRA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION Revised Syllabus for State Services (Main) Examination

- Contents -
i)   Notification  
ii)  Subject Scheme 
iii) Syllabi: -

a)    Compulsory Subjects:

1. Marathi
3. General Studies – I
2. English
4. General Studies - II

b)    Optional Subjects:

1.  Agriculture
18. Management
2.  Agricultural Engineering
19. Mathematics
3.  Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
20. Mechanical Engineering
4.   Botany
21. Medical Sciences
5.   Chemistry
22   Philosophy
6.   Civil Engineering
23. Physics
7.   Commerce & Accountancy
24. Political Science and International Relations
8.   Computer Science
25. Psychology
9.    Economics
26. Public Administration
10.  Electrical Engineering
27. Sociology
11.  Electronics Engineering
28. Statistics
12.  Geography
29. Zoology
13.  Geology
30. Marathi (Literature)
14.  History
31.  Hindi (Literature)
15. Home Science
32. English  (Literature )
16. Horticulture
33. Sanskrit (Literature )
17. Law
34. Urdu (Literature)

MPSC related FAQs


Q1) What are the services offered by the MPSC Civil Services Examination?
A.1) Deputy Collector, Deputy Suprintendent of Police (DySP), Assistant Commissionor of Police (ACP), Sub-registrar Cooperative Societies, Sales Tax Officer (STO), Deputy Chief Executive Officer,Block Development Officer (BDO), Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO), Education Officer,Tahasildar, Nayab Tahasildar, Taluka Inspector of Land Records (TILR), Mantralaya Section Officer.

Q2) What is the structure of MPSC Preliminary Examination?
 A.2) One question paper of 200 marks, 200 multiple choice type questions, 2 hours. Medium - in English and Marathi. Break-up of the question paper : Arts / Social Sciences - 30 marks, Intelligence Test - 50 marks, Current Affairs - 30 marks, Science and Technology - 30 marks, Commerce and Economics - 30 marks, Agriculture - 30 marks. Grand Total - 200 marks. Comprehensive course at ChanakyaMandal Mandal Pariwar contains training for all above components.

Q3) What is the structure of MPSC Mains Examination?
A.3) General Studies Paper 1 - 100 marks, General Studies Paper 2 - 100 marks, English (compulsory) - 100 marks, Marathi (compulsory) - 100 marks, First Optional Subject - 200 marks, Second Optional Subject - 200 marks. Grand Total (of written exam) 800 marks. Personality test (interview : 200 marks). List of Optional subjects : same as that of UPSC. Comprehensive course at ChanakyaMandal Mandal Pariwar contains training for all above components.
 
Q4) Who can appear for MPSC?
A.4) Age : 19 to 30 years for open catagory, relaxed by 5 years for SC/ST and OBC, Qualification :degree from any Indian University.

History of Maharashtra (Quick Facts)


  • Jorwe in the Ahmadnagar district provide many evidences of ancient civilization in Maharashtra. 
  • The Chinese traveler Hiun Tsang, who visited this region in 640-641 BC, was quite appreciative of the prosperity of the region in his writings.
  • During third and fourth centuries BC, the region of Konkan remained under the control of the Mauryans, whose policies led to great advancements in the fields of trade and Buddhist learning in the region. 
  • After the disintegration of the Mauryan Empire, the Satwahanas (230 BC - AD 225) came to rule this region.Pratishthan or modern Paithan was their capital. This great empire crumbled because of internal feuds in the ranks of vassals.
  • In succession came the great rulers of the Vakataka, Chalukya, and Rashtrakuta empires making Maharashtra a great center of culture and art. 
  • Yadavas were the last of these kingdoms that lost their power in the early 12th century and a long period of Muslim rule started in Maharashtra. 
  • Allauddin Khilji was the first ruler to understand the value of the Deccan as the key to extending influence over south India and consecutive rulers from Delhi till the 17th century tried their best to keep this region under their control.
  • From the middle of the 17th century, a new group of warrior people came to dominate the scene in Maharashtra and elsewhere in India called Marathas. 
  • The origin of Marathas is still debatable, but what is known is that they stole the limelight from the great Mughals. It was only after defeating the Marathas that the English could establish their hegemony on India. 
  • Shivaji was the first great ruler of Marathas and it was he who paved the way for future Maratha influence on India. The heroism and greatness of Shivaji is still remembered by the people of this country and his stories are now part of the great Indian folklores.

Major dams in Maharashtra

Samyukta Maharashtra Movement


Samyukta Maharashtra Movement

United Maharashtra Movement 
United Maharashtra came into being on 1st May 1960. The State of Maharashtra was created under the framework of reconstruction of States on linguistic criteria. But one hundred and six people had to lay down their lives before it could come into being. Before the creation of Unified Maharashtra, a bilingual State came into being. The Maharashtrians continuously opposed the then Congress government on this issue and a separate State of Maharashtra with Mumbai as its capital but without the territory of Karwar and Belgaum, came into being.
Prelude :
The history of Unified Maharashtra movement can be stretched back to 1920s. Lokmanya Tilak coupled national education and freedom together and highlighted the need to impart national education through mother tongue. Around the same time the aims and objectives of the Congress Democratic Party mentioned formation of States along linguistic lines. The same demand was made in the Party Programme and a declaration was made that a State of Maharashtra be created based on a single language. In the 1917 Kolkata (Calcutta) session of the Indian National Congress, Dr. Pattabhi Seetaramayya proposed to create a separate state of Andhra. This proposal was opposed by Dr. Annie Besant, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and Mahatma Gandhi, while Lokmanya Tilak supported it.Mahatma Gandhi changed his opinion later and in 1921 in the Nagpur Session Gandhiji himself proposed recreation of States along the linguistic lines. The Indian National Congress itself was reorganized along linguistic lines. This helped widen the base of Indian National Congress. In 1928 the Workers’ and Farmers’ Party made a presentation before the Motilal Nehru Committee for reorganization of States and demanded a separate State of Maharashtra. The Nehru Committee sanctioned the demand.
In the Marathi Literary Meet held in Mumbai under the chairmanship ofSwatantryaveer Sawarkar on 15th October 1938 the phrase ‘Single language State of Maharashtra including Varhad’ was used intentionally. The reason for using this phrase was the recommendation by Ravishankar Shukla, Chief Minister of Central Provinces (C.P.) and Berar, that Varhad be separated and formed into an independent State. In the 1939 Sahitya Sammelan (Literary Meet) in Ahmednagar, a resolution was passed that a single State be formed of all the regions where the Marathi language is spoken, and named ‘United Maharashtra’. The term ‘United Maharashtra’ came to be used for the first time in this Meet. Ramrao Deshmukh, the member of C.P. and Berar Legislative Assembly, founded the Sanyukta Maharashtra Sabha (United Maharashtra Assembly) in Mumbai to sustain the demand for independent Varhad. The Council for Unification of Maharashtra was founded in Pune in 1941 under the leadership of Dr. Kedar.
The Literary Meet in Belgaum
In the Belgaum Literary Meet on 13th May, 1946, writer Madkholkar first made a demand for Unified Maharashtra. This Unified Maharashtra was to include Mumbai, Central Provinces, Berar, Marathwada and Gomantak. A Council for the Unification of Maharashtra held its meeting in Mumbai on 28th July 1946 under the chairmanship of Shankarrao Dev. The Jalgaon Session of the Council for the Unification of Maharashtra upheld the demand for United Maharashtra including Mumbai.
Dar Commission and JVP Committee
As the freedom to India became imminent, a commission under the chairmanship of Justice S.K. Dar was appointed by Dr. Rajendra Prasad to judge the feasibility of reorganization of States along linguistic lines. Even as the commission was working Mahatma Gandhi wrote in Harijan that a plan acceptable to all be prepared by Mumbai for reorganization of States.Seventeen leaders signed an agreement before the Dar Commission that came to be known as Akola Agreement.
In 1948 The Council for Unification of Maharashtra held its session in Mumbai. Annabhau Sathe presented a programme Mumbai Kunachi(Whom does Bombay belong to). Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar gave his recommendation to the Dar commission emphasizing Maharashtra’s right over Mumbai. On December 1948 the Dar Commission published its report. Dar Commission refuted the right of Maharashtra over Mumbai. There was a strong reaction against the Dar Commission Report. So a JVP Committee consisting of Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabh Bhai Patel and Pattabhi Seetaramayya was formed in the Jaipur session of the Indian National Congress. Even the JVP Committee opposed the idea of Maharashtra along with Mumbai.
After the report of this committee became public, Ramrao Deshmukh gave up the demand for separate Berar and asked for the C. P. and Berar to be amalgamated with Maharashtra. Nobody dared oppose Jawaharlal Nehru and Vallabh Bhai Patel. The Unified Maharashtra Movement was getting moribund when Senapati Bapat came forward and gave it a new lease of life. On 29th November 1949 Acharya Atre and R.D. Bhandare moved a resolution in Mumbai Municipal Corporation for Unified Maharashtra.

While the agitation was on in Maharashtra, the demand for separate Andhra State also gathered strength, for which Potti Ramalu laid down his life. In 1952 the separate State of Andhra came into being. Pandit Nehru appointed the Fazal Ali Commission to review the situation for reorganizing States along linguistic lines. The Sanyukta Maharashtra Parishad (Council for the unification of Maharashtra) made a presentation before the commission. The commission recommended a bilingual State, a separate State of Vidharbha (Berar) and Mumbai State including entire Gujarati speaking region and Marathwada. Morarji Desai, the then Chief Minister of Mumbai, declared that Mumbai would not be unified with Maharashtra ‘for the next five thousand years’(!)
Public contribution to the movement
The Bill for creation of three such States was going to be discussed in the Legislative Assembly. The people of Maharashtra took to the streets, protesting against the Bill. The roads leading to the Legislative Assembly were blocked. The mob became unruly and fifteen people died in the police fire that ensued. Senapati Bapat, leader of the demonstration was arrested.
These fifteen were the first of hundred and sixteen martyrs to the cause of Unified Maharashtra. P.V. Gadgil, the editor of newspaper Lokmanya, resigned his membership of the Legislative Assembly. The Bill could not be passed due to the strong public opinion against it.
 Bilingual State formed
On 16th January 1956 Pt. Nehru declared that Mumbai would remain under the central government and proposed two linguistic States instead of three States: Maharashtra including Vidharbha for Marathi speakers and Gujarat including Kutch and Saurashtra for Gujarati speakers. The public opinion went against this decision. Sixty seven people died in police firings between January 16 and 22. Jayaprakash Narayan demanded Mumbai to be given to the Maharashtra State. The Congress Party in Hyderabad Legislative Assembly also endorsed this view. In the parliament Feroze Gandhi also recommended Mumbai to be given to Maharashtra. C.D. Deshmukh, the famous Economist and minister, resigned from the cabinet on the Mumbai issue. In June 1956, Sanyukta Maharashtra Samiti was formed in London, U.K.
In August 1956, a suggestion was made in Lok Sabha, the lower house of the parliament, that a common State including Maharashtra, Marathwada, Vidharbha, Gujarat, Saurashtra, Kutch and Mumbai be formed. This suggestion was immediately accepted by the government. In October 1956, Morarji Desai went to the central cabinet and Yashawantrao Chavan became the new Chief Minister. Mumbai became the capital of this new State.
 United Maharashtra finally established
In order to oppose Indian National Congress on this issue, a new political party, Sanyukta Maharashtra Vidhansabha Paksha came into being. The party won majority in the Mumbai municipal corporation elections and Acharya Donde became the mayor. In 1959 Indira Gandhi became the president of Indian National Congress. She reviewed the situation in Maharashtra and came to the conclusion that such a bilingual State is not sustainable. She appointed a nine members committee to study the issue. This committee recommended dismantling of the bilingual State and creation of separate Gujarat state. Indira Gandhi accepted that Mumbai be given to Maharashtra. The parliament passed a resolution on 1st May 1960 creating a separate State of Maharashtra consisting of twenty six districts and two hundred and twenty nine taluka.

Vishesh


  • अविस्मरणीय अनुभव!
    • सुनील देशपांडे ,पुणे, ३० एप्रिलअवघ्या महाराष्ट्राला अभिमान वाटावा अशी घटना उद्या घडणार आहे. महाराष्ट्र राज्याच्या स्थापनादिनी मुंबईत शिवाजी पार्क मैदानावर झालेल्या सोहळ्यात ज्यांनी ‘महाराष्ट्र गीत’ सादर केले त्या गानसम्राज्ञी लता मंगेशकर बरोबर पन्नास वर्षांनंतर पुन्हा एकदा ते गीत मुंबईतच विराट जनसमुदायापुढे सादर करणार आहेत. राज्य स्थापनेच्या सोहळ्यात हे गीत लतादीदींनी वयाच्या तिसाव्या वर्षी सादर केले होते. सहस्रचंद्रदर्शन साजरे ...
     
    • ..आणि त्यांचे डोळे पाणावले
      • मुंबई, ३० एप्रिल/प्रतिनिधीराज्याच्या ३५ जिल्ह्यांतून तेथील नद्यांचे वा तलावांचे पाणी आणि माती घेऊन हुतात्मा स्मारकात आलेले स्वातंत्र्य सैनिक एकेक करून हुतात्मा स्मारकाला पुष्पांजली वाहून वंदे मातरमचा घोष करीत होते.देशाच्या स्वातंत्र्य लढय़ात ब्रिटिशांकडून सोसलेल्या यातना एका डोळ्यात आणि महाराष्ट्राच्या उज्ज्वल भवितव्याची आस दुसऱ्या डोळ्यात अशा संमिश्र भावनांनी अनेक स्वातंत्र्य सैनिकांचे डोळे यावेळी पाणावले होते.
       
      • महाराष्ट्र दिनाच्या स्वागतासाठी नाशिकमध्ये विविधरंगी कार्यक्रम
        • नाशिक, ३० एप्रिल / प्रतिनिधीमशाल रॅली, शोभायात्रा, गीत-संगीत, शासकीय कार्यालयांना करण्यात आलेली विद्युत रोषणाई अशा विविधांगी कार्यक्रमांद्वारे येथे महाराष्ट्र दिनाची पूर्वसंध्या उजळली. महाराष्ट्र दिनही भरगच्च कार्यक्रमांच्या साक्षीने साजरा करण्यासाठी संपूर्ण उत्तर महाराष्ट्र सज्ज झाला आहे. मनसेने मराठमोळ्या पद्धतीने स्वागताची जय्यत तयारी केली असून वर्षभरातील उपक्रमांचा श्रीगणेशा प्रमुख चौकात विद्युत रोषणाई व गुढय़ा उभारून केला ...
         
        • महाराष्ट्राच्या मातीत दम आहे - सचिन
          • मुंबई, ३० एप्रिल / प्रतिनिधीसंयुक्त महाराष्ट्राच्या सुवर्ण महोत्सवी वर्षांच्या पूर्वसंध्येला ‘महाराष्ट्र नवनिर्माण सेने’चे अध्यक्ष राज ठाकरे यांच्या संकल्पनेतून साकारलेला अतिभव्य, नेत्रदिपक व दिमाखदार सोहळ्यात ‘मास्टर ब्लास्टर’ सचिन तेंडुलकर यांचा राज ठाकरे यांनी छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराजांच्या  जगदंबा तलवारीची सोन्याची मूठ असलेली प्रतिकृती भेट देवून आगळावेगळा सत्कार केला. या भावपूर्ण सत्काराच्या उत्तरादाखल सचिन म्हणाला की, ...
         
         
         
         
        Source--- LOKSATTA
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