GROUP-I MAINS EXAMINATION

ENGLISH

Marks — 150 Medium: English Time- 150 Minutes

• 01 ESSAY (A minimum of 200 words and a maximum of 250 words):
  • Choose any one topic from a list of five. (Descriptive/analytical/philosophical/based on Current Affairs)
• 02 LETTER WRITING (in about 100 words): 10
  • A formal letter expressing one's opinion about an issue. The issues can deal with daily office matters/ a problem that has occurred in the office/ an opinion in response to one sought by a ranked officer etc.
• 03 PRESS RELEASE/ APPEAL (in about 100 words): 10
  • The PR or appeal should be on an issue pertaining to a recent concern/problem/disaster/rumours etc.
• 04 REPORT WRITING (in about 150 words): 15
  • A report on an official function/event/field trip/survey etc.
• 05 WRITING ON VISUAL INFORMATION (in about 150 words): 15
  • A report on a graph/image/flow chart/table of comparison/simple statistical data etc.
• 06 FORMAL SPEECH (in about 150 words): 15
  • A speech (in a formal style) that is to be read out in a formal function. This could be an inauguration speech, an educational seminar/conference, a formal ceremony of importance etc.
• 07 PRECIS WRITING: 15
  • A precis in about 100 words for a 300-word passage.
• 08 READING COMPREHENSION: 15
  • A reading passage of about 250 words to be given followed by short-answer type questions.
• 09 ENGLISH GRAMMAR: 20
  • Multiple choice questions set from the following list:
    • a. Tenses
    • b. Voice
    • c. Narration (Direct-Indirect)
    • d. Transformation of sentences
    • e. Use of Articles and Determiners
    • f. Use of Prepositions
    • g. Use of Phrasal verbs
    • h. Use of idiomatic expressions
    • i. Administrative Glossary
    • j. Synonyms/Antonyms
    • k. One-word substitution
    • l. Cohesive devices/Connectives/Linkers
    • m. Affixes
    • n. Words that cause confusion like homonyms/homophones
• 10. TRANSLATION: 15
  • Translation of a short passage (of about 150 words) from Regional Language to English.
• Total: 150

TELUGU

Marks-150 Medium: Telugu Time- 150 Minutes

• 1. ESSAY (A minimum of 200 words and a maximum of 250 words): 20
  • Choose any one topic from a list of five. (Descriptive/analytical/Philosophical/based on Current Affairs)
• 2. To ELABORATE the thought of poetic or verse (any two of the three): 10
  • (about 100 words)
• 3. PRECIS WRITING:
  • 1/3rd summary of the given passage in your words - 10
• 4. COMPREHENSION:
  • A reading passage of about 250 words to be given followed by short-answer type questions - 10
• 5. FORMAL SPEECH:
  • Welcome, Farewell, Inauguration etc. / Speech for the press conference (energy, farm credit, pollution, health related policy or problem) (in about 150 words) - 10
• 6. To PREPARE THE STATEMENTS for publicity media:
  • (in about 100 words) - 10
• 7. LETTER WRITING (in about 100 words):
  • (Congratulation/Best wishes/Request/Complaint etc.) - 10
• 8. DEBATE WRITING (in about 150 words):
  • (Newspaper issues / current issues / editorial presenting individual opinion) - 10
• 9. APPLICATION WRITING (in about 150 words): 10
• 10. REPORT WRITING (in about 150 words): 10
• 11. DIALOGUE WRITING OR DIALOGUE SKILLS: 10
  • Dialogues between two people (in about 150 words) (Group discussion, work of the meeting, water, agriculture, health, sanitation, education related problems etc.)
• 12. TRANSLATION:
  • Translation from English to Telugu Language - 10
• 13. Grammar of Telugu: 20
• Total: 150

PAPER-I - GENERAL ESSAY

Marks - 150 Medium: English/Telugu Time- 150 Minutes

• The candidates are required to attempt three essays, one from each of the three sections, in about 800 words each.
• Objective:
  • This paper is designed to test candidate's (i) knowledge / awareness of a variety of Subjects and (ii) their ability to compose a sustained piece of writing in the form of an essay.
• Contents:
  • i. Current affairs
  • ii. Socio-political issues
  • iii. Socio-economic issues
  • iv. Socio-environmental issues
  • v. Cultural and historical aspects
  • vi. Issues related to civic awareness
  • vii. Reflective topics
• Areas of Testing:
  • 1. Ability to compose a well-argued piece of writing
  • 2. Ability to express coherently and sequentially
  • 3. Awareness of the subject chosen
• Evaluation / Marking:
  • a. Observing established rules and format for essay writing
  • b. Grammatical correctness of expression
  • c. Originality of thought and expression

PAPER — II: HISTORY, CULTURE AND GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA AND ANDHRA PRADESH

Marks — 150 Medium: English / Telugu Time- 150 Minutes

• A. History and Culture of India:
  • 1. Pre-Historic Cultures in India: Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Culture, Mahajanapadas, Emergence of New Religions (Jainism, Buddhism), Rise of Magadha and Age of the Mauryas, Ashoka Dharma, Foreign Invasions, The Kushans.
  • The Satavahanas, the Sangam Age in South India, the Sungas, the Guptas, the Kanauj and their Contributions, Historical Accounts of Foreign Travelers, Early Educational Institutions.
  • 2. The Pallavas, Badami Chalukyas, Eastern Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas and Cholas — Socio-Cultural Contributions, Language, Literature, Art and Architecture; Delhi Sultanates; Advent of Islam and its Impact; Religious Movements like Bhakti and Sufi.
  • Growth of Vernacular Languages, Scripts, Literature, Fine Arts; Socio-Cultural Conditions of Kakatiyas, Vijayanagaras, Bahmanis, Qutubsahis and contemporary South Indian kingdoms.
  • 3. The Mughals: Administration, Socio-Religious life and Cultural developments; Shivaji and Rise of Maratha Empire; Advent of Europeans in India; Trade practices; Rise of East India Company and its Hegemony; Changes in Administration, Social and Cultural spheres; Role of Christian Missionaries.
  • 4. Rise of British rule in India (1757–1856); Land Revenue Settlements (Permanent, Ryotwari, Mahalwari); 1857 Revolt and its Impact; Education, Press, Cultural changes; Rise of National Consciousness; Socio-Religious Reform Movements (Rajaram Mohan Roy, Dayananda Saraswathi, Swamy Vivekananda, Annie Besant, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan).
  • Rise of Indian Nationalism: Activities of Indian National Congress, Vandemataram, Home Rule Movements, Self Respect Movement, Role of Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Vallabai Patel, Satyagraha, Quit India Movement, Dr B.R. Ambedkar and his Contributions.
  • 5. Indian Nationalism in three phases: Freedom Struggle 1885–1905, 1905–1920, Gandhi Phase 1920–1947; Peasant, Women, Tribal and Workers Movements; Role of Different parties in Freedom Struggle; Local and Regional Movements; Inter Religious Unity and Communalism; Independence and Partition of India; India after Independence: Rehabilitation, Linguistic Re-organization, Integration of States, Indian Constitution, Economic policies, Foreign Policy Initiatives.
• B. History and Culture of Andhra Pradesh:
  • 6. Ancient: Satavahanas, Ikshvakus, Salankayanas, Pallavas, Vishnukundins — Social and Economic Conditions, Religion, Language (Telugu), Literature, Art and Architecture, Jainism and Buddhism; Eastern Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Renati Cholas — Socio-Cultural life, Telugu Script, Language, Literature, Art and Architecture.
  • 7. Medieval: Socio-Cultural and Religious Conditions (1000–1565 A.D.); Antiquity, Growth of Telugu Language and Literature (Kavitraya, Ashtadiggajas); Fine Arts, Art & Architecture of Kakatiyas, Reddis, Gajapatis, Vijayanagaras and their feudatories; Historical Monuments; Contribution of Qutubshahis; Regional Literature (Praja Kavi – Vemana and others).
  • 8. Modern: European Trade Establishments in Andhra, Andhra under Company Rule, Role of Christian Missionaries, Socio-Cultural and Literary Awakening (C.P. Brown, Thamos Munro, Mackenzie), Zamindary and Poligary System, Native States, Little Kings; Role of Social Reformers (Gurajada Apparao, Kandukuri Veeresalingam, Raghupati Venkataratnam Naidu, Gidugu Ramamurthy, Annie Besant); Library Movement; Role of Newspapers; Folk and Tribal Culture; Role of Women.
  • 9. Nationalist Movement: Role of Andhra leaders, Justice Party, Non-Brahmin Movement, Nationalist and Revolutionary Literature (Gurram Jashva, Boyi Bheemanna, Sri Sri, Garimella Satyanarayana, Rayaprolu Subbarao, Unnava Lakshminarayana, Tripuraneni Ramaswamy Choudhary); Andhra Mahasabhas, Andhra Movement; Prominent leaders (Alluri Sitaramraju, Duggirala Gopalakrishnaiah, Konda Venkatappayya, Pattabhi Seetaramaiah, Ponaka Kanakamma, Dokka Sitamma); Grandhalaya Movement; Formation of Andhra State (1953), Emergence of Andhra Pradesh (1956), Andhra Pradesh 1956–2014; Causes for Bifurcation, Impact of 2nd June 2014.
  • 10. Andhra Pradesh: Bifurcation impact on Administrative, Economic, Social, Political, Cultural, Legal aspects; Loss of Capital City, Building of New Capital and financial implications; Division of Employees; Effect on Trade & Commerce, Industry; Implications on State Government finances; Developmental Opportunities; Socio-Economic, Cultural, Demographic impact; River water sharing issues; Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act 2014.
• C. Geography: India and Andhra Pradesh
  • 11. Physical Features and Resources: Major landforms, Climatic changes, Soil types, Rivers, Water, Streams, Geology, Rocks, Mineral Resources, Metals, Clays, Construction Materials, Reservoirs, Dams, Forests, Mountains, Hills, Flora and fauna, Plateau Forests, Hill Forests, Vegetation Classification.
  • 12. Economic Geography: Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fishery, Quarrying, Mining, Household Manufacturing, Industries — Agro, Mineral, Forest, Fuel and Manpower, Trade and Commerce, Communication, Road Transport, Storage, and others.
  • 13. Social Geography: Population Movements and Distribution, Human Habitations, Density, Age, Sex, Rural, Urban, Race, Caste, Tribe, Religion, Linguistic, Urban Migration, Education Characteristics.
  • 14. Fauna and Floral Geography: Wild Animals, Animals, Birds, Reptiles, Mammals, Trees and Plants.
  • 15. Environmental Geography: Sustainable Development, Globalization, Temperature, Humidity, Cloudiness, Winds, Special Weather Phenomena, Natural Hazards — Earthquakes, Landslides, Floods, Cyclones, Cloud Burst, Disaster Management, Impact Assessment, Environmental Pollution, Pollution Management.

PAPER III - POLITY, CONSTITUTION, GOVERNANCE, LAW AND ETHICS

Marks — 150 Medium: English / Telugu Time- 150 Minutes

• A. Indian Polity and Constitution:
  • 1. Indian Constitution and its salient features; Functions and duties of the Indian Union and the State Governments.
  • 2. Issues and challenges pertaining to the Federal structure; Role of Governor in States; Distribution of powers between the Union and States (Union list, State list, and Concurrent list); Issues and challenges.
  • 3. Rural and Urban Local Governance under 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment; Constitutional Authorities and their Role.
  • 4. Parliament and State Legislatures — structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
  • 5. Judiciary in India — Structure and functions, important provisions relating to emergency and constitutional amendments, judicial review, Public Interest Litigation.
• B. Public Administration and Governance:
  • 6. Meaning, Nature and Scope of Public Administration; Evolution in India; Administrative ideas in Kautilya's Arthashastra, Mughal administration; Legacy of British rule.
  • 7. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors; Issues and problems of implementation.
  • 8. Development processes — the role of civil society, NGOs and other stakeholders.
  • 9. Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial authorities; Role of Civil Services in Democracy.
  • 10. Good governance and e-governance — Transparency, accountability and responsiveness in governance; Citizen's Charter, RTI, Public Service Act and their implications; Concept of Social Audit and its importance.
• C. Ethics in Public Service and Knowledge of Law:
  • 11. Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of ethics in human actions; Dimensions of Ethics in private and public relationships; Ethics, integrity, and accountability in public service.
  • 12. Human Values: Understanding harmony in existence; Human relationships in society and nature; Gender equability; Role of family, society, and educational institutions in imparting values; Lessons from great leaders, reformers, and administrations.
  • 13. Attitude: Content, functions, influence and relation with thought and behaviour; Moral and political attitudes; Role of social influence and persuasion; Emotional intelligence — concepts, utilities, and application in administration and governance.
  • 14. Concept of Public Service: Philosophical basis of governance, professional ethics; Codes of ethics, codes of conduct, RTI, Public Service Act; Leadership ethics, work culture, ethical principles within organizations; Ethical and moral values in governance; Ethical issues in international relations, corruption, Lokpal, Lokayukta.
  • 15. Basic Knowledge of Laws in India:
    • Constitution of India: Nature and salient features; Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy; Bifurcation of powers between centre and state (state list, union list, concurrent list); Powers of judiciary, executive and legislature.
    • Civil and Criminal laws: Hierarchy of civil and criminal courts; Difference between substantial and procedural laws; Order and decree; New developments in criminal laws; Nirbhaya Act.
    • Labour Law: Concept of social welfare legislations in India; Changing trends in employment and necessity for new labour laws.
    • Cyber Laws: Information Technology Act; Cyber Security and Cyber Crime; Challenges in determining competent jurisdiction of courts for cyber-crimes.
    • Tax Laws: Laws relating to income, profits, wealth tax, corporate tax, GST.

PAPER — IV — ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA AND ANDHRA PRADESH

Marks — 150 Medium: English/Telugu Time - 150 Minutes

• 1) Major Challenges of Indian Economy:
  • Inconsistent growth rate
  • Low growth rates of agriculture and manufacturing sectors
  • Inflation and oil prices
  • Current account deficit and unfavorable balance of payments
  • Falling rupee value, growing NPAs and capital infusion
  • Money laundering and black money
  • Insufficient financial resources and deficiency of capital
  • Lack of Inclusive growth and Sustainable development
  • Nature, causes, consequences and solutions of these problems
• 2) Resource Mobilization in Indian Economy:
  • Sources of financial resources for public and private sectors
  • Budgetary resources – tax revenue and non-tax revenue
  • Public debt: market borrowings, loans and grants etc.
  • External debt from multilateral agencies
  • Foreign institutional investment and foreign direct investment – desirability and consequences
  • Monetary and fiscal policies
  • Financial markets and institutions of developmental finance
  • Investment in industries and infrastructure projects
  • Physical resources – Energy resources
• 3) Resource Mobilization in Andhra Pradesh:
  • Budgetary resources and constraints
  • Fulfillment of the conditions of A.P Bifurcation Act
  • Central assistance and issues of conflict
  • Public debt and projects of external assistance
  • Physical resources – Mineral and forest resources
  • Water disputes with neighboring states
• 4) Government Budgeting in India:
  • Structure of Government budget and its components
  • Budgeting process and recent changes
  • Types of budget and types of deficits, their impact and management
  • Highlights of current year’s union budget and analysis
  • GST and related issues
  • Central assistance to states
  • Issues of federal finance in India
  • Recommendations of the latest finance commission
• 5) Government Budgeting in Andhra Pradesh:
  • Budget constraints
  • Central assistance and issues of conflict after bifurcation of the state
  • Management of deficits
  • Highlights and Analysis of the current year budget
  • State finance commission and local finance in Andhra Pradesh
• 6) Inclusive Growth:
  • Meaning of inclusion and causes of exclusion in India
  • Strategies and instruments of inclusion: Poverty alleviation, employment, health, education, women empowerment, social welfare schemes
  • Food Security and Public Distribution System
  • Sustainable agriculture and Integrated Rural Development
  • Regional diversification and public-private partnership for inclusive growth
  • Financial inclusion and all Andhra Pradesh government’s current schemes
• 7) Agricultural Development in India:
  • Role of agriculture in economic development and contribution to GDP
  • Issues of finance, production, marketing
  • Green revolution and changing focus to dryland farming, organic farming, sustainable agriculture
  • Minimum support prices, agriculture policy, Swaminathan commission, Rainbow revolution
• 8) Agricultural Development in Andhra Pradesh:
  • Contribution to SGDP
  • Regional disparities in irrigation and agricultural development
  • Changing cropping pattern, focus on horticulture, fisheries and dairying
  • Government schemes to promote agriculture
• 9) Industrial Development and Policy:
  • Role of industrial sector in economic development
  • Evolution of industrial policy since independence
  • Industrial Policy 1991 and its impact
  • Contribution of Public Sector to industrial development
  • Impact of liberalization, privatization, globalization
  • Disinvestment and privatization, problems of core industries
  • Micro, small and medium enterprises – problems and policies
  • Industrial sickness and support mechanism
  • Manufacturing policy, Make-in-India, Start-up programme, NIMZs, SEZs, industrial corridors
• 10) Industrial Policy of Andhra Pradesh:
  • Incentives to industries
  • Industrial corridors and SEZs in Andhra Pradesh
  • Bottlenecks for industrial development and power projects
• 11) Infrastructure in India:
  • Transport infrastructure: Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, major projects
  • Communication infrastructure: IT, e-governance, Digital India
  • Energy and Power
  • Urban infrastructure: smart cities, urban environment, solid waste management
  • Weather forecast and disaster management
  • Issues of finance, ownership, operation and maintenance
  • Public-private partnership and related issues
  • Pricing of public utilities and environmental impacts
• 12) Infrastructure Development in Andhra Pradesh:
  • Transport, Energy and ICT infrastructure
  • Bottlenecks and government policy
  • Ongoing projects

PAPER - V — SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Marks — 150 Medium: English / Telugu Time- 150 Minutes

• 1) Integration of Science, Technology and Innovation:
  • Science & Technology in everyday life
  • National Policies on proliferation of Science, Technology and Innovation
  • India's contribution in the field of Science and Technology
  • Concerns and challenges in the proliferation and use of science and technology
  • Role and Scope of Science and Technology in nation building
  • Major Scientific Institutes for Science & Technology in AP and India
  • Major Scientific Institutes for Research and Development in AP and India
  • Achievements of Indian Scientists in Science and Technology
  • Indigenous technologies and development of new technologies
• 2) Information and Communication Technology (ICT):
  • Importance, advantages and challenges of ICT
  • E-governance and India
  • Cyber Crime and policies to address security concerns
  • Government of India Policy on Information Technology (IT)
  • IT Development in AP and India
• 3) Indian Space Programme:
  • Past, Present and Future of Indian Space Programme
  • Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) – activities and achievements
  • Satellite Programmes of India and their applications (Health, Education, Communication Technology, Weather forecasting)
  • Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)
• 4) Energy and Nuclear Policies:
  • India's energy needs, efficiency and resources
  • Clean energy resources and Energy policy of India
  • Conventional and Non-Conventional energy resources
  • Energy demands, thermal, renewable energy (solar, wind, bio and waste-based), geothermal and tidal sources
  • Energy Policies in India, energy security
  • Salient features of Nuclear Policy of India
  • Development of Nuclear programmes in India and International nuclear policies
• 5) Development Vs. Nature / Environment:
  • Depletion of Natural Resources: Metals, Minerals – Conservation Policy
  • Environmental Pollution: Natural and Anthropogenic, Environmental degradation
  • Sustainable Development – possibilities and challenges
  • Climate Change and Climate Justice
  • Environment Impact Assessment, Natural Disasters: Cyclones, Earthquakes, Landslides, Tsunamis – Prediction and Management
  • Correlation between Health & Environment, Social Forestry, Afforestation, Deforestation, Mining in AP and India
  • Types of Natural Resources: renewable and nonrenewable, forest resources, fishery resources, fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas), mineral resources, water resources, land resources
• 6) Environmental Pollution and Solid Waste Management:
  • Sources, impacts and control of air, water, soil, and noise pollution
  • Solid waste management: types, impacts, recycling, reuse
  • Remedial measures for soil erosion and coastal erosion
  • Global environmental issues and role of IT in Environment and Human Health
  • Ozone layer depletion, Acid rain, Global Warming and impacts
  • Environmental legislation: International Law, Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol, UNFCCC, CITES, Environment (Protection) Act 1986, Forest Conservation Act, Wildlife Protection Act, Biodiversity Bill, COP21, SDGs, National Disaster Management Policy 2016, Disaster management initiatives in India
  • White Revolution, Green Revolution, Green Pharmacy
• 7) Biotechnology and Nanotechnology:
  • Nature, scope and applications in India
  • Ethical, Social and Legal concerns, Government policies
  • Genetic engineering and related issues
  • Biodiversity, fermentation, immuno-diagnosis techniques
• 8) Human Diseases and Biotechnology:
  • Microbial infections and preventive measures
  • Bacterial, viral, protozoal and fungal infections
  • Basic knowledge of infections: diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, tuberculosis, malaria, viral infections (HIV, Encephalitis, Chikungunya, bird flu) and preventive measures
  • Introduction to Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology: tissue culture methods, applications in agriculture (bio-pesticides, bio-fertilizers, bio-fuels, GM crops)
  • Animal husbandry – transgenic animals
  • Vaccines: concepts in immunity, production of modern vaccines (e.g., Hepatitis vaccine)
• 9) Intellectual Property Rights:
  • Issues related to Intellectual Property Rights in Science and Technology
  • Promotion of Science in AP and India