Group II – Preliminary Exam
General English- Grammar (Part A)
Phrases, Synonyms, Antonyms, Prefix & Suffix, Fill in the blanks, Prepositions, Tenses, Voice, Homophones, Error Detection, Comprehension, Odd one out, Word Formation, Identify the sentence, Compound words
General English- Literature (Part B)
Figure of Speech, Appreciation Questions from Poetry, Important Lines from Poem, Biography of Important persons, Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, Dr Karl Paulnack, Comprehension Question from Motivational Essays, British English-American English, Comprehension Question from Description of Places
General English- Author & Literary Work (Part C)
Poem & Poets, Author & their stories, Biography & Auto Biography, Characters, Quotes, Important Lines of Indian Authors, Nationality of story, Drama, Folk Arts, About Poets, Dramatist, Famous Quotes, Various Works of Author, Period of the poets, Nature centred Literary works and global issue Environment & Conservation, Theme observed in Literary Work
General Science
Scientific Knowledge and Scientific temper – Power of Reasoning – Rote Learning Vs Conceptual Learning – Science as a tool to understand the past, present and future, Nature of Universe – General Scientific Laws – Mechanics – Properties of Matter, Force, Motion and Energy – Everyday application of the basic principles of Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Light, Sound, Heat, Nuclear Physics, Laser, Electronics and Communications, Elements and Compounds, Acids, Bases, Salts, Petroleum Products, Fertilizers, Pesticides, Main concepts of Life Science, Classification of Living Organisms, Evolution, Genetics, Physiology, Nutrition, Health and Hygiene, Human diseases, Environment and Ecology
Current Events
History – Latest diary of events – National symbols – Profile of States – Eminent personalities and places in news – Sports – Books and authors, Polity – Political parties and political system in India – Public awareness and General administration – Welfare oriented Government schemes and their utility, Problems in Public Delivery Systems, Geography – Geographical landmarks, Economics – Current socio-economic issues, Science – Latest inventions in Science and Technology
Geography of India
Location – Physical features – Monsoon, rainfall, weather and climate – Water resources – Rivers in India – Soil, minerals and natural resources – Forest and wildlife – Agricultural pattern, Transport – Communication, Social geography – Population density and distribution – Racial, linguistic groups and major tribes, Natural calamity – Disaster Management – Environmental pollution: Reasons and preventive measures – Climate change – Green energy
History & Culture of India
Indus valley civilization – Guptas, Delhi Sultans, Mughals and Marathas – Age of Vijayanagaram and Bahmani Kingdoms – South Indian history, Change and Continuity in the Socio-Cultural History of India, Characteristics of Indian culture, Unity in diversity – Race, language, custom, India as a Secular State, Social Harmony
Indian Polity
Constitution of India – Preamble to the Constitution – Salient features of the Constitution – Union, State and Union Territory, Citizenship, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental duties, Directive Principles of State Policy, Union Executive, Union legislature – State Executive, State Legislature – Local governments, Panchayat Raj, Spirit of Federalism: Centre-State Relationships, Election – Judiciary in India – Rule of law, Corruption in public life – Anti-corruption measures – Lokpal and Lok Ayukta – Right to Information – Empowerment of women – Consumer protection forums, Human rights charter
Indian Economy
Nature of Indian Economy – Five year plan models – an assessment – Planning Commission and Niti Ayog, Sources of revenue – Reserve Bank of India – Fiscal Policy and Monetary Policy – Finance Commission – Resource sharing between Union and State Governments – Goods and Services Tax, Structure of Indian Economy and Employment Generation, Land reforms and Agriculture – Application of Science and Technology in agriculture – Industrial growth – Rural welfare oriented programmes – Social problems – Population, education, health, employment, poverty
Indian National Movement
National renaissance – Early uprising against British rule – Indian National Congress – Emergence of leaders – B.R.Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, Bharathiar, V.O.Chidambaranar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Kamarajar, Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Thanthai Periyar, Rajaji, Subash Chandra Bose and others, Different modes of Agitation: Growth of Satyagraha and Militant movements, Communalism and partition
History, Culture, Heritage and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu
History of Tamil Society, related Archaeological discoveries, Tamil Literature from Sangam age till contemporary times
Thirukkural
Botany
Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle – Early agitations against British Rule – Role of women in freedom struggle, Evolution of 19th and 20th Century Socio-Political movements in Tamil Nadu – Justice Party, Growth of Rationalism – Self Respect Movement, Dravidian