GENERAL STUDIES

Now in OAS Main Exam, there are 4 GS Papers instead of two. The new syllabus of 4 GS Papers has been given below.

The nature and standard of questions in this paper will be such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study. The questions will be such as to test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services.

General Studies Paper-1 and Paper-2 main Exam Syllabus for OPSC OAS Exam.

General Studies-1: Indian Heritage and Culture, Odisha Heritage & Culture,

History and Geography of the World & Society

Heritage and Culture

Indian culture covers the salient aspects of Art forms, Literature, and Architecture from Ancient to Modern times.

⚫ Temple Architecture of Odisha.

⚫ Socio-cultural development in Odisha.

⚫ Bhakti Movement in Odisha and its impact on the Society of Odisha.

⚫ Evolution and Growth of Odia Language and Literature and Development of

Odia Literature

Regional Tradition of Odisha-Festivals.

History

⚫ Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until

the present-significant events, personalities, and issues.

The Freedom Struggle its various stages and important contributors/

contributions from different parts of the country. Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.

⚫ Kalinga War and its significance

⚫ Dynastic History of Odisha: Mahameghavahana Kharavela, The Bhauma Karas

and The Somavamsis, The Gangas and Gajapatis.

⚫ Early Resistance Movements in Odisha- Paik Rebellion, Vir Surendra Sai and

the Revolt of 1857.

• Creation of Odisha Province.

⚫ Freedom Movement and Praja Mandal Movements in Odisha; Social bases of

Odia Nationalism; Integration of Princely States in Odisha; Social reform

movements in Odisha.

Geography of India with special reference to Odisha

Physical, economic and social geography of India.

Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone, geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

⚫ Odisha's natural resources: water, forests & minerals.

⚫ Odisha's Physiography and Riverine system.

⚫Salient features of Indian society, Diversity of India and Odisha.

Role of women and women's organization, population an associated

issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and remedies.

• Effects of globalization on Indian society as a whole and Odisha.

Distribution and growth of tribes and tribal population in Odisha;

Urbanization-Growth of urban population and urban centres in Odisha.

⚫ Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and Inter-

State Relations

Governance, Constitution, Polity and Inter-state relations

⚫ Indian Constitution historical underpinnings, evolution, features,

amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and

challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.

Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.

• Parliament and State legislatures-structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.

Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary

Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and

formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.

Salient features of the Representation of People's act, Odisha Right to Public

Services Act and Odisha Lokayukta Act.

Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional bodies.

⚫ Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.

• Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-

governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens

charters, transparency & accountability, and institutional and other measures.

Role of Central and State Civil services in a democracy.

⚫ Panchayati Raj Institution (PRIS) in Odisha.

• Odisha and its neighborhood-relations.

Social Justice

⚫ Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation-India and Odisha.

women SHGS.

the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions, and

⚫ Development processes and the development industry- the role of MSMES &

⚫ Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the State and

Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections- India and Odisha.

⚫ Issues relating to development and management of social sector/ Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources - India and Odisha.

⚫ Issues relating to poverty and hunger-Sustainable Development Goals.

General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity,

Environment, Security and Disaster Management

Science & Technology

⚫ Science and Technology-developments and their applications and effects in

everyday life.

⚫ Achievements of Indians in science & technology; Indigenisation of technology

and developing new technology.

⚫ Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotechnology, Bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

Economic Development

Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

⚫ Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.

⚫ Government Budgeting-India and Odisha.

Land reforms in India & Odisha.

• Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their

effects on industrial growth.

⚫ Infrastructure: Energy, Posts, Roads, Airports, Railways in the Country and

Odisha.

⚫ Industrialisation in Odisha - Issues and prospects.

Agriculture

Major cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of

irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers in India & Odisha.

issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions;

economics of animal-rearing in India & Odisha - Doubling of Farmers' Income.

Food processing and related industries in India & Odisha - scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.

Biodiversity and Environment

Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

Disaster and Disaster Management in the Country and in Odisha State institutions and policies on Disaster Management. Linkages between development and spread of extremism. Left wing

extremism in Odisha.

Security and Disaster Management

⚫ Challenges to internal security though communication networks, role of media

and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention - Arts & policies relating to

Cyber Security and Money laundering.

• Security challenges and their management in border areas linkages of

organized crime with terrorism.

⚫ Various Security forces and agencies of the Country and Odisha and their mandate.

General Studies-IV:

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

This paper will include questions to test the candidates' attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem-solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered:

Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, Determinants and Consequences of Ethics in Human Actions; Dimension of Ethics; Ethics in Private and Public

Relationships. Human Values - Lessons from the Lives and Teachings of Great

Leaders, Reformers and Administrators; Role of Family, Society and

Educational Institutions in Inculcating Values. Attitude: Content, Structure, Function; its Influence and Relation with Thought and Behaviour; Moral and Political Attitudes; Social Influence and Persuasion.

Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service, Integrity, Impartiality and Non-partisanship, Objectivity, Dedication to Public Service, Empathy, Tolerance and Compassion towards the weaker-sections.

Emotional Intelligence-Concepts, and their Utilities and Application in Administration and Governance

• Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers from India and World. Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration: Status and Problems; Ethical Concerns and Dilemmas in Government and Private Institutions; Laws, Rules, Regulations and Conscience as Sources of Ethical Guidance; Accountability and Ethical Governance; Strengthening of Ethical and Moral Values in Governance; Ethical Issues in International Relations and Funding; Corporate Governance.

Probity in Governance: Concept of Public Service; Philosophical Basis of Governance and Probity: Information Sharing and Transparency in Government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen's Charters, Work Culture, Quality of Service Delivery, Utilization of Public Funds, Challenges of Corruption.

• Case Studies on above issues.

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