Spectrum Handbook of General Studies

Price:Rs. 1285
ISBN: 81-7930-470-1
Pages: 1704

What is New in 23 Edition

Designed to meet the preparation needs of candidates of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination Paper I
Detailed information on all the prescribed subjects—current events, History of India, Indian National Movement, Indian and World Geography, Indian Polity and Governance, Economic and Social Development, Environmental Ecology, and General Science
Current Events section is useful for the other subjects as well—especially polity, economy, ecological issues and scientific developments.
Concise and systematic presentation and balanced coverage
Wide-ranging question types, simple and complex
Explanatory notes with the solutions which elucidate and add to information
Solved papers of UPSC 2011 and 2012 Civil Services Preliminary General Studies-I
Select questions from previous years UPSC General Studies papers classified subjectwise alongwith answers.
Two Practice Test Papers for self assessment

Our Regular Features

Comprehensive, balanced coverage of prescribed subjects incorporating the fundamental principles and facts as well as the finer details not easily available from a single source;
Well-researched subject matter compiled after consulting various encyclopaedias, reference manuals, standard text books, dictionaries, newspapers and magazines;
Systematic and concise presentation in simple language, with plenty of illustrations, examples, maps and diagrams and revision exercises to reinforce the reader’s understanding of each subject; where subject matter overlaps, duplication of matter has been avoided by providing cross-references to facilitate the reader in getting the required information;
Multiple choice questions of a wide range comprising simple and complex types, with an emphasis on the latter; questions designed to test and enlarge awareness by forming information units on their own alongwith explanatory notes to supplement the matter in the chapters;
Fully solved General Studies papers of the UPSC Civil Services Examination of the last five years to familiarise the readers with recent question-types and the nature and scope of the examination; this will help even with the changed syllabus—as the changes in the syllabus are not all that drastic.

A special feature is the section, Focussed Reinforcement in Complex Question Types, which concentrates on difficult formats.
The book in its present form gives the most comprehensive possible treatment of the admittedly vast area entitled ‘General Studies’, subject, of course, to the limitations of space. In an undertaking of this magnitude, it is always possible, though regrettable, that some error may creep in despite all the care and sincere effort involved in the production of the work. It would be of great help to us if our readers communicate to us their doubts and send in constructive criticism and suggestions to improve the book for its next edition.

Contents

SAMPLE Tests: solved general studies papers
General Studies Paper I (2011)
General Studies Paper I (2012)

Current Events of National and international importance

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
World Political Review
Africa
Asia
Europe
Oceania
The Americas

International Organisations, Conferences and Reports
Organisations and Conferences
Reports
Relations Between Countries
India and the World
India and International Organisations India and Neighbours
India and Other Asian Countries India and Africa
India and Europe
India and Americas

India: Political, Economic and Social Issues
New President Elected
Vice-Presidential Election
Government Policies
Legislature and Legislation
Judiciary
Federal and Inter-State Issues
Public Finance
Agriculture
Patents
Infrastructure
Financial Market
Social Sector
Environmental Issues

Science and Technology
Astronomy and Space Sciences
Earth Sciences
Discovery of the Higgs Boson Particle
Health and Medicine
Defence Equipments
Information Technology
Environment
Biotechnology and Miscellaneous R&D
Persons in The News
Cultural Panorama
Sports Round-Up
Practice Questions

History of India
1. Introduction
2. Pre-History
3. The Harappan Culture
4. The Vedic Age
5. The Age of the Buddha
6. The Mauryan Empire
7. Post-Mauryan Period (200 BC - AD 300)
8. The Gupta Age
9. North India and the Deccan after the Guptas
10. History of South India
11. Northern India—From the 8th Century to AD 1200
12. The Sultanate of Delhi
13. Provincial Kingdoms after the Sultanate
14. The Mughal Empire
15. The Marathas
16. Advent of European Commerce
17. British Expansion and Consolidation
18. Governors-General and Viceroys During the British Period
19. Administration Under British Rule
20. Economic Impact of British Rule
21. Socio-Religious Reform Movements
22. Development of Education
23. The Trade Union Movement
24. Development of the Press
Ready Reference Data
Practice Questions

INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT
1. Early uprisings Against British Rule
2. Growth of Nationalism
3. The Struggle for Independence Begins: Early Phase (1885-1918)
4. The Gandhian Era (Till end of Second World War) 1919-1945
5. The Final Phase and Achievement of Independence
6. Personalities Associated with the National Movement
Ready Reference Data
Practice Questions

Indian and World Geography

PART ONE : General and World Geography
1. Nature and Scope of Geography
2. A Geographer’s Tools
3. Earth in Space
4. Atmosphere
5. Atmospheric Moisture
6. Climate
7. Hydrosphere
8. The Lithosphere
9. Landforms of the First Order: Continents and Oceans
10. Landforms of the Second Order: Mountains, Plateaus and Plains
11. Internal Forces of Earth and Landforms
12. External Processes and Landforms on Earth
13. Soils
14. Natural Vegetation and Wild Life
15. Social Geography
16. Economic Resources
17. Agriculture
18. Animal Husbandry and Fishery
19. Industry
20. Transport and Communication

PART two : Indian Geography
1. Introduction
2. Geological History
3. Landforms
4. Drainage
5. Climate
6. Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
7. Soils
8. Agriculture
9. Animal Husbandry and Fishery
10. Mineral Resources
11. Energy
12. Industry
13. Transport and Communication
14. The People
15. Settlements and Migration
Ready Reference Data
Practice Questions

Indian Polity and Governance

1. Historical Perspective
2. Features and Philosophy of the Constitution
3. Territory of the Union and Reorganisation of the States
4. Citizenship
5. Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties
6. The Union Executive
7. The Union Legislature
8. Comptroller and Auditor-General
9. The State Executive
10. The State Legislature
11. The State of Jammu and Kashmir
12. Local Government : Panchayati Raj and Nagarpalika
13. Union Territories and Special Areas
14. The Judiciary
15. Indian Federalism and Centre-State Relations
16. Emergency Provisions
17. Civil Services and Public Service Commissions
18. Elections
19. Official Language
20. Provisions Relating to Special Classes
21. Schedules of the Constitution
22. Amendment of the Constitution
23. Issue of Good Governance
24. Issue of Rights
25. Public Policy
26. India’s Foreign Policy
Ready Reference Data
Practice Questions

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

1. Economics, Economies and Development
2. Nature of Indian Economy
3. Planning
4. National Income and Structural Change
5. Capital Formation
6. Agriculture
7. Food Security
8. The Cooperative Movement in India
9. Industry
10. Service Sector
11. Infrastructure
12. Foreign Trade
13. Balance of Payments
14. Foreign Capital in Economic Development
15. Prices
16. Indian Currency, Exchange Rate and Convertibility
17. Financial Market
18. Public Finance
19. Demographics
20. Social Development Initiatives
Terminology
Practice Questions

Issues in Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change
1. Introduction
2. Environmental Degradation
3. Biodiversity
4. Climate Concerns
5. Indian Response to Environmental Ecology: Policies, Programmes and Legislation
6. Selected National Parks and Sanctuaries of India: A Survey
Practice Questions

General Science
The Basics
Physics and Chemistry
Life Science
Ready Reference Data
Practice Questions

General Knowledge review
India: General Information
India: States and Union Territories
India: Population Totals 2011
India : Security Set Up
India : Science and Technology
World Organisations
World: Survey of Countries
Cultural Panorama
Sports and Games
Firsts in The World and India

Practice Questions

Selected Questions from Previous Years Question Papers
Each set is accompanied with Answers and Explanatory Notes where required)
History of India
Indian National Movement
Indian and World Geography
Indian Polity and Governance
Economic and Social Development
Environmental Ecology
General Science
General Knowledge/Miscellaneous

PRACTICE TEST PAPERS

Practice Test Paper One
Practice Test Paper Two