CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) Social Studies / Social Science and Pedagogy (Paper II) Syllabus

Social Studies / Social Science and Pedagogy (Paper II) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Social Studies / Social Science and Pedagogy (Paper II) in CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   History

   4 topics

   • Early Societies and Civilisations
     • Hunter-gatherers and the earliest societies
     • First farmers, herders and cities (Harappan civilisation)
   • Empires and Kingdoms
     • Early states, Mauryan and Gupta empires
     • Medieval kingdoms, Delhi Sultanate and Mughals
   • Modern India and Nationalism
     • Colonialism and British rule
     • The national movement and India's independence
   • Culture and Social Change
     • Devotional paths, art and architecture
     • Reform movements and social change
2. 2

   Geography

   4 topics

   • The Earth and the Universe
     • Solar system, globe and latitudes/longitudes
     • Motions of the earth
   • Air, Water and Land
     • Atmosphere, weather and climate
     • Hydrosphere, lithosphere and landforms
   • Resources and Agriculture
     • Natural resources and their conservation
     • Agriculture and human-environment interaction
   • India and the World
     • Physical features of India
     • Maps and map reading
3. 3

   Social and Political Life (Civics)

   4 topics

   • Diversity and Democracy
     • Diversity, prejudice and inequality
     • Concept and working of democracy
   • Government and Constitution
     • Local, state and central government
     • Indian Constitution and fundamental rights
   • Social Justice and Marginalisation
     • Understanding marginalisation
     • Social justice and the role of the state
   • Economic Life and Livelihoods
     • Rural and urban livelihoods
     • Markets and the economy
4. 4

   Pedagogical Issues in Social Studies

   4 topics

   • Concept and Nature of Social Science
     • Meaning and scope of social science/social studies
   • Methods and Sources
     • Classroom processes, activities and discourse
     • Developing critical thinking and sources of evidence
   • Teaching Aids and Projects
     • Project work and teaching-learning materials
   • Evaluation in Social Studies
     • Problems of teaching social science
     • Evaluation methods and continuous assessment

Social Studies / Social Science and Pedagogy (Paper II) flashcards for CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test)

20 of 50 cards from the Social Studies / Social Science and Pedagogy (Paper II) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Which Indus Valley city is famous for its Great Bath, and what does this structure suggest about Harappan society?

   Mohenjo-daro; the Great Bath suggests advanced water management, public/ritual bathing, and sophisticated town planning with baked-brick construction.

2. What were the four Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of early India?

   Rigveda (hymns), Samaveda (melodies/chants), Yajurveda (sacrificial formulae), and Atharvaveda (spells and charms).

3. Define a 'civilisation' as used in social science when describing early societies.

   A complex society marked by cities, organised government, social stratification, writing/record-keeping, surplus food production, and specialised labour.

4. Name the three broad stages of the Stone Age in chronological order.

   Palaeolithic (Old Stone Age), Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), and Neolithic (New Stone Age).

5. What major change defined the Neolithic Revolution?

   The shift from hunting-gathering to settled farming and domestication of plants and animals, leading to permanent villages.

6. Who founded the Mauryan Empire and in which year (approximately)?

   Chandragupta Maurya, around 321 BCE.

7. After which war did Emperor Ashoka adopt Buddhism and a policy of dhamma?

   The Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE), whose bloodshed led him to embrace non-violence and dhamma.

8. The Gupta period is often called the 'Golden Age of India.' Name two achievements that justify this title.

   Advances in mathematics/astronomy (Aryabhata, concept of zero, decimal system) and flourishing of art, literature (Kalidasa), and science.

9. Who was the founder of the Mughal Empire in India and which battle did he win in 1526?

   Babur; he won the First Battle of Panipat (1526) against Ibrahim Lodi.

10. Which Mughal emperor introduced the religious policy 'Din-i-Ilahi' and the revenue system 'Mansabdari'?

    Akbar.

11. What does the term 'kingdom' mean as compared to an 'empire'?

    A kingdom is a territory ruled by a king/queen, usually smaller and culturally unified; an empire is larger, formed by conquering and ruling multiple kingdoms/peoples under one supreme authority.

12. In which year did the Revolt of 1857 (First War of Indian Independence) begin and at which place did it start?

    1857; it began at Meerut in May 1857.

13. When was the Indian National Congress founded and by whom?

    1885, founded by A.O. Hume (with early leaders like W.C. Bonnerjee).

14. What was the Salt March (Dandi March) of 1930 and who led it?

    A 240-mile (about 385 km) civil-disobedience march led by Mahatma Gandhi from Sabarmati to Dandi to break the British salt law by making salt.

15. On what date did India gain independence, and who became its first Prime Minister?

    15 August 1947; Jawaharlal Nehru.

16. What is 'nationalism' as a concept in modern Indian history?

    The feeling of collective identity, unity, and loyalty among people of a nation, leading to a movement for self-rule and freedom from colonial control.

17. Define 'culture' as used in social studies.

    The shared way of life of a group — including beliefs, customs, language, art, religion, values, and traditions — passed from one generation to the next.

18. What is meant by 'social change'?

    A significant alteration over time in social structures, behaviour patterns, values, norms, or relationships within a society.

19. Name two major social reform movements/reformers of 19th-century India and one reform each achieved.

    Raja Ram Mohan Roy (abolition of Sati, 1829) and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (Widow Remarriage Act, 1856).

20. What are the four main layers of the Earth from outside to inside?

    Crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core.

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