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

What is the difference between rotation and revolution of the Earth?

Rotation is the Earth spinning on its axis (causes day and night, 24 hours); revolution is the Earth orbiting the Sun (causes seasons and the year, ~365¼ days).

Name the planets of the solar system in order from the Sun.

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.

What are the two main motions that cause the change of seasons, and what is the role of the Earth's axial tilt?

The Earth's revolution around the Sun combined with its axial tilt of 23.5°; the tilt causes different hemispheres to receive varying sunlight, producing seasons.

List the layers of the atmosphere from the Earth's surface upward.

Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere (Ionosphere), and Exosphere.

What are the three main stages of the water cycle?

Evaporation, condensation, and precipitation (with collection/runoff returning water to oceans).

Distinguish between weather and climate.

Weather is the day-to-day state of the atmosphere at a place; climate is the average weather conditions of a region measured over a long period (usually 30+ years).

What are the three types of rocks based on their formation?

Igneous (from cooled magma/lava), Sedimentary (from compressed sediments), and Metamorphic (from heat/pressure-altered rocks).

Define a 'resource' and name its three main types based on origin.

A resource is anything useful to humans that has value; types are natural, human-made, and human resources.

What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources, with one example each?

Renewable resources can be replenished naturally (e.g., solar energy, water); non-renewable resources are finite and exhaust with use (e.g., coal, petroleum).

Differentiate between subsistence and commercial agriculture.

Subsistence farming produces mainly for the farmer's own family consumption; commercial farming produces crops for sale in the market for profit.

What are kharif and rabi crops? Give one example of each.

Kharif crops are sown in the monsoon (June–July) and harvested in autumn (e.g., rice, maize); rabi crops are sown in winter (Oct–Dec) and harvested in spring (e.g., wheat, gram).

What was the Green Revolution in India?

The increase in food-grain (especially wheat and rice) production from the 1960s through use of high-yielding variety seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, and modern techniques.

What is the difference between import and export in international trade?

Import means buying/bringing goods and services from other countries; export means selling/sending goods and services to other countries.

Name two major international organisations India is a member of and their purpose.

United Nations (UN) – maintaining world peace and cooperation; World Trade Organization (WTO) – regulating international trade.

What does 'globalisation' mean?

The process of increasing interconnection and integration of countries' economies, cultures, and people through trade, technology, and communication.

What is 'diversity' and how does India exemplify it?

Diversity means the existence of many different kinds of people/things; India shows it through varied religions, languages, cultures, foods, dress, and festivals coexisting together.

Define 'democracy' and name its key feature regarding government formation.

Democracy is a form of government in which rulers are elected by the people; its key feature is that people choose their representatives through free and fair elections.

What is the difference between direct and representative (indirect) democracy?

In direct democracy people make decisions themselves; in representative democracy people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

When did the Indian Constitution come into effect, and who chaired its Drafting Committee?

26 January 1950; Dr. B.R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee.

Name the three organs of government and their primary functions.

Legislature (makes laws), Executive (implements/enforces laws), and Judiciary (interprets laws and delivers justice).

What are the three tiers of the Panchayati Raj system in India?

Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat Samiti/Block (intermediate level), and Zila Parishad (district level).

Define 'fundamental rights' and name any three guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.

Basic rights guaranteed to all citizens; examples: Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, and Right against Exploitation (also Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural/Educational Rights, Right to Constitutional Remedies).

What does 'marginalisation' mean in the context of social justice?

Pushing certain groups to the edge/fringe of society, denying them equal access to resources, opportunities, and dignity (e.g., Adivasis, Dalits, minorities).

What is meant by 'social justice'?

Ensuring fair and equal treatment, rights, and opportunities for all sections of society, especially the disadvantaged and marginalised.

Distinguish between the primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors of economic activity.

Primary: extracting natural resources (farming, mining); Secondary: manufacturing/making goods (industry); Tertiary: providing services (transport, banking, education).

What is the difference between the organised and unorganised sectors of livelihood?

Organised sector has registered jobs with fixed hours, regular pay, and benefits/job security; unorganised sector has irregular, low-paid work with no security or benefits.

What is the nature of Social Science as a discipline?

It is the systematic, interdisciplinary study of human society and relationships, drawing on history, geography, civics/political science, economics, and sociology to understand social life.

What is the difference between primary and secondary sources in studying history?

Primary sources are original first-hand evidence from the period (inscriptions, coins, artefacts, manuscripts); secondary sources are later interpretations based on primary sources (textbooks, articles).

Name three commonly used teaching aids in Social Studies and their value.

Maps, globes, and charts/timelines; they make abstract concepts concrete, aid visualisation of space and time, and improve understanding and retention.

What is the purpose of evaluation in Social Studies, and name two types of evaluation.

To assess students' understanding, skills, attitudes, and to improve teaching-learning; two types are formative (continuous, during learning) and summative (final, end of a unit/term).