UPSC NDA & NA General Studies (GAT - Part B) Syllabus

General Studies (GAT - Part B) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for General Studies (GAT - Part B) in UPSC NDA & NA, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   History of India

   5 topics

   • Ancient and Medieval India
     • Indus Valley Civilisation and Vedic age
     • Major dynasties and empires
     • Bhakti and Sufi movements
   • Modern India and British Rule
     • Advent of Europeans and expansion of British power
     • Social and religious reform movements
   • Indian Freedom Movement
     • Revolt of 1857 and early nationalism
     • Gandhian era and mass movements
     • Partition and independence
   • Cultural and Civilisational Heritage of India
     • Renaissance, exploration and discovery
     • Elementary study of Indian culture
   • India Since Independence
2. 2

   Indian Polity and Governance

   4 topics

   • The Constitution of India
     • Making of the Constitution and Preamble
     • Fundamental Rights and Duties
     • Directive Principles of State Policy
   • Union and State Government
     • President, Parliament and Council of Ministers
     • Governor, State Legislature and judiciary
   • Five Year Plans and Development
     • Objectives of Five Year Plans
     • Community development and Panchayati Raj
   • India and the World
     • India's foreign policy and role in the world
     • Major international organisations
3. 3

   Indian Economy and Society

   4 topics

   • Basic Economic Concepts
     • Nature of the Indian economy
     • National income and per capita income
   • Co-operatives and Rural Development
     • Co-operative movement
     • Community development programmes
   • Mixed Economy and Mechanisation
     • Concept of mixed economy
     • Mechanisation of agriculture and industry
   • Forces Shaping the Modern World
4. 4

   Current Events and Affairs

   4 topics

   • National Current Affairs
     • Important events in India
     • Government schemes and policies
   • International Current Affairs
     • Important world events
     • India and its neighbours
   • Awards, Honours and Prominent Personalities
   • Sports, Defence and Science Updates
     • Major sporting events and achievements
     • Defence exercises and new inductions

General Studies (GAT - Part B) flashcards for UPSC NDA & NA

19 of 50 cards from the General Studies (GAT - Part B) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Which dynasty was founded by Chandragupta Maurya around 322 BCE, and who was his chief political advisor?

   The Mauryan Empire; his advisor was Chanakya (Kautilya), author of the Arthashastra.

2. After which battle did the Mauryan emperor Ashoka embrace Buddhism and a policy of Dhamma?

   The Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE).

3. Which empire is regarded as the 'Golden Age' of ancient India, notable for advances in science, mathematics and art?

   The Gupta Empire (c. 320-550 CE).

4. Who established the Delhi Sultanate's first dynasty (the Slave/Mamluk dynasty) in 1206 CE?

   Qutb-ud-din Aibak.

5. Which Mughal emperor introduced the religious policy of Din-i-Ilahi and the mansabdari administrative system?

   Akbar.

6. Name the four levels of the historical periodisation of India in standard study order from earliest.

   Ancient India, Early Medieval, Medieval (Delhi Sultanate/Mughal), and Modern India.

7. In which year and at which battle did the British East India Company establish dominance in Bengal, marking the start of British political power in India?

   1757, at the Battle of Plassey (Robert Clive defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah).

8. Which 1764 battle gave the East India Company the Diwani (revenue rights) of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha?

   The Battle of Buxar (1764), confirmed by the Treaty of Allahabad (1765).

9. What was the Permanent Settlement of 1793 and who introduced it?

   A land-revenue system fixing tax permanently and creating zamindars as landowners; introduced by Lord Cornwallis.

10. The 1857 revolt is known by what two common names, and where did it begin?

    The Revolt of 1857 / First War of Independence (Sepoy Mutiny); it began at Meerut.

11. What major constitutional change followed the Revolt of 1857 regarding the governance of India?

    The Government of India Act 1858 transferred power from the East India Company to the British Crown (start of the British Raj).

12. In which year and city was the Indian National Congress founded, and who was its first president?

    1885 in Bombay; its first president was W.C. Bonnerjee (founder: A.O. Hume).

13. Which 1905 British decision sparked the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal?

    The Partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon.

14. What event on 13 April 1919 in Amritsar became a turning point in the freedom struggle?

    The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, ordered by General Dyer.

15. Name the three major mass movements led by Mahatma Gandhi against British rule.

    Non-Cooperation Movement (1920), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930, incl. Dandi Salt March), and Quit India Movement (1942).

16. What was the Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) of 1930?

    Gandhi's 240-mile march to Dandi to make salt in defiance of the British salt tax, launching Civil Disobedience.

17. Who founded the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) and gave the slogan 'Give me blood and I will give you freedom'?

    Subhas Chandra Bose (Netaji).

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

    15 August 1947; the first Prime Minister was Jawaharlal Nehru.

19. Which two major architectural styles dominate India's cultural heritage in temple building?

    The Nagara (North Indian) and Dravida (South Indian) styles, with the Vesara as a hybrid.

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