Prelims Syllabus of Indian Army GD Exam 2024
The Indian Army General Duty (GD) exam is a crucial step for aspiring soldiers. This exam assesses candidates’ general knowledge, aptitude, and physical fitness. Understanding the syllabus is essential for effective preparation. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the Prelims syllabus for the Indian Army GD Exam 2024:
1. General Knowledge
This section covers a wide range of topics, testing your awareness of current affairs, history, geography, science, and the Indian Armed Forces.
1.1 Current Affairs:
- National: Major events, policies, and developments in India.
- International: Significant global events, international organizations, and major geopolitical issues.
- Sports: Major sporting events, achievements of Indian athletes, and prominent sports personalities.
- Science and Technology: Breakthroughs, innovations, and their impact on society.
1.2 History:
- Ancient India: Major dynasties, empires, social structure, and cultural achievements.
- Medieval India: The rise of Islam, Mughal Empire, and social reforms.
- Modern India: The British Raj, Indian National Movement, and the Independence struggle.
1.3 Geography:
- Physical Geography: Major landforms, rivers, climate, and natural resources of India.
- Human Geography: Population distribution, major cities, and economic activities.
- World Geography: Major continents, countries, and their geographical features.
1.4 Science:
- Physics: Basic concepts of motion, force, energy, light, and sound.
- Chemistry: Basic concepts of matter, elements, compounds, and chemical reactions.
- Biology: Basic concepts of living organisms, plants, animals, and human body.
1.5 Indian Armed Forces:
- History: Evolution of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
- Organization: Structure, ranks, and roles of the three services.
- Gallantry Awards: Major awards and their significance.
1.6 General Awareness:
- Indian Polity: Constitution, fundamental rights, and important institutions.
- Economy: Major sectors, economic policies, and current economic trends.
- Culture and Heritage: Indian art, music, dance, literature, and festivals.
2. Reasoning and Numerical Ability
This section assesses your logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and basic mathematical abilities.
2.1 Reasoning:
- Verbal Reasoning: Analogies, classifications, series, and coding-decoding.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Figure series, mirror images, and spatial reasoning.
- Logical Reasoning: Syllogisms, puzzles, and data interpretation.
2.2 Numerical Ability:
- Arithmetic: Number systems, percentages, profit and loss, simple and compound interest.
- Algebra: Basic algebraic equations, linear equations, and quadratic equations.
- Data Interpretation: Tables, graphs, and charts.
3. English Language
This section tests your understanding and usage of the English language.
3.1 Grammar:
- Tenses: Present, past, and future tenses.
- Articles: Definite and indefinite articles.
- Prepositions: Correct usage of prepositions.
- Conjunctions: Coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.
- Subject-Verb Agreement: Matching subjects and verbs.
3.2 Vocabulary:
- Synonyms and Antonyms: Understanding the meaning of words and their opposites.
- Idioms and Phrases: Understanding common idioms and their meanings.
- One-Word Substitution: Replacing phrases with single words.
3.3 Comprehension:
- Reading Comprehension: Understanding and interpreting passages.
- Paragraph Completion: Completing incomplete paragraphs.
4. Physical Fitness
This section is crucial for the GD exam. Candidates need to demonstrate their physical abilities through various tests.
4.1 Physical Tests:
- 1.6 Km Run: Candidates need to complete 1.6 km run within a stipulated time.
- Pull-Ups: Candidates need to perform a minimum number of pull-ups.
- Push-Ups: Candidates need to perform a minimum number of push-ups.
- Chin-Ups: Candidates need to perform a minimum number of chin-ups.
4.2 Medical Standards:
Candidates must meet the prescribed medical standards for the Indian Army. This includes tests for vision, hearing, height, weight, and other physical parameters.
5. Preparation Tips
- Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly understand the syllabus and the weightage of each section.
- Study Materials: Refer to reliable study materials, including books, online resources, and previous year papers.
- Practice Regularly: Practice mock tests and previous year papers to assess your preparation level.
- Focus on Weak Areas: Identify your weak areas and dedicate extra time to improve them.
- Stay Updated: Keep yourself updated with current affairs through newspapers, magazines, and online sources.
- Physical Fitness: Start preparing for the physical tests well in advance.
- Time Management: Learn to manage your time effectively during the exam.
- Stay Calm and Focused: Avoid stress and anxiety during the exam.
6. Sample Questions
Here are some sample questions from each section of the Prelims syllabus:
Table 1: Sample Questions
| Section | Sample Question |
|---|---|
| General Knowledge | Which Indian state is known as the “Spice Garden of India”? |
| Reasoning | Complete the series: 2, 4, 8, 16, __ |
| Numerical Ability | Calculate the simple interest on â¹10,000 at 5% per annum for 2 years. |
| English Language | Choose the correct synonym for “abundant”: |
7. Resources for Preparation
- Books:
- General Knowledge: Lucent’s General Knowledge, Manorama Yearbook
- Reasoning: R.S. Aggarwal’s Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Numerical Ability: R.S. Aggarwal’s Quantitative Aptitude
- English Language: Wren & Martin’s High School English Grammar and Composition
- Online Resources:
- Websites: Jagran Josh, GKToday, StudyIQ
- Mobile Apps: Gradeup, Testbook, Unacademy
- Previous Year Papers:
- Websites: SSBCrackExams, DefenceExams.com
8. Exam Pattern
The Indian Army GD Exam is conducted in two stages:
Table 2: Exam Pattern
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Prelims | Written exam consisting of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) |
| Mains | Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and Medical Examination |
8.1 Prelims Exam:
- Duration: 2 hours
- Number of Questions: 100
- Marking Scheme: 1 mark for each correct answer, 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer.
8.2 Mains Exam:
- Physical Fitness Test (PFT): Candidates need to clear the PFT to be eligible for the medical examination.
- Medical Examination: Candidates need to meet the prescribed medical standards.
9. Eligibility Criteria
- Age: 17.5 to 21 years (relaxation for reserved categories)
- Educational Qualification: 10th pass from a recognized board
- Nationality: Indian citizen
10. Selection Process
- Prelims Exam: Candidates need to clear the Prelims exam to be eligible for the Mains exam.
- Mains Exam: Candidates need to clear the PFT and medical examination to be selected for training.
- Training: Selected candidates undergo rigorous training at various training academies.
11. Conclusion
The Indian Army GD exam is a challenging but rewarding journey. With thorough preparation, dedication, and hard work, aspiring soldiers can achieve their dream of serving the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Short Answers:
1. What is the syllabus for the Indian Army GD Exam 2024?
The syllabus covers General Knowledge, Reasoning and Numerical Ability, English Language, and Physical Fitness. It includes topics like current affairs, history, geography, science, Indian Armed Forces, reasoning, numerical ability, grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and physical tests.
2. What are the important topics to focus on for the General Knowledge section?
Focus on current affairs, Indian history, geography of India, basic science, and knowledge about the Indian Armed Forces.
3. How can I prepare for the Reasoning and Numerical Ability section?
Practice logical reasoning, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, arithmetic, algebra, and data interpretation. Solve previous year papers and mock tests.
4. What are some tips for improving English language skills?
Read English newspapers and books, practice grammar rules, improve vocabulary, and work on reading comprehension.
5. What are the physical tests involved in the Indian Army GD Exam?
The physical tests include a 1.6 km run, pull-ups, push-ups, and chin-ups.
6. What are the medical standards for the Indian Army GD Exam?
Candidates must meet the prescribed medical standards for vision, hearing, height, weight, and other physical parameters.
7. How can I find study materials for the exam?
Refer to books like Lucent’s General Knowledge, Manorama Yearbook, R.S. Aggarwal’s Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, R.S. Aggarwal’s Quantitative Aptitude, and Wren & Martin’s High School English Grammar and Composition. Utilize online resources like Jagran Josh, GKToday, StudyIQ, Gradeup, Testbook, and Unacademy.
8. What is the exam pattern for the Indian Army GD Exam?
The exam is conducted in two stages: Prelims (written exam) and Mains (Physical Fitness Test and Medical Examination). The Prelims exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and lasts for 2 hours.
9. What are the eligibility criteria for the Indian Army GD Exam?
Candidates must be Indian citizens, aged between 17.5 and 21 years (relaxation for reserved categories), and have passed 10th standard from a recognized board.
10. What is the selection process for the Indian Army GD Exam?
Candidates must clear the Prelims exam, Physical Fitness Test, and Medical Examination to be selected for training.
11. How can I stay motivated during my preparation?
Set realistic goals, create a study plan, practice regularly, stay positive, and seek support from family and friends.