Mains Syllabus of OSSSC CGL Exam 2024
The Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC) conducts the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination for recruitment to various Group-B and Group-C posts in the Odisha Government. The exam consists of two stages: Preliminary and Mains. This article focuses on the Mains syllabus for the OSSSC CGL Exam 2024.
General Studies
Paper I: General Studies (200 Marks)
This paper covers a wide range of subjects, including:
1. History:
- Ancient India: Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Period, Mauryan Empire, Gupta Empire, Bhakti Movement, etc.
- Medieval India: Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Vijayanagara Empire, Maratha Empire, etc.
- Modern India: British Rule, Indian National Movement, Independence and Partition, Post-Independence Era, etc.
- Odisha History: Ancient and Medieval Odisha, History of the Ganga Dynasty, History of the Marathas in Odisha, Freedom Struggle in Odisha, etc.
2. Geography:
- Physical Geography: Earth’s Structure, Atmosphere, Climate, Oceans, Landforms, etc.
- Indian Geography: Physical Features, Climate, Natural Resources, Population, Agriculture, Industries, etc.
- Odisha Geography: Physical Features, Climate, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Industries, etc.
3. Polity:
- Indian Constitution: Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, Fundamental Duties, etc.
- Union Government: President, Prime Minister, Parliament, Judiciary, etc.
- State Government: Governor, Chief Minister, Legislature, Judiciary, etc.
- Local Self-Government: Panchayati Raj, Municipal Corporations, etc.
4. Economics:
- Indian Economy: Economic Growth, Poverty, Unemployment, Inflation, Fiscal Policy, Monetary Policy, etc.
- Odisha Economy: Agriculture, Industry, Tourism, Infrastructure, etc.
5. General Science:
- Physics: Basic Concepts of Motion, Heat, Light, Sound, Electricity, etc.
- Chemistry: Basic Concepts of Matter, Elements, Compounds, Chemical Reactions, etc.
- Biology: Basic Concepts of Living Organisms, Plants, Animals, Human Body, etc.
6. Current Affairs:
- National and International Current Events, Major Events in Odisha, etc.
7. Reasoning:
- Logical Reasoning: Analogies, Classification, Series, Coding-Decoding, etc.
- Verbal Reasoning: Synonyms, Antonyms, Sentence Completion, etc.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Figures, Patterns, etc.
8. Computer Literacy:
- Basic Computer Operations, MS Office, Internet, etc.
9. General Awareness:
- General Knowledge about India and Odisha, Sports, Culture, etc.
10. Environment and Ecology:
- Environmental Issues, Climate Change, Biodiversity, etc.
11. Disaster Management:
- Types of Disasters, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Response, etc.
12. Odisha Specific Issues:
- Issues related to Odisha’s Economy, Society, Culture, etc.
Table 1: General Studies Paper I Syllabus Breakdown
| Topic | Marks |
|---|---|
| History | 40 |
| Geography | 30 |
| Polity | 40 |
| Economics | 30 |
| General Science | 20 |
| Current Affairs | 15 |
| Reasoning | 10 |
| Computer Literacy | 5 |
| General Awareness | 5 |
| Environment and Ecology | 5 |
| Disaster Management | 5 |
| Odisha Specific Issues | 5 |
| Total | 200 |
General English
Paper II: General English (100 Marks)
This paper tests the candidate’s proficiency in the English language. The syllabus includes:
1. Reading Comprehension:
- Ability to understand and interpret passages from various sources.
2. Vocabulary:
- Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms, Phrases, etc.
3. Grammar:
- Parts of Speech, Tenses, Articles, Prepositions, etc.
4. Composition:
- Paragraph Writing, Essay Writing, Letter Writing, etc.
5. Sentence Correction:
- Identifying and correcting grammatical errors in sentences.
6. Comprehension of Unseen Passages:
- Understanding and answering questions based on unseen passages.
7. Cloze Test:
- Filling in the blanks in a passage with appropriate words.
8. Error Detection:
- Identifying grammatical errors in sentences.
9. Para Jumbles:
- Rearranging jumbled sentences to form a coherent paragraph.
10. One Word Substitution:
- Replacing phrases with single words.
Table 2: General English Paper II Syllabus Breakdown
| Topic | Marks |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 20 |
| Vocabulary | 15 |
| Grammar | 20 |
| Composition | 15 |
| Sentence Correction | 10 |
| Comprehension of Unseen Passages | 10 |
| Cloze Test | 5 |
| Error Detection | 5 |
| Para Jumbles | 5 |
| One Word Substitution | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
Optional Subjects
Candidates have to choose one optional subject from the following:
1. Mathematics:
- Algebra: Sets, Relations, Functions, Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, etc.
- Trigonometry: Trigonometric Ratios, Identities, Equations, etc.
- Geometry: Lines, Angles, Triangles, Circles, etc.
- Mensuration: Area, Volume, etc.
- Statistics: Data Interpretation, Probability, etc.
2. Science:
- Physics: Motion, Heat, Light, Sound, Electricity, etc.
- Chemistry: Matter, Elements, Compounds, Chemical Reactions, etc.
- Biology: Living Organisms, Plants, Animals, Human Body, etc.
3. Social Studies:
- History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History of India and Odisha.
- Geography: Physical Geography, Indian Geography, Odisha Geography.
- Political Science: Indian Constitution, Union Government, State Government, Local Self-Government.
- Economics: Indian Economy, Odisha Economy.
4. Agriculture:
- Crop Production: Agronomy, Crop Physiology, etc.
- Animal Husbandry: Dairy Science, Poultry Science, etc.
- Soil Science: Soil Fertility, Soil Conservation, etc.
5. Commerce:
- Accountancy: Financial Accounting, Cost Accounting, etc.
- Business Studies: Business Organisation, Marketing, etc.
- Economics: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, etc.
6. Law:
- Indian Penal Code: General Principles, Offences against the Person, etc.
- Criminal Procedure Code: Arrest, Search and Seizure, Trial, etc.
- Indian Evidence Act: Admissibility of Evidence, etc.
7. Computer Science:
- Programming: C++, Java, Python, etc.
- Data Structures: Arrays, Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues, etc.
- Algorithms: Searching, Sorting, etc.
8. Engineering:
- Civil Engineering: Strength of Materials, Fluid Mechanics, etc.
- Mechanical Engineering: Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, etc.
- Electrical Engineering: Circuit Theory, Electrical Machines, etc.
9. Medical Science:
- Anatomy: Human Anatomy, etc.
- Physiology: Human Physiology, etc.
- Pathology: Diseases, etc.
10. Veterinary Science:
- Animal Anatomy: Animal Anatomy, etc.
- Animal Physiology: Animal Physiology, etc.
- Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases, etc.
Table 3: Optional Subjects Syllabus Breakdown
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics |
| Science | Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Social Studies | History, Geography, Political Science, Economics |
| Agriculture | Crop Production, Animal Husbandry, Soil Science |
| Commerce | Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics |
| Law | Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Indian Evidence Act |
| Computer Science | Programming, Data Structures, Algorithms |
| Engineering | Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering |
| Medical Science | Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology |
| Veterinary Science | Animal Anatomy, Animal Physiology, Animal Diseases |
Preparation Strategy
- Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly go through the syllabus for each paper and optional subject.
- Refer to Relevant Books and Study Materials: Choose reliable textbooks and study materials for each subject.
- Make a Study Plan: Create a realistic study plan that covers all the topics within the allotted time.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: Solve previous year question papers to get an idea of the exam pattern and difficulty level.
- Join Coaching Classes: Consider joining coaching classes for guidance and expert advice.
- Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Regularly read newspapers, magazines, and online resources to stay updated on current events.
- Mock Tests: Take mock tests regularly to assess your preparation level and identify areas that need improvement.
- Time Management: Practice time management skills to complete the exam within the stipulated time.
- Stay Focused and Motivated: Maintain focus and motivation throughout your preparation journey.
Conclusion
The OSSSC CGL Mains exam is a challenging but rewarding exam that opens doors to various government jobs in Odisha. By following a comprehensive preparation strategy and putting in consistent effort, candidates can increase their chances of success in the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Short Answers:
1. What is the pattern of the OSSSC CGL Mains Exam?
The Mains exam consists of two papers: Paper I – General Studies (200 marks) and Paper II – General English (100 marks). Candidates also have to choose one optional subject from a list of 10 options.
2. What are the important topics to focus on in General Studies?
Focus on History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern, and Odisha), Geography (Physical, Indian, and Odisha), Polity (Indian Constitution, Union and State Government), Economics (Indian and Odisha), General Science, Current Affairs, Reasoning, Computer Literacy, General Awareness, Environment and Ecology, Disaster Management, and Odisha Specific Issues.
3. How can I prepare for the General English paper?
Improve your reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, composition skills, and practice sentence correction, cloze tests, error detection, para jumbles, and one-word substitution.
4. What are the best books for preparing for the OSSSC CGL Mains Exam?
Refer to standard textbooks and study materials for each subject. Look for books specifically designed for the OSSSC CGL exam.
5. How many optional subjects are there in the OSSSC CGL Mains Exam?
There are 10 optional subjects to choose from, including Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Agriculture, Commerce, Law, Computer Science, Engineering, Medical Science, and Veterinary Science.
6. How important is the optional subject in the Mains Exam?
The optional subject carries significant weightage in the overall score. Choose a subject you are comfortable with and have a strong foundation in.
7. How can I improve my time management skills for the exam?
Practice solving previous year papers and mock tests within the stipulated time. Analyze your performance and identify areas where you need to improve your speed and accuracy.
8. What are some tips for staying motivated during exam preparation?
Set realistic goals, break down the syllabus into smaller manageable chunks, reward yourself for achieving milestones, and stay connected with other aspirants for support and motivation.
9. What are the eligibility criteria for the OSSSC CGL Mains Exam?
Candidates must have a graduate degree from a recognized university and meet the age criteria specified by the OSSSC.
10. How can I apply for the OSSSC CGL Exam?
The application process is usually online. Visit the official website of the OSSSC for details on the application procedure, important dates, and eligibility criteria.