Study Notes for the OSSSC CGL Exam 2024
General Awareness
1. History
- Ancient India:
- Indus Valley Civilization: Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, major features, decline.
- Vedic Period: Aryans, Vedas, social structure, political system.
- Mauryan Empire: Ashoka, Kalinga War, Dhamma, Arthashastra.
- Gupta Empire: Golden Age, art, literature, science.
- Medieval India: Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Vijayanagara Empire, Maratha Empire.
- British Rule: East India Company, Sepoy Mutiny, Indian National Congress, Independence Movement.
- Modern India:
- Post-Independence India: Constitution, major events, economic reforms.
- National Movements: Gandhian movement, Quit India Movement, Partition.
- Important personalities: Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Subhas Chandra Bose.
- World History:
- Ancient Civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome.
- Medieval Period: Renaissance, Reformation, Age of Exploration.
- Modern History: Industrial Revolution, World Wars, Cold War.
- Major events: French Revolution, American Revolution, Russian Revolution.
- Important personalities: Napoleon Bonaparte, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr.
2. Geography
- Physical Geography:
- Earth’s Structure: Layers of the Earth, Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes, Volcanoes.
- Landforms: Mountains, Plateaus, Plains, Deserts, Rivers, Oceans.
- Climate: Factors influencing climate, major climate types, weather phenomena.
- Natural Resources: Minerals, Forests, Water, Soil.
- Indian Geography:
- Physiographic Divisions: Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plains, Islands.
- Rivers: Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri.
- Climate: Monsoon, Tropical, Subtropical, Arid.
- Major Industries: Agriculture, Mining, Manufacturing, Tourism.
- Environmental Issues: Deforestation, Pollution, Climate Change.
- World Geography:
- Continents and Oceans: Location, features, major countries.
- Major Mountain Ranges: Himalayas, Andes, Alps, Rockies.
- Major Rivers: Nile, Amazon, Yangtze, Mississippi.
- Major Deserts: Sahara, Arabian, Gobi, Atacama.
- Global Issues: Climate Change, Population Growth, Poverty.
3. Polity
- Indian Constitution:
- Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, Fundamental Duties.
- Union Government: President, Prime Minister, Parliament, Judiciary.
- State Government: Governor, Chief Minister, Legislature, Judiciary.
- Local Government: Panchayati Raj, Municipalities.
- Political System:
- Democracy, Socialism, Secularism, Federalism.
- Political Parties: National Parties, Regional Parties.
- Election Commission of India: Role and functions.
- Important Acts and Laws:
- Right to Information Act, 2005
- The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
- The Representation of the People Act, 1951
- The Right to Education Act, 2009
4. Economics
- Basic Concepts:
- Scarcity, Opportunity Cost, Demand and Supply, Elasticity.
- Economic Systems: Capitalism, Socialism, Mixed Economy.
- Macroeconomics: GDP, Inflation, Unemployment, Fiscal Policy, Monetary Policy.
- Indian Economy:
- Agriculture: Importance, challenges, reforms.
- Industry: Manufacturing, services, infrastructure.
- Finance: Banking, insurance, stock market.
- Foreign Trade: Exports, imports, balance of payments.
- Economic Reforms: Liberalization, privatization, globalization.
- Global Economy:
- International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, World Trade Organization (WTO).
- Economic growth, poverty, inequality.
5. Science & Technology
- Physics:
- Motion, Force, Work, Energy, Heat, Light, Sound.
- Electricity, Magnetism, Nuclear Physics.
- Modern Physics: Relativity, Quantum Mechanics.
- Chemistry:
- Matter, Atoms, Molecules, Chemical Bonding.
- Acids, Bases, Salts, pH.
- Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons, Functional Groups.
- Biology:
- Cell Structure, Cell Division, Genetics.
- Plant Kingdom, Animal Kingdom.
- Human Physiology, Health and Diseases.
- Technology:
- Information Technology: Computers, Internet, Mobile Technology.
- Biotechnology: Genetic Engineering, Biopharmaceuticals.
- Space Technology: Satellites, Space Exploration.
6. Current Affairs
- National:
- Major events, policies, schemes, appointments.
- Economy, social issues, environment.
- International:
- Global events, international organizations, diplomacy.
- Conflicts, terrorism, climate change.
- Sports:
- Major sporting events, achievements of Indian athletes.
- Awards and Honors:
- Nobel Prizes, Bharat Ratna, Padma Awards.
General Intelligence and Reasoning
1. Verbal Reasoning:
- Analogies: Identifying relationships between words or concepts.
- Synonyms and Antonyms: Understanding the meaning of words and their opposites.
- Sentence Completion: Filling in missing words to complete a sentence.
- Spotting Errors: Identifying grammatical errors in sentences.
- Reading Comprehension: Understanding and interpreting written passages.
2. Non-Verbal Reasoning:
- Series: Identifying patterns in sequences of figures.
- Analogy: Identifying relationships between figures.
- Classification: Grouping figures based on common characteristics.
- Coding-Decoding: Deciphering codes and messages.
- Mirror Images: Identifying the mirror image of a given figure.
3. Logical Reasoning:
- Syllogisms: Drawing conclusions from given statements.
- Logical Deduction: Applying logical rules to solve problems.
- Data Interpretation: Analyzing and interpreting data presented in tables, charts, and graphs.
- Blood Relations: Understanding family relationships.
- Direction Sense: Determining directions and distances.
4. Quantitative Aptitude
- Arithmetic:
- Number Systems: Integers, Fractions, Decimals, Percentages.
- Ratio and Proportion, Partnership, Time and Work, Time and Distance.
- Profit and Loss, Simple Interest, Compound Interest.
- Algebra:
- Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, Inequalities.
- Simplification, Surds and Indices.
- Geometry:
- Lines, Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Circles.
- Area, Perimeter, Volume.
- Trigonometry:
- Trigonometric Ratios, Identities, Heights and Distances.
- Data Interpretation:
- Tables, Charts, Graphs.
- Average, Percentage, Ratio.
5. Computer Proficiency
- Basic Computer Knowledge:
- Hardware, Software, Operating Systems.
- Internet, Email, Web Browsing.
- MS Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
- Computer Terminology:
- Common computer terms, abbreviations, and acronyms.
- Cyber Security:
- Basic concepts of cyber security, threats, and prevention.
Study Tips
- Create a Study Plan: Allocate time for each subject and topic.
- Refer to Reliable Study Materials: Use textbooks, study guides, and online resources.
- Practice Regularly: Solve previous years’ question papers and mock tests.
- Focus on Weak Areas: Identify your weak areas and spend more time on them.
- Take Breaks: Avoid burnout by taking regular breaks during study sessions.
- Stay Updated on Current Affairs: Read newspapers, magazines, and online news sources.
- Join Study Groups: Discuss concepts with other aspirants and share study materials.
- Stay Motivated: Set realistic goals and reward yourself for progress.
Sample Tables
Table 1: Subject-wise Weightage for OSSSC CGL Exam
Subject | Weightage |
---|---|
General Awareness | 25% |
General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25% |
Quantitative Aptitude | 25% |
Computer Proficiency | 25% |
Table 2: Important Books for OSSSC CGL Exam Preparation
Subject | Book Title | Author |
---|---|---|
General Awareness | Lucent’s General Knowledge | Lucent |
General Intelligence and Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal’s Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
Quantitative Aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal |
Computer Proficiency | Computer Fundamentals | P.K. Sinha |
Note: This is just a sample study plan and may need to be adjusted based on individual needs and preferences. It is important to consult with experienced teachers and mentors for personalized guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Short Answers
General Awareness:
Q: What are the major features of the Indus Valley Civilization?
A: Urban planning, standardized weights and measures, advanced drainage systems, and unique art and artifacts.
Q: Who was the founder of the Indian National Congress?
A: Allan Octavian Hume.
Q: What are the major rivers of India?
A: Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.
Q: What are the fundamental rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution?
A: Right to equality, right to freedom, right against exploitation, right to freedom of religion, cultural and educational rights, and right to constitutional remedies.
Q: What are the major economic reforms implemented in India?
A: Liberalization, privatization, and globalization.
General Intelligence and Reasoning:
Q: What is an analogy?
A: Identifying relationships between words or concepts.
Q: What is a syllogism?
**A: ** Drawing conclusions from given statements.
Q: What are the different types of data interpretation questions?
A: Tables, charts, and graphs.
Q: What is the difference between a synonym and an antonym?
A: A synonym is a word with the same meaning as another word, while an antonym is a word with the opposite meaning.
Quantitative Aptitude:
Q: What is the formula for simple interest?
A: Simple Interest = (Principal x Rate x Time) / 100
Q: What is the formula for compound interest?
A: Compound Interest = Principal x (1 + Rate/100)^Time – Principal
Q: What are the different types of triangles?
A: Scalene, isosceles, equilateral, right-angled.
Q: What is the formula for the area of a circle?
A: Area of a circle = Ïr^2
Computer Proficiency:
Q: What is the difference between hardware and software?
A: Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer, while software refers to the programs and instructions that tell the hardware what to do.
Q: What are the main components of an operating system?
A: Kernel, file system, user interface, device drivers.
Q: What is the difference between an intranet and an internet?
A: An intranet is a private network within an organization, while the internet is a global network.
Q: What are the basic functions of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint?
A: Word is for word processing, Excel is for spreadsheets, and PowerPoint is for presentations.
Note: These are just a few examples of frequently asked questions. The actual questions asked in the OSSSC CGL exam may vary. It is important to study all the topics thoroughly and practice solving previous years’ question papers and mock tests.