Mains Syllabus of OSSSC Exam 2024
The Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC) conducts the Odisha Civil Services Examination (OCSE) for recruitment to various Group A, B, and C posts in the Odisha government. The exam is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination: Objective type paper consisting of General Studies.
- Mains Examination: Written examination consisting of two papers:
- Paper I: General Studies
- Paper II: Optional Subject
- Interview: Personality test for shortlisted candidates.
This article focuses on the Mains Syllabus of the OSSSC Exam 2024, providing detailed information on the topics covered in both Paper I and Paper II.
Paper I: General Studies
1. History of Odisha:
- Ancient Period:
- Indus Valley Civilization and its impact on Odisha
- The Mauryan Empire and its influence on Odisha
- The Kalinga War and its significance
- The Satavahana and the Kushana periods in Odisha
- The Gupta Empire and its impact on Odisha
- The Sailodbhava and the Bhaumakara dynasties
- Medieval Period:
- The Ganga Dynasty and its contribution to Odisha
- The Somavamsi Dynasty and its architectural legacy
- The Chandela and the Kalachuri dynasties in Odisha
- The Muslim invasions and their impact on Odisha
- The Vijayanagara Empire and its influence on Odisha
- Modern Period:
- The Maratha rule in Odisha
- The British rule in Odisha
- The Paika Rebellion and its significance
- The freedom struggle in Odisha
- The formation of Odisha state
2. Geography of Odisha:
- Physical Features:
- The Eastern Ghats and their significance
- The coastal plains and their characteristics
- The rivers of Odisha and their importance
- The climate of Odisha and its variations
- The soil types of Odisha and their suitability for agriculture
- Natural Resources:
- Mineral resources of Odisha and their exploitation
- Forest resources of Odisha and their conservation
- Water resources of Odisha and their management
- Wildlife resources of Odisha and their protection
- Human Geography:
- Population distribution and density in Odisha
- Urbanization and its impact on Odisha
- Agriculture and its importance in Odisha
- Industries and their role in Odisha’s economy
- Tourism and its potential in Odisha
3. Indian Polity and Governance:
- Constitution of India:
- Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy
- Union and State Governments: Structure and Functions
- Judiciary and its role in the Indian democracy
- Election Commission of India and its role
- Panchayati Raj and its significance
- Political System:
- Political parties and their role in Indian democracy
- Pressure groups and their influence on policymaking
- Public opinion and its impact on governance
- The role of media in Indian democracy
- Challenges to Indian democracy
4. Indian Economy:
- Basic Concepts:
- National Income and its measurement
- Inflation and its causes
- Unemployment and its types
- Poverty and its eradication
- Economic Reforms:
- Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization
- The role of the Reserve Bank of India
- Fiscal and Monetary policies
- Infrastructure development and its importance
- Agriculture:
- Agricultural production and its challenges
- Food security and its importance
- Rural development and its strategies
- Industry:
- Industrial development and its impact
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
- Services Sector:
- Growth of the services sector
- Information Technology (IT) and its impact
- Tourism and its potential
5. Science and Technology:
- Space Technology:
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and its achievements
- Satellites and their applications
- Space exploration and its significance
- Information Technology:
- The internet and its impact
- E-governance and its benefits
- Cyber security and its challenges
- Biotechnology:
- Genetic engineering and its applications
- Biotechnology in agriculture and medicine
- Ethical issues in biotechnology
- Nanotechnology:
- Applications of nanotechnology in various fields
- Potential benefits and risks of nanotechnology
- Artificial Intelligence:
- Machine learning and its applications
- Robotics and its impact on society
- Ethical considerations in artificial intelligence
6. Current Affairs:
- National Issues:
- Major events and developments in India
- Government policies and their impact
- Social and cultural issues
- International Issues:
- Global events and developments
- International relations and diplomacy
- Major international organizations
7. Odisha Specific Issues:
- Economic Development:
- Industrial growth and its impact
- Agriculture and its challenges
- Infrastructure development and its importance
- Social Issues:
- Poverty and its eradication
- Education and its challenges
- Health and its improvement
- Gender equality and its promotion
- Environmental Issues:
- Climate change and its impact
- Pollution and its control
- Forest conservation and its importance
- Disaster management and its preparedness
8. General Awareness:
- Sports:
- Major sporting events and achievements
- Indian sportspersons and their achievements
- Culture:
- Indian art, music, and literature
- Festivals and their significance
- Awards and Honors:
- Major national and international awards
- Nobel Prize winners
- Books and Authors:
- Important books and their authors
- Literary awards and their recipients
- Current Events:
- Major events and developments in the world
- Important personalities and their contributions
Paper II: Optional Subject
Candidates have to choose one optional subject from the list provided by OSSSC. The syllabus for each optional subject is vast and covers a wide range of topics. Some of the popular optional subjects include:
- Public Administration:
- Administrative Theory
- Indian Administration
- Comparative Public Administration
- Public Policy
- Development Administration
- Sociology:
- Social Structure and Stratification
- Social Change and Development
- Social Problems in India
- Sociology of Education
- Sociology of Health
- Political Science:
- Political Theory
- Indian Politics
- Comparative Politics
- International Relations
- Public Policy
- Economics:
- Microeconomics
- Macroeconomics
- Indian Economy
- International Economics
- Development Economics
- History:
- Ancient India
- Medieval India
- Modern India
- World History
- History of Odisha
- Geography:
- Physical Geography
- Human Geography
- India’s Geography
- Environmental Geography
- Regional Geography
- Law:
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Law
- Civil Law
- International Law
- Legal Theory
- Literature:
- English Literature
- Hindi Literature
- Odia Literature
- Sanskrit Literature
- Philosophy:
- Indian Philosophy
- Western Philosophy
- Ethics
- Logic
- Metaphysics
Preparation Strategy for Mains Examination
- Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly understand the syllabus for both Paper I and Paper II.
- Refer to Standard Textbooks: Use standard textbooks and reference materials for each subject.
- Practice Previous Years’ Papers: Solve previous years’ question papers to get an idea of the exam pattern and difficulty level.
- Develop a Study Plan: Create a realistic study plan and stick to it.
- Focus on Current Affairs: Stay updated with current affairs related to national and international issues.
- Practice Answer Writing: Regularly practice writing answers to different types of questions.
- Seek Guidance: Join coaching classes or seek guidance from experienced mentors.
- Stay Motivated: Maintain a positive attitude and stay motivated throughout the preparation process.
Table 1: Distribution of Marks for Paper I and Paper II
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies | 200 |
| Paper II | Optional Subject | 200 |
| Total | – | 400 |
Table 2: Important Books for Paper I
| Subject | Book | Author |
|---|---|---|
| History of Odisha | History of Odisha | K.C. Tripathy |
| Geography of Odisha | Odisha Geography | P.K. Mishra |
| Indian Polity and Governance | Indian Polity | M. Laxmikanth |
| Indian Economy | Indian Economy | Ramesh Singh |
| Science and Technology | Science and Technology | Arihant Publications |
| Current Affairs | The Hindu, Indian Express | – |
| Odisha Specific Issues | Odisha: A State in Transition | S.K. Mishra |
| General Awareness | General Knowledge | Manorama Yearbook |
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of books. Candidates can refer to other relevant books and study materials as per their preference.
The Mains Examination of the OSSSC Exam is a crucial stage in the selection process. Candidates need to prepare thoroughly and strategically to secure a good score. The syllabus provided in this article will help candidates understand the scope of the exam and plan their preparation accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Short Answers for OSSSC Mains Exam 2024
1. What is the duration of the OSSSC Mains Exam?
The OSSSC Mains Exam is conducted in two papers, each of 3 hours duration.
2. What is the medium of the OSSSC Mains Exam?
The medium of the OSSSC Mains Exam is English or Odia. Candidates can choose their preferred medium.
3. Is there any negative marking in the OSSSC Mains Exam?
Yes, there is negative marking in the OSSSC Mains Exam. For every incorrect answer, a certain percentage of marks will be deducted.
4. What is the qualifying marks for the OSSSC Mains Exam?
The qualifying marks for the OSSSC Mains Exam vary depending on the category of the candidate. The minimum qualifying marks are usually announced by OSSSC along with the exam notification.
5. How many optional subjects are available for the OSSSC Mains Exam?
The number of optional subjects available for the OSSSC Mains Exam varies depending on the specific recruitment. The list of optional subjects is usually provided in the exam notification.
6. Can I change my optional subject after the application process?
No, you cannot change your optional subject after the application process. You need to choose your optional subject carefully during the application stage.
7. What are some good books for preparing for the OSSSC Mains Exam?
There are many good books available for preparing for the OSSSC Mains Exam. Some popular books are mentioned in the syllabus section of this article.
8. How can I prepare for the current affairs section of the OSSSC Mains Exam?
To prepare for the current affairs section, you should read newspapers, magazines, and online news sources regularly. You should also refer to current affairs compilations and study materials.
9. What are some tips for writing good answers in the OSSSC Mains Exam?
To write good answers, you should focus on clarity, conciseness, and relevance. You should also use proper grammar and vocabulary.
10. What are the important factors considered for the interview stage of the OSSSC Exam?
The interview stage assesses your personality, communication skills, and general awareness. It also tests your knowledge of the subject you have chosen for the Mains Exam.
11. What are the career prospects after clearing the OSSSC Exam?
Clearing the OSSSC Exam opens up opportunities for various Group A, B, and C posts in the Odisha government. These posts offer good salary, benefits, and job security.
12. What are the eligibility criteria for the OSSSC Exam?
The eligibility criteria for the OSSSC Exam vary depending on the specific recruitment. The criteria usually include educational qualifications, age limit, and nationality.
13. How can I apply for the OSSSC Exam?
You can apply for the OSSSC Exam online through the official website of OSSSC. The application process usually involves filling out an online application form and submitting the required documents.
14. What is the exam pattern for the OSSSC Mains Exam?
The exam pattern for the OSSSC Mains Exam is usually mentioned in the exam notification. It typically includes the number of papers, the duration of each paper, the number of questions, and the marking scheme.
15. What are some important resources for preparing for the OSSSC Mains Exam?
Some important resources for preparing for the OSSSC Mains Exam include standard textbooks, previous years’ question papers, online study materials, coaching classes, and experienced mentors.