Single Paper consisting of General Studies (Degree Std) – 175 questions and Aptitude & Mental Ability (SSLC Std) – 25 questions. Code: 497. Total: 200 questions.

Total Questions
200
GS 175 + Aptitude 25
GS Weight
87.5%
175 / 200
Aptitude Share
12.5%
25 / 200
Date (PDF)
16-12-2024
Official note

Overall Distribution (Code 497)

No Language section in Group I Prelims; it’s GS-heavy (87.5%).

Quick Facts

  • GS Units I–VI with specified question counts (10/10/25/40/50/40) totaling 175.
  • Aptitude & Mental Ability split as Aptitude (15) + Reasoning (10) = 25.

General Studies — Unit-wise Questions

Relative emphasis: Unit V (50) & Unit VI (40) dominate, followed by Polity (40).

Part A — General Studies (Degree Standard) — 175 Questions

Unit Questions % of Total Scope / Sub-Topics (verbatim highlights)
Unit I: General Science 10 5% Scientific knowledge & temper; power of reasoning; rote vs conceptual learning; science as a tool for past–present–future; nature of universe; general scientific laws; mechanics; properties of matter, force, motion & energy; everyday applications of electricity & magnetism, light, sound, heat, nuclear physics, laser; electronics & communications; elements & compounds; acids, bases, salts; petroleum products; fertilizers; pesticides; life science—classification, evolution, genetics, physiology, nutrition, health & hygiene, human diseases; environment & ecology; latest inventions; current affairs.
Unit II: Geography of India 10 5% Location; physical features; monsoon, rainfall, weather & climate; water resources; rivers; soil, minerals & natural resources; forests & wildlife; agricultural pattern; transport & communication; social geography—population density & distribution; racial/linguistic groups & major tribes; natural calamities & disaster management; environmental pollution—reasons & prevention; climate change; green energy; geographical landmarks; current affairs.
Unit III: History, Culture of India & National Movement 25 12.5% Indus Valley; Guptas; Delhi Sultans; Mughals; Marathas; Vijayanagara & Bahmani; South Indian History; socio-cultural change & continuity; National Renaissance; early uprisings; Indian National Congress; leaders—Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, Bharathiar, V.O.C., Nehru, Kamarajar, Gandhi, Maulana Azad, Thanthai Periyar, Rajaji, Subash Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, etc.; Satyagraha & militant movements; communalism & partition; Indian culture—unity in diversity (race, language, custom); secularism; social harmony; prominent personalities; national symbols; places & personalities in news; sports; books & authors; current affairs.
Unit IV: Indian Polity 40 20% Constitution—Preamble; salient features; Union, State & UT; citizenship; Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, DPSP; Union & State Executive/Legislature; Local Governments, Panchayati Raj; spirit of federalism (Centre–State relations); election; judiciary; rule of law; corruption & anti-corruption measures (Lokpal & Lokayukta); RTI; empowerment of women; Consumer Protection Forums; Human Rights Charter; political parties & political system; current affairs.
Unit V: Indian Economy & Development Administration in Tamil Nadu 50 25% Nature of Indian economy; Five-Year Plans (assessment); Planning Commission & NITI Aayog; sources of revenue; RBI; fiscal & monetary policy; Finance Commission; Union–State resource sharing; GST; structure & employment; land reforms; agriculture & S&T; industrial growth; rural welfare programmes; social problems—population, education, health, employment, poverty; Tamil Nadu focus: HDI & comparisons; impact of social reform movements; political parties & welfare schemes; reservation rationale & access to resources; economic trends; role/impact of welfare schemes; social justice & harmony; education & health systems; geography & growth; achievements; e-governance; public awareness & general administration; welfare schemes & utility; problems in public delivery; current socio-economic issues; current affairs.
Unit VI: History, Culture, Heritage & Socio-Political Movements in TN 40 20% History of Tamil society; archaeological discoveries; Tamil literature from Sangam to contemporary; Thirukkural—secular significance, everyday relevance, universal values, socio-politico-economic relevance, philosophical content; Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle—early agitations & role of women; 19th–20th century movements—Justice Party, growth of rationalism, Self-Respect & Dravidian movements; contributions of Thanthai Periyar & Perarignar Anna.

GS unit counts sum to 175; Units V & VI together carry 90/175 = 51% of GS. (See unit headers for official counts.)

Part B — Aptitude & Mental Ability (SSLC Standard) — 25 Questions

Component Questions % of Total Scope / Sub-Topics
Aptitude 15 7.5% Simplification; Percentage; HCF; LCM; Ratio & Proportion; Simple & Compound Interest; Area; Volume; Time & Work.
Reasoning 10 5% Logical reasoning; Puzzles; Dice; Visual reasoning; Alpha-numeric reasoning; Number series.

Trends & Preparation Signals

  • GS dominates (87.5%) — allocate time proportionally; prioritize Units V (50), VI (40), and IV Polity (40).
  • TN-centric content is decisive: development administration, welfare schemes, social justice, and state movements together form 90/175 GS questions.
  • Aptitude is compact & predictable—arithmetic basics + visual/patterns—use speed drills for 25Q efficiency.

Syllabus and unit counts reproduced from the official Group I PDF (English), dated 16-12-2024.

Recommended Programs

FAQs