Are there any changes in the APPSC Group 2 exam syllabus?

The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) conducts the Group 2 examination to recruit candidates for the state government. As a competitive exam, it is crucial for aspirants to stay updated with any changes in the syllabus to effectively prepare for the examination. The APPSC Group 2 exam is divided into three stages: the preliminary examination, the main examination, and the interview. Both exams assess candidates' knowledge, understanding, and analytical abilities in various subjects, including General Studies, Social and Cultural History of Andhra Pradesh, Indian Polity, the Economy of India, and more.

Changes in the APPSC Group 2 Exam Syllabus

Preliminary Examination - The preliminary examination of the APPSC Group 2 exam serves as a screening test. It comprises one paper only, which is related to General Studies and Mental Ability. This paper is of 150 marks, the details about this section are given below:

INDIAN HISTORY (30 Marks)

Ancient History: Salient features of Indus Valley Civilization and Vedic age, Emergency of Buddhism and Jainism, Mauryan Empire and Gupta Empire: Their administration, Socio-Economic and Religious Conditions, Art and Architecture, Literature - Harshavardhana and his Achievements.

Medieval History: The Chola Administrative System, Delhi Sultanate and The Mughal Empire: Their Administration, Socio-Economic and Religious Conditions, Art and Architecture, Language and Literature, Bhakti and Sufi Movements, Shivaji and the rise of Maratha Empire -Advent of Europeans.

Modern History: 1857 Revolt and its Impact, Rise, and Consolidation of British Power in India - Changes in Administration, Social and Cultural Spheres, Social and Religious Reform Movements in the 19th and 20thCentury, Indian National Movement: its various stages and Important Contributors and contributions from different parts of the country - Post Independence Consolidation and Reorganization within the country.

GEOGRAPHY (30 Marks)

General and Physical Geography: The Earth in our Solar System - Interior of the Earth - Major Landforms and their features - Climate: Structure and Composition of Atmosphere-Ocean Water: Tides, Waves, Currents - India and Andhra Pradesh: Major Physiographic features, Climate, Drainage System, Soils and Vegetation - Natural Hazards and Disasters and their Management.

Economic Geography of India and AP: Natural resources and their distribution - Agriculture and Agro-based Activities - Distribution of Major Industries and Major Industrial Regions. Transport, Communication, Tourism, and Trade.

Human Geography of India and AP: Human Development - Demographics - Urbanization and Migration - Racial, Tribal, Religious and Linguistic groups.

INDIAN SOCIETY (30 Marks)

Structure of Indian Society: Family, Marriage, Kinship, Caste, Tribe, Ethnicity, Religion, and Women

Social Issues: Casteism, Communalism and Regionalisation, Crime against Women, Child Abuse and Child Labour, Youth Unrest and Agitation

Welfare Mechanism: Public Policies and Welfare Programmes, Constitutional and Statutory Provisions for Schedule Castes, Schedule Tribes, Minorities, BCs, Women, Disabled, and Children.

CURRENT AFFAIRS (30 Marks)

Important events and concerns related to:

• Global,
• National, and
• Andhra Pradesh's local affairs

MENTAL ABILITY (30 Marks)

Logical Reasoning (Deductive, Inductive, Abductive): Statement and Assumptions, Statement and Argument, Statement and Conclusion, Statement and Courses of Action.

Mental Ability: Number Series, Letter Series, Odd Man out, Coding-Decoding, Problems relating to Relations, Shapes, and their Sub Sections.

Basic Numeracy: Number System, Order of Magnitude, Averages, Ratio and Proportion, Percentage, Simple and Compound Interest, Time & Work, and Time & Distance. Data Analysis (Tables, bar diagram, Line graph, Pie-chart).

Mains Examination - The main examination is an in-depth assessment of candidates' understanding and knowledge in various subjects. Recent changes in the syllabus for the main examination are as follows: now it has two papers instead of three, and the two papers are 150 marks each.

Paper I - 150 Marks

Section A - SOCIAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY OF ANDHRA PRADESH (75 Marks)

1. Pre - Historic Cultures - The Satavahanas, The Ikshvakus: Socio-Economic and Religious Conditions, Literature, Art and Architecture - The Vishnukundins, The Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi, Andhra Cholas: Society, Religion, Telugu Language, Art, and Architecture.

2. Various Major and minor dynasties that ruled Andhradesa between the 11th and 16th centuries A.D. - Socio-Religious and Economic Conditions, Growth of Telugu Language and Literature, Art and Architecture in Andhradesa between the 11th to 16th centuries A.D.

3. Advent of Europeans - Trade centers - Andhra under the Company - 1857 Revolt and its Impact on Andhra - Establishment of British Rule - Socio-Cultural Awakening, Justice Party/Self Respect Movement - Growth of Nationalist Movement in Andhra between 1885 to 1947 – Role of Socialists - Communists - Anti-Zamindari and Kisan Movements - Growth of Nationalist Poetry, Revolutionary Literature, Nataka Samasthalu, and Women Participation.

4. Origin and Growth of Andhra Movement - Role of Andhra Mahasabhas - Prominent Leaders - Events leading to the formation of Andhra State 1953 - Role of Press and News Papers in the Andhra Movement - Role of Library Movement and Folk and Tribal Culture.

5. Events leading to the Formation of Andhra Pradesh State - Visalandhra Mahasabha - States Reorganization Commission and its Recommendations - Gentlemen Agreement - Important Social and Cultural Events between 1956 to 2014.

Section B - INDIAN CONSTITUTION (75 Marks)

1. Nature of Indian Constitution - Constitutional Development - Salient features of Indian Constitution - Preamble - Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy and their relationship - Fundamental Duties - Amendment of the Constitution- Basic Structure of the Constitution.
2. Structure and Functions of Indian Government - Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary - Types of Legislatures: Unicameral, Bicameral - Executive - Parliamentary - Judiciary - Judicial review - Judicial Activism.
3. Distribution of Legislative and Executive Powers between the Union and the States; Legislative, Administrative, and Financial Relations between the Union and the States - Powers and Functions of Constitutional Bodies - Human Rights Commission - RTI - Lokpal and Lok Ayukta.
4. Center-State Relations - Need for Reforms - Rajmannar Committee, Sarkaria Commission, M.M.Punchchi Commission - Unitary and Federal features of Indian Constitution - Indian Political Parties - Party System in India - Recognition of National and State Parties - Elections and Electoral Reforms - Anti-Defection Law.
5. Centralization Vs Decentralization - Community Development Programme - Balwant Rai Mehta, Ashok Mehta Committees - 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts and their Implementation.

PAPER –II (150 Marks)

SECTION A - INDIAN AND AP ECONOMY (75 Marks)

1. Structure of Indian Economy, Economic Planning, and Policy: National Income of India: Concept and Measurement of National Income - Occupational Pattern and Sectoral Distribution of Income in India – Economic Growth and Economic Development - Strategy of Planning in India - New Economic Reforms 1991 – Decentralization of Financial Resources – NITI Aayog.

2. Money, Banking, Public Finance, and Foreign Trade: Functions and Measures of Money Supply – Reserve Bank of India (RBI): Functions, Monetary Policy and Control of Credit – Indian Banking: Structure, Development, and Reforms – Inflation: Causes and Remedies – India’s Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Imbalance, Deficit Finance, and Fiscal Responsibility – Indian Tax Structure - Goods and Services Tax (GST) – Recent Indian Budget – India’s Balance of Payments (BOP) – FDI.

3. Agricultural Sector, Industrial Sector, and Services in Indian Economy: Indian Agriculture: Cropping Pattern, Agricultural Production, and Productivity – Agricultural Finance and Marketing in India: Issues and Initiatives – Agricultural Pricing and Policy in India: MSP, Procurement, Issue Price and Distribution – Industrial Development in India: Patterns and Problems – New Industrial Policy, 1991 – Disinvestment – Ease of Doing Business – Industrial Sickness: Causes, Consequences, and Remedial Measures – Services Sector: Growth and Contribution of Services Sector in India – Role of IT and ITES Industry in Development.

4. Structure of Andhra Pradesh Economy and Public Finance: Structure and Growth of AP Economy: Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and Sectoral Contribution, AP Per Capita Income (PCI) – AP State Revenue: Tax and Non-Tax Revenue – AP State Expenditure, Debts, and Interest Payments – Central Assistance – Projects of External Assistance - Recent AP Budget.

5. Agriculture and Allied Sector, Industrial Sector and Services Sector of Andhra Pradesh: Production Trends of Agriculture and Allied Sectors – Cropping Pattern – Rural Credit Cooperatives – Agricultural Marketing – Strategies, Schemes and Programmes related to Agricultural Sector and Allied Sectors in Andhra Pradesh Including Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, and Forests – Growth and Structure of Industries – Recent AP Industrial Development Policy - Single Window Mechanism – Industrial Incentives – MSMEs – Industrial Corridors – Structure and Growth of Services Sector – Information Technology, Electronics and Communications in Andhra Pradesh – Recent AP IT Policy.

SECTION B - SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (75 Marks)

1. Technology Missions, Policies, and Applications: National S&T Policy: Recent Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy, and National Strategies and Missions, Emerging Technology Frontiers – Space Technology: Launch Vehicles of India, Recent Indian Satellite Launches and its applications, Indian Space Science Missions – Defence Technology: Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO): Structure, Vision and Mission, Technologies Developed by the DRDO, Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) – Information and Communication Technology (ICT): National Policy on Information Technology – Digital India Mission: Initiatives and Impact – E-Governance Programmes and Services – Cyber Security concerns – National Cyber Security Policy – Nuclear Technology: Indian Nuclear Reactors and Nuclear Power Plants – Applications of Radioisotopes –India’s Nuclear Programme.

2. Energy Management: Policy and Projections: Installed Energy Capacities and Demand in India - National Energy Policy - National Policy on Biofuels - Bharat Stage Norms - Non-Renewable and Renewable Energy: Sources and Installed Capacities in India – New Initiatives and Recent Programmes, Schemes and Achievements in India’s Renewable Energy Sector.

3. Ecosystem and Biodiversity: Ecology and Ecosystem: Basic concepts of Ecology, Ecosystem: Components and Types – Biodiversity: Meaning, Components, Biodiversity Hotspots, Loss of Biodiversity and Conservation of Biodiversity: Methods, Recent Plans, Targets, Convention and Protocols - Wildlife Conservation: CITES and Endangered Species with reference to India – Biosphere Reserves – Indian Wildlife Conservation efforts, projects, acts and initiatives in recent times.

4. Waste Management and Pollution Control: Solid Waste: Solid Wastes and their Classification – Methods of Disposal and Management of Solid Wastes in India – Environmental Pollution: Types of Environmental Pollution – Sources and Impacts – Pollution Control, Regulation, and Alternatives: Recent projects, acts, and initiatives to reduce Environmental Pollution in India – Impact of Transgenics on Environment and their Regulation – Eco-Friendly Technologies in Agriculture – Bioremediation: Types and Scope in India.

5. Environment and Health: Environment Challenges: Global Warming, Climate Change, Acid Rain, Ozone Layer Depletion, Ocean Acidification – Environmental Initiatives: Recent International Initiatives, Protocols, and Conventions to Tackle Climate Change with special reference to India’s Participation and Role – Sustainable Development: Meaning, Nature, Scope, Components, and Goals of Sustainable Development – Health Issues: Recent Trends in Disease Burden and Epidemic and Pandemic Challenges in India - Preparedness and Response: Healthcare Delivery and Outcomes in India – Recent Public Health Initiatives and Programmes.

Candidates aspiring to appear for the APPSC Group 2 exam must stay updated with the revised syllabus to align their preparation accordingly. The changes in the syllabus indicate a shift towards assessing candidates' awareness of current affairs, recent developments, and emerging trends. Therefore, candidates should focus on reading newspapers, magazines, and online resources to enhance their knowledge in these areas.

Furthermore, candidates must also familiarize themselves with the revised topics in each subject and allocate their study time accordingly. They should refer to updated study materials and previous year question papers, and take mock tests to evaluate their preparation level and identify areas that need improvement. Preparing for the APPSC Group 2 exam through Achievers Academy online courses can be a beneficial and convenient option. Here candidates can get the updated syllabus for the exam. The online courses provide a structured learning platform, your commitment and effort are key to making the most of these resources. Combine your online course with self-study, practice, and revision to increase your chances of success in the APPSC Group 2 exam.

The APPSC Group 2 exam syllabus has witnessed some changes recently, particularly in the preliminary examination and the main examination. Aspiring candidates should keep themselves updated with the revised syllabus and adopt effective study strategies to enhance their chances of success in the exam.