ILP-Decoding Prelims Syllabus 2021

Contents
About the Document ...................................................................................................................... 1
INDIAN POLITY- Broad Topics ......................................................................................................... 2
GEOGRAPHY-Broad Topics .............................................................................................................. 6
ECONOMY-Broad Topics ............................................................................................................... 12
ANCIENT INDIA-Broad Topics........................................................................................................ 17
MEDIEVAL INDIA- Broad Topics .................................................................................................... 20
MODERN INDIA- Broad Topics ...................................................................................................... 21
ART & CULTURE-Broad Topics ...................................................................................................... 24
ENVIRONMENT-Broad Topics ....................................................................................................... 25

About the Document

This document contains broad categorization of topics associated with UPSC Prelims Syllabus
for subjects like Polity, Geography, Economy, History and Environment. This will surely ease
your burden. Keep a print out of the same all the time and keep adding topics into it.

Note that these topics are not exhaustive but indicative. There are many sub-sections that we
will learn and cover under ILP-2021 Programme. This document is a step towards making your
journey a little less burdened ☺

Note- Science & Technology related topics are not fixed as they form major part of Current
Affairs. Do not worry about its coverage which will be effectively done during the course of ILP.

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INDIAN POLITY- Broad Topics

Basics DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY

(DPSP)
• Historical Background
• Making of the Constitution • Features of the Directive Principles:
• Salient Features of the Constitution • Criticism to DPSP
• Preamble of the Constitution • Significance of Directive Principles
• Union and its Territory • INTER-RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
• Citizenship FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND
• Constitution: Why and How? DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES
• Constitution as a Living Document • IMPLEMENTATION OF DIRECTIVE
• The Philosophy of the Constitution PRINCIPLES
• Rights in the Indian Constitution
FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES
• Executive, Legislature, Judiciary
• Federalism, Local Governments • List of FDs in Article 51 A
• Election and Representation • Features of the FDs
• Criticism of FDs
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
• Significance of FDs
• Features Of Fundamental Rights • Relationship between Fundamental
• Article 14-18 Right To Equality (14- Rights and Fundamental Duties
18)
AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION
• Article 19-22: Right to Freedom
• Article 25 - 28: Right to Religious • Procedure for Amendment as laid
Freedom down in Article 368 Part XX
• Article 29 and 30: Cultural and • Types of Amendments
Educational Rights • Ingredients of the ‘Basic Structure’
• Armed Forces And Fundamental • Criticism of the Amendment
Rights Procedure
• Effecting Certain Fundamental
BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE CONSTITUTION
Rights
• Criticism Of Fundamental Rights • Amendment and the Fundamental
• Significance Of Fundamental Rights Rights
• ELEMENTS OF THE BASIC
STRUCTURE
• Significance of the Basic Structure

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• Critiques • Public Acts, Records And Judicial

Proceedings
PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM
• Inter-State Trade And Commerce
• What is Parliamentary system of • Zonal Councils
government?
EMERGENCY PROVISIONS
• MERITS AND DEMIERITS OF THE
PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM • National Emergency
• Why India adopted Parliamentary • President’s Rule
system rather than Presidential? • Financial Emergency
• Implications Of Financial Emergency
FEDERAL SYSTEM
INDIAN PARLIAMENT
• Features
• Why our Constitution framers adopt • Composition of Two House
the federal system for India? • Session of Parliament
• Federal Features Of The Constitution • Offices in the Parliament
• Unitary Features Of The Indian • Motions
Constitution • Parliamentary Processes
• CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE • Money Bills
FEDERAL SYSTEM • Budget in Parliament
• Co-operative Federalism in Indian • Kinds of Funds
Perspective • Position of Rajya Sabha
CENTRE-STATE RELATIONS • Parliament Privileges
• Types of Majority
• Legislative Relations • Parliamentary Committees
• Administrative Relations • Parliamentary Forums
• FINANCIAL RELATIONS
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
• Terms of reference of the 15th
Finance Commission: Issues • President of India
• Tension Areas In Center-State • Vice-President
Relations • Prime Minister of India
INTER-STATE RELATIONS • Central Council of Ministers
• Cabinet Committees
• Inter-State Water Disputes • Cabinet Secretariat
• The Inter-State River Water Disputes • Supreme Court
(Amendment) Bill 2017
• Inter-State Councils

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STATE LEGISLATURE • Major pressure groups in India

• Media as pressure group
• Governor
• Role of pressure group in India
• Chief Minister
• Criticism of Pressure groups
• Council of Ministers in State
Government NON-GOVRNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
• Legislative Procedure in State
• Famous NGO’s
Legislature
• Issues in NGO’s Functioning
• High Court
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
NON-CONSTITUIONAL BODIES
• Panchayati Raj System
• NITI AAYOG
• Municipal Corporations
• Difference between NITI Aayog and
Planning Commission CONSTITUTIONAL BODIES
• Aspirational Districts Programme
• NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS • Election Commission
COMMISSION (NHRC) • Public Services
• CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF NHRC • UNION PUBLIC SERVICE
• NHRC and Sustainable Development COMMISSION
Goal (SDG) • STATE PUBLIC SERVICE
• STATE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
COMMISSION (SHRC) • FINANCE COMMISSION
• CENTRAL INFORMATION • National Commission for Scheduled
COMMISSION (CIC) Castes
• STATE INFORMATION COMMISSION • National Commission for Scheduled
(SIC) Tribes
• CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION • National Commission for Backward
(CVC) Classes
• CENTRAL BUREAU OF • Special Officer for Linguistic
INVESTIGATION Minorities
• LOKPAL AND LOKAYUKTAS • COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR
GENERAL OF INDIA
PRESSURE GROUPS/NGO’s • Attorney General of India
• Difference between political party • ADVOCATE GENERAL
and pressure group
• Features of Indian pressure group
• Types of pressure groups

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Important Topics • Elections

• ELECTION PROCESS
• Co-operative Societies
• Political Parties
• Official Language
• ROLE OF CIVIL SERVICES IN
• TRIBUNALS
DEMOCRACY

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GEOGRAPHY-Broad Topics

THE EARTH AND THE UNIVERSE EARTH’S MOVEMENTS AND LANDFORMS

GEOMORPHOLOGY • Types of Mountains

• Block Mountains
• Four Great Earth Realms
• Graben or Rift Valley
• Scales in Physical Geography
• Residual Mountains
• Systems in Physical Geography
VOLCANOES
INTERIOR OF THE EARTH
• Volcanic Mountains
• Direct methods
• Types of Plateaux
• Indirect methods
o Volcanic Plateau
• Seismic Wave Model
o Dissected Plateaux
ROCK SYSTEM • Types of Plains
o Structural Plains
• Igneous Rocks o Depositional Plains
• Sedimentary Rocks • Landforms associated with Volcanic
• Metamorphic Rocks Activities
• Landforms of Igneous Intrusions
SHAPE OF THE CONTINENTS
o Sill
• Continental Drift o Dyke
• Sea – floor Spreading • Origin of Volcanoes
• Plate Tectonic Theory o Active – frequent eruption or
• Continental Rift Valleys eruption within recent time
• Convergent Boundaries o Dormant – can erupt in
• Oceanic–continental Convergence future
• Oceanic–continental Convergence o Extinct – have all the
• Continental- continental features of volcano but not
Convergence erupted in historic times.
• Volcanic Cones
TYPES OF FORCES • Cinder Cone
• Endogenic Forces • Composite Cones
• Exogenic Forces • Caldera Cone or Volcano Cone
• Some Volcanic Eruptions
o Mt. Vesuvius

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o Mt. Krakatau • Mass Wasting

o Mt. Pelee • Landslides
• The Distribution of Volcanoes in the • Erosion
World • Agents of Erosion
• Geysers and Hot Springs
ATMOSPHERE
• Geysers
• Hot Spring • Composition of Atmosphere
MORE LANDFORMS • Layers of Atmosphere
• INSOLATION
• Fluvial landforms or landforms made • CONCEPT OF TWILIGHT (DAWN AND
by water channel DUSK)
• Erosive landforms
EARTH’S SOLAR RADIATION BUDGET
• Depositional Landforms
• Aeolian Landforms or Landforms • Mapping Patterns of Air
made by winds Temperature
o Erosional Landforms • Annual Range of Temperature
o Depositional Landforms • Diurnal Range of Temperature
• Glacial landforms • LAND AND WATER TEMPERATURE
o Erosional Landforms
o Depositional Landforms GLOBAL ENERGY TRANSFER
• Wave landforms
• Atmospheric Circulation
o Erosion landforms
• Oceanic Circulation
o Depositional Landforms
• The Impact of Pressure and Wind
• Karst Landforms
• CORIOLIS EFFECT AND WIND
o
CYCLONES AND ANTICYCLONES
EARTHQUAKES
• Air mass
• Consequences of Earthquakes
• FRONTS
• Some major Earthquakes
• Temperate Cyclones
• Tsunamis
• Tropical Cyclones
PROCESSES DUE TO EXOGENIC FORCES • Cyclone, Hurricane, Typhoon

• Weathering CIRCULATION OF ATMOSPHERE

o Physical Weathering
o Chemical Weathering • MERIODINAL CIRCULATION
o Biological Weathering • Jet Streams
• LOCAL WINDS

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• TEMPERATURE INVERSION • Climate of the Sudan type

• Natural Vegetation
CLOUD FORMATION
• Animal Life
• Types of clouds • Human Life in the Savanna
• FOG • Problems, Prospects and
• Dew Development of the Savanna
• Forms of Precipitation
THE HOT DESERT AND MID-LATITUDE
• Types of Rainfall
DESERT CLIMATES
CLIMATOLOGY & OCEANOGRAPHY
• Distribution
The Köppen Climate Classification System • Climate
• Climatic Conditions in the mid-
THE HOT, WET EQUATORIAL CLIMATE latitude Deserts
• Distribution • Desert Vegetation
• Climate • Economy
• Vegetation THE WARM TEMPERATE WESTERN
• Life and development in the MARGIN (MEDITERRANEAN) CLIMATE
equatorial regions
• Factors Affecting the Development • Distribution
of Equatorial Regions • Climate
• Natural vegetation
THE TROPICAL MONSOON AND TROPICAL • Economic development of the
MARINE CLIMATES Mediterranean regions
• Distribution THE TEMPERATE CONTINENTAL (STEPPE)
• Climatic Conditions in Tropical CLIMATE
Monsoon Lands
• The Seasons of Tropical Monsoon • Distribution
Climate • Climate
• The Retreating Monsoon • Natural Vegetation
• The Tropical Marine Climate • Economy
• Natural Vegetation • THE WARM TEMPERATE EASTERN
• Agricultural Development in the MARGIN CLIMATE
Monsoon Lands • Distribution
• Climate
THE SAVANNA OR SUDAN CLIMATE
• Natural Vegetation
• Distribution • Wildlife

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• Human Settlement • The Oceanic Deposits of the Ocean

• Economy floor
• Minor Relief Features
THE COOL TEMPERATE WESTERN MARGIN
• Salinity of the Ocean
(BRITISH TYPE) CLIMATE
• Factors affecting Salinity of Ocean
• Distribution • The Temperature of Ocean Water
• Climate • Ocean Currents
• Natural Vegetation • Important Ocean Currents
• Economy • Causes of Ocean Currents
• Tides
THE COOL TEMPERATE CONTINENTAL
• Types of Tides
• Distribution INDIAN GEOGRAPHY
• Climate
• Natural Vegetation • Physiography of India
• Economy • THE HIMALAYAS
• Northern Fertile Plains
THE COOL TEMPERATE EASTERN MARGIN
• The Peninsular Plateau
(LAURENTIAN)
• The Indian Desert
• Distribution • The Coastal Plains of India
• Climate • The Islands
• Natural vegetation • Drainage System
• Economy • Drainage Pattern
• Discordant Drainage Pattern
THE ARCTIC OR POLAR CLIMATE • Drainage Basin
• Distribution • Indian Drainage
• Climate • Drainage Basins in India
• Natural Vegetation • The Himalayan Drainage
• Economy • Important River Systems
• Peninsular Drainage
OCEANOGRAPHY • River Regimes
• Watershed Development in India
• Oceans
• River Interlinking Program of India
• The Relief of the Ocean
• Inland Waterways
• The Continental Shelf
• INDIAN SOIL
• Continental Slope
• The Deep-Sea Plain
• The Ocean Deeps or Trenches

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INDIAN CLIMATE • SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

• IRRIGATION
• Climate and Weather
• Agriculture and Allied Industries
• Factors influencing the Climate of
India RESOURCES
• Theory of Differential Heating
• Mineral Resources
• Flohn’s Dynamic Concept of
• Energy Resources
Monsoon
• Coal
• Factors influencing Indian Monsoon
• Petroleum and Natural Gas
• Jet Streams
• Oil and Gas Industry
• El – Nino and La – Nina Event
• Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve
• Role of Tibet Plateau
• PIPELINES
• Madden-Julian Oscillation
• Gas Hydrates
• EQUINOO – Equatorial Indian Ocean
Oscillation • Renewable Energy resources
• Facts about Indian Monsoon • Energy and Power Scenario in India
• The Northeast Monsoon (Retreating INDIAN INDUSTRIES
Monsoon) and its Effect
• Western Disturbances and winter • Cement industry
rainfall in North- India • Iron & Steel Industry
• Seasons in India • Tourism/Hospitality Industry
• Cold Weather Season • Service Industry
• Hot weather Season • Textiles Industry
• South-West Monsoon Season • Tourism and Hospitality Industry
• Retreating Monsoon • Consumer Durables Industry
• Rainfall Distribution in India • Manufacturing Industry
• Climatic Unity of India • Healthcare Industry
• Gems and Jewellery Industry
• Telecommunication Industry
• Retail Industry
• Education and Training Industry
HUMAN & ECONOMIC GROGRAPHY • Information Technology and IT-
AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION enable Services Industry
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Types of Crops
LOCATION MAPPING
• Land Utilization
• Cropping Pattern and System • Famous Seas of the World

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• Straits of the World • NORTH AMERICA

• Bays • South America
• Rivers • Europe
• Mountain Systems • Africa
• Deserts • Australia/Oceania
• Places in news • Asia

WORLD RESOURCES

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ECONOMY-Broad Topics

INDIAN ECONOMY- A PERSPECTIVE-PRE- • MAKE IN INDIA

INDEPENDENT INDIA • NATIONAL STEEL POLICY
• CONSOLIDATED FDI POLICY
• INDIAN ECONOMY- POST
• NEW CLASSIFICATION OF THE
INDEPENDENT DEVELOPMENT AND
MSMES
PLANNING
• NITI AYOG STRATEGY PLAN FOR
• TYPES OF ECONOMIC SYSTEMS
NEW INDIA
• ADVENT OF FIVE YEAR PLAN
• TYPES OF ECONOMIC PLANNING POVERTY AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
• PERFORMANCE OF INDIA’S FIVE
• A CASE STUDY FOR ASSESSING
YEAR PLANS: FAST RECAP
PRESENT POVERTY LINE
• ELEVENTH PLAN ACHIEVEMENTS ON
• KEY REQUIREMENTS FOR
INCLUSIVE GROWTH
SUSTAINABLE POVERTY REDUCTION
• ASSESSMENT OF 12TH FIVE YEAR
• POPULATION AND ASSOCIATED
PLAN
ISSUES
• THE GREEN REVOLUTION
• FIVE SURPRISING TRENDS IN INDIA'S
• INDUSTRY & TRADE
POPULATION GROWTH IN THE
• INDUSTRIAL POLICY RESOLUTION
COMING DECADE
1956 (IPR 1956)
• TRADE POLICY—IMPORT IMPORTANT TERMS & CONCEPTS
SUBSTITUTION
• BALANCE OF PAYMENTS
ECONOMIC REFORMS • CASH RESERVE RATIO (CRR)
• STATUTORY LIQUIDITY RATIO (SLR)
• LIBERALIZATION
• CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI)
• SERVICE SECTOR – THE DE-FACTO
• WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX (WPI)
PRIME MOVER
• FISCAL DEFICIT
• PRIVATIZATION
• INFLATION
• CONCEPT OF DISINVESTMENT
• TYPES OF INFLATION
• DISINVESTMENT OF AIR INDIA
• MONETARY POLICY
• GLOBALIZATION
• PHILIPS CURVE
• OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF LPG ON
INDIAN ECONOMY • LAFFER CURVE
• LIMITATIONS OF LPG POLICY ON • ENGEL’S CURVE
INDIAN ECONOMY

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• LORENZ CURVE AND GINI RESERVE BANK OF INDIA

COEFFICIENT
• Functions of RBI
• MISERY INDEX
• Monetary Policy Agreement
• TRADE BARRIERS
• Methods of Credit Control
• NON-TARIFF TRADE BARRIERS
• DEFLATION BANKING IN INDIA
• SPECIAL DRAWING RIGHTS
• Nationalization and Development of
MACROECONOMICS Banking in India
• Small Industries Development Bank
NATIONAL INCOME
of India (SIDBI)
• Calculation of National Income • Non-Banking Financial Companies
• Production Method or Value-Added NBFCs
Method • Financial Sector Reforms
• Income Method • Banking Sector Reforms
• Expenditure method • PSL (Priority Sector Lending)
• Some macroeconomic indices • Non-Performing Assets (NPA)
• Elasticity, Engel Curve and Engel • SARFAESI Act, 2002
Law/Engel’s elasticity • Willful Defaulter
• Key takeaways from the Economic • Fugitive Economic Offender
Survey • Capital Adequacy Ratio
• Tax-To-GDP Ratio • Basel Accords
• Project Sashakt
INFLATION
• Credit Counseling
• Major Types of Inflation • Labels of ATM
• Types of inflation • Nidhis
• Inflation – Bad or Good? • Urjit Patel committee
• India and past Inflation • Nachiket mor committee
• Measuring Inflation • Small and Payment Banks
• Measures to control Inflation2 • Business Correspondent
• GDP Deflator • Universal Payment Interface (UPI)
• ALM (Asset-Liability Management)
INDIAN FINANCIAL MARKET
of Banks
MONEY • Non-Resident Indian Deposits (NRI
Deposits)
• The supply of money
• Indian Money Market

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IMPORTANT CONCEPTS • Sinking Fund

• Merchant Banks GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Venture Capital Fund
• Concept of Economic Growth
• Electronic Fund Transfer- EFT
• Concept of Economic Development
• KYC Norms
• Long Term Irrigation Fund RURAL DEVELOPMENT
• Payment and Settlement Systems in
India • Concept of Rural Development
• Peer to Peer Lending • Union Budget & Survey for
• The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) development
• India Post Payments Bank MOBILIZATION OF RESOURCES
• Domestic Systemically Important
Banks (D-SIBs) • Mobilization of Natural resources
• Mobile Money Identifier (MMID) • Mobilization of Human Resources
• Wholesale and Long-Term Finance • Mobilization of Financial Resources
(WLTF) banks
INCLUSIVE GROWTH AND ISSUES ARISING
• Financial Stability and Development
FROM IT
Council
• Letters of Undertaking (LoU) • What is Inclusive Growth?
• SWIFT • Need for Inclusive Growth in India
• Employment and Inclusive Growth in
GOVERNMENT BUDGETING
India: Emerging Pattern and
• What is a Government Budget? Perspectives
• Main elements of the budget • Informalization of Employment,
• Objectives of a Government Budget 'Working Poor' and Exclusion
• Components of the Government • Addressing the Problem
Budget • The Role of Special Employment
• Deficit Financing Programmes
• Types of Budgeting • Capitalism and inclusive growth
• Balanced and Un-balanced Budgets EXTERNAL SECTORS IN INDIA
• Fiscal Policy
• Fiscal Consolidation • Forex Reserves
• Financial Motivators • External Debt
• TAX EXPENDITURES • Fixed Currency Regime
• CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT • Floating Currency Regime
• India’s Current Position • Managed Exchange rates

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• Pegging of Currencies • Legislation to control Security

• Exchange Rate in India: Background Market in India
• Depreciation • Companies Act, 2013
• Appreciation • Securities and Exchange Board of
• Balance of Payment (BoP) India (SEBI)
• Balance of Trade • Prevention of Money Laundering
• Current Account Act, 2002
• Capital Account • FOREIGN INVESTMENT
• Convertibility • FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (FDI)
• Convertibility in India • Foreign Institutional Investor (FII)
• Current Account Convertibility • Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI)
• Capital Account Convertibility • Qualified Foreign Investors (QFIs)
• NEER and REER • Participatory Notes (P-Notes)
• Hard Currency
INSURANCE IN INDIA
• Soft Currency
• Heated Currency • Government Schemes w.r.t
• Cheap Currency Insurance
• Special Economic Zone (SEZ) • Insurance Regulatory and
• GAAR: General Anti-Avoidance Rules Development Authority (IRDA)
• New Steps to Promote Foreign • Significance of Social Security and
Trade Insurance
• New Foreign Trade Policy • Analysis of Insurance Sector in India

PUBLIC FINANCE IN INDIA IMPORTANT TERMS

TAX STRUCTURE IN INDIA • HEDGE FUND

• INITIAL PUBLIC OFFER (IPO)
• Direct Tax
• Angel Investors and Venture
• Indirect Tax-GST
Capitalists
• GST Council
• GSTIN
• Tax Expenditure
• E-way bill
• Methods of Taxation
• e-Wallet scheme under GST
• 14th & 15th Finance Commission
• Standard for Automatic Exchange of
• Security Market in India Financial Account Information in Tax
• Primary and Secondary Markets Matters
• Stock Exchange • Angel tax
• Advance Pricing Agreements (APA)

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• BUDGET KEY FACTS ON FISCAL • Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

MANAGEMENT • Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA)
• Tax buoyancy • BRICS
• Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) • FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE
(FATF)
IR & ECONOMIC ORGANIZATIONS
• BANK FOR INTERNATIONAL
• INDIA-USA SETTLEMENTS (BIS)
• INDIA- RUSSIA • European Bank for Reconstruction &
• INDIA- JAPAN Development
• INDIA-WEST ASIA • G-7
• INDIA-ISRAEL • UNITED NATIONS
• INDIA-IRAN • Organization for Economic Co-
• SHANGHAI COOPERATION operation and Development (OECD)
ORGANIZATION (SCO) • International Energy Agency (IEA)
• INDIA-AFRICA • Australia Group
• INDIA OCEAN REGION • Wassenaar Arrangement
• ASEAN • Nuclear Supplier Group
• Act East Policy • Missile Technology Control Regime
• Quad grouping • Organisation for the Prohibition of
• INDIA-EU Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
• INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS • International Campaign to Abolish
• INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)
(IMF) • BASIC Countries
• WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (WEF) • International Energy Forum (IEF)
• WORLD BANK • India-UN Development Partnership
• WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION Fund
(WTO) • Information Technology Agreement-
• ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK WTO
• Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) • The International North–South
• ASIAN INFRASTRUCTURE Transport Corridor (INSTC)
INVESTMENT BANK (AIIB) • China Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC)

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ANCIENT INDIA-Broad Topics

PERIODISATION OF INDIAN HISTORY • Images

(TIMELINE) • Terracotta Figurines
• Reasons of Decline
• STONE AGE
• Post Urban phase of Harappan
• Paleolithic Age
Culture (1900-1200 BC)
• Mesolithic Age: (10,000 – 4000 BC)
• Neolithic Age: (7000 – 1000 BC) VEDIC PERIOD
• Chalcolithic Age (2500 – 700 BC)
• Early Vedic (1500 – 1000 BC)
THE HARAPPAN CULTURE: BRONZE AGE • Rig Veda
CIVILIZATION • Occupation of Rig Vedic Society
• Political Organization
• Famous Sites
• Religion and Faith
• Town Planning and Structures
• Yajnas
• Great Bath
• Granaries ADVENT OF THE ARYANS AND THE AGE OF
• Burnt bricks usage THE RIGVEDA
• Drainage system
• Original home and identity
• Agriculture
• Aryans in India
• Agriculture tools
• Battle of 10 kings
• Irrigation
• Tribal Polity
• Food Grain production
• Officials
• Domestication of Animals
• Army
• Technology
• Tribal and Family
• Crafts
• Social Divisions
• Textile
• Rig Vedic Gods
• Other Crafts
• Rig Vedic Goddess
• Trade
• Political Organization THE LATER VEDIC PHASE
• Religious Practices
• The Male Deity in the Indus Valley • Expansion in the later Vedic Period
(1000-500 BC)
• The Harappan Script
• Painted Grey Ware culture (PGW)
• Weights and Measures
Sites
• Harappan Pottery
• Living Pattern
• Seals

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• Mahabharata • In other languages

• Iron and Later Vedic Aryans • Gautama Buddha and Buddhism
• Agriculture • Sources
• Crafts • Doctrines of Buddhism
• Settlement • Teachings and Principles
• Political organization • Famous Buddhist Councils
• Assemblies • Influence of Buddhism
• Tribe connected to territory • Importance of Buddhism in India
• Election of King • Gandhara Art
• Succession rules • Buddhist Sangha
• Rituals • Decline of Buddhism
• Army • Buddism and Jainism- Comparative
• Social organization Study
• Society
MAURYAN EMPIRE
• Family
• Women position • Possible Dimensions from which a
• Institution of Gotra question can be asked on Mauryan
• Ashramas Dynasty
• Gods, Rituals and Philosophy • Chandragupta Maurya
• Gods (Sandrochotus/Androchotus in
• Sacrifices Greek records)
• Brahmans and Rituals • Bindusara (Amitrachotus)
• Religion and Philosophy • Ajivika Sect
• Ashoka
JAINISM AND BUDDHISM
• Ashokan Dhamma
• Causes of Origin • Ashokan Edicts or Inscriptions
• Vardhamana Mahavira and Jainism • Arthashastra
• Jainism • Mauryan Administration
• Doctrines of Jainism • Indica
• Philosophy • Economic Regulations
• Jainism on Varna System • Agriculture
• Spread of Jainism • Connectivity
• Spread in southern part • Transportation
• Spread in other parts • Taxation System
• Contribution of Jainism • Currency
• In Prakrit language • Social and Cultural Life

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• Position of Slaves • CRAFTS, TRADE AND TOWNS IN THE

• Mauryan Art POST-MAURYA AGE
• Royal Art • Crafts
• Folk Arts • Trade with Eastern Roman Empire
• Causes of Decline of Mauryan • Foreign Trade
Empire • Money Economy
• Brahmanical Reaction • Urban Settlements
• Financial Crisis
SANGAM AGE
• Oppressive Rule
• Neglect of the North-West Frontier • Important Literary Pieces
and the Great Wall of China • Two great Epics
• Historical Information from Sangam
CENTRAL ASIAN CONTACTS AND THEIR
Literature
RESULTS
• Sangam Literature
• Indo – Greeks (Bactrians) • Political History
• Shakas (Scythians – Central Asia) • Sangam Polity
• Parthians (Phalvas) – Persia • Sangam Society
• Kushanas (Yuthi Tribe) – Central Asia • Religion
• Satavahanas/Andhras • Position of Women
• Impact of Central Asian Contacts • Economy of the Sangam Age
• Mathura School of Art
GUPTA PERIOD
• Gandhara School of Art
• Amravati School of Art • Chandragupta I (AD 319 - 334)
• Samudragupta (A.D. 335-380)
THE AGE OF THE SATAVAHANAS
• Chandragupta II: (380 – 415 AD)
• Political History • Kumaragupta
• Gautmiputra Satakarni (A.D. 106- • Skandgupta
130) • Gupta Administration
• Vasishthiputra Pulumayi (AD 130 - • Economy
154) • Social Developments
• Social Organization • Buddhism and Bhagvatism
• Administration • Literature
• Religion • Art
• Architecture • Architecture
• Language • Paintings During Gupta Period
• Decline of Gupta Empire

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HARSHA AND HIS TIMES • Administration

• Huen Tsang

MEDIEVAL INDIA- Broad Topics

FORMATION OF NEW STATES • Bhakti Saints of North India

• Bhakti Saints of Bengal
• The New Phase
• Bhakti saints of Maharashtra
• Vakatakas
• Importance of the Bhakti Movement
• Chalukyas
• Rashtrakutas VIJAYANAGARA AND BAHMANI
• Pallavas KINGDOMS
• Cholas
• VijayanagarA Kingdom
EARLY MEDIEVAL INDIA • Sources
• Krishna Deva Raya (1509 - 1529)
• After death of Harsha
• Bahmani Kingdom
• Rajput Kingdoms
• Foreign Travelers
• Arab Conquest of Sind (712 A.D.)
• Mahmud of Ghazni and his Invasions THE MUGHAL EMPIRE
• Muhammad Ghori
• Babur (1526 - 1530)
DELHI SULTANATE • Humayun
• Sur Interregnum (1540-1555)
• Slave Dynasty (1206 -1290)
• Akbar (1556-1605)
• The Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320)
• Jahangir (1605 - 1627)
• The Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414)
• Shah Jahan (1627-1658)
• Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451)
• INDIA UNDER THE MUGHALS
• Lodi dynasty (1451-1526)
• ART FORMS
• INDIA UNDER THE DELHI SULTANATE
• Delhi Sultanate Architecture
BHAKTI MOVEMENT • Lodhi Architecture
• Vijaynagar Architecture
• Sufism • Sher Shah Architecture
• Bhakti Saints of South India • Mughal Architecture

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MODERN INDIA- Broad Topics

DECLINE OF MUGHAL EMPIRE • Subsidiary Alliance and Indian States

• Expansion under Lord Hastings
• Causes of Decline of Mughal Empire
(1813 - 22)
• INDIAN STATES AND SOCIETY IN THE
• The Consolidation of British Power
18th CENTURY
(1818 - 57)
• Polity and Administration of the
• Dalhousie and the Policy of
States
Annexation (1848 - 56)
• South Indian States in 18th Century
• British Administrative and Economic
• North Indian States in 18th Century
Policy
• RISE & FALL OF MARTHA EMPIRE
• British Administrative Policy
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF • British Economic Policies
THE PEOPLE IN 18TH CENTURY • Drain of Wealth
• Development of Means of Transport
• Economic Conditions and Communication
• Social Conditions • Postal System and Telegraph
THE BEGINNINGS OF EUROPEAN • Land Revenue Policy
SETTLEMENTS ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION AND
• Trade between Europe and India SOCIO-CULTURAL POLICY
and South-East Asia • British Administrative System
• The Portuguese • Social and Cultural Policy
• The Dutch • Humanitarian Measures
• British Entry in Trade
• The Growth of the EIC trade & THE REVOLT OF 1857
influence (1600-1714)
• PRE-1857 REVOLTS
• The Anglo-French Struggle in South
• POST 1857 REVOLTS
India
• Tribal and Civil Rebellions- An
• British Occupation of Bengal
Analytical Study for Mains
• Mains Questions
SOCIAL & CULTURAL AWAKENING IN THE
EXPANSION OF BRITISH EMPIRE IN INDIA
FIRST HALF OF 19TH CENTURY
• Expansion under Lord Wellesley
• Reform Movements
(1798 - 1805)
• Subsidiary Alliance

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• Emancipation of women/the fight • The Theosophical Society and Annie

for the betterment of Women Besant
• The Fight Against Caste-Based • Positive contributions of Reform
Exploitation Movements
• An Overview of Socio-Cultural • Negative fallouts of the Reform
Reform Movements and Their Movement
Leaders
EARLY NATIONALISM-1857 TO 1906
• Raja Ram Mohan Roy
• Brahmo Samaj • Lord Canning
• Maharishi Debendranath Tagore • Lord Mayo
(1817-1905) • Lord Lytton
• Prarthana Samaj • Lord Ripon
• Derozio and Young Bengal • Lord Curzon
• Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar • Nationalist Movement
• Paramhansa Mandalis • Predecessors of the Indian National
• Satyashodhak Samaj and Jyotiba Congress
Phule • The Indian National Congress
• The Servants of India Society • The Early Nationalists
• The Ramakrishna Movement
• Dayanand Saraswati and Arya Samaj MILITANT PHASE OF NATIONALIST
• Seva Sadan MOVEMENT
• Sri Narayana Guru Dharma • The Partition of Bengal
Paripalana (SNDP) Movement • The Swadeshi and Boycott
• Justice Movement • The Surat Split
• Self-Respect Movement • IMPORTANT COMMISSIONS AND
• Temple Entry Movement COMMITTES
• Indian Social Conference • Wood's Despatch on Education
• Wahabi/Walliullah Movement (1854)
• Titu Mir’s Revolt • Bipin Chandra Pal
• Faraizi movement • Famous Associations
• Ahmadiya Movement
• Aligarh Movement and Sayyid SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
Ahmad Khan
• SWADESHI PHASE
• The Deoband School
• All India Muslims League
• Reform Movements Among Parsis
• THE SURAT SPLIT
• Religious Reform Among Sikhs
• Act of 1909 Morley-Minto Reforms

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• RISE OF REVOLUTIONARY • THE DANDI MARCH

TERRORISM – PHASE 1 • Gandhi Irwin Pact
• GHADR PARTY6 • Karachi Session of 1931
• KOMATA MARU INCIDENT • The Communal Award/MacDonald
• THE BERLIN COMMITTEE FOR Award
INDIAN INDEPENDENCE • THE POONA PACT
• HOME RULE MOVEMENT • The Government of India Act 1935
• THE LUCKNOW SESSION OF • Congress’s Stand on the Eve of
CONGRESS – 1916 World War 2
• MONTAGUE’s STATEMENT OF • AUGUST OFFER- August 1940
1917/THE AUGUST DECLARATION • Individual Satyagraha
• THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACT – • CRIPPS MISSION
1919
QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT 1942
• GANDHIJI’s STAY IN SOUTH AFRICA
• THE INDIAN NATAL CONGRESS • C Rajagopalachari Formula – 1944
• Indian Ambulance Corps • Wavell Plan, 1945
• THE TOLSTOY FARM • Cabinet Mission 1946
GANDHIJI IN INDIA • Mountbatten Plan – 1947
• Indian Independence Act 1947
• CHAMPARAN SATYAGRAHA • POST WAR NATIONAL UPSURGE
• AHMEDABAD MILL STRIKE • 1945 INA Trials – Significance 16
• KHEDA SATYAGRAHA • 1946 RIN Mutiny – Significance
• Rowlatt Satyagraha
POST INDEPENDENCE CONSOLIDATION
• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
• Hunter Commission Report • Process of Unification
• KHILAFAT MOVEMENT • Language Issue
• The Non-Cooperation Movement • Indian Tribal Issues
• THE CHAURI CHAURA INCIDENT • Article 15(4): Promotion of Social,
• THE REVOLUTIONARY ACTIVITIES Economic and Educational interests
• SIMON COMMISSION • Refugee Crisis after Partition
• NEHRU REPORT, 1928 • Wars After Independence
• CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT • Post 1947 Communalism

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ART & CULTURE-Broad Topics

Under Ancient ,Medieval & Modern History- Art, Architecture and Literature will be covered

DANCES • RAASLEELA
• BHAVAI - GUJARAT
• Classical Dance of India
• JATRA - BENGAL
• Bharatnatyam – Tamil Nadu
• BHAONA (ANKIA NAAT) - ASSAM
• Kuchipudi
• MAACH - MADHYA PRADESH
• Kathakali
• TAMAASHA - MAHARASHTRA
• Kathak
• DASHAVATAR - KONKAN AND GOA
• Odissi
• KRISHNATTAM - KERALA
• SATTRIYA
• MUDIYETTU - KERALA
• Manipuri
• THEYYAM - KERALA
• MOHINIYATTAM
• KOODIYAATTAM - KERALA
• Folk Dances of India
• YAKSHAGAANA - KARNATAKA
MUSIC • THERUKOOTHU - TAMIL NADU
• KARYALA- HIMACHAL PRADESH
• Hindustani Music
• Carnatic Music PUPPETS FORMS
• Comparison of Hindustani and
• STRING PUPPETS
Carnatic Music
• GLOVE PUPPETS
• Folk Music
• ROD PUPPETS: (extension of glove-
• Music Instruments of India
puppets)
MARTIAL ARTS • Shadow Puppet

• Gatka INSTITUTIONS
• Thang Ta
• Sahitya Akademi
• Pari-Khanda
• Sangeet Natak Academy
THEATER FORM OF INDIA • Lalit Kala Akademi
• Centre for Cultural Resources &
• BHAND PATHER (JASHIN) - KASHMIR Training
• SWANG - HARYANA • Arts, Crafts, Music, Monuments in
• NAUTANKI - UTTAR PRADESH States

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ENVIRONMENT-Broad Topics

Note- Science & Tech is mostly from Current Affairs (We will cover it in detail under the
progamme modules)

ECOLOGY • Deserts
• Tundra
• Why we need to study Ecology?
• What `Ecology’ really is? AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM
• Environment
• Factors Limiting the "Productivity of
• Levels of Ecological Organization
Aquatic Habitats
• Ecosystem
• Ecology of Lake
• Functions of ecosystem
• What is eutrophication?
PRODUCTIVTY OF ECOSYSTEM • Wetlands
• Estuary Ecosystem
• Classification of ecosystem (Natural
• Benefits of Estuarine Ecosystem
ecosystem)
• Mangroves
• Threats to Ecological Goods and
• Importance of Mangrove
Services
• Threats to mangrove forests and
• Biome
their habitats include
• Aquatic Zones
• Coral Reefs
• Ecosystem Function
• Features of the corals
• Ecological Efficiency
• Ideal conditions for the formation of
• Trophic Level and Pollutants
Reefs
• Biotic Interaction
• Types of Reefs
• Biogeochemical Cycles
• What is the importance of coral
• Homeostasis of Ecosystem
reefs?
• Ecological Succession
• Threat to coral eefs
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS • Coral Bleaching
• Edge Effect
• Forests • Habitat fragmentation
• Importance of Forests • Ruderal species
• Deforestation • Phenotype
• What are the strategies to reduce • Epigenetics
deforestation? • Ecotype
• Grasslands • Epiphyte

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• Lithophytes • Critically Endangered Fishes

BIODIVERSITY PROTECTED AREA NETWORK

• Levels of Biodiversity • National Park

• Measurement of Biodiversity • Difference between Wild life
Sanctuary and National Park
INDIAN BIODIVERSITY
• Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS)
• Biodiversity Conservation • Conservation Reserve and
• Megadiverse Country Community Reserves
• Fauna • Critical Wildlife Habitat
• Floral Diversity • IUCN CATEGORIZATION
• Coastal Protected Areas or Marine
PLANT DIVERSITY OF INDIA Protected Areas (MPA)
• Carnivorous plants • Sacred groves of India
• Invasive alien species (IAS) • Biosphere Reserve (BR)
• Medicinal Plants of India • The MAB (Man and Biosphere
Reserve)
MARINE ORGANISMS • World Network of Biosphere
Reserves
• Phytoplankton
• Biodiversity Hotspots
• Zooplankton
• Indian Biodiversity Hotspots
• Seagrass
• Natural World Heritage Sites in India
• Seaweeds
• Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS)
• Sea buckthorn
• The High Biodiversity Wilderness
ANIMAL DIVERSITY OF INDIA Areas (HBWA)
• Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs)
• The Red data book
• IUCN classification of conservation CONSERVATION EFFORTS
priority
• Project Elephant
• Mammals – Critically Endangered
• Project Tiger
• Mammals – Endangered
• M-STrIPES
• Mammals – Vulnerable
• Conservation Assured (CA|TS)
• Mammals – Near Threatened
• Tiger Reserves in India
• Marine Mammals – Endangered
• Indian Crocodile Conservation
• Marine Mammals – Vulnerable
Project
• Critically Endangered Mammals
• Cheeta Re-introduction Programme
• Critically Endangered Reptiles

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• Vulture • Causes of Ozone layer depletion

• Project Snow Leopard • Effect of ozone depletion
• One Horn Rhino • Efforts taken to control ozone layer
• Sea Turtle Project depletion
• Project Hangul
ACID RAIN
• Captive Breeding
• Ganges Dolphin • Effects of Acid rain

CLIMATE CHANGE OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

• Global Warming • Impact of Ocean Acidification

• Effect of Climate change • GEO-ENGINEERING
• Impact of Climate Change in India
POLLUTION
• RECENT UPDATES on CLIMATE
CHANGE • Air Pollution
• Steps taken to combat climate • Steps taken by Indian Government
change • Noise pollution
• Paris Agreement • Social and Economic Costs of Noise
• The Talanoa Dialogue Pollution
• Steps taken to Combat Climate • Soil Pollution
change by India • Water Pollution
• NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON
CLIMATE CHANGE (NAPCC) ACTS, POLCIES & BODIES-INDIA
• India’s National Redd+ Strategy
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
• Global Dimming
• Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
• Global Dimming and Global
• National Forest Policy 1988
Warming
• Biological Diversity Act, 2002
• Steps taken to control Global
• The Scheduled Tribes and other
warming in India
Traditional Forest Dweller
GREEN HOUSE EFFECT (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act,
2006
• Green House gases • Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)
• International Mechanisms to reduce • Wetlands (Conservation And
Greenhouse gases Management) Rules 2010
• Global Warming Potential • National Green Tribunal (NGT)
OZONE • India's National Action Plan on
Climate Change

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• Indian Network on Climate Change • GLOBE (Global Learning and

Assessment Observations to Benefit the
• The Water (Prevention and Control Environment)
of Pollution) Act of 1974 and • Mangroves for the Future
Amendment, 1988 • National Air Quality Index (AQI)
• The Air (Prevention and Control of
INDIAN ORGANIZATIONS
Pollution) Act of 1981 and
amendment, 1987 • The Animal Welfare Board of India
• Genetic Engineering Approval (AWBI)
Committee (GEAC) • Central Zoo Authority (CZA)
• National Wildlife Action Plan • The National Biodiversity Authority
(NWAP) (NBA)
• National Afforestation and Eco- • Wildlife Crime Control Bureau
Development Board (NAEB) • National Lake Conservation Plan
• Compensatory Afforestation Fund (NLCP)
Management and Planning • National Ganga River Basin
Authority (CAMPA) 57 Authority (NGRBA)
• Joint Forest Management (JFM) • Wildlife Trust of India
• Social Forestry • India State of Forest Report (ISFR)
• National Bamboo Mission 2017
• Comprehensive Environmental
Pollution Index (CEPI) WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL
• Lighting a Billion Lives (LaBL) ORGANIZATIONS
• Ecomark • UNFCCC
• Urban Services Environmental • Kyoto Protocol – COP-3 (KP)
Rating System (USERS)
• Bali Meet
• Biodiversity Conservation & Rural
• COP 15 Copenhagen Summit
Livelihood Improvement Project
• COP 16 Cancun Summit
(BCRLIP)
• Green Climate Fund
• National Clean Energy Fund
• COP 17 Durban Summit
• National Electric Mobility Mission
• Doha outcomes COP 18, 2012
Plan 2020 (NEMMP)
• Paris, COP 21, 2015
• Environment Education, Awareness
• Special Climate Change Fund
& Training (EEAT) Scheme
• REDD and REDD+
• National Environment Awareness
• Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Campaign (NEAC)
• Climate – Smart Agriculture
• Eco – clubs (National Green Corps)

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• IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on • Convention on the Conservation of

Climate Change) Migratory Species (CMS)
• National Green House Gas • Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking
Inventories Program (NGGIP) (CAWT)
• Green Economy • The International Tropical Timber
• Climate Vulnerable Forum Organization (ITTO)
• Vulnerable 20 (V20) • United Nations Forum on Forests
• START- Global Change System for (UNFF)
Analysis, Research & Training • IUCN
• World Climate Research Programme • The Global Tiger Forum (GTF)
(WCRP) • The Stockholm Convention on POP
• CLIVAR (Climate Variability and (Persistent Organic Pollutants)
Predictability) • Basel Convention
• Climate Action Network • Rotterdam Convention
• UNCCD
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
• International Whaling Commission
• UNCED (IWC)
• Agenda 21 • UNCLOS
• Convention on Biological Diversity • SOLAS
(CBD) • International Seabed Authority (ISA)
• Cartagena Protocol • Vienna Convention
• Nagoya Protocol • Montreal Protocol
• Aichi Biodiversity Targets • Kigali Agreement
• CoP 11 Hyderabad • Globally Important Agricultural
• Ramasar Convention on Wetlands Heritage Systems (GIAHS)
• Montreux Record • LEDS GP
• International Union for Conservation • London Accord
of Nature • UN Conference on Sustainable
• BirdLife International Development
• Wetlands International • United Nations Sustainable
• Ramsar Sites in India Development Summit 2015
• CITES • Global Wildlife Program
• TRAFFIC - The Wildlife Trade
Monitoring Network

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