UPSC Prelims Exam Syllabus 2012

    (Paper 1) (200 marks) - Duration : Two hrs   
1    Current events of national and international importance   
2    History of India and Indian national movement   
3    Indian and World Geography- physical, social, economic geography of India and the world   
4    Indian Polity and governance - constitution, political system, panchayati raj, public policy, Rights issues, etc.   
5    Economic and social development - sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives etc.   
6    General issues on environmental ecology, bio-diversity and climate change-that donot require subject specialization   
7    General science   
       
    (Paper II) (200 marks) - Duration : Two hrs   
1    Comprehension   
2    Interpersonal skills including communication skills   
3    Logical reasoning and analytical ability   
4    Decision making and problem solving   
5    General mental ability   
6    Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude etc. (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. - Class X level)   
7    English language comprehension skills (Class X level)   

Rise of magadha

Magadha became the most important mahajanapada in about two hundred years. Many rivers such as the Ganga and Son flowed through Magadha. This was important for (a) transport, (b) water supplies (c) making the land fertile. Parts of Magadha were forested. Elephants, which lived in the forest, could be captured and trained for the army. Forests also provided wood for building houses, carts and chariots. Besides, there were iron ore mines in the region that could be tapped to make strong tools and weapons.

Magadha had two very power ful rulers, Bimbisara and Ajatasattu, who used all possible means to conquer other janapadas. Mahapadma Nanda was another important ruler. He extended his control up to the north-west part of the subcontinent. Rajagriha (present-day Rajgir) in Bihar was the capital of Magadha for several years. Later the capital was shifted to Pataliputra (present-day Patna).