CSE Pre 2023 Keywords

The 2023 UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper I) featured 100 questions spanning various disciplines. This is the list of the primary keywords and concepts addressed in each question.

Ancient India and Art & Culture

  1. Dhanyakataka: Location and significance as a Buddhist centre.
  2. Stupa: Origins (Vedic vs Buddhist), relics, and votive/commemorative functions.
  3. Ancient Ports: Korkai, Poompuhar, and Muchiri in South India.
  4. Vattakirutal: Ritual suicide practice in Sangam literature.
  5. Medieval Dynasties: Eighth-century origin of Hoysala, Gahadavala, Kakatiya, and Yadava.
  6. Literary Works and Authors: Devichandragupta (Vishakadatta), Hammira-Mahakavya (Nayachandra Suri), Milinda-panha (Nagasena), and Nitivakyamrita (Somadeva Suri).
  7. Jainism: Belief in souls in natural objects like rocks and water.
  8. Archaeologists: Association of Alexander Rea, A. H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess, and Walter Elliot with excavations.
  9. Cave Shrines: Besnagar (Vaishnavite), Bhaja (Buddhist), and Sittanavasal (Jain).

History (Medieval & Modern)

  1. Vijayanagara Empire: Devaraya I and the Tungabhadra dam/aqueduct.
  2. Portuguese India: Surrender of Diu by Bahadur Shah of Gujarat.
  3. British Legislation: Designation of Governor General of India via the Charter Act of 1833.
  4. National Handloom Day: Link to the Swadeshi Movement launch on 7th August.

Polity & Governance

  1. Due Process of Law: Principle of natural justice and fair application.
  2. Prisons Act 1894: State management of prisons and provincial control.
  3. Constitutionalism: Chief purpose of a Constitution in limiting government power.
  4. 1st Amendment: Overcoming judicial interpretations of Fundamental Rights.
  5. Constitutional Bodies: NCBC, NHRC, Law Commission, and NCDRC status.
  6. Presidential Elections: Voidance of acts, postponement of polls, and assent time limits.
  7. Parliamentary Bills: Finance Bill vs Money Bill and joint sitting rules.
  8. Scheduled Areas: Notification by the President and Fifth Schedule administration.
  9. Articles 16(4) & 335: Reservation policies vs efficiency of administration.
  10. Home Guards: Voluntary status and role in internal security.
  11. Legal Acts: Official Secrets Act 1923 and Arms (Amendment) Act 2019.
  12. Constitution Day: Commemoration of adoption on 26th November.
  13. Internal Disturbance: Union duty to protect states (Article 355) and Preventive Detention.

Geography

  1. Indian Lakes: Jhelum/Wular, Krishna/Kolleru, and Gandak/Kanwar (oxbow lake).
  2. Indian Trees: Deciduous types like Mahua and Teak vs Jackfruit.
  3. Agriculture: Arable land and productivity comparison between India and China.
  4. Rann of Kutch: Extensive marshland formed by falling sea levels.
  5. Beach Minerals: Ilmenite and Rutile as sources of Titanium.
  6. Congo Basin: Inclusion of Cameroon.
  7. Hill Ranges: Amarkantak (Vindhya/Satpura), Biligirirangan, and Seshachalam Hills.
  8. Ukraine Borders: Land borders with Romania and Hungary.
  9. Earth’s Atmosphere: Insolation and water vapour absorption of Infrared waves.
  10. Tropical Rain Forests: Nutrient-poor soil vs rapid organic decomposition.
  11. Heat Contrast: Continent vs Ocean temperature and specific heat of water.
  12. Seismology: P waves vs S waves and particle vibration directions.

Environment & Ecology

  1. Community Reserves: Wildlife Protection Act provisions and governing authority.
  2. Marsupials: Natural presence (none in India) and habitats.
  3. Invasive Species: IUCN Specialist Group and Global Invasive Species Database.
  4. Nocturnal Fauna: Behavior of Malabar Civet and Sambar Deer.
  5. Honeybees: Use of the waggle dance to communicate food location.
  6. Mushrooms: Medicinal, psychoactive, and bioluminescent properties.
  7. Indian Squirrels: Nest building, food caching, and diet.
  8. Extremophiles: Microorganisms growing in boiling/freezing water and acidic environments.
  9. Tool Use: Stick usage by Orangutans for insect extraction.
  10. Hydrofluorocarbons: Use in aerosols, foam agents, and lubricants.
  11. Carbon Sequestration: Rock weathering (basalt), ocean alkalinity (lime), and subterranean pumping.
  12. Biofilters: Role in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems for ammonia conversion.
  13. Mercury Pollution: Sources like gold mining and coal-fired power plants.
  14. Nagoya Protocol: Role of Biodiversity Management Committees in access and benefit sharing.

Economics

  1. Nuclear Power: Uranium deposits in India vs dependence on coal.
  2. Indian Ports: Kamarajar (first corporatised) and Mundra (largest private).
  3. Cobalt: Global production (DRC) for EV batteries.
  4. InvITs: Taxation of interest/dividends and SARFAESI Act status.
  5. Monetary Policy: Central bank interest rate hikes and consumer price control.
  6. RBI Sterilization: Use of Open Market Operations (OMO).
  7. Capital Markets: Inclusion of Government Bond and Stock Markets.
  8. Small Farmer Large Field (SFLF): Collective action model for marginal farmers.
  9. Niger Seeds: MSP coverage, Kharif cultivation, and tribal use.
  10. Intangible Assets: Brand recognition, IP, and client lists.
  11. Horizontal Devolution: 15th Finance Commission criteria like forest/ecology and demographic performance.
  12. Gold Trade: Switzerland as a leading exporter vs reserves.
  13. PLI Scheme: Production-linked Incentives for domestic/foreign companies.
  14. MSME: Definition of medium enterprises and Priority Sector Lending.
  15. Beta: Numeric value measuring stock market volatility.
  16. Self-Help Groups (SHG): Origin, bank linkage, and group loan responsibility.

Science & Technology

  1. Green Hydrogen: Decarbonizing steel, fertilizer, and oil refinery plants.
  2. Wolbachia Method: Controlling viral diseases spread by mosquitoes.
  3. Aerial Metagenomics: Collecting DNA samples from air.
  4. Microsatellite DNA: Studying evolutionary relationships and genetic markers.
  5. Carbon Fibers: Use in aerospace/automobiles and recycling challenges.
  6. Accelerometer: Functions in airbags, laptop safety, and smartphone orientation.
  7. Astrophysics: Cepheids (variable stars), Nebulae (gas clouds), and Pulsars (neutron stars).
  8. Navigation: Regional systems like QZSS (Japan) and NavIC (India).
  9. Missiles: Ballistic vs Cruise missiles and Agni-V vs BrahMos.
  10. Hydrogen Applications: Fuel cells, internal combustion, and natural gas blending.
  11. CBDC: Central Bank Digital Currencies and programmable spending.

International Relations & Current Affairs

  1. Connectivity Projects: Golden Quadrilateral corridors and IMT Trilateral Highway.
  2. S3i Initiative: UNOPS focus on housing, renewable energy, and health.
  3. Geopolitics: North Kivu (DRC), Nagorno-Karabakh (Armenia/Azerbaijan), and Kherson (Ukraine).
  4. Middle East: Abraham Accords and the Arab Peace Initiative.
  5. Sports Awards: Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, Arjuna, and Dronacharya awards.
  6. 44th Chess Olympiad: First time in India (Chennai) and mascot ‘Thambi’.
  7. Conflict Zones: Donbas (Ukraine), Kachin (Myanmar), and Tigray (Ethiopia).
  8. African Coups: Recent successful military takeovers in Chad, Guinea, Mali, and Sudan.
  9. G-20: Economic forum origins and Digital Public Infrastructure priorities.
  10. National Flag: Flag Code of India 2002 rules and standard dimensions.
  11. Trade and Technology Council: Strategic forum between the USA and EU.
  12. Stability and Growth Pact: EU rules limiting budgetary deficits.
  13. Global Compact for Migration (GCM): First non-binding UN agreement on migration.
  14. Groundwater: India’s global extraction share and irrigation use.
  15. Famine: Severe food shortage and civil strife in Somalia.
  16. Presidential Vote Value: Calculation based on 1971 census and state population.