Social Science (Indian History, Geography, Polity, Economy)
Social science is the widest domain: Indian history with a Karnataka thread, geography, Constitution and polity, and basic economics. Questions test sequence, cause and location rather than fine detail.
History anchors
- Kadambas of Banavasi (Mayurasharma), Gangas of Talakadu, Chalukyas of Badami (Pulakeshin II), Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas with capital Dwarasamudra, and Vijayanagara founded in 1336 by Harihara and Bukka at Hampi.
- Freedom movement: Kittur Chennamma (1824), Sangolli Rayanna, 1857, and the Karnataka Unification movement.
Geography
- East-flowing rivers: Cauvery, Krishna, Tungabhadra, Pennar. West-flowing rivers are short and fast: Sharavathi (Jog Falls), Netravathi, Kali.
- Regions: coastal Karavali, Malnad and Maidan; Agumbe receives very heavy rainfall.
- Soils: red, black in the north, laterite along the coast and Malnad.
Polity
- Fundamental Rights span Articles 12–35; Article 21 is the right to life, Article 32 the right to constitutional remedies.
- 73rd Amendment (1992) gave panchayats constitutional status - Part IX, Eleventh Schedule, 29 subjects.
Economy
- Karnataka is India's largest coffee producer (Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan) and a leading mulberry silk producer (Ramanagara); iron ore comes from Ballari–Hospet.
Worked example
'Panchayati Raj became a constitutional obligation through which amendment?' Answer: 73rd. Reasoning: the 1992 amendments created Part IX for panchayats and Part IXA for municipalities; the 73rd came into force in 1993, the 74th covers urban local bodies with the Twelfth Schedule.
Traps
- 42nd (1976) versus 44th (1978) amendments.
- Chalukyas of Badami versus Chalukyas of Kalyani.
- Confusing Karnataka's coffee lead with tea, where Assam leads.