General Studies: History, Geography, Economy and Science
General Studies: History, Geography, Economy and Science is a broad composite domain. The exam samples Karnataka and Indian history, physical and human geography, basic economics, and everyday science. The aim is accurate recall and application, not specialised depth.
Core areas
- History: Indus Valley Civilisation; Mauryas and Guptas; Delhi Sultanate; Mughals; British expansion; national movement. Karnataka: Kadambas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara, Bahmani kingdom, Wodeyars and Tipu Sultan.
- Geography: Earth’s motions, latitude and longitude, monsoon, rivers, soils, vegetation, minerals and industries; Karnataka’s physiographic divisions-coastal plains, Malnad and Maidan.
- Economy: sectors, national income, inflation, banking, budget, taxation, poverty and employment.
- Science: basic physics, chemistry, biology, human health, nutrition and environment.
Worked example
A train travels 180 km in 3 hours. Speed = distance ÷ time = 180 ÷ 3 = 60 km/h. If the question asks for metres per second, multiply by 5/18: 60 × 5/18 = 16.67 m/s. Show the unit conversion explicitly; many candidates stop at km/h and choose the wrong option.
Traps
Do not mix up the Hoysalas with the Rashtrakutas, or Vijayanagara with the Bahmani kingdom. In geography, distinguish latitude (north–south position) from longitude (east–west position). In economics, distinguish stock from flow and nominal from real values. In science, check units and whether the question asks for magnitude or direction.