General Studies and Current Affairs (Madhya Pradesh focus)
The general studies portion of the AEO paper carries a heavy Madhya Pradesh slice - state geography, polity, art and culture, welfare schemes, and the last twelve months of state and national events.
Stable state facts that recur
- Area 3,08,252 sq km, the second largest state by area; capital Bhopal; 55 districts after Mauganj, Maihar and Pandhurna were carved out in 2023.
- Highest point Dhupgarh (1,352 m) in Pachmarhi; the Narmada rises at Amarkantak; the Chambal rises from the Janapav hills.
- National parks include Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Satpura, Panna and Kuno, the last chosen for cheetah reintroduction from 2022.
- Particularly vulnerable tribal groups: Baiga, Bharia and Sahariya. Frequently asked GI tags: Kadaknath chicken, Chanderi and Maheshwari textiles.
Schemes by name, year and benefit
Ladli Behna Yojana (2023, monthly transfer to women, later enhanced to Rs 1,250); Mukhyamantri Kisan Kalyan Yojana; Ladli Laxmi 2.0; CM Rise schools; and at the national level, Jal Jeevan Mission and PM Awas Yojana-Gramin.
Worked example
An item asks which state is the second largest by area. Reason it through: Rajasthan is first at about 3.42 lakh sq km; Madhya Pradesh at 3.08 lakh sq km edges out Maharashtra at about 3.07 lakh, so the answer is Madhya Pradesh. Showing the comparison protects you when two options look equally plausible.
Traps
- Placing the source of the Betwa at Amarkantak, which actually feeds the Narmada, Son and Johila.
- Mixing statehood (1 November 1956) with the creation of Chhattisgarh (1 November 2000).
- Answering scheme amounts from memory of an older announcement instead of the current revised figure.