Paper I ready · Paper II coming soon in Medha AI. Paper I: APPSC Paper I: General Studies & Mental Ability · Paper II: Geology Coming soon
Full numbered syllabus: every topic, chapter and micro-topic (printable)
The common APPSC Paper I. In 2022 and 2025 about two-thirds of questions were factual recall and about a fifth reasoning and data; geography and disaster management overlap your geology.
1. Current events
- Major current events and issues: international, national and Andhra Pradesh
2. General science
- General science and its applications to daily life
- Contemporary developments in science and technology and information technology
3. History of India
- Social, economic, cultural and political aspects
- Focus on Andhra Pradesh and the Indian National Movement
4. Geography
- Geography of India with focus on Andhra Pradesh
5. Indian polity and governance
- Constitutional issues
- Public policy and reforms
- e-Governance initiatives
6. Indian economy and planning
7. Sustainable development and environmental protection
- Sustainable development
- Environmental protection
8. Disaster management
- Vulnerability profile
- Prevention and mitigation strategies
- Remote sensing and GIS in assessing disasters
9. Logical reasoning
- Logical reasoning
- Analytical ability and logical interpretation
10. Data analysis
- Tabulation and visual representation of data
- Summary statistics: mean, median, mode and variance
- Interpretation
A degree-standard B.Sc Geology paper in four parts and 11 sections, with no marks per part. It names exact minerals, ores, fossil groups and supergroups, so it rewards precise recall and stereographic-net problems.
Part I (a) General geology
- Solar system; the Earth's origin, age and internal constitution
- Volcanoes: types, distribution, geological effects and products
- Earthquakes: intensity, magnitude, distribution, causes and effects
- Isostasy, geosynclines, mountain building, continental drift, sea-floor spreading and plate tectonics (elementary ideas)
Part I (b) Geomorphology
- Basic concepts; external and internal processes
- Rock weathering; cycle of erosion
- Fluvial landforms and drainage patterns
- Aeolian, marine, glacial and karst landforms
- Elements of remote sensing
Part I (c) Structural and field geology
- Primary and secondary structures; dip and strike; unconformities
- Folds, joints, faults, foliation and lineations; overthrusts and nappes; stages of rock deformation
- Block diagrams; stereographic and equal-area nets; simple problems by stereographic net
- Topographic maps; clinometer compass and field measurements
- Principles of geological mapping; effect of topography on outcrops; drawing sections
Part II (a) Crystallography
- Elements of crystal structure; laws of crystallography
- Symmetry elements of the normal classes of the seven crystal systems
- Light and crystals; petrological microscope; Nicol prism
- Pleochroism, double refraction, extinction angle, birefringence, twinning
- Isotropic, uniaxial and biaxial minerals
Part II (b) Mineralogy
- Physical, chemical and optical properties of quartz, feldspar, mica, pyroxene, amphibole, olivine, garnet, chlorite, carbonates and aluminosilicates
- Structure of silicates and crystal chemistry
- Gemstones
Part II (c) Economic geology
- Ore, ore mineral and gangue; classification of ore deposits and processes of formation
- Occurrence, origin and distribution in India of ores of aluminium, chromium, copper, gold, lead, zinc, iron, manganese and radioactive elements
- Minerals used as abrasives, refractories and in ceramics
- Coal and petroleum deposits
- Elements of prospecting for mineral deposits
Part III (a) Igneous petrology
- Origin of magma; Bowen's reaction principle; crystallisation of binary systems
- Classification, textures and structures of igneous rocks
- Granite, syenite, diorite, mafic and ultramafic groups, anorthosites and alkaline rocks
Part III (b) Sedimentary petrology
- Sedimentary processes and products; classification; sedimentary structures
- Residual deposits; clastic deposits: classification, mineral composition and texture
- Quartz arenites, arkoses and greywackes
- Siliceous and calcareous deposits of chemical and organic origin
Part III (c) Metamorphic petrology
- Types and factors of metamorphism; zones, grades and facies
- Regional and contact metamorphism; textures and structures
- Metamorphism of argillaceous, arenaceous, calcareous and basic rocks; metasomatism
Part IV (a) Paleontology
- Habits and habitats of animals; fossils, fossilisation and modes of preservation; uses of fossils
- Morphology and geological history of Foraminiferida, Brachiopoda, Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Cephalopoda, Trilobita, Echinoidea and Anthozoa
- Mammals of the Siwalik Group; Gondwana flora
Part IV (b) Stratigraphy and geology of India
- Laws of stratigraphy; lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic and chronostratigraphic classification
- Geological time scale
- Physiographic divisions and outline of the stratigraphy of India
- Dharwar, Vindhyan and Gondwana Supergroups and the Siwalik Group: subdivisions, lithology, fossils, distribution and economic importance
Each wrong answer costs 1/3 of a mark (0.33), as every question in both papers is worth 1 mark (G.O.Ms.No.235, Finance, 06/12/2016).
Each wrong answer costs 1/3 of the marks for that question.
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