General Awareness is one of the prominent topic in SSC CGL Tier I. The General Awareness section is easy and can fetch you good marks if you can cover all the important topics: Science, Polity, History, Geography, Economy, Misc.
This article is focused at providing a comprehensive list of books to prepare General Awareness for SSC CGL. The syllabus for SSC CGL General Awareness section is quite lengthy.
Some quick tips and insights for preparing General Awareness section are discussed below.
- 2-3 questions are usually asked from all the major topics.
- Prepare the topics in descending order of difficulty.
- Solve more sample papers to get familiarized with the type of questions.
- Mostly straightforward questions are asked from economy.
- Best method to score well in General Awareness section is frequent revision of topics.
- On an average, candidates will have 15 minutes to solve the General Awareness section.
SSC General Awareness Pattern Highlights
Candidates can check below the important highlights of SSC CGL General Awareness
- A total of 25 questions in the section.
- 1 mark will be awarded for every correct answer.
- 0.25 marks deducted for every wrong answer.
- No marks will be awarded or deducted for un-attempted question.
- 15 minutes given to complete the section.
- Good attempts come around 15-18.
SSC CGL General Awareness Expected Weightage
All topics are important but science section is most important as its subheads also form separate questions. The priority can be decided on the basis of the marks a topic has been awarded. The list shows important topics in descending order.
Subject |
Topic |
No. of Questions |
Total |
Static GK |
Culture |
1-2 |
8-14 |
Indian History |
2-3 |
Geography (Indian+ World) |
2-3 |
Environment |
1-2 |
Economy |
1-2 |
Polity |
1-2 |
Science |
Biology |
1-2 |
4-8 |
Chemistry |
1-2 |
Physics + Space science |
2-3 |
Computer & Mobile Technology |
0-1 |
Disease pollution |
0-1 |
Nutrition |
0-1 |
Others |
Current affairs |
1-2 |
3-6 |
|
Important dates, Portfolios, schemes |
1-2 |
|
Miscellaneous GK: Sports, People in News, Books etc |
1-2 |
Check SSC CGL Syllabus
Topic 1: Indian History & Culture
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- 4-5 questions can come in total.
- Questions are direct and easily answered.
- Confusion takes place between different eras and the hierarchy system.
- Mark the answers carefully as they are easy and tricky sometimes.
Important topics in Indian History & Culture
Ancient History |
Medieval History |
Modern History |
Indus Valley Civilization |
Establishment & Expansion of the Delhi Sultanate |
Major Battles |
Buddhism & Jainism |
Religious Movements in the Fifteenth & Sixteenth Centuries |
Social & Cultural Awakening in India |
The Mauryans |
Mughal Dynasty |
The Great Revolt of 1857 |
Post-Mauryan Kingdoms |
Later Mughals |
Indian National Congress |
The Gupta Period |
The Maratha State |
Nationalist Movement, 1905-1918: Growth of Militant Nationalism |
|
|
Struggle for Swaraj – I, 1919 – 1927 |
|
|
Struggle for Swaraj – II, 1927-1947 |
|
|
Governor-Generals of India |
|
|
Indian Princely States |
Best books
Book name |
Publisher |
ISBN |
NCERT Textbooks (Std. 6-10) |
NCERT |
- |
The Gist of NCERT History |
Kalinjar Publications; First edition (2014) |
9382732780 |
The History Compendium for IAS Prelims General Studies CSAT Paper 1, UPSC & State PSC |
Disha Publication; Second edition |
9386323443 |
Topic 2: Geography Indian & World
- River names can be easily mixed or can create confusion.
- Questions can be asked about states adjoining planes and rivers.
- Information about the terrain, soil, etc. can be asked.
Important topics in Geography Indian & World
Movement of Earth |
Ocean & Ocean Currents |
Soils In India |
Interior Of Earth |
Volcanoes & Earthquakes |
Mineral Resources In India |
Physical Features Of India |
World Geo. Facts I.E. Continents in the World |
Rivers In India |
Atmosphere |
Forests In India |
All you need to know about States of India |
Best Books
Book name |
Publisher |
ISBN |
NCERT books from class 6-10. |
NCERT |
- |
THE GIST OF NCERT (GEOGRAPHY) (THE GIST OF NCERT) Paperback – 2015 |
YOUWIN PUBLICATION |
9351969231 |
The Gist of NCERT Geography Paperback – 2014 |
Kalinjar Publications; First edition (2014) |
9382732764 |
Topic 3: Environment
- Questions are based on pollution levels and global warming.
- Discovery of new flora and fauna.
- Problems on atmospheric layers.
- Melting glaciers and new changes in environment.
- New pollution control acts and earth submit questions.
Best Books
Book name |
Publisher |
ISBN |
The Ecology & Environment Compendium for IAS Prelims General Studies CSAT Paper 1, UPSC & State PSC |
Disha Publication (15 April 2017) |
9386323613 |
Environment And Ecology – A Complete Guide – by R. Rajagopalan |
Lexis Nexis |
9350357585 |
Environment for Civil Services Prelims and Mains – by Khuller and Rao |
(McGraw Hill) |
938345444X |
Topic 4: Economy
- National and International Economy is the primary focus of this topic.
- Questions are also based on old and new economic policies.
- New trends visible in an economy
- Worth of rupee as compared to different currencies
- Questions on currency name of various countries
Best Books
Book name |
Publisher |
ISBN |
Indian Economy Paper back |
McGraw Hill Education; Ninth edition |
9352606140 |
Indian Economy : A Hand Book |
Smiling Unicorn Publications |
8193212789 |
Topic 5: Polity
- Candidates are quizzed on national and international politics
- New laws passed or amendments made in the constitution
- Recent reports published by UN or SAARC nations
Important Topics in Polity
Framing of The Constitution |
President |
Governor |
Schedules & Parts Of Indian Constitution |
Attorney General Of India |
Vidhan Parishad |
Citizenship |
Lok Sabha |
Parliamentary Funds |
Sources Of Indian Constitution |
Vice President |
Vidhan Sabha |
Citizenship |
Lok Sabha |
Parliamentary Funds |
Article 370 |
Rajya Sabha |
Supreme Court |
Emergency In India |
Bills |
High Court |
Commissions |
Prime Minister & Cabinet Ministers |
Writs |
Best Books
Book name |
Publisher |
ISBN |
F22-NCERT GIST OF INDIAN POLITY |
Kalinjar Publication |
9351720241 |
Indian Polity 5th Edition |
McGraw Hill Education; Fifth edition |
935260363X |
Topic 6: Biology
- Questions are common from Anatomy and Physiology of Animals and Plants.
- Single cellular and multi-cellular organisms.
- Plant kingdom and animal kingdom classification
- Newly discovered plant or animal species
Important Topics in Biology
- Parts of Plant & their Functions
- Parts of Human Body & their Functions
- Basics of Animal Kingdom.
- Diseases, Prevention & Cure
- Diseases, Prevention & Cure
Best Books
Book name |
Publisher |
ISBN |
Selected MCQs on GK - Biology (Complete Set) |
Practice guru |
- |
NCERT science books for class 6-10 |
SCERT |
- |
Objective Biology: Concise Study Material with MCQs (OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS SERIES |
Ramesh Publishing House |
9350126222 |
Objective Botany |
Ramesh Publishing House |
8178129221 |
Objective Zoology |
Ramesh Publishing House |
817812923X |
Topic 7: Chemistry
- Reactivity series is the most important topic in terms of number of questions
- Formulae of Soaps and detergents
- Problems on alkenes, alkynes, carbon or hydrocarbons
- Formula or structure identification of different gases, polymers, etc.
Important Topics in Chemistry
- Uses, common names and composition of various chemicals
- Alloys
- Definition Based Questions (Heat, Oxidation, Reduction etc.)
- SI units
- Chemical Change & Physical Change
- Chemistry in Everyday life
Best Books
Book name |
Publisher |
ISBN |
NCERT books class 6-10 |
NCERT |
- |
Objective Chemistry |
Ramesh Publishing House |
8178121859 |
Chemistry Formulae & Definitions |
RPH; 27 edition |
8178125234 |
Basic Concepts of Chemistry |
Pegasus |
8131912523 |
Topic 8: Physics & Space Science
- A a good deal of questions form Laws of Gravitation and Motion
- Different types of Constellations and Star Formation
- Composition of planets and asteroid belts
- New found planets
Important Topics in Physics & Space Science
Motion |
Gravity |
Work |
Pressure |
Units of Measurement |
Sound |
Heat |
Electronics |
Magnetism |
Best Books
Book name |
Publisher |
ISBN |
Physics Formulae & Definitions |
Ramesh Publishing House |
8178125242 |
Physics Dictionary (Pocket Book) |
Ramesh Publishing House |
9350125870 |
Science books |
SCERT |
- |
Topic 9: Computer & Mobile Technology
- There are direct questions on logo and commands of MS office
- Paint command sequence
- Questions on different kinds of computer devices
- ASCII code questions
- Questions on logic gates
Best Books
Book name |
Publisher |
ISBN |
Objective Question Bank of Computer Awareness for General Competitions |
Arihant Publication |
9351768171 |
Computer Knowledge & Literacy Objective Question |
Kiran Prakashan |
- |
OBJECTIVE Computer Awareness |
Arihant |
9351761606 |
Topic 10: Diseases, Pollution & Nutrition
- Questions on nutrition deficiency and vitamin deficiency
- Effects of pollution of air, water, noise, etc on society
- Deficiency in children
- Communicable and non communicable diseases
- Treatment of water for cleaning
Best Books
Book name |
Publisher |
ISBN |
The Ecology & Environment Compendium for IAS Prelims General Studies CSAT Paper 1, UPSC & State PSC |
Disha Publication |
9386323613 |
Objective Biology: Concise Study Material with MCQs (OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS SERIES |
Ramesh Publishing House |
9350126222 |
Topic 11: Current Affairs
- Candidates need to know about recent developments taking place both at national and international level.
- Union Budget, Demonetization and Economic Survey
- Nobel prize winners, year, name and field of excellence.
Important Topics in Current Affairs
Population Census |
Oscar Winners |
Olympics |
Asian Games |
Sea Ports |
Airports |
State Animals and Symbols |
Important Institutions of India |
Important Books & Writers |
Best Books
Book name |
Publisher |
ISBN code |
General Knowledge 2020 |
Ramesh Publishing House |
B06XZ5FQ3G |
General Knowledge 2020 Capsule with Current Affairs Update 2nd Edition |
Disha Publication; 2nd edition |
B06Y1P6T9F |
Quarterly Current Affairs - January to March 2020 for Competitive Exams |
Disha Publication |
B06XWTHH7F |
General Tips to Prepare for SSC CGL General Awareness
These are some general tested tips that candidates will find handy while preparing the General Awareness section for Tier I.
- Don’t waste your time on learning facts related to banking; they are rarely asked.
- Prepare science section first then other sections.
- Revise all topics.
- Make chits to remember important topics and formulae
- Create a notebook with all the important formulae written on it.
- Create highlighted notes to remember history dates related to different eras.
- Make a note of all parliamentary acts and amendments.
- Spend some time daily to revise and memorize various facts.
- Make a board and stick notes about facts which you forget easily.
- Do more practice papers to continuously assess your existing knowledge and preparation.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.