📚 CBI Recruitment – General Awareness & Current Affairs (Basics)
Target Exam: CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) - Preliminary & Main Examination
Focus: Core concepts, key facts, and latest happenings that frequently appear in the exam.
Recommended Study Period: 4–6 weeks (if studying daily for ~2 hrs).
1️⃣ Why GA & CA Matters for CBI
| Aspect | Reason | Typical Question Format |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Polity | Tests knowledge of the Constitution, powers of the Executive & Legislature, and recent amendments. | Short‑answer / Multiple‑choice |
| Economy & Banking | Gauges understanding of economic indicators, RBI functions, and recent financial reforms. | Descriptive / MCQ |
| Geography | Assesses awareness of physical and human geography, including climate, resources, and regional development. | MCQ / Ranking |
| Science & Technology | Evaluates knowledge of recent scientific breakthroughs, space missions, and tech policies. | MCQ / Descriptive |
| Current Affairs | Directly impacts exam (e.g., new appointments, policy announcements). | MCQ / Fill‑in‑the‑blank |
Tip: CBI frequently asks “Why is this important for law & order?”—link facts to investigative relevance.
2️⃣ Core Topics & Key Points
Use this as a “cheat‑sheet” or quick‑revisit before the exam.
2.1 Indian Constitution & Governance
| Sub‑topic | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| Basic Structure | Preamble, Articles 1–371, 12‑14, 18‑25, 32, 39, 44, 51, 51A, 52, 73‑80. |
| Amendments | 42nd (2002), 73rd (1992), 74th (1992), 95th (2019), 103rd (2023). |
| Constitutional Bodies | President, Vice‑President, Parliament, Supreme Court, Election Commission, Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG), Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). |
| Judicial Powers | Judicial review (Article 13), Fundamental Rights (Art. 14‑18), Directive Principles (Art. 39‑40). |
| Parliamentary Procedure | Rules of Procedure & Conduct of Business, Standing Orders, Lok Sabha vs. Rajya Sabha. |
| Key Recent Developments | 2023: Supreme Court’s decision to legislate on AI ethics. |
2.2 Indian Economy
| Sub‑topic | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| GDP Growth | 2023‑24: 6.8 % (RBI Forecast). |
| Inflation | CPI YoY 2024: 6.1 % (RBI target 4 % ±2). |
| Fiscal Deficit | 2023‑24: 3.4 % of GDP. |
| Key Ministries | Ministry of Finance, RBI, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Commerce & Industry. |
| Recent Schemes | Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Digital India, Make in India 2023 revision. |
| Banking | RBI’s 2023 “Open Account” policy for foreign banks, 2024 “Digital Payments Act”. |
2.3 Indian Geography
| Sub‑topic | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| Physical | Himalayan ranges, Indo‑Gangetic Plain, Deccan Plateau, Thar Desert. |
| Administrative | 28 States + 8 UTs, major capitals, linguistic diversity. |
| Natural Resources | Coal (Jharkhand), Bauxite (Maharashtra), Oil (Odisha). |
| Climate | Monsoon patterns, Cyclones (e.g., 2023 Cyclone Yaas), Climate change indices. |
| Important Projects | Karnataka–Tamil Nadu Green Corridor, Sardar Sarovar Dam, Kaveri River Basin Project. |
2.4 Science & Technology
| Sub‑topic | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| Space | ISRO’s 2024 Gaganyaan launch, Chandrayaan‑3 success (2023). |
| Nuclear | Nuclear Liability Law (2023), India‑USA Bilateral Agreement. |
| Cybersecurity | Cybersecurity Act 2023, Aadhaar data breach updates. |
| Artificial Intelligence | AI Ethics Guidelines (2023), AI in Policing pilot in Delhi. |
| Health | COVID‑19 vaccine rollout, National Health Mission 2024. |
2.5 Recent Current Affairs (Jan‑Dec 2024)
| Date | Event | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan 2024 | RBI announces “Digital Rupee” pilot. | Central bank policy, financial inclusion. |
| 22 Mar 2024 | CBI arrests 4 top-level politicians in a corruption probe. | Directly linked to investigative work. |
| 01 Apr 2024 | Election Commission announces new “e‑voting” guidelines. | Electoral reforms, data integrity. |
| 10 Jun 2024 | Supreme Court upholds Right to Privacy in a landmark judgment. | Constitutional law, investigative privacy. |
| 30 Sep 2024 | Ministry of Environment releases “Green India Initiative” 2025 roadmap. | Environmental crimes, policy awareness. |
Note: Keep updating this section weekly. Use The Hindu, The Indian Express, CBI press releases, and RBI/SEBI bulletins.
3️⃣ Exam‑Oriented Study Approach
| Step | What to Do | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Build a Master List | Compile all topics + sub‑topics in a spreadsheet. | Visualizes coverage & gaps. |
| 2. Flashcards | Use Anki for quick recall (e.g., 10‑min daily). | Spaced repetition enhances retention. |
| 3. Mock Tests | Take at least 3 full‑length papers ( |