Category: GS

Manoj K. Jha

PT 2016: The Right Time is Now !

  • by Manoj K. Jha

This year’s preliminary examination will be a different game altogether. A tough examination has became tougher as one has to attempt only the GS.  In this light there are two pertinent questions which demand immediate answer:

 1.    What should be the right strategy to minimize the risk and maximize the possibility of qualifying the first stage?

 2.    How to manage time as one can’t leave PT preparation for the last minute and also can’t  put all efforts for PT at the cost of GS Mains, optional and gradual improvement of writing ability?

In light of the above questions one needs to understand that demand for PT is much different from GS Mains.

PT is more about range of information. But the point of issue is that there is no specific syllabus and demarcation line. This requires widespread knowledge both conceptually and factually. The whole process of content procurement for this stage has to be gradual even if one candidate is preparing from last 1,2 or 3 years. Along with it there is a misconception that in G.S aspirant has to just mug up the facts but unfortunately this mugging up can hardly help in clearing the exam. We have analyzed the new pattern and realized that preparation should be in much deep and micro level. Developing micro topic listing helps a lot in demarcating the possible boundary. We are also trying to do the same in our PT test series.

You can download micro level topics listing of GS for PT at: http://iasscore.in/iasscore-online-test.php

GS for PT is tough; most of the students are worried about it, as there is no fixed length and breath. However, at the same time they also show trait of careless attitude by carrying loose mode of preparation. Aspirants generally go through N.C.E.R.T. books and some crash materials. N.C.E.R.T. books are certainly important, but only to begin with to have conceptual clarity. You cannot depend solely on these books. In the changing scenario one needs to walk extra miles. Figure out the areas and keep attempting question to know the level of preparation.

Another tough question for this year’s Prelim is – what is likely to be the cut-off? This theme always has been a subject of high speculation and gossip. This year too aspirants are worried for the same. A frequent question, I face is – what would be safe marks in the PT 2016? Well, if we look at the previous years’ scoring pattern, one can easily notice that larger count of student scored approximately 110 in GS (2013, & 2014). However CSAT was a deciding factor then. But under the new pattern GS has become the only factor. Cut off for 2015 is yet to come. Even if we know the figure, it is going to be only a psychological rubbing to our imagination for the future cutoff.

So my suggestion is simple just   kick start your preparation of prelims along with mains and gradually bring PT on the main track three months before the ‘D’ day.

Manoj K. Jha

Step-up the game with super 30 topics

  • by Manoj K. Jha

GS for PT is tough; most of the students are worried about it, as there is no fixed length and breath. However, at the same time they also show traits of careless attitude by carrying loose mode of preparation. Aspirants generally go through N.C.E.R.T. books and some crash materials. N.C.E.R.T. books are certainly important, but only to begin with. You cannot depend solely on these books. Even we use to categorize the PT questions for the sake of our convenience with a purpose of decoding the trend. But loose and general categorization does not help always.

As the stakes have gone high, every single mark matters in Civil Services Exam. Earlier ever if, one scored even 45-50% in written examination, he/she could be confident to get a place in final selection. However, this year’s preliminary examination will be a different game altogether. A tough examination became tougher, as one has to attempt only the GS. CSAT is now qualifying in nature.

A tough question for this year’s Prelim is – what is likely to be the cut-off? This topic always has been a subject of high speculation and gossip. This year too aspirants are worried for the same. A frequent question, I face is – what would be safe marks in the PT ? Well, if we look at the previous years’ scoring pattern, one can easily notice that larger count of student scored approximately 110 in GS. However CSAT was a deciding factor then. But under the new pattern GS has become the only factor.

GS for PT is tough; most of the students are worried about it, as there is no fixed length and breath. However, at the same time they also show traits of careless attitude by carrying loose mode of preparation. Aspirants generally go through N.C.E.R.T. books and some crash materials. N.C.E.R.T. books are certainly important, but only to begin with. You cannot depend solely on these books. Even we use to categorize the PT questions for the sake of our convenience with a purpose of decoding the trend. But loose and general categorization does not help always.

For example: Analyze the question of last year’s Prelims and try to encircle total number of questions asked from Geography. In the first glimpse you may find that approximately 20 question were asked. But a careful scrutiny will give you another picture. 4 questions are from physical geography and related areas and rest questions are of very general nature and this does not demand to go through very popular bulky books. On the basis of such observation you may find that there are 30-35 areas where UPSC focuses most of the time, however, weights of the subject related question may vary year to year. To make your preparation more focused for this year’s PT, I am trying to figure out important areas where UPSC focuses all the time. You can also verify it by going through last few years questions.

The lists of areas are as follows:

1. Biodiversity and conservation strategy
2. Environmental problems (special focus on climate change, pollution, etc)
3. Environment and global initiative issues
4. Biotechnology
5. Nutrition, Health and diseases
6. Agriculture
7. Water resource and management
8. Infrastructure
9. Energy
10. Forest
11. Welfare schemes and programmes
12. Inclusion issues and initiatives
13. Recent development in the field of Space, Defence and IT
14. Culture
15. Buddhism and Jainism
16. Issues related to governance
17. Statutory and regulatory bodies
18. Parliament – functions, responsibilities and issues
19. Preamble, Fundamental Rights, DPSP and Fundamental Duties
20. Amendments
21. Constitutional Bodies
22. Indian Constitution: significant provisions and basic structure
23. Local governance
24. Demography
25. Industry and Trade
26. Monetary and Fiscal Policy
27. National income concept
28. Banking
29. India Year Book

• Land and the people
• National Symbols
• Agriculture
• Culture and Tourism
• Basic education Data
• Defence
• Education
• Environment
• Food and Civil Supplies
• Rural and Urban development
• Scientific and technological developments
• A leap forward – New Initiatives of the Government

30. Economic Survey

• State of the Economy: An overview
• Prices, Agriculture and Food Management
• Climate Change and Sustainable Development
• Social Infrastructure, Employment, and Human Development
• ‘Wiping every tear from every eye’: the JAM Number Trinity Solution
• What to Make in India? Manufacturing or Services?
• A National Market for Agricultural Commodities- Some Issues and the Way Forward
• From Carbon Subsidy to Carbon Tax: India’s Green Actions
• The Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) – Implications for Fiscal Federalism in India?

Click Here to Download Demography Notes

PRELIMS 2014 PAPER ANALYSIS: GENERAL STUDIES

The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers of Objective type (multiple choice questions) and carry a maximum of 400 marks. This examination is meant to serve as a screening test only; the marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination by the candidates who are declared qualified for admission to the Main Examination will not be counted for determining their final order of merit. The number of candidates to be admitted to the Main Examination will be about twelve to thirteen times the total approximate number of vacancies to be filled in the year in the various Services and Posts. Only those candidates who are declared by the Commission to have qualified in the Preliminary Examination in the year will be eligible for admission to the Main Examination of that year provided they are otherwise eligible for admission to the Main Examination.

Here, we are analyzing the trend of Paper 1 i.e. General Studies to provide a broad overview about the topics covered in the paper to the aspirants.

The broad subject-wise question distribution is as follows:

S. No. Subject  Number of question asked
1 History and culture 20
2 Geography 14
3 Polity 14
4 Economy 10
5 Environment 18
6 Science and technology 16
7 Current affairs 8


Now, the topic-wise question distribution is as follows:

1

History and culture

• Modern history 6
• Culture 15
• Ancient history 1
• Medieval history 1

2

Geography

• Physical geography 3
• Indian physiology 1
• Agriculture 3
• Economic and social geography 3
• Map 5

3

Environment

• Basic concepts 4
• Environmental issues 3
• Environmental governance 4
• Environmental conservation 7

4

Science and technology

5

• General science 10
• Technology 7

Basic Economy

• Banking – 4
• Finance – 1
• Fiscal – 3
• International trade and data – 2

6

Basic Polity

• Based on Articles of Constitution – 2
• Organs of Government – 7
• Organizations – 2

7

READ ALSO: CURRENT AFFAIRS: THE REAL GAME CHANGER FOR PT 15′
BY MANOJ K. JHA

Manoj K. Jha

How to read India Year Book?

  • by Manoj K. Jha

India Year Book is published by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It provides a detailed knowledge about India and various sectors of the economy. But it is too bulky, detailed and complicated. which makes it difficult for an aspirant to read and grasp all the points.

India Year Book is published by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It provides a detailed knowledge about India and various sectors of the economy. But it is too bulky, detailed and complicated…which makes it difficult for an aspirant to read and grasp all the points.

Firstly we will discuss the questions that are linked to India Year Book in Prelims paper 2014, then will discuss the strategy “how to effectively utilize the India Year Book” to clear IAS Prelims.

1.    Consider the following rivers:

1. Barak
2. Lohit
3. Subansiri

Which of the above flows / flow through Arunachal Pradesh?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

(Chapter Land the People: The Brahmaputra rises in Tibet, where it is known as Tsangpo and runs a long distance till it crosses over into India in Arunachal Pradesh under the name of Dihang. Near Passighat, the Debang and Lohit join the river Brahmaputra and the combined river runs all along the Assam in a narrow valley. It crosses into Bangladesh downstream of Dhubri. The principal tributaries of Brahmaputra in India are the Subansiri, Jia Bhareli, Dhansiri, Puthimari, Pagladiya and the Manas….)

2.    Chaitra 1 of the national calendar based on the Saka Era corresponds to which one of the following dates of the Gregorian calendar in a normal year of 365 days?

(a) 22 March (or 21st March)
(b) 15th May (or 16th May)
(c) 31st March (or  30th March)
(d) 21st April (or 20th April

(Chapter National Symbols: Dates of the national calendar have a permanent correspondence with dates of the Gregorian calendar, 1 Chaitra falling on 22 March normally and on 21 March in leap year.)

3.    The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from

(a) Katha Upanishad
(b) Chandogya Upanishad
(c) Aitareya Upanishad
(d) Mundaka Upanishad
(Chapter National Symbols: The words Satyameva Jayate from Mundaka Upanishad, meaning ‘Truth Alone Triumphs’, are inscribed below the abacus in Devanagari script.)

4.     In the Constitution of India, promotion of international peace and security is included in the

(a) Preamble to the Constitution
(b) Directive Principles of State Policy
(c) Fundamental Duties
(d) Ninth Schedule

(Chapter The Polity: Some of the other important DPSP relate to provision of opportunities and facilities for children to develop in a healthy manner…., promotion of international peace and security, just and honourable relations between nations, respect for international law, treaty obligations and settlement of international disputes by arbitration.)

5.    Which of the following is / are the function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat?

1.  Preparation of agenda for Cabinet Meetings
2.  Secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees
3.  Allocation of financial resources to the Ministries

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

(Chapter The Polity: The Cabinet Secretariat is responsible for the administration of the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961 and the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules 1961, facilitating smooth transaction of business in Ministries/ Departments of the Government by ensuring adherence to these rules. The Secretariat assists in decision-making in Government by ensuring Inter-Ministerial coordination, ironing out differences amongst Ministries/Departments and evolving consensus through the instrumentality of the standing and ad hoc Committees of Secretaries.)

The above questions and explanations from India Year Book shows that for clearing Prelims reading few chapters are must.

Hereby, we are listing the important chapters and what to read in that…

Chapter 1: Land and the People: This chapter covers the physiography of India alongwith Demographic terminologies and Census 2011 data. Read this chapter thoroughly as it will help in grasping facts related to Indian physiography. Questions on demography and Census are common in UPSC so read the terminologies thoroughly.

Chapter 2: National symbols: This chapter covers the National symbols of India as National flag, National anthem, national fruit, flower, calendar, etc. It is a very important chapter as questions are directly asked on national symbols. Last year also there were two questions on National symbols.

Chapter 3: The Polity: This chapter covers the executive part of the government alongwith rights and basic features of the Constitution. This chapter is helpful for revision of Polity for Prelims. The topics and covered in short and to the point.

Chapter 4: Agriculture: This chapter covers the programmes and policies related to agriculture in India, different agricultural sectors and recent initiatives. Read only the introduction part and then move to new programmes and policies launched by GOI. Rest will be covered in Economics so no need to read the whole chapter.

Chapter 5: Art and Culture: This chapter covers the Intangible and Tangible Cultural heritage of India, along with Tourism. Read about Cultural Institutions mentioned in India Year Book but stick to those institutions which are covered in newspaper in past six months. Read the Medical tourism topic also.

Chapter 6: Basic Economic Data: This chapter covers the statistical institutions in India. Make notes about organizations and reports published by them. This question can come in the form of match the following.

Chapter 7: Commerce: It can be ignored as it is helpful for Mains.

Chapter 8: Communication: This chapter covers the three communication forms i.e. Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology. Read the telecommunication part to know about the technological terms related to telecom industry, no need to read about the tariff policies and other detailed policies related to telecom sector. Also read the cyber security topic in detail.

Chapter 9:
Defence: This chapter covers the security scenario of India, defence undertakings, training for defence services, etc. This chapter is very important as UPSC asks direct questions related to it. Focus more on new missiles/testing of missiles.

Chapter 10: Education: This chapter covers the policies related to elementary, secondary and higher education. In this chapter focus on salient features of the schemes related to education. Don’t read detailed explanations of each scheme. Also read the topics related to copyright.

Chapter 11:
Energy: This chapter covers the conventional and non conventional energy sector in India. Read the energy sources present in India mainly related to geographic position alongwith initiatives in renewable energy sector. Rest of the chapter is important for Mains.

Chapter 12:
Environment: This chapter is very important as UPSC has started asking more detailed questions in environment. Make a list of institutions related to environment and their status whether statutory, quasi judicial, etc in nature. Read the following topics: biodiversity, hazardous waste, wetland, E-waste in detail.

Chapter 13:
Finance: In this Chapter the economic terms associated with Banking, Budget, Insurance, taxes. This will be helpful in tackling the economy questions in Prelims. Along with that the new steps initiated by Government in different sectors will be helpful in Mains also.

Chapter 14: Corporate Affairs: In this chapter read about Companies Act, definition of Limited Liability Partnership Act, SFIO, CCI, CAT, etc as the questions can be asked on the functions the different bodies.

Chapter 15: Food and Civil Supplies: It is a very important chapter as in covers food security issues and welfare schemes related to it. The questions on schemes are quiet common in UPSC. Whereas, due to the recent controversy of food safety, the Quality assurance topic is very important.

Chapter 16: Health and Family welfare: This chapter is also very important as it covers schemes related to Health. Further the government is emphasizing more on AYUSH so read that topic thoroughly.

Chapter 17: Housing: The programmes and policies related to Housing and the rating criteria of houses must be read.

Chapter 18: India and the World: It can be ignored as it is helpful for Mains. Current issues related to it should be covered from newspapers.

Chapter 19: Industry: Read the recent steps initiated by the GOI for simplifying the business environment and FDI policy. Further read about CPSEs and terminologies related to it.

Chapter 20: Law and Justice: The basics of judiciary have already been read in Polity part so read the new initiaitives and alternative form of justice mechanism as questions on Lok Adalat, Gram Nyalayas are very common. Along with this read the enforcement agencies mandate for maintaining law and order. Further in the election section voting rights to the citizens of India living abroad is must.

Chapter 21: Labour and Employment: This chapter is very important as government has initiated labour reforms. Read the mandates of each Acts related to labour laws social security schemes provided to them. Skill development initiatives proposed by GOI in budget should be thoroughly read.

Chapter 22: Mass communication: It can be ignored just read the chronology of the different institutions as questions can be asked on that.

Chapter 23: Planning: Read the important features of the XII Five Year Plan. Further read the Niti Aayog, composition, functions, etc from newspapers.

Chapter 24: Rural and Urban Development: This Chapter covers the Major programmes for rural and urban development as MGNREGA, NRLM, Land Reforms, Local government programmes, and planned urbanization elements.  Read the vision and mission of programmes and policies in detail.

Chapter 25:
Science and Technological Development: Read the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy of the government; Nuclear; Space programme of India. Concentrate more on the latest technologies related to it.

Chapter 26: Transport: Read this chapter in sync with geography.

Chapter 27: Water resources: This chapter covers the information about National Water Policy, Groundwater resource, flood management and institutions related to it. Read the Nanami Gange Programme, inter-state river issues (tribunal for issue between different states).

Chapter 28:
Welfare: This chapter covers the welfare schemes for the SC/ST/OBC/Minorities/Women/Children. Read the schemes related to each in brief with special focus on Minorities, Women and Children.

Chapter 29: Youth Affairs and Sports: Read the National Youth Policy along with new initiatives of the government for promotion of sports.

Chapter 30: State and Union Territories: The whole chapter can be ignored except North East states and Telengana.

Chapter 31: Diary of national events: It can be ignored.

Chapter 32: A Leap Forward – Initiatives of the Government: This chapter covers the new programmes and policies launched by the new government. This chapter is very important as it covers the current schemes as Swachch bharat Mission, Jan Dhan Yojana, Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, etc.

Click Here to Download India Year Book – Agriculture

 

Manoj K. Jha

Current Affairs: the real game changer for PT 15

  • by Manoj K. Jha

To succeed in UPSC Exam, a thorough knowledge of current affairs is required. In the examination, sometimes the questions are directly related to Current Affairs or sometimes indirectly related to the current events or news. Sometimes even the traditional part of the General Studies questions are those questions, which were in news during even, last ten to twelve months. If we analyze Prelims questions, at least 20 to 25% questions are directly related to Current Affairs. The percentage is likely to increase further in future.

Prelims Preparatory series Part -2

UPSC is often notoriously termed as Unpredictable Public Service Commission, because of its ability to retain surprises regarding the questions year-after-year. Since I have been vilified in past for predicting the upcoming changes and forewarning candidates regarding them and have already invited criticism, I now ask you a question:

What is there to unfold now? Nothing new is there now, except the change in nature of questions and focus areas.

There is a clue to this question – Will ‘Current Affairs’ be the real game changer for PT 2015?

I will also soon come up with a post related to the format of the questions, till then you may find this useful…

To succeed in UPSC Exam, a thorough knowledge of current affairs is required. In the examination, sometimes the questions are directly related to Current Affairs or sometimes indirectly related to the current events or news. Sometimes even the traditional part of the General Studies questions are those questions, which were in news during even, last ten to twelve months. If we analyze Prelims questions, at least 20 to 25% questions are directly related to Current Affairs. The percentage is likely to increase further in future.

Current Affairs for IAS is an area which is by far the most important aspect of the GS paper and also perhaps the most difficult area to master. Important, because good number of questions, whether they are in the prelims or the mains, draw their inspiration from what is happening in the contemporary context, and difficult, because of its vastness and difficulty in identifying what is important and what is not.

Most students have been found to be complaining that they have not been able to recall and reproduce, whatever they have studied in the current affairs, and in the sense that the factual part that is useful in the prelims cannot be recalled as far as nature of choices is concerned and the analytical part which is useful in the mains, cannot be related and incorporated in the descriptive answers.

However, the factual versus conceptual demand for GS is now an outdated story. Concepts are paramount. People have been suggesting several strategies to prepare for current affairs, but very few people have really decoded the challenge. Those who have managed to do so, are now busy calling the shots in bureaucracy. On the same line, this year’s prelims will begin a new chapter for candidates, as a historical first after the latest change.

So how to start now….

Firstly, the preparation of the current affairs is not a separate activity carried out in isolation with other topics; rather the concepts in all other areas together contribute both to the understanding and in augmenting the relevance of whatever we study in current affairs apart from its retention factor.

Secondly the study of current affairs has to be essentially based on those issues, which are of contemporary importance. Here preparation of prelims will be different from the mains one.

Third, but most crucial is the listing of topics and ability to comprehends facts that could be possible there in the given choices. This is by far the most important aspect of studying current affairs. This alone shall ensure that whatever is studied is not only methodically arranged in the mind, but is also logically reproduced in the exam.

By adopting this approach a student can even create his personal notes extensively, replete with references for current happenings on all the major issues of the time. However, this approach is best carried out only when a student is thorough with all the concepts across the various disciplines and is in a position to identify the areas where these concepts apply and contribute to enrich the overall understanding.

Manoj K. Jha

Sound your ‘Basics’

  • by Manoj K. Jha

Due to the unpredictability of the exam wherein you cannot afford to make selective study purely based on previous years question papers.

Continue reading “Sound your ‘Basics’”

Manoj K. Jha

IAS PT 2014- SPECIAL SERIES-1, GS for Prelims: Changing trends

  • by Manoj K. Jha

GS for prelims have always been a nightmare both for the freshers as well as experienced campaigners. This is primarily because of the vastness of the syllabus wherein almost everything under the sun is covered under it and is fit to be studied and known.

Continue reading “IAS PT 2014- SPECIAL SERIES-1, GS for Prelims: Changing trends”