LEVEL 1 TESTS MINI GS (16) + ESSAY (4) - Rauias · MAINS TEST SERIES & QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (QIP) 2020 Note:This test-wise list of themes will be updated weekly, a week before

MAINS TEST SERIES &

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

PROGRAM (QIP)

2020

Note:This test-wise list of themes will be updated weekly, a week before the release of that test.

RAU’S IAS STUDY CIRCLE | MAINS TEST SERIES & QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 2020

TEST SYLLABUS

RELEASE DATE

(For test & test discussion

videos)

MT(GS)-1 Physical Geography of India & the World 13/10/19

MT(GS)-2 Economic Geography of Indian & the World 20/10/19

MT(GS)-3 Environment, Ecology, Biodiversity, Climate Change&

Disaster Management 03/11/19

MT(GS)-4 Indian Culture 10/11/19

MT(GS)-5 Modern History 17/11/19

MT(GS)-6 Post – Independence History + World History 24/11/19

MT(Essay)-1 Essay (ThemesfromGeography&History) 25/11/19

MT(GS)-7 Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude -1 01/12/19

MT(GS)-8 Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude -2 08/12/19

MT(GS)-9 Ethics in Governance – Case Studies 15/12/19

MT(GS)-10 Indian Polity & Governance -1 22/12/19

MT(GS)-11 Indian Polity & Governance – 2 29/12/19

MT(Essay)-2 Essay (Themesfrom Polity andEthics) 05/01/20

MT(GS)-12 Indian Society and Social Justice 12/01/20

MT(GS)-13 S & T 19/01/20

MT(GS)-14 International Relations& Internal Security 27/01/20

MT(Essay)-3 Essay (Themesfrom Indian Society and IR) 02/02/20

MT(GS)-15 Economic Development– 1 09/02/20

MT(GS)-16 Economic Development– 2 16/02/20

MT(Essay)-4 Essay (Themesfrom Economy and S&T) 23/02/20

TESTS SCHEDULE

LEVEL 1 TESTS – MINI GS (16) + ESSAY (4)

►VALIDITY OF TESTS: 13th October 2019 – 29th February 2020

►FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING: within validity period

►MINI TESTS in GS will be 10 Qs, 125 Marks, 1.5 hours’ duration.

►Mini Tests in Essay will comprise 4 topics out of which essay is required to be written on 1 in

1000-1200 words, 125 Marks, 1.5 hours’ duration

►Questions will be created from the list of themes and topics indicated before the test.

MAINS TEST SERIES &

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

PROGRAM (QIP)

2020



TEST SYLLABUS

RELEASE DATE

(For test & test discussion

videos)

ST(GS)-1 Geography + Environment, Ecology, Biodiversity + Disaster

Management (GS Paper-1+3) 28/06/20

ST(GS)-2 History - Culture, Modern, Post-Independence & World

History(GS Paper-1) 05/07/20

ST(GS)-3 Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude - Theory & Case Studies(GS Paper - 4) 12/07/20

ST(GS)-4 Indian Polity & Governance(GS Paper-2) 19/07/20

ST(GS)-5 Indian Society & Social Justice+ S&T(GS Paper-1+2) 26/07/20

ST(GS)-6 International Relations& Internal Security

(GS Paper-2+3) 02/08/20

ST(GS)-7 Economic Development(GS Paper-3) 09/08/20

TEST SYLLABUS TEST DATE

(For test & test discussion videos) TEST TIME

FLT (Essay)- 1 Essay 16/08/20 9 am – 12 pm

FLT(GS) – 1 GS – 1 (Full Syllabus) 23/08/20 9 am – 12 pm

FLT(GS) – 2 GS – 2 (Full Syllabus) 23/08/20 2 pm – 5 pm

FLT(GS) – 3 GS – 3 (Full Syllabus) 29/08/20 9 am – 12 pm

FLT(GS) – 4 GS – 4 (Full Syllabus) 29/08/20 2 pm – 5 pm

FLT(GS) – 5 GS – 1(Full Syllabus) 30/08/20 9 am – 12 pm

FLT(GS) – 6 GS – 2(Full Syllabus) 30/08/20 2 pm – 5 pm

FLT(GS) – 7 GS – 3(Full Syllabus) 05/09/20 9 am – 12 pm

LEVEL I1 TESTS – SECTIONAL TESTS (7)

►VALIDITY OF TESTS: 28th June 2020 – 15thAugust 2020

►FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING: within validity period

►All tests will be 20 Qs, 250 marks and 3 hours’ duration.

►Questions will be created from the themes covered in QIP classes/videos and Mains Compass.

►Sectional Tests will be released/conducted alongside QIP schedule (schedule of QIP videos will

be shared in June 2020)

LEVEL I1I TESTS – FLT GS (8) + ESSAY (2)

►VALIDITY OF TESTS: Tests will be conducted on exact dates and at exact times under strict

discipline for exact UPSC simulation

►FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING: is not applicable at L3

►ONLINE FORMAT: Students appearing from home must submit their QAB(s) by 9 pm maximum

on the respective days.

MAINS TEST SERIES &

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2020



FLT(GS) – 8 GS – 4(Full Syllabus) 05/09/20 2 pm – 5 pm

FLT (Essay)- 2 Essay 06/09/20 9 am – 12 pm

TEST SYLLABUS RELEASE DATE(Test &Test

Discussion Video)

MT(GS)-1 Physical Geography of India & the World 13/10/19

► UPSC SYLLABUS

Salient features of physical geography of the world

Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.,

geographical features and their location‐ changes in critical geographical features (including water‐

bodies and ice‐caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

► LIST OF THEMES

1. GEOMORPHOLOGY

a. Plate Tectonic Theory

Concept of plate tectonics

Types of plates

Types of plates collision

Formation of folding mountains

Formation of mid Atlantic ridge

Volcanos and their locations - link with plate tectonics

Earthquakes and their location - link with plate tectonics

b. Seafloor Spreading

What is sea floor spreading?

What causes sea floor spreading?

What is the mechanism for sea floor spreading?

How does seafloor spreading account for the age of the seafloor?

Sea floor spreading and volcano

c. Weathering & Mass Wasting

What is weathering?

Factors controlling weathering mechanism

Types of Weathering – chemical, mechanical and biotic

Significance of weathering phenomenon and associated landforms

Mass wasting and landform development

Factors of mass movements

2. OCEANOGRAPHY

a. Salinity of Ocean

Meaning and its measurement

Sources of oceanic salinity

STUDY PLAN LIST OF THEMES (TEST WISE)

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Controlling factors of salinity

Horizontal and vertical distribution of salinity

Why is salinity important?

Linkage between ocean temperature, density and salinity

How salinity effects ocean circulation?

b. Ocean Currents

Meaning and types

Important oceanic currents around the world

How surface currents affect nearby landmasses?

Origin of ocean currents

Factors effecting ocean currents

How ocean currents affect climate of a region

c. Ocean Bottom reliefs (mid-oceanic ridge)

Continental Shelf and its significance

Continental Slope

Abyssal Plains and submarine canyons

Mid-Oceanic Ridge and their formation

d. Ocean Resources

Types of resources

Significance of these resources for economic growth

Government projects associated with it

3. CLIMATOLOGY

a. Pressure Belts

Meaning and their origin

Horizontal distribution of pressure belts

Shifting of pressure belts and impact on Climate

b. Local Winds

Classification of winds

Difference between Permanent Winds and Local Winds

How it impacts local climate and culture?

Important local winds and their location

4. PHYSIOGRAPHY OF INDIA

a. Formation of Himalayas

Geology of Himalayas

Plate tectonics theory and Himalayas formation

Division of Himalayas

Its impact on India’s Climate

b. Drainage system

Drainage system of India

Himalayas and Peninsular India drainage system

Inland drainage system

Watershed management

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Drainage and associated environmental issues

5. CLIMATE OF INDIA

a. Monsoon Winds

Meaning and significance

Factors controlling monsoon winds

Mechanism of the Monsoon

Features of Monsoon Rainfall

b. Jet Stream

Meaning

Types of jet streams

Formation of jet streams and their movement

Jet Stream in Relation to Weather and Cyclone

c. Western Disturbances

Meaning

How its originates

How it impacts India’s Climate, Agriculture and Economy

d. El-Nino, La-Nina, Southern Oscillation

Meaning, Difference

What is ENSO?

Its impact on climate of India and world

Socio-economic impacts of El Niño/Southern Oscillation events

TEST SYLLABUS RELEASE DATE(For test &

test discussion videos)

MT(GS)-2 Economic Geography of Indian & the World 20/10/19

► UPSC SYLLABUS

Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-

continent)

Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts

of the world (including India).

► LIST OF THEMES

1. AGRICULTURE

a) Cropping pattern and emerging changes

Meaning of cropping pattern

Factors effecting the cropping pattern

Cropping pattern in India

Changes in crop combination and its impact

Changes in cropping pattern in different regions and its impact on resources.

b) Agriculture and Climate change

Two-way linkage between agriculture and climate

Negative impact of agriculture on climate

GHG Emission

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Pollution through stubble burning

Negative impact of climate change on agriculture yield and resources

Impact on yield

agricultural practices, through changes of water use

Increment in extreme events

Need for sustainable agricultural practices

c) Agriculture and resource degradation: Need for sustainable agriculture

Natural resources related to agricultural practices

Soil degradation

Water resource degradation

Deforestation

Impact of Genetically Modified crops

Over-irrigation and salinity

Need for conservation of Resources

d) Aquaculture

Meaning of aquaculture

Types of Aquaculture

Significance of Aquaculture

Present status of Aquaculture

Challenges associated with it

Food Safety provisions

Steps needed for improving it

2. INDUSTRY

a) Factors influencing the location of the industries

Geographical factors

Raw Materials; Power; Labour; Transport; Market; Water; Climate

Non-Geographical factors

Capital; Government policies; Credit facilities; Organization structure; Industrial Inertia

b) Jute Industry

Jute cultivation: Factors related to it

Locations of Jute cultivation

Present status of Jute Industry

Locational factors associated with Jute industry

Challenges faced by Jute Industry

Government Initiatives

Jute as an alternative to Plastic

c) Pharmaceutical Industry

Market size

Why India is developing as pharma centre?

Locations of Pharma industries

Opportunities and challenges

Legal and Regulatory regime in India

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Policies and Government Initiatives

d) Automobile Industry

Indian Automobile industry

Trends in Automobile industry

Status of E-mobility

Growth drivers

Associated allied industries

Opportunities and challenges

Reason for recent decline in sector

Government initiatives

3. INFRASTRUCTURE

a) Urban Transport

Trends influencing urban mobility in India

Issues associated with urban transport

Road congestion; Pollution; Deteriorating Road Safety

Need for clean transport

Status of E-vehicles

b) Water Transport

Inland water transport

Coastal Transport

Ship Transport

Economic significance

Challenges associated with water transport


4. ENERGY

a) Conventional sources of energy and issues related to it

Energy demands and supply

Energy resources of India

Coal, oil, natural gas

Distribution and different forms

Present scenario: distribution of coal in India

Issues related to it: Pollution, Coal mining, etc

b) Renewable energy

Meaning

Forms of Renewable energy: Solar, Wind, Hydrothermal, Ocean energy, biogas, tidal energy

Basic concepts associated with it

Present status: distribution and generation


How far it has been able to replace conventional sources of energy?

5. NATURAL RESOURCE

a) Water Resource Management

Distribution of water resources

Water reservoirs in India

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Challenges

Groundwater degradation

Groundwater contamination

Surface water degradation

Water crisis

o Impact of agriculture

o Impact of urbanization

o Impact of Industries

Methods for sustainable water resource management

Water Index of NITI Aayog

b) Strategic Minerals

Meaning

Forms of strategic minerals for India

Petroleum; Lithium; Cobalt

Their distribution

Significance of minerals

Global race for the resources

Government Initiatives

c) Indian Ocean Resources

Location of Indian Ocean

Significance of Indian Ocean for India

Resources such as – manganese nodules, Fisheries, Tidal energy, petroleum, etc

Act as Sea lane of communication for global trade

Climatic significance

Issues due to presence of China on trade and resource mobilization.

Steps needed



MT(GS)-3 Environment, Ecology, Biodiversity, Climate

Change & Disaster Management 03/11/19

► UPSC SYLLABUS

Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

Disaster and disaster management.

► LIST OF THEMES

1. BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

a. Human – Animal Conflict

What is human-animal conflict?

How are humans affecting the biodiversity?

Causes of human – animal conflict

Examples of human – animal conflict

Laws and policies related to Government for biodiversity conservation

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b. Desalination and its impact on environment

Status of freshwater

What is desalination?

Processes of desalination

Advantages

Negative impact on the environment

Steps needed for sustainable water management

c. Coastal management with respect to CRZ act

Definition of coastal region

Coastal landforms

Coastal ecosystem and their significance

Factors depleting the coastal ecosystem – Pollution, Oil spill, Solid waste, Eutrophication,

Urbanization, Coastal erosion, Tourism

Steps needed for coastal management

What is CRZ?

Provisions related to Coastal zone management

Issues/lacunas in the Act

How to move for sustainable water resource management

2. POLLUTION

a. Plastic pollution

Overview and usage of plastic

Problems Relating to Plastic Waste

Impact on health

Impact on biodiversity

Impact on water resource

Strategies for plastic waste management

Alternative to plastics

b. Bio-medical waste

What is bio-medical waste?

Sources of bio-medical waste

Types of bio-medical waste

Issues in disposal of bio-medical waste

Health hazards

Biomedical Waste Management & Handling) Rules

c. Air Pollution

What is air pollution?

Primary and Secondary pollutants

Factors responsible for air pollution

Consequences of air pollution

Health effects

Environmental effects

Economic effects

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Control measures to reduce air pollution

Initiatives by the government

Usage of technology in controlling air pollution

Lacunas in the government policies

3. CLIMATE CHANGE

a. Ocean as carbon sink

Meaning of carbon sink

Major carbon sinks

How ocean acts as source of carbon sink

Impact on ocean – ocean acidification

b. Steps for climate change mitigation

What is adaptation and mitigation?

Meaning of climate change mitigation

Methods of mitigation

Role of Wetlands, Forest, Mangroves methods

Geo-engineering meth

Governmental and intergovernmental action

Role of community

c. International governance with respect to climate change management

What is climate change?

Factors causing climate change

Steps for climate change management

Role of developed nations

Role of developing nations

International Treaties

Role of science and technology in climate change management

4. IMPACT OF AGRICULTURE

a. Impact of agriculture on Environment

Methods of farming

Climate change

Deforestation

Genetic engineering

Irrigation

Pollutants

Soil degradation

Waste

Methods for sustainable agriculture

Government initiatives for organic farming and efficient irrigation

Other sustainable initiatives by the government

5. IMPACT OF URBANIZATION

a. Impact of urbanization on Environment

Present scenario of urbanization in India

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Issues generating due to unplanned urbanization

Waste disposal

Land and soil

degradation

Water pollution

Air pollution

Urban Heat Island effect, etc

Steps needed for mitigating the impact

How Smart city programme will help in mitigating climate change


6. DISASTER

a. Heat waves

What is Heat wave (definition by IMD)

Data on heat wave occurrence

Causes of Heat wave

Impact of heat waves

On health

On Economy

On plants and animals

Steps taken by the government

NDMA guidelines relating to it

b. Forest Fire

Growing pressure on forest in India

Forest degradation and its impact

Causes for deforestation, Forest degradation

Forest fire – the major cause of forest degradation

Forest fire – part of ecosystem

Forest fire – as management tool

Forest Fire – as disaster

Vulnerability of Indian forests towards fire

State wise types of vegetation, causes of forest fire and management practices in India

NDMA guidelines

c. Disaster Management

Meaning of disaster

Difference between disaster and hazard

Disaster Management Act, 2005

Challenges to Disaster Management in India

Prime Minister has outlined a 10-point agenda for efforts towards disaster risk reduction

Sendai framework

Hyogo framework

d. Recent NDMA guidelines on different disasters

For flood

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For urban flooding

For drought

For cyclone

For biological disaster

For chemical and nuclear disaster

For tsunami



MT(GS)-4 Indian Culture 10/11/19

► UPSC SYLLABUS

Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to

modern times.

► LIST OF THEMES

1. ARCHITECTURE AND SCULPTURE

a. Indus Valley civilization

Location and geographical spread

Town planning

Economy and Agriculture

Seals

Terracotta and Pottery

Ornaments

Tools and metallurgy

Burial methods

b. Temple Architecture

Basic features of Temple architecture

Forms of Temple Architecture: Nagara, Dravidian and Vesarastyles

Sculptures in temples

Evolution of temples

Buddhist and Jain Temples

c. Indo-Islamic Architecture

How it evolved?

Typologies of structure

Salient features of Indo-Islamic architecture

Architectural influences

Raw Material for construction

Evolution of Architecture

During Delhi Sultanate period

During Mughal period

2. PAINTINGS a. Mural paintings

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What are mural paintings?

How they differ from miniature paintings?

Materials used in the paintings

Cave Paintings under different dynasties

Ajanta and Ellora cave paintings

Paintings under Gupta period

Paintings under Satavahana period

Paintings under Pallava, Pandya, Chola period

Paintings under Western Chalukyans

Paintings under Vijayanagara

Paintings under Nayaka

b. Miniature paintings

What are miniature paintings?

Material used for paintings

Schools of paintings: Pala school, Western Indian School, Mughal school, Rajasthani paintings,

Pahari school, Deccani school

c. Modern painting

Characteristic of contemporary Indian Painting

Bombay School of Art

Madras School of Art

Bengal School of Art

Famous painters and their contributions

3. DANCE, MUSIC AND DRAMA

a. Dance

Bharat Muni's Natyashastra

Meaning of classical dance

Types of classical dance: Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Manipuri, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Sattriya,

Mohiniyattam

Folk Dances of India

b. Music

Music in Vedas

Hindustani Classical Music

Carnatic Classical Music

Forms of Musical Instruments

Forms of Regional music

4. LITERARY ARTS a. Literature since ancient times

Ancient Indian Literature: Vedas, Brahmanas, Upanishads, Mahakavya, Puranas

Evolution of Sanskrit during Guptas

Literature in Pali and Prakrit – under Buddhism and Jainism

Sangam Literature

Bhakti and Sufi Movement and literature associated with it

Medieval literature

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Modern Indian Literature

Before independence for growth of nationalism

After independence

5. RELIGION

a. Buddhism

Buddhism

Teachings

Eightfold path

Four Noble Truths

Division of Buddhism: Hinayana and Mahayana

Buddhist literature

Buddhist architecture

Buddhist councils

b. Jainism

Teachings

Division of Jainism: Digambars and Svetambara

Jain councils

Jain Literature

c. Bhakti and Sufi movement

Reasons for rise of Bhakti and Sufi movement

Sufi Movement: Meaning and Salient teachings

Different Silsilah: Chishti Silsilah and SuhrawardiSilsilah

Contributions of Sufism

Bhakti Movement: Meaning and Salient teachings

Important contributors

Contribution of Bhakti movement

d. Philosophical schools of India

Indian Hindu Philosophy school: Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimaṃsa, Vedanta

Heterodox school: Jain, Buddhist, Ajivika, Ajnana, Charvaka

6. MISCELLANEOUS

a. Evolution of Coinage system in India

Ancient Indian coins: Punch-marked coins, Dynastic coins, Kushan coins, Satvahana, Gupta, Post-

Gupta, South Indian Coins

Medieval Indian coins

Delhi Sultanate coins

Mughal coins

British India coins

Republic Indian coins

Frozen series

Anna series

Decimal series b. Culture through the account of travelers

Megasthenes

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Marco Polo

Fa-Hein

Hiuen Tsang

I-tsing

Al Biruni

Al Samudi

Ibn Battuta

AdbulRazak

Bartholomu Diaz

Captain William Hawkins

Sir Thomas Roe

c. Government Initiatives for conservation of art and culture

National Mission on Cultural Mapping and Roadmap

Swadesh Darshan

PRASAD scheme

AMRUT scheme

HRIDAY scheme

National Mission on Libraries

Swachhbharat – SwachhSmarak

Cultural scheme Monitoring system

Sanskriti App

Monuments of National Importance

World Heritage Sites in India

SewaBhojYojana



MT(GS)-5 Modern History 17/11/19

► UPSC SYLLABUS

Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present significant

events, personalities, issues.

The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different

parts of the country.

► LIST OF THEMES

1. GOVERNOR GENERALS

a. Role, contributions and criticism of important Governor Generals

Warren Hastings

Lord Cornwallis

Lord Wellesley

Lord William Bentinck

Lord Dalhousie

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Lord Canning

2. RESENTMENT AGAINST COMPANY RULE

a. People’s Resistance Against British before 1857

Causes, Period, Region and Impact

Civil Uprisings – Causes; Important rebellions; Impact

Peasant Movements – Causes; Important peasant movements; Impact of movements; Steps

taken by British to suppress them

Tribal Revolts – Causes; Important movements; Impact of movements; Steps taken by British to

suppress them

Sepoy Mutinies – Causes; Impact of movements

b. Revolt of 1857

Nature of the Revolt

Causes and Spread of the Revolt

Political causes

Economic causes

Administrative causes

Social and Religious causes

Military causes

Important leaders associated with it

Consequences & Significance of the Revolt

Reasons for failure

Its impact and Legacy on Indian National Movement

3. SOCIO-RELIGIOUS REFORM MOVEMENTS

Social and Ideological Bases of Reform

Why need for socio-religious reforms initiated?

Common characteristics of religious and social reform movement

Important reform movements and their respective leaders

BrahmoSamaj

Arya Samaj

Reform movements of West India

Reform movements of South India

Muslim Reform Movements

Sikh Reform Movements

Parsis Reform Movements

Reforms initiated by Women

Significance of Reform Movements

Its impact on Nationalism and Indian National Movement

Legislations initiated by the government

Critical Evaluation

Present Relevance

4. MODERN NATIONALISM IN INDIA

Factors responsible for growth of feeling of nationalism

Role of Western Education

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Role of Indian Press

Role of Socio Religious Reform Movements

Its impact on Indian National Movements

Present Relevance

5. INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS AND THE MODERATE PHASE (1885 – 1905)

Establishment of INC and theories associated with it

Vision and Mission of INC

Moderates

Important Leaders and their approach

Contributions

Critical evaluation of their working procedure

Impact & Legacy on Indian National Movement

6. INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT PHASES

a. Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909)

Growth of Militant Nationalism

Ideology of Militant Nationalism

Partition of Bengal and its impact

Swadeshi Movement

Critical evaluation

Impact on Indian National Movement

Moderates vs Extremist

Swaraj 1906

Surat Split

Morley-Minto Reforms 1909

Home Rule League Movement

b. Advent of Gandhi in India

His experience and technique of Satyagraha in South Africa

Ideological Contribution

Satyagraha initiatives taken by him

Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms and Government of India Act, 1919

Rowlatt Act, Satyagraha, JallianwalaBagh Massacre

Non Cooperation Movement

Civil Disobedience Movement

Quit India Movement

Gandhi vs Ambedkar

Gandhi vs Bose

c. Nationalist Response in the wake of World War II

Congress Crisis on Method of Struggle

Second World War and Nationalistic Response

Government Attitude and Congress

August Offer

Individual Satyagraha

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Gandhi Designates Nehru as his Successor

Cripps Mission

d. Quit India Movement, Demand for Pakistan and the INA

Quit India Movement

Famine of 1943

Rajagopalachari Formula

Wavell Plan

The Indian National Army and Subhash Bose

e. Post-War National Scenario

Two Strands of National Upsurge

Congress Election Campaign and INA Trials

Election Results

The Cabinet Mission

Communal Holocaust and the Interim Government

Birth and Spread of Communalism in India

f. Independence with Partition

Attlee’s Statement of February 20, 1947

Indian Independence Act

Inevitability of Partition

Situation during partition

7. BRITISH ECONOMIC POLICIES

Stages of Colonialism in India

Its impact on India – Agriculture; Industry; Handicrafts; Trade

Nationalist Critique of Colonial Economy

Economic Drain Theory

8. ROLE OF PRESS IN FREEDOM STRUGGLE MOVEMENT

Role of Early Nationalists

Growth of Vernacular Press

British Government legislations related to Press

Censorship of Press Act, 1799

Licensing Regulations, 1823

Press Act of 1835 or Metcalfe Licensing Act,

1857 Registration Act, 1867

Vernacular Press Act, 1878

Newspaper (Incitement to Offences) Act, 1908

Indian Press Act, 1910

Its impact on Nationalism and Indian National Movement

9. EDUCATION POLICY DURING BRITISH RULE

Christian missionaries

Earlier policies of the British – establishment of Calcutta Madarsa and Sanskrit College

Orientalist-Anglicist Controversy

Lord Macaulay’s Minute

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Wood’s Despatch

Hunter Education Commission

Sadler Commission

Hartog Committee

Sargent plan

Wardha scheme of Basic Education

Critical Evaluation

Its impact on Socio-Religious Reforms Movements, Nationalism and Indian National Movement

Present Relevance

Ideology of Rabindranath Tagore and Gandhiji on Education system



MT(GS)-6 Post – Independence History + World History 24/11/19

► UPSC SYLLABUS

Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.

History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars,

redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism,

capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.

► LIST OF THEMES

THEMES FOR POST INDEPENDENCE

1. NEHRUVIAN FOREIGN POLICY

International context that shape India’s external relations

Operational Principles that informed India’s foreign policy

The policy of Non-Alignment

Distance between the two camps

Afro-Asian Unity

Peace and Conflict with China

Tibetan Crisis

Chinese Invasion

War and Peace with Pakistan

2. INTEGRATION OF INDIA

Territorial assimilation

Sardar Patel’s Policy

Accession of Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir

Kashmir issue

India-Pakistan War of 1947

UN resolution of 1947

Article 370 and 35A

Constitution of J&K

Shimla Agreement

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Integration of foreign territories (Goa, Pondicherry, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli)

Inclusion of Sikkim State

3. REORGANIZATION OF STATES

Dhar, JVP and Fazl Ali Commission (Language as a criteria)

Reorganization Act

4. LANGUAGE PROBLEMS

Official Language in Constitution of India

Formation of States

Problems of regional problems

Agitation Against Hindi in non-Hindi states

THEMES OF WORLD HISTORY

5. COLONIALISM AND IMPERIALISM

Conditions fueling imperialism

Conquest of Asia

Imperialism in Asia

Imperialism in Americas

Imperialism in Pacific

Effects of imperialism

6. FRENCH REVOLUTION

French society during 18th century

Outbreak of revolution

France becomes a constitutional monarchy

Abolition of monarchy to become a republic

7. UNIFICATION OF GERMANY

Role of Bismarck

8. UNIFICATION OF ITALY

Role of Garibaldi Mazzini and Cavour

9. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

Condition in Russia before Revolution

Growth of revolutionary movements

Beginning of Revolution

Bolshevik Revolution

Impact of World war on Russian revolution and vice versa

Consequences of Revolution

10. WORLD WAR 1

Crumbling of Ottoman Empire

Downfall of the empire

Imperialist rivalries

Conflict within Europe

Formation of alliances

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Incidents preceding the war

The beginning, course and the end of war

Consequences of war

11. PERIOD BETWEEN THE TWO WORLD WARS

Treaty of Versailles

League of nations

Its structure, functions, and its failures.

Treaties with Austria, Hungary and Turkey

Developments in USA

Economic depression

Racial discrimination

Developments in USSR

War communism

The New Economic Policy

Developments in Europe

Impact of Great Depression

Developments in Britain

Political Instability in France

Nazism and Fascism

Appeasement policy

Industrial development

12. WORLD WAR 2

Beginning of war

USA emerges as the strongest power

Emergence of Soviet Union

Nationalist movements in Asia and Africa

Beginning of Fascist aggression

The progression of war

Damage caused by the war

13. WORLD AFTER SECOND WORLD WAR

Period of cold war

Rise of Asia and Africa

Emergence of independent nations in Asia.

Developments in West Asia

Afro Asian Unity and Non Alignment

14. POLITICAL PHILOSOPHIES

Socialism

Communism

Capitalism

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TEST SYLLABUS RELEASE DATE(For test & test

discussion videos)

MT(GS)-7 Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude – 1 01/12/19

► UPSC SYLLABUS

Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions;

dimensions of ethics; ethics - in private and public relationships. Human Values - lessons from the lives

and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational

institutions in inculcating values.

Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and

political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.

Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship,

objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-

sections.

Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.

Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world

► LIST OF THEMES

1. INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS

What do you understand by ethics?

Ethics vs Values

Ethics vs norms

Determinants of ethics

Political

Societal

Historical

Dimensions of ethics

Normative Ethics

Meta-ethics

Applied Ethics or Practical Ethics

2. BASIC ETHICAL THEORIES

Consequentialism

Egoism

Normative Ethics

Utilitarianism

Deontological Ethics

Categorical Imperative

Virtue Ethics

Ethical subjectivism

Stoic ethics

Social contract theory

Divine command theory

3. ETHICS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIFE

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Ethics in Public life

Ethics in Private life and relations

Why being ethical is good for oneself, others, society and national at large

Consequence of unethical behaviour on oneself, others, society and national at large

How to promote ethical behaviour in private and public life

Linkage between private and public values

4. HUMAN Values

What do you understand by values?

Difference between values and norms

Difference between values and morals

What are Universal Values?

In private life

In public life

Intrinsicand extrinsic values

5. Role OF family, society and education in inculcating values

Role of Family in Inculcating Values

Family values

Why values are important?

Ways to inculcate values

Role of Society in Inculcating Values

Importance of Societal values

Social cohesion

Social norms and values

Role of Educational Institutions in Inculcating Values

Why values in students needed in this competitive world?

Role of teachers

6. ATTITUDE

What do you understand by Attitude?

Importance of Attitude

ABC Model of Attitude

Attitude formation – Family, Peer, Institutions etc.

Features of Attitude

Functions of Attitude

Ways to bring about Attitude transformation

Classical conditioning

Instrumental conditioning

Observational conditioning

7. APTITUDE

What do you understand by Aptitude?

Aptitude vs Attitude

Foundational Values of a civil servant

Integrity

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Honesty

Probity

Impartiality

Neutrality

Dedication

Objectivity

Transparency

Accountability

Empathy

Tolerance

Compassion

Why these values are Important for a civil servant?

How to develop these values?

What values are needed in LPG era?

Administrative values vs societal values: How to maintain balance

Discretionary powers and how to avoid their misuse: role of aptitude

8. FAMOUS civil servants and the values reflected in their good work

T N Sheshan – Non-partisanship , Integrity

E. Sreedharan – Punctuality, Efficiency

Armstrong Pame – Dedication to public cause

TukaramMundhe

LaskshmikantJha

T SR Subramanium

Anil Swaroop

Nirupama Rao

M. K. Narayanan

9. INDIAN Thinkers: Basic Introduction and Views

Kautilya

Swami Vivekananda

Mahatma Gandhi

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Jawahar Lal Nehru

Vallabhbhai Patel

Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Rabindranath Tagore

Mother Teresa

10. WESTERN Thinkers: Basic Introduction and Views

Socrates

Plato

Aristotle

Thomas Aquinas

John Locke

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John Stuart Mill

Jeremy Bentham

Immanuel Kant

John Rawls

11. CONSCIENCE

What do you understand by Voice of Conscience?

Development of conscience

Conscience as source of moral principle

Conscience as source of ethical guidance

What is Crisis of Conscience?

How to resolve crisis of conscience.

12. PERSUASION

What do you understand by Persuasion?

Techniques of Persuasion

Importance of persuasion in life of a civil servant

Role of persuasion in success of government initiatives

13. EMOTIONAL Intelligence

What do you understand by Emotional Intelligence?

Components of Emotional Intelligence

The Self-Awareness Cluster: Understanding Feelings and Accurate Self-Assessment

The Self-Management Cluster: Managing Internal States, Impulses, and Resources

The Social Awareness Cluster: Reading People and Groups Accurately

The Relationship Management Cluster: Inducing Desirable Responses in Others

How to develop emotional intelligence?

Importance of Emotional Intelligence in life of a civil servant


discussion videos)

MT(GS)-8 Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude – 2 08/12/19

► UPSC SYLLABUS

Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and

dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of

ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in

governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.

Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity;

Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of

Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery,

Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.

► LIST OF THEMES

1. PUBLIC/CIVIL SERVICE VALUES

What are values

What are public services values

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Environment values – Sustainable development

Economic values – Profitability

Social values – Egalitarianism

Status of Public service values

What are new emerging values in Public service?

Problems faced by civil servants in upholding these values

2. ETHICS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

What are ethics

Ethics vs Laws

Ethics vs Values

Ethics vs Norms

Ethics vailues in life of a civil servant

How to promote ethics in Public life

How to promote ethics in Private life

How are ethics in public and private life related

3. STRENGTHENING OF ETHICAL AND MORAL VALUES IN GOVERNANCE

What do you understand by governance

What do you understand by ethical governance

Measure needed to strengthen ethical and moral values in governance.

4. LAWS, RULES, REGULATIONS AND CONSCIENCE AS SOURCES OF ETHICAL GUIDANCE

What do you understand by laws

Difference between Law, Rules & Regulations

How regulations act as a source of ethical guidance.

What is the role of conscience in ethical guidance

5. ACCOUNTABILITY AND ETHICAL GOVERNANCE

Define accountability and its role in governance.

Legislative accountability

Political accountability

Judicial accountability

Institutional accountability

Differentiate between transparency and accountability.

How ethical governance plays crucial role in development.

6. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Important aspects of corporate governance.

Important cases of violation of ethics in corporate governance.

Satyam case

Rajat Gupta

Chanda Kochar

How ethics in corporate governance helps the society

Corporate Social Responsibility & Companies Act 2013

7. CONCEPT OF PUBLIC SERVICE

What is meant by public service

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Difference between public service and civil service

What values are essential for effective public service

How the concept of public service is evolving in India

Role of transparency, accountability in implementation of public service.

8. RTI

The philosophical basis of information sharing

Important sections of RTI Act

Main challenges faced in implementation of RTI

How RTI brings transparency and accountability in governance

Important solutions to the challenges being faced in RTI.

Successful case studies associated with it

Whistle-blower protection act

Recommendations of 2nd ARC

9. CODES OF ETHICS, CODES OF CONDUCT

Code of Ethics

Code of Conduct

Need and Relevance

Difference between Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct

The state of implementation of Code of conduct in India among following institutions:

Parliament

Executive

Judiciary

The state of implementation of Code of Ethics in India: recommendations of second ARC

10. CITIZEN’S CHARTER

The concept of Citizen’s charter

The essential components of Citizens charter

The state of implementation of Citizens charter by various organization in India

Main issues being faced in the effective implementation of the citizens charter.

Sevottam Model


11. CORRUPTION

Meaning of corruption

Forms of corruption – collusive and coercive

Causes of corruption in India

Impact of corruption on an individual, society and nation

Tools to curb corruption

Laws enacted to curb corruption

Institutions to check corruptions

Institutional measures which need to be taken to minimize corruption.

Parameters used for calculation of the level of corruption


12. LATERAL ENTRY

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What is lateral entry and why needed

Reasons behind Lateral entry

Benefits & Advantages

Challenges that can arise from Lateral entry

How to resolve these challenges

Comparison with the recruitment system in other countries


13. WORK CULTURE

Work as a career vs work as a vocation

Meaning of work culture

Basic principles related to good work culture

Should there be more emphasis on material or human resource in an organization

How a good work culture is related with output of the organization?

Major reasons behind deterioration of work culture in government organization

How does hierarchy impact the wok culture.

Improvements needed in government work cultures in India

14. QUALITY OF SERVICE DELIVERY

Changing role of government from being a police state to a welfare state – need for quality of

service delivery

How do we benchmark the quality of service delivery

How is quality of service delivery correlated to human development or inclusive growth

Steps needed for improving the service delivery

Right to public service act

Role of awareness

Role of ethical values in civil servants for better service delivery.

Role of E-governance in improving service delivery

Some case studies – launch of Pota cabin, E-Seva, etc

15. ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

Components of environment ethics

Why the balance between environment and development needed?

Instances of violation of principles associated with the environmental ethics

Anthropogenic causes

Role of developed and developing nations in maintenance of environmental ethics

How to solve the issues arising out of violation of Environmental ethics? – Need for balance between

environment and human needs


discussion videos)

MT(GS)-9 Ethics in Governance – Case Studies 15/12/19

► UPSC SYLLABUS

Case Studies on topics of MT (GS)-7 and 8.

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2020




discussion videos)

MT(GS)-10 Indian Polity & Governance - 1 22/12/19

► UPSC SYLLABUS

Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions

and basic structure.

Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the

federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.

Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.

Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and

issues arising out of these.

Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments

of the Government;

► LIST OF THEMES

1. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACT 1919 & 1935

Important provisions in these Act

Features from these Act in Constitution of India

Similarities and differences between Constitution and GOI Act

2. BASIC VALUES AND PRINCIPLES IN PREAMBLE

Values/Goals : Justice , Liberty , Equality & Fraternity

Means : Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic

Meaning of above concepts and articles related to it

Significance or utility of Preamble

3. SALIENT FEATURES OF CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

Drawn from various sources

Blend of rigidity & flexibility

Synthesis of Parliamentary sovereignty and judicial supremacy

Integrated and Independent Judiciary

Emergency provisions

Three tier Government

4. SIGNIFICANT PROVISIONS

Important Fundamental Rights and its criticism

Recent judgments of Supreme Court on FR (Right to privacy, Right to protest)

Right to access Internet (recent judgment of Kerala High Court)

Important provisions of DPSP and challenges in its implementation

What is Uniform civil Code and challenges in its implementation

6. DOCTRINE OF BASIC STRUCTURE

Keshavananda Bharti Judgement and its significance

What are its elements

Evolution of Doctrine

Judgments of Supreme court related to it

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Amending power of Parliament (under article 368)

6. FEDERALISM & CENTRE STATE RELATIONS

What are federal and unitary features in constitution of India

What is Cooperative federalism

What is Competitive Federalism

What is Fiscal Federalism

Role of NITI Aayog and it criticisms , suggestions to improve its functioning

Role of Finance Commission in fiscal federalism

Inter-state council and issues related to it

Recommendations of Sarkaria Commission and Punchhi Commission

7. LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT

Important constitutional provisions related to 73rd & 74th Amendment Act

PESA Act

Issues related to Parastatal agencies

Challenges faced by PRIs and ULBs

Suggestion or reforms to improve its efficiency

Role of LSG in Women empowerment and Gender justice


8. Theory of Separation of Power

Meaning and implication

How it is different from that of in American Constitution

System of checks and balance

9. UK CONSTITUTION

Difference between Parliamentary form of Government in India and UK

Difference between Indian President and British Crown

Comparison between Office of Speaker in India and UK

10. USA Constitution

Comparison of Judicial review powers of judiciary in India, USA, UK

Difference between Federal System of India, USA and Canada

11. PARLIAMENT OF INDIA

What are its different functions

Issues and criticism related to working of Parliament of India

Reforms/ Suggestions to improve its efficiency and productivity

12. Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha

Comparison between the powers of both the houses

Important constitutional provisions related to the both houses

Relevance or utility of Upper House

Role of Raja Sabha in cooperative federalism

Criticisms of Rajya Sabha

13. PARLIAMENTARY Committees

Functions and utility of Public accounts committee and Estimates committee

Criticism and suggestions for improving its effectiveness

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14. PARLIAMENTARY Privileges

Meaning

Breach of Privileges

Issues related to codification of privileges

15. PRESIDENT

Important constitutional provisions and functions

Comparison between powers of President and Governor (veto powers, discretionary powers , with

regard to Money bill etc)

Ordinance Making power and issues related to it

Recommendations of Sarkaria Commission

16. GOVERNOR

Constitutional provisions

Role in centre state relations

Issues related to office of Governor : Article 356, discretionary powers, etc

Recommendations of Sarkaria Commission and Punchhi Commission

17. JUDICIARY

What is Judicial Independence and important constitutional provisions related to it

Issues related to Judicial Accountability and Judicial Transparency

Judicial reforms to improve accountability and transparency

Differentiate between Judicial Review and Judicial Activism

Constitutional provisions related to judicial review

Role of Supreme court in protecting Fundamental rights

18. Alternative Dispute Resolution

What is Arbitration, Conciliation, Mediation, Judicial Settlement & Lok Adalat

Utility and Advantages related to it

Measures to increase their effectiveness

Arbitration and Conciliation (amendment) Bill, 2019 and it provisions


discussion videos)

MT(GS)-11 Indian Polity & Governance – 2 29/12/19

► UPSC SYLLABUS

Pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.

Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various

Constitutional Bodies.

Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.

Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models,

successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional

and other measures.

Role of civil services in a democracy.

MAINS TEST SERIES &

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2020



► LIST OF THEMES

1. PRESSURE GROUPS

Meaning of terms: Pressure groups, Interest Groups , Political Parties

Difference between lobbying and pressure groups

Compare the Indian and Western pressure groups

Structure and functioning of Pressure Groups in India

Role of pressure group in

Formulation of laws and policies

Raising of the issues important for the community

Problems faced by the pressure groups in India

2. REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE’S ACT

Constitutional provisions related to the conduct of elections(Part 15)

Representations of the Peoples Act, 1950

Representations of the Peoples Act, 1951

Important provisions

Section 8: Disqualification

Section 29A: Registration of Political parties

Section 123: Corrupt practices

Issues in the Act

3. CONSTITUTIONAL POSTS (ATTORNEY General, CAG, FINANCE COMMISSION)

Related constitutional provisions

Issues in appointment procedure

Role, Powers and Functions envisaged

Criticisms or evaluation of their functioning

Measures to enhance their working

4. CONSTITUTIONAL BODIES (ELECTION COMMISSION, NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED

TRIBE/SCHEDULED CASTE/BACKWARD CLASSES)


Issues in appointment procedure

Role, Powers and Functions envisaged

Evaluation of their functioning


5. STATUTORY BODIES (CIC, CVC, LOKPAL)


Appointment, Role, Power, Functions

Analysis of their functioning


6. QUASI-JUDICIAL BODIES (NHRC, CIC)





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Quasi judicial bodies vs Judicial bodies

7. NATIONAL COMMISSIONS (WOMEN, SC/ST, OBC)





8. GOVERNANCE

Concept of Governance

Elements of Good governance

Citizen Centric Administration

Issues plaguing governance in India

Solution to the governance challenges

3rd report of 2nd ARC

Whistle blower protection Bill

PRAGATI

9. RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT

Introduction of RTI in India

Provisions of RTI Act 2005

Recent amendment to the Act

RTI vs Official Secrets Act

1st report of 2nd ARC

Challenges in implementation

Reforms or suggestions

10. CITIZEN CHARTER

Concept of Citizen’s charter

Components of Citizens charter

State of implementation of Citizens charter by various organization in India

Issues being faced in the effective implementation of the citizens charter

Sevottam Model


Measures to its improve functioning

11. E- GOVERNANCE

Concept of e-Governance

Elements of e- governance

Need of e- governance

Limitations

Models- G2C, G2B, G2G

Various initiatives taken by the government – Digital India, NeGP etc.

12. CIVIL SERVANT

Multidimensional Role of civil servant in a democracy

Challenges faced by civil servants

Constitutional Immunity to Civil servants( Art 311)

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2020



Committee on Civil Services Reforms – Hota committee, Baswan committee

Recommendation of 2nd ARC

13. LATERAL ENTRY

What is lateral entry

Why is lateral entry needed or benefits

Challenges that can arise from Lateral entry

How to resolve these challenges

Comparison with the recruitment system in other countries


14. TRIBUNALS

Constitutional provisions

Administrative and other Tribunals

Mandate and functioning

Issues related to their independence

Merger of Tribunals rationalise their functioning

15. REGULATORY BODIES (SEBI,TRAI, IRDA ETC)

Various issues and problems faced by regulatory bodies in India

Measures and reforms to solve the problems


discussion videos)

MT(GS)-12 Indian Society and Social Justice 12/01/20

► UPSC SYLLABUS

Indian Society

o Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.

o Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and

developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

o Effects of globalization on Indian society.

o Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

Social Justice

o Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of

their design and implementation.

o Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and

associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.

o Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the

performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the

protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

o Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health,

Education, Human Resources.

o Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

► LIST OF THEMES

1) INDIAN SOCIETY

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Characteristics of Indian Society

Demographic structure of Indian society

Diverse features of Indian society

o Caste, tribe, ethnicities, religion

Changes witnessed in contemporary Indian Society

o Westernization, modernization, secularisation

2) GLOBALISATION

What is globalization?

21st century globalization

Dimensions of globalization

o Economic, social, political and cultural

India’s globalization experience

Impact of globalization on Indian Society - women, child, economy, polity etc.

3) WOMEN

Economic, Political, Social Status of women in Indian Society

Issues related to women

o Female foeticide and infanticide

o Dowry

o Domestic violence

o Rape

o Sexual harassment at workplace

Gender norms: redefining the status of women in India

Women as a heterogeneous group and their varied concerns

Important legislations addressing women’s concern

Important scheme - Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao Scheme , Pradhan Mantri Mantru Vandana Yojana,

Working Women Hostels, Swadhar Greh etc.

Women organisation working towards women empowerment–their role and limitations.

4) CHILDREN

Health & nutrition concern– Hunger, stunting , wasting, under weight

Education quality concern – Poor learning outcomes.

Child labour concerns – status, cause, suggestions.

Safety concerns – Child abuse – physical, emotional, psychological and sexual.

Important legislations – POCSO Act, RTE Act etc.

Important Scheme- Mid day meal, ICDS etc.

5) SCHEDULED CASTE

Procedure for recognition of SC

Distribution of SC across India

Issues faced by the community

Prevalence of Untouchability

Legislation - Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989

Caste related violence in India

6) SCHEDULED TRIBE

Procedure for recognition of ST

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Distribution of ST across India

Issues faced by the community

Legislations - Forest rights Act, 2006

Displacement for various projects

Link between development and extremism.

Issues faced by tribal’s - Malnutrition and alcoholism

7) LGBTQ

Various components of LGBTQ

NALSA Vs UOI 2013 Judgements and its implications

Yogyakarta principles

Abolition of Section 377

Protection framework in the country

8) DISABLED

Prevalence of disability in India

Social attitudes towards disables

Legislation - Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016

Government policy - National Policy For Persons with Disabilities, 2006

9) SHG

What is SHG?

Self Help Groups and Their Origin

SHG as a tool for women empowerment

SHG as a tool for rural development

SHG-Bank linkage programme

Uneven distribution of SHG’s in India

Example of SHG’S doing good work – Kerala Kundamshree, SEWA etc.

10) NGO

What are NGOs?

Types of NGO’S

Role played by NGO’s to forward development

Example of NGO’s doing good work – Akshay patra, Pratham etc.

11) FUNDAMENTALISM

Meaning and concept

Causes of origin of Fundamentalism

Impact of fundamentalism on Indian society

Status of fundamentalism in various religious groups

Link between fundamentalism and communalism

12) COMMUNALISM

Meaning and concept (South Asian)

Causes of origin of Communalism

Impact of communalism on Indian Society

Politicization of Religion

Major riots in post-independence history

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13) REGIONALISM

Meaning and concept

History of Regional Movements in India

Types of Regional Movements - Secessionism, Separatism, Full Statehood etc.

Causes behind emergence of regionalism

Various regional movements in the country – Bodoland, Gorkhaland etc.

14) POVERTY

Competing definitions of poverty

Various approaches to poverty alleviation

Interventions of the government of India for poverty alleviation

Changes in the approaches since the independence

15) HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION

Prevalence

Various components of hunger

Causes of hunger

Hidden hunger

Quantification of hunger (Indices)

Malnutrition - Wasting and stunting

Schemes of the government of India to solve hunger problems – PDS, ICDS, Mid day meal scheme

Issues and challenges in the schemes

16) HEALTH

Meaning and Importance of good health

Health structure in the country

Status of various health indicators

Diseases: communicable and non-communicable

Epidemiological transition

Issues with the Health sector in India

Access and quality of Primary, secondary and tertiary health care

Special focus on AIDS, TB prevention in India

Epidemics, Pandemics – Ebola, Zika virus etc.

Various schemes of government of India in health sector - Ayushman bharat

17) EDUCATION

Concept of Education

Difference between education and literacy

Literacy data in India

Evolution of Education policy

o National Education Policy 2019

Regional variation in the level of education

Issues with the Education sector in the country

o Primary education -Quality (ASER survey)

o Secondary education – Quality, Dropout rate

o Higher education - Quality

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Research and development status in education

Tele education – MOOC, Swayam etc.


discussion videos)

MT(GS)-13 S & T 19/01/20

► UPSC SYLLABUS

Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new

technology

Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues

relating to intellectual property rights.

► LIST OF THEMES

1) INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE

Department of Science & Technology

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)

2) ACHIEVEMENTS IN FIELD OF S&T

Science and technology as a source of Human Resource Development

Awards related to Science

New Initiatives Aligned with the National Agenda

India and World collaboration in science projects

3) ACHIEVEMENTS OF INDIANS IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Scientists of Ancient India

Science and Scientists of Medieval India

Scientists of Modern India

4) POLICIES RELATED TO SCIENCE

'Technology Vision Document 2035'

National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-2020

Policy on Synthetic Biology

Law Commission Report on Human DNA Profiling

Deep Ocean Mission

DNA Technology (Use and regulation) Application Bill, 2019

5) SPACE

Satellite communication in India

Global Positioning System

Galileo, GLONASS, IRNSS, GAGAN,Chandrayaan– I, Chandrayaan - II

Mars Orbitor Mission(MOM)

Role of space in development

ISRO as soft power

MAINS TEST SERIES &

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PROGRAM (QIP)

2020



Issue of Space race and space debris

Recent updates

o Neutrino Observatory

o Solar Mission- ADITYA

o Gravitational Waves

o Reusable Launch Vehicle

o Mission shakti/ASAT

o Space Activities Bill, 2017

6) IT, TELECOM AND ELECTRONICS

IT Industry in India

Computers

Generation of computers

Computer terminologies

Supercomputer and its applications

Application of IT

o Advantage

o Disadvantage


o Digital India Initiative

o MeghRaj

o Code Free for India

o E-Kranti

o Bharat Net project

o Bharat QR

o Industrial Revolution

Data privacy Bill, 2019

7) NANO-SCIENCE AND NANO-TECHNOLOGIES

Basics of Nanoscience

Nanomaterials

Applications of nanotechnology

o Nano medicine

o Semiconductors and computing

o Food

o Textiles

o Sustainable energy

o Environment

o Transport

o Space

o Agriculture

Possible Adverse Health and Environmental Impacts of Nanotechnology

Social and Ethical Impacts

Nano-science and nano-technology in India

8) INTELLECTURAL PROPERTY

MAINS TEST SERIES &

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2020



Types of Intellectual property

o Patents

o Trademarks

o Trade Secrets

o Copyrights

Infringement, misappropriation, and enforcement

National Intellectual Property Rights Policy

Geographical indication Tags

9) ROBOTICS

What is Robotics?

Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

Applications of Robotics

Robotics and Issues of Unemployment

10) NUCLEAR ENERGY

Types of nuclear reactions

Nuclear Power Reactor

N-Power Policy of India

Advantages

Disadvantages

Non-energy applications of Nuclear energy

Issue of Radioactive Waste

Institutions involved in Nuclear energy Development

Safety standards in Nuclear Power plants

11) BASICS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

Different types of Biotechnology

Gene editing

Genome Sequencing

Terminologies associated with the biotechnology

12) APPLICATIONS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

Biotechnology and Medicine

Biotechnology and Plant

Issues related to GM food

Biotechnology & Animal Husbandry

Biotechnology and Industry

Biotechnology and Environment

Issue of Bio-Piracy

Bioinformatics

Biotechnology and IPR Issue

Ethical dimension in Biotechnology

13) CONTEMPORARY TECHNOLOGIES

Net Neutrality

Cyber-crime and security

MAINS TEST SERIES &

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2020



Poly metallic Nodules (PMN)

Autonomous Vehicles

Electric Vehicles

14) INTERNET OF THINGS

The concept

Application

o Commercial

o Consumer

o Industrial

o Infrastructural

o Military

Enabling technologies for IoT

Concerns related to

o Data storage

o Privacy

o Security

15) CLOUD COMPUTING

Basics of “Cloud”

Service models

o Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)

o Platform as a service (PaaS)

o Software as a service (SaaS)

Issues related to security and privacy

16) QUANTUM COMPUTING

Quantum Superposition

Qubits

Quantum entanglement

Application

17) BLOCKCHAIN

The concept: Distributed ledger

Applications

o Cryptocurrencies

Bit coin, Ethereum, Libra

o Smart contracts

o Financial services

o Video games

o Supply chain

o Other uses

Indian response to the cryptocurrencies (deemed illegal)

Countries which have legalized their use

o Japan, USA, Germany etc.

MAINS TEST SERIES &

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2020



18) BIG DATA

Architecture

Technologies

Applications

o Government

o International development

o Manufacturing

o Healthcare

o Education

o Media

o Insurance

o Internet of Things (IoT)

o Information technology

Critique of Big Data

o Privacy

o Security

19) ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Neural Networks

Basics

o Challenges of AI

o Reasoning, problem solving

o Knowledge representation

o Planning

o Learning

o Natural language processing

o Perception

o Motion and manipulation

o Social intelligence

o General intelligence

Applications

o Healthcare

o Automotive

o Finance and economics

o Cyber Security

o Government

o Law-related professions

o Video games

o Military

o Audit

o Advertising

o Art

o Associated ethical concerns

MAINS TEST SERIES &

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PROGRAM (QIP)

2020




discussion videos)

MT(GS)-14 International Relations & Internal Security 27/01/20

► UPSC SYLLABUS

International Relations

o India and its neighborhood- relations.

o Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s

interests.

o Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian

diaspora.

o Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

Internal Security

o Linkages between development and spread of extremism.

o Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.

o Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social

networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its

prevention.

o Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of organized crime with

terrorism.

o Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

► LIST OF THEMES

1) INDIA AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD

Neighbourhood First Policy

Relations with Sri-lanka, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives etc.

2) BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH US, EU, UK, AUS, JAPAN, AFGHANISTAN, AFRICA, AUSTRALIA ETC.

Trade relations

o List of countries India has signed FTA with

o Outcome Analysis - Trade deficit and Surplus

Maritime Exercises – Malabar, Yudh abhyas etc

Cultural relations and people to people interaction

Changing ties with various countries

India’s improved global status

Multilateralism under thereat due to

o Rising protectionism

o Unilateral sanctions

o Anti - Migrant Sentiments

o Trade war

o Xenophobia/Terrosim

o Brexit

3) REGIONAL GROUPINGS - SAARC, BIMSTEC, SAFTA ETC.

Their origin, members, objectives, significance.

Outcome Analysis – Successes, Failures.

MAINS TEST SERIES &

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

PROGRAM (QIP)

2020



4) GLOBAL GROUPINGS –NAM, BRICS, ASEAN, RCEP, EAS, APEC, G30, G4, G77ETC.

Their origin, members, objectives, significance.

Outcome Analysis – Successes, Failures.

5) AGREEMENTS INVOLVING/AFFECTING INDIA’S INTERESTS

QUAD

AAGC

6) IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

UN Bodies – Origin, structure, mandate, members, significance, reform suggestions.

o General Assembly

o Security Council – India’s entry (Need and hurdles)

o Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

o International Court of Justice

o Funds and programmes – UNDP, UNEF, UNCTAD etc.

WTO - Origin, election, members, objectives, significance, Decision making, reform suggestions.

o Dispute Resolution Body

7) INDIAN DIASPORA

Spread – Gulf, America, Europe etc.

Their Significance - Diaspora diplomacy.

Government’s initiatives towards the Diaspora

o Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas.

o Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

o Know India Program’ (KIP)

o Madad Portal

Challenges faced by diaspora.

8) INDIAN OCEAN REGION

Geo strategic Significance for India in terms of energy, resources, security and sea line of

communication.

Relations with littoral state

Policies – SAGAR, Project Mausam etc.

Challenges associated with Chinese ingress in IOR

9) INDO-PACIFIC REGION

Geo strategic Significance for India in terms of energy, resources, security and sea line of

communication.

India’s Role in the Indo Pacific Region

India’s new Indo-Pacific Strategy

Challenges associated with Chinese activities in South china seas.

USA shift from Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific

10) EXTREMISM

What do you understand by Extremism

Causes behind spread of extremism in India

Types -

o Left Wing Extremism

What is LWE?

MAINS TEST SERIES &

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PROGRAM (QIP)

2020



LWE in India –Spread (Red corridor)

- Recently witnessed shift of LWE affected region

Lack of development as a cause behind LWE

Important Initiatives for LWE affected areas by

- Governments - SAMADHAN doctrine

- Private Sector

o Fundamentalism/Radicalism/Terrorism

Ways to resolve issue of extremism

11) NUCLEAR DOCTRINE

What is India’s No First Use Policy?

Nuclear Suppliers Group membership for India

India’s refusal to sign Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Threat from nuclear neighbourhood

India’s Nuclear triad

India’s Nuclear Command Authority (NCA)

12) BORDER SECURITY

India’s Disputed Borders

Different Border Security Forces guarding different Indian borders

Challenges associated with border security

CIBMS

13) VARIOUS SECURITY FORCES AND AGENCIES

Paramilitary Forces

o Types

o Mandate

o Challenges faced

o Reform Suggestions

Indian Armed Forces

o Types

o Mandate

o Challenges faced

o Reform Suggestions

14) CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF (CDS)

What is CDS?

Need for CDS

Salient Features of CDS

Challenges it could raise for Indian millitary vs civilian balance

15) CYBER SECURITY

Challenges associated with cyber security in India

Types of cyber disruptions

o Malware

o Ransom ware

o Phishing

o Denial-of-service attack (DoS attack)

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2020



Cyber attacks in India of Late

o Wannacry Ramsomware

o Petya Ramsonware

Cyber Initiatives by government

o Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)

o Cyber Surakshit Bharat initiative

o National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre

o Cyber Security Policy, 2013

Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019


discussion videos)

MT(GS)-15 Economic Development – 1 09/02/20

► UPSC SYLLABUS

Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and

employment.

Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.

Government Budgeting.

Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial

growth.

Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Investment models

► LIST OF THEMES

1) PLANNING

Rationale for Planning in India

Objectives of Planning in India

Key feature of all 12 Five year Plans

Issues related to planning in India

Indicative versus Imperative Economic Planning

Planning Commission vs NITI Ayog

Mobilization of Resources

o 15th Finance Commission

2) INCLUSIVE GROWTH

What do you understand by Inclusive growth?

Elements of Inclusive growth

Data reflecting India’s inclusive growth status

Need for inclusive development in India

Programmes for inclusive growth

Challenges of Inclusive Growth in India

Measures to bring about inclusive development in India

3) DEVELOPMENT

What do you understand by development

MAINS TEST SERIES &

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

PROGRAM (QIP)

2020



Difference between Growth and development

India as a Developing Economy

Traditional and New approaches to Development

Indicators of development – Poverty, Education, Health, Nutrition etc.

Measures of Economic Development: Human Development Index, Green GDP, Gross National

Happiness Index

Millennium Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals and India

4) POPULATION

India’s population scenario

Population and economic development

India’s demographic transition

o Demographic dividend

o Ageing population

5) POVERTY

What is poverty?

Types of Poverty – Relative, Absolute

Causes of Poverty

Vicious Circle of Poverty

Poverty Lines in India: Estimations and Committees

Trickle Down Approach

Magnitude of poverty in India

Methodology for measurement of poverty in India

Multi- Dimensional Poverty Index

Poverty eradication Schemes/measures in India

Analysis of success/failure of these measures

6) HUMAN CAPITAL

What do you understand by Human capital?

Where does India stand in terms of Human Capital?

Government’s role in building human capital

Programmes/schemes in this regard

o Education

o Health

o Skill development

7) UNEMPLOYMENT

What is Unemployment?

What are types of Unemployment

Measurement of Unemployment in India

Current employment status of Indian Economy

Causes behind Unemployment

Impact of large unemployment on Indian Economy

Jobless Growth in India: Reasons and Consequences

MAINS TEST SERIES &

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PROGRAM (QIP)

2020



Measures taken

8) BUDGET

What exactly is a budget?

Types of Budgeting

o Gender Budgeting

o Zero Base Budgeting

o Outcome Budgeting

Budget 2020 – Main announcements

Types of deficit – Revenue deficit, Fiscal deficit, Primary deficit

India’s Fiscal situation

o India’s Fiscal policy

o Objectives of Fiscal Policy

o Government Debt

o FRBM Act

o Fiscal consolidation in India

o N.K. Singh committee recommendations on the review of fiscal rules

9) BANKING AND FINANCIAL MARKETS

Banking in India: Definition, Functions, and Types of Banks

Development Finance Institutions: IFCI, ICICI, SIDBI, IDBI, UTI, LIC, GIC

Nationalisation of Banks

Banking Sector Reforms in India

o Narasimhan Committee 1&2

o NachiketMor Committee

o P J Nayak Committee

Problem of Non Performing Assets(NPA) in India

Non-Banking Financial Companies(NBFC’s) in India

Financial Inclusion in India

o Need and future

o PMJDY

o Payment Banks

o Small Finance Banks

10) RBI

Functions of RBI

Monetary Policy

o Instruments of Monetary Policy

o Objectives of the Monetary Policy

o Monetary policy committee

11) STATE OF INDIAN ECONOMY

Stats regarding – Inflation (CPI/WPI), IIP, Unemployment etc.

Reason behind present slowdown

o Structural or cyclical

Measures to overcome this slowdown

https://www.civilsdaily.com/problem-of-non-performing-assets-in-india/

MAINS TEST SERIES &

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PROGRAM (QIP)

2020



12) ECONOMIC REFORM/STRUCTURAL CHANGES

Past reforms - 1991 LPG and its impacts

Present

o Labour Reforms

o Infrastructure reform– Road, Railway, Port, Airways

o Logistic reform – Supply chain management

o Trade liberalisation

13) PUBLIC–PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (PPP)

What is PPP?

Types of PPP models - BOT, EPC etc.

Issues with PPP models

Recommendation of Kelkar committee on PPP reform

Hybrid annuity Model

14) GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES

Subsidies

o Types of subsidies

o Impact of Subsidies

o Reform in Subsidies

Missions

o Make in India, Skill India, Start up/Stand up India, Digital India

o Critical Evaluation

15) TRADE DEALS

Bilateral- FTA

Multilateral –RCEP

Critical evaluation of India’s experience

16) INDIA AND THE GLOBAL ECONOMY

Global economy today

o Issues – Protectionism, Trade war

o Prospects – India as the fastest emerging economy

Multinational Bodies - WTO, IMF, World Bank

o Basics

o Challenges

o Reforms suggestions

17) INDUSTRIAL SECTOR

Industrial Policy in India and its effects on growth

o Industrial Policy in India: Pre 1991 Era

o Industrial Policy in India: Post 1991 Period

o National Manufacturing Policy

o Make in India.

Public sector undertakings

o The Role of Public Sector Enterprises in the Indian Economy.

o Disinvestment Policy in India.

o Categories of Public Sector Enterprises: Maharatnas; Navratnas; Miniratnas.

MAINS TEST SERIES &

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PROGRAM (QIP)

2020



Privatisation of Public Sector Enterprises

o Initial Public Offers (IPO).

o Disinvestment.

What is disinvestment?

Types of disinvestment

Issues/ challenges associated with undertaking disinvestment

Energy

o State Discoms

o Energy pricing

o UDAY scheme

Manufacturing

o National Manufacturing Policy

o Issues

o Suggestions/ reforms


discussion videos)

MT(GS)-16 Economic Development – 2 16/02/20

► UPSC SYLLABUS

Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, - different types of irrigation and irrigation

systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-

technology in the aid of farmers.

Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public

Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food

security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.

Food processing and related industries in India- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and

downstream requirements, supply chain management.

Land reforms in India.

► LIST OF THEMES (to be updated)

MAINS TEST SERIES &

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

PROGRAM (QIP)

2020



►QUESTION TAGS FOR L1 TESTS

DEFINE - Give the precise meaning of

ENUMERATE/ MENTION/ HIGHLIGHT - List out ALL the relevant points briefly (don’t get

into details). Note: Width is more important than depth.

DESCRIBE/ EXPLAIN / ELUCIDATE/ SUBSTANTIATE / ELABORATE/ ILLUSTRATE / CLARIFY

- Bring clarity by giving relevant details (reasons, illustration, data, facts, examples, etc)

ACCOUNT FOR / GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF - Provide a detailed narrative about the subject in

question

DISTINGUISH / DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN - Bring out the differences between the subjects

in question (or relationship if any between them)

COMMENT– Provide view-point or opinion on the subject in question. Conclusion is

necessary.

ANALYZE/ DISCUSS – Explore the various dimensions of the subject in detail. State clearly

the pros and cons or argue for and against. Authenticate by giving examples or

supportyour argument (or stand point) by giving evidence or reasons.Conclusion is

necessary.

Please note:

Give examples/ data wherever required to authenticate your arguments.

In Geography, draw diagrams wherever possible.

Understand the subject and demand of the question and get straight to the point.

Documents

LEVEL 1 TESTS MINI GS (16) + ESSAY (4) - Rauias · MAINS TEST SERIES & QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (QIP) 2020 Note:This test-wise list of themes will be updated weekly, a week before