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3/26/13 Mrunal [Approach] UPSC 2013 General Studies: Prelims + Mains for Civil Service IAS IPS Exam Print

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[Approach] UPSC 2013 General Studies: Prelims + Mains for Civil ServiceIAS IPS Exam

edit: March-15-2013, Government has put this controversial notification of UPSCon hold. therefore, this article is also on hold.

1. Prologue2. What is not changed?3. Prelims approach4. What about the current affairs?5. Mains Exam: Change of format6. Language, medium and literature7. GS1: Culture History Geography8. GS2: Polity, Yearbook, IR9. GS3: Economy, Environment, S&T, Agro, Disaster and Security

10. GS4: Ethics11. Personal Opinion?

Prologue

Ok, so few days back UPSC released the much awaited notification for 2013Click me. So you already know, what is changed. It is a stale news. This articleis just an overview article for future approach.Ill upload a full fledged strategy / approach / studyplan for General studies(Mains), combined with all list of topics to be prepared, resources, downloadsetc. after preliminary exam is over, because such exercise can take days andweeks. Right now, my time and energy is better utilized covering articles oncurrent affairs and aptitude relevant from prelims point of view.You too should not waste your time digging around Mains material (ordebating about the change on various online forums), because given thenumber of days left, first priority should be= reading, revision and practice forprelims.

What is not changed?

1. Age- attempt limit is not changed.

2. Age is still counted on 1st August of the given year. (rumor market said UPSC

was planning to count age on 1st Jan.)3. Vacancies are almost the same (2012: 1037 vacancies, 2013: approx. 1000)4. Mains to Interview quota is same (twice the number of vacancies. It was same

in 2011 and 2012)5. Prelims syllabus is not changed even one bit. (so the approach / strategy for

prelims remains one and same.)



Prelims approach

Approach to general studies for prelims, already given long time ago.Here is just achecklist, ask yourself:

1. Ive finished reading NCERT, NIOS, Yearbook, Laxmikanth etc. (+static topicsfrom GS Manual) multiple times. Ive rock solid command over them (or Illbe revising them often until I get rock solid command).

2. Ive tried/ will try myself with the MCQs given in GS Manual.3. For aptitude, Im doing maximum practice at night (so I dont fall asleep by

simply reading some book).

Thats Well and good, youre on right track. Now the question that bothers a lot ofcandidates:

What about the current affairs?

Current affairs itself is quite big. But for prelims, youve to concentrate only on thecurrent affairs associated with specific sectors:

High prioritycurrent affairs

1. Environment n biodiversity2. Science tech3. Polity4. Economy.5. Yearbook stuff (Government schemes/ org. etc)

Low prioritycurrent affairs

1. International relations.2. Misc.GK (Sports, awards, persons in news, books, authors

etc): Lists already given for 2012 and 13 click me

If youve been maintaining notes out of Hindu/Indianexpress past one year,thats totally awesome. Just keep doing it.But those of you, who joined the game late and or did not diligently readnewspapers/maintained notes. What to do now? Here is a firefighting tip. Doany one of the following

Option A:

Get a book called Wizards Current Affairs 2013. (they publish it every year.Please note, other publication houses also release similar books. Use whateveris easily available to you.)It doesnt guarantee UPSC is directly going to asks questions from it. But suchbook gives an overview of what happened past one year (in topicwise fashion:bilateral, sci-tech etc.)The book itself is quite thick but you dont have to prepare everything, justconcentrate on the high priority areas. Then you dig internet, standard



reference books etc. for topics that are directly indirectly related to it and arebasic in nature. For example, there is news about Libya, then you checkLibyas location in the map, its capital, its bordering nations and so on. There issome news about Eastern Dedicated freight corridor, then you dig out fromwhich states does this corridor pass through? ..Prelims is not about Ph.D.Prelims is mostly about tricky questions from very basic concepts / facts.

Option B:

hit the public library. Pick past 1 years current affairs magazines (CST,Chronicle, PD, Wizard..whatever is available).Go through the first 20-25 pages :the important national international affairsare given here.And Remaining pages of magazines is usually filler material (toppersinterviews and recycled articles on polity), you can read them if youve timeand mood.But from those first 20-25 pages, note down the exam worthy current affairs,come back home dig net +/- standard reference books as and where required.

^Please note, these option A / B are just firefighting tools. Theyd work fine forSSC, SBI type exams. But Current affairs for UPSC is a different game altogether.Thats the reason Ive always advised people to read daily newspapers and maintainnotes out of it. As a UPSC aspirant, Current affairs must be part of your dailyroutine. If you dont do it on dailybasis, thats when youve to turn to such (not soreliable) ^firefighting tools.And dont put too much of your time in current affairs, because lot of questionscome from static part (theory) too.

Another concern is regarding Cutoffs possibly getting high because IFoS and IAShave common preliminary exam. My point is: Just read revise and practice. Leaverest in the hands of God. Dont enter the exam hall with the cut off mindset ornegative marking will dig your grave.

Thats for prelims. Now lets move to Mains.

Mains Exam: Change of format

Before (upto 2012) After (2013)

Paper Marks Paper Marks

Compulsorylanguagepapers

Regional languagepaper.Marks not counted inmerit.

300 Removed 0

English Paper. Butmarksnot countedin final merit list.

300Kept but its markscounted in final meritlist.

100

Essay Yes 200 Yes 200

General 2 papers 600 4 papers (new topics 1000



Studies included)

Firstoptional

2 papers 600 2 papers 500

Secondoptional

2 papers 600 Removed 0

Interview Yes 300 Yes but marks reduced 275

total2900Merit from2300.

2075

To see the Shift, weve to make a pie chart:

Language, medium and literature

1. You can pick up literature optional ONLY if youve done graduation in it.2. You can write mains exam in regional language (Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi,

Tamil, Telugu etc.) ONLY if you have done graduation in that medium.Otherwise, youll have to write mains in Hindi / English.

3. Even if youve done graduation in a regional language (Gujarati, Tamil) butless than 25 candidates decide to write mains in that regional language, thenUPSC will order you to write mains in Hindi / English.

What is removed from general studies?

1. Statistics and data interpretation topic removed from General Studies (Mains).2. Public Health, Health education and ethical concerns regarding health-care,

medical research and pharmaceuticals topic removed. (It is no longerExplicitly mentioned under syllabus, although doesnt prevent UPSC from



asking this under GS3!)

GS1: Culture History Geography

#1: History and Culture

1. Indian culture will cover the salient aspects ofArt Forms, Literature and Architecture fromancient to modern times.

Same as usual. NIOS, IGNOUtourism studies, Spectrumbook on Culture.

2. Modern Indian history from about the middle ofthe eighteenth century until the present-significant events, personalities, issues

3. The Freedom Struggle its various stages andimportant contributors /contributions fromdifferent parts of the country.

Same as usual. Bipin Chandra+/- Spectrum +/- GS Manual.

#2: History of World

1. events from 18th century such as industrialrevolution, world wars, redrawing of nationalboundaries,

2. colonization, decolonization,3. political philosophies like communism, capitalism,

socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.

1. NCERT.2. Selective reading

of IGNOU BAHistory.

3. IGNOU MA history

#3: Socio stuff

1. Post-independence consolidation andreorganization within the country.

1. Starting point is IGNOUMSO 003 India democracy and

Development.

2. Then there is Decentmaterial scattered in IGNOUSociology, political science and

Public Administration (BA,

MA).

2. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversityof India.

3. Role of women and womens organization,population and associated issues, povertyand developmental issues, urbanization,their problems and their remedies.

4. Effects of globalization on Indian society

5. Social empowerment, communalism,



regionalism & secularism.

#4: Geography

GeneralStudies

Before change 2013

Preliminaryexam

Geography = Physical + World + India

Same

MainsGeography = only IndianGeography.

Now Geography = Physical + World + India.

Now, Lets check the syllabus of geography (general studies)

Physical Geography

Topics Comment

1. Salient features of worlds physicalgeography.

Starting point is NCERTS + GS Manual.

2. Important Geophysical phenomenasuch as earthquakes, Tsunami,Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.,

3. geographical features and theirlocation.

4. changes in critical geographicalfeatures (including water-bodies andice-caps) and in flora and fauna andthe effects of such changes.

Starting point is NCERTS + GS Manual+ NIOS biodiversity + selective readingof IGNOU Disaster Management.+Majid/Spectrum

India and World Geography

Distribution of key natural resources across the world(including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent 1. NCERTs,

2. GS Manual.3. Majid

Hussain/Spectrum

factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary,and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world(including India)

GS2: Polity, Yearbook, IR

#1: Polity + rights issue

Basic Constitution

1. Indian Constitution-historical



underpinnings,evolution, features,amendments,significant provisionsbasic structure.

2. Functions andresponsibilities of theUnion and the States,

3. Comparison of theIndian constitutionalscheme with that ofother countries

4. Parliament and StateLegislatures structure, functioning,conduct of business,powers & privilegesand issues arising outof these.

5. Structure, organizationand functioning of theExecutive and theJudiciary

6. Appointment tovarious Constitutionalposts, powers,functions andresponsibilities ofvarious ConstitutionalBodies.

7. Statutory, regulatoryand various quasi-judicial bodies

Starting point is: yes you guessed it right, thegreat M.Laxmikanth. Then DD Basu if youvetime and mood.+net digging and newspapers for new stuff e.g.right to education.Also Mrunal.org/polity

Advanced topics

1. issues and challengespertaining to thefederal structure,

2. Devolution of powers+ finances up to locallevels and challengestherein.

3. Separation of powersbetween variousorgans disputeredressal mechanismsand institutions.

4. Pressure groups and

Starting point is (again) IGNOU MSO 003. Then againlot of good stuff scattered around in IGNOU PublicAdministration, Political science and sociology.Alsonewspapers, columns, net digging from current affairspoint of view (e.g. Pressure groups > Lokpal)



formal/informalassociations and theirrole in the Polity.

5. Representation ofPeoples Act: Salientfeatures

Rights issue

1. Vulnerable sections:protections,Betterment:mechanisms, laws,institutions andBodies.

2. Vulnerable Sections:Welfare schemes.

Starting point again our good old Laxmikanth.For welfare schemes, INDIA Yearbook, list oftopics given here click me+ newspaper + official websites of respectiveministries.

Yearbook, Welfare schemes

1. Ministries andDepartmentsof theGovernment;

2. Governmentpolicies fordevelopmentin varioussections.

3. Social Sectordevelopment:Health,Education,HumanResources.

4. Poverty andhunger: Issuesrelating to

Basic functions and overview of policies given in Indiayearbook. After that, Newpapers, Yojana Kurukshetra, official

sites of respective ministries.12th Five Yearplan PDFs clickme. (they contain truckload of fodder points).

Public Administration related

1. Governance: Important aspects of2. Development processes and the development

industry3. the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and

associations, donors, charities, institutionaland other stakeholders

Respective chapters fromIGNOU BA, MA Public



4. transparency & accountability andinstitutional and other measures.

5. e-governance- applications, models,successes, limitations, and potential;

6. Citizens charters7. Role of civil services in a democracy.

Administration.

2nd ARC reports click me(selective reading).

IR / Diplomacy

1. India and its neighborhood-relations.

2. Bilateral, regional and globalgroupings and agreements involvingIndia and/or affecting Indiasinterests

3. Effect of policies and politics ofdeveloped and developing countrieson Indias interests,

4. Indian diaspora.5. Important International institutions,

agencies and fora- their structure,mandate.

Approach remains same as earlier.

Starting point is selected topics oninternational relations from IGNOUBA (Political Science) click meThen IGNOU MA (PoliticalScience) MPS 002 click me+ newspapers, magz, net diggingAndMrunal.org/diplomacy

GS3: Economy, Environment, S&T, Agro, Disaster andSecurity

For a paper worth 250 marks, UPSC has packed way too many topics here!

#1: Economy

1. Indian Economy andissues relating toplanning,mobilization ofresources, growth,development andemployment.

2. Inclusive growth andissues arising fromit.

3. GovernmentBudgeting.

12th FYP plan PDF files.Basic of budgeting is explainedin Laxmikanth, Ramesh Singh etc. But hardly any direct-static questions come in mains. So this is mostlyyearbook, IGNOU (Economics) newspaper and currentaffairs.+ Mrunal.org/economy

4. Effects of

Basic given in NCERT Class 11 economics. More canbe found in



liberalization on theeconomy.

1. IGNOU BA Economics.2. IGNOU MA Economics

5. changes in industrialpolicy and theireffects on industrialgrowth.

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

7. Investment models

Basic given in India Yearbook.Then IGNOU (Economics

BA, MA) selective reading, Newspaper columns, 12th

FYP pdfs for more fodder points.

#2: SnT + Environment

1. Science and Technology- developments and theirapplications and effects in everyday life

2. Achievements of Indians in science & technology;3. Indigenization of technology and developing new

technology.4. Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers,

robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issuesrelating to intellectual property rights.

1. Starting point isIndia Yearbook.

2. Then The HindusSci-tech portion,net digging and

3. www.Mrunal.org/snt4. +/- Spectrums

book on ScienceTech.

5. Conservation, environmental pollution anddegradation, environmental impact assessment

1. NIOS, IGNOUmaterial onEnvironment-Biodiversity.

2. India Yearbook3. Official site of

MoEF4. Newspaper

columns, Yojana,Kurukshetra.

#2: Agro

Now this is a new topic introduced in 2013.

1. Major crops cropping patterns in various parts ofthe country,

2. Irrigation: different types of irrigation andirrigation systems storage,

NCERT geography, GSManual+ MajidHussain/Spectrum etc.



3. e-technology in the aid of farmers4. Farm subsidies: Issues related to direct and

indirect farm subsidies5. minimum support prices;6. Public Distribution System- objectives,

functioning, limitations, revamping; issues ofbuffer stocks and food security;

7. Technology missions;8. Land reforms in India.

Starting point isINDIA Yearbook,List of topics givenhere: click meOfficial website ofAgriculture ministry.

9. transport and marketing of agricultural produceand issues and related constraints;

10. Animal rearing: economics of11. Food processing and related industries in India-

scope and significance, location, upstream anddownstream requirements, supply chainmanagemen

IGNOU School of

Agriculture.

Yojana-Kurukshetraold archives + newissues.click meNet digging.

Disaster

1. Disaster and disaster management.Selective reading IGNOU MPA 018

Security

1. Various Security forces andagencies and their mandate

This is given in India Yearbook. Click me for thetopicwise list

2. basics of cyber securityAlso given in India yearbook. More stuff can be foundin IGNOUs PG Law program material.click me

For the remaining topics:

1. Linkages between development and spread of extremism.2. Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal

security.3. Challenges to internal security through communication networks,4. role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges,5. money-laundering and its prevention6. border areas: Security challenges and their management7. linkages of organized crime with terrorism

^mostly newspaper and net digging.

GS4: Ethics

Lot of vague topics added. Anyways, first lets check the topics for which exactmaterial is available



Probity inGovernance:

1. Concept of publicservice;

2. Philosophical basis ofgovernance and probity;

3. Information sharing andtransparency ingovernment,

4. Right to Information,5. Codes of Ethics,6. Codes of Conduct,7. Citizens Charters,8. Work culture,9. Quality of service

delivery, Utilization ofpublic funds,

10. Challenges of corruption.

Ethics in Public Administration

1. Status and problems;2. ethical concerns and dilemmas in government

and private institutions;3. laws, rules, regulations and conscience as

sources of ethical guidance;4. accountability and ethical governance;

strengthening of ethical and moral values ingovernance;

For ^above topics, youll find content scattered in around in

1. IGNOU MPA 0112. IGNOU MPA 013

3. 2nd ARC reports.

Remaining topics

1. Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences ofEthics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and publicrelationships. Human Values lessons from the lives and teachings of greatleaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educationalinstitutions in inculcating values

2. Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thoughtand behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.

3. Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service , integrity, impartiality andnon-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, toleranceand compassion towards the weaker-sections.

4. Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application inadministration and governance.

5. Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.6. corporate governance.7. ethical issues in international relations and funding.8. +Case studies

Personal Opinion?

Father Wallace, a renowned Gujarati author and Maths Professor in St.Xaviers



College, Ahmedabad. Once a TV reporter asked him, Lot of students in class 10hate mathematics. So, What is your advice to them? I was watching TV and hopedthat hed give some awesome set of formulas that will completely demystifymathematics even for the weakest student. But all he said was:

Mitro maare Etlu j kehvaa nu ke tamne gume ke naa gume, bhanvu toh padshej!(Friends all Ive to say is, whether you like it or not, youll have to study.)

Same applies to the pattern change, you can welcome it, you can condemn it, but aslong youre in this competition business, youve to play by UPSCs rules. Anywaysfor the sake of timepass reading, here are my opinions.

Positive

Most of the General studies syllabus (mains) can be covered using IGNOU,Yearbook, Yojana Kurukshetra, newspapers etc. So atleast the reform is notheavy on your pocket (in terms of having to buy lot of new books / material).Thanks to IGNOUs material, self-study is easily possible.

Negative

Reading so many PDFs on computer screen =painful on eyes.

Uncertainty on medium

If you want to write mains in regional language, youve to pray to God that

1. you yourself clear the prelims2. Atleast 24 other people from your state clear the prelims.3. Atleast 24 of them have not done their graduation in Hindi / English

medium AND they too are planning to write mains in regional language.

Thus UPSC has created so much anxiety, uncertainty and tension among the regionalmedium candidates. Or perhaps UPSC is deliberately playing this mindgame, to makepeople pickup Hindi/English medium just to get out of that uncertainty.

Overlapping topics

Each mains paper has 3 hours duration so UPSC can take maximum two papersper day. Now, suppose today is GS1+2, then tomorrow will be GS3+4.Here comes to issue: youve to prepare similar topics again and again for twodays because of their overlapping nature. for example:

1. Social empowerment in GS1, and next day Inclusive growth for GS3.2. R.T.I, citizen-charter etc. as [Polity] topics for GS2 and next day for Ethics

under GS4.3. Role of civil services in a democracy (under GS2) and next day almost similar

thing for Ethics under GS4.



So it feels as if the topic-list is compiled in haste, and that Agro topic in GS3(+including supply chain Management!) sticks out like a sore thumb.

One Optional still kept

Instead of two, now youve to pick only one optional. Makes it difficult forsenior player to decide: which subject to keep and which one to drop.(especially when UPSC is yet to deliver marksheets for Mains 2012).UPSC should have removed both optionals. That way, people have to spend lessmoney on books / coaching + more time sparred to pursue any careerbackplan/ other exams.

Faster results

It still takes 1 year to finish the exam. Very painful especially for those whofail in mains and have to reappear in next prelims within 2-3 months.UPSC Should have converted prelims into a computer based MCQ test likeIBPS/LIC to hasten the result delivery.

On an unrelated note:

If we look at the larger picture, everyone has to give so many examssimultaneously (UPSC, State PSC, IBPS, SSC, LIC, CDS, CAPF.) Theseshould be combined into only 2-3 exams for combined recruitment into allthese jobs.

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