Syllabus: CSE Mains General Studies Paper - I

CSE Mains General Studies Paper - I

(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)

·         Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

·         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 or contributions from different parts of the country.

·         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.

·         Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.

·         Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

·         Effects of globalization on Indian society.

·         Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

·         Salient features of world’s physical geography.

·         Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).

·         Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location - changes in critical geographical features (including waterbodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

Syllabus:CSE Mains General Studies Paper - II

CSE Mains General Studies Paper - II

(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)

·         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; 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. 

·         Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. 

·         Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.

·         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. 

·         Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector or Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. 

·         Issues relating to poverty and hunger. 

·         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. 

·         India and its neighborhood- relations. 

·         Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. 

·         Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

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

Syllabus: CSE Mains General Studies Paper - III

(Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)

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

·         Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. 

·         Government Budgeting. 

·         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.

·         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. 

·         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. 

·         Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

·         Disaster and disaster management.

·         Linkages between development and spread of extremism. 

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

·         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. 

·         Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.

·         Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Syllabus: CSE Mains General Studies Paper - IV

(Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)

This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered.

·         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 weakersections. 

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

·         Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world. 

·         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. 

·         Case Studies on above issues.

Modification in Civil Services Examination, 2013.

Modifications in Civil Services Examination, 2013

The Government has approved the following modifications in the Civil Services Examination, 2013 notified on 5.3.2013:

1. A candidate is allowed to use any one regional language from the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India or English as the medium of writing the examination.

2. Conditionality of a minimum of 25 candidates in that medium and the requirement to have that language as the medium of examination at graduation level has been dropped.

3. Furthermore, a candidate is allowed to take up literature as his/her optional subject (to be chosen from a list of 23 literature subjects – 22 of the 8th Schedule languages and English) without the conditionality of having to do his/her graduation in that language’s literature.

4. The English component (of 100 marks) from the Essay Paper has been dropped and 2 qualifying papers of 300 marks each in any Modern Indian Language(MIL) and in English have been restored. The Essay Paper is now of 250 marks to be written in the medium/language of candidate’s choice.

Now, the Civil Services Main Examination 2013 will be as under:

a. The candidates may write the examination in any one medium/language chosen from the languages listed in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India or English;

b. Paper I and II will be of qualifying nature only– one in any MIL and another in English – of 300 marks each;

c. Paper III will be the compulsory Essay Paper, with no English Comprehension test, to be written in the medium of candidate’s choice. The English component shall be dropped. Now this paper shall be of 250 marks.

d. There will be 4 compulsory papers of General Studies of 250 marks each, namely, Paper-IV (Indian Heritage & Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society), Paper-V (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations), Paper-VI (Technology, Economic Development, Bio Diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) and Paper-VII (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude).

e. Paper VIII and IX: Candidates will have to take one optional subject with 2 papers of 250 marks each. This optional subject can be selected from a list of 25 core subjects and 23 literatures (literature of 22 languages in 8th Schedule of The Constitution of India and English).

f. The personality test/interview will be of 275 marks.

MNREGA: My View

MNREGA is flagship programme of government of India and if implemented in letter and spirit then this law has potential to change, alter and revolutionize the rural quarter. The MNREGA is a flagship programme of the Government of India that guarantees employment to one adult member of the family for minimum hundred days in rural areas. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is essentially demand driven scheme which provides employment to labour. With implementation of MNREGA 2.0, it is aspired that drawbacks of earlier times will be curtailed, minimized, and will be implemented in letter and spirit.

A basis of starting of NREGA is “development economics” and can be called as “Keynesian Economics”. UPA I, came to power on slogan of “aam aadami” and had support of Communist Parties, enacted this act which essentially based on welfare principle. The Ministry of Rural Development’s (MORD) budget has increased nearly 3-fold since FY 2006-07. In FY 2012-13, MORD allocations account for 14% of GOI’s budget. In FY2012-13, MGNREGA allocations account for 36% of total MORD budget. Recently Government has announced that MNREGA will be base of second green revolution. This underlines the pivotal role of this act in all welfare schemes.

 “Ragnar Nurkse, had pointed out that capital starved over-populated countries could build “social capital” in a big way by employing the surplus labour on a variety of projects. He had listed schemes concerning irrigation, drainage, roads, railways, housing, etc. In his view, the only danger was the onset of inflation caused by the increased demand for food and other wage goods,”[1] is written by P.S.APPU is his article on MNREGA in The Hindu. India has surplus and cheap labour which by this act is used for different productive purposes such as WBM road, digging of ponds, irrigation works and plantation. These activities are creating different assets in rural areas.Thus MNREGA is the way by which employment can be generated in rural areas with durable assets. It is often claimed by critics that MNREGA is nothing but “white elephant” and public money is spend and thus money like any other social security scheme is siphoned off to large extent. On other hand, supporters of this act, ideologically left wing, always support this scheme as panacea, cure and solution for all ills of rural India.  

Facing Changed Pattern of UPSC:-

At last much waited change has been reality and thus years of speculations are ended. But now aspirants are more confused, and thinking that years of preparation are now rendered futile and unproductive.

Let me assure that your years of preparation are not wasted and will help you preparation in coming days. One should take this change in positive way, as thinking of past will hamper your studies.

One must also remember that “Change is the only constant”, and species (In our case aspirants) who swiftly adapts to changed conditions service. (Essentially UPSC also follows law of Darwin….survival of the fittest).

But one thing has been amply clear by UPSC is that general studies (GS) will carry maximum marks and aspirant has to focus more on current events, issues of national importance, history and geography in context of India and so on.

Coming years will make things more clear and those who have long term plans can employ good strategy of “wait and watch”! 

History Main Paper I Historical Sites:-

In History Optional  paper I, mapping of historical sites is very important question. Three years ago this question was supposed to be "scoring one", as mapping of sites was relatively easy. But now days sites which are asked are so unknown, that is not so scoring.

But I am enlisting different historical sites here, which are taken from syllabus of Diploma in Archaeology, conducted by archaeological survey of India. Just collect some information of these sites and be aware of geographical location of these different sites. And also do mapping from spectrum book of historical sites. But concentrate more on enlisted sites as current trend of UPSC is to ask sites related to neolithic, chalcolithic and megalithic era, or sites which are recently discovered.

IMPORTANT SITES FOR HISTORY MAIN PAPER I

UPSC preparation for Beginners- 2013

By Pooja Ranade 

Hello, I am presently preparing for UPSC and will be giving my attempt in 2013.

I will not mention all the books and magazines, because the books suggested earlier blogs are the main ones.

For a basic preparation, decide and analyze the perspective and scope of UPSC CSE. Begin by checking the GS syllabus, check earlier question papers, and understand the changing trends in papers, decide which books are needed, don’t purchase unnecessary books, but buy the essential ones, decide which subjects are going to be optional subjects depending on liking, interest and availability of guidance, check the syllabus, papers and decide its books and fix a time table for everything, which is extremely important.

CSAT Preparation: The way Ahead

How to prepare for CSAT:- By Rushikesh Dudhat 

Last year UPSC brought in a major change in civil services preliminary exam pattern by removing the optional subject and introducing a new paper 2 commonly known as CSAT. Though it caused lot of anxiety in students initially, the two preliminary examinations on new pattern gives us fair idea about paper 2. Most importantly it dispels the myth that CSAT favors students with mathematics background. In fact the number of mathematics questions in 2011 paper which were around 15, could be categorized into more of logical questions and this year, i.e. in 2012 paper the number of  mathematics question were reduced to just two.

Also a comparative analysis of paper 1 and paper 2 shows that , CSAT paper consists of 80 questions with each question carrying 2.5 marks as against 2 marks carried by each question of paper 1 (G.S.) having 100 questions. So the weightage is more to paper 2. But the number of question may vary in coming years as UPSC has not specified number of questions thus making the current pattern more dynamic.

Syllabus and Book list: History Main Exam

History optional is one of the popular optional and also a scoring subject. Because syllabus is  minutely defined, it seems that it is very vast subject. Even if we accept it as vast, it is very safe subject and well directed preparation will always fetch good marks. Lot of material is available in market because of which  confusion regarding study material is not uncommon as far as this subject is concerned. Following is the syllabus and material concerned for each topic.
 1. Sources: Archaeological sources: Exploration, excavation, epigraphy numismatics, monuments. Literary sources: Indigenous: Primary and secondary ; poetry, scientific literature, literature , literature in regional languages, religious literature. Foreign accounts: Greek, Chinese and Arab writers. IGNOU Notes of Ancient India.

Newspaper Reading for UPSC Mains Exam

Current Affairs forms a crucial aspect of Mains exams. Keeping in mind the changing nature of Mains exam; it is very crucial to be very rigorous in Current Affairs. And the best source for preparing for Mains current exam is your daily newspapers. But it is often observed that students spend too much time on reading newspapers, they are often bogged down by the sheer volume of news that one has to read. In this post I will try and give some tips about how to make newspaper reading more effective and reduce the time spent on it. 

History:- Optional Preparation

By Rugved Thakur IAS:-
The best way to prepare for any optional subject is to start with the basics. We should start by creating a strong foundation and later build on it.


The following is a step-wise guide. 

1. Familiarisation with our optional subject 
• For history, we can start our preparation by reading NCERT books of standard 7-8th onwards uptill 12th. Books till standard 10th will give us a feel of the subject.
• These books need to be read from cover to cover. It will provide a quick overview to the optional subject.

Strategy for GS Mains 2012

Preparation for GS Mains 2012

1. Dear friends with best of my wishes I would say that you  must have scored good marks in prelims paper, and you will surely writing this year's Main paper.   Here I am writing about GS Mains 2012 preparation.I am also providing booklist for the GS also. But this booklist only for aspirants appeared in CSE Prelim 2012.

2. Secondly kind of variations GS paper is having I won’t recommend reading too many books though I have provided you detailed booklist. It is now more about your understanding and analysis about the issues.

Book list for GS Mains 2012:-

Book List:- Medical Science

1.Dear Friends I attempted three mains with Medical Science as one of my optional. And i consistently scored 300 plus in every attempt. I would say every MBBS graduate think about this subject as one of the optional. But considering the technicalities of the subject i wont suggest it as a good optional for BAMS, BDS or any other field graduate.

2.Preparation for Medical Science requires around 45 days for an average medico. This period varies with ones study during graduation.
3. Medical Science also required sound understanding about applied aspect of medicine and holistic orientation. Sometime questions are asked which are very remotely related with the syllabus provided.
4.Writing an answer is same as we write during our graduation. But one should put in extra effort for diagram, flowcharts etc. This will help to score good marks in papers. Secondly don't write too many extra things it is very much advisable to write what is asked only with all possible diagrams and flowcharts. Thus SPECIFICITY is very important for writing exam.

Answer Writing for Main Exam

By Rugved Thakur IAS

Answer writing is the key to getting good marks in Main Examination. The  Main areas of concentration should be Meeting expectation of UPSC answering style and Presentation.

When an answer requires 250 words or more, it is better to prepare synoptic notes in rough. This involves quickly jotting down the main points we are to write in the answer. Arranging the points in order of importance. This gives a good structure and flow to the answer.

Selecting Optional

Selecting Optional :- 

By Rugved Thakur IAS .

Very simple advice was given to me by a retired I.A.S officer at the start of my preparation - choose only those optionals that you like. So I selected History and Public Administration.

The idea behind selecting an optional that you like is that you will have to spend more than 2 years studying it. At no point during the preparation can you get tired or bored with the optional. You do not know how long you will have to prepare for Civil Services Examination. If one requires 2-3 attempts then for each attempt one should be ready to keep reading on the optional subjects and trying to improve one's score in the optionals.

Booklist for General studies by Amrutesh Aurangabadkar AIR 10

Hello friends,
Here's a short booklist for G.S. :
History: Spectrum, NCERTs, Bipan Chandra's book
Polity: Laxmikanth, Bakshi's constitution
Geography: NCERTs, Goh Che Leong (book by Majid Hussain is equally good)
Social Issues, International Relations, Economy: newspapers and magazines
Science and Technology: Notes, Newspapers, magazines, (herad that Arihant and CST issues about the same are good, though I didnot refer these :D ;) )
Statistics: Spectrum guide

Being an economics graduate, I did not work upon it as such. Also I did a diploma in National Security and international relations...so din't have to work upon it as well....
Sociology being my optional, socila issues were covered therein..
but my focus was always on latest happenings...