Double Weightage to GS Mains But When

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Kindly Check the Report HERE on Civil Services Examination Reforms. No comment for present.

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Selecting the options: A suggestive Post by S N Reddy

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I recommend that the fresh aspirants must read the post by S N Reddy, IRS (Click Here for the Post). It is nicely written in a lucid English. I believe that it will be comprehensible to everyone. Secondly, the contents relate to such queries which every new aspirant asks even if he or she is the future topper.
Mr. Reddy is quiet clear in telling that the criterion to be made basis for selection should be the interest in the subject. The different theories which are prevalent about the selection could not be easily pushed aside but even then, they are not the right basis of making selection.
Another thing, which I feel he should have emphasized is that the candidate should develop the idea of obtaining 350 plus mark in at least two paper. I mean to say, that even the General Studies Main should also be tackled with that mind set. If you are able to choose two elective options in which you can work hard to make 300 plus marks, then the result is always positive. With this criteria as a premises, the selection of options need to be based on interest than on the popular theories which he has already discussed.
Kindly Read the post of S N Reddy. It is worth reading.

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Murnal Blog

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The author of Murnal Blog himself is an aspirant. He is taking up very pertinent queries on his blog. I have subscribed to his blog. I generally do not recommend any other identity. However, in his case, I have found that he has taken up such questions and queries that are sought by new aspirants and answered them in a very effective manner.

It seems that he has been associated with a website India Officer. He has borrowed material from numerous sources especially like upscportal.com. In one of his write up, he has remarked that the people do not like to read the manuals. They require specific information. Now, it is here, that many bloggers like us are becoming useful. Before, recommending anything read the whole material yourself. Understand the requirement and then share the information. There are many e-books which I have been sharing only when some of you have approached me on phone or through email. However, in his case, as he seems to know some tweaking with html, xml and good understanding of free resources (anyhub.net, But I am bit reluctant to use every free resource on the internet), he has developed a better blog and assembled a good assortment of widgets and IT resources.

I strongly recommend that new aspirants subscribe to his blog if you are new to preparation. He takes up very pertinent questions and answer them in simple, short and effective manner. Let us hope, he continues  to blog and post with same zeal, integrity and approach.  Click HERE to REACH MURNAL 
(He seems to have good knowledge of capital market. Must be indulging in speculation and capital investment. He is from Gujarat!!! No apology to the person as it is a light hearted comment.)

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Bloggers who cleared Civil Services 2008

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First of all I welcome the 6th follower to my blog who has named himself as ab.

From the list of his following I am noting two blogs which belong to Shubhra Saxena (Alloted IAS) and Supreet Gulati (AIR 2-2008).

Read each post and whole of the blog. They are by the successful candidates and they have shown sincerity and simplicity in dealing with different aspects while giving their views about the preparation of specific subject. They are not schoolistic and demagogic. Kindly note the suggestion about dealing the General Studies papers by Shubhra Saxena. She is virtually revealing out the truths. If you get to the soul of the suggestions, then be sure, you may be next successful candidate. Remember, she says again and again that you should write and write again and again. She has emphasized upon reviewing the last year papers. They are your most important gurus and guides. If you are able to develop feel of the papers as they come, then you can easily organize your preparation in an effective manner. Otherwise, there are numerous coaching classes, magazines and whole library there to study but will that serve the purpose? You must learn to break up the structure of the paper as well as the syllabus. In case of GS, there are general guidelines. In new syllabus they have give points on which the question may be asked but even then they are very wide and extensive. Hence, the best way is to understand the last year papers as they have appeared and then try to visualize that what can be asked in the current year in light of previous questions. Rest, study her guidelines on 20 words, 50 words and 150 words questions. Similarly understand the importance of 2 marks questions, 15 marks question and for elective subjects 60 marks question. That should be the mind frame which should work behind preparing and revision of notes.

I believe after joining Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy, they may not get time to write there as they may be going on long trekking and through tight schedules of the academy(Some even there believe in slipping out. Blink). But their blogs definitely need reading by those who are already into the preparation. For freshers, they may read it but they may be able to appreciate the contents only after some experience.

Kindly note that they are not the first one as bloggers who had made it to Civil Services. I have in my Zotero Add on, some more references. It is the contents of Saxena blog which prompted me to write this post. They are not being given any special attention at all. It is just that I checked the credential of a new follower to my blog and found their reference. I went through their blog. Read five to six posts especially posts on the breakup of General Studies paper and studying strategies. They are true. Any experienced person may approve them. They have been marked out here and it is believed that those who are intelligent and capable, they will find them highly paying when put into practice.

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Current Event Portal

Current Event Portal of Wikipedia contains resources from 1997 onwards.

The candidates who have taken Political Science and International Relations as one of the option may find it highly useful.

Even the General Studies Main Candidates may find some of the articles on the portal which appear from time to time quite useful.

The Indian Newspapers also have archives. I generally use the archives of the Tribune, India. However, if the visitor visit the Current Event Portal of Wikipedia, I am sure, he/she will be attracted to the layout as well the contents of the front page itself.

No doubt I am revealing my source of information. I believe that now the approach to education is democratization of knowledge and sharing it without any hiding or restriction.

The portal can be accessed at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Current_events

Books for General Studies for 2009

In the November Issue 2008 of Civil Services Chronicle (CSC), there is a long article titled Wnna be an IAS Topper, success sutra, step-by-step. Many of its section are sincerely written. They are practical advices. One of the section has dealt exclusively with General Studies preparation. Their main argument is that there should be an integrated approach for General Studies. I believe that they suggest that preparation for General Studies should fulfill the requirement of Prelims as well as Mains. Secondly, they have stressed upon the need of keeping the target of getting 350+ in the General Studies. Thirdly, they are fair in telling that there can not be any fixed game plan for preparing the General Studies paper because anything below sun can be asked and even beyond that also. However, even then, they have suggested some good points. They are as follows.


It is very difficult to fix a syllabus for General Studies. The commission itself has not given a fixed syllabus. Therefore, the best method is to watch the last years papers analytically. Then, it is suggested that one should learn the area of his or her interest and then develop the reading around that field of knowledge. A good approach is to read fundamental basis of major subjects with the help of NCERT books. For Current affairs the best method is suggested as follows.
1. India Year Book of Publication Division. Pick chapters and then develop or gather extra material around them.
2. Adopt one or two newspaper for daily reading. It is universally accepted that The Hindu and The Times of India are the two best newspapers. One can watch on his own that they cover more issues of national interest.
3. Books published by NBT and Publication Bureau on Indian history and Culture. I am regular reader of Yojana. Each month, there is one selective theme. In November, it was the child problem and in December, it is North East states.


Then, The CSC has further suggested other books. I have not consulted them, therefore, I do not feel confident in suggesting them here. In case of foreign news, I believe apart from Frontline, the internet is a better option.


After taking up Current Affairs as one major subject of General Studies, the CSC magazine has taken Indian Polity. I accept that to whichever field you belong, you have to read DD Basu and P N Baskshi. You must understand that there are 100 marks questions in General Studies Mains and on an average there are 15 questions in Prelims. There is no other way out. In addition to that a leisure reading of NCERT books of IX, X, XI and XII is equally essential. Notes preparation is better way then to adopt some guide book.


In case of Indian Economy, there is no answer to Dutt and Sundharam or Mishra and Puri. I may add some more at a later stage but books by NCERT for class XI and XII are must. I will suggest that one should adopt Business Today or Business Standard also along with one Competition Magazine. One can develop liking for capital market in order to understand their contents but beware you may not give your self away to share market. You must remember that you are preparing for civil services and for full 18 months you have to save money only for that. The investments can be carried on with some detachments but they can be postponed for one year. It does not matter much.


Now take up the case of History. Modern History by B.L. Grover is a good approach. I believe, for that any history, which helps you to develop understanding of political history from 1707/1757 to 1947, is must. It may be a simple text book of graduation level and even that can be good. There is a book by same title by K. L. Khurana or by L. Prasad. The main idea is to develop the political history understanding before taking up the book by A. R. Desai. I think that, that will be a good way to tackle the subject. I am a history teacher and saying all this with some understanding. Finally, it goes without repetition, you have to read NCERT books from eighth to twelfth. It is must. You may not read Bipin Chandra, or other books which are being discussed, but, you have to go through them.


Now Geography is a fascinating field. The trend is not presently in its favour. In 1990s, it was Geography and Animal husbandry, which had attracted the attention. However, you have to read about it. Here, I will go with CSC suggestions.
Principles of Geography (NCERT)
Geography of India.
Land and the People NCERT. Even the books suggested for ICSE boards schools are quite helpful. I remember reading a book of ninth class for ICSE school which was publisher of Delhi, the contents were perfect material for present day trends.
Let me suggest an approach here. Make topics of NCERT books from VI to XII as the topics of preparation. Get material from the books and substantiate with the help of Wikipedia and CIA Facts books website.


Science and Technology: It is very difficult to suggest one set for it. However, as CSC has remarked, the main thrust is on basic Human anatomy, hygiene, circulatory system, human diseases, Nutrition and plus Agricultural sciences. Question of Physics, Chemistry, Technology are there but if you are not a student from science background, then it is better to adopt the established Refreshers. The CSC has given its list but I doubt, apart from reading NCERT books, one can read the whole list without the help of a person who has some understanding of science. You should have liking for the field of science. Then you can make the list of the contents of NCERT books and continue to prepare the notes. The questions are really typical. They may ask you the Light temperature of a fluorescent tube and other year may ask you about the resistance of the human body to the flow of the current. The candidates were expecting 3D technology but the commission remained satisfied with asking only about IPTV. You may prepare for CFL light buld, but it may ask about newer mode of lightening. You may prepare for 4D telecommunication, it may ask about WiMax. It is better to remain fixed with the fundamentals of the physics and chemistry than to prepare the list of the books.


I hope that those who have approached my blog with this query, and visited to one of my older list, may find the above write up useful.

Nobel Prize: Have to Prepare

Nobel Prize is being announced. They will be given on December 8. The Nobel Prize as a topic has remained a highly important topic for Preliminary examination. It has to be prepared for Prelims 2009.

In support of the above suggestion, kindly check the following link with discerning eyes.

http://generalstudiesupsc.blogspot.com/2006/06/page-five-general-studies-preliminary.html

http://generalstudiesupsc.blogspot.com/2006/05/page-one-general-studies-preliminary.html

http://generalstudiesupsc.blogspot.com/2006/05/page-two-general-studies-preliminary.html

http://generalstudiesupsc.blogspot.com/2005/06/general-studies-prelims-2004_08.html

http://generalstudiesupsc.blogspot.com/2005/06/general-studies-prelims-2004_08.html

The main conclusion is that you must prepare this topic exhaustively. For that you have to explore the whole site of Nobel Prize. Explore every link. However, you must show some caution also. There are some articles like "Why did Gandhi not get Nobel Prize?" You have to avoid such type of topics.

Similarly, another important site is that of UN. There is bound to a question on UN if we follow the previous papers. In this case also, the best place is the web site of UN. You can learn from reviewing the last years papers that in case of questions on Kofi Annan, there was a question which could be answered if one had read the website. The paper setter had virtually picked some phrases from the site itself. It can be said that he or she might have read the printed version.

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A General Message
I may not be posting regularly but my zotero is full of links which I am going to read and classify whenever I get the time. In October, there are many holidays.

Blog Bans May Not Return

Centre to issue guidelines to internet service providers: The Hindu News Update

The terrorist activity in any form, at any level and in any manner can never be defended.

There should be every effort to support, contribute and participate in any activity of the government to contain the mindset which dominates the cowardly misguided adventurism based on unfounded sanctification and justification.

However, let us hope that there may not come again a ban on some of the ISP and DNS as it had occurred earlier during 11/7 train blast of Mumbai. The Government may do everything possible to impart the citizen the sense of security and security of life. But it should also check that it may not flounder as it has done earlier while monitoring cyber space.