Sunday, August 23, 2009

>>Misconception about UPSC Civil Services Examination among students

Misconception about UPSC Civil Services Examination among students


There is general feeling amongst the aspirants that;

· The UPSC Civil Services is beyond the reach of ordinary and average students.

· UPSC discriminates against the candidates belonging to the minority community.

· UPSC discriminates against the aspirants with Hindi as their medium of examination.

· It will take years of preparation for the aspirants to clear this examination.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

>>Few of the very important facts about UPSC Civil Services examination

Few of the very important facts about UPSC Civil Services examination.

  1. It is very much within the reach of ordinary and average minds.
  2. The main paper I have one section about the statistics, which has nothing to do with the Mathematics. It is the only exam in the country which does not have any question on pure Mathematics. So those students coming from weak mathematics background would have no problem in this section.
  3. The command over the language comes with the knowledge of the subject. And the knowledge becomes easier when the dynamics of learning are put together. Here comes the role of a professionally motivated faculty.
  4. Attraction to the English is a national complex. Recent experience tells us that UPSC is mot the victim of this complex. It is more the dearth of sufficient study materials in other language. In the recent years almost 25% students had other than English language as their medium in the UPSC examination.
  5. It's takes not more than two years to qualify this examination provided that the candidates are properly guided and given a genuine direction in this regard.· Lastly, let us prove that the UPSC is not biased in selection procedure.
  6. A since early and effective coaching programme and mechanism to motivate students can produce the desired results.

>>EIGHT STEP PATH TO ACHIEVE UPSC RESULT



EIGHT STEP PATH TO ACHIEVE UPSC RESULT



>>>SELF DEDICATION AND MOTIVATION

>>>PROPER INFORMATION GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION

>>>PROPER SELECTION OF SUBJECTS

>>>RELEVANT BOOKS, MATERIALS, NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES

>>>EFFECTIVE TIME MANAGEMENT

>>>MAINTAINING PHYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH

>>>GOOD FRIENDS CIRCLE

>>>CONTACT & INTERACTION WITH QUALIFIED PERSONS

Saturday, August 15, 2009

>> MY UPSC MARKS BREAK-UP 2007-08 INTERVIEW

Name: HAMID AKHTAR UPSC Roll No. : 006821

Civil Services(Main) Examination 2007

Subject --------------------MaximumMarks-----MarksObtained
Essay(Paper III) -----------200---------------------099
G. Studies (Paper-IV) ----300---------------------219
G. Studies(Paper-V) ------300---------------------132
Optional I, History
(Paper-VI) ------------------300---------------------162
(Paper-VII) -----------------300---------------------170
Optional II, Public Administration
Paper-VIII------------------300---------------------131
Paper-IX -------------------300---------------------148
Penalty Marks ----------------------------------------0
Written Total ------------2000-------------------1061
Interview Marks ----------300---------------------210
Final Total ---------------2300--------------------1271

Remarks: Recommended.

>>MY UPSC INTERVIEW ON 10 APRIL, 2008

MY UPSC INTERVIEW
ON 10 APRIL, 2008
AT UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (UPSC) BUILDING
DHOLPUR HOUSE, SHAH JAHAN ROAD,
NEW DELHI


Mr. Balaguruswami, Chairman of the board

1. You might be feeling angry because we let you wait for a long time?
2. You don’t be angry in your life at all.
3. Tell us when you get angry?
4. In our life we do get angry sometime. Tell us when you did so?
5. You did your graduation from?
6. What was your academic subject?
7. What you are doing right now?
8. What is your hobby?
9. Your hobby of reading history books and your academic subject are same why?
10. What is your service preference?
11. Why you want to be a civil servant?
12. Which part of history you like most?

First lady member

1. Have you read only Indian history and not the world history?
2. In graduation you might have read about the world history or European history?
3. Do you know Elizabeth?
4. Why her period is famous?
5. One particular area for which her period is known for?
6. Who was the most important literary figure of her period?
7. Which segment of the ancient and medieval history you like most?
(My answer was the Gupta and Mughal period)
(She said yes Gupta period is known as golden age of the ancient India)
8. Among Mughals which ruler you like most?
9. Why you like Akbar as ruler?
10. Who were the courtiers of Akbar?
11. Which one of them was related with art?

Second member

1. Akbar’s courtiers were known by a ‘group name’. Can you tell that?
2. Presently few of the important companies are known by that name?
3. One contemporary person was very famous poet and was known for his shayari was offered services in Akbar’s court, but he decline to accept that. Can you name that person?
4. Do you know what shayari is?
5. You can come out with your guess about that person.
(I guessed Tulsidas and Surdas)
When he said no, then my answer was ‘Sorry, sir, I don’t know who was he.)
6. Do you know Ghalib?
(I said politely, but sir, he was not the contemporary of Akbar, he lived during the time of 1857 revolt and died in 1860’s)
(Other member consented)

First lady member

1. She said Ghalib lived during the time of the last Mughal ruler.
(I said yes that’s king name was Bahadur Shah Zafar.)
2. She said that he himself was famous poet.
(I consented and said he has himself written few books of shayari.)

Second member

1. After being appointed what you would like to be, Ghalib or Elizabeth?
2. Why not like Ghalib; he was a good person.
(I replied that he took life very lightly and was very humorous and was not ready to hear anybody, such qualities are not needed in an organization.)
3. How you would handle the undue pressure if it comes from your boss?
4. If you would not abide by his order he would throw you out of service.
(I replied if I would be appointed as civil servant I would get job security and no body can throw me out or dismiss me on trifling ground)
(On this the chairman of the board said smiling; your boss would certainly throw you out.)

Third member

1. Mr Hamid do you know Tawang and the controversy attached to it.
2. Which treaty is the cause of conflict, which demarcated boundaries between China and India?
3. In which year the MacMohan treaty was signed.
4. We also have problem in the Aksai Chin with china. Which treaty was signed for that area?
(I said the MacMohan line but he said it was only for the eastern area and we signed different agreement on the Aksai region)
(I replied sorry sir I don’t know about that treaty.)

Second lady member

1. Recently, we celebrated the 150th year of a particular incident. What was that incident?
2. Who was the hero of that incident?
3. One lady was also very famous. Name that lady?
4. Why there are so much controversy regarding history writing and which Indian government agency supervises such controversies?
5. Name the two historical incidents about which historians have differences?
6. Name the two historians one from ancient and other from medieval period you like most?
7. What difference you find in their writing?
8. Have you read ‘Glimpses of the World history’ and ‘Discovery of India’ written by Jawaharlal Nehru?
9. Can you tell in which form they have been written?
10. Name the daughter to whom these letters were written?
11. What is the difference between author and writer?

Second member

1. Have you gone thought the recent Union budget?
2. What are the various projects and policies?
(I replied Bharat Nirman)
3. Which is its main emphasis area?
4. What amount has been allotted for this project?
5. How many villages are in India?
(I replied sir I don’t know the exact figure of the villages in India)
6. He asked me to guess.
(I said nearly 6 lakhs of villages are in India)
7. He said if we divide 3500 crores of rupees to 6 lakhs of villages how much amount a village will get. Can that amount be sufficient for its infrastructural development?
8. Let me know other projects?
(I replied National Rural Health Mission)
9. What amount has been allotted to this project?

Third member

1. Do you know what is ‘Clash of civilization’?
2. What would be India’s position according to that book?

Mr. Balaguruswami

1. Please ask a question to me?
(My spontaneous response was ‘how was my performance sir?’)
(Chairperson laughed and said you can not ask this question?)
2. Ask another question?
(Then again I said that when I was sitting outside few of the aspirants were talking that you were former Vice Chancellor of certain university. I was unable to know the name of that university. Can you name that university?)
All started smiling along with chairman.
(Second member said that this is a personal question. Ask general question?) (Then I asked a question in regard to the inflation problem and what step government should take in the field of the monetary policy.)
3. He asked other members if they want to ask any question.
(First lady Member said she had a question)

First lady member

1. Can you tell me why out of proportion controversy has been created about Babari Masjid?
(My answer was ‘Babari Masjid controversy has been created because it is said that it was built by destroying a mandir there. But historically it is not the fact. Recently, excavation has been conducted at the place but no remains of the mandir have been found. But it is also historical fact that few of the mosques were built during medieval period using the materials of the mandirs for example the Quwwatul Islam mosque in Delhi and the Dhai Din Ka Jhopra at Ajmer.
I continued that such controversies related with these places have been attached to the Babari Mosque. But historically it is not true in Babari mosque case. Babari mosque was built by general Baqi of Babar’s period who named it on the name of the emperor. Recent out of proportion controversy has been created because the whole issue has been greatly politicised.

Mr. Balaguruswami

1. Any more questions? (all members said now its ok)
2. So, Mr. Hamid, please take out one card from the stand.
(I asked from which side I have to pick out the card)
3. Chairman said from any side you can.
(I took out the card and put before me ‘there was a sentence written on it’.)
4. Chairman asked me to read the sentence loudly and said to say few words on that.
5. The sentenced was all about as follow “Life is not all about success but the most important thing in the life is virtue”.
(I said that it’s true that in life a person has to be virtuous.)
(On this the Chairperson said ‘that means you don’t give importance to success in your life’.)
(I said that success has its own importance in our life but if we are virtuous and are on the righteous path nothing can stop us in achieving success.)

Thank you Mr. Hamid your interview is over you can go now.
I stand up and thanked the lady members and then the other members and left.

(Interview started on 4.30 p.m. and lasted for 5.00 p.m.)
(My answers were very short ans targetted)

>>Essay in the UPSC Civil Services Main examination

Essay in the UPSC Civil Services Main examination

UPSC guidelines regarding essay writing;

Candidate will be required to write an essay on a specific topic. The choice of subjects will be given. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

Generally accepted way of writing a good essay;

1. One has to comprehend the essence of the topic of the essay he/she has opted to write.

2. Candidates must have to have the required in-depth knowledge about that topic, so that his essay writing should reflect his command over the topic and on that basis while writing essay a holistic approach to the topic by the candidate can be easily conveyed to the examiner.

3. One has to structure the essay on the generally accepted pattern i.e. there has to be an introductory paragraph, in the next one/two paragraphs, the central thematic words of the topic should be dealt with, by writing the implicit meaning of the word/words. Then in the proceeding paragraphs the trunk i.e. the main body of the essay should be written. The end paragraph of the essay should enumerate the concluding remark from the side of the writer.

4. You can take the help of the quotation of the important writers, philosophers and thinkers. But such quotations should have to be in relation to the central theme of the topic.

5. Factual informations have to be the base of your analysis for the central theme of the essay. Without factual backup your essay would be like body without limbs.

6. Therefore the choice of the essay should be based on your good knowledge about the topic you have chosen. It would be only then that you would be able to process the facts with your analysis for the central theme of the essay.

7. Your essay has to be of the 1500 words, though the exact word limit is not given by the UPSC in the essay paper but you need to maintain the 1500 words in the essay paper.

8. Remember key to success in the UPSC Civil Service exam is to write the papers in a very simple language whether English, Hindi or Urdu.

9. Write the way the 12th standard student writes and always be close to the topic or the central theme of the question. Don’t go wayward; don’t be vague in your answers and in the essay.

10. You would simply be different from the others this can be achieved if
  • you are simple in writing,
  • targeted in approach,
  • pin-pointed to the central theme of the question,
  • limit the things in the required word limit and
  • finally satisfy the general quest of the examiner to know generalist approach with proper understanding of things in your writings and answers.
11. You need not to confuse yourself with extra things than what you have been suggested here. You write on the principles enumerated here which has been enumerated here on the basis of personal experience of the UPSC examination.

>>COMPULSORY ENGLISH AND INDIAN LAGUAGE IN MAIN EXAM

Compulsory English & Indian Language

The aim of the paper is to test the candidate's ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express his ideas clearly and correctly in English/Indian language concerned.

The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows :-

1. English

(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary
(iv) Short Essay

2. Indian Languages

(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essay
(v) Translation from English to the Indian language and vice-versa.

Note 1 : The Papers on Indian languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.

Note 2 : The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the respective Indian language (except where translation is involved).

>>HISTORY SYLLABUS UPSC MAIN EXAM

ANCIENT INDIA

1. Sources

Archaeological sources; excavation. Epigraphy. Numismatic. Monuments.Literary sources indigenous: Primary and secondary. Poetry. Scientific literature. Literature. Literature in regional languages. Religious literature.
Foreign accounts: Greek. Chinese and Arab writers.

2. Pre-history and Proto-history

Geographical factors. Hunting and gathering (Palaeolithic and Mesolithic) beginning of agriculture (Neolithic and Chalcolithic)

3. Indus valley civilization
Origin. Date. Extent. Characteristics. Decline. Survival and significance. Art and architecture.

4. Megalithic cultures

Distribution of pastoral and farming cultures out side the Indus. Development of community life. Settlements. Development of agriculture. Crafts. Pottery and iron industries.

5. Aryans and Vedic period

Expansions of Aryans in India. Vedic period, religious and philosophic literature. Transformation from Rig vedic period to Later Vedic period. Political, social and economical life. Significance of the Vedic age. Evolution of monarchy and Verna system.

6. Period of Mahajanapada

formation of state (Mahajanapadas), republics and monarchies. Rise of urban centers. Trade routes. Economic growth. Introduction of coinage. Spread of Jainism and Buddhism. Rise of Nandas and Magadha. Iranian and Macedonian invasions and their impact.

7. Mauryan empire

Foundation of the Mauryan empire. Chandragupta. Kautilya and Arthsastra. Asoka and concept of Dharma. Edicts. Polity. Administration. Economy. Art. Architecture and Sculpture. External contacts. Religion. Spread of religion. Literature. Disintegration of the empire. Shungas and Kanvas.

8. Post Mauryan period

(Indo Greeks. Shaka. Kushanas. Western Kshatrapas) contact with out side world. Growth of urban centers. Economy. Coinage. Development of religions. Mahayana. Social conditions. Art, architecture, culture, literature ad science.

9. Early state and society in eastern India, Deccan and South India

Kharvela. The Satvahanas. Tamil states of the Sangam age. Administration. Economy. Land grants. Coinage. Trade guilds and urban centers. Buddhist centers. Sangam literature and culture. Art and architecture.

10. Guptas, Vakatakas and Verdhans

Polity and administration. Economic conditions. Coinage of Guptas. Land grants. Decline of urban centers. Indian feudalism. Caste system. Position of women. Education and educational institutions. Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi. Literature. Scientific literature. Art and architecture.

11. Regional states during Gupta era

the Kadambas. Pallawas. Chalukyas of Badami. Polity and administration. Trade guilds. Literature. Growth of Vaishnava and Shaiva religions. Tamil Bhakti Movements. Shankaracharya. Vedanta. Institutions of temples and temple architecture. Palas, Senas, Rashtrakutas. Paramaras. Polity and administration. Cultural aspects. Arab conquest of Sindh. Al-Beruni. The Chalukyas of Kalyana. Cholas. Hoyasalas. Pandyas. Polity and administration. Local government. Growth of art and architecture. Religious sects. Institution of temples and Maths. Agraharas. Education and literature. Economy and society.

12. Themes in early India cultural history

Languages and texts. Major states in the evolution of art and architecture. Major philosophical thinkers. And schools. Ideas in science and mathematics.


MEDIEVAL INDIA

13. Early medieval India 750-1200

Polity. Major political developments in northern India and the Peninsula. Origin and rise of Rajputs. The Chola’s administration. Village economy and society. “Indian feudalism”. Agrarian economy and urban settlements. Trade and commerce. Society. The status of the Brahmans and the new social order. Condition of women. Indian science and technology.

14. Cultural traditions in India 750 -1200

philosophy Sankaracharya and Vedanta, Ramanuja and Vishishtdvaitvad, Madhva and Brahmamimansa,
religion. Forms and features of religion, Tamil devotional cult. Growth of bhakti. Islam and its arrivel in India. Sufism.
Literature. literature in Sanskrit. Growth of tamil literature. Literature in the newly developing languages. Kalhan’s rajtrangini. Alberuni’s India.
Art and architecture. Temple architecture .scupture. painting.

15. The thirteen century

the gorian invasion. Factors behind gorian success. Economic , social and cultural consequences. Foundation of delhi sultanate and Turkish. Consolidatoion. The rule of Iltutmish and bulban.

16. The fourteen century

the Khalji revolution. Alauddin Khalji. Conquest and territorial expansiojn. Agrarian and
economic measures.
Muhammad Tughlak. Major projects. Agrarian measures. Bureaucracy of Muhammad Tughlak.
Firoz Tughlak. Agrarian masures. Achievements in civil engineering and public works. Decline of the sultanate. Foreign contacts and Ibn Batuta’s account.

17. Society. Culture and Economy in the thirteen and fourteen century.

Society. Composition of rural society. Ruling calluses. Town dwellers. Women. Religious classes. Castes and Slavery under the Sultanate. Bhakti movement. Sufi Movement.
Culture. Persia literature. Literature in the regional language of north India. Literature in the languages of south India. Sultanate architecture and new structural form. painting. Evolution of a composite culture.
Economy. Agricultural production. Rise of urban economy and non agricultural productin. Trade and commerce.

18. The fifteen and early sixteen centuries-political development and economy.

Rise of provincial dynasties. Bengal. Kashmir (Zainul Abidin) Gujrat. Malwa.bahmanies.
the Vijayanagra empire
Lodhis
Mughal empire. First hase. Babar and Humayun.
The sur empire. Sher Shah’s administration.
Portuhuese colonial enterprise.
Bhakti and Sufi movement.

19. The fifteenth and early sixteenth century-siciety and culture

regional cultural specifities.
Literary traditions.
Provincial architecture.
Society. Culture. Literature and the art in Vijaya anagram empire.

20. Akbar

Conquest and consolidayion of the empire.
Stablishment of Jagir and Mansab systems.
Rajput policies.
Evolution of religious and social outlook. Theory of Sul-i-Kul and religious policy.
Court patronage of art and technology.

21. Mughal empire in the seventeen century.

Major administrative policies of Jahangir. Shahjajan and Aurangjeb.
The empire and the Zamindars.
Religious policies of Jahangir. Shahjanhan and Aurangzeb.
Nature of the Mughal state.
Late seventeen century crisis and the revolts.
The Ahom kingdom.
Shivaji and early maratha kingdom.

22. Economy and society in the sixteen and seventeen century.

Population. Agricultural production. Craft production.
Towns. Commerce with Europe through Dutch.english and French companied: a trade revolution.
Indian merchantile classes. Banking. Ensurance and Credit systems.
Condition of peasants. Condition of women.
Evolution of the sikh community and the Kalsha Panth.

23. Culure in the Mughal empire.

Persian histories and other literature.
Hindi and other religious literature.
Mughal architecture.
Mughal painting.
Provincial architecture and painting.
Classical painting science and technology.

24. The Eighteen century.

Factors for the decline of the Mughal empire.
Regional principalities. “nizams” deccan. Bengals. Awadh.
Maratha ascendationcy under the peshwas.
The Maratha ficl and financial system.
Emergence of Afgan power. Battle of Panipat 1761.
State of politics. Culture and economy on the eve of the british conquest.


PAPER-II

MODERN INDIA

1. European Penetration into India:

The Early European Settlements; The Portuguese and the Dutch; The English and the French East India Companies; Their struggle for supremacy; Carnatic Wars; Bengal -The conflict between the English and the Nawabs of Bengal; Siraj and the English; The Battle of Plassey; Significance of Plassey.

2. British Expansion in India:

Bengal – Mir Jafar and Mir Kasim; The Battle of Buxar; Mysore; The Marathas; The three Anglo-Maratha Wars; The Punjab.

3. Early Structure of the British Raj:

The early administrative structure; From diarchy to direct control; The Regulating Act (1773); The Pitt's India Act (1784); The Charter Act (1833); The voice of free trade and the changing character of British colonial rule; The English utilitarian and India.

4. Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule:

(a) Land revenue settlements in British India; The Permanent Settlement; Ryotwari Settlement; Mahalwari Settlement; Economic impact of the revenue arrangements; Commercialization of agriculture; Rise of landless agrarian labourers; Impoverishment of the rural society.
(b) Dislocation of traditional trade and commerce; De-industrialisation; Decline of traditional crafts; Drain of wealth; Economic transformation of India; Railroad and communication network including telegraph and postal services; Famine and poverty in the rural interior; European business enterprise and its limitations.

5. Social and Cultural Developments:

The state of indigenous education, its dislocation; Orientalist-Anglicist controversy, The introduction of western education in India; The rise of press, literature and public opinion; The rise of modern vernacular literature; Progress of science; Christian missionary activities in India.

6. Social and Religious Reform movements in Bengal and Other Areas:

Ram Mohan Roy, The Brahmo Movement; Devendranath Tagore; Iswarchandra Vidyasagar; The Young Bengal Movement; Dayanada Saraswati; The social reform movements in India including Sati, widow remarriage, child marriage etc.; The contribution of Indian renaissance to the growth of modern India; Islamic revivalism – the Feraizi and Wahabi Movements.

7. Indian Response to British Rule:

Peasant movements and tribal uprisings in the 18 th and 19 th centuries including the Rangpur Dhing (1783), the Kol Rebellion (1832), the Mopla Rebellion in Malabar (1841-1920), the Santal Hul (1855), Indigo Rebellion (1859-60), Deccan Uprising (1875) and the Munda Ulgulan (1899-1900); The Great Revolt of 1857 - Origin, character, causes of failure, the consequences; The shift in the character of peasant uprisings in the post-1857 period; the peasant movements of the 1920s and 1930s.

8. Factors leading to the birth of Indian Nationalism;

Politics of Association; The Foundation of the Indian National Congress; The Safety-valve thesis relating to the birth of the Congress; Programme and objectives of Early Congress; the social composition of early Congress leadership; the Moderates and Extremists; The Partition of Bengal (1905); The Swadeshi Movement in Bengal; the economic and political aspects of Swadeshi Movement; The beginning of revolutionary extremism in India.

9. Rise of Gandhi;

Character of Gandhian nationalism; Gandhi's popular appeal; Rowlatt Satyagraha; the Khilafat Movement; the Non-cooperation Movement; National politics from the end of the Non-cooperation movement to the beginning of the Civil Disobedience movement; the two phases of the Civil Disobedience Movement; Simon Commission; The Nehru Report; the Round Table Conferences; Nationalism and the Peasant Movements; Nationalism and Working class movements; Women and Indian youth and students in Indian politics (1885-1947); the election of 1937 and the formation of ministries; Cripps Mission; the Quit India Movement; the Wavell Plan; The Cabinet Mission.

10. Constitutional Developments in the Colonial India between 1858 and 1935

11. other strands in the national movement

The Revolutionaries: Bengal, the Punjab, Maharashtra, U.P, the Madras Presidency, Outside India
The Left; The Left within the Congress: Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, the Congress Socialist Party: the Communist Party of India, other left parties.

12. Political separatism

The Muslim League; the Hindu Mahasabha; Communalism and the politics of partition; Transfer of power; Independence

13. Consolidation as a nation

Nehru's Foreign Policy; India and her neighbours (1947-1964); The linguistic reorganisation of States (1935-1947); Regionalism and regional inequality; Integration of Princely States; Princes in electoral politics; the Question on National Language

14. Caste and ethnicity after 1947;

Backward castes and tribes in post-colonial electoral politics

15. Economic development and political change ;

Land reforms; the politics of planning and rural reconstruction; Ecology and environmental policy in post - colonial India; Progress of science.


MODERN WORLD

16. Enlightenment and Modern ideas:

Major ideas of Enlightenment: Kant, Rousseau
Spread of Enlightenment in the colonies
Rise of socialist ideas (up to Marx); spread of Marxian Socialism.

17. Origins of Modern Politics:

European States System.
American Revolution and the Constitution.
French revolution and aftermath, 1789-1815.
American Civil War with reference to Abraham Lincoln and the abolition of slavery.
British Democratic Politics, 1815-1850; Parliamentary Reformers, Free Traders, Chartists.

18. Industrialization:

English Industrial Revolution: Causes and Impact on Society
Industrialization in other countries: USA, Germany, Russia, Japan
Industrialization and Globalization.

19. Nation-State System:

Rise of Nationalism in 19th century.
Nationalism: state-building in Germany and Italy
Disintegration of Empires in the face of the emergence of nationalities across the world.

20. Imperialism and Colonialism:

South and South-East Asia
Latin America and South Africa
Australia
Imperialism and free trade: Rise of neo-imperialism

21. Revolution and Counter-Revolution:

19th Century European revolutions.
The Russian Revolution of 1917-1921
Fascist Counter-Revolution, Italy and Germany.
The Chinese Revolution of 1949

22. World Wars:

1st and 2nd World Wars as Total Wars: Societal implications
World War I: Causes and consequences
World War II: Causes and consequence
The World after World War II:

23. Emergence of two power blocs.

Emergence of Third World and non-alignment
UNO and the global disputes.
Liberation from Colonial Rule:
Latin America-Bolivar
Arab World-Egypt
Africa-Apartheid to Democracy
South-East Asia-Vietnam

24. Decolonization and Underdevelopment:

Factors constraining development: Latin America, Africa Unification of Europe:
Post War Foundations: NATO and European Community
Consolidation and Expansion of European Community European Union.

25. Disintegration of Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World:

Factors leading to the collapse of Soviet communism and the Soviet Union, 1985-1991
Political Changes in Eastern Europe 1989-2001.
End of the cold war and US ascendancy in the World as the lone superpower.

Friday, August 14, 2009

>>BOOKS FOR UPSC HISTORY PRELIM and MAIN EXAMINATION :

ANCIENT INDIA

1 NCERT (11th)
2 IGNOU booklet (GRADUATE LEVEL)
3 The Advanced History of India - Majumdar, Raychaudhuri & Datta
4 The wonder that was India - A. L Basham
5 Ancient India in historical outline (Revised and enlarged edition - 98) - D.N. Jha
6 Mauryan : Asoka and the decline of Mauryan empire - Romila Thapar

MEDIEVAL INDIA

1 NCERT (11th)
2 The Advanced History of India - Majumdar, Raychaudhuri & Datta
3 Social life and cultural life of both Delhi Sultanate and Mughal India - J.L. Mehta
4 A history of South India - K. A. Nilakanta Shastri
5 IGNOU material (specially on agriculture and agrarian relations and culture)
6 Medival India - Volume I & II Satish Chandra
7 Wonder that was India – S. A. A. Rizvi

MODERN INDIA

1 NCERT (12th)
2 A new look into the modern Indian history - B.L Grover
3 Freedom struggle - Bipin Chandra, Varun Dey and Amlesh Tripathy (NBT)
4 India's struggle for independence - Bipin Chandra
5 Modern India - Sumit Sarkar
6 IGNOU material
7 Freedom Struggle - Bipin chandra NCERT VIII, IX, X,XI,XII History

For overall subject coverage:
1. Indian History guide- Krishna Reddy
2. Competition Wizard Workbook.
3. IGNOU Material

>>History Syllabus for Preliminary Examination

History Syllabus for Preliminary Examination

Section-A

1. Prehistoric cultures in India

2. Indus Civilization. Origins. The Mature Phase: extent, society, economy and culture. Contacts with other cultures.Problems of decline.

3. Geographical distribution and characteristics of pastoral and farming communities outside the Indus region, from the neolithic to early iron phases.

4. Vedic society. The Vedic texts; changefrom Rigvedic to later Vedic phases. Religion; Upanishadic thought. Political and social organisation; evolutuion of monarchy and varna system.
5. State formation and urbanization, from the mahajanapadas to the Nandas. Jainism and Buddhism. Factors for the spread of Buddhism.

6. The Mauryan Empire. Chandragupta; Megasthenes. Asoka and his inscriptions; his dhamma, administration, culture and art. The Arthasastra.

7. Post-Mauryan India, BC 200- AD 300. Society: Evolution of jatis. The Satavahanas and state
formation in Peninsula. Sangam texts and society. Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Parthians, Kushanas; Kanishka. Contacts with the outside world. Religion : Saivism, Bhagavatism, Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism; Jainism; Culture and art.

8. The Guptas and their successors (to c. 750 AD). Changes in political organisation of empire. Economy and society. Literature and science. Arts. Section-B

9. Early Medieval India. Major dynasties; the Chola Empire. Agrarian and political structures. The Rajaputras. Extent of social mobility. Postition of women. The Arabs in Sind and the Ghaznavides.

10. Cultural trends, 750-1200, Religious conditions : importance of temples and monastic institutions; Sankaracharya; Islam; Sufism. Literature and Science. Alberuni’s "India". Art and architecture.

11-12. Thirteenth and fourteenth Centuries: Ghorian invasions causes and consequences. Delhi Sultanate under the "Slave" Rulers. Alauddin Khalji : Conquests; administrative, agrarian and economic measures. Muhammad Tughlug's innovations. Firuz Tughluq and the decline of the Delhi Sultanate. Growth of commerce and urbanization. Mystic movements in Hinduism and Islam. Literature. Architecture, Technological changes.

13. The fifteenth and early 16th Century : major Provinicial dynasties; Vijaya-nagara Empire. The Lodis, First phase of the Mughal Empire: Babur, Humayun. The Sur empire and administration. The Portuguese. Montheistic movements: Kabir; Guru Nanak and Sikhism; Bhakti. Growth of regional literatures. Art and Culture.

14-15. The Mughal Empire , 1556-1707. Akbar: conquests, administrative measures, jagir and mansab systems; policy of sulh-i-kul. Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb : expansion in the Deccan; religious policies. Shivaji. Culture: Persian and regional literatures. Religious thought: Abul Fazl; Maharashtra dharma. Painting. Architecture. Economy: conditions of peasants and artisans, growth in trade; commerce with Europe. Social stratification and status of women.

16. Decline of Mughal Empire, 1707-61. Causes behind decline. Maratha power under the Peshwas. Regional states. The Afghans. Major elements of composite culture. Sawai Jai Singh, astronomer. Rise of Urdu language. Section-C

17. British expansion : The Carnatic Wars, Conquest of Bengal. Mysore and its resitance to British expansion: The three Anglo-Maratha Wars. Early structure of British raj: Regulating and Pitt's India Acts.

18. Economic Impact of the British Raj : Drain of Wealth (Tribute); land revenue settlements (zamindari, ryotwari, mahalwari); Deindustrialisation; Railways and commercialisation of agriculture; Growth of landless labour.

19. Cultural encounter and social changes: Introduction of western education and modern ideas. Indian Renaissance, social and religious reform movements; growth of Indian middle class; The press and its impact: rise of modern literature in Indian languages. Social reforms measures before 1857.

20. Resistance to British rule : Early uprisings; The 1857 Revolt- causes, nature, course and consequences.

21. Indian Freedom struggle-the first phase: Growth of national consciousness; Formation of Associations; Establishment of the Indian National Congress and its Moderate phase;- Economic Nationalism; Swadeshi Movement; The growth of "Extremism" and the 1907 split in Congress; The Act of 1909 - the policy of Divide and Rule; Congress-League Pact of 1916.

22. Gandhi and his thought; Gandhian techniques of mass mobilisation- Khilafat and Non Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience and Quit India Movement; Other strands in the National Movement-Revolutionaries, the Left, Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army.

23. Separatist Trends in Indian nationalist politics- the Muslim League and the Hindu Mahasabha; The post -1945 developments; Partition and Independence.

24. India independent to 1964. A parliamentary, secular, democratic (republic the 1950 Constitution). Jawaharlal Nehru's vision of a developed, socialist society. Planning and state-controlled industrialization. Agrarian reforms. Foreign policy of Non-alignment. Border conflict with China and Chinese aggression.

>>Political Science and International Relations Syllabus Main examination

Political Science and International Relations

PAPER - I

Political Theory and Indian Politics:

1. Political Theory: meaning and approaches.

2. Theories of the State: Liberal, Neo-liberal, Marxist, Pluralist, Post-colonial and feminist.

3. Justice: Conceptions of justice with special reference to Rawl's theory of justice and its communitarian critiques.

4. Equality: Social, political and economic; relationship between equality and freedom; Affirmative action.

5. Rights: Meaning and theories; different kinds of rights; concept of Human Rights.

6. Democracy: Classical and contemporary theories; different models of democracy – representative, participatory and deliberative.

7. Concept of power:hegemony, ideology and legitimacy.

8. Political Ideologies: Liberalism, Socialism, Marxism, Fascism, Gandhism and Feminism.

9. Indian Political Thought : Dharamshastra, Arthashastra and Buddhist traditions ; Sir
Syed Ahmed Khan, Sri Aurobindo, M.K. Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, M.N. Roy .

Paper - II

Comparative Politics and International Relations

Section-A

Comparative Analysis and International Politics

1. Approaches to the study of comparative politics : traditional approaches; political economy, political sociology or political system approaches; Nature of political process in the Third World.

2. The Modern State : Evolution, the contemporary trends in the advanced industrial countries and the third world.

3. Development : Strategies and contemporary discourse.

4. Concepts of International politics : Power, national interest, balance of power, national security, collective security and peace.

5. Theories of International politics Marxist, Realist, Systems, Decision-making and Game Theory.

6. Determinants of foreign policy : Domestic compulsions, geopolitics, geoeconomics and global order.

7. Origin and contemporary relevance of the Cold War, nature of the post-cold war global order.

8. Major issues of world politics : Cuban Missile Crisis; Vietnam War, Oil Crisis, Afghan Civil War, Gulf War, Collapse of the Soviet Union, Yugoslav Crisis.

9. Non-alignment : Concept and movement; Third World Movements for global justice, Non-alignment in the post cold war era.

10. The evolution of the international economic system-from Bretton woods to WTO, the North-South dimension.

11. International organisations UN and its specialized agencies : International Court of Justice; ILO, UNICEF, WHO UNESCO.

12. Regional organizations such as the ASEAN, APEC, EU, SAARC, NAFTA

13. Contemporary Global Concerns : Democracy, Human Rights, Ecology, Gender Justice,
Global commons, Communication.

Section-B

India and the World

1. Indian Foreign Policy : Historical origins, determinants; the institutions of policy-making; continuity and change.

2. India and the Non-Alignment Movement : Evolution and contemporary relevance. Socio- political basis of non-alignment-domestic and global.

3. Major issues in Indian foreign policy : Sino-Indian Border War (1962); Indo-Pakistan War (1971) and the liberation of Bangladesh; IPKF in Sri Lanka; India as military nuclear power (1998).

4. Conflict and co-operation in South Asia : India's relations with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal. Regional co-operation and SAARC. Kashmir question in India's foreign policy.

5. India's relation with Africa and Latin America.

6. India and South East Asia; ASEAN.

7. India and the major powers : USA, EU, China, Japan and Russia.

8. India and the UN System : India's role in UN Peace Keeping and global disarmament.

9. India and the emerging international economic order; multilateral agencies-WTO, IMF, IBRD, ADB.

10. India and the question of nuclear weapons : NPT and CTBT.

>>Public Administration syllabus for Main exam

PAPER I

1. Administrative Theory;

Introduction meaning and scope of Public Administration. Wilson’s vision of Public Administration. Evolution of the discipline and its recent status. New Public Administration. Public Choice Approach. Challenges of liberalization, privatization, globalization. Good Governance: concept and application. New Public Management.

2. Administrative Thought

Scientific management and scientific management movement. Classical theory. Weber’s bureaucratic model-its critics and post Weberian development. Dynamic administration (Mary Parker Follett). Human relations school (Elton Mayo and Others). Functions of the executives (C.I. Bernard). Simon’s decision making theory. Participative management (R. Likert, C.R. Argyris, D. McGregor)

3. Administrative Behaviour

Process and techniques of decision making. Communication, Morale, Motivation theory-content, process and contemporary; Theories of leadership: traditional and modern.

4. Organizations

Theories-systems contingency. Structure and forms: Ministries and Departments. Corporations. Companies. boards and Commissions. Ad-hoc and Advisory body. Headquarter and field relationship. Regulatory Authorities. Public-private partnership.

5. Accountability and Control

Concepts of accountability and control. Legislative, Executive and Judicial control over administration. Citizen and administration. Role of media, interest groups. Voluntary organization. Civil Society. Citizen’s Charters. Right to information. Social audit*.

6. Administrative Law

Meaning scope and significance. Dicey on administrative law. Delegated legislation. Administrative tribunals

7. Comparative Public Administration

Historical and sociological factors affecting administrative systems. Administration and politics in different countries. Current status of Comparative public administration. Ecology and administration. Riggsian model and their critique.

8. Development Dynamics

Concepts of development. Changing profile of development administration. Anti development thesis*. Bureaucracy and develop
ment. Strong state Vs the market debate. Impact of liberalization on administration in developing countries. Woman and development-the self help group movement.

9. Personnel Administration

Importance of human resource development. Recruitment. training. career advancement. position classification. Discipline. Performance appraisal. Promotion. Pay and service condition. Employer-employee relation. Grievance redressal mechanism. Code of conduct. Administrative ethics.

10. Public Policy

Models of policy-making and their critique. Process of conceptualization. Planning. Implementation. Monitoring. Evaluation and review and their limitation. State theories and Public policy formulation.

11. Techniques of Administrative Improvements

Organizations and methods. Work study and work management. E-governance and information technology. Management tools like network analysis .MIS. PERT. CPM*.

12. Financial Administration

Monetary and fiscal policies. Public borrowing and public debt budget-types and forms. Budgetary processes. Financial accountability. Accounts and audit.


PAPER II

1. Evolution of Indian Administration

Kautilya’s Arthsastra. Mughal administration. Legacy of British rule in politics and administration-Indianization of public services. Revenue administration. District administration. Local self government.

2. Philosophical and Constitutional Framework of government

Salient features and value premises. Constitutionalism. Political culture. Bureaucracy and democracy. Bureaucracy and development.

3. Public Sector undertakings

Public sector in modern India. Forms of public sector undertaking. Problems of autonomy accountability and control. Impact of liberalization and privatization.

4. Union Government and Administration

Executive. Parliament. Judiciary-structure. Functions. Work processes. Recent trends. Intergovernmental relations. Cabinet secretariat. Prime minister’s office. Central secretariat. Ministries and departments. Boards. Commissions. Attached offices. Field organizations.

5. Plans and Priorities

Machineries of planning. Role. Composition and function of Planning commission and National Development Council. Indicative planning. Process of plan formulation at union and state levels. Constitutional amendments (1992) and decentralized planning for economic development and social justice

6. State Government and Administration

Union-state administrative, legislative and financial relations. Role of the finance commission. Governor. Chief minister. Council of ministers. Chief secretary. State secretariat. Directorates.

7. District Administration since Independence

Changing role of the collector. Union-state-local relations. Imperatives of development management and law and order administration. District administration and democratic decentralization.

8. Civil Services

Constitutional position. Structure. Recruitment. Training and capacity building. Good governance initiatives. Code of conduct and discipline. Staff association. Political rights. Grievance redressal mechanism. Civil service neutrality. Civil service activism*.

9. Financial Management

Budget as a political instrument. Parliamentary control of public expenditure. Role of finance ministry in monetary and fiscal area. Accountings techniques. Audit. Role of Controller General of accounts and Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

10. Administrative Reforms since Independence

Major concerns. Important committees and commissions. Reforms in financial management and human resource development problems of implementation.

11. Rural Development

Institutions and agencies since independence. Rural development programmes: foci and strategies. Decentralization and Panchayati Raj; 73rd constitution al amendments.

12. Urban Local Government

Municipal governance: main features, structures. Finance and problems areas; 74th constitutional amendment; global debate; new localism; development dynamics. Politics and administration with special reference to city management.

13. Law and Order Administration

British legacy. National police commission. Investigative agencies. Role of central and state agencies including Para-military forces in maintenance of law and order and countering insurgency and terrorism. Criminalization of politics and administration. Police public relation. Reforms in police.

14. Significant Issues in Indian Administration

Values in public service. Regulatory commissions. Problems of administration in coalition regime*. Citizen administration interface. Corruption and administration. Disaster management*.

>>PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REFERENCE BOOKS FOR PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION :

1. Indian Administration - Ramesh K. Arora & Rajni Goyal.
2. Indian Administration - S.R. Maheswari.
3. Administrative Theory - Avasti & Avasti
4. Public Administration - Avasti & Maheswari.
5. Administrative Thinkers - R. Prasad and Prasad.
6. Administrative Thinkers - S.R. Maheswari.
7. Public Administration - Sadan and Sharma
8. Local Government - S.R. Maheswari.
9. New Horizons of Public Administration - Mohit Bhattacharya.
10. Public Administration Theory and concepts - Rumki Basu
11. Public Administration (Manual) (TATA MC Graw Hill) - Laxmikanth.
12. SUBHASH KASHYAP
(OUR CONSTITUTION)
(OUR PARLIAMENT)
13. P.M. BAKSHI(FOR ARTICLE WISE STUDY OF THE NDIAN CONSTITUTION)
14. IJPA articles on relevant topics
15. Current News Papers

SYLLABUS:- syllabus for any exam is of prime importance. Without going through the syllabus one can not understand the nature of examination and the area to be covered for that purpose. So proper understanding of the syllabus is the first step towards success.

QUESTION BANK:- Go through the last ten years question seriously for Prelim and Main exams both. And on the last five years question you need to have a research on them. This means you need to identify
· Why that question has been asked?
· What is the nature of the question asked?
· What is the background of that question?
· From which source this question has been taken out?Once these informations are clear in your mind your task of preparing for the examination would be greatly simplified. Your first task has to be to go thorough the syllabus and then topic wise study of the question bank. It would be only after that you can proceed with wide ranging, intensive as well as extensive study for the examination.

>>Public Administration Syllabus for Preliminary Examination

Public Administration Syllabus for Preliminary Examination

1. Introduction :

Meaning, scope and significance. Evolution and status of the discipline. Comparative Public Administration and Development Administration. Public and Private Administration: State versus market debate. New Pubic Administration. New Public Management perspective.

2. Basic concepts and principles :

Organisation, hierarchy, Unity of command, Span of control, Authority and Responsibility, Co-ordination, Centralization and Decentralization, Delegation, Supervision, Line and Staff.

3. Theories of Administration :

Scientific Management (Taylor and the Scientific Managment Movement), Classical Theory (Fayol, Urwick, Gulick and others) Bureaucratic Theory (Weber and his critics). Ideas of Mary Parker Follett and C.I. Barnard; Human Relations School (Elton Mayo and others). Behavioral Approach, Systems approach.

4. Administrative Behaviour :

Decision making with special reference to H. Simon, communication and control, leadership theories. Theories of motivation (Maslow and Herzberg)

5. Accountability and Control :

The concepts of Accountability and control : Legislative, executive and judicial control. Citizen and Administration: Role of civil society, people's participation and Right to Information.

6. Administrative Systems :

Comparative administrative features of USA, Great Britain, France and Japan.

7. Personnel Administration :

Role of Civil Service in developing societies; position classification, Recuritment, Training, Promotion, Pay and Service conditions. Relations with the Political Executive; Administrative Ethics.

8. Financial Administration :

Budget: Concepts and forms. Formulation and execution of budget, deficit financing and public debt, Accounts and Audit.

9. Union Government and Administration in India. British legacy :

Constitutional context of Indian Administration; The President, Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers; Central Secretariat; Cabinet Secretariat, Prime Minister's Office, Planning Commission; Finance Commission; Election Commission; Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. Public enterprises: Patterns, role performance and impact of liberalization.

10. Civil Services in India :

Recruitment to All India and Central Services. Union Public Service Commission; Training of Civil Servants. Generalists and Specialists. Minister-Civil Servant relationship.

11. State and District Administration :

Governor, Chief Minister, Secretariat, Chief Secretary, Directorates, District Collector: changing
role.

12. Local Government :

Panchayati Raj and Urban local Government: Main features, structures, finances and problem areas. 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendements.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

>>Toppers' Marks - Civil Service Mains Examination 2003 Rank wise

Subject----Max. Marks--1st Rank--3rd Rank--6th Rank--7th Rank
Essay----------200-----------125-------132-------119-------108
G S-Paper I----300-----------192-------197-------179-------154
G S-Paper II---300-----------147-------164-------180-------127
Opt I-Paper I--300-----------173-------173-------165-------174
Opt I-Paper II-300-----------180-------171-------180-------183
Opt II-Paper I-300-----------190-------166-------181-------205
Opt II-Paper II-300----------157-------191-------200-------185
Interview-------300----------230------180-------174--------201
Total marks--2300---------1394-----1374------1338------1337

>>Percentage of Marks obtained by UPSC Toppers during 2003 upsc exam:

Subject --------Max Marks--1st Rank--3rd Rank--6th Rank--7th Rank
Essay -----------100 --------62.50 ----66.00 -----59.50 -----54.00
G.S - Paper I ---100 --------64.00 -----65.67 ------59.67 -----51.33
G.S - Paper II---100 -------49.00 -----54.67 ------60.00 -----42.33
Opt I-Paper I---100 --------57.67 -----57.67 ------55.00 -----58.00
Opt I-Paper II--100 --------60.00 ----57.00 ------60.00 -----61.00
Opt II-Paper I -100 --------63.33 -----55.33 ------60.33 -----68.33
Opt II-Paper II-100 --------52.33 ----63.67 -------66.67 -----61.67
Interview -------100 --------76.67 ----60.00 ------58.00 -----67.00
Total marks ----100 --------60.61 ----59.74 -------58.17 -----58.13

>>SYLLABUS UPSC GENERAL STUDIES PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION

SYLLABUS UPSC GENERAL STUDIES PRELIMINARY
TOPICs
GENERAL AREA TO BE COVERED
1. General science

Questions on General science will cover general appreciation and understanding of science including matters of every day, observation and experience, as may be expected of a well educated person, who has not made a special study of any particular scientific discipline.

2. Current events of national and international importance

In current events knowledge of significant national and international events will be tested.

3. History of India and Indian national movement

In history of India emphasis will on broad general understanding of the subjects it its social economic and political aspects. Questions on the Indian national movement will relate to the nature and character of nineteenth century resurgence, growth of nationalism and attainment of independence.

4. Indian and world geography

In geography emphasis will be on geography of India. Questions on the geography of India will relate to physical social and economic geography of the country, including the main features of the Indian agricultural and natural resources.

5. Indian polity and economy

Questions on Indian polity and economy will taste knowledge of the country’s political system and constitution of India, Panchayati Raj, social system and economic developments of India.

6. General mental ability

On general mental ability the candidates will be tested on reasoning and analytical abilities.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

>>REFERENCE BOOKS/STUDY MATERIALS FOR UPSC PRELIM AND MAIN EXAMINATION

PAPER-I
(TOTAL FOUR TOPICS)
1.HISTORY AND CULTURE
· Dr TARA (CULTURE)
· SPECTRUM
· NCERT 9TH 10TH 11TH 12TH
· Tata McGraw Hill GS MANUAL

2. GEOGRAPHY
· NCERT 11TH, 12TH
· GOHCHENG LEONG
· ATLAS
· Tata McGraw Hill GS MANUAL

3. POLITY
· SUBASH KASHYAP
(OUR CONSTITUTION)
(OUR PARLIAMENT)
· P.M. BAKSHI
· NCERT 11th &12th
· Tata McGraw Hill GS MANUAL
· INDIAN POLITY BY LKSHAMIKANT

4. SOCIAL ISSUES
· WIZARD CURRENT AFFAIRS
· Tata McGraw Hill GS MANUAL

PAPER-II
(TOTAL FIVE TOPICS)
1. INDIA AND THE WORLD
· WIZARD CURRENT AFFAIRS
· NCERT (CONTEMPORARY WORLD POLITICS)
· Tata McGraw Hill GS MANUAL

2. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
· WIZARD CURRENT AFFAIRS
· Tata McGraw Hill GS MANUAL

3. ECONOMY OF INDIA AND WORLD
· WIZARD CURRENT AFFAIRS
· ECONOMIC SURVEY
· NCERT
· PARTIYOGOTA DARPAN (ECONOMY SPECIAL)
· Tata McGraw Hill GS MANUAL


4. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
· WIZARD CURRENT AFFAIRS
CMPUTER TERMINOLOGY
· TWO MARKERS WIZARD MAGAZIN COLLECTION
· Tata McGraw Hill GS MANUAL

5. STATISTICS
· SPECTRUM
Tata McGraw Hill GS MANUAL

>UPSC SLLYBUS PRELIMINARY + MAIN
· EMPLOYMENT NEWS (December)
>QUESTION BANK PRELIMINARY + MAIN
· ARIHANT
>CURRENT AFFAIRS BEFORE PT AND MAIN
· WIZARD CURRENT AFFAIRS
>MAP (Any of the following)

LONGMAN or OXFORD or TTK

INDIA YEAR BOOK
· GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION
YEAR BOOK
· MANORAMA
MONTHLY MAGAZINE
· CHRONICAL OR WIZARD OR PRATIYOGITA DARPAN
NEWSPAPERS
· THE HINDU (ENGLISH)
HINDUSTAN/NAVBHARAT TIME (HINDI)
TWO MARKERS
WIZARD MAGAZINES EXTRACTS
PRELIM SCIENCE=NCERT 9TH, 10TH, 11TH, 12TH
PRELIM MENTAL ABILITY=LAST YEARS Q.

>>SYLLABUS FOR THE GENERAL STUDIES MAIN EXAMINATION

Syllabus for the General Studies Main

General guidelines
Nature and standard of question in the General Studies papers will be such that a well educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized studies. Questions will be such as to taste candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects which will have relevance in a career in Civil Services. Question are likely to taste the candidates basic understanding of all relevant issues and abilities too analyze and take a view on conflicting socio-economic goal, objectives and demands. The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answer.

Paper I

1. History of Modern India and Indian culture

The history of Modern India will cover the history of the country from about middle of nineteenth century and could also include questions on important personalities who shaped the freedom movement and social reforms. The part relating to Indian culture will cover all aspects of Indian culture from the ancient to modern times as well as principal features of literature, arts and architecture.

2. Geography of India

In this part questions will be on the physical economic and social geography of India.

3. Constitution of India and Indian polity

This part will include questions on constitution of India as well as all constitutional, legal, administrative and other issues emerging from the politico-administrative system prevalent in the country.

4. Current National issues and Topic of social relevance

This part is intended to taste the candidate’s awareness of current national issues and topics of social relevance in present day India, such as the following
The Indian economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Issues arising from the social and economic exclusion of large section from the benefits of development.
Other issues relating to the development and management of human resource.
Health issues including the management of the public health, health education and ethical concerns regarding health care, medical research and pharmaceutical.
Law enforcement, internal security and related issues such as the preservation of the communal harmony.
Issues relating to good governance and accountability to the citizens including the maintenance of the human rights and of probity in public life.
Environment issues, ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources and national heritage.

Paper II

1. India and the world

This part will include questions to taste candidate’s awareness of India’s relationship with the world in various spheres such as the following;
Foreign affairs with special emphasis on India’s relations with neighbouring countries and in the region
Security and defense related matters, nuclear policy and issues and conflicts.
The India Diasporas and its contribution to India and the world

2. India’s economic interaction with the world.

In this part the questions will be on economic and trade issues such as foreign trade, foreign investment, economy and diplomacy, issues relating to oil, gas and energy flows, the role and function of IMF, World Bank, WIPO etc. which influence in India’s economic interaction with other countries an international institutions.

3. Developments in the fields of Science and Technology, IT and space.

In this part question will taste the candidate’s awareness in the fields of science and technology, information technology, space and basic ideas about computers, robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology and related issues regarding intellectual property rights.

4. International affairs and institutions

This part will include questions on important event in world affairs and on international institutions.

5. Statistical analysis, graphs and diagram

This part will taste the candidate’s ability to draw conclusion from information presented in statistical, graphical or diagrammatical form and to interpret them.

Friday, August 7, 2009

>>PLAN OF UPSC EXAMINATION

UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION
(WEB SITE: http://www.upsc.gov.in/)
(Telephone no. 011-23385271, 011-23381125, 011-23098543

Plan of examination

The Civil Services examination will consist of two successive stages.
1. Civil Services Preliminary examination (objective type – negative marking 1/3rd ) for the selection of the candidate for the Main examination; and
2. Civil Services Main examination (written and interview) for the selection of the candidate for the various services and posts.

Schedule of the UPSC Civil Services examination

· The forms for the Preliminary examination are available in the months of December and January each year.
· The Preliminary examination will be held in the mid month of May each year.
· The result of the Preliminary examination will be declared by the UPSC in the last week of July or first week August.
· The Main examination forms will have to be submitted by the qualified candidates by the August last.
· The Main examination will be conducted by the UPSC in the months of October and November.
· The result of the Main examination will be declared by the UPSC in the month of March, next year.
· Interview/Personality test will be conducted in the months of March, April and May.
· The Final result will be notified by the UPSC in the month of May itself before the next Preliminary examination.

Eligibility
Academic Eligibility for IAS Exams
· A degree of any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be a Deemed University under the UGC Act, 1956, or an equivalent qualification.
· Candidates who have appeared or intend to appear for the qualifying examination and are awaiting results are also eligible to appear for the Preliminary Examination. All such candidates who qualify to appear for the Civil Services Main Examination must produce proof of having passed the said examination along with their application for the Main Examination.
· The UPSC may in exceptional cases treat a candidate without the foregoing requisite qualification as an eligible candidate if he / she has passed an examination conducted by other institutions, the standard of which justifies his / her admission in the opinion of the Commission.
· Candidates with professional and technical qualifications recognized by the Government as equivalent to professional and technical degrees.
· Candidates who have passed the final year of MBBS or any Medical Examination but are yet to complete the internship can also appear for the Main Examination. However they must submit along with their Main Examination application, a certificate from the concerned authority of the University / Institution that they have passed the final professional medical examination. At the Interview stage they must then produce a certificate from a competent authority that they have completed (including internship) all the requirements for the award of the Medical Degree.
Other Eligibility Conditions for IAS Exams
(1) Nationality
i. Only Indian nationals are eligible for IAS and IPS. ii. For other services a candidate can be either of the following:
a. a citizen of India, b. a subject of Nepal, c. a subject of Bhutan, d. a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or e. a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Burma, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Vietnam, Zaire or Zambia with the intention of permanently settling in India. Candidates belonging to either categories of b., c., d. or e., must produce an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India. Those who belong to either of b., c., or d., categories are not eligible for appointment to the Indian Foreign Service.
(2) Age Limit
i. A candidate must have attained 21 years and not be over 30 years on August 1 of the year of examination. ii. The upper age limit is relaxed in specific cases as mentioned below:
· upto a maximum of 5 years if the candidate belongs to SC/ST.
· upto a maximum of 3 years if the candidate belongs to Other Backward Classes.
· upto a maximum of 5 years if the candidate had been domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir during the period between January 1, 1980 and December 31, 1989.
· upto a maximum of 3 years in the case of Defence Services personnel disabled during hostilities with foreign countries or in a disturbed area and consequently released.
· upto a maximum of 5 years in the case of ex-servicemen including Commissioned Officers and ECOs / SSCOs who have rendered at least five years Military Service as on August 1 of the year of examination and have been released:
o on completion of assignment (including those whose assignment is due to be completed within one year from August 1 of the year of examination) otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency, or
o on account of physical disability attributable to Military Service, or on invalidment.
· upto a maximum of 5 years in the case of ECOs / SSCOs who have completed an initial period of assignment (5 years Military Service) as on August 1 of the year of examination and whose assignment has been extended beyond 5 years. Such candidates will have to provide a certificate from the Ministry of Defence stating that they can apply for civil employment and they will be released on a notice of 3 months, upon selection, from the date of receipt of offer of appointment.
· upto a maximum of 10 years in the case of blind, deaf-mute and orthopaedically handicapped candidates.

Application procedure
The Application Procedure for the Civil Services Examination is pretty simple. Electronically scannable Application Forms along with the Information Brochure can be obtained from the designated Head Post Offices / Post Offices throughout the country.
The duly filled in Application Form with the acknowledgement card should be sent to - Secretary, Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, New Delhi - 110011. For more details regarding Syllabi, Examination Centres and other clauses, interested candidates are advised to check UPSC's Notification issued during December in 'Employment News' and all major newspapers
The Application Procedure for the Civil Services Examination is pretty simple. Electronically scannable Application Forms along with the Information Brochure can be obtained from the designated Head Post Offices / Post Offices throughout the country. The duly filled in Application Form with the acknowledgement card should be sent to - Secretary, Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, New Delhi - 110011. For more details regarding Syllabi, Examination Centres and other clauses, interested candidates are advised to check UPSC's Notification issued during December in 'Employment News' and all major newspapers.
Misconception about UPSC Civil Services Examination among students
There is general feeling amongst the aspirants that;
· The UPSC Civil Services is beyond the reach of ordinary and average students.
· UPSC discriminates against the candidates belonging to the minority community.
· UPSC discriminates against the aspirants with Hindi as their medium of examination.
· It will take years of preparation for the aspirants to clear this examination.

Few of the very important facts about UPSC Civil Services examination.

· It is very much within the reach of ordinary and average minds.
· The main paper I have one section about the statistics, which has nothing to do with the Mathematics. It is the only exam n the country which does not have any question on pure Mathematics. So those students coming from weak mathematics background would have no problem in this section.
· The command over the language comes with the knowledge of the subject. And the knowledge becomes easier when the dynamics of learning are put together. Here comes the role of a professionally motivated faculty.
· Attraction to the English is a national complex. Recent experience tells us that UPSC is mot the victim of this complex. It is more the dearth of sufficient study materials in other language. In the recent years almost 25% students had other than English language as their medium in the UPSC examination.
· It6 takes not more than two years to qualify this examination provided that the candidates are properly guided and given a genuine direction in this regard.
· Lastly, let us prove that the UPSC is not biased in selection procedure.
· A since early and effective coaching programme and mechanism to motivate students can produce the desired results.

Scheme of examination
1.
Preliminary examination:
It will consist of two papers of the objective type (multiple choice questions) and carry a maximum of 450 marks in the subjects mentioned for preliminary by the UPSC. This examination is meant to serve as a screening test only; the marks obtained in the Preliminary examination by the candidates who are declared qualified for admission to the Main examination will not be counted for determining their final order of merit.
The Preliminary examination will consist of two papers;
PAPER I
GENERAL STUDIES
150 objective type multiple choice questions with 1/3rd negative marking
Each question carries one marks
150 marks
PAPER II
One subject to be selected from the list of optional subjects permitted by the UPSC.
120 objective type multiple choice questions with 1/3rd negative marking
Each question carries 2 ½ marks
300 marks
450 marks (Total)
Subjects offered by UPSC for the Preliminary test;

Agriculture
Animal Husbandry and veterinary science
Botany
Chemistry
Civil engineering
Commerce
Economics
Electrical engineering
Geography
Geology
Indian history
Law
Mathematics
Mechanical engineering
Medical science
Philosophy
Physics
Political science
Psychology
Public administration
Sociology
Statistics
Zoology

Question paper will be of objective type, multiple choice questions.
The question papers will be set both in Hindi and English. The course contents of the syllabi for optional subjects will be of the degree level.
Each paper will of two hours duration. Blind candidate will; however, be allowed an extra time of 20 minutes at each paper.

1. Main examination:
The number of candidates to be admitted to the Main examination will be about 12 to 13 times the total approximate number of vacancies to be filled in the year in the various services and the posts.
The Main examination will consist of a written examination and an interview test. The written examination will consist of nine papers of conventional essay type in the subjects mentioned by UPSC. Each paper will be of three hours duration. Blind candidates will; however, be allowed an extra time of 30 minutes at each papers. The candidates will have the option to answer all the question papers, except the languages papers viz. paper I and II mentioned below, in any of the language included in the 8th schedule of the constitution or in English.

The written (Main) examination will consist of the following papers;

Paper I
One of the Indian languages to be selected by the candidate from the languages included in the 8th schedule to the constitution. 300 marks (Qualifying only)
Paper II English 300 marks (Qualifying only)
Paper III Essay 200 marks
Paper IV & V General Studies 300 marks for each paper (Total 600)
Paper VI, VII, VIII and IX Any two subjects to be selected from the list of the optional subjects offered by the UPSC. 300 marks for each paper (Total 1200)

Subjects offered by the UPSC for Main examination.

Agriculture
Animal Husbandry and veterinary science
Anthropology
Botany
Chemistry
Civil engineering
Commerce and accountancy
Economics
Electrical engineering
Geography
Geology
History
Law
Management
Mathematics
Mechanical engineering
Medical science
Philosophy
Physics
Pol. science and International relations
Psychology
Public administration
Sociology
Statistics
Zoology
Literature of one of the following Languages
Arabic
Assamese
Bodo
Bengali
Chinese
Dogari
English
French
German
Gujrati
Hindi
Kannad
Kashmiri
Konkani
Maithili
Malayalam
Manipuri
Marathi
Nepali
Oriya
Pali
Persian
Punjabi
Sanskrit
Santhali
Sindhi
Tamil
Talugu
Urdu

Note; a candidate will not be allowed to offer the following combination of subjects.
· Political science and International relations and Public Administration
· Commerce & accountancy and Management
· Anthropology and Sociology
· Mathematics and Statistics
· Agriculture & animal Husbandry and Veterinary science
· Management and Public Administration
· Of the engineering subjects; viz. Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering-not more than one subject.
· Animal husbandry and Veterinary science and Medical science

2. Interview/Personality test:
The candidates, who obtained such minimum qualifying marks in the written part of the main examination as may be fixed by the commission at their discretion, shall be summoned by them for an interview/personality test.
The candidate will be interviewed by a board that will have before a record of his/her career. He/she will be asked questions on the matters of general interests. The object of the interview is to access the personality suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a board of competent and unbiased observers. The test is intended to judge the mental caliber of a candidate. In broad term this is really an assessment of not only his intellectual qualities but also social traits and his interests in current affairs. Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, variety and depth of interests, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.
The technique of the interview is not that of strict cross examination but a natural, though directed and purposive conversation which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate.
The interview test is not intended to be a test either of specialized or general knowledge of candidates which has been already tested through their written papers. Candidates are expected to have an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects of the academic studies but also in the events which are happening around them both within and outside their own state or country as well as modern currents of thoughts in new discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of the well educated youth.
UPSC Interview Questions
UPSC Interview questions range from questions about your choice of subject to why you want to join the civil services. It is good to answer honestly but at the same time avoid clichés like wanting to do service to the nation etc. Questions on your hobbies are imperative so prepare well as they expect some in-depth knowledge on that. Questions relating to your name, your college or school name are also a big possibility. If someone well-know shares one of these names please also prepare on that. Also learn up about important events on the year or date of your birth. As you can see, UPSC Interview questions are mainly from what you have filled in your form including your subject but here it is more a test of logic and presentation and awareness rather than pure subject knowledge. In the UPSC interview many questions are situational like what will you do if a Tsunami strikes your district and you are the DM/Collector/SP. Questions on your choice of service preference also need to be prepared. Current affairs analysis is important too.

Main Papers and Interview
Qualifying Papers in UPSC Main exam (Total two Papers)
Paper I One of the Indian languages to be selected by the candidate from the languages included in the 8th schedule to the constitution. (Qualifying in nature) (it would be of 300 marks one need to score 33% marks unless his other Papers will not be evaluated)
Paper II English (Qualifying in nature) (it would be of 300 marks one need to score 33% marks unless his other Papers will not be evaluated)

Main Papers whose marks are counted for the final ranking (Total seven Papers)
Paper III
Essay, marks 200
Paper IV General Studies (Paper I), marks 300
Paper V General Studies (Paper II), marks 300
Paper VI Optional I (Paper I) (Any two subjects to be selected from the list of the optional subjects offered by the UPSC.), marks 300
Paper VII Optional I (Paper II) (Any two subjects to be selected from the list of the optional subjects offered by the UPSC.), marks 300
Paper VIII Optional I) (Any two subjects to be selected from the list of the optional subjects offered by the UPSC.), marks 300
Paper IX Optional II (Paper II) (Any two subjects to be selected from the list of the optional subjects offered by the UPSC.), marks 300
Total marks in written Main exam 2000
InterviewIt will be conducted by the board of the five members. and will carry 300 marks
Grand total marks of the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2300 marks
Simple target to qualify for the Interview is to score the 50% marks in the Main written examination i.e. 1000 marks out of 2000 written marks. But for the final selection in the UPSC Civil Services examination one has to add 70 and more marks in the 50% marks. So in any case you have to score 1070 and more marks in the written exam. Always remember that any addition of marks in the Main written exam by you will neutralize and minimize the greater role for the Interview marks in your final selection. So by scoring handsome marks in the Main written examination “You win the race before you end the race”.
For this purpose you either have to score 55% marks in all papers or you have to score exellently in one or two papers so that to reach the magic target of above 1070 marks in the Main exam. Main marks in percentage seems to be an easy task but according to the patern of UPSC paper evaluation process it is really a daunting task for which a proper preparation is needed with every care on all the aspects where a handsome marks can be secured.
Ultimate achievable goal;
After successfully competing in the examination, the candidates are rank wise selected in the final list of the UPSC Civil Services. And thereafter they are allotted services by the Department of Personnel and Training according to the vacancies notified. Following services are filled by the UPSC civil Services examination;
· Indian administrative services
· Indian foreign services
· Indian police services
· Indian P&T Accounts and Finance services, Group ‘A’
· Indian Audit and Account Services, Group ‘A’
· Indian Revenue Services (Customs and Central Excise), Group ‘A’
· Indian Defence Accounts Services, Group ‘A’
· Indian Revenue Services (IT), Group ‘A’
· Indian Ordnance Factories Services, Group ‘A’ (Assistance work manager, non-technical.
· Indian Postal Services, Group ‘A’
· Indian Railway Traffic Services, Group ‘A’
· Indian Railway Accounts Services, Group ‘A’
· Indian Railway Personnel Services, Group ‘A’
· Post of Assistance Security Officer in Railway Protection Force, Group ‘A’
· Indian Defence Estate Services, Group ‘A’
· Indian Information Services (Junior Grade), Group ‘A’
· Indian Trade Services, Group ‘A’ (Grade-III)
· Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Services, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer Grade)
· Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadar & Nagar Haveli Civil Services, Group ‘B’
· Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadar & Nagar Haveli Police Services, Group ‘B’
· Pondicherry Police Services, Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadar & Nagar Haveli Civil Services, Group ‘B’

Among these services IAS and IPS are the all Indian civil services. Candidates selected in the IAS and IFS are not allowed to reappear in the examination. Rest of the services is categorized as Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ services, and the candidates selected in the Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ services are allowed by the UPSC to reappear to improve their rank.

Job Prospects:
Depending upon his rank, a candidate is recruited to services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and other departments including Finance, Post and Telegraph, Revenue, Secretariat and so on. The appointment offers executive power. Promotions are time bound and increases in privileges are automatic. Selected candidates are first put through a training session for a short period. He is usually sent to an academic staff college associated with the service to which he is allocated. The greatest thing about civil service is the job security. Special facilities include subsidized accommodation, telephone and transport facilities, medical benefits, leave travel concession, etc. After retirement, there are very good social welfare facilities. Last but not the least is the immense satisfaction one derives at being able to participate in the development process of the country.