Mrunal (Approach) UPSC 2013 General Studies - Prelims + Mains For Civil Service IAS IPS Exam Print

5/28/13
Mrunal [Approach] UPSC 2013 General Studies: Prelims + Mains for Civil Service IAS IPS Exam Print
[Approach] UPSC 2013 General Studies: Prelims + Mains for Civil Service
IAS IPS Exam
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Prologue
What is not changed?
Prelims approach
What about the current affairs?
Mains Exam: Change of format
Language, medium and literature
GS1: Culture History Geography
GS2: Polity, Yearbook, IR
GS3: Economy, Environment, S&T, Agro, Disaster and Security
GS4: Ethics
Personal Opinion?
Prologue
Ok, so few days back UPSC released the much awaited notification for 2013
Click me. So you already know, what is changed. It is a stale news. This article is
just an overview article for future approach.
Ill upload a full fledged strategy / approach / studyplan for General studies
(Mains), combined with all list of topics to be prepared, resources, downloads
etc. after preliminary exam is over, because such exercise can take days and
weeks. Right now, my time and energy is better utilized covering articles on
current affairs and aptitude relevant from prelims point of view.
You too should not waste your time digging around Mains material (or debating
about the change on various online forums), because given the number of days
left, first priority should be= reading, revision and practice for prelims.
What is not changed?

1. Age- attempt limit is not changed.
2. Age is still counted on 1st August of the given year. (rumor market said UPSC
was planning to count age on 1st Jan.)
3. Vacancies are almost the same (2012: 1037 vacancies, 2013: approx. 1000)
4. Mains to Interview quota is same (twice the number of vacancies. It was same in
2011 and 2012)
5. Prelims syllabus is not changed even one bit. (so the approach / strategy for
mrunal.org/2013/03/approach-upsc-2013-general-studies-prelims-mains.html/print/
1/15
5/28/13
prelims remains one and same.)
Prelims approach
Approach to general studies for prelims, already given long time ago.Here is just a
checklist, ask yourself:
1. Ive finished reading NCERT, NIOS, Yearbook, Laxmikanth etc. (+static topics
from GS Manual) multiple times. Ive rock solid command over them (or Ill be
revising them often until I get rock solid command).
2. Ive tried/ will try myself with the MCQs given in GS Manual.
3. For aptitude, Im doing maximum practice at night (so I dont fall asleep by
simply reading some book).
Thats Well and good, youre on right track. Now the question that bothers a lot of
candidates:
What about the current affairs?

Current affairs itself is quite big. But for prelims, youve to concentrate only on the
current affairs associated with specific sectors:
High priority
current affairs
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Environment n biodiversity
Science tech
Polity
Economy.
Yearbook stuff (Government schemes/ org. etc)
Low priority
current affairs
1. International relations.
2. Misc.GK (Sports, awards, persons in news, books, authors
etc): Lists already given for 2012 and 13 click me
If youve been maintaining notes out of Hindu/Indianexpress past one year, thats
totally awesome. Just keep doing it.
But those of you, who joined the game late and or did not diligently read
newspapers/maintained notes. What to do now? Here is a firefighting tip. Do any
one of the following
Option A:
Get a book called Wizards Current Affairs 2013. (they publish it every year.
Please note, other publication houses also release similar books. Use whatever
is easily available to you.)
2/15
5/28/13
It doesnt guarantee UPSC is directly going to asks questions from it. But such
book gives an overview of what happened past one year (in topicwise fashion:
bilateral, sci-tech etc.)
The book itself is quite thick but you dont have to prepare everything, just
concentrate on the high priority areas. Then you dig internet, standard reference
books etc. for topics that are directly indirectly related to it and are basic in
nature. For example, there is news about Libya, then you check Libyas location
in the map, its capital, its bordering nations and so on. There is some news about
Eastern Dedicated freight corridor, then you dig out from which states does this
corridor pass through? ..Prelims is not about Ph.D. Prelims is mostly about
tricky questions from very basic concepts / facts.
Option B:
hit the public library. Pick past 1 years current affairs magazines (CST,
Chronicle, PD, Wizard..whatever is available).
Go through the first 20-25 pages :the important national international affairs are
given here.
And Remaining pages of magazines is usually filler material (toppers interviews
and recycled articles on polity), you can read them if youve time and mood.
But from those first 20-25 pages, note down the exam worthy current affairs,
come back home dig net +/- standard reference books as and where required.
^Please note, these option A / B are just firefighting tools. Theyd work fine for SSC,
SBI type exams. But Current affairs for UPSC is a different game altogether. Thats
the reason Ive always advised people to read daily newspapers and maintain notes out
of it. As a UPSC aspirant, Current affairs must be part of your daily routine. If you
dont do it on dailybasis, thats when youve to turn to such (not so reliable)
^firefighting tools.
And dont put too much of your time in current affairs, because lot of questions come
from static part (theory) too.
Another concern is regarding Cutoffs possibly getting high because IFoS and IAS
have common preliminary exam. My point is: Just read revise and practice. Leave rest
in the hands of God. Dont enter the exam hall with the cut off mindset or negative
marking will dig your grave.
Thats for prelims. Now lets move to Mains.
Mains Exam: Change of format

Before (upto 2012)
Paper
Marks
Regional language
paper.
Marks not counted 300
After (2013)
Paper
Marks
Same as Earlier
300
3/15
5/28/13
Compulsory in merit.
language
English Paper. But
papers
marks
not counted
in final merit list.
Essay
Yes
General
2 papers
Studies
First
2 papers
optional
Second
2 papers
optional
Interview
total
Yes
300
same as earlier
300
200
Yes
4 papers (new topics
included)
250
600
2 papers
500
600
Removed
300
Yes but marks

reduced
275
600
2900
Merit from
2300.
1000
2900
Merit from
2350
Language, medium and literature

first UPSC came up with some reform but then it lead to lot of protests so
Government reverted those rules.
1. You can pick up literature optional ONLY if youve done graduation in it. After
much hue and cry, Government deleted this rule. So now anyone from any
medium/graduation stream can picture litt. optional.
2. You can write mains exam in regional language (Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi,
Tamil, Telugu etc.) ONLY if you have done graduation in that medium.
Otherwise, youll have to write mains in Hindi / English.. This rule is also
deleted. So you can write any of the 22 languages.
3. Even if youve done graduation in a regional language (Gujarati, Tamil) but
less than 25 candidates decide to write mains in that regional language, then
UPSC will order you to write mains in Hindi / English. This rule is also deleted.
So you can write mains exam in any of the 22 languages, even if there is no other
aspirant from that medium
What is removed from general studies?

1. Statistics and data interpretation topic removed from General Studies (Mains).
2. Public Health, Health education and ethical concerns regarding health-care,
medical research and pharmaceuticals topic removed. (It is no longer Explicitly
mentioned under syllabus, although doesnt prevent UPSC from asking this under
GS3!)
4/15
5/28/13
GS1: Culture History Geography

#1: History and Culture
1. Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of
Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from
ancient to modern times.
Same as usual. NIOS,

IGNOU tourism studies,
Spectrum book on Culture.
2. Modern Indian history from about the middle of

the eighteenth century until the presentSame as usual. Bipin
significant events, personalities, issues
Chandra +/- Spectrum +/3. The Freedom Struggle its various stages and
GS Manual.
important contributors /contributions from
different parts of the country.
#2: History of World

1. events from 18th century such as industrial
revolution, world wars, redrawing of national
boundaries,
2. colonization, decolonization,
3. political philosophies like communism, capitalism,
socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.
1. NCERT.
2. Selective reading
of IGNOU BA
History.
3. IGNOU MA history
#3: Socio stuff

1. Post-independence consolidation and
reorganization within the country.
2. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity
of India.
3. Role of women and womens organization,
population and associated issues, poverty
and developmental issues, urbanization,
their problems and their remedies.
1. Starting point is IGNOU

MPS 003 India democracy and
Development.
2. Then there is Decent

material scattered in
IGNOU Sociology, political
science and Public
Administration (BA, MA).
4. Effects of globalization on Indian society
5/15
5/28/13
5. Social empowerment, communalism,

regionalism & secularism.
#4: Geography
General
Studies
Preliminary
exam
Mains
Before change
Geography = Physical +
World + India
Geography = only Indian
Geography.
2013
Same
Now Geography = Physical +
World + India.
Now, Lets check the syllabus of geography (general studies)
Physical Geography
Topics
Comment
1. Salient features of worlds physical

geography.
Starting point is NCERTS + GS Manual.
2. Important Geophysical phenomena

such as earthquakes, Tsunami,
Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.,
3. geographical features and their
location.
4. changes in critical geographical
features (including water-bodies and
ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and
the effects of such changes.
Starting point is NCERTS + GS Manual

+ NIOS biodiversity + selective reading
of IGNOU Disaster
Management.+Majid/Spectrum
India and World Geography

Distribution of key natural resources across the world
(including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent
factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary,
and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world
(including India)
1. NCERTs,
2. GS Manual.
3. Majid
Hussain/Spectrum
GS2: Polity, Yearbook, IR

#1: Polity + rights issue
6/15
5/28/13
Basic Constitution
1. Indian Constitutionhistorical
underpinnings,
evolution, features,
amendments,
significant provisions
basic structure.
2. Functions and
responsibilities of the
Union and the States,
3. Comparison of the
Indian constitutional
scheme with that of
other countries
4. Parliament and State
Legislatures
structure, functioning,
conduct of business,
powers & privileges
and issues arising out
of these.
5. Structure,
organization and
functioning of the
Executive and the
Judiciary
6. Appointment to
various Constitutional
posts, powers,
functions and
responsibilities of
various Constitutional
Bodies.
7. Statutory, regulatory
and various quasijudicial bodies
Starting point is: yes you guessed it right, the

great M.Laxmikanth. Then DD Basu if youve
time and mood.
+net digging and newspapers for new stuff e.g.
right to education.
Also Mrunal.org/polity
Advanced topics
1. issues and challenges
pertaining to the
federal structure,
2. Devolution of powers
+ finances up to local
7/15
5/28/13
levels and challenges

therein.
3. Separation of powers
between various
organs dispute
redressal mechanisms
and institutions.
4. Pressure groups and
formal/informal
associations and their
role in the Polity.
5. Representation of
Peoples Act: Salient
features
Starting point is (again) IGNOU MPS 003. Then again

lot of good stuff scattered around in IGNOU Public
Administration, Political science and sociology.Also
newspapers, columns, net digging from current affairs
point of view (e.g. Pressure groups > Lokpal)
Rights issue
1. Vulnerable sections:
protections,
Betterment:
mechanisms, laws,
institutions and
Bodies.
2. Vulnerable Sections:
Welfare schemes.
Starting point again our good old Laxmikanth.

For welfare schemes, INDIA Yearbook, list of
topics given here click me
+ newspaper + official websites of respective
ministries.
Yearbook, Welfare schemes

1. Ministries
and
Departments
of the
Government;
2. Government
policies for
development
in various
sections.
3. Social Sector
development:
Health,
Education,
Human
Resources.
Basic functions and overview of policies given in India

yearbook. After that, Newpapers, Yojana Kurukshetra, official
sites of respective ministries.12th Five Yearplan PDFs click
me. (they contain truckload of fodder points).
8/15
5/28/13
4. Poverty and
hunger: Issues
relating to
Public Administration related

1. Governance: Important aspects of
2. Development processes and the development
industry
3. the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and
associations, donors, charities, institutional
and other stakeholders
4. transparency & accountability and
institutional and other measures.
5. e-governance- applications, models,
successes, limitations, and potential;
6. Citizens charters
7. Role of civil services in a democracy.
Respective chapters
from IGNOU BA, MA
Public Administration.
2nd ARC reports click me
(selective reading).
IR / Diplomacy
1. India and its neighborhoodApproach remains same as earlier.
relations.
2. Bilateral, regional and global
Starting point is selected topics on
groupings and agreements involving
international relations from
India and/or affecting Indias
IGNOU BA (Political Science)
interests
click me
3. Effect of policies and politics of
Then IGNOU MA (Political
developed and developing countries
Science) MPS 002 click me
on Indias interests,
+ newspapers, magz, net digging
4. Indian diaspora.
And
5. Important International institutions,
Mrunal.org/diplomacy
agencies and fora- their structure,
mandate.
GS3: Economy, Environment, S&T, Agro, Disaster and

Security
For a paper worth 250 marks, UPSC has packed way too many topics here!
#1: Economy
9/15
5/28/13
1. Indian Economy and

issues relating to
planning,
mobilization of
resources, growth,
development and
employment.
2. Inclusive growth and
issues arising from
it.
3. Government
Budgeting.
4. Effects of
liberalization on the
economy.
12th FYP plan PDF files.Basic of budgeting is explained

in Laxmikanth, Ramesh Singh etc. But hardly any directstatic questions come in mains. So this is mostly
yearbook, IGNOU (Economics) newspaper and current
affairs.+ Mrunal.org/economy
Basic given in NCERT Class 11 economics. More can

be found in
1. IGNOU BA Economics.
2. IGNOU MA Economics
5. changes in industrial
policy and their
effects on industrial
Basic given in India Yearbook.Then IGNOU
growth.
(Economics BA, MA) selective reading, Newspaper
6. Infrastructure:
Energy, Ports,
columns, 12th FYP pdfs for more fodder points.
Roads, Airports,
Railways etc.
7. Investment models
#2: SnT + Environment

1. Science and Technology- developments and their
applications and effects in everyday life
2. Achievements of Indians in science & technology;
3. Indigenization of technology and developing new
technology.
4. Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers,
robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and
issues relating to intellectual property rights.
1. Starting point is
India Yearbook.
2. Then The Hindus
Sci-tech portion,
net digging and
3. www.Mrunal.org/snt
4. +/- Spectrums
book on Science
Tech.
1. NIOS, IGNOU
material on
10/15
5/28/13
5. Conservation, environmental pollution and

degradation, environmental impact assessment
EnvironmentBiodiversity.
2. India Yearbook
3. Official site of
MoEF
4. Newspaper
columns, Yojana,
Kurukshetra.
#2: Agro
Now this is a new topic introduced in 2013.
1. Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of
the country,
2. Irrigation: different types of irrigation and
irrigation systems storage,
3. e-technology in the aid of farmers
4. Farm subsidies: Issues related to direct and
indirect farm subsidies
5. minimum support prices;
6. Public Distribution System- objectives,
functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of
buffer stocks and food security;
7. Technology missions;
8. Land reforms in India.
9. transport and marketing of agricultural produce
and issues and related constraints;
10. Animal rearing: economics of
11. Food processing and related industries in Indiascope and significance, location, upstream and
downstream requirements, supply chain
managemen
NCERT geography, GS
Manual+ Majid
Hussain/Spectrum etc.
Starting point is
INDIA Yearbook,
List of topics given
here: click me
Official website of
Agriculture
ministry.
IGNOU School of
Agriculture.
Yojana-Kurukshetra
old archives + new
issues.click me
Net digging.
Disaster
1.
Disaster and disaster management. Selective reading IGNOU MPA 018
Security
1. Various Security forces
11/15
5/28/13
and agencies and their

mandate
This is given in India Yearbook. Click me for the

topicwise list
2. basics of cyber security
Also given in India yearbook. More stuff can be

found in IGNOUs PG Law program material.click
me
For the remaining topics:

1. Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
2. Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal
security.
3. Challenges to internal security through communication networks,
4. role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges,
5. money-laundering and its prevention
6. border areas: Security challenges and their management
7. linkages of organized crime with terrorism
^mostly newspaper and net digging.
GS4: Ethics
Lot of vague topics added. Anyways, first lets check the topics for which exact
material is available
Probity in
Governance:
1. Concept of public
service;
2. Philosophical basis of
governance and probity;
3. Information sharing and
transparency in
government,
4. Right to Information,
5. Codes of Ethics,
6. Codes of Conduct,
7. Citizens Charters,
8. Work culture,
9. Quality of service
delivery, Utilization of
public funds,
10. Challenges of
corruption.
Ethics in Public Administration

1. Status and problems;
2. ethical concerns and dilemmas in government
and private institutions;
3. laws, rules, regulations and conscience as
sources of ethical guidance;
4. accountability and ethical governance;
strengthening of ethical and moral values in
governance;
12/15
5/28/13
For ^above topics, youll find content scattered in around in

1. IGNOU MPA 011
2. IGNOU MPA 013
3. 2nd ARC reports.
Remaining topics
1. Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics
in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public
relationships. Human Values lessons from the lives and teachings of great
leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational
institutions in inculcating values
2. Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and
behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
3. Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service , integrity, impartiality and
non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance
and compassion towards the weaker-sections.
4. Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in
administration and governance.
5. Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
6. corporate governance.
7. ethical issues in international relations and funding.
8. +Case studies
Personal Opinion?
Father Wallace, a renowned Gujarati author and Maths Professor in St.Xaviers
College, Ahmedabad. Once a TV reporter asked him, Lot of students in class 10 hate
mathematics. So, What is your advice to them? I was watching TV and hoped that
hed give some awesome set of formulas that will completely demystify mathematics
even for the weakest student. But all he said was:
Mitro maare Etlu j kehvaa nu ke tamne gume ke naa gume, bhanvu toh padshe j!
(Friends all Ive to say is, whether you like it or not, youll have to study.)
Same applies to the pattern change, you can welcome it, you can condemn it, but as
long youre in this competition business, youve to play by UPSCs rules. Anyways for
the sake of timepass reading, here are my opinions.
Positive
Most of the General studies syllabus (mains) can be covered using IGNOU,
Yearbook, Yojana Kurukshetra, newspapers etc. So atleast the reform is not
heavy on your pocket (in terms of having to buy lot of new books / material).
13/15
5/28/13
Thanks to IGNOUs material, self-study is easily possible.
Negative
Reading so many PDFs on computer screen =painful on eyes.
Overlapping topics
Each mains paper has 3 hours duration so UPSC can take maximum two papers
per day. Now, suppose today is GS1+2, then tomorrow will be GS3+4.
Here comes to issue: youve to prepare similar topics again and again for two
days because of their overlapping nature. for example:
1. Social empowerment in GS1, and next day Inclusive growth for GS3.
2. R.T.I, citizen-charter etc. as [Polity] topics for GS2 and next day for Ethics
under GS4.
3. Role of civil services in a democracy (under GS2) and next day almost similar
thing for Ethics under GS4.
So it feels as if the topic-list is compiled in haste, and that Agro topic in GS3
(+including supply chain Management!) sticks out like a sore thumb.
One Optional still kept

Instead of two, now youve to pick only one optional. Makes it difficult for
senior player to decide: which subject to keep and which one to drop. (especially
when UPSC is yet to deliver marksheets for Mains 2012).
UPSC should have removed both optionals. That way, people have to spend less
money on books / coaching + more time sparred to pursue any career backplan/
other exams.
Faster results
It still takes 1 year to finish the exam. Very painful especially for those who fail
in mains and have to reappear in next prelims within 2-3 months.
UPSC Should have converted prelims into a computer based MCQ test like
IBPS/LIC to hasten the result delivery.
On an unrelated note:
If we look at the larger picture, everyone has to give so many exams
simultaneously (UPSC, State PSC, IBPS, SSC, LIC, CDS, CAPF.) These
should be combined into only 2-3 exams for combined recruitment into all these
jobs.
14/15
5/28/13
URL to article: http://mrunal.org/2013/03/approach-upsc-2013-general-studiesprelims-mains.html

Posted By Mrunal On 11/03/2013 @ 22:05 In the category Studyplan
15/15

Mrunal (Approach) UPSC 2013 General Studies - Prelims + Mains For Civil Service IAS IPS Exam Print

Transféré par

Informations du document

Titre original

Copyright

Formats disponibles

Partager ce document

Partager ou intégrer le document

Options de partage

Avez-vous trouvé ce document utile ?

Ce contenu est-il inapproprié ?

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

Mrunal (Approach) UPSC 2013 General Studies - Prelims + Mains For Civil Service IAS IPS Exam Print

Transféré par

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

5/28/13

What is not changed?

prelims remains one and same.)

What about the current affairs?

Mains Exam: Change of format

Yes but marks

Language, medium and literature

What is removed from general studies?

GS1: Culture History Geography

Same as usual. NIOS,

2. Modern Indian history from about the middle of

#2: History of World

#3: Socio stuff

1. Starting point is IGNOU

2. Then there is Decent

4. Effects of globalization on Indian society

5. Social empowerment, communalism,

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

1. Salient features of worlds physical

Starting point is NCERTS + GS Manual.

2. Important Geophysical phenomena

Starting point is NCERTS + GS Manual

India and World Geography

GS2: Polity, Yearbook, IR

Starting point is: yes you guessed it right, the

levels and challenges

Starting point is (again) IGNOU MPS 003. Then again

Starting point again our good old Laxmikanth.

Yearbook, Welfare schemes

Basic functions and overview of policies given in India

Public Administration related

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

1. Indian Economy and

12th FYP plan PDF files.Basic of budgeting is explained

Basic given in NCERT Class 11 economics. More can

#2: SnT + Environment

5. Conservation, environmental pollution and

Disaster and disaster management. Selective reading IGNOU MPA 018

and agencies and their

This is given in India Yearbook. Click me for the

2. basics of cyber security

Also given in India yearbook. More stuff can be

For the remaining topics:

Ethics in Public Administration

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

Thanks to IGNOUs material, self-study is easily possible.

One Optional still kept

URL to article: http://mrunal.org/2013/03/approach-upsc-2013-general-studiesprelims-mains.html

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi