Essay

This is what I learned from my seniors and toppers. There are plenty of articles on internet on how to prepare the essay (=read editorials daily etc.) I'm writing one about how to 'actually' write it inside the exam hall.
In the Essay paper, they give you 4-5 essays and you've to write only one. Time limit -3 hours, Max-marks=200.

In a 2 marker question, UPSC specifically mentions that answer it in 20 words. So with that logic, you're expected to write an essay containing around 2000 words for the 200 marks.

Tip#1: Think for 30-45 minutes before you start the Essay writing

Take this example.
They asked an essay on Gandhi, I start writing it. I write something like

Gandhi was born in Porbandar & then He went to England…africa..come back…freedom struggle..Gandhi-Irwin..2nd round table….partition…etc.

After 1 hour of writing, I realize that I forgot mention about Champaran's Indigo Struggle when Gandhi got actively involved in Indian Freedom struggle for the first time! Now I can't add it. Because there is no space in initial pages. However I can still try to add it in the conclusion like

…in 1947 Gandhi won the fight he started with Champaran…"

But when Examiner doesn't find the mention of Champaran in the initial pages, then he gets an impression you forgot it = less marks. Hence everything has to be written in its place.

That's why you must…..

Think for 30-45 minutes before you start the Essay writing 

You've 3 hours to write the essay. Don't immediately start

• 1st try to recall everything that you can remember / want to say about the essay. 
• Take a pencil and write them all (in very brief) on the end of the answer sheet 
• See if there is any chance of adding some diagram or table in it?  

Do you remember any? 

1. any famous quotes? 
2. Current events 
3. People 
4. Historical events 
5. Laws / Administrative polices related to it 

*Related to that topic, What are the 

1. Positive 
2. Negative sides 
3. obstacles 
4. Reforms you suggest?

Once you're done adding everything that you can think about, regarding the essay- then give those topics, order of preference. 1.2.3.4.
The order is very important, just like in wedding parties you start with Soup…dal-roti and…Ice cream in the end.
The order should be

1. Introduction 
2. Background / History related 
3. Main concept / theory / what the subject is about 
4. Current scenario related to it. 
5. Good sides 
6. Negative sides / obstacles 
7. Suggested reforms 
8. Conclusion

everything has to be written in its place. Gandhi's Champaran must come in the beginning not in the end.

Tip#2: SOME DON'Ts: What not to write in essay

1. Autocracy is better than democracy. (know that it's the democracy that's allowing you to criticize it) so you should never justify certain solution to India's problems.
2. Excessive criticism of Govt. / administration (I mean the frontline and The Hindu's stand)
3. Seeing negative sides with out suggesting reforms in it.

Tip#3: Provocative Essays:

Sometimes the essay topics are given in such a way, that you want to agree all the way. E.g.

1. Panchayati raj is wastage of tax payer's money. (yes it seems so, just like NREGA but when you're writing an Essay you need to maintain some balance)
2. Poor people are their own enemies.

In such cases - just because he gave you statement doesn't mean you've to sing in his tune throughout the paper.DO NOT forget to show the other side of the mirror.
Its Easier to criticize a non working things than to fix it. (Remember this all time during essay.)
Donot give filmy solutions to real life problems. (Munna Bhai MBBS / Slum Dog Millioner.)

Tip#4: Donot get personal

• Don't go naming individual politicians - their achievement / scandals (Kalmadi, Raja,Amar Singh etc.)
• (except in the foreign policy related essay, where you've to analyse from entire Nehru's Panchsheel era to Vajpayee's Lahore Bus visit and current affairs.) our Foreign policy has changed with every prime minister so their names need to be mentioned.
• Never write essay talking like "Congress did this and BJP did that." It's the trait of a common man, not of a future officer.
• Give a balanced answer With out getting into hero-worship or mud slinging
• If criticizing Govenrment in the essay alone was going to make you IAS officer, then every journalist of Aaj Tak would be an IAS officer.
• An officer's trait is to remain 'anonymous', 'faceless' and neutral- meaning your essay should look like it has been written by a graduate.

Same applies for

1. Religion / culture/ language-literature (in philosophical essays)
2. States (in polity / federalism / Development)

I'm not saying you should transform into a sterile person writing the essay with out having any personal view/ opinion or righteous anger but, you mustn't become too much passionate about certain things.
I'm saying all this because you can never be sure about what will be the political / ideological / religious / regional alignment of the examiner.

This suggestion also applies while dealing with Public Administration (optional subject).

Tip#5: Quotes

1. Don't make mistakes in writing who said what. E.g. you quote Abraham Lincon's sentence and write George Washington said it. nothing will make you look more stupid in the eyes of the examiner than that.

2.Quote Exactly as it was said. Mao said "Power flows from the barrel of a gun" so you should not write it as

 "barrel of the gun contains power" or
 "muzzle of the gun flows the power"

You must quote the quote verbatim. If you're not sure then don't quote it.

Tip#6: Padding & Deviating from the subject

Even in the worst case, you're supposed to write 1200-1500 words for a 200 marks essay.
Padding means, you don't know the exact answer so you just beat around the bushes and write the garbage stuff to fill up the pages, while this tactic does work in the school and college exams but don't try it in the essay paper.
Don't write too many proverbs / quotes/ (invented) case studies/examples per page. It makes the examiner think that you've no input of your own so you're just filling up the pages.

Donot pick up the subject where your idea or thought content is very low. 

• Ex. you picked up "Do we need nuclear power" - So you start with how thermal power-stations create pollution, there is huge demand and low supply of electricity, nuke power is cheap, and then the dangers such as Japanese Tsunami etc. 
• After 4 pages, your thoughts and ideas are exhausted-you've nothing more to say and assuming that you write 100 words per page, you realise that only 400 words won't get you any marks ! now you can't scratch those pages and write a new essay on new topic, you've wasted enough time on this one. 
• So you decide to continue with this nuke-power essay and start rewriting the same stuff you already stated in different ways and then you'll deviate from the main topic- like nuke power is unsafe as we saw in Japan so we need to switch to renewable energy source like Sun, Wind and Water -> then 4 pages on advantages of renewable energy as if this is an essay on "the benefits of Non-renewable energy" and not on nuke power, you write about the pro-cons of hydro-electricity like dams and displacement of people. 
• Then you realise "omg, displacement of people also applies while making nuke-powerplants like in Maharashtra!" so you come back to the topic -half page written but still you've not filled up enough pages so you start talking about to land-acquisition policy and start writing the pro-cons..another half page on it. Then you think "oh i must talk something about the Indo-US nuke deal" so you go on talking about how we haven't signed the CTBT and yet N.S.G gave us clearance and China-Pakistan couldn't stop it so we are a global power now and we deserve a permanent seat in UNSC! This kind of padding goes on until time is up.
• You've messed up the whole thing, you totally deviated from the subject. Your essay doesn't have any flow of thoughts or proper rhythm. The seasoned examiners immediatly sniff out this padding and they don't give much marks for it, your expected score for this kind of garbage writing is less than 50/200, means even with decent score in all other papers, your chances of getting interview call is close to zero. You've jeopardised your chances of selection in IAS, you've digged your own grave. That's why 

1. take great care in picking up the subject
2. first 30-40 minutes for thorough thinking. 
3. stick to the subject

Same applies while dealing with the big 60 marker question in GS and optional papers. (not 30 minutes of thinking but atleast 5-7 minutes!)

Suggested Reading

Essay is not something that can be learned reading one book or reading for 1 month.
It's a continuous and long process takes some diverse reading before you've enough content to write something decent and something big enough to fill 20 pages to fetch 100+ marks.

1. Editorials of english newspapers ( but don't get swayed about by either leftist or capitalist stuff preched by both sides)
2. Magazines like Frontline, yojana, Kurukshetra. (it gives you the fodder material: statistical data to quote like how many % illiterate and so on but again don't use too much statistical data forpadding and most importantly don't 'invent' your own case studies and stat.data)
3. Watch English news channel - discussions / debates.
4. See the old question papers and try to make an outline of each and every Essay asked so far.

Me and my ruined essay

In 2009's mains attempt, I got only 20/200 marks in the Essay. It was about 'are we a soft state?'. I wrote it only from the foriegn policy and law-n-order point of view, without seeing the cultural -historical contexts. It was a monotonous essay without any spark. Moral of the story: First 30-40 minutes, do try to see different angles of the subject and give a thorough thought before you start writing.

-Some veterans are in opinion that you should pick up the essay on technical subject, example space-technology, advances in medical science, how IT has changed lives and so on. Because only a few people attempt them, and due to technical nature, your ideas are unlikely to be in conflict with the examiner so you'll get more marks. But then again you need enough 'content' to write 1500+ words else the padding route=digging your own grave. And there are enough toppers who wrote the non-technical essay and still got in the top-merit list so as usual for every generalisation made about UPSC, you'll find a counter example! 

Strategy

http://bijayketanupadhyayaias.blogspot.com/

Quotation

"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed”.
-Mahatma Gandhi
[Environment related issues,mining,over exploitation of resources, man v/s nature type etc]


The ballot is stronger than the bullet.”
-Abraham Lincoln

[Democracy related, rule of law, anarchy, current political issues, civilian participation etc.] 

I fear three newspapers more than a hundred thousand bayonets."
~ Napoleon Bonaparte

“Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
~ Lord Acton

[Power, politics, bureaucracy, leadership, accountability, transparency, empowerment etc.]

"After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb."
~ Nelson Mandela

[Gen. can be used everywhere, achievement related ,reforms,etc] 

"Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man"

Africa's richest resources are not it's minerals but it's people" - Manmohan at UNGA

Essay

Education is the most powerful tool for the progress
of the country and is a social and political necessity

Essay-strategy

Essay:The essay paper (200 marks) in the civil services main examination is crucial in determining the final outcome/ selection and ranking. It is critical because it is a compulsory paper and its score is incorporated in computing the total. It is decisive because there is no specialisation in an essay and so no aspirant can not claim expertise, unlike optional subjects.
Finally, an essay is a paper, which does not have a reservoir of definitive information as in the case of general studies. All this constitutes a challenge. For every effective composition one should ideally begin with clarifying the purpose of the composition to oneself. This is true about all written and spoken communication. It's best that this principle be applied to essay writing. Although, the question cues that are recommended at this point may appear archaic, they are useful and often overlooked. At every critical juncture, while writing a topical text all applicable queries must be asked to oneself about the issue in question, e.g. who, what, where, when, why, how? These questions would obtain answers that would make the text organised and accurate and also ensure that no aspect has been omitted. Proficiency in applying this principle, i.e. the appropriate choice of questions, will come with extensive practise, periodic evaluation and critical analysis.
It is vital to understand that an essay is a reflection of the personality - ideas, views, analysis, assessments and inferences, values, attitude, aptitude, orientation and communication (written) abilities, all the attributes that are wanted by UPSC in an aspirant.
An essay is considered a complete composition. The essentials of essay writing would be the format (framework, structure), information (content, substance), language (expression, presentation), and logic (analysis and information).
The conventional design of looking at essay writing in terms of the introduction, body and conclusion is only the format. Although, this is fundamental to essay writing, the concept of an essay is quite intricate. An essay is expected to be a topical text that is self-explanatory and comprehensive, concise, composite and unambiguous, informative and logical.

The format comprises:
An impact-oriented thematic introduction containing the core conceptual scheme, the defining criteria, the central idea, etc.
A series of paragraphs containing arguments based on information, analysis and systematic inter-connectivity
An overall impressive synoptic presentation or an effective conclusion or a final inference.
The introduction is the opening part of the essay and should be confined to a paragraph, especially since, unlike a book, the introduction of an essay is not captioned. The introductory paragraph is expected to introduce the topic, and wherever necessary, explain the central theme or idea, basic or core concepts, and definitional criteria. The introduction should arouse interest and generate curiosity in the mind of the reader, be it an examiner.
The main text of an essay, after the introductory part is over, essentially is a systematic organisation of information based on a consistent methodology. It deals with the topic and related issues to be addressed, the correlation of facts, figures, ideas, views, concepts; an in-depth, systematic, coherent analysis based on the topic leading to logical inferences; as well as making (if it is required) plausible projections and providing with (if necessary) viable solutions. The text of the composition must develop, support and explain the main ideas stated in your introduction or thesis paragraph.
As the text draws close to the conclusion, the essay should have reached the stage of 'critical mass', a sort of a climax. The conclusion, a summary, should express the essence of the essay. It should not contain any fresh evidence, facts or figures.


Stategy for essay:

For essay first and foremost is studying the topic......topic always has 3-4 dimensions..............try to analyse all dimensions but initially should focus on simplest dimension.........never leave out of topic always keep urself nearby the topic........a simple way is after every 200-300 word repeat the topic in answer.....this will ensure u tht u have not gone off the topic.........

40-50 marks are only given to those people who deviate out of topic...theres no other way this much less marks are given...........a normal ratta hua essay gets 80-100 marks.........and a good analysed topic gets 100-120 marks..........if u have chosen the rarest topic and analysed well then u get 120-140 marks............so choosing the difficult topic is also beneficial......but its a double edged sword.....u can easily misunderstand the crux of ques and land up in 50-60 zone......i always played safe kyunki my phenkne waali power was zero.........and attempted the easiest ques........

essay should be in paragraph form, no bullets, points,diagrams.........but definitely lots of examples and cases to substantiate ur point...........pubadm, socio guys definitely get one essay on their topic.........

To prepare no need to go for any coaching........no need to study any book........

just try to make a plan and write one or two practice essays........and get them evaluated by expert..........thts enough............in my case ALS was my all time bakra...........

Quotation

Most people are more comfortable with old
problems than with new solutions. -

Psychology

preview of some books on google
http://books.google.co.in/books?uid=105614515520469328357&as_coll=1003&source=gbs_lp_bookshelf_list
simply search the topic you want to refer. you will get enough in preview
some books are available on 4shared.com too
Handbook of psychology at:
http://www.4shared.com/folder/xzFCSUdR/_online.html
wikipedia books
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Subject:Psychology
NCERT books should be the first and best to cover and online books can be used for topic wise reference.
And my personal favorite, lectures from MIT
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/brain-and-cognitive-sciences/9-00-introduction-to-psychology-fall-2004/lecture-notes/

jUDICIARY

Parliament is the ultimate judge of what law should be, SC the ultimate judge of what law means. That has to be maintained’

JUSTICE MUKUL MUDGAL.

This statement of can directly come for exam.

Which says that there should not be excess interference of branches of government in each others spheres.




he Hindu (24th July,2011 - front page) has an article mentioning the judiciousness of Art 136 of the Constitution stating clearly that the Supreme Court can, and must, suo moto indulge into illegality of any order passed by the High Court to uphold justice.

PA Q&A

Factors Responsible for rise of Board and Commission type of Organization.


Board/commission type of Orgn

1) to facilitate joint discussions/deliberations when policy formulation is not complete

2) to represent and reconcile several interests

3) when wide discretion reqd, eg- UPSC, EC , etc

4) ensures admin integrity






Anti-Development thesis


Against the idea and methods of devlopmental....due to reaosn


1. Environmental degradation due to devlopement

Dev mainly concerned on economic devl ...lead to more problem of pollution , slums , GHG etc ..... climate unsustainable.....

later various climat initiatives ...rio earth summit 92, copenhagen , montreal protocol etc.........stresses on env sustainability

2. Social cost ..... Dev led to uprooting of some communties....and exploitation

eg ... narmada bachao andolan , current POSCO case .... these are anti devlomental movements...

3. Feminism .... dev male dominated, women bind devloment...dint recog the role of women .....her household activities....etc.....

many women cmissions etc emerged for the same.....

4. certain theorist--- applied dependency theores---- west using east for their own purpose..... east becomig dependent on west ......

5. Food security ...... too much mal nutrition in Africa...but they r growing cash crops like tea, cofee for trade.....is this devlopmemt? ...... food shld not be traded just like other commercial items like steel , minerals, oil etc.....


However criciticms for anti devel

1. dint look into the positives of developments..

2. Dint suggest the solutions......if not this then wht shld be done...




In the second half of the twentieth century many countries got independence from their colonial masters. In the last fifty years these countries gave special importance to Development (primarily economic development) to reduce poverty and provide better standard of living to their people (the goals of development).

Anti-Development Thesis criticizes the development models employed by these countries to achieve the goals of development. The criticism is centered around the costs of these development models. The costs include :

1. Social costs - Displacement of people due to industrial development etc and the resultant social tensions.

2. Environmental costs - Environmental degradation due to developmental projects like ports and mining.

3. Economic costs - By employing the present development models, the Asian and African countries are still reeling under external debt.

Though many countries achieved better economic growth, poverty continues to be a problem in the developing world and world over, the gap between the rich and the poor has been widening.

So, it calls for :

1. A broader notion of development which focus on the overall quality of life of the people, distribution, satisfaction of basic needs, valuable capabilities and functioning of the people eg. health, education, life expectancy etc.

2. Sustainable Development - Development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.










conceptualisation means creating a general abstract on which ideas and actions are based on or in short "have a basic idea which can be developed"...so in this context more clear basic concepts so that PA can be better structured to play a legitimate role in the society......concepts are the building blocks of approaches....concepts like democratisation, decentralisation, methodological individualism, institutional pluralism etc........this is what is referred to as theorising in the context of social sciences and behavioural sciences......theorising and conceptualisation in the context of science tends to be more precise......




CA/DA


CPA and DA are essentially related to each other.DA may have started as one of the offshoots or approaches of CPA but later on attained enough depth to stand out on its own Quoting Dwight Waldo....."the essential point is that development administration though related to and overlapping with CPA is somewhat independent and competing orientation and it also enlists the interests and energies of some pub. administrationists" .. The similarity in the context of development of both CPA and DA link them strongly to each other (both are set in the background of administrative problems of the developing nations and the aid provided) . More over the comparative analysis of the different administrative settings have provided insight into the administration of development in these nations.....another major connecting link is FRED RIGGS and his ecological model which have been instrumental in the development of development administration by enumerating the relationship of the environment on developmental imperatives in developing countries......you could find more in the BA course material of IGNOU....




CPA mainly concentrated on theory building and theory testing.. hence it was a scholastic approach while DA was institution building and institution reorganizing meaning that it converted the theoretical foundations of CPA into practice....

Infact out of the criticism of CPA being too theoretical without giving any on the ground solutions to the problems faced in developing societies that DA emerged as a solution to such problems..

Hence DA could have been said to have emerged from the umbrella of CPA.

CAG-business standard

Sukumar Mukhopadhyay: Can the CAG comment on policy?

The PM thinks not but the Constitution clearly mandates the public auditor to do so in certain circumstances

Sukumar Mukhopadhyay /  July 9, 2011, 0:21 IST

Recently the prime minister, at a meeting with some newspaper editors, criticised the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for “going into policy issues that were not a part of its Constitutional mandate” (Business Standard, June 30). He said this against the background of recent controversies, particularly over the allocation of 2G spectrum for telecom and the allotment of the Krishna-Godavari (K-G) gas fields to private developers, in which the CAG examined and commented on certain policy matters.

The prime minister’s statement was not entirely correct. There are constitutional provisions that deal with the CAG’s role in policy and they are of great significance today. I am not discussing here the veracity or otherwise of the CAG’s findings on the issues but only whether it has the power under the Constitution to say that the receipts in the Consolidated Fund of India would have been higher by certain amounts if a particular policy was followed.

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The CAG is an exalted post created by the Constitution. Articles 148 to 151 deal with his appointment, functions and reporting system. Under Article 148 (5) the “administrative power of the CAG shall be such as may be prescribed by rules made by the President after consultation with the CAG.” Accordingly the CAG’s (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act 1971 was passed by Parliament.

For receipts, the crucial section is Section 16 that reads thus: “It shall be the duty of the CAG to audit all receipts which are payable into the Consolidated Fund of India and of each State and each Union Territory having a Legislative Assembly and to satisfy himself that the rules and procedures in that behalf are designed(italics mine) to secure an effective check on the assessment, collection and proper allocation of revenue and are being duly observed ....”

Notice that Section 16 has two portions. The first portion (in italics) gives the CAG the power to satisfy himself that the rules and procedures are designed to get proper receipts. That is to say, he has the power to discuss the design of the rules and procedures. That involves policy. He can say, for example, that it would have been a better procedure to sell something by auction, since in that case the receipts to the Consolidated Fund of India would have been much higher. The second part of the section refers to ensuring that procedures “are being duly observed”. This portion is for ensuring compliance.

So, the first part of Section 16 entitles the CAG to examine the merit of the existing rule and procedures and say that an alternative procedure (system) would lead to better and a more just collection of receipts. This type of approach is known in audit circles as “system audit”. It has been done for more than three decades.

In fact, this is not the first time the CAG has suggested policy changes. In the early nineties, the extant rule in Customs was to give a refund if it was due. The CAG pointed out that this rule might lead to unjust enrichment of the recipient of the refund since he would have most probably already passed on the burden of higher tax to the buyer. At the insistence of the CAG and the Public Accounts Committee, the law was changed. Section 27 was amended by incorporating a proviso (with effect from December 23, 1991) by the Section 2 of the Customs Amendment Act, 1991. Similarly laws on excise and service tax have amended. Neither the finance minister at the time nor Parliament took exception to the change in the law, which occurred at the behest of the CAG. So it is quite clear that on the receipts side the law is certain that CAG is authorised to delve into and suggest changes in policy (rules and procedures) and he has been doing so for long enough.

On the expenditure side, the relevant section is Section 13 that reads thus: “It shall be the duty of CAG to audit all expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India and of each state...and to ascertain whether the monies shown in the accounts as having been disbursed were legally available and applicable to the service or purpose to which they have been applied or charged and whether the expenditure conforms to the authority which governs it.” This gives the CAG power to audit and to verify if the expenditure is according to the Budget allocation. If the CAG finds wasteful expenditure he is entitled to point it out, since it is against the implementation of the Budget allocation. It is not a policy matter.

The conclusion is that the Constitution does definitely provide the CAG with a clear mandate to delve into policy in respect of receipts but not in respect of expenditure. The 2G issue and the K-G gas field allotment issue concern matters of receipt. So it was well within the CAG’s mandate to say that if the policy was different, the receipts would have been so many thousands of crores more.

But if the government strongly feels that the Constitution does not give such a mandate, then the best course would be to make a Presidential Reference to the Supreme Court under Article 143 of the Constitution to settle the issue once and for all. It would be better than publicly debunking the Constitutional post of the CAG, which does little good to public morale. Above all, Article 38 (1) of the Constitution (Directive Principles) enshrines the provision that the state should promote the welfare of the people. The CAG’s reports on 2G and K-G have exactly done that.

pubad ans writing

ANSWER WRTIING - Pavan Sir

Trying to give a gist of the main points mentioned by Pavan Sir that would make an ideal answer.

1. Clarity - Answers should as clear as they can be.

2. Understanding the question - Critically important. Spend a minute or two but get the question right before you start.

3. Very short paragraphs, very short sentences.

4. Always try to answer the "Why" aspect of every question. Most students answer the "What" part but It is those who answer the Why that make it to the 350s.

5. Never REPEAT any point. Your answer should be Multi-Dimensional. Hence, don't give out all you have to say in the Intro itself.

6. Inter-Linkages - Link everything - will give you more dimenstions and substance. Paper 1 in Paper 2 can and should be linked and vice versa.

7. RELATE everything with Facts and Current Happenings. Whatever you say, Substantiate with Facts.

8. Always Have a Constructive, Optimistic and Futuristic Conclusion, even if the question is negative or critical.

He suggested reading the "Economic Survey" to understand and grasp the language one should write. (since it is largely written by Bureuacrats).

prep

) No need of paragraph....try to write as much as in points,,,,,i wtried to write almost all ans in points ( except economics questions)....my aim was to write more and more points....for ex in ques how can MP be disqualified i just wrote answer in 11 points.......

2) No sticking to word limit....i broke word limit in all questions......with about 20-25 words extra....this gve me liberty to put 2-3 more points

3) No introduction.....try to save words....sirf kaam ki baatein...in 100 words question i didnt even write conclusion....actually when examiner evaluates he has a model answer with him....that hardly contains introduction and all....my aim was to write as much points as possible.......

4) In 2 markers write in points.....always write 2-3 dimensions of topic...never write in one dimension......if possible break word limit by 5 words

5) Statistics was divided this time...half questions i did early rest i left for last moments

6) This time my aim was to increase my knowledge base.....i did about 2-3 coaching notes....didnt rely on single coaching

7) In IR always started from turning points.....for example in india-pak relations write tht after 2009 attacks the relation has taken a downturn etc......try to use lots of diplomatic words that we hear in day to day lives......eg india is even ready to walk an extra mile.....acc to manmohan ji theres enough space in this world for both india and china to grow.......

finally at the end a strong conclusion with complete analysis on relations....this should be of 50-60 words and in your own language....(i mean diplomatic lang)....always write diplomatic answer apne andar ki bhawnaein mat likh aana..........

8) In choice avoid opininon based open ended questions....they r highly tricky.....but iss saal to we were like " beggars r not choosers"


9) Pay emphasis on culture ek spectrum ki choti si culture ki book aati hai usse ratt lena

So i followed all these strategies and improved my marks....always remember that we get good marks not because we attempt more questions...but only because even if we attempt 400 but those questions should be written properly.....

For eg in question of complimentarity and competition btw highways and freight corridors....

i skipped intro
Just put heading competition and wrote 5-6 points
then placed heading complementarity and again 5-6 points
then finally a good conclusion

total-170 words

Finally coming to magazines.....i knew to be in top 70 out of 7 lakhs u have become different.....if i am following wat all others r following them i am also like rest 7 lakhs....so i tried to do different things....

i used to read frontline and used to write summary of every chapter i read....this saved a lot of time......

i didnt read any newspaper during last 2-3 moths.....actually i used to yawn reading hindu articles and always used to go to sleep midways....so i decided to leave hindu....i only read chronicle, frontline and yojana.......

I hope some of these methods may help u also in exam.....










History- NCERTs, Bipin Chandra and Spectrum Modern India

Polity- D D basu- constitution, bare act- p m bakshi, our parliament- subhash kashyap

Geog- Physical and Human geog- NCERTs and Goh Cheng leong- Physical Geography, one Atlas

Economics- Dutt Sundaram, PD-economics, Penguin dictionary, newspaper, NCERT macroeconomics

GMA- last ten years questions
Stats- NCERT
Current affairs- Hindu, TOI, yojana, frontline, kurukshetra, any current affairs magazine.
S&T- Spectrum and M&M

If you have time, you can supplement this with any good notes.

Thanks.
Shubhra.

For Psychology, Mr. Mukul Pathak is the only one. I believe almost every student of Psychology in CS preparation avails of his guidance in one form or another. I have immensely benefited from being his student and he is more than just a teacher. He has been a mentor and friend too. I am not suggesting that every student should join his classes. But this is one of the ways I can thank him for his invaluable support and guidance.

Sources:

NCERT 11th & 12th

Baron

Ciccarelli

Mr. Mukul Pathak's class notes.

1.Focus on conceptual understanding.

2.All chapters of paper 1 are extremely important and interlinked. So do not leave any unit.

3.Practice answer writing in the prescribed time limit and try to get them evaluated by someone competent.

4.Make synoptical notes for every topic for easy reference. That helps in the final revision.

5.For paper 2, you need to use some daily life examples and put them in your answer.

Also try to add some theoretical aspects of paper 1.

First choose your 1st optional

2) Now buy syllabus of GS and your optional. Go through it comprehensively.

3) Buy previous 10 years question papers of prelims and mains for your optional and GS.

Make sure that these question papers are divided question wise.

4) Now go through the questions to understand the pattern of the paper. After you have seen what the exam expects out of you,  start studying the basic books.

5) When you are studying basic books for GS and optional, do not go about making notes and cramming stuff. This first reading is meant to acquaint you with concepts. So  focus on conceptual understanding no matter  how factual the subject is.

6) Always try to understand the central aspect of any topic and not the peripheral aspects. Peripheral aspects will naturally follow.

7) Do not just start preparing for prelims exclusively. The idea is that you should first prepare holistically for prelims and mains together and towards the last 3 4 months you can focus exclusively on prelims. 

8) Always keep sight of the question paper pattern. Do some problem solving for both prelims and mains.

9)Take regular breaks. Noone can keep working non stop.  :-)

10) Keep a chart to track your progress. I did that and that helps.

hope this helps.

psy test

Vajiram and Ravi's TS

1 (a) What are schemas and how they affect memory? (100 words each , 10X6)

(b) Computer Simulation and AI difference.

(c) Compare and Contrast Chomsky and Piagetian views on Language Development


(d) Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis and asses the extent to which it is supported by research evidence.

(e) 'Moods can improve and Impair memory'. Discuss

(f) Perception as a process of putting concepts into action . Elaborate



2. (a) 'Multiple Intelligence has gone beyond the scope of unitary 'G' but the assessment of theses intelligences continues to invite debate.' Elaborate and provide account of the measures of Multiple Intelligence. (30)

(b) Role of reasoning,judgement and decision-making in Problem-solving.Evaluate the significance of expected utility principle in assisting problem solvers effort in arriving decisions.

3. (a) Theories of cognitive development by Piaget, Vygotsky and Info. Proc. theorists. How knowledge derived from these could be applied in education

(b) Creativity represents sum total of interaction between person , process , press and product . Elaborate
( Whats "press" here? anyone who knows please explain the term "press" ) 

4. What is Programmed Learning? How it is being used in HR DEvelopment? Discuss recent development in this field and far-reaching consequences produced. (60 marks)

5 . (a) Learning , reasoning symbiotic relationship . Discuss.

(b) Concepts operate on the principle of Cognitive Economy. Evaluate.

(c) Role of Culture in perception.

(d) attention works as a resource in working memory . discuss.

(e) PASS model has served as a heuristic for future research . comment.

11:07 am (3½ hours ago)

प्रियांशु

6. (a) Working of meta-memory and how it is a function of metacognitive knowledge and monitoring.

(b) You, as head of an organisation are confronted with prblm of laziness and non-compliance by your work-force. How will you handle it using principles of conditioning and observational learning.

7. (a) Discuss Physical Basis for memory and describe how research with amnesics tends to provide support for it.
(b) Emotional INtelligence?How it facilitates mgmt. of self and others.

8. (a) Significance of discrimination and generalisation in teaching children socially approved behaviour.Suggest additional interventions for learners who find it difficult to discriminate and generalize.

(b) Bottom up perceptual processing ? describe critically and assess one theory that explains processing this way.