General studies for civil services/IAS UPSC Exam

An approach to general studies for civil services examination/IAS Exam

Ø  To govern/administer the vast, diverse, and complex country like India, the idea of Weberian Legal- Rational bureaucratic model was laid down in the form of Indian civil service which later transmorphed into present form of civil services exam.

Ø  Understanding Indian Society and issues pertaining to women, children, old age person, differently abled persons, transgender, tribal, schedule castes, refugees etc. are important. The subaltern approach is important in each answer to make it truly inclusive. All development approach must include the concerns of these section whether there be formulation for disaster management policy or rural development or any poverty alleviation programme.

Ø  Further, all time relevant issues like poverty, social crisis/agrarian crisis in the form of farmer suicide, violence towards women and vulnerable sections, communal disharmony issues, caste conflict, untouchabilty ,Education, health across age/sex/region/community, Employment,  relevant skills across the sector etc must be understood with appropriate facts, examples, caselets.

Ø  Various dynamics of social changes in terms of impact of globalization, urbanization, privatization, technological dissemination, cross cultural interaction etc must be understood well.

Ø  It’s also important to understand historical development of Indian society vis-a- vis changing local and global scenario. Various social reforms and its underpinned dynamics across religion and region are important to be understood.

Ø  In general, its is important to have a knack on the contemporary development happening in the Indian society to give a solid dimension to the answer.

Study material-

1. NCERT 11, 12 CLASSES, for Soociety.

2. Reading The Hindu & the Indian Express newspapers,

3. compilation of data from various sources India year book, Eco survey, ministry UN/WB/WEF websites or readymade current affairs of VISIONIAS or similar authentic source

Facts/examples/case/diagram collection is one time exercise. One doesn’t need to worry whether S/he needs to be updated on day to day basis, the health survey of 2016 will work for next two- three years and more for writing answers, so point is having data on finger tips to make answer more authentic, objective

Ø  Politics and Governance- Its important to understand India as a state and its organs like Parliament, Judiciary, Executives, legislatures at centre as well as state and local level. In this context functioning of parliament, issues of  anti defection, parliamentary privileges, role of speakers/opposition, relevance of Rajya sabha, reservation of women, parliamentary system vs presidential system, role of president and his power- ordinance, pardoning power etc are all time relevant.

Ø  Similarly, at state and local level relevance of legislative council, and similar issues  as above , Governor and issues- removal, appointment, politicization, power to keep bill for president. Further, local self government at panchayat and municipal governance vis a vis function, fund, functionaries, election, government schemes implementation either through agencies or by more people participation inculcating social audit and alternative development paradigm induced by NGOs, voluntary organization, SHGs, global agencies like WB, Philanthropic societies etc must be understood.

Ø   Role of bureaucracy, civil services in bringing change must be understood highlighting ethical framework in governance, citizen charter, e-governance, civil services conduct, peer example, best practices across administrative spectrums.

Ø  It’s important to understand development administration and its ecology at par with global practices, PPP model in variant form for socio economic development must be included to bring efficiency, economy, effectiveness and equity. So, innovative administrative mode without losing the sight of social equity, affirmative action, rule of law constitutional mandates must be sought to present best answer.

Ø  Constitution is an important light house for all our articulation, so its understanding at philosophical level, its development/making, preamble, articles of Fundamental Rights, DPSPs and other relevant articles must be understood by heart to make answer more institutional.

Ø  Role of civil society, media, pressure groups, advocacy is important to make democracy more engaging, participative and inclusive. In this context various examples across the social/economic sectors must be mentioned as development process is not confined to government agencies only. In democracy checks and balances are needed to correct deviation and ensure inclusive and sustainable growth. Global agencies like WB/IMF/ADB/UN/WHO/UNICEF and NGOs like transparency international, Amnesty International, Red cross society , IUCN, Global think tanks etc are shaping the opinion of the policy makers, so it’s important to read its report, findings and use relevant data to put a strong perspectives.

Ø  Understanding role of regulatory bodies also important which are mostly autonomous to govern various sectors like MCI/ICMR for medical education/practice, RBI for banking, SEBI for stock market, CCI for market competitive mechanism, UGC for university education etc. its function, autonomy, and right role must be understood as they are important tool to sustain institution led development in various sectors.

Ø  So, in general all constitutional bodies like Election Commission. Information commission, CAG, SC/ST Commission, UPSC and statutory bodies like NCW, Backward commissions, Tribunals like NGT  and  other quasi judicial bodies must be studied to ensure good governance and social justice.

Ø  Election is one of the most important process of democratic affair, so underpinned dynamisms in terms of fair and free electoral process must be understood. In this context electoral reform, RPA 1950/51 and recent development is important. Also, criminalization of politics, model code of conduct, power of CEC, political parties and an brief political account of India related to coalition politics, caste politics, one party system etc are important. Various recent changes/debates in electoral process-funding, disclosure of income, technological changes, NOTA, NRI voting, issues of EVM, Debate of whether political parties to be under RTI, simultaneous election at centre and state,  direct mayor election, minimum education for legislatures, recent judicial verdicts etc are  to be understood meticulously.

Ø   Centre – State Relation vis a vis administrative issues, financial issues, legislative issues across the subjects must be understood well. Role of Interstate council, NITI Ayog, finance commission, inter-state water disputes, All India service,  politicization of Governor, deployment of central armed police forces in states, NCTC, tackling of terrorism, GST etc are all time burning issues. Such similar issues keep on popping up which must be studied to understand the over all polity and practical dynamism.

Ø  A comparison of Indian constitutional schemes with various other countries like UK, USA, France, Japan, Germany, Japan, Russia, Canada etc. is important to understand our constitution well as India has tried to include best out of world polity to accommodate and integrate all possible sociopolitical ethos tweaking as per Indian socioeconomic and historical reality.

Reading Materials-

1.       Basics of Indian polity from Laxmikant- an important and trusted book for prelims as well as for Mains to have required understanding of Indian polity

2.       As this paper is mostly current affair oriented so, newspaper reading is important. The Hindu & the Indian Express- two good sources to understand all these topics current analytical perspectives.

3.       VISIONIAS has modular compilation topic wise so, one can go through to have fair idea of all topics. Else similar module from other trusted institutions can be done.

4.       Current Affairs booklet of VISIONIAS or any reliable institution can be done. Trust me you need to follow just one, it will sail you through.

5.       Refer Centre for policy and research(CPR), a think tank website pooling all relevant articles( appearing in all top national dailies) section wise like Economic, policy, environmental, IR, Governance.

6.       Refer major highlights, boxes, recommendations of Second ARC Reports, MM Punchhi Commission, one just needs to read preface, introduction and a glance over contents and some syllabus related topic, make small notes once foe all. Similarly, all such new reports, commissions of government, NGOs just need to be mentioned in not more than 5-10 Lines to just use in answer. Be wise and prudent here. Your only mentioning of these reports and findings with one line description will give a lot of weightage to your answers.

7.       Note making is very important for all such dynamic things else one will be lost in ocean of information. The very paucity of time in exam makes it important to be able to talk in terms of fact/reports//institutions to make answer more objective.

Interenational relation and Issues

India being an emerging country must make all efforts to ensure the best safeguard of its national interest. In this pursuit, it must work upon Geopolitics, Geo-economics, Geoculture, and Geostrategic interest. Various factors make this section to be important from exam points of view-

§  Stature of India is increasing vis a vis political and economic clout at international level, so to sustain it and augment its “say” at global level, it must not feel shy on the name of nonalignment or strategic autonomy. It must punch above its weight. But, yes multidimensional approach- engaging world power, caring smaller and neighbor countries and containing hostile one at the same time is important.

§  Rise of China at global level, its economic might, ambition trampling India’s interest as colluding with Pakistan, OBOR like infrastructure , south china sea issues, competition in Africa and Latin America, Middle East; its double standard on terrorism as not rebuking Pakistan, Indian ocean-string of pearl, security of north east as insurgents get support from china, even hobnobbing in Nepal, Bhutan, Srilanka and Maldeves affair against India giving  them way to play china card, Water disputes as Brahmputra, perpetual boundary disputes ,now CPEC, obstructing India`s bid for UN security, NSG membership; however , point of cooperation as in BRICS,SCO,AIIB,Afghanistan, climate change, WTO,Global governance , economic cooperation, investment in India, cultural diplomacy being a major Buddhist Country.

§  Impending Global issues-

Climate change, so for climate justice, environment justice, enforcing CBDR, SDG, Paris pledge, various protocols for biodiversity upkeep, Rio, Kyoto etc.

Terrorism- ISIS, ALQAEDA,HEZBOLLAH,ALSHABAB – their activities across continent, cross border terrorism in J&K, organized crime, its  needed pan world solution, agreement on containing it

Nuclear disarmament- dual use, nuclear energy interest, rogue state putting hand, North Korea a global threat, NSG, IAEA, Civil Nuclear agreement and various issues involved disarmament in general so Australia group, Wassenar arrangement , MTCR- India trying to get into all to have say in Nuclear energy governance matters

Gender Justice,Refugee issues, poverty, North-South divide, Protectionism, BREXIT

Middle East crisis- Arab(Palestine) Israel conflict, Shia(Iran)- Sunni(Saudi Arab) sectarian clash, Syrian Crisis, and India’s interest in the region vis a vis energy security, diaspora safety and in general economic cooperation, India must be cautious, non partisan, bold in engaging with this world.

Afghanistan , a perpetual problem,

Sea Piracy in Indian ocean

Pakistan a headache to last long- Indus water treaty issue, boundary dispute-sir creek, siachin, diplomatic entanglement as in Jadhav case/separatists, Baluchistan issue, state sponsored terrorism

Neo Colonialism, credit Imperialism, loss of sovereignty

Russia- USA power struggle and ensuing issues and its dynamics impacting India

South China Sea issues

Governance of Global Commons- Arctic/Antartic, High seas and marine resources

India`s relation with neighboring countries – all are important – mostly these are asked

Srilanka- Tamilian issue, 13^th amendment, LLRC,Kachhatibu,fisherman issue, chinese infrastructure in Humabantota, china card and need for more economic engagement

Bhutan- a good friend, only neighbor stand in all matter-BIMSTEC, no diplomatic relation with china, hydro diplomacy, contained ULFA, Development of North East, friendship treaty 1949 revised in 2007

Maldives- emerging democracy, china infrastructure, china card, SAARC, Pakistan getting ground, Islamic fundamentalists outreaching

Nepal- friendship treay 1950 a point of dissatisfaction, naxal/maoisim/ultraleft, china card, a route for terrorist, hydro diplomacy, democracy in Nepal, Bihar an angle

Bangladesh- Increasing Islamic fundamentalism, Teesta water dispute, maritime dispute, infiltration, migration, smuggling, trafficking, refugees, north east development angle

Myanmar-north east, trilateral highway, kaladan mmp,BCIM, ethnic group in conflict, China angle, democracy, New political changes, economic engagement

 Approach to Score maximum in CSE Mains

-Before you read following please go through GS syllabi, previous year questions(2013-17)

-CSE Mains exam is the sole most important step in terms of getting into merit list. 1750/2025 marks comes from mains across 4 GS papers ( 4*250=1000), Essay (2*125=250), and Optional subject (2*250=500). GS preparation is quite relevant for not only high contribution but also for essay fodder, Personality Test plus most of the popular humanities optionals (History, Geography, Political Science, sociology, public administration- second paper mostly and in some first part also) have significant content of GS. Time allotted- 3 hrs in each Paper –

So, 250 marks = 180 minute. it means roughly 25 marks=18 minute, 20 marks=14minutes, 15 marks=10 minutes, 10 marks=7 minutes. Or, generally 20 questions being asked, so each question can be allotted 8-9 minutes (180/20).

-Further, tentative word limits in GS 200 Words for 12.5 marks, 150 for 10 marks, and 250 words for 15 marks.

- It’s important to complete whole paper satisfactorily rather than answering few questions with all tiny details. Instructions clearly mention content is more important than length. So, emphasis should be to say more in few words, not much use of language as filler, but only objective, relevant facts, arguments, indicative examples putting these in systematic manner.

Practical suggestions for answer writing-

-One must develop scintillating high speed with legible writings which can be attained by prehand practice before real exam through taking tests as well as practicing question at home. People regret every year very strongly saying despite knowing questions they could not complete paper satisfactorily. So, time bound practice is very much essential, any lapse on this account will make one pay heavily. Either one realizes it by committing mistake oneself or by listening from seniors but there is no escape.

-As there would be high rush in completing the paper, it becomes important to write “what is being asked rather writing what one is cursorily knowing about the question”. Candidates have been regretting every year after exam about misinterpretation of either question or not reading the “directives”(critically examine, discuss, illustrate, comment). Misinterpretation is blunder but neglecting asked directives also undermine one`s sincerity, rightful understanding of the question resulting highly truncated marks.

-Nevertheless, there should be a standard practice of format of any question- Introduction, body part and conclusion. Introduction should be indicating the context, a general visionary outlines related to question or starting with relevant data,report,facts. 20% of word limit can be put here. Analytical questions necessarily needs a good introduction.

Main body part should have part wise mentioning of answer as asked in the question. It should stuff maximum relevant facts/examples with an indicative logical analysis. Here flow chart, diagrams, table, maps etc can be put not only to make answer more presentable but also to ensure more information in less words. language wise Sounding verbose will not pay anything.

-Simple and small sentences, simple vocabulary and grammatically correct write up will do wonder rather than complex wordings. Trust me contents with simple sentence framing only matters.

- Great debate Paragraph vs point format—As there is really rush of time, one cant afford to waste it in language. One has to be pointed, objective, and talking mostly in terms of tangible factual things rather stuffing answer with abstract verbosity of language. So, a good blend of paragraph (20% introduction and 10% conclusion) and point(body 70%) is the best way to answer the question.

- Most of the questions will have both aspects like if its asking reason of a problem, it will ask solution as well. So , mentioning the same stuffs in the form of “argument for” & “argument against” or pros and cons can be put forth to make answer more structured.

- However long the question be in terms of putting background, one must identify the crux and asked things rather reiterating/rephrasing the descriptions. It only kills time and words.

-The inculcation of diagram cannot be done all of sudden, it must be practiced at home else one can hardly even think to use on sustained basis let it be actually putting on paper. So during preparation only these things must be collected in a note from whatever sources coming in the way or developing innovatively on own. Mind map can be seen from Insightonindia website.

Conclusion is about summarizing by a final view point either taking a stand or balancing both aspects by putting one`s condition over other. As examiner mostly wants to rush towards end of the answer,so in a question like comment or discuss it seeks one`s stand in the last. Also before putting marks, the last look is at conclusion, so, a final futuristic line like a leader becomes important to send positive vibes.

-          For questions which are known very well must be written diligently with maximum effort and the one known vaguely or little bit must not be given same much time as the best known, here balancing and compensation can be done to ensure maximum output.

-          First impression is the last impression—in this exam it really does matter ( personal experience from GS Paper4), so starting questions known well must be written meticulously. However , bottom line is completition of paper in stipulated time, so judicious glance over whole paper is important to prioritize at the start only.

-          Again, there is nothing called the best answer, so starting hour is very crucial to maintain the pace throughout. Any distortion will heavily impact later questions like writing only 4 questions in first hour will disturb whole time equation, so any overemphasis or beating around bush about a question will do injustice to equally important tail enders.

-          Content enhancement- Most of the questions will have administrative angle, needing solution/suggestions, asking reasons, so both aspects must be sought from various dimensions. And these dimensions can be historical reason/background, geographical in terms of location based ,political, social, economical, environmental, institutional, legal/judicial, scientific, global practice, leaders point of views like Gandhi, Nehru, Ambedkar, across subaltern/vulnerable sections( Dalit,tribals,women,disable,transgenser), across the region of developed(Metros, west MH) and underdeveloped(KBK, Bundelkhand).

-          Similarly such identification of actors/place/ideology/discipline will be important to make an answer very comprehensive. As socioeconomic problems have multiple roots, so,such multidimensional solution is always appreciated.

-          Some deterministic suggestion-

-          A through note making from whatever source must be done as per requirement of syllabi. It helps one always equip with facts/examples/caselets/apt arguments over relevant issues. And its repeated revision till it becomes ones common sense. One can ignore it at the cost of one`s final selection in the exam.

-          Only limited source study can help one internalize subject matters better. Despite high temptation one must not fall in this trap. More sources will only increase the acquaintances rather concrete stuff to produce in the time-pressed mains exam.

-          Writing practice with multiple experimentation under time frame is very muc essential to really ace the mains exam. Thinking that one will do it in exam without much practice if one will have enough knowledge of the sunject is to put one away from harsh reality of actual battlefield. The saying “the more one will sweat in peace, the less one will bleed in battle” is truly to be followed else one will learn this by committing mistake oneself rather from others mistake.

-          CSE GS papers being vast in terms of extent need one to be prudent to earn extra by going extra miles. One must be quick in combing presentable facts/knowledge from all possible stuffs- commission,reports,NGOs findings/newspaper studies –in few lines only rather going through complete texts. Extra efforts do pay.

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