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Showing posts from November, 2018

GS 4: Books, Sources and Strategy

By Jag Parvesh IAS Ethics is one such subject where input to output ratio is good. I mean with minimum effort we can have more scoring opportunity. But it is also one such subject where writing a foolproof strategy is very difficult. The marking pattern has also been different like for last 2 years the scoring was high, like it went up to 130+ and this year anything about 100+ is a good score. I present here my understanding of the ethics paper and how I approached the paper. My sources: I prepared notes from referring certain materials like (100 pages)  Lexicon book Handwritten coaching notes of any coaching(Vajiram or GS Score or Lukman ias) Extensive use of internet ( quora etc..) Previous years papers, test papers available in market. You tube for thinkers -THE SCHOOL OF LIFE channel Some gist and videos on certain topics like 2nd ARC etc… Basic understanding:   I understood ethics paper as one part where the examiner is not checking or do not want to know what is ethics

GS3 Books, Sources and Strategy

GS 3- Economy, Science & Technology, Environment, Security Issues, Disaster Management Economic Development –Books by Jag Parvesh IAS News Paper THE HINDU + INDIAN EXPRESS  Livemint newspaper app Mains 365 All india radio( Click ) Budget ( Next day HINDU + INDIAN EXPRESS papers are sufficient) Economic survey (I would recommend read in full if you have time) General Idea of Indian Economy, Planning, 1991 reforms, Budget process.  Science and Technology Mains 365 on S&T + currents Environment + Biotechnology Mains 365 + currents Understanding of basic concepts ( you can pick and choose from Shankar or any book) Disaster Management Current affairs + Basic NDMA + plans+ recent summits etc Security Issues Rajya Sabha TV debates ( specially Security scan) Mains GS

How to select Optional Subject for Civil Service Examination

by Jag Pravesh IAS Blog Optional subject is the most important factor in deciding final Rank in civil services examination. The optional has high potential for improving score. Like, an extra effort in GS papers can push score by about 5-15 marks only, like from 105 to 120 or so.  But similar effort in optional can push score at-least by 30-40 marks in each paper. Making total of up to 60-75 marks in optional. Factors on which optional to be decided: Graduation Subject : If you have good command over graduation subject  go for it. I opted for Electrical Engineering as I spent four years in college reading this subject and I feel I was pretty good at this. If you are not comfortable with your graduation subjects you can take other optional. Select based on your interest . Which-ever subject you feel comfortable to read, comprehend and present well. Since this subject you have to study for at-least 1-2 years, you have to have interest to read it for long hours and days. HOW TO DECI

Answer writing strategy for GS2

Answer Writing – Polity and Governance Part by jag Pravesh IAS Structure of answer is very important. Need to have good opening intro, side headings based on question requirement, suggestions and an optimistic conclusion. To me, the examiner should be able to understand the answer even just by reading the side headings and your underlined words. Focus this part more. Before attempting I would suggest u to see previous toppers papers, how they have approached polity papers and openings, conclusions etc.. Your polity answer should have following for better scoring Constitutional provisions + Supreme court judgement + any committee/ commission report ( like standing committee, law commission, hota committee, etc…)+ linking with some current examples It would be good if you can make a compilation of major SC judgement of last 50 years and some details about them. You can use them in your answers(total 20-25 big judgements) Same case with committees, make a small short note of comm

GS 2 : book list and sources

GS 2: Booklist and sources by Jag Pravesh IAS Polity, Governance part Laxmikanth ( This book is a must) Current Affairs – News Paper THE HINDU, post prelims I started reading INDIAN EXRESS editorial and  Explained  part ( HINDU is good for criticism of programs, while Express editorials gives some balanced solutions) Read editorial of livemint newspaper app All India radio( visionias.in/resources/air.php ) Vision current affairs monthly compilation + Polity Mains 365 Rajya Sabha TV Big Picture debates ( based on topic) Government Schemes and basic details about them. Budget allotment to education, health, social sector etc… Some fringe topics like NGO, Civil society should be prepared from internet. Make handy notes for such topics. To support the topics in contents you can buy handwritten notes of  M. Puri for GS2( In market available as GS2 by M Puri, buy the latest edition) International Relations Current Affairs ( News Paper THE HINDU + TH

Coaching for UPSC CSE Exam is required or not

Coaching for UPSC CSE Exam is required or not? by jag Pravesh IAS No, Not Required. I know many people including myself who have cleared this exam without any classroom coaching. IAS coaching centers claim hundreds of selection every year which are completely false. As many of the aspirants during CSE journey give mock interviews, enroll for test series and e-magazine. These coaching walas claim full credit of success of these aspirants when they clear the exam. But reality is very different. Hardly 10% are enrolled for classroom programme. I prepared all by myself, sitting at home, and cracked the exam in the Both attempts. I don’t endorse classroom coaching. Here’s why - (1) Internet is the greatest leveller for this generation. Be it Delhi, Manipur, Chennai or Mumbai, aspirants from all across the country can now access ALL the relevant information and study material for IAS via the internet. There are many people like me who have been uploading the booklist, online so

GS1 Answer writing strategy

GS1 Answer Writing Strategy by Jag Pravesh IAS on  June 05, 2018 Answer writing Plan – History In the last few years art and culture questions were mainly asking about trends and generic in nature like – art and culture in vijayanagara empire, gupta coin art difference of Indian civilization to others. So the key to write these questions is to present a holistic picture with diverse aspects covered. For example you can cover – under different sub heading art, architecture, literature etc.. for vijayanagara question (2016).  Once you put different sub headings you will fill paper and also not much need go in specific about one point. Can give general overview. If you could draw a map, for example for gupta coin age question ( 2017). I drew a rough map of India, west asia and identified that trade routes were under Muslim rule and trade came down…. Even while reading books also try to understand the general trend of events… like how dances were in each st

UPSC Prelims Exam: Booklist, Source, Material and Strategy

UPSC Prelims Exam: Booklist, Source, Material and Strategy by jag Pravesh IAS History, Art & Culture: NCERT History (Old) of Classes 6,7,8, 11 and 12.  Tamil Nadu Board History of  Classes 11  and  12 .(optional; if you have time you can go through this) Spectrum  A Brief History Of Modern India (Its a MUST) NCERT An Introduction to Indian Art (Class 11). Nitin Singhania  Hand Written Notes on Art & Culture. Geography NCERT Class 11 & 12 Geography Textbooks  The Orient Blackswan School Atlas (open atlas whenever you feel bored) Certificate Physical and Human Geography  (G C Leong) (for basic concepts of geography) Refer to Geography videos of Mrunal Youtube Channel  https://goo.gl/zLNKbn  (very good videos if you are a beginner, download ppt from mrunal.org under download section and revise them thoroughly) Polity Indian Polity 5th Edition  (Laxmikanth) Refer to kalyan sir site for videos; Watch all 56 vidoes if you are a