MOTIVATION: Mayflies - Do UPSC aspirants have something to learn from them?

You might be wondering that how did mayfly figured out on a page where we are supposed to read something related to UPSC Exam or the very motivation that we seek to go ahead with our preparation. Well you’ll have to read the following description of the life of this small fly to have insights to your answers.

Many of us go through phases of intense disappointment, depression, failures while on our journey to prepare for this coveted exam. Many are even afraid to step on this path fearing intense competition; some are allured by the high rewarding jobs in private sector and are disenchanted with the very idea of a career where we get to do something for the society and nation we live in. The idea of self gratification and fear of the pain and hard work one is required to put in acts as deterrence to many. Well we need to look at the inner motive which geared us to IAS exam. The ephemeral life of a mayfly and the sensual pleasure that it seeks (this is nothing but the interpretation of an author of the life of a mayfly) will make us ponder on the idea of very purpose of life.

The life of a mayfly starts with a stage where the eggs are laid on the running stream of water and from where they fall down to the bottom of sea and are then rested on the underlying rocks. The eggs go through processes of molting which is nothing but a stage in development of the mayfly. However various predators in the form of snails, caddis fly, larvae feed on these eggs and only a few manage to escape being the feed of other beings.  Sheer amount of luck you see, There is nothing that the eggs could have done to save themselves here. This (The sole prevalence of luck) is not the domain where humans are supposed to carry out their Purusharthas (Goals).

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The nymphs molt again and many of them are further eaten by frogs and fishes as they develop in their successive stages. The instinctive tendencies of these nymphs make them move upstream towards the surface of water as they develop and finally they’re able to open up their wings as a developed mayfly when they reach the surface. So we have here a fly who has just arrived at the spot and is ready to gaze at this amazing world. Isn’t it similar to the stage where we step in to prepare for this exam? Well its just a matter of imagination and correlation.

Though if you suppose mayflies to be heroes in certain way you’re wrong. They aren’t going to make social service their goal or even something as difficult as UPSC to crack as their aim. They’re all ridden by instinctive tendencies to seek mate for sensual gratification as soon as they gaze the world. They all gather in swarms above the stream to seek their potential mates to lay the foundation of next generation. Within minutes of mating the male mayflies collapse and die out of exhaustion and the females fall down on the water stream and die after laying their eggs.

This is all about the life of a mayfly, Their short lifespan of less than 24 hours and even few hours or minutes in some of their species, All they do is seek mates to lay the foundation of next generation. How bland or tasteless life you see. It is all but a matter of length of lifespan, humans might live for 100 years but what we do and seek makes all the difference. The goals we seek and the effort we put in makes us different from these creatures. We often get distracted by the fancy lifestyles of the people in our social circle and we question the worth of putting in so much of headwork for a carrier which might not offer us the perks as great as that of an employee of MNC posted abroad, The fame as great as a bollywood actor but one is sure to feel proud of a carrier which offers potential to fulfill the social and individual aspirations, to not just seek personal gratification but to make a difference in lives of others and above all an opportunity to become a mini universe of knowledge in oneself if  we prepare for it extensively, this I think is enough of an inspiration to tide us over all the lows that we go through, the restraint that we need to exercise for this demanding phase of preparation, to realize that things are not as great for us as mayflies where they’re all provided with their potential mates(Though they too compete for their potential match).

There is nothing more painful for the serious aspirants to fail to make to any one of the 3 successive stages of examination, One is bound to feel low, but to heal again and strive for worthy goals or to fall and die like a mayfly is all our choice.

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UPSC Main: Strategy for Public Administration Optional

Q. What is the basic reason for ‘Public Administration’ becoming so

Tips to Prepare General Studies for Civil Services Exam by IAS Topper Gokul GR

A good base in general knowledge is important for clearing the civil services exam and for the career ahead. As i had mentioned in a previous post, this job requires broad-based people with a good understanding of the things happening around them. As far as the exam is considered, 600 marks in the GS papers + 200 in essay + 300 in interview depends on your general knowledge base. And off late, the second paper in Public administration is more like a GS paper 3. Thus around 1100-1400 marks depends directly on your general knowledge base.

Preparation for general studies is composed of two parts:

• Conventional topics.
• General knowledge and current affairs.

Before I go into the books, some general points on preparation and approach:

• Make notes as you read. It’s impossible to come back to the text books during revision. Notes should be so comprehensive that once you are done, you would not have to take the text-book again.
• The basic approach should be STUDY-REVISE-IMPROVISE.
• Dont use guides, standard preparatory material or NCERT text books.
• Keep on referring to UPSC previous years papers to check if you have missed any topic.
• Prepare for the subjective papers ( i.e mains). Note down extra facts for the prelims as you make descriptive notes. Prelims is just a necessary evil.

Conventional Topics:

It is composed of:

1. Indian History :

Pre-modern history (before Europeans) has lost significance. Last year no questions were asked in mains. Besides, it is too bulky and is not worth the effort. One need to have a good understanding of the National movement(1800s-1947).

• India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra is a good book for that. Read it cover to cover.

One also need to study about the expansion and the decline of the other Europeans, the expansion of British empire and the administrative development in India during the British period ( 1650-1857). Try to get some book on Indian History from the library to make short notes. Brief notes will do for this section.

2. Geography:

Use NCERT books only for geography. Non- geography optional students don’t have to go in-depth. Read

• Indian Geography ( NCERT class XI)
• Fundamentals of physical geography (NCERT class XI)

Google and make notes on unfamiliar terms you may come across in the newspapers.

3. Indian Constitution:

Any good book on the constitution is fine. 'Introduction to the constitution of India'  by D.D. Basu is the book that i used. Read it also cover to cover.

4. Indian Economy:

One needs to know about some basic terms of economics like repo rate, reverse repo, CRR, SLR etc. These are needed for understanding articles in newspapers also. Just google them when you come across then in the papers and keep a separate note-book. Read one good book on Indian economy. I used Indian economy by Dutt & Sundaram. The book by Uma Kapila is also a good one. In both of these books, each chapter deals with an issue. So make notes keeping in mind the requirements of a 20-30 marker. Download the latest Economic Survey of India and update the stats as you make notes. Also leave some space after each chapter to add new info from newspapers as and when they come.

Also read Chapter 1 and the chapter explaining about the government’s poverty alleviation schemes ( chapter 11 in 2010 survey). Follow the budget. Read some business newspapers at that time and also read the summary of the budget which will be posted in the net.

5. Government policies and programmes:

Make notes on the policies that you come across in the newspapers. But this will not be exhaustive. Use India yearbook published by the Publications division for an exhaustive approach. It’s a huge book with a lot of unnecessary facts and details which should be skipped. Just make short notes on the various programmes ministry-wise. Anay dwivedi ( AIR-5, cse 2009) has this to say about reading the Year book :

If you already read the IYB for prelims, just go through what you underlined and revise your notes. But if you did not, then apart from the GOVERNMENT SCHEMES and agricultural data, read the following chapters from IYB 2010:

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11 (NCES only), 13 (terms like FIPB, FCCB, ECB, ADR/GDR, FDI, etc), 18, 24, 25 and 28.

Note: I have not specified chapters 16, 17, etc as I have assumed that you must have covered all the government schemes such as NRHM, JNNURM, etc irrespective of where they are given in the book.

In Mains 2009 many questions could be answered on the basis of information provided in the IYB, e.g. significance of coastal regions, UMPPs, BSUP, fruit production in India and NNRMS.

6. Science and Technology:

Use wikipedia extensively for this. Find out about new topics as you come across them in the S&T page of The Hindu. Also, make short notes on emerging technologies and recent nobel winning technologies from these pages

• List_of_emerging_technologies
• List_of_Nobel_laureates_in_Physics  (and chemistry and medicine)

Exhaustive preparation on these topics can be very hard. Try to cover as much ground as possible and hope for the best. When writing answers, try to point out the applications rather than elaborating on the technological part.

General knowledge and current affairs:

This is where you have to use newspapers and current affairs magazines. This is perhaps the most important part because if you see the Last Year's GS paper, questions are asked about the Palestine crisis, Sudan civil war, Cambodia, CWG etc. I recommend The Hindu and Frontilne. The Hindu has less unwanted news and has a balanced perspective on issues and is pro people. You shouldn’t be an ultra leftist or a right-wing hawk when writing the answers. The editorials and Op-eds present a very balanced picture on issues.

When reading newspapers, go beyond the issue. Use the newspaper as a guide to broaden your GK. So when you come across something you don’t know in the newspaper, google it up and make a comprehensive note on the topic.For eg, if the news item is “Pakistan Prez visits India”, I will google about India-Pak relations and make notes on it with a historical perspective and also leave some space to update future news. If the news is ‘ Jacques Diouf assumes charge as head of FAO’ , I will make notes on FAO and other UN organisations from Wikipedia. The advantage of using wiki is that when you read about one topic, you can move to other topics by clicking on the ‘Related’ links. Follow the references in wiki if you want to go deeper or confirm something.

I had kept two separate category of notebooks. One for noting down the events, date wise and the other for noting down the issues after researching in the net. The advantage of keeping the second type of notebook on issues is that when you revise you will have a complete picture under each heading, i.e, the historical perspective + all the events in the last 2 years. This should be done on a daily basis without any gap until the interview is over. You will need 2-2.5 hours daily for this initially. You can bring down the time as you progress with your prepsReading topics of Indian economy and op-eds from any one of the business newspapers will also help. I used Business line. I had also subscribed EPW after my prelims and read articles selectively.

Also make notes on topics that you come across in previous years papers from wikipedia and net.

THE GIST of HINDU, YOJANA, Kurukshetra, PIB, Science Reporter Magazine

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Cover Month: MARCH 2018

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TOPICS OF THE GIST

Gist of The Hindu (Newspaper)

1. Divorce as crime 
2. The crisis of globalisation 
3. High road to democratic stability 
4. The urban heat island effect 
5. Focus on income mobility 
6. For a safe cyberspace 
7. Transit gambit 
8. The outlook for oil in  
9. GST, a work in progress 
10. Overseas votes 
11. Missing the pulse 
12. A capital mistake 
13. Technology alone isn’t the solution 
14. Pixelating the India profile 
15. A pivot in Asia 
16. Three milestones in education 
17. After the sanctions 
18. Countering growing inequality 
19. Nuclear weapons at a glance 
20. Out at sea 
21. A very flawed law 
22. A necessary reform 
23. For a wider pool 
24. Reality bites Britain 
25. The money trail 
26. Seize the Asian century 
27. Clearing the air on the bail-in clause 
28. Citizen count 
29. State of conflict 
30. Should MPs and MLAs be barred from practising law? 
31. Enabling a law 
32. A sum of contributions 
33. Standing up for human rights 
34. Dark clouds across Asia 
35. The age of crypto-economics 
36. The much-neglected pollutant 
37. Agriculture needs a reforms package 
38. A wider net 

Gist of The Yojana Magazine

1. Taking The Economy Forward 
2. Promoting Value Added Products 
3. Seawater Farming 
4. National Year of the Millet 
5. Rice Bio Park 
6. Adaptation to Climate 
7. Allocation for Food Processing Sector 
8. Peri-urban Horticulture Revolution 
9. Transforming India’s Aspirational Districts- A Developmental Journey 
10. Farm Productivity to Income Inclusiveness 
11. A Paradigm Shift: Broadened Scope & Operation 
12. Inclusiveness: Focusing The Unfocused 
13. Market and Remunerative Price to All 
14. Natural Resources and Sustainability 
15. Highlights of Budget - 2018
16. BUDGET FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT 
17. Launch of Gobar-Dhan Scheme announced to improve lives of villagers 
18. Infrastructure Creation: Integrating the Nation 
19. Bandwidth for Spending 
20. Budget for the Railways 
21. Women Empowerment and the Budget 2018 
22. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) 

UPSC Preliminary Examination Syllabus

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UPSC MAIN GENERAL STUDIES SYLLABUS

COMPULSORY SUBJECTS

• English & Indian Languages Paper

• Essay Paper

THE GIST of HINDU, YOJANA, Kurukshetra, PIB, Science Reporter Magazine

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TOPICS OF THE GIST

Gist of The Hindu (Newspaper)

1. The road still runs through Ramallah
2. Tackling government litigation
3. A new weapon in the carbon fight
4. Restoring order in the court
5. Open trafficking
6. Following the grain trail
7. Blue, white, maroon, and now orange
8. Protecting marriages across castes
9. Towards solar-powered agriculture
10. On a new keel
11. Capacity building for primary health care
12. As anchors
13. A misleading story of job creation
14. The colour of inequity
15. Getting back on the democratic path
16. Making our roads safe
17. Reform with caution
18. Recalculating ease of doing business
19. The arc to Southeast Asia
20. Should euthanasia be allowed?
21. Red alert on the green index
22. A gap
23. The right price
24. Banking on good faith
25. A vote for state funding
26. Best practices elsewhere
27. Three steps back
28. Staring at the solution
29. Pixelating the India profile
30. A rich economy
31. Questions discussed
32. A path to executive power
33. Office of profit debate
34. A pivot in Asia
35. A road map for renewal
36. Tax disputes
37. Power of a single identity
38. Testing waters
39. Giving construction workers their due
40. Should India have simultaneous elections?
41. Forging a new nuclear deal
42. Understanding the HPV vaccine risk
43. Deadly drug cocktails in India
44. Courting the rankings
45. Making health insurance work
46. The NHPS, operationally
47. Rethinking protectionism
48. The manufacturing muddle
49. Indian immigration conundrum
50. The formal-informal divide
51. Big discoveries have small origins
52. A boost to rural entrepreneurship
53. Weekly - Feb
54. In the holy land
55. States of health
56. Endgame in Bangladesh
57. Rethinking trafficking
58. Winds of change in climate science
59. Adapting better to climate change
60. Looking forward
61. Woods and trees

Gist of The Yojana Magazine

1. Effective Grievance Redressal: Heart of Good Governance
2. Public Grievance Mechanism in India
3. 1st PIO-Parliamentarian Conference
4. e-Governance: Grievance Redress for a New India 
5. BRINGING INFORMATION TO THE CITIZENS
6. Role of Behaviour Change Communication in Achieving A Swachh Bharat
7. Impact of GST on Textile Sector

Weekly Current Affairs Update for IAS Exams Free Sample

VOL. - 204 (29 October 2017 to 04 November 2017)

Covered Topics:

• National

• International

• Economy, India and The World

• Sport, Environment, In The News

• Science and Technology

• Newspaper Editorials

• MCQ's

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THE GIST of HINDU, YOJANA, Kurukshetra, PIB, Science Reporter Magazine

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TOPICS OF THE GIST

Gist of The Hindu (Newspaper)

1. AFTER THE TSUNAMI 
2. THE RISE OF THE BOTS 
3. AN ITINERARY IN SEARCH OF A STRATEGY 
4. THE ASEAN OUTREACH 
5. IS THE SUPREME COURT FACING AN INSTITUTIONAL CRISIS? 
6. TIMELY RECOGNITION 
7. PACIFIC OCEAN'S 11 
8. THE CONSTITUTION CONUNDRUM 
9. IT'S THE REAL ECONOMY
10. THE DANGER OF ELECTORAL BONDS 
11. LOSING THE WAR, WINNING THE PEACE 
12. HEALING THE WORLD 
13. MOODY'S THUMBS UP TO REFORMS 
14. TRUMP'S CLIMATE PASSPORT 
15. THE NUMBERS GAME 
16. FAR FROM KEEPING THE WORLD SAFE 
17. REACHING OUT TO NEIGHBOURS 
18. THE NEW BIPOLARITY IN ASIA 
19. THE MANDATES OF NATURAL JUSTICE 
20. RETHINK SCHOOL EDUCATION 
21. CRYPTOCURRENCIES HERE TO STAY 
22. THE ROAD TO AN OPEN INTERNET
23. DEALING WITH DATA
24. DISABILITY RIGHTS OVER TIME 
25. A MISLEADING HUNGER INDEX
26. THE BRAHMAPUTRA CONUNDRUM 
27. THE PAIN OF NEWBORNS 
28. UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE IS THE BEST PRESCRIPTION 
29. UNDERWATER REINFORCEMENTS 
30. DEFECTION, DISAFFECTION 
31. GETTING BACK ON TRACK 
32. THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE 
33. A GENOMIC VIEW OF CANCER 
34. CRUNCH TIME AT WTO 
35. A GAME OF CHICKEN IN THE KOREAN PENINSULA 
36. THE LANDED JATIS - BACKWARD OR DOMINANT? 
37. ALIGNMENT' AT THE HEART OF BREXIT 
38. DISQUALIFICATION MOVES 

Gist of The Yojana Magazine

1. EMPOWERING INDIA’S MSME SECTOR 
2. ENHANCING COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY UPGRADATION 
3. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MSMES 
4. ENCOURAGING ENVIRONMENT FOR SMALL ENTERPRISES 

(Download) UPSC IAS Mains Exam 2017 

GEOGRAPHY Optional (Paper-1)

Exam Name: UPSC IAS Mains GEOGRAPHY Optional (Paper-I) 

Marks: 250

Time Allowed: 3 Hours

SECTION – A

Q1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each :   (10x5=50 Marks)

(a) Write a note on pseudovolcanic features.
(b) Distinguish between low energy coasts and coral coasts.
(c) Discuss the impacts of ocean currents on air mass behaviour.
(d) Describe the characteristics of biological deserts.
(e) Explain the concept of micro carbon sink and its relevance.

Q2.

(a) Discuss the forces which govern the air movement on the Earth's surface.  (20 Marks)
(b) "The knowledge of slope analysis has limited field application in the slope management." Explain.  (15 Marks)
(c) Describe the configuration of the Pacific Ocean floor.  (15 Marks)

Q3.

(a) "Climate change is a reality." Explain with suitable examples. (20 Marks)
(b) Distinguish between the characteristics of Chernozem and Sierozem soils.  (15 Marks)
(c) Give a classification of plants based on the amount of water requirement.  (15 Marks)

Q4.

(a) Discuss the concept of Periglacial cycle as propounded by Peltier.  (20 Marks)
(b) "Climate, slope gradient and rock structure influence the avulsion of channels." Explain.  (15 Marks)
(d) Discuss the Perception, Attitude, Value and Emotion (PAVE) Theory of environmental management.  (15 Marks)

Printed Study Material for IAS PRE cum Mains General Studies

SECTION – B

(Download) UPSC IAS Mains General Studies (Paper-4) Exam Paper - 2017
Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

Exam Name: UPSC IAS Mains General Studies (Paper-4)

Marks: 250

Time Allowed: 3 Hours

Exam Date: 31-10-2017

Instructions: All Questions are compulsory. 

SECTION – A

Q1. Conflict  of interest in  the  public sector arises when
(A) Official duties. 
(B) Public  interest, and
(C) Personal interest,
Are taking priority one above the other.
How can this conflict in administration be resolved? Describe with an example. (150 Words)

Q2. Examine the relevance of the following in the context  of civil service : (150 Words)
(A) Transparency
(B) Accountability
(C) Fairness and justice
(D) Courage of conviction 
(E) Sprit of service

Q3.   Young people  with ethical conduct are not willing to come forward to join  active politics.
Suggest steps to motivate them to come forward. (150 Words)

Q4.   (a) One of the taste of integrity is complete refusal to be compromised. Explain with reference to a real  life example.  (150 Words)

         (b) Corporate  social responsibility  makes companies  more profitable and sustainable. Analyse. (150 Words)

Q5.    (a)    "Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good  or very bad acts.
All depends on the principles Which direct them." -  Napolean  Bonaparte.
Stating examples mention the rulers (i) who have harmed society and country, (ii) who worked for the development of society and country.  (150 Words)

           (b)    "if a country is to be corruption  free and become a nation of a beautiful mind,  I  strongly feel  there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the  mother and the techer." - A.P.J.  Abdul Kalam. Analyse.  (150 Words)

Q6.      (a)  how will you apply emotional intelligence  in administrative practice?
             (b)  Strength, peace and Security  are considerd to be the pillars of  international relations. Elucidate .

Q7.       (a)  The crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced  to a narrow perception of the good life. Discuss.
             (b)  Increased national wealth did not  result in equitable distribution of its benefits. It has created only some ‘’enclaves of modernity and prosperity for a small minority at the cost the majority.’’ Justify.

Q8.      (a)    Discipline generally implies following the order and subordination.However it may be  counterproductive for the organisation. Discuss.
             (b)   Without commonly shared and widely entrenched moral values and obligation, neither the law, nor democratic government, nor even the market economy  will function properly.
              What do you understand by this statement? Explain with illustration in the contemporary times.

(Download) UPSC IAS Mains General Studies (Paper-3) Exam Paper - 2017
Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

Exam Name: UPSC IAS Mains General Studies (Paper-3)

Marks: 250

Time Allowed: 3 Hours

Exam Date: 31-10-2017

Instructions: All Questions are compulsory. 

1. Among several factors for India’s potential growth, savings rate is the most effective one. Do you agree? What are the other factors available for growth potential?    (10 Marks)
    
2. Account for the failure of manufacturing sector in achieving the goal of labour-intensive exports. Suggest measures for more labour-intensive rather than capital – intensive exports.    (10 Marks)
    
3. Examine the development of airports in India through joint ventures under Public – private Partnership (PPP) model. What are the challenges faced by the authorities in this regard?    (10 Marks)
    
4. Explain various types of revolutions, took place in agriculture after Independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India?    (10 Marks)
    
5. What are the reasons for poor acceptance of cost-effective small processing unit? How the food processing unit will be helpful to uplift the socio-economic status of poor farmers?    (10 Marks)
    
6. Stem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical conditions including Leukaemia, Thalassemia, damaged cornea and servere burns. Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other treatments?    (10 Marks)
    
7. India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbitter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space missions. What are the main obstacles to launching a manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Examine critically.     (10 Marks)
    
8. Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming a reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment.     (10 Marks)
    
9. Discuss the potential threats of Cyber attack and the security framework to prevent it.    (10 Marks)
    
10. The North- East region of India  has been infested with insurgency for a very long time. Analyze the major reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region.     (10 Marks)
     
11. One of intended objectives of the Union Budget 2017-18 is to transform, energise and clean India’. Analyse the measure proposed in the Budget 2017-18 to achieve the objective.     (15 Marks)
     
12. “Industrial growth rate has lagged-behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-product (GDP) in the post-reform period.” Give reasons. How far the recent changes in Industrial-policy are capable of increasing the industrial growth rate?     (15 Marks)
     
13. What are the salient features of inclusive growth? Has India been experiencing such a growth process? Analyse and suggest measures for inclusive growth.      (15 Marks)
     
14. What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stablise the yield of the crops in the system?     (15 Marks)
     
15. How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? What is the significance of the crop insurance, minimum support price and food processing for small and marginal farmers ?       (15 Marks)
     
16. Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantages of fast breeder reactor programme in India?     (15 Marks)
     
17. ‘Climate change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change?     (15 Marks)
     
18. On December 2004, tsunami brought havoc on fourteen countries including India. Discuss the factor responsible for occurrence of tsunami and its effects on life and economy. In the light of guidelines of NDMA (2010) describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.     (15 Marks)
     
19. Mob violence is emerging as a serious law and order problem in India. By giving suitable example, analyze the causes and consequences of such violence.      (15 Marks)
     
20. The scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest to curb this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding?        (15 Marks)

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(Download) UPSC IAS Mains General Studies (Paper-2) Exam Paper - 2017
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations

Exam Name: UPSC IAS Mains General Studies (Paper-2)

Year: 2017

Exam Date: 30-10-2017

1. The local self-government system in India has not proved to be effective instrument of governance.” Critically examine the statement and give your views to improve the situation. (10)
    
2. Critically examine the Supreme court’s judgment on National Judicial appointments Commission act, 2014 with reference to appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India.            (10)
    
3. “Simultaneous election to the lok sabha and the state Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government’s accountability to the people.” Discuss                                    (10)
    
4. How do pressure groups influence Indian political process? Do you agree with this view that informal pressure groups have emerged as more powerful than formal pressure groups in recent years?                                            (10)
    
5. Discuss the role of Public account Committee in establishing accountability of the government to the people.
    
6. “To ensure effective implementation of policies addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs the identification of the beneficiary segments is to be synchronized with the anticipated outcomes.” Examine the statement in the context of the WASH scheme.      (10)
    
7. Does the rights of persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 ensure effective mechanism for the empowerment and inclusion of the intended beneficiaries in the society? Discuss    (10)
    
8. Hunger and poverty are the biggest challenges for good governance in India still today. Evaluate how far successive governments have progressed in dealing with these humongous problems. Suggest measure for improvement. (10)
    
9. “China is using its economic relation and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia” In the light of this statement. Discuss its impact on India as her neighbor.   (10)
   

(Download) UPSC IAS Mains General Studies (Paper-1) Exam Paper - 2017
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society

Exam Name: UPSC IAS Mains General Studies (Paper-1)

Year: 2017

Exam Date: 30-10-2017

1. How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of Gupta Numismatic Art is not at all noticeable in later times ? (150 words)
2. Clarify how Mid-eighteenth century India was beset with the spectre of a fragmented Polity ? (150 words)
3. Why did the Moderates fails to carry conviction with the  nation about their proclaimed ideology and political goals by the end of nineteenth century? (150 words)
4. What problems were germane to the decolonization in the Malay Peninsula? (150 words)
5. How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of earth ? (150 words)
6. “In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for Development”. Discuss. (150 words)
7. Mention the advantages of Cultivation of pulses because of which year 2016 was declared as the International year of Pulses By the United Nations. (150 words)
8. How does the crysosphere affect global climate ? (150 words)
9. In the context of diversity of India, can it be said that the regions form cultural units rather than the states? Give reasons with examples for your viewpoint. (150 words).
10. What are the two major legal initiatives by state since Independence, addressing discrimination against Scheduled Tribes (ST) ? (150 words).
11. The spirit and tolerance not only an interesting feature of Indian Society from very early times but it is also playing an important role in the present. Elaborate. (250 words).
12. Examine how the decline of artisanal industry in colonial India crippled the rural economy.(250 words)

(Download) UPSC Mains 2017 Question Paper:
Essay Compulsory

Marks : 250 (125x2)

Duration: 3 hours

Write Two Essays, choosing One from each of the Sections A and B, in about 1000-1200 words each.

Section-A (125 marks) - Choose any one Essay

1. Farming has lost the ability to be a source of substance for majority of farmers in India

2. Impact of new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India

3. Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms

4. Has the non alignment movement lost its relevance in a multipolar world?

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(Answer Keys) यूपीएससी आईएएस (प्री) सामान्य अध्ययन परीक्षा पेपर
UPSC IAS (Pre.) General Studies Exam Paper 2017 (SET-D)

1- निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा एक काकतीय राज्य में अतिमहत्त्वपूर्ण समुद्र-पत्तन था?

(A) काकिनाडा

(B) मोटुपल्ली

(C) मछलीपटनम (मसुलीपटनम)

(D) नेल्लुरू

सही उत्तर:  (B)

2- ‘भूमंडलीय जलवायु परिवर्तन सन्धि (ग्लोबल क्लाइमेट चेंज एलाएन्स)’के संदर्भ में, निम्नलिखित कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

1- यह यूरोपीय संघ की पहल है।

2- यह लक्ष्याधीन विकासशील देशों को उनकी विकास नीतियों और बजटों में जलवायु परिवर्तन के एकीकरण हेतु तकनीकी एवं वित्तीय सहायता प्रदान करता है।

3- इसका समन्वय विश्व संसाधन संस्थान (WRI) और धारणीय विकास हेतु विश्व व्यापार परिषद् (WBCSD) द्वारा किया जाता है।

नीचे दिए गए कूट का प्रयोग कर सही उत्तर चुनिएः

(A) केवल 1 और 2

(B) केवल 3

(C) केवल 2 और 3

(D) 1, 2 और 3

सही उत्तर:  (A)

3- भारत के धार्मिक इतिहास के संदर्भ में, निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए

1- सौत्रन्तिक और सम्मितीय जैन मत के सम्प्रदाय थे।

2- सर्वास्तिवादियों की मान्यता थी कि दृग्विषय (फिनोमिना) के अवयव पूर्णतः क्षणिक नहीं हैं, अपितु अव्यक्त रूप में सदैव विद्यमान रहते हैं।

उपर्युक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

(A) केवल 1

(B) केवल 2

(C) 1 और 2 दोनों

(D) न तो 1,न ही 2

सही उत्तर:  (B)

4- भूमध्यसागर, निम्नलिखित में से किन देशों की सीमा है?

1- जॉर्डन

2- इराक

3- लेबनान

4- सीरिया

नीचे दिए गए कूट का प्रयोग कर सही उत्तर चुनिएः

(A) केवल 1, 2 और 3

(B) केवल 2 और 3

(C) केवल 3 और 4

(D) केवल 1, 3 और 4

सही उत्तर:  (C)

5- ‘राष्ट्रीय निवेश और अवसंरचना निधि’ के सन्दर्भ में, निम्नलिखित कथनों में से कौन-सा/ से सही है/हैं?

1- यह नीति (NITI) आयोग का एक अंग है।

2- वर्तमान में इसकी कॉर्पस Rs.4,00,000 करोड़ है।

नीचे दिए गए कूट का प्रयोग कर सही उत्तर चुनिएः

(A) केवल 1

(B) केवल 2

(C) 1 और 2 दोनों

(D) न तो 1, न ही 2

सही उत्तर:  (D)

6- सार्वभौम अवसंरचना सुविधा (ग्लोबल इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर फैसिलिटी)

(A) एशिया में अवसंरचना के उन्नयन के लिए ASEAN का उपक्रमण है, जो एशियाई विकास बैंक द्वारा दिए गए साख (क्रेडिट) से वित्तपोषित है।

(B) गैर-सरकारी क्षेत्रक और संस्थागत निवेशकों की पूँजी का संग्रहण कर सकने के लिए विश्व बैंक का सहयोग है, जो जटिल अवसंरचना सरकारी-गैर-सरकारी भागीदारियों (PPPs) की तैयारी और संरचना-निर्माण को सुकर बनाता है।
(C) OECD के साथ कार्य करने वाले विश्व के प्रमुख बैंकों का सहयोग है, जो उन अवसंरचना परियोजनाओं को विस्तारित करने पर केन्द्रित है जिनमें गैर-सरकारी विनिवेश संग्रहीत करने की क्षमता है।

(D) UNCTAD द्वारा वित्तपोषित उपक्रमण है जो विश्व में अवसंरचना के विकास को वित्तपोषित करने और सुकर बनाने का

प्रयास करता है।

सही उत्तर:  (B)

7- लोक सभा के निर्वाचन के लिए नामांकन-पत्र

(A) भारत में निवास करने वाले किसी भी व्यक्ति द्वारा दाखिल किया जा सकता है।

(B) जिस निर्वाचन क्षेत्र में निर्वाचन लड़ा जाना है, वहाँ के किसी निवासी द्वारा दाखिल किया जा सकता है।

(C) भारत के किसी नागरिक द्वारा, जिसका नाम किसी निर्वाचन क्षेत्र की मतदाता-सूची में है, दाखिल किया जा सकता है।

(D) भारत के किसी भी नागरिक द्वारा दाखिल किया जा सकता है।

सही उत्तर:  (C)  

8- निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिएः

1- भारत में, हिमालय केवल पाँच राज्यों में फैला हुआ है।

2- पश्चिमी घाट केवल पाँच राज्यों में फैले हुए हैं।

3- पुलिकट झील केवल दो राज्यों में फैली हुई है।

उपर्युक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

(A) केवल 1 और 2

(B) केवल 3

(C) केवल 2 और 3

(D) केवल 1 और 3

सही उत्तर:  (B)

9- जैव ऑक्सीजन माँग (BOD) किसके लिए एक मानक मापदंड है?

(A) रक्त में ऑक्सीजन स्तर मापने के लिए

(B) वन पारिस्थितिक तंत्रें में ऑक्सीजन स्तरों के अभिकलन के लिए

(C) जलीय पारिस्थितिक तंत्रें में प्रदूषण के आमापन के लिए

(D) उच्च तुंगता क्षेत्रें में ऑक्सीजन स्तरों के

आकलन के लिए

सही उत्तर:  (C)

10- बेहतर नगरीय भविष्य की दिशा में कार्यरत संयुक्त राष्ट्र कार्यक्रम में संयुक्त राष्ट्र पर्यावास (UN-Habitat) की भूमिका के सन्दर्भ में, निम्नलिखित कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सत्य है/हैं?

1- संयुक्त राष्ट्र महासभा के द्वारा संयुक्त राष्ट्र पर्यावास को आज्ञापित किया गया है कि वह सामाजिक एवं पर्यावरणीय दृष्टि से

धारणीय ऐसे कस्बों और शहरों को संवर्धित करे जो सभी को पर्याप्त आश्रय प्रदान करते हों।

2- इसके साझीदार सिर्फ सरकारें या स्थानीय नगर प्राधिकरण ही हैं। 3- संयुक्त राष्ट्र पर्यावास, सुरक्षित पेय जल व आधारभूत स्वच्छता तक पहुँच बढ़ाने और गरीबी कम करने के लिए संयुक्त राष्ट्र व्यवस्था के समग्र उद्देश्य में योगदान करता है।

नीचे दिए गए कूट का प्रयोग कर सही उत्तर चुनिएः

(A) 1, 2 और 3

(B) केवल 1 और 3

(C) केवल 2 और 3

(D) केवल 1

सही उत्तर:  (B)

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