As per latest available information, 57,179 cases were pending in the Supreme Court of India as on 30.6.11. The number of cases pending in the High Courts were 42,17,903 as on 30.9.2010. Giving his information in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, Shri Salman Khurshid, Minister of Law & Justice informed the House that in order to facilitate expeditious disposal of cases in courts, Government has taken a number of measures as mentioned below:

I. The Government has approved setting up of ‘National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms’. The major goals are:

Increasing access by reducing delays and arrears in the system;

This Section will be helpful for these following topics:

1. CONSTITUTION OF INDIAN AND INDIAN POLITY:

• Constitutional, legal, administrative and other issues emerging from the politico-administrative system prevalent in the country.

2. INDIA AND THE WORLD

• This part will include questions to test candidate’s awareness of India’s relationship with the world in various spheres such as the following:
• Foreign Affairs with special emphasis on India’s relations with neighbouring countries and in the region.
• Security and defence related matters. Nuclear policy, issues, and conflicts.
• The Indian Diaspora and its contribution to India and the world.

3. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND INSTITUTIONS

• This part will include questions on important events in world affairs and on international institutions.

1. New consumer price Index
2. Jasmine revolution
3. G-20 summit 2011.
4. Euthanasia
5. C.V.C
6. Spectrum Scam
7. Rural development
8. U.N. International year of forests.
9. India partnering with the LDCs
10. World wide exchange mergers
11. IPR
12. CEPA
13. Government control cyber switch
14. Yuan goes global
15. Bonhomie in Russia–Pakistan ties.
16. AFSPA
17. Israel–Palestine peace process
18. U.N. MDG summit 2010
19. Look east policy of India
20. Chinese angle to Indo-pakistan nuclear arsenal
21. Faux pas by CBI
22. Consolidation in farming
23. Pak-Russia Geopolitical Convergence
24. Comprehensive APM

This Section will be helpful for these following topics:

1. CONSTITUTION OF INDIAN AND INDIAN POLITY:

• Constitutional, legal, administrative and other issues emerging from the politico-administrative system prevalent in the country.

2. INDIA AND THE WORLD

• This part will include questions to test candidate’s awareness of India’s relationship with the world in various spheres such as the following:
• Foreign Affairs with special emphasis on India’s relations with neighbouring countries and in the region.
• Security and defence related matters. Nuclear policy, issues, and conflicts.
• The Indian Diaspora and its contribution to India and the world.

3. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND INSTITUTIONS

• This part will include questions on important events in world affairs and on international institutions.

1. GANDHI’S ECONOMIC IDEAS IN TODAY’S CONTEXT
2. MAHATMA GANDHI – A PROTAGONIST OF PEACE
3. MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT: TAKING CARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS
4. MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS: MERCURY- ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS AND TOXICITY
5. MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY: THE PROMISING INDIAN EXPORTS SCENE
6. MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS: INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE OZONE LAYER
7. MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT: INDIA MARCHING TOWARDS GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE HUB
8. SPECIAL SERVICE AND FEATURES: TRANS FATTY ACIDS : HARMFUL EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH
9. RAJIV GANDHI SCHEME FOR EMPOWERMENT OF ADOLESCENT GIRLS (SABLA)
10. SURVEY ON MALNUTRITION
11. INDIA MARCHES ON THE GROWTH PATH
12. INDIAN ECONOMY ON THE RIGHT TRACK
13. MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT : ON THE ROAD TO CLEANLINESS AND HYGIENE IN RURAL AREAS – TSC

This Section will be helpful for these following topics:

1. CONSTITUTION OF INDIAN AND INDIAN POLITY:

• Constitutional, legal, administrative and other issues emerging from the politico-administrative system prevalent in the country.

2. INDIA AND THE WORLD

• This part will include questions to test candidate’s awareness of India’s relationship with the world in various spheres such as the following:
• Foreign Affairs with special emphasis on India’s relations with neighbouring countries and in the region.
• Security and defence related matters. Nuclear policy, issues, and conflicts.
• The Indian Diaspora and its contribution to India and the world.

3. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND INSTITUTIONS

• This part will include questions on important events in world affairs and on international institutions.

This Section will be helpful for these following topics:

1. Developments in the Field of Science & Technology, IT and space:
In this part, questions will test the candidate’s awareness of the developments in the field of science and technology, information technology, space and basic ideas about computers, robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology and related issues regarding intellectual property rights.

1. The future is small. (Nano technology)
2. Nano energy – solution to the energy crises.
3. Nano technology – To the aid of the defence sector.
4. Nano – medicine
5. Biodiversity
6. Is there life beyond earth?
7. Spectrum
8. Biotechnology
9. Artificial Intelligence.
10. Interview of prof. C.N.R. Rao
11. Green chemistry
12. Fukushima nuclear accident
13. Interview of Dr. Baldev Raj
14. Quake, Tsunami, Fukushima
15. Radiation Alert
16. Melatonin wonder molecule

This Section will be helpful for these following topics:

1. Current National Issues and Topics of Social Relevance:

• The Indian economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
• Issues arising from the social and economic exclusion of large sections from the benefits of development.
• Other issues relating to the development and management of human resource.
• Health issues including the management of Public Health, Health education and ethical concerns regarding health-care, medical research and pharmaceuticals.

(Yojana)

1. Sustainable food security.
2. Revamping Public Distribution System
3. Food Security The challenges Ahead
4. 3G Telephony in India
5. Storage to food security
6. E-Governance for Improving rural livelihood
7. North East: Developing infrastructure
8. North East: Disaster Risk and Vulnerability
9. Climate Change and Indian Agriculture
10. Strengthening small farm sector
11. Rainfed agriculture - concerns, opportunities and strategies
12. Genetically modified food.
13. Horticulture in India: Status and prospects.
14. Organic farming problem and prospects
15. Grass roots level democracy in India: An assessment
16. Women in Panchyats - a review

Yojana Magazine: Issue August 2011

Since the dawn of civilization, human societies have developed indigenous modes of entertainment which have evolved in various forms, and developed and transformed over the ages. Among the traditional forms of entertainment we have circus, art, theatre, puppetry, folk forms of music and dance, sports etc. In modern day parlance however, entertainment industry encompasses films, TV, radio, music and print industry. Other key players emerging in this sector are gaming, animation and advertising. Entertainment in India is one of the biggest revenue grossing industries. It is one of the fastest growing sectors in the economy and its segments have witnessed double digit growth in the last two years. The Indian entertainment and media industry is estimated to grow from Rs 58,080 crores in 2009 at a CAGR of 13 percent for the next five years.

Notification: Uttarakhand Public Service Commission Civil Judge Examination: 2011

Important Announcement:

West Bengal Judicial Service (Final) Examination, 2011:

A list of Roll Nos. of the candidates who have qualified provisionally for admission to the West Bengal Judicial Service (Final) Examination, 2011 was published in two local Dailies on 09.07.2011. The list of names of the candidates along with Roll Nos. also has been displayed at the enquiry of the Commission’s office and also in Commission’s website : http://www.pscwb.org.in

Examination Notice No. 11/2011-IES/ISS Dated : 30.07.2011 (Last Date For Receipt of Applications : 29.08.2011) Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination, 2011

Dear Students,

The objective of the Civil Services (Main) Examination is for the selection of candidates for the various services and posts.

To achieve this U.P.S.C. has mentioned that the main examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory.

So, to evaluate candidate’s this treat, the main examination will consist of a written examination. And the written examination will consist of 9 papers, which carries total 2000 marks. In this General Studies papers carries 300 marks each, Paper IV and Paper V total 600 marks.

For the General Studies Papers, U.P.S.C. has clearly mention it’s level and range, It stated that the nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers will be such that a well educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study.

The questions will be such as to test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services.
The question are likely to test the candidates basic understanding of all relevant issues and ability to analyze and take a view of conflicting Socio-economic goals, objectives and demands.

Therefore the candidate must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.

After understanding the overall aspects of General Studies Paper, now you may ask why candidates score very low in this section? And what should be its solution?
Basically there are two reasons for this:-

Ist reason is, not completing all questions in the actual examination. There may be various reason for this but the most important one is, not having enough information, or knowledge about the question.

IInd reason is that, If you have the knowledge, then you are lacking the approach. That you may have faulty approach or wrong approach.

So, to overcome from the first problem, candidate must widen their knowledge base, you should be aware of right sources of study materials. Since there are diverse topics which you have to prepare. You should have crystal clear conception about the issues or topic which you read. In this context analytical grasp of topic is must.

Here one must also give more emphasise to these following topics:-

1. Indian Constitution
2. Current Affairs
3. Science & Technology Specially Environment & Ecology
4. Economy

Ist Problem: Regarding awareness of study materials for G.S. :

Now let me discuss about the sources or references from where you can cover your General Studies (Main) paper. For this you must through with the Syllabus as mentioned by U.P.S.C. and their references which you can refer are as follows:-

1. History of Modern India and Indian Culture: The History of Modern India will cover history of the Country from about the middle of nineteenth century and would also include questions on important personalities who shaped the freedom movement and social reforms. The part relating to Indian culture will cover all aspects of Indian culture from the ancient to modern times as well as principal features of literature, arts and architecture.

References:

1. Modern Indian History by Spectrum
2. Indian Culture by Spectrum or Wizard
3. Indian Culture Chapter of Indian Year Book

2. Geography of India: In this part, questions will be on the physical, economic and social geography of India.

References:

1. Class XI & XII Books of N.C.E.R.T. or Wizard.
2. For Economic and Social Geography of India. Selected chapter from Indian Year Book & Economic Survey. They are:

• Land and the People
• Energy
• Industry
• Transport
• Water Resource

Economic Survey

• Industry

• Energy Infrastructure and Communications

3. Constitution of India and Indian Polity: This part will include questions on the Constitution of India as well as all constitutional, legal, administrative and other issues emerging from the politico-administrative system prevalent in the country.

References:

1. For Constitutional Part – M. Laxmikant
2. Class XI & XII N.C.E.R.T. Books
3. Editorial and Important articles of The Hindu, articles of Yojana. Important articles of Press Information Bureau

4. Current National Issues and Topics of Social Relevance : This part is intended to test the candidate’s awareness of current national issues and topics of social relevance in present-day India, such as the following:

1. The Indian economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
2. Issues arising from the social and economic exclusion of large sections from the benefits of development.
3. Other issues relating to the development and management of human resource.
4. Health issues including the management of Public Health, Health education and ethical concerns regarding health-care, medical research and pharmaceuticals.
5. Law enforcement, internal security and related issues such as the preservation of communal harmony.
6. Issues relating to good governance and accountability to the citizens including the maintenance of human rights, and of probity in public life.
7. Environmental issues, ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources and national heritage.

References:

1. Following chapters of Indian Year Book:

1. Agriculture
2. Education
3. Food and Civil Supplies
4. Health and Family Welfare
5. Planning
6. Rural and Urban Development
7. Welfare
8. Youth Affairs and Sports

Economic Survey:

• Human Development Equity and Environment

2. Editorial and Important articles of The Hindu

3. Important articles of Press Information Bureau

4. Important articles of Yojana

5. Magazine like Civil Service Times or Chronicle

5. India and the World : This part will include questions to test candidate’s awareness of India’s relationship with the world in various spheres such as the following:-

1. Foreign Affairs with special emphasis on India’s relations with neighboring countries and in the region.
2. Security and defense related matters.
3. Nuclear policy, issues, and conflicts.
4. The Indian Diaspora and its contribution to India and the world.

References:

1. For Historical background one can refer – V. N. Kanna
2. For Current Affairs: The Hindu (News, Editorials & Articles)
3. News from Press Information Bureau
4. Foreign Ministry website or refer any competition magazine like Chronicle or Civil Service Times.

6. India’s Economic Interaction with the World : In this part, questions will be on economic and trade issues such as foreign trade, foreign investment; economic and diplomacy issues relating to oil, gas and energy flows; the role and functions of I.M.F., World Bank, W.T.O., WIPO etc. which influence India’s economic interaction with other countries and international institutions.

Reference:

Following chapter of India Year Book & Economic Survey:

1. Basic Economic data
2. Commerce
3. Finance
4. Corporate Affairs
5. Industry

Economic Survey:

Introduction:

The Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF) Scheme for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes is formulated and funded by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The scheme is open to candidates who belong to Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribe and wish to pursue higher studies such as regular and full time M.Phil. and Ph.D degrees in Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences and Engineering & Technology. There are 2000 slots for Scheduled Caste and 667 slots for Scheduled Tribe candidates every year for all the subjects.

Objective:

The scheme has been initiated keeping in view the social background of the candidates for the deprived section of the society and to provide them opportunity to undertake advanced studies and research. The objective of this award is to provide fellowships in the form of financial assistance to students belonging to SC/ST to pursue higher studies leading to M.Phil and Ph.D degrees in Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences and Engineering & Technology.

Applications being invited under Maulana Azad National Fellowship Scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs:

About the Fellowship Scheme:

Applications are being invited from the students belonging to the Minority communities i.e. Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi for the award of fellowship for the current academic year under Maulana Azad National Fellowship scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs. The Scheme is for pursuing studies leading to M. Phil/Ph.D. degree in Arts, Commerce, Science and Engineering. These are integrated five year fellowships and will cover all Universities/Institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under section 2(f) and section 3 of the UGC Act.

Bihar Public Service Commission Solved Exam Paper Held on 17-04-2011.

File Type: Zip

File Size: 1.50 MB

• Underline the Key words and the latest updates that you have incorporated in your answer.

• Highlight the Reports, Commission, new researches and approaches in the field, etc. if you have quoted them in you answer.

• Make some lucid diagrams to make your presentation effective. But remember that the diagrams need to be well integrated your answer. You can do this by simply incorporating a statement like – this can be diagrammatically represented as follows. Mind it the diagrams must be explained.

• Each topic has some key words and the examiner expects you to write them.

• Another, crucial factor which many of us tend to overlook is the selection of the first answer. Remember “FIRST IMPRESSION IS THE LAST IMPRESSION”, hence your first answer should be your best answer, i.e. one in which you have command and also have SOMETHING NEW to give in the form of linkages, recent reports, diagrams, maps etc.

• Try to integrate the statement of the question, somewhere in you answer. Either begin with it or end with it. This makes your answer FOCUSED and well knit.

• Last, but not the least, just before your examination give your precious three to four hours to those things which are the dynamic aspects of your preparation. This includes the latest updates, reports, diagrams etc. Even glancing over these things at the last moment makes them alive and fresh in your memory (provided you have read them earlier) and they can be reproduced more authentically in the examination. This will definitely make the difference.

These are the SEVEN GOLDEN PRINCIPLES for SCORING in PUBLIC Administration. These are not merely to be memorized and re-told to others rather these need to be applied in writing answers. So the thrust should be on writing answer and getting them evaluated. The more you practice the better answers you would be able to evolve and write.

I would like to remind what I have referred earlier that – “Winners do not do different things, they do things differently’. Herein, the requirement is to understand the psychology of the examiner which is possible by putting yourself in the examiner's shoes. What you would like in any answer sheet are required to be visualized....... and those are namely ….... clarity of though, lucidity, good content, well expressed language, in short, GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILL (Written Communication), so that the answer script could represent itself.

The reason why I began with writing skill is that it is the most important in the preparation for the Main Examination. There are many intelligent students, well versed with knowledge about their subject matter and yet they do not score in the Main Examination. But the question is Why ? Of course, luck and destiny is there, but another reason is lack of writing skill.

Thus Civil Services Examination requires a two-pronged strategy to hit the target CONTENT and WRITING SKILL. Now I will wish to analyze both the components in detail.

(A ) CONTENT involves the following elements:

• Conceptual understanding

• Facts

• Analyzing and manipulating the facts.

• Something new, in terms of the knowledge base inter-linkages or  diagrams

Conceptual understanding of the subject is most important. Give a layman’s interpretation to the concepts and relate it with mundane example for long term memory. Facts – After conceptual understanding, the second step is memorizing the important facts. For example , some important theoretical aspects are to be memorized to attempt any question related to the spatial analysis of the matter. Something New – New diagrams, new ideas, original ideas, new content, latest reports, inter linkages etc. must be incorporated.

However, one has to be cautious that a balance is maintained and the ideas are not too radical and should be well integrated with the answer.

“Blaming your faults on your nature does not
Change the nature of your faults”

So, don’t be complainative and be prepared for the exam. As far the question that is it safe to take history as an option in the IAS mains and how we should prepare for the mains ?

The answer must be a big yes…………….. It is safe’em all to take history as an optional in the IAS mains. It is very stable as well as predictable also. You can leverage on this subject as it is also to be studied for general studies prelims and mains. Student from any discipline can choose and master this subject with systematic efforts. It has synergy with General studies. 50 marks questions of modern India get covered in optional history. It is also useful in writing essay. Since at least one socio-cultural issue comes as a topic, historic vision gives depth to the arguments. If you are interested in the subject you can feel history is just like sitting into time machine and visiting our wonderful past. There is another advantage of history, as it makes a very good pair with many subjects, such as- Hindi, Philosophy, Public Administration, Anthropology, Political Science, Geography, etc. However, Proper understanding of the subject can’t be developed Without interest. Thus, it can be said that yes it is very safe to take history as an option in IAS mains.

 A variety of books are available on each topic in the market in history. As a result you can look upon the various books for the interpretation, even the same facts can be interpreted differently. However you must have to be cautious here, it becomes trap for the candidates to choose quality books. Candidate is not expected to research in subject but to command the various viewpoints, You have to be jack of all topics not the master in the subject. It is clearly stated in the UPSC syllabus that the questions will be asked upto the graduation level. In short if it’s a question of mastering the subject vs. mastering the examination which seems grossly the same, later should be selected. In that case reading of minimum number of standard books is sufficient. Right approach is needed to catch the veins of UPSC.