Best of Luck for UPSC - CSE Aspirants 2015

TOP 5 Civil service Topper IAS 2014

Final result of UPSC-CSE 2014 (4th July 2015)

World Ranks of India in 2015 (Category wise)

1.GLOBAL PEACE INDEX------------------------------143

2.CHOICE OF F.D.I--------------------------------------143

3.EASE OF DOING BUSINESS ------------------------142

4.ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE INDEX -----155

5.WORLD PRESS FREEDOM INDEX ----------------136

6.ECONOMIC FREEDOM INDEX – -------------------128

7.HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX --------------------135

8.GENDER INEQUALITY INDEX –-------------------- 129

9.GENDER GAP INDEX ----------------------------------114

10.WOMENS REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENT -111

11.WORLD PROSPERITY INDEX –--------------------- 106

12.SOCIAL PROGRESSIVE INDEX ----------------------101

13.HUMAN CAPITAL INDEX-----------------------------– 100

14.GLOBAL INFORMATION INDEX (WEF) ----------– 89

15.CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX ---------------85

Civil Services Mains Exam General Studies Syllabus

Paper-I

General Studies-I 250 Marks (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)

1. Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
2. Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues
3. The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
4. Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
5. History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.
6. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
7. Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
8. Effects of globalization on Indian society
9. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
10. Salient features of world’s physical geography.
11. Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)
12. Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

Paper-II

General Studies -II: 250 Marks (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)

1. Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
2. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
3. Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
4. Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
5. Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
6. Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
7. Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
8. Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
9. Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
10. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
11. Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders
12. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and
13. Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
14. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
15. Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
16. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
17. Role of civil services in a democracy.
18. India and its neighborhood- relations.
19. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
20. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
21. Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate.

PAPER-III

General Studies -III 250 Marks (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)

1. Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.
2. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
3. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
4. Government Budgeting.
5. Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers
6. Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions;
7. economics of animal-rearing.
8. Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
9. Land reforms in India.
10. Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
11. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
12. Investment models.
13. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology;
14. indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
15. Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
16. Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
17. Disaster and disaster management.
18. Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
19. Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
20. Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention
21. Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism
22. Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate

Paper-IV

General Studies -IV 250 Marks (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)

1. This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered.
2. Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships.
3. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
4. Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
5. Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service , integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.
6. Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
7. Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
8. Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance;
9. ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
10. Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information
11. sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s
12. Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
13. Case Studies on above issues.

Notification for UPSC prelims on 23rd August, 2015 mains and personality test is out

2 important facts:

1. Notwithstanding anything contained in this rule, any candidate who appeared in the Civil Services Examination, 2011 but is otherwise ineligible for Civil Services Examination, 2015 due to attainment of upper age limit on the crucial date for examination prescribed under this rule, shall be permitted an additional attempt in the Civil Services Examination, 2015. 

In simple terms, if you gave the exam in 2011, you will be given an extra attempt this year, (i) if in 2011, you gave exam at age 28 (General) or 31 (OBC) or 33 (SC/ST) and are now ineligible because of age, or (ii) if you have exhausted your attempts (General/OBC).

2. The Commission will draw a list of candidates to be qualified for Civil Service (Main) Examination based on the criterion of minimum qualifying marks of 33% in General Studies Paper- II of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination and total qualifying marks of General Studies Paper-I of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination as may be determined by the Commission. 

It is written thrice in the notification that CSAT-2 is qualifying only with 33% or marks required to be eligible.

Now when it comes to strategy, we have to consider 2 scenarios.

1. CSAT-2 difficulty level remains the same. In this case, almost anyone can secure 33% marks. Many of my batchmates had a score of 90%+ and even those who are extremely poor in maths, logic, analysis and reading comprehension, can easily get 50%+ marks. So, your entire focus needs to be on GS (CSAT-1) and only an utterly idiotic personality will spend even a single waking hour preparing for CSAT-2. 

2. CSAT-2 is made extremely difficult (reaching at CAT level or beyond). Though this case is unlikely, but there is 5-10% probability of UPSC shifting to this trend. In this case, many of you will not be able to get even 33% marks and you will not be considered for the mains, though you might be getting 100% marks in CSAT-1. 

So, in next three months, please read CSAT-2 for 3 days each in June, July and August (9/90 days, 10% of preparation time) so that you are not caught off-guard just in case UPSC throws in the surprise punch. 

For rest 90% of your preparation time, you need to focus solely on GS prelims only (excluding answer writing practice, essay, world history, disaster management, international relations and ethics) especially on Environment and Ecology, Science and Technology, Art and Culture (you will get more than 50% questions in prelims from this section)

UPSC Civil Services Exam 2013 Topper (Rank 1) Gaurav Agrawal’s Marks

Gaurav Agrawal from Rajastan topped UPSC Civil Services Exam 2013. Gaurav did his graduation from IIT and post graduation from IIM. He got IPS in his first chance before securing All India Rank 1 this year. We have already shared Gaurav Agrawal’s UPSC interview transcript. In this post, we shall analyze how should one score to become an All India Topper and clear IAS! This post also examines the subjective nature in the present pattern of UPSC exam, especially the interview/personality test.

How well should you score to clear IAS with AIR 1?

As you all might be aware, there cannot be any generalizations. We have already done an analysis on UPSC mains marks cut-offs and have shown that the competition is getting tougher and the mains exam is becoming low scoring. Let’s have a quick look at AIR 1, Gaurav Agrawal’s total marks, which is 975/2025. This comes around 48.15 percentage, around 3 percent less than last year topper Haritha V. Kumar’s total. The decrease in percentage can be attributed to the reduction in number of optional papers and increase in general studies papers, with tight valuation. But the point here is : You just need around 48% marks to become All India Topper! And to clear IAS which has around 180 seats this year including reservation, the percentage needed is again less! However, things are not that easy! Let’s see.

Gaurav Agrawal’s UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam Marks

• General Studies Paper 1 (GS): 121.34 / 200
• General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT): 182.50 / 200
• Total: 304 / 400

PS : Marks of UPSC Preliminary Exam is not counted for final ranking. For 2013, the cut-off mark for general category was 241, OBC – 222, SC -207, ST-201, PH1 -199, PH2 – 184 and PH3 – 163.

It can be seen that Gaurav was way above the cut-off, even for Prelims. A high score in CSAT, can naturally be attributed to his IIT+IIM brain, but the score of 120+ in GS shows his command over the general studies paper too.

A good command over GS paper even at the time of Prelims would naturally give an edge to the candidate for Mains, as he/she already know many of the general studies topics. And a 300+ score for Prelims is just awesome! 

Motivational quote from the topper for those who start late:

If you are confident enough in paper 2 (CSAT) , prelims specific preparation can be done in last 1-2 months itself.

Gaurav Agrawal’s UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam Marks

Thanks to Gaurav for sharing his detailed marks-break up.

1. Essay: 135 / 250
2. GS 1: 85 / 250
3. GS 2: 63 / 250
4. GS 3: 88 / 250
5. GS 4: 102 / 250
6. Economics 1: 134 / 250
7. Economics 2: 162 / 250

• Total GS: 338 / 1000 (33.8%)
• Total Economics Optional : 296 / 500  (59.2%)
• Mains (written) total = 769 / 1750 (43.94%)

PS : Mains cut-off for general category was 564, and Gaurav had scored 205 marks above that minimum qualifying mark. 

Gaurav Agrawal’s UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam Marks

• Interview (Dr. Kilemsungla board): 206 / 275
• Total: 975 / 2025
• Rank 1.

PS : After interview, Gaurav was 200 marks above the last recommended candidate in general category. (517th candidate)

All India Topper’s Mark for Mains and Interview : An Analysis

As per our analysis, there are three crucial areas which determines a mains qualified candidate his/her final rank, after the changed pattern.

1. Essay Paper (250 marks).
2. Optional Paper (500 marks).
3. Interview (275 marks.)

You might be surprised why we didn’t include General Studies Paper in this list. Of-course, General Studies is also a factor, but in 2013, it was not a very crucial element, as there was no very big difference in the mark range even when the total General Studies weigtage was out of 1000 marks. Reason : GS1, GS2 and G3 papers had 25 questions each while GS4 had 14 questions. So the 1000 marks were divided among 89 main questions and 20+ sub questions. That will reduce the subjective elements and variations to a great extent. Analyze this break-up, in contrast to a single essay question worth 250 marks!

Subjectivity in the Essay Paper

Gaurav Agrawal scored 135 in essay paper, which is a very high score for essay this year. Yes, there are candidates who scored, 145 for essay, but the difference between the 145 and 135 is not that really big. But those who got only 50 or 60 mark in essay, are lagging behind the topper by near 80+ marks soon after the first paper itself! This is not a small difference to neglect. A single essay worth 250 marks can always lead to mark variations like this. Unless the next year essay paper contains 2-3 essays, the volatility of essay marks will remain.

Subjectivity in the Optional Paper

Gaurav Scored 296 marks in economics optional which is exceptional! Here also, there might be other candidates who scored higher for other optionals, but 296/500 is never a mean achievement. Gaurav said that it was his optional marks which secured him the first rank. We would only partly agree. He performed really well across sections  .

But again, who much is the marks range in optional paper? If Gaurav’s total was 296/500, there are also candidates who made it to the final list with less than 180/500 as optional paper mark. That means a big difference of 120+ marks is possible for optionals.

PS : The wide variation of marks between optional papers is well known. This has nothing to do with number of questions in each paper, but is often associated with the scaling process for equating marks between different optional papers. There are also unfortunate candidates with such low marks 3-11 in certain optional papers, after writing for 3 hour each (who of-course didn’t qualify) probably due to the scaling process for that optional paper!

Subjectivity in the UPSC Interview/Personality Test

Now let’s see how a candidate’s life and years of preparation can be drastically ruined in half an hour. For 2013 interview, there were as high marks as 210+ and low marks as 90 also. This means 120+ marks difference was possible in 30 minutes, which as per our analysis is the most life changing one. Even if you were 120+ marks above mains cut-off (mains = the stage which checks your knowledge and analytical abilities, with a weightage of 1750 marks ), a very low mark like 90 or less in the UPSC interview/personality test can spoil your chances.

PS : There are many instances of candidates securing very low marks like 90 or 100 one year crossing 200+ when he attends the UPSC board next year. It can be the reverse also. There are many who wonder how the personality of a candidate rise or fall so much in one year. This just point outs the subjectivity in a 30 minute interview. There are many who wonder if the personality of candidate can be judged at all in 30 minutes.

Gaurav scored 206 for interview, which is again very high marks. His GS score of 338/1000, though not exceptional, corresponds to around 85 marks per each paper out of 250, which is well above the average.

Conclusion :

To conclude our analysis on UPSC Civil Services mains+interview, it is worrysome to note that the high range of marks existing in a 20-30 minute subjective process like interview. The subjective nature also exists in the valuation of a single essay worth 250 marks. Again, scaling in optional papers has been a matter of debate by lot of unfortunate candidates for many years. UPSC had made some reforms in exam pattern and syllabus in last 2-3 years, but still there is definite scope for improvement in the whole exam process, and we strongly suggest reducing the ‘range of marks’ that can be awarded for interview and essay. The difference between top and bottom marks should be a maximum 50. Except under exceptional circumstances, this rule should not be violated. Either remove the optional paper completely or bring more transparency to the scaling process for optional paper. Many successful and unsuccessful candidates associate the ‘luck element’ with the subjective and impulsive nature of awarding marks. The selection of the top bureaucrats who steer the governance and future of India, can never be left to any luck element, but should always be on the basis of merit.

And for Gaurav Agrawal, a consistent high scoring in all papers of mains and interview fetched him the top slot. He might not be the topper in individual papers, but he remained consistently high across all papers with exceptional performance in Economics optional. We are happy that his hard-work is finally rewarded, in-spite of the uncertainties existing in the system and exam process. A truly deserving candidate who crossed all hurdles, after being a little short the first time. All the very best to him! 

How to choose optional subjects for civil services exam

Selecting Right Optional Subject for Civil Services Exam

Through this article, I would like to interact with Civil Services Aspirants about the strategy for the IAS examination.

Friends, the foremost important thing is the duration of preparing this examination, Ideally the time to start the preparation is 10-12 months before the exam. Selecting optional subject is most important part of the civil services examination which most of the candidates ignore. Generally, "A college student asks whether I should start preparing when I am studying in college itself."

Actually; I would suggest them that "Have Civil Services in back of your mind and just start preparing from Daily important news from various news papers like The Hindu, Indian Express, Economic Times, related magazines like Yojana, Kurukshetra, Frontline for in-depth analysis of current issues and events in India & World,  and think about selecting your Optional Subject". Optional subjects are those which you have to study for couple of years during your preparation for this exam. So, if you don't like the optional subjects, or if you have selected the subject only for scoring purpose, you won't be comfortable in studying them.

Selection of Right Optional Subject

Remember, When you select the right optional you are halfway through in this examination. First before choosing the subject you have to see the entire syllabuses of the all the optional subjects ranging from subjects like Agriculture to Russian Literature, there are many optional subjects given by the UPSC. Students must visit UPSC official website and see the list of available optional subject and go through the syllabus. Students with optional subjects as their graduation subjects like History, Geography or Political Science have the option to choose their graduation subjects itself as their optional subjects in IAS exam.

For Students with engineering like Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, there are also optional subjects available in UPSC. But they are not most preferred subjects. I am not discouraging students from engineering background to take subjects from their graduation or even Physics, Chemistry which they studied in School and liking. But as I said that the optional subjects like Engineering are not preferred by most of the people and you may loose the option of  "Law of Averages". Because other subjects like Sociology, Psychology, Public Administration etcetera are recommended by the most students, which gives and edge over them in writing the Main examination.

So, when you select an optional subject, it is like marrying a person. We have to live with it for few years when you going through the UPSC examination, and during the course of the preparation you should not realise that we should have selected a better optional. So when you select the optional subject, Be Clear & Go Through the Syllabus.

If the syllabus is to your liking, you have to select the subject. Also go through the previous years question papers, and when you feel comfortable with the subject, start reading and analysing NCERT Books related to that subject.

There are many myths about the Civil Services Examination which I would like to clear here;
First, many students think that lot of intelligence and intelligence quotient (IQ) is required to clear this exam. But fact is that "UPSC is looking for They are looking for very ordinary people who can understand the pulse of the people in country. Administrators who can look after the people and implement their development work in a proper way which is comfortable to them, UPSC is not looking for Ph.D. students, Scientist who are going to work in NASA. So, Intelligence and IQ is not necessary.

If you look at the list of successful candidates, you will be glad to know that most of the candidates are from rural background with very ordinary schooling and college education. Not all students who clear the UPSC are from IIT or Medicine background.

Next, aspirant think that lots of hard work is required to clear this UPSC exam, but it is not true. Because, Smart work is most important than hard work! 
What not to read is most important than What to read.

First thing which we need to look at before we choose books for the particular subject or even for General Studies paper preparation. Its not that we have to read books from cover to cover, some books have important chapters which we need to look at. We should not look at in a particular book. So, when you selecting the optional subject and also for GS, we have to think about the right books which you knew to choose and the right topics in those books.

In the name of Hard Work, lot of students actually pain themselves in hasty study and it is not required.
Look, time duration of daily study is not important, How you study and what you study is more important than the time of study. I am telling this because whenever new students come to us and ask "How many hours you put everyday for IAS exam preparation?"

REMEMBER: What and How you study is going to matter.

Study Oriented Points to Keep in Mind

Writing practice is very important or I must say "Recommended" in Civil Services examination, Because, even if you know lot about the subject and if you are not able to complete the paper, it is not going to work. So, instead of reading more actually you have to Write & Practice more, and this is the Key of Success in Main examination. By writing more you improve your language, you learn time management and you also improve you handwriting if your handwriting is not good.

Few Tips for IAS Main Essay Paper

• For Essay paper there are no definite set of topics and books to prepare, but we can just predict some areas from the essay topics which are going to come. To prepare this paper, we have to Read Newspaper Regularly, stay updated about the Current Affairsand think & discuss about hot topics/events.
• More than reading we have to introspect on important topics. Remember! Be Clear about your ideas and thought process which you are going to present in essay. Get some previous years questions.

Reference: P. Aravindhan (IPS), AIR: 164 CSE 2009

UPSC civil service Paper 1 & Paper 2 Analysis

CSAT Paper I: 200 Marks; Duration: Two Hours; Number of Questions: 100

1. Current Affairs: Events of national and international importance
2. History of India and Indian National Movement
3. Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic geography of India and the World.
4. Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
5. Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
6. General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change (no subject specialization required)
7. General Science

CSAT Paper I Analysis

Topic	2011	2012	2013	2014
History and Culture	13	20	15	21
Economy	18	12	18	6
Polity	17	25	18	13
Geography	11	11	14	15
Environment & Bio-diversity	22	23	22	21
Science & Technology	19	9	13	17
Current Affairs				7
Total	100	100	100	100

CSAT General Ability Test Paper 2 Syllabus

CSAT Paper II: 200 Marks; Duration: Two Hours; Number of Questions: 80

1. Comprehension
2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills
3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability
4. Decision making and problem solving
5. General mental ability
6. Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude etc.) (Class X level), Data Interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. - Class X level)
7. English Language Comprehension skills (Class X level).
8. Questions relating to English Language Comprehension skills of Class X level. (will be tested through passages from English language only without providing Hindi translation)

Marking Scheme: Total 80 questions have 200 marks, thus each question is of 2.5 marks. There is a negative marking of 33% or 0.83 marks. Decision making section doesn't have any negative marking.

CSAT Paper II Analysis

Topic	2011	2012	2013	2014
Basic Numeracy	13	3	19	19
General Mental Ability	15	16	12	7
Decision Making & Problem Solving	6	7	6	0
Analytical Ability & Logical Reasoning	10	14	12	22
Comprehension (Both English & Hindi)	27	32	23	26
English Language Comprehension Skills	9	8	8	6
Total	80	80	80	80