Year: 2016

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There’s a chapter you have left on the backburner – probably it’s one on the endangered flora and fauna and you had promised yourself to cover it as soon as you could. And there’s an optional subject that you needed to quickly revise on lest you forget the basics – after all IAS prelims is not the end of the game, right? Wait, weren’t you going to stick to the rule of reading daily news on the app or web and make quick short notes, daily?

Can you imagine how much less guilt, stress, and frustration you would feel if you could somehow just make yourself do the things you don’t want to do when you are actually supposed to do them? Not to mention how much confident and pumped up you might just feel?

The good news here is that we are bringing in 2 effective solutions to help you overcome the lethargy and procrastination and skyrocket your preparation to the optimum level. For any of these strategies to be effective, figure out the correct set of reason-solution for your case: 

Reason #1: You are putting something off because you don’t “feel” like doing it

Solution: Ignore your feelings. They’re getting in your way.

When we say things like “I just can’t get out of bed early in the morning, ” or “I just can’t get myself to study polity and cram environment,” what we really mean is that we can’t get ourselves to feel like doing these things. After all, no one is tying you to bed every morning. The books are not some 1000 page mythological tomes that you need a sage to initiate you into reading them.

Physically, nothing prevents you to get up early and dive into the complex problems but mentally, you need that ‘kick’, that ‘feel’ to drive you, right?

Swami Vivekananda famously said,

Even the greatest fool can accomplish a task if it were after his or her heart. But the intelligent ones are those who can convert every work into one that suits their taste.

Think about that for a minute, because it’s really important. Somewhere along the way, we’ve all bought into the idea – without consciously realizing it – that to be motivated and effective we need to feel like we want to take action. 

This is 100% nonsense. Need another inspirational quote?

Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work.

The quote above is from painter Chuck Close, who says he’s never had “painter’s block” in his life. The “just show up and get to work” motto is a great creed to live by, especially if you are up against a daunting task of clearing the IAS exam.

Reason #2: You are putting something off because it’s hard, boring, or otherwise unpleasant

Solution: Use if-then planning

Next time, I will make myself start working on this sooner. Next time, I will start with the boring subject first and then go on to the easy revision modules. Next time, I will make sure that I don’t sleep before revising the daily news.

And the “next time” never comes…

Studies show that people routinely overestimate their capacity for self-control and IAS aspirants are no exceptions to the rule. Don’t think of yourselves as Iron man/ Wonder woman as yet. You are not going to wake up one day and assume a machine like focus and complete the geography backlog in one sitting.

Do yourself a favor, and embrace the fact that your willpower is limited, and that it may not always match your fictitious challenges and whims. Instead build some if-then loops for yourself to force yourself into some rewarding habits.

Write down your own 10 commandments.

• If it is 2pm, then I will stop what I’m doing and start revising the articles and FR, FD module of Indian Polity
• If my economics teacher evades my doubt, I am going to put up a written request in his hand to resolve it the first thing in next class
• If it is 11 pm and I feel like sleeping, I will make sure to revise the news nuggets in next 10 minutes and then hit the bed
• If it’s an off day at coaching, I will give at least 3 hours to the optional paper revision and not drift off to meaningless prattle

You can make more If-then modules and stick them up on your wall for quick reinforcements.

If-then modules help to rescue your willpower dilemmas by ensuring that you’ve made the right decision way ahead of the critical moment. Hopefully, this will help you increase your productivity and goal attainment hit rate more than what it used to be.

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References: Harvard Business Review | Lifehacker

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Pre 2011

1. The Brahmaputra, Irrawady and Mekong rivers originate in Tibet and flow through narrow and parallel mountain ranges in their upper reaches. Of these rivers, Brahmaputra makes a “U” turn in its course to flow into India. This “U” turn is due to 

(a.) Uplift of folded Himalayan series

(b.) Syntaxial bending of geologically young Himalayas

(c.) Geo-tectonic disturbance in the tertiary folded mountain chains

(d.) Both (a) and (b) above

• NCERT
• Brahmpaputra take a famous U turn near Mount Namcha Barwa, also known as Great Bend. The U Turn is because of the 180° bend of the Himalayan structural trend

2. La Nina is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from El Nino? 

1. La Nina is characterised by unusually cold ocean temperature in equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Nino is characterised by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
2. El Nino has adverse effect on south-west monsoon of India, but La Nina has no effect on monsoon climate.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a.) 1 only

(b.) 2 only

(c.) Both 1 and 2

(d.) Neither 1 nor 2

• El Nino and la nina are opposite of each other. So warm current in El Nino, cold current in la nina but both would happen in Pacific so 1st statement is wrong
• As they are opposite if el nino affects monsoons adversely, la nina would affect monsoon positively

Learning – learn factors affecting monsoon, role of jet streams, burst of monsoon, El nino, El nono modoki,  la nina, Indian ocean dipole

3. Westerlies in southern hemisphere are stronger and persistent than in northern hemisphere. Why?

1. Southern hemisphere has less landmass as compared to northern hemisphere.
2. Coriolis force is higher in southern hemisphere as compared to northern hemisphere

Which of-the statements given above is/are correct?

(a.) 1 only

(b.) 2 only

(c.) Both 1 and 2

(d.) Neither 1 nor 2

• 1st statement is factually true. Very less landmass very few countries in southern hemisphere.
• Less landmass meaning vast expanse of ocean, less friction to movement of westerlies, stronger westerlies
• 2nd statement is factually incorrect. Coriols force depends on latitude not on hemisphere

4. The jet aircrafts fly very easily and smoothly in the lower stratosphere. What could be the appropriate explanation?

1. There are no clouds or water vapour in the lower stratosphere.
2. There are no vertical winds in the lower stratosphere.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct in this context?

(a.) 1 only

(b.) 2 only

(c.) Both 1 and 2

(d.) Neither 1 nor 2

• No clouds or water vapour, sweeping statement, red flag, pause and think
• No vertical winds, red flag, pause and think
• Because the temperature in the tropopause and lower stratosphere is largely constant with increasing altitude, very little convection <verticall wind> and its resultant turbulence occurs there
• Clouds and water vapour occur in lower stratosphere
• Obviously you can say there is some turbulence but bhawnayen samjho

5. Among the following States, which one has the most suitable climatic conditions for the cultivation of a large variety of orchids with minimum cost of production, and can develop an export oriented industry in this field?

(a.) Andhra Pradesh

(b.) Arunachal Pradesh

(c.) Madhya Pradesh

(d.)Uttar Pradesh

Orchids – North east India

6. With reference to micro-irrigation, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Fertilizer/nutrient loss can be reduced.
2. It is the only means of irrigation in dry land farming.
3. In some areas of farming, receding of ground water table can be checked.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a.) 1 only

(b.) 2 and 3 only

(c.) 1 and 3 only

(d.) 1, 2 and 3

• 2nd statement, only means of irrigation, red flag, pause and think. Obviously even prior to the technology of micro irrigation, dry lands were irrigated by canals and Wells
• Exclude 2 and look at 3, if it’s more efficient method of irrigation, water wastage would be less and receding of water tables would be prevented

Learning – Fertigation, Micro-irrigation, Rainfed farming v/s dryland farming

7. If a tropical rain forest is removed, it does not regenerate quickly as compared to a tropical deciduous forest. This is because

(a.) the soil of rain forest is deficient in nutrients

(b.) propagules of the trees in a rain forest have poor viability

(c.) the rain forest species are slow-growing

(d.) exotic species invade the fertile soil of rain forest

• Covered in titbits
• Very high rainfall, leaching of minerals and nutrients, soil deficient in nutrients

8. The lower Gangetic plain is characterized by humid climate with high temperature throughout the year. Which one among the following pairs of crops is most suitable for this region?

(a.) Paddy and cotton

(b.) Wheat and Jute

(c.) Paddy and Jute

(d.) Wheat and cotton

• Paddy in Bihar, Jute in West bengal
• Wheat is rabi crop, mainly in northern India , Cotton in central India

9. A state in India has the following characteristics:

1. Its northern part is arid and semi-arid.
2. Its central part produces cotton.
3. Cultivation of cash crops is predominant over food crops.

Which one of the following states has all of the above characteristics?

(a.) Andhra Pradesh

(b.) Gujarat

(c.) Karnataka

(d.) Tamil Nadu

• Cotton – Gujarat, Mahrashtra
• Gujarat’s northern part is arid

10. Salinization occurs when the irrigation water accumulated in the soil evaporates, leaving behind salts and minerals. What are the effects of salinization on the irrigated land? 

(a.) It greatly increases the crop production

(b.) It makes some soils impermeable

(c.) It raises the water table

(d.) It fills the air spaces in the soil with water

• a is clearly wrong, if it were so, salinization would be such a great thing
• B and c are sort of contradictory, one has to be true
• Soil becomes impermeable as sodium and other ions are absorbed by clay particles

11. Two important rivers — one with its source in Jharkhand (and known by a different name in Odisha), and another, with its source in Odisha — merge at a place only a short distance from the coast of Bay of Bengal before flowing into the sea. This is an important site of wildlife and biodiversity and a protected area. Which one of the following could be this?

(a.) Bhitarkanika

(b.) Chandipur-on-sea

(c.) Gopalpur-on-sea

(d.) Simlipal

• Map based question
• Bhitarkanika has been asked so many times

12. The Himalayan Range is Very rich in species diversity. Which one among the following is the most appropriate reason for this phenomenon?

(a.) It has a high rainfall that supports luxuriant vegetative growth

(b.) It is a confluence of different bio-geographical zones

(c.) Exotic and invasive species have not been introduced in this region

(d.) It has less human interference

B seems like most correct right answer <all other options also true but they are not specific to himalayas>

13. The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge?

(a.) The mangrove swamps separate the human settlements from the sea by a wide zone in which people neither live nor venture out

(b.) The mangroves provide both food and medicines which people are in need of after any natural disaster

(c.) The mangrove trees are tall with dense canopies and serve as art excellent shelter during a cyclone or tsunami

(d.) The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots

• A and c are rubbish
• B obviously illogical
• D is the only logical answer

Learning – Mangroves, Halophilic plants, Carnivorous plants

As of now, out of the 1,000+ registered aspirants, 761 have attempted the Full Length Tests offered by Civilsdaily at prelims.civilsdaily.full.length.tests

 

Full Length – Prelims 2016 from Civilsdaily

With almost a 100% certainty, we can assure that students who consistently improved their scores and hovered around 95+ marks in these FLTs should sail through the Prelims easily.

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We make this observations basis the paper setting and the trends on score improvement shown by our test takers. Within a span of 4 tests, we have seen students going up from mid 70s to 110+ and that is incredible.

The Final FLT (Test #4) has a mix bag of questions, closest to 2015’s UPSC Prelims so if you get to score 110+ in that, consider yourself blessed 🙂

With that confidence, we want to offer everyone (including the original subscribers) a sweet surprise

1. Join in the Full Length Mocks by paying up the module fee of Rs. 499. For the registered users, this step is done 🙂
2. If you average out 95+ in the 4 tests – trust us, you are going to sail through the PRE. Keep going through the explanations and Dr. V’s tikdams
3. In a rarest of rare case that it does not happen, we will take care of your trust shown in us by adjusting the Rs. 499 in our grand FLTs package for IAS 2017 and make sure you get the best of the prep, all year round
4. All those who do get to clear the prelims, do write back to us and we will send you one of these 7 memoirs of ex-civil servants or an equally motivating novel as a gift of our appreciation towards your sincere, hard work 🙂

Why are we doing this?

1. We saw a lot of junta joining us for the Open Mocks but not continuing for the FLTs
2. This is understandable that if you have subscribed to some other TS, you might not want to spend more
3. But we received a lot of emails/ comments from students joining other well known TS/ writing Open tests and still not feeling confident with the outcomes
4. Hence, this offer – If you are a sincere test taker and you can average out 95+ in our FLTs – you be assured of your success
5. We would want 100% of you to benefit from the efforts put from our side. We took care of the paper setting – you take care of the attempts now
6. Your relative ranks are gonna be out in the open. See how you perform and elevate your test scores vis-a-vis the other guys who have already taken the tests

• FLTs #1 Ranks
• FLTs #2 Ranks
• FLTs #3 Ranks
• FLTs #4 Ranks

Keep 4 days aside and give these 4 tests. You will love us for pushing this over to you 🙂

Full Length – Prelims 2016 from Civilsdaily

And of course, there will be an amazing book waiting for you at the end of your victory lap.

Pre  2012

1. Consider the following factors:(2012)

1. Rotation of the Earth
2. Air pressure and wind
3. Density of ocean water
4. Revolution of the Earth

Which of the above factors influence the ocean currents?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 4

(d) 2, 3 and 4

• Rotation of earth – Coriolis force deflects ocean currents
• Winds are the primary mover
• Now look at 3, density of water. High density water will sink,

2. When you travel in Himalayas, you will see the following :

1. Deep gorges
2. U-turn river courses
3. Parallel mountain ranges
4. Steep gradients causing land-sliding

Which of the above can be said to be the evidences for Himalayas being young fold mountains?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

• NCERT
• Himalayas young mountain, youthful river flowing through that so deep gorges and U turn river courses correct
• Young and fold, so originated in series so parallel ranges
• Steep gradient

3. Normally, the temperature decreases with the increase in height from the Earth’s surface, because

1. the atmosphere can be heated upwards only from the Earth’s surface
2. there is more moisture in the upper atmosphere
3. the air is less dense in the upper atmosphere

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• Everyone knows about 1 that atmosphere is heated by infrared radiation emitted by earth not by the ultraviolet radiation of sun
• 2nd statement is not true. What explains higher moisture in upper atmosphere. In fact moisture is more in lower atmosphere
• 3rd statement is true. Air is less dense, meaning can hold less heat thus temperature is low

4. Consider the following agricultural practices 

1. Contour bunding
2. Relay cropping
3. Zero tillage

In the context of global climate change, which of the above helps/help in carbon sequetration/storage in the soil?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) None of them

5. Which of the following is the chief characteristic of ‘mixed farming’?

(a) Cultivation of both cash crops and food crops

(b) Cultivation of two or more crops in the same field

(c) Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together

(d) None of the above

• NCERT Question
• Mixed farming is agriculture with animal husbandry

Learnig -Interrcropping

6. Consider the following crops of India :

1. Cowpea
2. Green gram
3. Pigeon pea

Which of the above is/are used as pulse, fodder and green manure?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• Common sense suggests all <i am not sure of the answer though>
• All three belong to same family

7. Consider the following crops of India :

1. Groundnut
2. Sesamum
3. Pearl millet

Which of the above is/are predominantly rainfed crop/crops?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• Pulses and oilseeds are grown in rainfed areas.
• Ground nut – oil seed -grown in M.P.
• Sesmum – oil seed
• pearl millet – pulse

8. Consider the following areas:

1. Bandipur
2. Bhitarkanika
3. Manas
4. Sunderbans

Which of the above are Tiger Reserves?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only

(d) l, 2, 3 and 4

• Bhitarkanika is a wetland and has been asked before this and after this
• It’s famous for birds, not tigers, not a tiger reserve
• Exclude 2, reach the answer

9. A particular State in India has the following characteristics :

1. It is located on the same latitude which passes through northern Rajasthan.
2. It has over 80% of its area under forest cover.
3. Over 12% of forest cover constitutes Protected Area Network in this State.

Which one among the following States has all the above characteristics?

(a) Arunachal Pradesh

(b) Assam

(c) Himachal Pradesh

(d) Uttarakhand

• Only in North East and Andaman can 80% of area be under forests, Himachal and Uttarakhand ruled out
• Forest area in Assam can not be >80%. A large part of Assam is valley. It’s forest area is actually <50%

10. With reference to the wetlands of India, consider the following statements :

1. The country’s total geographical area under the category of wetlands is recorded more in Gujarat as compared to other States.
2. In India, the total geographical area of coastal wetlands larger than that of wetlands.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

• Factual but wetlands very very important
• Doubt could be b/w Gujrat (rann of kutch and coastal wetland) and West bengal (sunderbans)
• 2nd is also factual

11. The acidification of oceans is increasing. Why is this phenomenon a cause of concern? 

1. The growth and survival of calcareous phytoplankton will be adversely affected.
2. The growth and survival of coral reefs will be adversely affected.
3. The survival of some animals that have phytoplanktonic larvae will be adversely affected.
4. The cloud seeding and formation of clouds will be adversely affected.

Which of the statements given above is /are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

• 2 is correct, everyone knows that. Corals calcium Skelton, acid will dissolve that skeleton
• 1 is also true with similar logic, calcareous that is calcium Skelton will be dissolved by acid
• Now look at 4,  cloud seeding would be affected by particulates present in the atmosphere not that in ocean. Exclude 4, include 1 and 2
• shelter during a cyclone or tsunami

12. Which one of the following is the characteristic climate of the Tropical Savannah Region? 

(a) Rainfall throughout the year

(b) Rainfall in winter only

(c) An extremely short dry season

(d) A definite dry and wet season

• Covered in titbits
• Rainfall in winters only in Mediterranean
• Rainfall through out in evergreen forests
• Short dry season would not be conducive for fires

source

Hello All,

So finally even the FLTs are over and now it’s a matter of days before you implore the unrelenting examiner to hand over the question booklet to you while still trying to adjust in the small chairs. 🙂

Anyway, let’s get down to the final business. After Dr. V’s Art of MCQs marking, Prelims Titbits, Paper Analysis series, 17 Mazes, 10 Mini Mocks and 4 FLTs down it can be safely assumed that you have revised, analysed and practiced enough.

BUT all of us at CD put together can help you only till this point. Now it is squarely upon you to perform. This is the time you can learn your lessons. Tomorrow may be too late.

After a roller coaster ride of 700+ questions with discussions and disagreements on answer choices, I hope that all of you did enjoy the MCQs. And now the last sermon:

#1. If you feel that you did not perform up to the mark in the mocks, just sleep over it! Many toppers have this tendency hardwired in them. They never perform in the mocks and always outperform others in the actual test.

#2. Do whatever lies within your capacity. That you shall succeed cannot be a pre-condition to your preparation. It just increases stress. Just go out and do your best.

#3. Don’t let setbacks hold you back. Perseverance takes you far, to the unconquered territories and to the unimaginable heights.

#4. None of the previous toppers were placed on earth to clear UPSC under some utopian design of the cosmos. No universe conspired to see them become Indian Civil Servants. Truth be told, they were average boys and girls who chose to take this exam, respected their choice and worked hard to get it done. And believe it or not but deep down each one of us knows if we are actually working to achieve our goal or are just pretending that we are working.

#5. At the end, the only person who can see you through this exam is you. We can guide you, your parents can ensure you have all you luxury needed to prepare your exams, your friends can motivate you but you are the one who has to study. And if you are not, you are letting down many who have pinned their hopes on you.

And now the tips which many of you might have read about a year back as well.

#6. Reach the venue well before the scheduled time so you do not enter the examination hall, catching up on your breath. It not only affects your performance, it disturbs others as well.

#7. Enter the Roll Number, Series Code etc. carefully on the OMR sheet. You cannot erase it as it is to be marked with a black ball point pen.

#8. The first page of the question booklet contains the instructions to the candidates and is seldom read by them assuming it to a copy-paste from the previous years. READ IT. You never know when UPSC may add/delete/alter an instruction.

#9. Do count the number of pages as indicated. Never takes more than 30 seconds.

#10. Read the questions carefully.

#11. Read all the answer choices before you zero in on the one you wish to mark as your response on the OMR sheet. Remember UPSC clearly mentions that in case you feel there are more than one correct alternative, mark the ‘most appropriate’ one as your answer i.e. Option (a) may appear to be correct but Option (d) may be the most appropriate. So read all of them before you mark your response.

#12. There are a good number of questions wherein several statements are given and you are asked to choose the correct/incorrect ones. First of all be sure whether you are being asked to choose the statements which are ‘correct’ or ‘not correct’. Thereafter check the statements which you know to be definitely correct or definitely incorrect. Use it to zero in on the answer. Knowing the definitely incorrect statements is as good as knowing the definitely correct ones.

#13. Use elimination method judiciously.

#14. DO NOT indulge in indiscriminate guess work. You should be able to eliminate at least two choices before you mark the answer while guessing.

#15. Mark the responses carefully in the answer sheet as there is no/little scope of altering it.

#16. Coming to Paper II, even though it has been made qualifying, do attempt all the questions you can.

#17. Most importantly, do not worry about the cut-offs in the examination hall. Focus on the paper. Cut off can be discussed in the evening, even though it is fruitless.

#18. After Paper I, maintain a safe distance from those claiming to have attempted 80, 90 or even 100 in some cases. By evening they will come down to 60 and 40, the next morning when they regain their senses.

#19. Keep the OMR sheet tidy.

#20. Do not forget to carry your roll number and black ball point pens.

Best of Luck and do well!

Regards,

Unbounded Wisdom

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