đŸ’„Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (July Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF

Author: Sajal Singh

  • Get ready for upcoming Economics Basics Prelims Test on 18th August- sample questions highlighting our methodology

    click here to enroll for the Prime Prelims TS

    Dear students,

    31st May 2020 is the D-day for all civil service aspirants.

    “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. “

    This Quote by Abraham Lincoln clearly sums up how one should prepare for that day. So before entering the battlefield alone should have enough practice. Our Prime Prelims Test series which shall enrich you to acquaint yourself with the pattern of CSE-2020, assess your abilities, rectify your mistakes and make you confident to appear on the examination day.

    Our Prime Prelims Test Series follows the same approach as that adopted by UPSC. Our team of experts is quite enriched with the UPSC pattern and focal point of the questions and hence creates more chances for the aspirants to crack civil service examination by appearing our Test Series.

    The key philosophy of our prelims TS is Evidence-based question making: The 3600 questions you face in our mocks have their relevance established in UPSC’s trend analysis. We focus on themes that are important as per UPSC so that we maximize your chances of questions overlap with the actual UPSC Prelims.

    Thus Economics basics test contain questions from the following themes:

    Economic Growth and Development- 17 Questions

    Fiscal policy- 18

    Inflation-10

    Finance/Capital market-12

    Monetary policy-16

    Banking-19

    Basic economic concept-8

     

    Nothing speaks more than the facts itself rather than a mere jargon. Here is a list of 5 sample questions from the upcoming test which will help you in identifying the standards and approach we follow. (you can skip this if you want to attempt these directly in the test). 

    Noone but only you can assess how it will help you in being the top percentile of aspirants. You have to practice ruthlessly and civils Daily provides you with a platform to hone your skills.

    Q.1)  National income is the measure of the level of the country’s economic activity in a given time period. With reference to it, what is/are the factors that may limit the growth in National income?

    1. Surplus of the unskilled labor force

    2. Lack of managerial skill

    3. More women working as a housewife

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    a) 1 and 3 only

    b) 2 and 3 only

    c) 1 and 2 only

    d) 1, 2 and 3

     

    Q.2)  Which of the following will be a part of Capital Expenditure by the Government of India?

    1. Repayment of loans by Central government

    2. Grants given by the Central government to state governments

    3. Loans by Central government to state government

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    a) 1 and 2 only

    b) 1 and 3 only

    c) 2 and 3 only

    d) 1, 2 and 3

     

    Q.3) Consider the following statements about Net National Product (NNP):

    1. It is more than the Gross National Product.
    2. NNP (at factor cost) increases if indirect tax increases.
    3. NNP (at factor cost) increases if subsidies increases.

    Which of the above is/are correct?

    a) 1 and 2 only

    b) 1 only

    c) 3 only

    d) 1, 2 and 3

     

    Q.4)  Which of the following are the pillars of Gross National Happiness?

    1. High investment rate

    2. Preservation and promotion of cultural values

    3. Conservation of natural environment

    4. Establishment of good governance.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    a) 1 and 2 only

    b) 1,2 and 3 only

    c) 2,3 and 4

    d) 1,3 and 4

     

    Q.5) Which of the following factors may increase the level of inflation in an economy?

    1. Deficit financing

    2. Reduction in Indirect taxes

    3. Increase in Black money in the economy

    4. Defective supply chain Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    a) 1,3 and 4 only

    b) 2 and 3 only

    c) 1 and 2 only

    d) 1,2,3 and 4

    click here to enroll for the Prime Prelims TS

  • Demystifying Economics- Core & Current Affairs Buildup Lecture Series:Introductory lecture

     

    This video is introductory lecture of our course Demystifying Economics- Core & Current Affairs Buildup Lecture Series
    Economics is not only the most important subject in all 3 tiers of the exam (Prelims, Mains and interview) but also the most feared subject.

    Rather than understanding the concepts, many aspirants indulge in rot learning and mugging up the concepts but since Economics is not a theoretical subject like History this method does not actually work in the actual exam. The objective of this course is to make Economics as a subject interesting, lucid, layman and enjoyable.

    After the end of the course, economics will be on your fingertips and you will be able to apply that knowledge not just in UPSC exam but also in other subsidiary exams like State PSC, RBI Grade B, CAPF, SSC, Bank PO, etc.

    The other focus of this course is to strengthen the basics and conceptual clarity of the student so that he can apply that knowledge in understanding the contemporary economic issues.

    Demystifying Economics- Core & Current Affairs Buildup Lecture Series 2020 Join here

  • ECONOMIC STRATEGY FOR INDIA Lecture 5: Impacts of high Fiscal Deficit and Inflation on the Economy

    Economic Survey and Budget 2019 | Advanced Program- Rs. 2000 + taxes Click2Join

    The lecture is very important for both prelims and mains. It discuss the issue of macro economic stability- high Fiscal Deficit, Inflation, Expansionary fiscal and monetary policy on the economy. The lecture also explain the concept of business cycles in the economy, aggregate demand and aggregate supply, the basic model of macro economics and the leading factors responsible for long term growth.

     

    About Himanshu Arora Sir

    Himanshu sir has a wide experience in the field of both academics and policy-making. He has earlier taught Economics at both under-graduate and Postgraduate level in Delhi University. Currently, he is working at the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council. He also writes columns regularly in prestigious newspapers like The Hindu, Indian Express and Millennium post.

     

    Here are some of his published articles

    https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/strengthening-indias-economic-fundamental-may-be-the-best-route-to-enhance-its-influence-as-a-strong-economy/1555087/

    https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/us-sanctions-have-rarely-worked/article27119264.ece

  • A strategy for Indian Economy: Lecture 4 Second and Third Generation Reforms needed to Boost India’s Economic Growth

    The lecture continuees the discussion on reforms needed in the Indian economy. The development of the country will depend on the key reforms undertaken in the areas of exports, manufacturing, governance and social sector, especially health and education. The lecture deals with a discussion on important 2nd and 3rd generation economic reforms.

    The full playlist is available here [click2watch]

    About Himanshu Arora Sir

    Himanshu sir has a wide experience in the field of both academics and policy-making. He has earlier taught Economics at both under-graduate and Post-Graduate level in Delhi University. Currently, he is working at the Prime Minister economic advisory council. He also writes columns regularly in prestigious newspapers like The Hindu, Indian Express and Millenium post.

    Here are some of his published articles

    https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/strengthening-indias-economic-fundamental-may-be-the-best-route-to-enhance-its-influence-as-a-strong-economy/1555087/

    https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/us-sanctions-have-rarely-worked/article27119264.ece

     

  • A strategy for Indian Economy: Lecture 3- Reforms needed in the Indian Economy

    In this lecture we will continue our discussion on Indian economy and the various challenges faced by the economy. India economy faces the threat of being caght in the middle income trap. however the same can be avoided if we are will to take several important economic reforms in the areas of macroeconomic stability- limiting fiscal deficit, boosting investment cycle, indentify the key economic sectors for future growth, investment reforms, tax administration reforms and eliminating supply side bottlenecks by creating infrastructure including health and education.

    The full playlist is available here [click2watch]

    About Himanshu Arora Sir

    Himanshu sir has a wide experience in the field of both academics and policy-making. He has earlier taught Economics at both under-graduate and Post-Graduate level in Delhi University. Currently, he is working at the Prime Minister economic advisory council. He also writes columns regularly in prestigious newspapers like The Hindu, Indian Express and Millenium post.

    Here are some of his published articles

    https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/strengthening-indias-economic-fundamental-may-be-the-best-route-to-enhance-its-influence-as-a-strong-economy/1555087/

    https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/us-sanctions-have-rarely-worked/article27119264.ece

  • Modified Target Mains Answer Writing Programme | Starts 27th August

    After a very good initial response to this initiative and a few dedicated aspirants writing answers now, we thought of revamping our Mains answer review programme in order to give more time to aspirants for preparation and better competition with many more people participating in the initiative.

    Core Objective?

    Give you few but high quality questions backed up with practical and actionable insights so that you retain the information right till you write your IAS Mains

    What is the change?

    • 10 +2 Questions Test (Every Sunday)
    • Model Answers to be Published (Next Sunday)
    • Best answers (plural) will be reviewed by our mentors. This means you will have to be good with your attempt and keep improving on them
    • Time Duration (1.5 hours)
    • Focus of the programme will not be on the quantity but quality of questions and model answers

    From when do we change the structure of the programme?

    Starting 27th August

    Structure of 10 Questions

    • 10 Questions on Weekly Current affairs (most important themes of the week) ( Hindu, IE, PIB, EPW, Livemint, Economic Times)
    • 2 Ethics Questions ( 1 case study + 1 theory question)

    Additional Components

    • Weekly Video lecture (How to approach the Questions) To be uploaded on next Sunday
    • The video lecture will also contain in-depth analysis of issues/themes on which questions were asked in the test (Current affairs part).
    • Our mentor will explain how to approach the questions asked in the test.
    • We will also share the best answer and explain how that answer can be improved further.

    Why are we moving towards weekly test series?

    -To focus on Quality rather than Quantity.
    -Every Week we only have 10-12 important themes which are relevant to UPSC. When we give you a daily test there are 2 consequences in long run:

    (1) The quality of question/theme and model answer is diluted because of lack of time and lack of themes. As it is impossible to get 3-4 UPSC mains relevant themes every day.

    (2) Questions on repetitive themes are asked coz everyday

    For example, on a well known website, 11 times question has been asked on farm loan waiver in last 2 months. While 9 times Question has been asked on No detention policy in last 1.5 months. We want to avoid that as if we will continue with daily answer writing programme this thing will bound to happen in future.

    Let us further illustrate our point on NDP with an example:

    1. When did this news break out?

    The cabinet took decision to scrap No detention policy on 3rd August

    http://www.hindustantimes.com/education/failing-in-class-5-and-8-could-be-back-as-cabinet-agrees-to-scrap-no-detention-policy/story-opE0qzA3M7wDpL3FG9wOAO.html

    Op-eds we curated on this issue

    http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/right-to-education-act-no-detention-policy-ndp-school-students-4785429/

    http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/mVZ1aJ6jGe3zUTHa8gND6O/RTEs-heart-is-in-the-right-placebut-not-its-head.html

    Op-eds we ignored

    http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/skill-dont-detain-on-scrapping-no-detention-policy/article19439937.ece

    http://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/government-does-well-to-repeal-the-no-detention-policy-for-school-students/793380/

    Reason? Both op-eds did not have any major new angle on the NDP

    Superfluous Questions from a well known website

    Q.) Considering socioeconomic factors and the state’s limitations in providing education, especially for the weaker sections, do you think government’s decision to scrap no-detention policy under RTE is warranted? Critically comment.

    Q. Critically comment on the decision of the Union Cabinet to scrap the no-detention policy at the elementary level, and introduce detention of students who fail a designated test in Class 5 or 6.

    Q.) In the light of government’s decision to scrap no-detention policy, critically analyse success and failures of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act or the Right to Education Act (RTE).

    Our Selected Question?

    Q.) The government move to scrap no-detention policy shows inability to analyse what went wrong. In the light of above statement critically discuss whether no detention policy should be scrapped?

    Why is the transition from everyday question to weekly tests better?

    Generally, whenever an important (UPSC relevant) event takes place, there is no point on asking question on it on the same day because we have lack of content (Since no op-eds have been written on it).

    However when we will conduct a test weekly it will give us ample content on the question so that we can frame a quality question on it and since lot of content is available for aspirants it will easier for them to write quality answer.

    If we will continue this exercise till the next mains than most likely we would have covered almost all-important themes relevant for mains 2018.

    You would have written answers on most important themes (Feeling super-confident for mains 2018) and plus you will have model answers on almost all-important mains relevant themes of the year (feeling super-super confident for mains 2018).

    What will you gain From this exercise?

    If you will continuously attempt our weekly current affairs and ethics test for the whole year than by the next mains You would have written answers on almost all important UPSC relevant themes/issues + you would also have model answers on all the themes.

    Thus by September 2018, you will feel damn confident and with continuous mentoring, your answer writing skills would have reached to a next level.

    How do you register for it?

    • This is a free initiative to begin with and you are all registered by default
    • As per the announcement, questions will be up every Sunday (starting 27th) and will be available on the front page of CD. Archives can be found by clicking here
    • We will be maintaining an internal record of students who are sincere/ frequency of attempts/ quality of attempts etc. and we will take selected few for a PAID course so that they have more 1 on 1 overlaps with our mentors. Details later.

    Wish you best of luck.