💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (August Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF

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  • Nikaalo Prelims Free Open Test on March 4th – Time to Pull Up Your Socks! || All Participants Stand a Chance to Gain Free Mentorship from After Test|| Hurry Up & Enroll Now

    Before taking the prelims exam, it’s always better to try the mock tests of various institutes to evaluate your level of understanding and knowledge. Once you know the weak spots, you can spend the rest of the 90 days in revising them

    What Must a Quality Prelims Test Have?

    A quality mock test wiill highlight your shortcomings in all the areas.

    We at Civilsdaily understand the nuances of setting a paper. Through five cases explaining five questions, we’ll try to give you an idea about the varied difficulty level of prelims questions.

    These questions have been taken from the first test of Nikaalo Prelims All India Open Mock Test 2020 about Government Schemes and Policies.   

    (First test to go live on 4th March 2022 @ 9:30 a.m.)

    CASE 1 – The oldest trick in the book. 

    Deliberately changing names to confuse you. Be it schemes or concepts. UPSC is well known to flip names of similar-sounding schemes and concepts. Look at this question. 

    Ques. Which of the following are the result areas of  STRIVE

    1. Improved performance of ITI.
    2. Improved and Broadened Apprenticeship Training.
    3. India International Skill Centers 

    Select the  correct answer from the  codes given below:

    a. 1 and 2 only

    b. 2 and 3 only

    c. 1 and 3 only

    d. 1 only

    Correct answer- 1 and 2 only

    In the above question, STRIVE has been used for SANKALP.  Both of them were announced at the same time for boosting Skill India Mission. It is very easy to get confused mark a wrong answer.

    CASE 2: Misleading names

    A lot of times especially in match the following type of questions misleading names are used.

    Ques. Consider the following pairs:

       Schemes                          Objectives

    1. NIDHI: nurturing ideas and innovations into successful startups.
    2. SATYAM: rejuvenate research in yoga and meditation.
    3. MANAK: to help build a critical human resource pool for strengthening and increasing the research & development base.

    Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

    a. 1 and 2 only

    b. 2 and 3 only

    c. 1 and 2 only

    d. 1, 2 and 3

    Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3

    Misleading yet important names of initiatives under Ministry of Science and Technology have been used here. All pairs are correctly matched but it is very easy to get confused. 

    CASE 3: Are you rooted in society?

    UPSC has been playing with the expenditure figures and other such facts. It is done not only for the sole reason of checking your rote memory, but the ability to think in-depth about the issues faced by various sections. 

    Ques. With reference to ‘Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) Scheme’, consider the following statements:

    1. The scheme provides for the installation of grid-connected solar power plants each of capacity up to 2 MW in the rural areas.
    2. The farmers will have to spend 50% of the total expenditure to acquire and install solar pumps.

    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

    Correct answer: 1 only

    A very important scheme. The farmers have to tolerate only 10% of the total expenditure to acquire and install solar pumps. The Central Govt. will provide 60% cost while the remaining 30% will be taken care of by bank as credit. One must understand the inability of Indian farmers to spend 50% on solar pumps. This would have helped in eliminating options also.

    CASE 4: Going international.

    International collaboration and aid in our schemes and policies are relevant. If you ever read about them, know that the issue is of critical importance for the government and society.

    Ques. With reference to Atal Bhujal Yojana, consider the following statements:

    1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with funding pattern of 50:50 between Government of India and states.
    2. This scheme is approved by the World Bank.

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

    a. 1 only

    b. 2 only

    c. Both 1 and 2

    d. Neither 1 nor 2

    Correct answer: 2 only

    Here the Government of India’s collaboration with World Bank makes it important. Half of the financial contribution is from the World Bank in this initiative.

    Students must not ignore the contribution of international institutions especially if it is of such overwhelming nature.

    CASE 5: Core of the core

    You should be able to remember the bare minimum. There is no other way in such questions. You either know them or you don’t.

    Ques. Which of the following are the components of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)?

    1. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) 
    2. Annapurna.
    3. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)

    Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

    a. 1 and 3

    b. 2 and 3

    c. 3 only

    d. 1, 2, and 3

    Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3

    The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) which came into effect from 15th August 1995, represents a significant step towards the fulfilment of the Directive Principles in Article 41 of the Constitution.

    It is a very important scheme under Ministry of Rural Development. Students are supposed to do flagship schemes of various ministries.

    Get ready to challenge yourself on 4th March 2022. Register for the second edition of Nikaalo Prelims Open Mock Test now.

    After the exam, CD Mentors will discuss the solutions of the questions on the Nikaalo Prelims telegram group(click to join)

  • Nikaalo Prelims Free Open Test on March 4th – Time to Pull Up Your Socks! || All Participants Stand a Chance to Gain Free Mentorship from After Test|| Hurry Up & Enroll Now

    Before taking the prelims exam, it’s always better to try the mock tests of various institutes to evaluate your level of understanding and knowledge. Once you know the weak spots, you can spend the rest of the 90 days in revising them

    What Must a Quality Prelims Test Have?

    A quality mock test wiill highlight your shortcomings in all the areas.

    We at Civilsdaily understand the nuances of setting a paper. Through five cases explaining five questions, we’ll try to give you an idea about the varied difficulty level of prelims questions.

    These questions have been taken from the first test of Nikaalo Prelims All India Open Mock Test 2020 about Government Schemes and Policies.   

    (First test to go live on 4th March 2022 @ 9:30 a.m.)

    CASE 1 – The oldest trick in the book. 

    Deliberately changing names to confuse you. Be it schemes or concepts. UPSC is well known to flip names of similar-sounding schemes and concepts. Look at this question. 

    Ques. Which of the following are the result areas of  STRIVE

    1. Improved performance of ITI.
    2. Improved and Broadened Apprenticeship Training.
    3. India International Skill Centers 

    Select the  correct answer from the  codes given below:

    a. 1 and 2 only

    b. 2 and 3 only

    c. 1 and 3 only

    d. 1 only

    Correct answer- 1 and 2 only

    In the above question, STRIVE has been used for SANKALP.  Both of them were announced at the same time for boosting Skill India Mission. It is very easy to get confused mark a wrong answer.

    CASE 2: Misleading names

    A lot of times especially in match the following type of questions misleading names are used.

    Ques. Consider the following pairs:

       Schemes                          Objectives

    1. NIDHI: nurturing ideas and innovations into successful startups.
    2. SATYAM: rejuvenate research in yoga and meditation.
    3. MANAK: to help build a critical human resource pool for strengthening and increasing the research & development base.

    Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

    a. 1 and 2 only

    b. 2 and 3 only

    c. 1 and 2 only

    d. 1, 2 and 3

    Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3

    Misleading yet important names of initiatives under Ministry of Science and Technology have been used here. All pairs are correctly matched but it is very easy to get confused. 

    CASE 3: Are you rooted in society?

    UPSC has been playing with the expenditure figures and other such facts. It is done not only for the sole reason of checking your rote memory, but the ability to think in-depth about the issues faced by various sections. 

    Ques. With reference to ‘Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) Scheme’, consider the following statements:

    1. The scheme provides for the installation of grid-connected solar power plants each of capacity up to 2 MW in the rural areas.
    2. The farmers will have to spend 50% of the total expenditure to acquire and install solar pumps.

    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

    Correct answer: 1 only

    A very important scheme. The farmers have to tolerate only 10% of the total expenditure to acquire and install solar pumps. The Central Govt. will provide 60% cost while the remaining 30% will be taken care of by bank as credit. One must understand the inability of Indian farmers to spend 50% on solar pumps. This would have helped in eliminating options also.

    CASE 4: Going international.

    International collaboration and aid in our schemes and policies are relevant. If you ever read about them, know that the issue is of critical importance for the government and society.

    Ques. With reference to Atal Bhujal Yojana, consider the following statements:

    1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with funding pattern of 50:50 between Government of India and states.
    2. This scheme is approved by the World Bank.

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

    a. 1 only

    b. 2 only

    c. Both 1 and 2

    d. Neither 1 nor 2

    Correct answer: 2 only

    Here the Government of India’s collaboration with World Bank makes it important. Half of the financial contribution is from the World Bank in this initiative.

    Students must not ignore the contribution of international institutions especially if it is of such overwhelming nature.

    CASE 5: Core of the core

    You should be able to remember the bare minimum. There is no other way in such questions. You either know them or you don’t.

    Ques. Which of the following are the components of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)?

    1. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) 
    2. Annapurna.
    3. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)

    Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

    a. 1 and 3

    b. 2 and 3

    c. 3 only

    d. 1, 2, and 3

    Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3

    The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) which came into effect from 15th August 1995, represents a significant step towards the fulfilment of the Directive Principles in Article 41 of the Constitution.

    It is a very important scheme under Ministry of Rural Development. Students are supposed to do flagship schemes of various ministries.

    Get ready to challenge yourself on 4th March 2022. Register for the second edition of Nikaalo Prelims Open Mock Test now.

    After the exam, CD Mentors will discuss the solutions of the questions on the Nikaalo Prelims telegram group(click to join)

  • 3rd March 2022| Daily Answer Writing Enhancement(AWE)

    Topics for Today’s questions:

    GS-1      The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country

    GS-2      Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

    GS-3      Indian Economy, External state and Non-state actors

    GS-4        Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

    Question 1)

     

    Q.1 The policy of ‘Subsidiary Alliance’ helped in establishing British control over internal affairs of Indian states without incurring any direct imperial liability. Discuss. (15 Marks)

     

    Question 2)

    Q.2 Discuss the global impact of anti-microbial resistance. Suggest the way forward to deal with the challenge in India. (10 Marks)

    Question 3)

    Q.3 What is SWIFT for electronic fund transfer? What would the impact on India be after Russia’s removal from the system? (10Marks)

    Question 4)  

    Q.4 What are the important learnings from the life and teachings of Sri Adi Shankaracharya that can help public servants in their personal and professional lives. (10 Marks)

     

    HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?

    1. Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.

    2. A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.

    3. You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.

    4.  Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.

    5. Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.

    6. If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th  February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis

    7. If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.

    8. We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.

    *In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. 

    For the philosophy of AWE and payment: 

  • Target 2023: How to Balance Prelims and Mains Preparation In The Beginning Itself?|| How to Squeeze in Time for Mains if You are a UPSC 2022 Aspirant?|| Free Live Webinar by Civilsdaily Mains Guidance Head Sukanya Rana Ma’am|| Limited Slots Available, Register Now

    Target 2023: How to Balance Prelims and Mains Preparation In The Beginning Itself?|| How to Squeeze in Time for Mains if You are a UPSC 2022 Aspirant?|| Free Live Webinar by Civilsdaily Mains Guidance Head Sukanya Rana Ma’am|| Limited Slots Available, Register Now

    Many of you right now are planning to start prelims preparation from a clean slate. But as you pick a book and complete a chapter, you are bothered by a confusion — should I study for Mains or Prelims right now?

    Since, Prelims is the first exam of UPSC, logically it should be given the first preference. However, the marks you get in prelims are only qualifying by nature and will not be considered for your final ranking by default. At the same time, Prelims exam is known to have trickier questions than Mains or Interview. Hence one cannot postpone this preparation at a later stage.

    UPSC Mains on the other hand is conducted 3 months after Prelims results are announced. If you qualify the Mains exam in 2023, you cannot prepare the vast syllabus of 9 papers in just 3 months. Marks obtained in the Optional Subject rescues you if you happen to score low in other GS Papers or in the personality round. This is why you need to prepare for your Optional Subject from the first month itself.

    75% of UPSC Toppers in 2020 have attributed a Prelims-Mains integrated approach of study as the reason for their success

    The best solution would be to study for both Prelims and Mains at the outset. But the nagging question is — HOW?

    Open to All, Free Live Webinar by Sukanya Rana Ma’am on Prelims-Mains Preparation

    Adopting an integrated study approach for prelims and mains is easier said than done for aspirants who are studying without any coaching. Mains have extra topics for the same subject you study for prelims. Focus on current affairs sees a sea change when you shift from Prelims to Mains.

    This is why you need a veteran mentor to take you through every step of the preparation, while clearing your doubts. Sukanya Rana Ma’am will exactly do this coming Saturday in her free live webinar.

    Sukanya ma’am has the experience of 4 mains and 2 interviews in UPSC. She has also appeared in the State PCS interview. Before being a mentor at Civilsdaily, she worked as an officer in a public sector bank. Sukanya Rana Ma’am is passionate about guiding future officers in finding success.

    As an aspirant, she consistently scored 100+ marks in Ethics paper. Notably, in 2019 her marks were 140 in GS 4. Under her mentorship, many Smash Mains 2020 students were able to secure 110+ marks.

    Now, as a mentor she is garnering positive reviews from our Civilsdaily students. Students have always felt she helped them score above 100+ marks in Mains exams. Below are certain testimonials from them —

    What Will You Learn in This Free Live Webinar by Sukanya Rana Ma’am?

    1. What are the different approaches in Prelims and Mains Preparation? Start studying the priority focus topics of Prelims and Mains as a 2023 aspirant.

    2. How should UPSC 2022 aspirants focus on mains answer writing when prelims is just 90 days away? Managing time without feeling the stress.

    3. What should the timetable of UPSC 2023 aspirant look like? 3 different strategies for working professionals, college students and full timers.

    4. How many months should be dedicated to prelims? How much time should be given to the optional subjects?

    5. How to revise previous day’s topics and make time for new topics? Sukanya Ma’am answers from her personal experience.

    Webinar Details

    All aspirants are welcome to interact with Sukanya Ma’am and clear their doubts and get their preparation mistakes corrected in the Q&A session. This webinar is absolutely free and only requires prior registration.

    Date: 5 th February (Saturday)

    Time: 7 P.M

  • Prelims Open Test Now Live for All UPSC Aspirants|| Enroll Now|| Register for Free Mentorship to Evaluate Your Weak Spots After Test & Make a Solid Revision Plan for Next 90 Days

    Prelims Open Test Now Live for All UPSC Aspirants|| Enroll Now|| Register for Free Mentorship to Evaluate Your Weak Spots After Test & Make a Solid Revision Plan for Next 90 Days

    Before taking the prelims exam, it’s always better to try the mock tests of various institutes to evaluate your level of understanding and knowledge. Once you know the weak spots, you can spend the rest of the 90 days in revising them

    What Must a Quality Prelims Test Have?

    A quality mock test wiill highlight your shortcomings in all the areas.

    We at Civilsdaily understand the nuances of setting a paper. Through five cases explaining five questions, we’ll try to give you an idea about the varied difficulty level of prelims questions.

    These questions have been taken from the first test of Nikaalo Prelims All India Open Mock Test 2020 about Government Schemes and Policies.   

    (First test to go live on 4th March 2022 @ 9:30 a.m.)

    CASE 1 – The oldest trick in the book. 

    Deliberately changing names to confuse you. Be it schemes or concepts. UPSC is well known to flip names of similar-sounding schemes and concepts. Look at this question. 

    Ques. Which of the following are the result areas of  STRIVE

    1. Improved performance of ITI.
    2. Improved and Broadened Apprenticeship Training.
    3. India International Skill Centers 

    Select the  correct answer from the  codes given below:

    a. 1 and 2 only

    b. 2 and 3 only

    c. 1 and 3 only

    d. 1 only

    Correct answer- 1 and 2 only

    In the above question, STRIVE has been used for SANKALP.  Both of them were announced at the same time for boosting Skill India Mission. It is very easy to get confused mark a wrong answer.

    CASE 2: Misleading names

    A lot of times especially in match the following type of questions misleading names are used.

    Ques. Consider the following pairs:

       Schemes                          Objectives

    1. NIDHI: nurturing ideas and innovations into successful startups.
    2. SATYAM: rejuvenate research in yoga and meditation.
    3. MANAK: to help build a critical human resource pool for strengthening and increasing the research & development base.

    Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

    a. 1 and 2 only

    b. 2 and 3 only

    c. 1 and 2 only

    d. 1, 2 and 3

    Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3

    Misleading yet important names of initiatives under Ministry of Science and Technology have been used here. All pairs are correctly matched but it is very easy to get confused. 

    CASE 3: Are you rooted in society?

    UPSC has been playing with the expenditure figures and other such facts. It is done not only for the sole reason of checking your rote memory, but the ability to think in-depth about the issues faced by various sections. 

    Ques. With reference to ‘Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) Scheme’, consider the following statements:

    1. The scheme provides for the installation of grid-connected solar power plants each of capacity up to 2 MW in the rural areas.
    2. The farmers will have to spend 50% of the total expenditure to acquire and install solar pumps.

    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

    Correct answer: 1 only

    A very important scheme. The farmers have to tolerate only 10% of the total expenditure to acquire and install solar pumps. The Central Govt. will provide 60% cost while the remaining 30% will be taken care of by bank as credit. One must understand the inability of Indian farmers to spend 50% on solar pumps. This would have helped in eliminating options also.

    CASE 4: Going international.

    International collaboration and aid in our schemes and policies are relevant. If you ever read about them, know that the issue is of critical importance for the government and society.

    Ques. With reference to Atal Bhujal Yojana, consider the following statements:

    1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with funding pattern of 50:50 between Government of India and states.
    2. This scheme is approved by the World Bank.

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

    a. 1 only

    b. 2 only

    c. Both 1 and 2

    d. Neither 1 nor 2

    Correct answer: 2 only

    Here the Government of India’s collaboration with World Bank makes it important. Half of the financial contribution is from the World Bank in this initiative.

    Students must not ignore the contribution of international institutions especially if it is of such overwhelming nature.

    CASE 5: Core of the core

    You should be able to remember the bare minimum. There is no other way in such questions. You either know them or you don’t.

    Ques. Which of the following are the components of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)?

    1. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) 
    2. Annapurna.
    3. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)

    Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

    a. 1 and 3

    b. 2 and 3

    c. 3 only

    d. 1, 2, and 3

    Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3

    The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) which came into effect from 15th August 1995, represents a significant step towards the fulfilment of the Directive Principles in Article 41 of the Constitution.

    It is a very important scheme under Ministry of Rural Development. Students are supposed to do flagship schemes of various ministries.

    Get ready to challenge yourself on 4th March 2022. Register for the second edition of Nikaalo Prelims Open Mock Test now.

    After the exam, CD Mentors will discuss the solutions of the questions on the Nikaalo Prelims telegram group(click to join)

  • Target 2023: How to Balance Prelims and Mains Preparation In The Beginning Itself?|| How to Squeeze in Time for Mains if You are a UPSC 2022 Aspirant?|| Free Live Webinar by Civilsdaily Mains Guidance Head Sukanya Rana Ma’am|| Limited Slots Available, Register Now

    Target 2023: How to Balance Prelims and Mains Preparation In The Beginning Itself?|| How to Squeeze in Time for Mains if You are a UPSC 2022 Aspirant?|| Free Live Webinar by Civilsdaily Mains Guidance Head Sukanya Rana Ma’am|| Limited Slots Available, Register Now

    Many of you right now are planning to start prelims preparation from a clean slate. But as you pick a book and complete a chapter, you are bothered by a confusion — should I study for Mains or Prelims right now?

    Since, Prelims is the first exam of UPSC, logically it should be given the first preference. However, the marks you get in prelims are only qualifying by nature and will not be considered for your final ranking by default. At the same time, Prelims exam is known to have trickier questions than Mains or Interview. Hence one cannot postpone this preparation at a later stage.

    UPSC Mains on the other hand is conducted 3 months after Prelims results are announced. If you qualify the Mains exam in 2023, you cannot prepare the vast syllabus of 9 papers in just 3 months. Marks obtained in the Optional Subject rescues you if you happen to score low in other GS Papers or in the personality round. This is why you need to prepare for your Optional Subject from the first month itself.

    75% of UPSC Toppers in 2020 have attributed a Prelims-Mains integrated approach of study as the reason for their success

    The best solution would be to study for both Prelims and Mains at the outset. But the nagging question is — HOW?

    Open to All, Free Live Webinar by Sukanya Rana Ma’am on Prelims-Mains Preparation

    Adopting an integrated study approach for prelims and mains is easier said than done for aspirants who are studying without any coaching. Mains have extra topics for the same subject you study for prelims. Focus on current affairs sees a sea change when you shift from Prelims to Mains.

    This is why you need a veteran mentor to take you through every step of the preparation, while clearing your doubts. Sukanya Rana Ma’am will exactly do this coming Saturday in her free live webinar.

    Sukanya ma’am has the experience of 4 mains and 2 interviews in UPSC. She has also appeared in the State PCS interview. Before being a mentor at Civilsdaily, she worked as an officer in a public sector bank. Sukanya Rana Ma’am is passionate about guiding future officers in finding success.

    As an aspirant, she consistently scored 100+ marks in Ethics paper. Notably, in 2019 her marks were 140 in GS 4. Under her mentorship, many Smash Mains 2020 students were able to secure 110+ marks.

    Now, as a mentor she is garnering positive reviews from our Civilsdaily students. Students have always felt she helped them score above 100+ marks in Mains exams. Below are certain testimonials from them —

    What Will You Learn in This Free Live Webinar by Sukanya Rana Ma’am?

    1. What are the different approaches in Prelims and Mains Preparation? Start studying the priority focus topics of Prelims and Mains as a 2023 aspirant.

    2. How should UPSC 2022 aspirants focus on mains answer writing when prelims is just 90 days away? Managing time without feeling the stress.

    3. What should the timetable of UPSC 2023 aspirant look like? 3 different strategies for working professionals, college students and full timers.

    4. How many months should be dedicated to prelims? How much time should be given to the optional subjects?

    5. How to revise previous day’s topics and make time for new topics? Sukanya Ma’am answers from her personal experience.

    Webinar Details

    All aspirants are welcome to interact with Sukanya Ma’am and clear their doubts and get their preparation mistakes corrected in the Q&A session. This webinar is absolutely free and only requires prior registration.

    Date: 5 th February (Saturday)

    Time: 7 P.M

  • Nikaalo Prelims Free Open Test on March 4th – Time to Pull Up Your Socks! || All Participants Stand a Chance to Gain Free Mentorship from After Test|| Hurry Up & Enroll Now

    Before taking the prelims exam, it’s always better to try the mock tests of various institutes to evaluate your level of understanding and knowledge. Once you know the weak spots, you can spend the rest of the 90 days in revising them

    What Must a Quality Prelims Test Have?

    A quality mock test wiill highlight your shortcomings in all the areas.

    We at Civilsdaily understand the nuances of setting a paper. Through five cases explaining five questions, we’ll try to give you an idea about the varied difficulty level of prelims questions.

    These questions have been taken from the first test of Nikaalo Prelims All India Open Mock Test 2020 about Government Schemes and Policies.   

    (First test to go live on 4th March 2022 @ 9:30 a.m.)

    CASE 1 – The oldest trick in the book. 

    Deliberately changing names to confuse you. Be it schemes or concepts. UPSC is well known to flip names of similar-sounding schemes and concepts. Look at this question. 

    Ques. Which of the following are the result areas of  STRIVE

    1. Improved performance of ITI.
    2. Improved and Broadened Apprenticeship Training.
    3. India International Skill Centers 

    Select the  correct answer from the  codes given below:

    a. 1 and 2 only

    b. 2 and 3 only

    c. 1 and 3 only

    d. 1 only

    Correct answer- 1 and 2 only

    In the above question, STRIVE has been used for SANKALP.  Both of them were announced at the same time for boosting Skill India Mission. It is very easy to get confused mark a wrong answer.

    CASE 2: Misleading names

    A lot of times especially in match the following type of questions misleading names are used.

    Ques. Consider the following pairs:

       Schemes                          Objectives

    1. NIDHI: nurturing ideas and innovations into successful startups.
    2. SATYAM: rejuvenate research in yoga and meditation.
    3. MANAK: to help build a critical human resource pool for strengthening and increasing the research & development base.

    Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

    a. 1 and 2 only

    b. 2 and 3 only

    c. 1 and 2 only

    d. 1, 2 and 3

    Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3

    Misleading yet important names of initiatives under Ministry of Science and Technology have been used here. All pairs are correctly matched but it is very easy to get confused. 

    CASE 3: Are you rooted in society?

    UPSC has been playing with the expenditure figures and other such facts. It is done not only for the sole reason of checking your rote memory, but the ability to think in-depth about the issues faced by various sections. 

    Ques. With reference to ‘Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) Scheme’, consider the following statements:

    1. The scheme provides for the installation of grid-connected solar power plants each of capacity up to 2 MW in the rural areas.
    2. The farmers will have to spend 50% of the total expenditure to acquire and install solar pumps.

    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

    Correct answer: 1 only

    A very important scheme. The farmers have to tolerate only 10% of the total expenditure to acquire and install solar pumps. The Central Govt. will provide 60% cost while the remaining 30% will be taken care of by bank as credit. One must understand the inability of Indian farmers to spend 50% on solar pumps. This would have helped in eliminating options also.

    CASE 4: Going international.

    International collaboration and aid in our schemes and policies are relevant. If you ever read about them, know that the issue is of critical importance for the government and society.

    Ques. With reference to Atal Bhujal Yojana, consider the following statements:

    1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with funding pattern of 50:50 between Government of India and states.
    2. This scheme is approved by the World Bank.

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

    a. 1 only

    b. 2 only

    c. Both 1 and 2

    d. Neither 1 nor 2

    Correct answer: 2 only

    Here the Government of India’s collaboration with World Bank makes it important. Half of the financial contribution is from the World Bank in this initiative.

    Students must not ignore the contribution of international institutions especially if it is of such overwhelming nature.

    CASE 5: Core of the core

    You should be able to remember the bare minimum. There is no other way in such questions. You either know them or you don’t.

    Ques. Which of the following are the components of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)?

    1. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) 
    2. Annapurna.
    3. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)

    Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

    a. 1 and 3

    b. 2 and 3

    c. 3 only

    d. 1, 2, and 3

    Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3

    The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) which came into effect from 15th August 1995, represents a significant step towards the fulfilment of the Directive Principles in Article 41 of the Constitution.

    It is a very important scheme under Ministry of Rural Development. Students are supposed to do flagship schemes of various ministries.

    Get ready to challenge yourself on 4th March 2022. Register for the second edition of Nikaalo Prelims Open Mock Test now.

    After the exam, CD Mentors will discuss the solutions of the questions on the Nikaalo Prelims telegram group(click to join)

  • 2nd March 2022| Daily Answer Writing Enhancement(AWE)

    Topics for Today’s questions:

    GS-1      The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country

    GS-2     Bilateral,regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting  India’s interests.

    GS-3      Indian Economy

    GS-4      Ethics and Human Interface-Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics – in private and public relationships. 

    Question 1)

     

    Q.1 Though some of his early measures restored faith among the Indians in the liberal tradition of England, Lord Ripon’s tenure did not bring about significant changes in the conservative mindset of the colonial bureaucracy. Comment. (15 Marks)

     

    Question 2)

    Q.2 Examine the various international laws and treaties involved in the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Is the invasion justified under international laws and treaties? (10 Marks)

    Question 3)

    Q.3 A shift is taking place in the business of global dominance and hegemony, from the model of expressing force through troop presence to financial sanctions. In the context of this, discuss the ways in which financial sanctions work and the dominance of the US in it.(10 Marks)

    Question 4)  

    Q.4 In the age of social media, influencers have a huge following and have gained prominent marketing roles. In this context, discuss the ethical issues involved in influencer marketing. (10 Marks)

     

    HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?

    1. Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.

    2. A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.

    3. You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.

    4.  Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.

    5. Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.

    6. If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th  February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis

    7. If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.

    8. We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.

    *In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. 

    For the philosophy of AWE and payment: 

  • Nikaalo Prelims Free Open Test on March 4th – Time to Pull Up Your Socks! || All Participants Stand a Chance to Gain Free Mentorship from After Test|| Hurry Up & Enroll Now

    Before taking the prelims exam, it’s always better to try the mock tests of various institutes to evaluate your level of understanding and knowledge. Once you know the weak spots, you can spend the rest of the 90 days in revising them

    What Must a Quality Prelims Test Have?

    A quality mock test wiill highlight your shortcomings in all the areas.

    We at Civilsdaily understand the nuances of setting a paper. Through five cases explaining five questions, we’ll try to give you an idea about the varied difficulty level of prelims questions.

    These questions have been taken from the first test of Nikaalo Prelims All India Open Mock Test 2020 about Government Schemes and Policies.   

    (First test to go live on 4th March 2022 @ 9:30 a.m.)

    CASE 1 – The oldest trick in the book. 

    Deliberately changing names to confuse you. Be it schemes or concepts. UPSC is well known to flip names of similar-sounding schemes and concepts. Look at this question. 

    Ques. Which of the following are the result areas of  STRIVE

    1. Improved performance of ITI.
    2. Improved and Broadened Apprenticeship Training.
    3. India International Skill Centers 

    Select the  correct answer from the  codes given below:

    a. 1 and 2 only

    b. 2 and 3 only

    c. 1 and 3 only

    d. 1 only

    Correct answer- 1 and 2 only

    In the above question, STRIVE has been used for SANKALP.  Both of them were announced at the same time for boosting Skill India Mission. It is very easy to get confused mark a wrong answer.

    CASE 2: Misleading names

    A lot of times especially in match the following type of questions misleading names are used.

    Ques. Consider the following pairs:

       Schemes                          Objectives

    1. NIDHI: nurturing ideas and innovations into successful startups.
    2. SATYAM: rejuvenate research in yoga and meditation.
    3. MANAK: to help build a critical human resource pool for strengthening and increasing the research & development base.

    Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

    a. 1 and 2 only

    b. 2 and 3 only

    c. 1 and 2 only

    d. 1, 2 and 3

    Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3

    Misleading yet important names of initiatives under Ministry of Science and Technology have been used here. All pairs are correctly matched but it is very easy to get confused. 

    CASE 3: Are you rooted in society?

    UPSC has been playing with the expenditure figures and other such facts. It is done not only for the sole reason of checking your rote memory, but the ability to think in-depth about the issues faced by various sections. 

    Ques. With reference to ‘Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) Scheme’, consider the following statements:

    1. The scheme provides for the installation of grid-connected solar power plants each of capacity up to 2 MW in the rural areas.
    2. The farmers will have to spend 50% of the total expenditure to acquire and install solar pumps.

    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

    Correct answer: 1 only

    A very important scheme. The farmers have to tolerate only 10% of the total expenditure to acquire and install solar pumps. The Central Govt. will provide 60% cost while the remaining 30% will be taken care of by bank as credit. One must understand the inability of Indian farmers to spend 50% on solar pumps. This would have helped in eliminating options also.

    CASE 4: Going international.

    International collaboration and aid in our schemes and policies are relevant. If you ever read about them, know that the issue is of critical importance for the government and society.

    Ques. With reference to Atal Bhujal Yojana, consider the following statements:

    1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with funding pattern of 50:50 between Government of India and states.
    2. This scheme is approved by the World Bank.

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

    a. 1 only

    b. 2 only

    c. Both 1 and 2

    d. Neither 1 nor 2

    Correct answer: 2 only

    Here the Government of India’s collaboration with World Bank makes it important. Half of the financial contribution is from the World Bank in this initiative.

    Students must not ignore the contribution of international institutions especially if it is of such overwhelming nature.

    CASE 5: Core of the core

    You should be able to remember the bare minimum. There is no other way in such questions. You either know them or you don’t.

    Ques. Which of the following are the components of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)?

    1. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) 
    2. Annapurna.
    3. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)

    Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

    a. 1 and 3

    b. 2 and 3

    c. 3 only

    d. 1, 2, and 3

    Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3

    The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) which came into effect from 15th August 1995, represents a significant step towards the fulfilment of the Directive Principles in Article 41 of the Constitution.

    It is a very important scheme under Ministry of Rural Development. Students are supposed to do flagship schemes of various ministries.

    Get ready to challenge yourself on 4th March 2022. Register for the second edition of Nikaalo Prelims Open Mock Test now.

    After the exam, CD Mentors will discuss the solutions of the questions on the Nikaalo Prelims telegram group(click to join)

  • [Yojana Archive] Swadeshi Entrepreneurship

    UPSC 2022 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

    Inception of the idea

    • The idea of ‘economic swadeshi’ emerged by the second half of the 19th century.
    • Thanks to the writings of R C Dutt, Dadabhai Naoroji, and M G Ranade, the new western-educated middle class was well aware of the colonial economic exploitation.
    • Gopal Hari Deshmukh was one of the firsts to advocate economic swadeshi in 1849.
    • But the credit for translating it to a call to action goes to the ‘college faction’ of the Arya Samajists in Punjab.

    Pre-Swadeshi movement

    • A group of middle-class, western-educated Punjabis– prominent among them were Lala Lajpat  Rai, Lala Harkishan Lal, and Sir Dayal Singh Majithia came together to found the Punjab National Bank (1894). This was the first major Indian-owned bank.
    • Lala Harkishan Lal, who soon emerged as the moving force behind this venture, went on to found a series of joint-stock companies.
    • In Bombay, a Parsi lawyer Ardeshir Burjorji Sorabji Godrej (1868-1936) came to realise the importance of indigenous manufacturing. After failing in a series of ventures, he tasted business success with mechanised locks and founded Godrej & Boyce in 1897.
    • Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray (1861-1944), a pioneering chemist, founder of Bengal Chemicals (India’s first pharmaceuticals company), and a devoted nationalist spent his entire life in promoting education and scientific research.

    Swadeshi Enterprises

    The announcement of the Partition of Bengal (1905) unleashed a surge of nationalism and rekindled the Bengali entrepreneurial spirit.

    (1) Textiles

    • Bengal’s leading landlords, businessmen, and political leaders came together to launch the most high-profile swadeshi venture – Banga Luxmi Cotton Mill (1906).
    • Two years later, Mohinimohan Chakraborti, landlord and retired Deputy Magistrate, launched a smaller Mohini Mill in East Bengal to challenge the monopoly of the only British cotton mill in Bengal.
    • The biggest beneficiary of the boycott of Manchester cloths turned out to be Bombay and Ahmedabad, where 39 mills came up between 1904 and 1910 to cater to swadeshi demands.

    (2) Promotion on Science and Tech

    • One of the great contributions of the swadeshi period was the promotion of science. Meritorious students were sent to Japan, Germany, and the USA for technical education.
    • Some of them came back to set up successful businesses like Calcutta Chemicals, Calcutta Potteries, and Bengal Waterproof.
    • The National Education Movement (1905-1938) helped set up colleges and schools, and one of the institutions associated with it metamorphosed into Jadavpur University.
    • In Madras, firebrand nationalist leader V O Chidambaram Pillai launched his Swadeshi Steam  Navigation Company from Tuticorin (1906), to challenge the British monopolies but had a short life.

    (3) Emergence of modern banking

    • Indian Bank: In Madras, a group of eminent citizens and businessmen came together under the leadership of a lawyer (later on, High Court judge), V Krishnaswamy Iyer, to set up the Indian Bank in 1907.
    • Canara Bank: Among the other smaller ventures in the Madras Presidency were the Canara Banking Corporation of Udupi (later Corporation Bank) and the Canara Hindu Permanent Fund (later Canara Bank).
    • Central Bank of India: Similar groups in Bombay founded two major banks – the Bank of India (1907) and the Central Bank of India (1911, the first Chairman was Sir Pherozeshah Mehta).
    • Bank of Baroda: In Baroda, Maharaja Sayajirao II led the way to set up the first major bank in a princely state – Bank of Baroda (1908). 
    • Punjab and Sindh Bank: Business elites in Punjab set up the Punjab and Sind Bank in the same year.

    Swadeshi and decline of consumerism

    • Boycott of foreign goods and the use of India-made products– the trend that started in Bengal in  1905, spread to the rest of the country with Mahatma Gandhi and his advocacy of khadi.
    • With rising nationalism, there was a definite change in consumer culture too.
    • Irrespective of whether they were actively participating in political movements or not, people wanted to use India-made/local products as a badge of their patriotism.

    Establishment of National Planning Commission

    • In 1938, Congress President Subhas Chandra Bose set up a National Planning Commission under the chairmanship of Jawaharlal Nehru.
    • This Commission had prominent industrialists  like Purushottamdas Thakurdas, Walchand Hirachand, A D Shroff, and Ambalal Sarabhai as  members, along with technocrat M Visvesvaraya and scientist Meghnad Saha.
    • In 1944-45, eight leading industrialists – J R D Tata, G D Birla, Ardeshir Dalal, Lala Shri Ram, Kasturbhai Lalbhai, A D Shroff, Purushottamdas Thakurdas, and John Matthai came out with a blueprint for independent India’s economic development.

    The Bombay Plan

    • This ‘Bombay Plan’ outlined the strategy for doubling of the agricultural output and five- fold increase in the industrial sector within 15 years.
    • They accepted that without State support this would not be possible.
    • Though it was never officially accepted but the post-independence economic planning did follow the same path of State interventions and a mixed economy with large-scale public sector.

    UPSC 2022 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)