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  • 28 September 2018 | High Relevance vs Low Relevance News

    Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this

    We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not

    Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.

    Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam

    Click on news headlines to read the full news

    High Relevance News

    Adultery no longer a criminal offence as SC scraps Section 497 of IPC

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/adultery-no-longer-a-criminal-offence-as-sc-scraps-section-497-of-ipc/

    Another progressive judgment to move away from Victorian-era laws. Also ensures equal rights for women. Important for Mains. Read this news with the editorial on this issue.

    MHA merges Police forces of 6 UTs

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/mha-merges-police-forces-of-6-uts/

    Make notes on the need for a central cadre of police force. Important for Mains.

    Cabinet approves 100% govt stake in GST Network

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/cabinet-approves-100-govt-stake-in-gst-network/

    Note the composition of GSTN. Can be asked in Prelims.

    [op-ed snap] National surgical strike day: celebrating failures

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-national-surgical-strike-day-celebrating-failures/

    A good editorial highlighting the actual scenario after the surgical strike and the change that is needed in India’s security architecture. Important for Mains.

    Low Relevance News

    Arunachal Pradesh mega dam clearance shocks greens

    Conservationists have asked the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) to reverse the clearance for the 1750MW Demwe Lower hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh which is proposed to be constructed on river Lohit

    No important points in the news from the exam point of view.

  • ESSAY PAPER – UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination – 2018

    No questions on women, education, social issues. Mostly philosophical topics.

    Section A had objective topics (1&4) but Section B was a bummer. Let us know what you think?

    SECTION – A

    1.Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India
    2.A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge
    3.Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere
    4.Management of Indian border disputes – a complex task

    SECTION – B

    1. Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life
    2. ‘The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values
    3. A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both
    4. Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it

     

     

  • 27 September 2018 | High Relevance vs Low Relevance News

    Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this

    We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not

    Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.

    Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam

    Click on news headlines to read the full news

    Supreme Court Okays Constitutional Validity of Aadhaar

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/supreme-court-okays-constitutional-validity-of-aadhaar/

    Important judgment related to Aadhar. Read where it is required and where not. A tricky statement question might appear in Prelims.

    Supreme Court nod to live-streaming of court proceedings

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/supreme-court-nod-to-live-streaming-of-court-proceedings/

    A progressive move by SC to bring in more transparency and accountability. Important for Mains.

    PM Modi gets UN’s ‘Champions of the Earth’ award

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/pm-modi-gets-uns-champions-of-the-earth-award/

    Read all details about the award. Important for Prelims.

    [pib] Cabinet approves National Digital Communications Policy-2018

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/pib-cabinet-approves-national-digital-communications-policy-2018/

    An area seeing unprecedented growth and new technological developments is the telecom sector. Read all points of the policy as each year a policy is being asked in Mains.

    Low Relevance News

    SC declines to refer to larger Bench issue whether mosques are integral to Islam

    A three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court declined to refer the question whether a “mosque as a place of prayer is an essential part of Islam” in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid appeals to a larger Bench

    The bone of contention here is an observation made in a 1994 judgment of the Supreme Court in the Ismail Faruqui case that “a mosque is not an essential part of the practice of the religion of Islam and ‘namaz’ [prayer] by Muslims can be offered anywhere, even in open”

    No important points in the news from exam point of view

  • 26 September 2018 | High Relevance vs Low Relevance News

    Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this

    We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not

    Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.

    Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam

    Click on news headlines to read the full news

    High relevance news

    [pib] Financial Inclusion Index

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/pib-financial-inclusion-index/

    Indexes and reports, domestic as well as international are important for Prelims.

    India ranks 158th in ‘human capital’ score

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/india-ranks-158th-in-human-capital-score/

    Read and note the details of the study. Points can be used in Mains.

    Enact strong laws to cleanse Politics: Supreme Court

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/enact-strong-laws-to-cleanse-politics-supreme-court/

    Important SC judgment regarding the decriminalisation of politics in India. Important for Mains.

    Low Relevance News

    Govt to hold inter-ministerial consultation on impact of SC order on Aadhaar

    The government will hold inter-ministerial consultation to assess the impact of the Supreme Court judgement on Aadhaar and action will be taken thereafter

    No important points in news from exam perspective.

  • 25 September 2018 | High Relevance vs Low Relevance News

    Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this

    We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not

    Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.

    Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam

    Click on news headlines to read the full news

    High relevance news

    [op-ed snap] Raja Mandala: The world beyond Pakistan

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-raja-mandala-the-world-beyond-pakistan/

    A detailed editorial discussing India’s diplomatic attachment to Pakistan issue and how this is affecting India’s interests in various multilateral fora. Important for Mains.

    Publishing poll candidate’s propaganda is paid news: Election Commission

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/publishing-poll-candidates-propaganda-is-paid-news-election-commission/

    Note the provisions of disqualifications of people from contesting elections. Can be asked in Prelims. Paid news in elections can be a topic for Mains.

    India to focus on climate change, South-South cooperation at U.N.

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/india-to-focus-on-climate-change-south-south-cooperation-at-u-n/

    Know about stated aims of G4. Important for Prelims.

    India conducts successful interceptor missile test at night

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/india-conducts-successful-interceptor-missile-test-at-night/

    Read about Prithvi defence vehicle. Defence and space related questions are repeatedly asked in Prelims.

    Low Relevance News

    Monsoon withdrawal to begin by weekend

    The monsoon will likely start withdrawing from the country by the end of the week, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a forecast

    Typically, the monsoon begins its withdrawal from the 1st week of September, but it has been delayed primarily due to the development of cyclonic conditions

    No important points in the news for the exam.

     

  • 24 September 2018 | High Relevance vs Low Relevance News

    Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this

    We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not

    Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.

    Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam

    Click on news headlines to read the full news

    High relevance news

    People cutting down Neelakurinji plants to be fined

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/people-cutting-down-neelakurinji-plants-to-be-fined/

    Note all details about Neelakurinji plant (Special features, places where found etc). Questions based on such special plant and animal species are seen in Prelims year after year.

    India’s first indigenously developed fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam may achieve criticality in 2019 

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/indias-first-indigenously-developed-fast-breeder-reactor-at-kalpakkam-may-achieve-criticality-in-2019/

    Note about PFBR. Important for Prelims. Along with this, research about India’s nuclear program. Can be asked in Mains.

    What caused Kerala Floods?

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/what-caused-kerala-floods/

    Know what Hungry water effect is and its role in flooding in Kerela. Important for Pre as well as Mains.

    Explained: Governor’s Pardoning Power

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/explained-governors-pardoning-power/

    There’s been a continuous debate about Governor’s discretionary powers and their wide and undefined scope. Note the articles being discussed and their ramifications on governor’s relationship with the Council of Ministers. Important for Mains.

    Low Relevance News

    Article 370: J&K’s special status challenged

    A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the continued existence of Article 370, which gives a temporary autonomous status to the State of Jammu and Kashmir and restricts the power of Parliament to make laws for the State

    No important points in the news from the exam perspective.

  • 22 September 2018 | High Relevance vs Low Relevance News

    Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this

    We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not

    Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.

    Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam

    Click on news headlines to read the full news

    High relevance news

    UNDP report lauds India’s strides in reducing poverty in past decade

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/undp-report-lauds-indias-strides-in-reducing-poverty-in-past-decade/

    Read about MPI and its 2018 report findings. Can be asked in Pre as well as Mains.

    Now outsourced eco-impact checks

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/now-outsourced-eco-impact-checks/

    Make notes about EIA. Important from Mains point of view.

    Who is at risk from China’s Belt and Road Initiative debt trap?

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/who-is-at-risk-from-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-debt-trap/

    Read and remember about Paris Club. Terms like these are favourite of UPSC for Prelims.

    [pib] National Board of Examinations

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/pib-national-board-of-examinations/

    Make notes about NBE. Important for Prelims

    Low Relevance News

    Reinstated staff can’t have back wages: SC

    An employee has no right to back wages merely because the court has set aside his dismissal and returned his old job, the Supreme Court held in a judgment

    No important points in the news from the exam point of view

  • 21 September 2018 | High Relevance vs Low Relevance News

    Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this

    We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not

    Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.

    Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam

    Click on news headlines to read the full news

    High relevance news

    Sex offenders’ registry launched with 4.4 lakh entries

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/sex-offenders-registry-launched-with-4-4-lakh-entries/

    With the rise in sexual offences against women and children, the registry was necessary. Note the details. Important for Pre as well as Mains.

    India puts four more nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/india-puts-four-more-nuclear-facilities-under-iaea-safeguards/

    Read about IAEA and impact of its safeguards on India’s nuclear program. Can be asked in Prelims.

    [pib] Health Ministry launches sputum sample transportation Through Dept of Post

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/pib-health-ministry-launches-sputum-sample-transportation-through-dept-of-post/

    Read about Nikshay. Important for Prelims.

    Low Relevance News

    BSF opens hotline in Delhi to talk to Pakistan Rangers

    The Border Security Force (BSF) has opened a new hotline in Delhi to communicate with the Pakistan Rangers

    After large-scale ceasefire violations in 2015, the BSF and Pakistan Rangers put in a system to resolve through effective communication any flare-up on the border. At least 14 hotlines were activated along the Pakistan border from Gujarat to Jammu. A hotline between the Directors-General of Military Operations (DGMOs) also exists.

    No important points in the news apart from the above fact.

  • 20 September 2018 | High Relevance vs Low Relevance News

    Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this

    We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not

    Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.

    Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam

    Click on news headlines to read the full news

    High relevance news

    Triple talaq is criminal offence

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/triple-talaq-is-criminal-offence/

    Read about provisions of the ordinance and the process of promulgating ordinances by the president. Important for Prelims.

    [pib] DAC Approves Procurement of Equipment Worth Rs 9,100 Crores

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/pib-dac-approves-procurement-of-equipment-worth-rs-9100-crores/

    Read about Akash missile systems and IUWBA. Important for Prelims.

    ITU South Asia area office and tech innovation centre to be set up in Delhi

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/itu-south-asia-area-office-and-tech-innovation-centre-to-be-set-up-in-delhi/

    Read about ITU. International organizations related questions are frequently asked in Prelims.

    Low Relevance News

    Nilakanth Vyas is Atomic Energy Commission chief

    Prominent scientist and Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Kamlesh Nilakanth Vyas, has been appointed Secretary, Atomic Energy, and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by PM cleared his name for the post.

    No important points in the news from exam perspective.

  • Batch 4: CD Prime Test Series for Prelims 2019

    We are now accepting admissions for Batch 4

    Join Batch 4 of Test series here: Click2Join

    Click2View the detailed schedule of test series with complete booklist to be followed.

     

    Get a 10% discount for early joiners. We will be extending the discount on this batch till 7th October (the date for the first test of this batch) to ensure that students join before tests start and they stay regular with the schedule

    UPDATE #2

    We are upgrading the program further to provide you more Comprehensive Preparation

    Apart from the static subject videos, now we will also provide Economic Survey & Budget Analysis Videos covering key concepts and important terms for Prelims 2019.  Economic Survey analysis will be available from 2016 to 2018 covering trends in Indian Economy as well as key issues related to it.

    That makes the total video lectures to be 75 hours

    UPDATE  #1

    Demolish UPSC series
    We are releasing 60+ Hours of Advanced Video Lectures on Static subjects – Polity, History, Geography, Economy

    These cover the most important topics from prelims perspective

    Basic knowledge will be helpful in understanding these though it’s not mandatory
    CD remains committed to its students’ success. We are ready to go the extra mile to turn your dreams into reality.

    Join Batch 4 of Test series here: Click2Join

     

    Here is the detailed schedule of lectures:

    Importance of Economic Survey and Budget

    Economic Survey and Budget are the 2 most important documents that you will go through in your exam preparation.

    • Economic Survey discusses all the major government initiatives with the explanation.
    • If we go by the trend, every year around 20 questions in prelims and 7-8 questions in mains are directly related to the Economic Survey and Budget.
    • Questions in prelims paper stress on important phrases, key analysis, and technical terms. Hence they have to be thoroughly studied.
    • Almost mandatory to imbibe actual phrases used in Economic Survey to frame answers for Main Examination. for example, if a Question is asked on Banking sector problems in the mains exam, you can always quote the 4R recommendations of the 2016th economic survey.
    • Adding the important and relevant facts and figures significantly enhance your marks in General Studies Paper-III.
    • Deep knowledge of the current policies and programs of the government also help an aspirant to write meaningful Essays in UPSC Civil Services Main Examination. For example, Wiping every tear from every eye “Twin balance sheet problem”, “translating potential into actuality” “ Chakravuyh challenge” etc.
    • According to the new trend economy and the environment is going hand in hand. So questions can come from that perspective also.
    • Many statistics and schemes are now being asked in Prelims

    Watch the video to know how we ensure you get 120+ score in Prelims

    The only TS that is supervised by top rankers and provides personalized attention to students. Check out the 7 points that make it the best in the market.

    Follow the video below to understand what makes the TS unique. Our planning and execution remains perfect.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWUJ-nQWqkE

     

    It goes without saying that Civilsdaily’s Flagship Test Series Program has created a name for itself. It is preferred among students in their advanced stages of preparation.
    Here is what ABHILASH BARANWAL, AIR 44, CSE-2017 had to say about CD

    Here is what  JITENDRA KUMAR SHARMA, AIR 392, CSE-2017 had to say –

    This year, we have upgraded the program to make it the best offering in the market.

    Introducing CD Prime TS 2019

    1. One comprehensive program – Our TS is a full-fledged course in itself! With a mix and match of various kinds of questions and detailed explanation wherever need. It is a very effective way of both, starting a subject and revising one.

    2. Telegram Groups moderated by to Toppers.  Mentorship taken to a whole new level. You will be helped at every step of the way.

    3. Introducing questions-types – Judging the quality of any TS is very subjective. While some will say its great, others will say its quality has decreased over time. That is why we have introduced the concept of question-types. They ensure consistency in quality. How? We have explained that in the end.

    4. Dedicated monthly CA Tests – Exclusive focus on Current Affairs(CA) by having dedicated monthly CA tests. Besides, exhaustively preparing for CA questions, it has helped students precisely figure out what their weaknesses are.  

    5. Tikdams and mastering the art of intelligent guesses – Tikdam Technique is an innovation by Dr. V(AIR 20) and has helped students gain additional marks. Our TS is the only TS that puts a conscious effort to build student’s risk-taking appetite.

    6. Subject and sub-subject Level Tagging – These tags will help you understand the importance of themes and revise other questions from them.

    7. Two-tier quality check  – Our questions pass through a rigorous true stage assessment criteria. The first being done by CD’s core content team with the final approval from a coterie of rankers.


    What are questions types 

    Wherever applicable, we will try to stick to the format decided below. It standardizes questions to a decent extent.

    A. Consolidation Questions
    These questions consolidate information from different topics to help you see concepts holistically and also aid retention.
    Eg. Consider this question. You would not have studied all the ‘Majorities’ together but under separate topics. This question will help you understand the concept in entirety.

    Consider the following questions on the types of Majority
    1. Special Majority of not less than 2/3 of the Members present and voting is required in the passage of a resolution under Art. 249 and Art. 312ONLY.
    2. Impeachment of the President requires Not less than 2/3 of the Members present and voting along with Majority of the Total Strength of the House.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    a)1
    b)2
    c)Both
    d)None

    Explanation – A very detailed account of the types of Majority is given here https://www.civilsdaily.com/types-of-majorities/
    Statement 1 is correct despite having ‘ONLY’ in it.

    B. Comparative Questions
    Comparative questions help you understand the relative differences between related topics. Consider the question below. Instead of asking a question on HC or SC separately, we have clubbed it together.

    Consider the following statements with respect to the appointment of judges of High Court & Supreme Court
    1. The minimum qualifications prescribed in the Constitution is same for judges of HC & SC.
    2. While SC judges are appointed by the President, HC judges are appointed by the SC.
    Which of the following is/are incorrect?
    a) 1 only
    b) 2 only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) None

    Explanation – 3 qualifications are common to both judges of HC and SC
    1. Citizen of India
    2. Judge of HC for 5 years
    3. Advocate in HC for 10 years
    In case of judges of SC, there is an additional qualification – If he/she is a distinguished Jurist in the opinion of the President. Judges of HC are also appointed by the President. The controversy around appointments has been in news very frequently. Please read – https://www.civilsdaily.com/story/judicial-appointments-conundrum-post-njac-verdict/

    C. Interactive Questions
    These questions will ask you to go through a concept/related concepts and reply back with comments. This will help you re-visit the entire concept rather than simply answer one specific aspect of the topic.

    Eg., consider the following question –
    The conversion of Ammonia (NH3) to nitrite (NO2-) and then to nitrates (NO3-) is called

    a) Nitrification
    b) Ammonification
    c) Assimilation
    d) Denitrification
    Answer A

    Explanation
    Nitrification
    In this process, the ammonia is converted into nitrate by the presence of bacteria in the soil. Ammonia is oxidized to form nitrites by bacteria such as Nitrosomonas species. Nitrates are converted into nitrates by Nitrobacter. This conversion is very important as ammonia gas is toxic for plants.
    Make a note of all the processes involved in the Nitrogen Cycle – nitrogen fixation, assimilation, ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification process.
    Leave their definitions/organisms involved in the comments.

    D. Star-marked/special questions
    These are advanced questions that are not from standard sources but relevant for the exam. These questions will help you build additional knowledge without going through specialized books.
    Eg. Questions on books by freedom-fighters, News not covered by the Hindu, IE, PIB but of very high importance in world affairs.

    Besides these, questions indirectly related to CA will also be asked. 

    Do I need to join a TS for prelims at all?

    Despite UPSC being unpredictable, prelims TS is the only program that can help you assess how your preparation is. Besides few questions that are directly asked from TS, it helps in developing a good understanding of how to prepare/what to prepare/what to prioritize and so on.

    In today’s hyper-competitive exam scenario, it’s almost impossible to clear the exam without a good TS in hand.

    Join Batch 4 of Test series here: Click2Join