Category: Ranker Webinars

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Importance of Economics for UPSC

Prelims exam

Year   Questions asked

2016   29

2017   29

2018   25

Thus on an average 1/4th of the prelims paper can be solved easily if you have good command in economics.

Mains exam

GS paper 3

Year    Total Marks

2017    125 Marks

2016    112.5 Marks

2015    125 Marks

In Essay Paper

1 topic Every year

Total Weightage in mains: 375 Marks

Objectives of this course

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.

Is it relevant only to UPSC students?

This course is relevant for not just UPSC students but also for State PSC, RBI Grade B, SSC, Bank PO and other competitive exams

What will this course offer?

1. Static Lectures

100 hours of static Lectures covering NCERT’s, All advanced UPSC books like Mishra and Puri, Dutt and Sundaram, Paul Krugman, Mankiw etc

Watch sample videos of the course here:

2. Lectures on contemporary issues both 2019 Mains specific and 2019 Prelims specific

35 – 40 Hours of lectures on Contemporary issues (From 2012 to 2018)

Sources: All important magazines and newspapers like Economist, EPW, Livemint, Business Standard, Economic times

3. Notes

Notes on both static and current part will be given

4. Tests

6 Prelims test of Economics (100 Questions each)

6 Mains test (10 Questions each)

5. Mentorship

-Telegram group where students can ask any doubts with the faculty. Students can also call the faculty at a defined time every day.

6. Unlimited access

Unlimited access to videos during the validity of the course. Can access the course 24/7 as per your convenience.

7. Special Coverage of Budget and Economic Survey 2019

Get all the details of the course and join here: Click2Join

 

About the Faculty

Himanshu Arora

MPhil Economics (JNU)

Works at Prime Minister Economic Advisory Council

-Writes regularly in various famous Indian and international weeklies like Millenium post and Huffington Post.

-Worked as Assistant Professor in Delhi University

Read some of his articles here:

Looking beyond geopolitics

Empowering citizens is better than entitlements

China in Xi Era

‘We the People’

Sajal Singh

MSc Economics (Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics)

MS Financial Economics Carleton University Canada

NET (JRF) Economics Qualified

Core Faculty @ Civilsdaily.com

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

Supreme Court opens Sabarimala temple to women of all ages

https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/supreme-court-opens-sabarimala-temple-to-women-of-all-ages/

Read the views of SC judges and articles of constitution quoted during this judgment. Can be used in Mains paper 1, 2 as well as Essay on women’s rights, religious freedom and related topics.

NITI Aayog, Oracle to fight fake drugs through blockchain

https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/niti-aayog-oracle-to-fight-fake-drugs-through-blockchain/

Blockchain is emerging as the most promising technology for solving various problems being faced by India. Read about the technology and its potential in India. Can be asked in Mains.

[op-ed snap] A UN for the People

https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-a-un-for-the-people/

The era of multilateralism started by UN and carried forward by WTO seems to be fading. Read the oped to know the reasons as well as solutions to this problem of isolationism. Important for Mains.

Low Relevance News

It’s Bengal calling for the ‘greatest festival on earth’

West Bengal, a State where the industry is often perceived to be in decline, plans to tap into tourism by hard-selling its festivals, starting with Durga Puja

No important points in the news although the headline makes it look so from UPSC perspective

1. In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? (10 marks, 150 words)
2. Whether National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine. (10 marks, 150 words)
3. Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in force? (10 marks, 150 words)
4. Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee. (10 marks, 150 words)
5. “The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has a very vital role to play.” Explain how this is reflected in the method and terms of his appointment as well as the range of powers he can exercise. (10 marks, 150 words)
6. “Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate ‘protection and prevention of degradation to environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations. (10 marks, 150 words)
7. Appropriate local community level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain. (10 marks, 150 words)
8. E-governance is not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about critical importance of the ‘use value’ of information. Explain. (10 marks, 150 words)
9. “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss.  (10 marks, 150 words)
10. A number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018.  (10 marks, 150 words)
11. Whether the Supreme Court Judgement (July 2018) can settle the political tussle between the Lt. Governor and elected government of Delhi? Examine. (15 marks, 250 words)
12. How far do you agree with the view that tribunals curtail the jurisdiction of ordinary courts? In view of the above, discuss the constitutional validity and competency of the tribunals in India. (15 marks, 250 words)
13. Indian and USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based. (15 marks, 250 words)
14. How is the Finance Commission of India constituted? What do you know about the terms of reference of the recently constituted Finance Commission? Discuss.  (15 marks, 250 words)
15. Assess the importance of the Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources the Panchayats can look out for financing developmental projects? (15 marks, 250 words)
16. Multiplicity of various commissions for the vulnerable sections of the society leads to problems of overlapping jurisdiction and duplication of functions. Is it better to merge all commissions into an umbrella Human Rights Commission? Argue your case.  (15 marks, 250 words)
17. How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India?  (15 marks, 250 words)
18. The Citizen’s Charter is an ideal instrument of organisational transparency and accountability, but it has its own limitations. Identify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness of the Citizen’s Charters.  (15 marks, 250 words)
19. What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India?  (15 marks, 250 words)
20. In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to its situation?  (15 marks, 250 words)

1. Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Comment (10 marks, 150 words)
2. Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India. (10 marks, 150 words)
3. Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times. (10 marks, 150 words)
4. Why is Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? How does it help in navigation? (10 marks, 150 words)
5. Why is India taking keen interest in the Arctic region? (10 marks, 150 words)
6. Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate tectonics. (10 marks, 150 words)
7. What are the consequences of spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine ecosystem? (10 marks, 150 words)
8. “Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, caste system cannot be eradicated in India.” Comment. (10 marks, 150 words)
9. ‘Despite implementation of various programmes for eradication of poverty by the government in India, poverty is still existing’. Explain by giving reasons. (10 marks, 150 words)
10. How the Indian concept of secularism different from the western model of secularism? Discuss. (10 marks, 150 words)
11. The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss. (15 marks, 250 words)
12. Discuss whether formation of new states in recent times is beneficial or not for the economy of India. (15 marks, 250 words)
13. Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to their colonies? have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there? (15 marks, 250 words)
14. “The ideal solution of depleting groundwater resources in India is water harvesting system.” How can it be made effective in urban areas? (15 marks, 250 words)
15. Defining blue revolution, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India. (15 marks, 250 words)
16. What is the significance of Industrial Corridors in India? Identifying industrial corridors, explain their main characteristics. (15 marks, 250 words)
17. Mention core strategies for the transformation of aspirational districts in India and explain the nature of convergence, collaboration and competition for its success. (15 marks, 250 words)
18. ‘Women’s movement in India has not addresses the issues of women of lower social strata.’ Substantiate your view. (15 marks, 250 words)
19. ‘Globalisation is generally said to promote cultural homogenisation but due to this cultural specificities appear to be strengthened in the Indian society.’ Elucidate. (15 marks, 250 words)
20. ‘Communalism arises either due to power struggle or relative deprivation.’ Argue by giving suitable illustrations. (15 marks, 250 words)

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.

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

 

 

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

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.

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.

 

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.