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Category: Ranker Webinars

  • FREE Live Masterclass by AIR 49, Divyansh Singh (IAS): 12-month Phase wise blueprint for UPSC 2024 | Starting from Scratch | Get your personalized study plan and timetable (PDF) | Book Your Seat

    FREE Live Masterclass by AIR 49, Divyansh Singh (IAS): 12-month Phase wise blueprint for UPSC 2024 | Starting from Scratch | Get your personalized study plan and timetable (PDF) | Book Your Seat

    Block Your Sunday (28th May) 2023 for 1-1 Live Masterclass by AIR-49, IAS, Divyansh Sir on a 12-month Phase wise blueprint for UPSC 2024 | We’ll share a personalized PDF study plan and timetable designed with Divyansh sir’s inputs. (click here for more details)


    Aspirants, just 12 months are left for UPSC Prelims 2024. And if you haven’t started yet, even if it is going to be from scratch, today is the best time to start.

    IAS, Divyansh Singh, CD’s mentorship student who secured AIR 49 in 2021, will share with you what his phase-wise prep blueprint and how he strategized his final 12 months before 2021 attempt. 

    According to him starting your preparation before 12 months has several advantages, like giving you more time to revise, take practice tests, develop, polish your knowledge and responses, and move four steps ahead of the competition.

    An ideal prep is divided into five phases and spread across 11-12 months. Divyansh sir, an IAS officer who secured AIR 49 in UPSC 2021, is conducting a special LIVE Masterclass (FREE) on the Only 12 months are left for 2024! Why should you start ASAP?


    Masterclass Details:

    Topic: Only 12 months are left for UPSC 2024! Why should you start ASAP?

    Date: 28th May 2023 (Sunday)

    Time: 7:30 pm Onwards

    Zoom Meeting Link will be sent via your registered email address.


    What you should expect in 1-1 LIVE with Divyansh sir?

    The workshop will cover a 12-month Phase-wise blueprint for UPSC 2024.

    1. First phase – Studying the Core Subjects. How to read every topic in the syllabus from 2-3 sources in the first reading and prepare a 1-2 page note? And in your second reading, stick to only one source while using your notes as reference.

    2. Second phaseStudying Mains Specific Subjects & Optional. How to follow the ritual of reading, writing summaries, and answering topic-wise previous year questions?

    3. Discuss 2-3 Revision Strategies which you can follow. Why should you not go more than 20 days without revision?

    4. Live demonstration of making the perfect notes. How to not copy line-by-line of everything you read & only note down the 5 dimensions of a topic?

    5. Why is the Third phase of preparation the shortest of all? What should you ideally do after completing the Prelims and Mains subjects?

    6. Fourth phase. How to improve your accuracy 3 months before the Prelims exams?

    7. The 5th and Last phase. What must be done 3 months before the Mains exams?


    CivilsDaily’s FREE Masterclass package & Personalized Timetable

    Post-webinar you will get important PDFs, timetable framework, and mentorship session.

    Based on your UPSC prep situation (working aspirant, full-time aspirant), your learning style, previous attempts, and other such factors, we will be preparing and sharing a personalized PDF study plan for you.

    We will be incorporating Divyansh’s (AIR 49, UPSC 2021) inputs in preparing the timetable for you.


    What The Hindu opined about Civilsdaily Mentorship

    Register FREE for 1-1 LIVE UPSC Masterclass by Divyansh (AIR 49), IAS, Super Mentor of Civilsdaily

  • [ORF] Evidence-Based Policymaking (EBP)

    [ORF] Evidence-Based Policymaking (EBP)

    Central Idea

    • The unavailability of Census and Household Consumer Expenditure (HCE) survey data is causing difficulties in policymaking in India.
    • The census enumeration, originally scheduled for 2021, has been postponed to 2024-25.
    • Furthermore, the results of the National Statistical Office’s HCE survey for 2022-23, expected to be released by December this year, might be delayed until after the general elections in 2024.

    What is Evidence-Based Policymaking (EBP)?

    • Evidence-based policymaking, also known as data-based policymaking, involves using factual information and credible evidence to make policy decisions rather than relying on political opinions or theories.
    • This approach relies on relevant data and evidence to develop policies, such as using reliable healthcare data to inform healthcare policy decisions.
    • Evidence-based policymaking is widely considered as a fundamental aspect of good governance.

    Why rely on EBP?

    There are several reasons why evidence-based policymaking (EBP) is essential and beneficial:

    • Facts and Credible Evidence: Making decisions based on reliable data ensure that policymaking is grounded in objective information and not influenced by personal beliefs or opinions.
    • Supplementing Political Opinion or Theory: Evidence-based approaches prioritize empirical evidence and research findings over subjective political opinions or unproven theories.
    • Informed Decision-Making: Utilizing accurate and reliable information enables policymakers to make well-informed decisions with a comprehensive understanding of issues.
    • Better Policy Outcomes: Evidence helps identify effective strategies and interventions, leading to policies that are more likely to achieve their intended goals and produce positive outcomes.
    • Targeted Resource Allocation: By considering evidence of effectiveness, policymakers can allocate limited resources strategically. They have focus on interventions that have a proven track record of success.
    • Accountability and Transparency: EBP fosters transparency and accountability by providing a clear rationale for policy decisions based on objective information. This earns public trust and allowing for scrutiny and evaluation.
    • Continuous Learning: Evaluating policies based on evidence promotes a culture of learning. It allows for the identification of what works well and areas that require improvement. This leads to iterative policy development.
    • Public Health and Safety: EBP in public health and safety ensure that decisions are informed by scientific evidence, helping to protect and improve the well-being of the public by preventing harm and mitigating risks.

    Impact on Electoral Politics

    • Prevention of decisions based on vested interests: Evidence-based policymaking holds policymakers accountable and prevents decisions driven by ideology, opinions, or political interests.
    • Enhanced public trust: Evidence-based policymaking increases trust by using rigorous analysis and data, enhancing the legitimacy of government actions and policies.
    • Evidence-Based Campaigning: Candidates use evidence-based research for effective campaign strategies, addressing voter concerns and tailoring policies for electoral success.
    • Voter Engagement and Education: EBP informs voters with evidence-based information, empowering them to make informed choices based on data and research.
    • Policy Evaluation and Improvement: EBP promotes regular evaluation of policies based on evidence, appealing to voters prioritizing evidence-driven decision-making and policy effectiveness.

    Challenges and Concerns

    There are several challenges and concerns related to evidence-based policymaking in India:

    • Delay in the release of data: Despite adopting advanced data processing technologies, there has been a growing delay, sometimes spanning years, in releasing collected data. This renders the data less useful for timely policy intervention and reduces public scrutiny, undermining accountability. For example, the government refrained from releasing data collected through the Socio-Economic and Caste Census in an extreme case.
    • Issue of comparability: Changes in the estimation of GDP over recent years have made it impossible to compare data over time. While adjustments to computation and survey methods aimed at improving accuracy are welcome, in this case, the revisions were seen as driven more by political considerations than the need for accuracy.
    • Reliance on multiple surveys and datasets: In the absence of surveys like the HCE survey, policymakers rely on other datasets that often provide contradictory signals. This lack of consensus hampers understanding of poverty and inequality trends over the past decade. Different studies present conflicting findings, such as varying estimates of rural poverty during the strict lockdown of April-June 2020.

    Where can India utilize EBP?

    SectorGovernment SchemesHow EBP can be used
    HealthcareAyushman Bharat, National Health Mission, Swachh Bharat MissionUtilize evidence-based interventions, allocate resources effectively, and monitor health outcomes
    Education and HRDSarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Mid-Day Meal Scheme, Digital India for EducationInform curriculum development, teacher training, and interventions for improved learning outcomes
    Agriculture upliftmentPM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Soil Health Card Scheme, PM Fasal Bima YojanaEnhance productivity, promote sustainable farming practices, and address farmer challenges
    Social WelfarePM Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA)Ensure effective targeting, equitable distribution, and improved outcomes for marginalized communities
    InfrastructureSmart Cities Mission, Bharatmala Pariyojana, PM Gram Sadak YojanaPrioritize investments based on data-driven assessments of infrastructure needs and urban planning
    Environmental Protection and governanceNational Clean Air Program, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, Swachh Bharat MissionAddress environmental challenges, mitigate pollution, and promote sustainable development
    Skill DevelopmentSkill India Mission, PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana, National Apprenticeship Promotion SchemeAlign training programs with industry requirements, improve employability, and meet skill demands
    Digital GovernanceDigital India, e-Governance initiatives, AadhaarEnhance service delivery, ensure data security and privacy, and leverage technology for effective governance
    Financial InclusionJan Dhan Yojana, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima YojanaExpand access to financial services, promote inclusive growth, and reduce financial vulnerability
    Employment GenerationMake in India, Stand-Up India, Mudra YojanaIdentify growth sectors, target job creation, and support entrepreneurship based on market demand and skill gaps

    Way forward

    • Establish a National Evidence-Based Policy Institute: Create an institute to promote research, evaluation, and capacity-building in EBP, collaborating with universities and organizations to generate and disseminate rigorous evidence for policymaking.
    • Develop a National Evidence Bank: Create a centralized platform to store and share research findings, evaluations, and data, ensuring policymakers have easy access to credible evidence for informed decision-making.
    • Encourage Collaborative Research Partnerships: Foster collaborations between researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to conduct joint studies, facilitating the integration of research findings into policy processes and enhancing relevance.
    • Implement Mandatory Evidence Assessments: Require major policy proposals to undergo systematic evidence assessments, evaluating existing evidence, identifying gaps, and enhancing proposed initiatives’ quality and effectiveness.
    • Invest in Research and Evaluation Capacity: Allocate resources to strengthen research and evaluation capabilities within government agencies, providing training programs to build evidence use skills among policymakers and civil servants.
    • Foster Collaboration with International EBP Networks: Engage with global networks like J-PAL and the Campbell Collaboration, leveraging their expertise and best practices to enhance EBP in India.
    • Promote Open Data and Transparency: Encourage transparency through open data initiatives and mandatory publication of evaluation reports, enabling scrutiny, replication, and accountability in decision-making.
    • Embed EBP in Policy Education: Integrate evidence-based approaches into policy school curricula and training programs, equipping policymakers with skills to critically evaluate evidence and apply it in policy formulation.
    • Encourage Public Engagement: Facilitate public participation in policy-making through consultations and forums, incorporating diverse perspectives and local knowledge in evidence synthesis and policy development.
    • Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks for policies and programs, enabling regular reviews to assess effectiveness, make evidence-informed adjustments, and learn from successes and failures.

    Conclusion

    • Evidence-based policymaking holds significant potential for bringing about high-impact changes in people’s lives.
    • To eradicate poverty and improve economic performance, education, healthcare, and social assistance, systemic institutionalization of evidence-based policymaking is imperative.
    • Timely and accurate data form the foundation of effective policymaking, enabling policymakers to make well-informed choices.
    • Measures must be taken to strengthen the statistical system, ensuring its independence and safeguarding against external influence.

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024


  • Masterclass: The best way to make notes for UPSC/MPSC 2023-24 by Pravin Garje | Registration FREE

    Masterclass: The best way to make notes for UPSC/MPSC 2023-24 by Pravin Garje | Registration FREE

    Block Your Monday (22nd May) 2023 for a 1-1 Live Masterclass by Civilsdaily Pune Branch Head, Pravin sir on ‘Best possible ways to make notes for UPSC/MPSC 2024


    Whether it’s UPSC/IAS or MPSC, the very initial leap towards achieving success lies in the meticulous task of Note-making. Making comprehensive and organized notes serves as a crucial stepping stone toward reaching your goals. By capturing & summarizing key information, candidates lay the foundation for a solid understanding of the core subjects and enhance their chances of attaining the desired outcome. 

    However, a staggering 99% of students struggle with the task of creating comprehensive notes that integrate static information with current affairs. Either due to the complexity of the process or the lack of required skills, many students choose to overlook making-notes, ultimately bearing the heavy consequences of their decision.

    Acknowledging the need, Senior IAS mentor, faculty & Civilsdaily Pune Branch Head, Pravin Garje sir will take a LIVE session where he will be demonstrating the best way to make notes for UPSC Prelims 2024.


    Webinar Details:

    Topic: Best ways to make notes for UPSC/MPSC 2024

    Date: 22nd May 2023 (Monday)

    Time: 7:30 pm onwards

    Zoom Meeting Link will be sent via your registered email address.


    Strategies & Approaches of note-making, in the Free Live Webinar by Pravin Sir!

    1. Notes making is quite often confused with writing everything down on paper or digital devices. So, ‘How to make effective notes from current affairs’, ‘How our mentees make notes, and ‘How our mentorship program helps thousands of toppers’, will be the main point of this webinar, with live note-making examples.
    1. Best, authentic, minimum source of current Affairs for UPSC-CSE prelims &Mains Preparation. Do’s & Don’t’s, How to remake ‘Recognition of information’ into ‘recall, analyze & express’. Will also be discussed thoroughly.
    1. Whether your answers ought to reflect the editorial standards of The Hindu! What should be the foolproof strategy of note-making from current affairs? What points ought to be included in your notes?
    1. How toppers prioritize momentum mover content and content over structure. ‘How to fix your static answer writing structure, improved with the current affairs’-is going to display here.
    2. How to create a basic conceptual framework of the current affairs answer before committing anything to paper. Implications of overstretching your imagination.
    3. How to fetch maximum score in the ‘Essay’ paper linking current affairs examples to enhance your marks in total.
    1. What is the difference between ‘Opinion-based current affairs’ & ‘Current issues with Fact-based’ questions will also be discussed thoroughly in this webinar.
    1. How & where to link the answer, replete with current affairs charts/maps/diagrams, etc., will help to get extra 0.25-0.5 marks across 80 questions of GS papers.
    2. If the question is in two parts, sticking to the word limit, how to address the demand of each part & understand current affairs demands? What is the way to enclose also any critical analysis you should have within the subheading?
    3. How to enhance writing patterns, where to take mock regularly, how many mock tests are fit, and Why our on-demand ‘Samachar Manthan’ online program is getting enrolled as a hot cake Etc. will be discussed in this live webinar.
    4.  Many Another untold secrets of coverage of the current affairs syllabus for Prelims & mains with a 1-1 mentorship program’, is that the syllabus can be covered 100%. The most brilliant of candidates will testify that even their coverage of the syllabus was not completely 100% without the proper guidance of CD’s senior IAS mentors when it’s time to deal with current affairs notes-making. 

    Grasp the opportunity to get exceptional tips on ‘what is the best strategy for note-making, and ‘how to write fantastic or above-average answers by presenting with a clear structure stuffed linking with the most relevant current affairs. This entire webinar is free.


    CivilsDaily’s FREE Webinar package

    Post-webinar we will share important PDFs, timetable framework, and notes.

    Other than this a strategy package will be emailed to you.


    What The Hindu opined about Civilsdaily Mentorship

    best coaching for upsc in delhi

    Block Your Monday (22nd May) 2023 for a 1-1 Live Masterclass by Civilsdaily Pune Branch Head, Pravin sir on ‘Best possible ways to make notes for UPSC 2024

  • Starting for Prelims 2024? Follow Zeeshan sir’s 7-step strategy for Holistic Prelims Preparation | Join FREE Masterclass

    Starting for Prelims 2024? Follow Zeeshan sir’s 7-step strategy for Holistic Prelims Preparation | Join FREE Masterclass



    Concluded successfully for the FREE Dominate Prelims 2024 LIVE Workshop by Senior IAS Faculty Zeeshan Hashmi sir


    Every year, only about 10,000 of the approximately 11 Lakh applicants who appear qualify for the UPSC Prelims. It’s only 1%. This provides no room for error, even silly mistakes, yet many of you continue to make the same mistakes. 

    Guys, there is no doubt that the UPSC Prelims would be the most difficult level. Now merely completing the syllabus, Practicing PYQs, and Mock Tests are not enough to beat the unpredictability and uncertainty of the Prelims. 

    It is the great filter that pulls out not-so-serious candidates while also weeding out many serious prospects. Our inability to meet Prelim needs frequently demoralizes us and causes us to lose hope. Remember that the appropriate strategy & overcoming your critical Prep gaps can increase your chances of success.

    Zeeshan Hashmi sir will be LIVE on “Cracking UPSC Prelims 2024-25 with 120+ marks even in the most unpredictable question paper”. This is a must for UPSC CSE 2024-25 aspirants.

    Zeeshan sir & Rankers conduct The Dominate Prelims 2024, a holistic program for UPSC Prelims Prep. The Prog offers time-bound syllabus (GS+CA) coverage, advanced conceptual clarity, AI-powered Replica-based Test Series, personalized mentorship, strategy sessions, and periodic performance evaluations, to help you overcome all your critical gaps.


    Masterclass/Webinar Details:

    Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an expert in the UPSC field! Here are the details for Zeeshan Hashmi sir’s live webinar:

    Date: 19th May (Friday) 2023

    Time: 7:30 PM Onwards

    Zoom Meeting Link will be sent to your registered email.



    What to Expect in the Webinar:

    In this enlightening webinar, Zeeshan Sir will share:

    • How to cover the syllabus in a time-bound holistic manner. First, let’s divide everything into its respective topics because UPSC does not provide any syllabus for prelims. So, how to do a UPSC-Prelims-centric study will be discussed.
    • How to maintain a proper balance between memorization & understanding.
    • How to predict prelims questions from previous years’ question papers?
    • How to impart logical MCQs solving skills and practical hacks to solve questions with limited knowledge.
    • How not to lose hope if more offbeat questions come into the paper? UPSC Prelims trends to more offbeat questions. How to identify offbeat questions! And how to use the offbeat approach will be disclosed by Zeeshan Sir.
    • What is ‘Intelligent Guessing’ (TIKDAM)? How to utilize it. Intelligent guessing means finding clues in the question or options themselves.
    • Targeting an accuracy rate of 90% and attempting maximum questions

    Don’t ever miss such an important webinar.


    CivilsDaily’s FREE Webinar package UPSC 2024

    Post-webinar we will share important PDFs, timetable framework, and notes.

    Other than this a strategy package will be emailed to you.


    What The Hindu opined about Civilsdaily Mentorship

    AIR 65, Pranav, IAS (Serving IAS officer, Gujrat)
    Karishma Nair, AIR 14 was also Sajal sir’s student
    best coaching for upsc in delhi

    Register FREE for Zeeshan sir’s Dominate Prelims 2024 Masterclass

  • Nikaalo Prelims Spotlight || Current affairs developments in last one year in environment

    Dear Aspirants,

    This Spotlight is a part of our Mission Nikaalo Prelims-2023.

    You can check the broad timetable of Nikaalo Prelims here

    Session Details

    YouTube LIVE with Parth sir – 7 PM  – Prelims Spotlight Session

    Evening 04 PM  – Daily Mini Tests

    Join our Official telegram channel for Study material and Daily Sessions Here


    19th May 2023

    Current affairs developments in last one year in environment

    Please refer to current affairs compilation.

  • [ORF] Narco-Terrorism in India

    [ORF] Narco-Terrorism in India

    narco terror

    Central Idea

    • Recently 2,500 kilograms of methamphetamine worth around ₹ 12,000 crore was seized from a vessel in Indian waters along the Kerala coast.
    • Soon after that, NIA conducted raids and searches across more than a 100 locations in six states in connection with the smuggler-gangster nexus case.
    • The raids are aimed at cracking down on the nexus between terrorists and narcotic smugglers.

    What is Narco-terrorism?

    • Narco-terrorism is the intersection of the illegal drug trade and terrorism.
    • Drug trafficking organizations engage in acts of terrorism to further their illicit activities or intimidate governments and people.
    • Examples include financing terrorist groups through drug proceeds, using violence and intimidation to control drug trafficking routes and areas, and carrying out acts of terrorism to destabilize governments and societies.

    Origin and Spread of Narco-terrorism

    • The origin of narco-terrorism is unclear, but it became widespread in the 1980s and 1990s.
    • Drug trafficking organizations in countries like Colombia and Peru carried out increasingly violent and sophisticated criminal and terrorist activities.
    • They finance themselves through the drug trade and use it to further terrorism, such as bombings, kidnappings, and assassinations.
    narco terror

    Narco-terrorism in India

    • Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab has seen a steep rise in drug trafficking in recent years.
    • Illegal drugs, including heroin and marijuana, are grown and produced in neighboring countries and smuggled into India.
    • Drug money is used to fund separatist and militant groups, contributing to ongoing terror and violent activities.

    How is it flourishing in Punjab?

    • Terrain difficulties: The riverine stretches along Punjab’s border are difficult to police effectively.
    • Historic connections and provocations: There are ethnic and economic ties across the Radcliffe Line, contributing to smuggling activities.
    • Vast nexus: Seizures represent only a small fraction of the actual drugs flowing across the border.

    Exploitation of Narco-terrorism by Pakistan

    • Targeting Drug-Addicted Youth: The cognitive impairment caused by drug abuse makes these individuals vulnerable to manipulation and radicalization.
    • Pushing Drugs to influence cognitive behaviour: Pakistan has accelerated its efforts to push narcotics, especially heroin. The objective is to create instability in the region, brainwash the youth, and weaken their cognitive behavior.
    • Funding Terror Activities: Narco-trade serves as a source of funding for terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The proceeds from drug trafficking are used to finance militant groups operating in the region.
    • Manipulation through Drug Addiction: Terror outfits manipulates drug-addicted individuals to serve their agenda. This manipulation creates a cycle of drug addiction and radicalization, further fueling the problem of narco-terrorism.

    Factors contributing to such rise

    • Proximity to drug-producing regions: India’s proximity to the “Golden Crescent” (including parts of Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan), provides easy access to narcotics.
    • Cross-border connections: India shares borders with countries like Pakistan, which is known for its involvement in drug trafficking.
    • Financing mechanism: Socioeconomic factors such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of opportunities can contribute to the involvement of individuals in the drug trade.
    • Corruption and weak law enforcement: Corruption within law enforcement agencies can facilitate the operations of drug trafficking networks ex. in Punjab.
    • High profits and demand: The lucrative nature of the illegal drug trade makes it an attractive source of revenue for terrorist organizations.
    • Transnational nature of the trade:  Transnational drug syndicates collaborate with terrorist organizations, facilitating the flow of drugs and funding for terrorist activities.

    Security Implications

    • Criminalization of youth: Drug trafficking and abuse can lead to an increase in crime, violence, and corruption within communities. 
    • Public health concerns: Drug addiction and related health issues, such as the spread of infectious diseases through shared needles, pose significant challenges to public health systems.
    • Threat to national security: The linkages between drug trafficking networks and terrorist organizations create a complex security environment with civilian-military conflict.
    • Drain on Resources: Security forces, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement entities need to dedicate substantial human resources, equipment, and funding to effectively counter narco-terrorism.

    Efforts to Combat Narco-terrorism

    (1) Rehabilitation Programs and Counselling Centers:

    • The government has allocated funds for drug rehabilitation measures and established counselling centers across all districts.
    • Rehabilitation facilities have been set up under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction.

    (2) Operation Sadbhavana

    • The Indian Army has implemented Operation Sadbhavana, which includes de-addiction counseling centers and awareness camps.
    • De-addiction counselling centers help drug-addicted youth, while awareness camps aim to educate the public about the dangers of drug abuse.
    • The army conducts drug awareness camps periodically to caution people against the use of drugs.

    (3) Nasha Mukt J&K Campaign:

    • The campaign, launched by LG, aims to make Jammu and Kashmir drug-free.
    • The “Zero Tolerance Policy” of the state police and anti-narcotics task force has been praised for its effectiveness.
    • Continued vigilance by security forces and agencies is crucial to eliminate the nexus between criminals and Pakistan-sponsored terror modules.

    Recommendations to curb narco-terrorism

    • Strengthening ED: ED’s jurisdiction should be improved and extended to monitor terrorist financing and money laundering. By investigating the hawala network operated by Pakistan ED can cut off the funding sources of narco-terrorism.
    • Anti-Drone Technology: Pakistan utilizes drones to transport narcotics. There is a need to enhance anti-drone technology along the Line of Control (LOC) and the international border.

    Way forward

    • Multilateral Cooperation: Enhance international cooperation and information sharing to disrupt drug trafficking networks and dismantle the nexus between drug trade and terrorism.
    • Advanced Technology Integration: Invest in advanced technologies to enhance detection and interception of drug shipments, monitor financial transactions, and secure border areas.
    • Community Engagement and Rehabilitation: Focus on community awareness, education, and rehabilitation programs to prevent drug abuse and support individuals struggling with addiction.
    • Target Financing Networks: Strengthen efforts to track and disrupt the financing networks supporting narco-terrorism through collaboration with financial institutions and international organizations.
    • Cross-Border Intelligence Sharing: Strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms and conduct joint operations with countries sharing borders affected by drug trafficking.
    • De-radicalization: Implement sustainable economic development programs to provide viable alternatives to communities involved in the drug trade.

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your personal mentor for UPSC 2024 | Schedule your FREE session and get the Prelims prep Toolkit!

  • How to make a consistent 5hr/day Self-Study regime that will get you a Top 10 rank in UPSC 2023-24? | Book FREE Samanvaya Mentorship session with IAS/IPS officers

    How to make a consistent 5hr/day Self-Study regime that will get you a Top 10 rank in UPSC 2023-24? | Book FREE Samanvaya Mentorship session with IAS/IPS officers

    A six pillared approach will make your self-study regime effective

    Book your FREE 1-1 session for this 6 pillared approach and we’ll also share UPSC Prelims 2024 Toolkit to get you started in the right direction


    Hey there UPSC 2024 aspirants! Are you still lost in the coaching vs self-study debate? Let me tell you, my friend, there’s only one answer to cracking the UPSC Civil Services exam in 2023-24 – consistent 5 hours of self-study every day.

    Yes, you heard it right!

    Whether you are taking coaching or not, whether you are in Delhi, the Mecca of UPSC Preparation, or in a remote village of Assam, only a disciplined self-study approach can guarantee you success.

    A lack of a self-study regime will make you feel unfulfilled, frustrated, and lost.

    Consistent 5 hr/day self-study is all you need!

    The 6 Pillars of Effective Self-Study

    Failing to incorporate any one of these pillars, feeds into a vicious cycle. Without guidance or mentoring, understanding where the problem lies in and how to rectify it becomes problematic.

    First up, strategy! You need a game plan to tackle the mammoth UPSC syllabus. We aren’t talking about a toppers’ strategy that you might have encountered on youtube. A strategy personalized for you, based on your learning style, the time you have, your prep situation.

    Second, create a flexible timetable to ensure you cover all the subjects on time. It’s all about managing your time for UPSC Preparation if you’re a working Professional or a full-time aspirant & how to utilize the time, left in your hand, in the best possible way.

    Third, set measurable time-bound targets for daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly preparation. Set realistic targets for yourself and make sure you achieve them. Break down your preparation into smaller milestones to stay motivated.

    Fourth, gather the most specific UPSC-relevant study material and resources to avoid information overload.

    Fifth, regularly evaluate your progress to identify the critical gaps in your preparation. You should be able to measure your progress, both qualitatively and quantitatively.

    And lastly, create a feedback mechanism to incorporate improvements into your preparation. This is essential so that you are utilizing the compounding effect in your prep.

    Yes, we know that even to a UPSC veteran it might seem easier said than done.

    So how to do all this? Here comes Samanvaya Mentorship

    Get Ranker’s Strategy for 5hr/day Self-Study | FREE 1-1 session for UPSC 2023-24

    Now, here’s the cherry on top – just fill up the form given above, and we will assign a personal mentor to guide you through this 6-pillar approach. We’re not talking about just any mentor, but an IAS/IPS ranker who’s already been there and done that.

    They will be your personal guide to help plan your entire self-study cycle and keep you accountable. You won’t have to worry about missing a deadline or studying the wrong material because your mentor has got you covered.

    How does Samanvaya Mentorship work? Introducing 3 layers of mentorship: Get IAS or UPSC ranker as your mentor

    1. 1st step starts with this Samanvaya call: Once you fill in the form, we get on a 30-40 minute call with you to understand your prep level, working/ study constraints, and current strategies and create a step-by-step plan for the next week, next month and so on.

    2. You are directed and given access to relevant resources and an invite-only Telegram group, where you can ask your daily doubts, discuss your test-prep questions and have real-time, live sessions on news and op-eds, and find your optional groups.

    3. The third and the most personalized tier is the 1 on 1 mentor allotment who stays with you through the course of your UPSC preparation – always-on chat and on scheduled calls to help you assess, evaluate, and chart the next milestone of your IAS 2023-24 journey.

    We will also connect you to a UPSC ranker or IAS, who will mentor you in this journey.

    Layer 1: You will be assigned a dedicated in-house mentor who will keep track of our progress from start till your final interview.

    Layer 2: Sajal Singh sir and the team will be constantly with you through various programs like Samachar Manthan, Prelims, Essay, etc.

    Layer 3: A UPSC IAS ranker (one who has cleared this exam) will be supervising your progress as your super mentor.

    Super Mentors like Areeba (AIR-109), Mantri (AIR-28), Soham, and IPS Shubham will help you to make strategies as per your need and devise a timetable that suits you.

    Who are you?

    1. Working Junta? If you are preparing for IAS 2023-24 and working simultaneously, we can help you design a timetable that fits right in your hectic schedule.
    2. First-time prep? If you are in the last year of college or thinking of dropping a year and preparing for IAS 2023-24 full-time, we can help you pick the right books and craft a practical & personal strategy.
    3. UPSC Veteran?

    You just have to take 5 minutes out and fill this form: Samanvaya For IAS 2023-24

    Once done, we will call you within 24 hours or so.

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  • Nikaalo Prelims Spotlight || Environmental laws, International organisations

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    This Spotlight is a part of our Mission Nikaalo Prelims-2023.

    You can check the broad timetable of Nikaalo Prelims here

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    YouTube LIVE with Parth sir – 7 PM  – Prelims Spotlight Session

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    18th May 2023

    Environmental laws, International organisations

    Please refer to current affairs compilation.

  • Nikaalo Prelims Spotlight || Agriculture, Applied Aspects

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    This Spotlight is a part of our Mission Nikaalo Prelims-2023.

    You can check the broad timetable of Nikaalo Prelims here

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    17th May 2023

    Agriculture, Applied Aspects

    Agriculture is the science, art and practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to live in cities.

    PRIMARY ACTIVITIES

    • Humans Engage in different activities to exploit natural resources and the most ancient of them are Primary activities.
    • Primary activities are directly dependent on the environment and some of these activities are:

    Gathering and hunting:

    • These are the oldest economic activities known.
    • Gathering is practiced in regions with harsh climatic conditions.
    • It often involves primitive societies, who extract both plants and animals to satisfy their needs for food, shelter and clothing.
    • The main features of Gathering and Hunting activities are:
      • Low Capital / Skill Investment
      • Low Yield Per Person
      • No Surplus in production
    • Gathering is practised in the following areas of the world:
      • Northern Canada, northern Eurasia and southern Chile (High Altitude Areas)
      • Low latitude zones such as the Amazon Basin, tropical Africa, Northern fringe of Australia and the interior parts of Southeast Asia.

    Nomadic Herding or Pastoral Nomadism:

    • Nomadic herding or pastoral nomadism is a primitive subsistence activity, in which the herders rely on animals for food, clothing, shelter, tools and transport.
    • They move from one place to another along with their livestock, depending on the amount and quality of pastures and water, thus there is an irregular pattern of movement.
    • It is different from Transhumance in which there is a fixed seasonal pattern of movement.
    • Nomadic pastoralism is commonly practised in regions with little arable land, typically in the developing world.
    • Of the estimated 30–40 million nomadic pastoralists worldwide, most are found in central Asia and Northern and western regions of Africa, some parts of southern Africa and Tundra regions.
    • In the Himalayas, Gujjars, Bakarwals, Gaddis and Bhotiyas are nomadic pastoralists who practice transhumance.

    TYPES OF AGRICULTURE IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD

    Commercial Livestock Rearing:

    • Commercial livestock rearing is more organised and capital-intensive activity in comparison to the Nomadic pastoralism. It is generally practised in permanent ranches.
    • Products such as meat, wool, hides and skin are processed and packed scientifically and exported to different world markets emphasis is on breeding, genetic improvement, disease control and health care of the animals.
    • New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay and the United States of America are important countries where commercial livestock rearing is practised.

    Ranches refers to the large stock farms, usually fenced in, where animals are bred and reared on a commercial scale. They are found especially in the United States.

    Primary Subsistence Agriculture

    • Subsistence agriculture is one in which the farming areas consume all, or nearly so, of the products locally grown.

    Subsistence agriculture

    1. Primitive Subsistence Agriculture
    2. Intensive Subsistence Agriculture

    Primitive Subsistence Agriculture

    • This agriculture is also known as Shifting Cultivation.
    • It is widely practised by many tribes in the tropics, especially in Africa, south and Central America and south East Asia.
    • When the vegetation is cleared by fire, and the ashes add to the fertility of the soil, it is called slash and burn agriculture.
    • After sometime (3 to 5 years) the soil loses its fertility and the farmer shifts to other parts and clears other patches of the forest for cultivation.
    NameRegion
    JhumNorth-eastern India
    Vevar and DahiyaarBundelkhand Region (Madhya Pradesh)
    DeepaBastar District (Madhya Pradesh)
    Zara and ErkaSouthern States
    BatraSouth-eastern Rajasthan
    PoduAndhra Pradesh
    KumariHilly Region of the Western Ghats of Kerala
    Kaman, Vinga and DhaviOdisha

    Intensive Subsistence Agriculture

    • In this type of farming system, crops are grown mainly for local consumption. If there is a surplus, then it is sold in the market.
    • This type of farming is largely found in densely populated regions of monsoon Asia.
    • Basically, there are two types of intensive subsistence agriculture.
    1. One is dominated by wet paddy and
    2. Another is dominated by crops such as sorghum, soybeans, sugarcane, maize, and vegetables.
    • Areas of Intensive Subsistence Farming are: Tonkin Delta (Vietnam), lower Menem (Thailand); lower Irrawaddy (Myanmar); and the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta, Eastern Coastal Plains (India).

    Mediterranean Agriculture

    • It is practised within the Mediterranean climatic region where winter is wet and summer is dry.
    • Farming is intensive, highly specialised and varied in the kind of crops raised.
    • Many crops such as wheat, barley and vegetables are raised for domestic consumption, while others like citrus fruits, olives and grapes are grown mainly for export.
    • That’s why this region is also called Orchard Lands of the World and it is the heart of the world’s wine industry. This region is famous around the world for the production of citrus fruits and grapes in the world.

    Viticulture or grape cultivation is a speciality of the Mediterranean region. Best quality wines in the world with distinctive flavours are produced from high quality grapes in various countries of this region. The inferior grapes are dried into raisins and currants. This region also produces olives and figs. The advantage of Mediterranean agriculture is that more valuable crops such as fruits and vegetables are grown in winters when there is great demand in European and North American markets.

    Plantation Agriculture

    • This type of farming has developed in parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America, where the influence of the Europeans have been important during the colonial period.
    • Though practiced over a rather small area, this type of farming is quite important in terms of its commercial value.
    • Tea, coffee, rubber and oil palm are the major products of this type of farming. Most of the plantations were developed to provide some of the important tropical crops to the European markets.
    • Important plantation regions:
    • Tea gardens in India and Sri Lanka
    • Banana and sugar plantations in the West Indies
    • Coffee plantations in Brazil
    • Rubber in Malaysia
    • This is a highly capital-intensive farming and most of the crops are tree crops.

    EXTENSIVE COMMERCIAL GRAIN CULTIVATION

    • This type of agriculture system is mainly practiced in the Eurasian steppes in regions of chernozem soil, Canadian and American Prairies, the Pampas of Argentina, the Veld of South Africa, the Australian Downs and the Canterbury Plain of New Zealand.
    • The main characteristics of this type of agriculture are:
      • highly mechanized cultivation
      • farms are very large
      • predominance of wheat
      • low yield per acre but yield per capita is high.

    MIXED FARMING

    • This type of agricultural system is found in the highly developed parts of the world: north-western Europe, eastern North America, Russia, Ukraine, and the temperate latitudes of parts of the southern continents.
    • Farming is very intensive and sometimes highly specialized.
    • Traditionally, farmers have practised a mixed economy by raising animals and growing crops on the same farm.
    • Mixed farming is characterised by high capital expenditure on farm machinery and building, extensive use of chemical fertilisers and green manures and also by the skill and expertise of the farmers.

    DAIRY FARMING

    • Dairy is the most advanced and efficient type of rearing of milch animals. It is highly capital intensive. Animal sheds, storage facilities for fodder, feeding and milking machines add to the cost of dairy farming. Special emphasis is laid on cattle breeding, health care and veterinary services.
    • It is highly labour intensive as it involves rigorous care in feeding and milching. There is no off season during the year as in the case of crop raising.
    • It is practised mainly near urban and industrial centres which provide neighbourhood markets for fresh milk and dairy products. The development of transportation, refrigeration, pasteurisation and other preservation processes have increased the duration of shortage of various dairy products.

    MARKET GARDENING AND HORTICULTURE

    • It is practised mainly in the same region as that of mixed farming that consists of cultivation of vegetables, fruit and flowers solely for the urban market.
    • It is well-developed in the densely populated industrial districts of north-western Europe (Britain, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany) and in North-Eastern USA.

    The regions where farmers specialise in vegetables only, the farming is known as truck farming. The distance of truck farms from the market is governed by the distance that a truck can cover overnight, hence the name truck farming.

    FACTORY FARMING

    • Factory farming is a method of mass food production in which animals are kept in very confined areas in order to get the best possible profit.
    • This farming is particularly concentrated in Developed countries like USA, European nations, Australia etc.

    CO-OPERATIVE FARMING

    • A group of farmers form a co-operative society by pooling in their resources voluntarily for more efficient and profitable farming. Individual farms remain intact and farming is a matter of cooperative initiative.
    • Co-operative societies help farmers, to procure all important inputs of farming, sell the products at the most favourable terms and help in processing of quality products at cheaper rates.
    • Co-operative movement originated over a century ago and has been successful in many western European countries like Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Italy etc. In Denmark, the movement has been so successful that practically every farmer is a member of a co-operative.

    COLLECTIVE FARMING

    • The basic principle behind this type of farming is based on social ownership of the means of production and collective labour.
    • Collective farming or the model of Kolkhoz was introduced in the erstwhile Soviet Union to improve upon the inefficiency of the previous methods of agriculture and to boost agricultural production for self-sufficiency.
    • The farmers used to pool in all their resources like land, livestock and labour. However, they were allowed to retain very small plots to grow crops in order to meet their daily requirements.
    • Yearly targets were set by the government and the produce was also sold to the state at fixed prices.
    • Produce in excess of the fixed amount was distributed among the members or sold in the market. The farmers had to pay taxes on the farm produce, hired machinery etc.
    • Members were paid according to the nature of the work allotted to them by the farm management.
    • Exceptional work was rewarded in cash or kind. This type of farming was introduced in the former Soviet Union under the socialist regime which was adopted by the socialist countries. After its collapse, these have already been modified.
    INDIAN AGRICULTURE

    INTRODUCTION

    • India is an agricultural economy where 49% of the people depend directly or indirectly on agriculture.
    • Net sown area still accounts for about 47% of the total land area of India.
    • In India, over 80 per cent of water is used in irrigation. Of the net sown area of around 140 million hectares (Mn ha), close to half (68.4 Mn ha) is irrigated (2019)
    • Major states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha among others are still majorly dependent on Agriculture.

    GDP compositions in 2018-19 are as follows (ES2020)

    • Agriculture (16.5%)
    • Services (55.3%)
    • Industry (28.6%)
    Facts/Data related to Agriculture sector
    Share of agriculture and allied sectors in Gross Value Addition (GVA) has declined from 18.2 percent in 2014-15 to 16.5 percent in 2019-20.
    The Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing sector is estimated to grow by 2.8 percent in 2019-20 as compared to growth of 2.9 percent in 2018-19.
    According to the 2010-11 Agricultural Census, 47% of landholdings had become less than half a hectare in size. These holdings are too small to support a family of five so that many farmers now seek alternative sources of income – NITI 3-year action agenda
    About 80 percent of farmers own less than two hectare.

    SALIENT FEATURES OF AN INDIAN AGRICULTURE

    • Subsistence type of agriculture.
    • Dependent on unreliable and erratic monsoon (about 60 percent)
    • India’s vast relief, varying climate and soil conditions produce a variety of crops
    • All tropical, subtropical and temperate crops are grown across geographical areas.
    • Predominance of food crop → about 2/3rd of total cropped area.
    • Backbone of rural economy.
    • Plays critical role in ensuring food security
    • Poor electricity, storage, water, credit & marketing infrastructure.
    • Supports allied sectors and activities – cattle, poultry etc.
    • Major involvement of women in Indian agriculture sector
    • Characterized by poor mechanization, inadequate Agricultural research and extension services.
    • Fragmented nature of agricultural holding.

    PRODUCTIVITY OF AGRICULTURE

    • Productivity of Agriculture is defined as the number of crops produced per unit land.
    • Productivity levels in Indian agriculture are very low as compared to the productivity levels of other countries – China, USA etc.
    • Like in 2018, average productivity in India was 3075 Kg/ha while world average was 3200kg/ha.
    • Fertiliser use, irrigation and rainfall cause significant variation in productivity
    • Productivity in the regions of Green revolution are certainly higher than other areas. Other high productivity regions are Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Maharashtra.
    • The productivity in Gangetic plain is reducing because of Land bifurcation leading to reduced size of land holdings.
    • Key issues affecting agricultural productivity include the decreasing sizes of agricultural land holdings, continued dependence on the monsooninadequate access to irrigationimbalanced use of soil nutrients resulting in loss of fertility of soil, uneven access to modern technology in different parts of the country, lack of access to formal agricultural creditlimited procurement of food grains by government agencies, and failure to provide remunerative prices to farmers.

    Cropping Intensity

    • The ratio of the gross cropped area to the net sown area.
    • As the land is cropped multiple times, the cropping intensity increases.
    • It depends on factors like climate, demand of crops, availability of irrigation and other inputs etc.

    CROPS

    • A crop is a plant or animal product that can be grown and harvested extensively for profit or subsistence.
    Basic facts
    India produced 284.83 Mn tons of food grains in 2018.
    India is the world’s largest producer of milk, pulses and jute.
    India occupies a leading position in global trade of agricultural products, agricultural export basket accounts for a little over 2.15 per cent of the world agricultural trade.

    Crop classification based upon the type of produce

    TypeDescriptionExamples
    Food cropsCrops used for human consumptionCereals, i.e. grass like plants with starchy edible seeds having high nutritional value – rice, wheat, maize. Pulses for e.g. gram tur etc.
    Cash cropGrown for sale in raw or processed formCotton, jute, tobacco, castor, oilseeds
    Plantation cropGrown in plantations covering large estates.Tea, coffee, coconut, rubber, spices, etc.
    HorticultureFruits and vegetablesFruits (apple, mango, bananas) and vegetables (onion, tomato etc.)

    Crop classification based upon climate

    TropicalTemperate
    Crops grown well in hot and warm climateCrops grown well in cool climate
    e.g. rice, sugarcane, jaware.g. wheat, gram, potato

    Crop classification based on growing season

    The kharifSeason starts in June and ends in October and largely coincides with Southwest Monsoon under which the cultivation of tropical crops such as rice, cotton, jute, jowar, bajra and tur is possible.
    The rabiSeason begins with the onset of winter in October-November and ends in March-April. The low temperature conditions during this season facilitate the cultivation of temperate and subtropical crops such as wheat, gram and mustard.
    ZaidShort duration summer cropping season beginning after harvesting of rabi crops. The cultivation of watermelons, cucumbers, vegetables and fodder crops during this season is done on irrigated lands. However, this type of distinction in the cropping season does not exist in southern parts of the country.
  • 15 Cheats Codes for UPSC Prelims 2023 to score extra 25 Marks above cut-off | WATCH Video (Inside)

    15 Cheats Codes for UPSC Prelims 2023 to score extra 25 Marks above cut-off | WATCH Video (Inside)

    With only a few days remaining for your UPSC Prelims 2023 exam, you must be wondering how you can revise what you read in the last 12 months in the shortest amount of time. You may have spent the majority of your time revising General Studies Paper 1 because its cut-off marks are critical in deciding your selection for the next step but General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT) is as vital too.

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