To make this a holistic learning experience we have a special FREE preparatory package for you. Details below.
UPSC Prelims 2023 is scheduled for May 28th, 2023. That’s just 8 months away. As an aspirant, even if you are a beginner you might have already started preparation, some of you are taking a repeat attempt after a failed one in 2022.
You must understand the criticality of time. The next 8 months are crucial. Everything that you do must be under a plan, a strategy.
Time isn’t the main thing, it’s the only thing
For beginners who are going to have 2023 as their first UPSC attempt, we know you are confused and have a lot of questions in your mind. Not only on the best sources, the best strategy but also on how to execute and go about it.
You might have consulted numerous websites on the internet regarding your UPSC 2023 preparation, but even then, you end up confused as they only address skin-deep theories about dos and don’ts, generic advice, and all.
To help you strategize we have planned a Masterclass by senior UPSC Mentor Parth Verma sir.
UPSC Prelims Masterclass Details: 17th September, (Saturday) at 7 PM.
Key Takeaways of Masterclass with Parth Verma, Senior Mentor and Core faculty of Civilsdaily. Other than those mentioned above we will be discussing the following points:
1. Analysing the trend of UPSC and devising an evolving adaptive strategy.
2. How to cover the syllabus? The syllabus, not the books, must be completed. Focussing on the essentials first.
3. What are the best books to refer to? Based on a last 10-year UPSC-CSE paper analysis.
4. Recognize the UPSC requirement. What kinds of test series are useful? Which mock test series should be avoided?
5. Complete UPSC-CSE Preparation Timeline for a Working Professional
6. The skill of taking notes. What topics necessitate notes and which do not?
7. Working hard in the right direction vs. working hard in the wrong direction Is it possible to be successful solely by studying hard?
8. There are only two consolidated sources for current events. What exactly are they?
9. Revision techniques that are common, standard, and used frequently. What exactly are they?
Our senior most Civilsdaily’s Mentor and core faculty, Parth sir has been mentoring students since 2017. He has an admirable experience of attending UPSC-CSE interviews four times. Parth sir has always scored 400+ in all the 4 GS Mains Subjects. The secret of success according to him is consistency and time-management.
You will get a chance to discuss 1-1 with Parth sir in the Masterclass.
What The Hindu mentioned about Civilsdaily Mentorship
HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?
Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.
A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.
You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.
Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.
Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.
If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis
If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.
We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.
*In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*.
The last known member of an indigenous tribes in the Amazon rainforest has died after living alone for decades.
The unidentified man from an uncontacted Indigenous tribe in Brazil was known as the ‘man of the hole’ because he was often spotted taking shelter in pits dug in the ground.
His death has now resulted in a lot of discussion among activists, once again bringing to the spotlight the need to protect the indigenous people.
Tribes in India
In India, most of the tribes are collectively identified under Article 342 as “Scheduled Tribes”.
There are 110 million tribals in the country, distributed across 18 states.
The tribal population is known to live sustainable lives, in harmony with nature.
However, with their numbers dwindling due to various contributing factors, the concern is on how not just to protect their population, but also to preserve their heritage, culture, language, art, traditions and sensibilities.
What’s being done towards the protection and economic upliftment of the tribals in India? How are their concerns & challenges being addressed?
Why do Tribal communities matter?
Safeguarding Biodiversity: India’s ethnic people have played a vital role in preserving the biodiversity of several virgin forests and have conserved flora and fauna in sacred groves of tribals.
Repository of traditional knowledge: They hold vital ancestral knowledge and expertise on how to adapt, mitigate, and reduce climate and disaster risks.
Sustainable livelihood practices: The crops grown by indigenous people are highly adaptable. They can survive drought, altitude, flooding, and any kind of extremes of temperature. As a result, these crops help create resilient farms.
Gender and social harmony: Tribal communities are one of the most liberal communities. Status of women is very high as they contribute substantially to primary subsistence activities.
Various Protection to tribes in India
(1) Constitutional Protection
The term ‘Scheduled Tribes’ first appears in the Constitution of India.
Article 366 (25) defined scheduled tribes as “such tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed under Article 342 to be Scheduled Tribes for the purposes of this constitution”.
Article 342 prescribes procedure to be followed in the matter of specification of scheduled tribes.
Among the tribal groups, several have adapted to modern life but there are tribal groups who are more vulnerable.
The Dhebar Commission (1973) created a separate category “Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs)” which was renamed in 2006 as “Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)”.
As per Article 338-A of the Constitution of India, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has been set up.
(2) Civil Rights Protection
Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955: It prescribes punishment for the preaching and practice of untouchability against the downtrodden sections of society.
Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: It is an Act to prevent the Commission of offences of atrocities against the members of the SCs and STs; to provide for special Courts for the trial of such offences.
Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996: It gives special powers to the Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas especially for the management of natural resources.
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006: The rights provided to tribals under the Forest Rights Act seek to secure individual and community ownership on landholding, exploitation and habitation in forests by indigenous people in India.
(3) Protecting their Political Aspirations
Scheduled Areas are areas in India with a preponderance of tribal population subject to a special governance mechanism wherein the central government plays a direct role in safeguarding cultural and economic interests of scheduled tribes in the area.
The Fifth schedule deals with the administration and control of Scheduled Areas as well as of Scheduled Tribes residing in any State other than the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
The Sixth Schedule consists of provisions for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, according to Article 244 of the Indian Constitution.
Issues faced by Tribal population in India
Acute Poverty: Many of indigenous communities live in extreme poverty. They suffer from malnutrition and lack access to basic education and health facilities. Ex. Melghat in Maharashtra.
Dwindling Population: Indigenous communities are facing a dwindling population. Most of them are desolated from their native places.
Degradation of Forests: Unrestrained development in forest areas has led to the degradation of the forest areas which account for the major basis for the survival of the tribal community.
Forest Rights Issues: Inability to recognize indigenous communities’ rights to forest resources is also a concern. This has given rise to left wing leanings.
Displacement: Acquisition of tribal land by the government for ‘development’ purposes has led to large scale displacement and alienation of tribal population.
Discrimination: The tribal people were compelled to perform duties that were considered inferior because of their economic backwardness and illiteracy.
Major challenges in the tribal areas
Remoteness: The tribal hamlets and habitations are located either in a valley or on the hill tops in most of the places. Due to which they are excludes from major developmental activities, improved cultivation practices, education and health facilities.
Exploitation: The agriculture produces, local non timber forest produce and other valuable forest resources are being siphoned out by the middlemen from the innocent tribals for the paltry prices thus leaving the tribals exploited financially.
Superstition: Poverty, health issues, illiteracy and underdevelopment is often ascribed to the fate, star and supernatural events. Even preventable deaths are sometimes construed as may be due to bad omen; the scientific temper is a remotest aspiration.
Road and Telecom lacunae: Due to tough terrain and difficult areas of tribal locations, it requires huge resources to establish connectivity to all the habitation. The telecom connectivity is also as sparse as the roads. Hence the penetration of digital literacy is hampered in typical tribal areas.
Lack of health awareness: Unscientific practices, local beliefs, self-medication, customary doctor etc. have deprived them from availing the institutional health facilities.
Illiteracy: It is the main hurdle in improving living standards of tribals in the tribal belts. The spill over effect of illiteracy is ‘lack of confidence’ to adopt progressive steps.
Primitive agriculture: The traditional areas where tribal live are mostly forests and hill terrains, having no proper potential for the adoption of modern agriculture on a large scale. Even now the PVTG’s are practicing shifting cultivation (Podu farming) on the hill slopes of eastern states.
Unemployment: Inability to catch up with the skilled jobs in the open market due to lack of exposure to formal skill training, the unemployment is haunting the qualified tribal youths.
Various welfare schemes for Tribals
Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana: VKY aims at creating enabling environment for the need-based and outcome-oriented holistic development of the tribal people.
Minor Forest Produce (MFP): Scheme of Mechanism for Marketing of MFP through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP
Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram: The Van Dhan Scheme is an initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED. It was launched on 14th April, 2018 and seeks to improve tribal incomes through the value addition of tribal products.
Higher education: Pre and Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST students, Eklavya Model Residential Schools
Classification as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):PVTGs have some basic characteristics -they are mostly homogenous, with a small population, relatively physically isolated, social institutes cast in a simple mould, absence of written language, relatively simple technology and a slower rate of change etc.
Way forward
There is a need to take up massive awareness creation activities among the tribal to make them realise their development potential.
Area based approach should be adopted to create infrastructure and road connectivity.
Effective monitoring of the funds meant for various tribal development activities is necessary.
Comprehensive skill development programs customized to the local tribal markets and local consumers have assured a future for the tribal youth.
Formal education and institutional finance through village institutions and Self Help Groups need to be intensified in the tribal areas by a focused approach.
Sajal sir has mentioned the Art of answer writing comprising 10 Principles for the UPSC Mains 2022-23.
UPSC will be conducting the Main Stage Exams for Civil Services 2022 Recruitment from September 16. Mains are generally exhaustive in nature as UPSC examines the candidate on various subjects and on a very pertinent edge. However, the biggest challenge is learning the art of executing your knowledge when you put your pen on paper.
The exact answer-writing segments of the UPSC-CSE examination have diverged into three sections: Basic, semi-advanced, and On-demand rule of thumb. And to maintain this levels-ratio, apart from creating templates for different question-answer combinations worth remembering in a rush, you must follow these 15 arts of answer making.
The body of answers addresses the minimum criteria for writing an exemplary answer. To create a good answer, you need to grasp a few basic techniques.
Don’t deviate from your point:
UPSC is very conscientious when it comes to evaluation. They prefer complex thoughts to be simplified and well presented. When one has that sagacity to write an answer without diverting from the point, it creates an unparalleled advantage for the aspirants.
Dissect the questions
Don’t get swayed by only seeing the theme of the question. Many aspirants write down everything they know. The value of your answer is not in its duration but in its contribution to the problems. Your answers must be relevant and useful enough. Only the good and the bad will not bring you signs.
Key questions include instructions such as ‘Discuss/critically discuss/Comment/Examine/Critically examine/Analyze/evaluate/Critically evaluate/Elucidate, and you must be able to understand what each prompt includes. Therefore, it is important to break the question into smaller parts. While answering these questions, always check three elements to write an ideal answer – accuracy, brevity, and clarity. Specificity means lacing the answer with relevant subheadings, brevity will consist of short statements in your answer; And finally, maintaining overall transparency.
Precise Presentation
Don’t get overwhelmed. Points to be noted:
An opinion-based answer is to be written in paragraph
A fact-based answer is to be written in both paragraphs and bullets or a combination of both.
The Intermediate intervention
The semi-advanced segment will cover the second set of challenges that candidates face. This is a detailed section that assesses broad understanding and depth of knowledge. Consider these points:
PESTLE Approach is needed in certain kinds of questions
It means analyzing any issue from various angles eg:
Political
Economic
Social
Environmental
Legal
Technological
Administrative
Geographic
Historical
Look for Keywords in the Question like
Reasons
Implications
Importance
effects
Always take a middle ground in your answers
No scheme/Policy is a Magic bullet. Always conclude by Saying While XYZ is a step in the right direction but it needs to be supplemented by ABC’s further reforms
It is to remember, that the Intermediate section will handle the second set of challenges that candidates face in the Mains exam.
Understanding the core of the questions
Every candidate should keep in mind that UPSC does not evaluate based on quantity, but rather based on quality. Answers should always create a solution to the main problem presented by the question.
Comprehensive view
‘First impression is the last impression’- Every aspirant must be careful about their Introduction, Body, and conclusion. But, among them, Introduction works up to 75% work for you. Whether it’s GS paper 1, 2, or 3, or even Ethics (GS-4), ideally, the introduction should not only introduce mere the topic/issue/concept to the examiner but also (very) briefly describe the central premise of the answer.
If the question has two or more parts, all parts must be presented shortly. Experts say, the introduction should not exceed 20% of the word limit at any price and its ideal length is about 10% of the word limit. For 200 words, 20-40 words should look for your introduction (and conclusion).
Articulating the advanced answers
The on-demand (advanced) sections bring us a comprehensive opportunity for aspirants to assert an understanding of the topics. This section tests a candidate’s ability to remember the most complex details, frame the best-refined answer and present it in the most concise possible manner. Some points are to be noted.
Word limit is sacrosanct
All 3 General Studies (GS) papers, excluding GS Paper IV which is Ethics Paper, have a limit of 200 words per question. This is a fair word limit that you are given when answering a question. The trick here is to write short sentences. Avoid Compound Sentences Although you may think you save time and words by joining two sentences with an ‘and’.
GS Paper IV (Ethics) has 150, 250, and 300-word limits. 99% of the time questions are opinion based, so better to write answers in paragraphs.
Follow these 5 points:
Follow ARC reports & memorize only recommendations
Learn the major contributions of moral thinkers
Learn definitions, flowcharts, schematics
Examples of greater historical leaders’ action
Real-life case studies
Entrench the Ethics of answer writing
In GS paper IV, for the case study, your intention must not be to write an ingenious, extraordinary solution, but to write something practical and realistic and finish the paper no matter what.
Directives to answer
An advanced technique for writing successful answers is to create templates for different types of question-answers that you can recall at short notice.
The art to approach essays
In the essay, you have to write two essays of 1000-1200 words each. Writing a very good essay within the given time and word limit is very possible if you follow some basic rules. These basic rules are – brainstorming, outlining, idea/argument placement, and structuring.
Vantage view
It is stated that composing answers is an art. The good news is that any kind of art may be learned with time. Will and effort, frequent practice, and some direction are all that is required. The cumulative conclusion is that the GS-1 always uses diagrams to explain and make sure you get the basics right. When we talk about GS-2, always try to include recommendations from a committee and mention development goals to consolidate your statements.
In GS-3, be aware of terms used in space, nanotech, nuclear research, defense, biotech, and communications (LiFi, 5G, etc.). When articulating answers in the GS-4 paper, focus on ethical competence. The key to success in this paper entails transparency, accountability, and attitude.
HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?
Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.
A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.
You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.
Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.
Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.
If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis
If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.
We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.
*In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*.
Some opine that the Prelims is the toughest stage in the UPSC exam. On the contrary, some toppers say that they cracked it on the very first attempt with 120+ marks. Is there any game of luck? Or the rankers are especially blessed by God!
The simple answer is ‘NO!’ 99% of aspirants fail the IAS Prelims even in their last attempt because while keeping an eye on many things, they cannot pay attention to the real points.
UPSC exam is such a weird exam that only those who study for 6 hours a day & keep an alert-eye on these 5 points, can clear the exam with 120+ marks for 100% sure.
Santosh Gupta heads the Smash Prelims program for CivilsDaily.
Ascertaining the most problematic part of the exam, which the students face, we are conducting an on-demand MASTERCLASS where Prelims Guru, Santosh Gupta sir will be disclosing those 5 vital areas on which If you work, you will pass for sure.
UPSC Prelims Masterclass Details: 15th September, (Thursday) at 7 PM.
Crucial 5 points will be discussed in the Masterclass
How to cover the syllabus as widely as possible. 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. Both are co-ordinating parts. So, how much you have to memorize will be discussed 1-1.
How to develop MCQs solving skills. One agrees or not, for UPSC prelims without developing MCQs solving skills, one returns home increasing negative marking. So, how to start solving MCQs without much -ve marking, is going to be discussed.
How not to lose hope if more offbeat questions come in 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 Santosh Sir.
What is ‘Intelligent Guessing’ (TIKDAM)? How to utilize it. Intelligent guessing means finding clues in the question or options themselves.
Many more untold secrets that only a UPSC Prelims expert can highlight.
Think that CSP is more of a test of our skills than our knowledge base. As such, general knowledge is the most specialized skill for prelims. Many times, your learning from our masterclass will come to help and this is why we always insist on taking our session seriously. It helps you develop basic concepts, confidence, and a good self-image.
“You must be aware that clearing prelims are probably the toughest part of one’s CSE journey these days. Not only are the questions random and difficult, but even the options are also getting more mysterious every year.“
So, apart from the above, some more extra crucial points will be discussed in the Masterclass
• How to keep one source for one subject confidently
• Learning to compile things; books, notes, test solutions
• Revising PYQs as much as possible
• Practicing the most useful MCQs
• Making notes, especially for Prelims of daily current affairs
What The Hindu mentioned about Civilsdaily Mentorship
GS-1 The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
GS-2 Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
GS-3 Indian Economy
GS-4 Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics – in private and public relationships.
HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?
Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.
A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.
You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.
Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.
Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.
If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis
If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.
We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.
*In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*.
PM Modi recently attended the Eastern Economic Forum, being held in the Russian city of Vladivostok. It was also attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
PM Modi recalled his participation at the forum summit physically in 2019, saying India had announced its “Act Far-East” policy at that time.
India iterated its keenness to strengthen its partnership with Russia on Arctic subjects and there is immense scope for cooperation in newer areas, particularly in the field of energy.
Russia’s Far East and India
At the fifth summit of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in 2019 at Vladivostok, PM Modi pledged a $1 billion Line of Credit for development of the Russian Far East.
This pledge has now become a key pillar of the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ between India and Russia.
Russian Far-East Region: The geography
The Russian Far East is the easternmost part of Russia and the Asian continent; and is administered as part of the Far Eastern Federal District.
It is located between Lake Baikal in eastern Siberia and the Pacific Ocean.
The region’s largest city is Khabarovsk, followed by Vladivostok.
The region shares land borders with the countries of Mongolia, China, and North Korea to its south, as well as maritime boundaries with Japan to its southeast, and with the United States along the Bering Strait to its northeast.
Why is the region under India’s consideration?
Although it is rich in natural resources including minerals, hydrocarbons, timber and fish, it is an economically underdeveloped region.
The region faces several challenges, including a:
Harsh climate
Sparse population
Increasing outmigration
Poor infrastructure and
Lacking connectivity
Why focus on the Far East?
While the region is labor-scarce, it is resource rich.
The Russian Far East needs capital, technology and markets.
Meanwhile, India is a country with a labor-surplus and a resource-deficit, in need of energy, mineral resources and farming land.
Russia is in a position to meet Indian requirements and vice-versa.
Economic significance of Far-East Region
Natural resources: The region occupying 40 per cent of Russia’s total territory is rich in natural resources, particularly diamonds, gold, oil, natural gas, coal, timber, silver, platinum, tin, lead, and zinc. It also has rich fishing grounds.
Agriculture: Indian interest has been focussed mainly on its need to tap into the region’s natural resources, including arable land. A recent Indian study identifies oil and natural gas, iron ore, copper, diamonds and gold, fresh water, timber and fish stocks as the resources of the region that would find an Indian market.
Blue Economy: It is in this context that the Chennai-Vladivostok sea route development has been proposed. This link would facilitate cargo transfers between the two eastern ports of the two countries in 24 days compared to 40 days that it now takes for ships that sail via Europe.
Employment opportunities: A lack of manpower is one of the main problems faced by the Far East and Indian professionals like doctors, engineers and teachers can help in the region’s development. Presence of Indian manpower will also help in balancing Russian concerns over Chinese migration into the region.
Energy Security: The area is rich hydrocarbon reserves in the region throw up immense opportunities for Indian companies. ONGC Videsh has already invested in the Sakhalin-1 project and its terminal is acknowledged as the best in Russia. India is set to get gas from Gazprom that will probably be liquefied at a plant near Vladivostok.
Scope for Small scale industries: For India, there is immense potential for mid-sized and small businesses who should be assisted to overcome language and cultural barriers so that they successfully adopt local business practices. The large diamond reserves in the region should be a magnet for the Indian diamond cutting and polishing industry, which is already facing tough competition in Africa from the Chinese.
Export destination for key sectors: Infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture development are also areas of opportunity for Indian business and labour. Tele-medicine and long distance education are other areas where Indian companies can make a mark. It would also help in increasing India’s exports.
Strategic importance
Opening to Indo-Pacific: The Russian Far East is at the forefront of geopolitics centred on the Indo-Pacific and is key in pivot to Asia.
Direct gateway to Japan: India’s ties with the Russian Far East could help cement Indo-Russian relations as well as bolster its ties with Central Asia and East Asia. It would connect India to East Asia especially Japan.
Confidence building with Russia: In the wake of the Ukraine crisis, the US-EU campaign to isolate Russia has gathered momentum. India’s simply cannot risk missing this opportunity to show its affinity for Russia. Although Russia needs Chinese investment it is uneasy with Chinese projects as they often use only Chinese workers.
Countering China:
China’s emergence as a major economic power in Asia, as a source of investment, a market for exports and, above all, the source of mass labour migration have altered both the ground situation.
At present, China is the leading investor in the region. Chinese investments account for nearly two-thirds of the total Foreign Direct Investment of $33 billion that has come to Russia’s Far East (RFE) in the last four years.
A larger footprint in the Russian Far East enhances India’s presence and influence in China’s immediate neighborhood.
Various steps taken by India
While 2019 is the first time that India has participated in the EEF, it is not new to the Russian Far East.
India opened aconsulate in Vladivostok in 1992, the first country in the world to do so.
In the decades since, its interest in the Far East region, especially its oil and gas reserves, has grown.
Indeed, back in 2001 India’s ONGC acquired a 20 percent stake in the Sakhalin reserves and over the last couple of years Indian companies have started announcing investments in the Russian Far East.
In December 2017, for instance, Tata Power announced that it had secured a $4.7-million mining license for a thermal coal mine in the Kamchatka peninsula.
Note: Indian leadership was visionary even before the NDA-II regime!
Way forward
A necessary pre-condition for increased trade and investment relations between India and the Russian Far East would be the development of necessary infrastructure aimed at improved connectivity between the two regions.
India and Russia should putin place a free trade agreement, easier visa norms and improved travel facilities. Connectivity is key to development in the modern world.
While land connectivity is impaired by several geopolitical and security constraints, developing sea connectivity is possible.
To maintain the momentum of this engagement, both governments must ensure that their respective private sector firms participate, going beyond oil and gas into manufacturing and agriculture.
CivilsDaily’s personalized and student-centric approach, due to its proven effectiveness and extraordinary result in the previous UPSC CSE exams, is attracting a lot of eyeballs. Every day we are flooded with hundreds of mentorship requests.
Still, many aspirants lack clarity on what UPSC Mentorship actually stands for. They have a lot of doubts and queries about it. The Indian Express invited us to bring clarity on Mentorship for UPSC and Zeeshan Hashmi, senior UPSC Mentor at CivilsDaily gave an interview to the newspaper. Below are given excerpts from the interview. You can read the full interview here.
What is Personal Mentorship for UPSC CSE?
Interviewer: “Zeeshan, a new trend is being noticed that UPSC aspirants are opting for ‘personal mentors’ to crack their Civil services exams. What is ‘Personal Mentorship’?“
Mentorship is a gradual process that takes the preparation level of each student into consideration. The core philosophy in a mentorship program is that ‘every student is a distinct batch’. Each aspirant has his or her own strengths and weakness and stands at different levels of preparation.
Taking all those into consideration, a mentorship program devises a proper strategy and plan tailor-made for a particular candidate.
In simple terms, the mentorship process is like a Google map, that suggests one of the best possible routes reach the destination depending on the position of the user.
Similarly, a mentor guides an aspirant to the best possible route to attain success depending on his level of preparedness, strengths, and weaknesses. etc.
Interviewer: If a UPSC mentor is providing guidance to an aspirant, how he or she is different from a teacher/instructor?
Students sometimes are confused between a teacher and a mentor. A teacher teaches topics, concepts, and ideas from the syllabus, textbooks or from some established scholarly works.
A mentor is someone who guides an aspirant based on his own experience, learning, and insights. He has walked that path either as a senior aspirant or a selected candidate.
Mourya had a personalized timetable, targets, and UPSC study plan as per his constraints like time availability and job
Students should know that a mentor’s job is not to teach and complete the syllabus of static subjects. That is a job of a teacher. However, a mentor guides an aspirant by suggesting the best strategies that will suit the aspirant and cater to his or her problem. That strategy is not one size suit all approach.
Parameters to choose a mentor?
Interviewer: There are many coaching institutes providing mentorship programs. What parameters should an aspirant look into while choosing a mentor?
Zeeshan sir answered that the two general parameters an aspirant should look at while deciding a mentor are:
Statistics: How many students got selected through a mentor’s specific personalized mentorship program?
Human element: This involves building up trust. One way to find out the trust factor is through webinars/videos which are available for free. During these webinars, a mentor answers many doubts and queries. If any aspirant as a viewer finds that a similar doubt, resonating with his or her is addressed, trust is developed.
It is after these two factors, aspirants should approach a mentor, interact and select the program as per his or her requirements.
Is it true that mentorship also involves counselling?
It is true to some extent. many times a mentor receives calls from aspirants who have emotional outbursts and they are apprehensive of their preparedness. We must understand that UPSC aspirants come from diverse backgrounds and the preparation can take more than a few years. It can be frustrating. A mentor should be prepared to empathize with the anxieties of an aspirant and provide him or her with practical insights.
Let me take the example of my former student Soham Mandhare who was suffering from stress and anxiety attacks and was advised by the doctors to quit the exam. But he decided to approach a personalized mentorship program and benefited from it. Sohum Mandhare, finally secured AIR 267 in UPSC-CSE 2021.
However, a mentor should be careful and advise an aspirant to consult a qualified doctor when the situation of a candidate is serious and needs medical help.
Which combination is more favorable for aspirants- coaching guidance + Mentorship or self-study + Mentorship?
Depends upon where the student stands in his preparation.
Coaching guidance + Mentorship: freshers find it important. It gives aspirants an apt environment, peer group preparation, etc.
Self-study + Mentorship: Beneficial for aspirants who have financial constraints, housewives and professionals, selected candidates who want to improve ranks, and those who can not leave their homes due to personal circumstances.
What are some of the tools used by a mentor which make the mentorship more personalized or most tailor-made for individual aspirants?
Customized Timetable: Depending on how much time an aspirant can devote to the preparation due to the personal or professional conditions of an individual, a mentor helps to prepare a personalized timetable.
Regular micro tests: Addressing personal apprehensions regarding the preparedness for exams, micro-tests a regular basis are designed, evaluated, and discussed. It involves going deep and understanding the thought process behind the candidates’ answers.
Calls on demand: Listening patiently to aspirants’ queries and doubts, one on one, is an important element of the mentorship program.
“Never take any results as a barometer for your success. Take results sportingly. only then one will be able to improvise and perform better in the next opportunity or attempt”.
It is not that UPSC-CSE preparation can not be done by self-study. Yet, a mentor is required at various tiers of this exam, whether an aspirant is going to regular coaching or not.
For the last 4 years, the most challenging exam of our country has been witnessing an inspirational transition in preparation strategy. ‘Personal Mentorship Program (PMP) is becoming increasingly popular among UPSC-CSE aspirants.
Why do IAS aspirants prefer a mentor? The simple answer is that only an IAS mentor can understand the anxieties of a candidate. And he remains prepared to empathize and provides practical insights.
Senior IAS CD mentor/faculty Zeeshan Hashmi sir’s core philosophy ‘every student is a distinct batch’ has gained currency in Indian Express.
The Hindu has acknowledged the 80% success rate of Civilsdaily’s mentorship Program
All the aspirants now are all aware of the benefits that come with mentorship. In fact, some of the wretchedly failure-sufferers have changed their lives by clearing UPSC. To demonstrate such impact India’s top branded news giants repeatedly echoed ‘Civilsdaily’s One Branded Mentorship Program’
Civilsdaily’s Mentorship is clearly one brand which sets us apart
Civilsdaily mentorship toolkit helps you in 6 key components of your UPSC-CSE preparation
Direction– Civilsdaily’s mentors are highly qualified, with at least one year of mentorship experience and two UPSC CSE Interviews under their belts. They are well-versed in the many stages of preparation. These mentors will assist you in developing both a comprehensive and micro schedule. They’ll put together a weekly programme for you, complete with mentorship calls. This schedule will be created based on a thorough examination of the importance of subjects as well as the interconnection of topics to make it easier for students to grasp the material.
Discipline– The student will be held accountable to the mentor since he or she will be required to complete a weekly target set by the mentor.
Consistency– Students can retain consistency in their preparation by having their mentor monitor them constantly and giving them regular tests. Furthermore, rational scheduling aids pupils in adopting an integrated approach to preparation..
Value addition– Mentors also assist students with their questions and resources. Students become perplexed as to which resources to follow due to the abundance of content available on the market. Mentors can assist you in locating and referring to the most appropriate materials. This aids students in consolidating their resources and avoiding content overload. Mentors will also offer video assistance. Remember- the mantra to clear UPSC is MINIMUM RESOURCES, MAXIMUM REVISIONS.
Evaluation– The UAP/foundation curriculum also contains a prelims and mains test series, as well as weekly 10 mains questions from Samachar Manthan (SM). Your mentor will go through each test with you and help you figure out your strengths and shortcomings. So, if you devote yourself to this programme, you will receive one-on-one assistance for more than 40 mains tests (including SM) and more than 30 prelims tests. Furthermore, each test will be examined twice by professional evaluators, with a mentor evaluating the results later.
Motivation– When you’re feeling down or don’t feel like studying, you can reach out to your mentor, have a conversation, get motivated, and restart your studies. Mentor-recommended relaxation techniques can assist you in learning more effectively.
How does Samanvaya Mentorship work? Introducing 3 layers of mentorship: Get IAS or UPSC ranker as your mentor
1. 1st step starts with this Samanvayacall: 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 invite-only platform, Habitat 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.
Daily target monitoring.
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 2023-23 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.
GS-1 The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
GS-2 Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies; Federalism
GS-3 Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
GS-4 Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics – in private and public relationships.
HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?
Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.
A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.
You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.
Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.
Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.
If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis
If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.
We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.
*In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*.
