Distribution: zpts

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Re-sharing it for the benefit of all new students. It is an absolute must to get a better feel of the demand of the exam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnNZCmGTIto&t=5638s

Detailed trend analysis of previous years UPSC Prelims GS Papers by Sajal sir

In this video, Sajal Sir focuses on the following

1. Subject level trend analysis of last 6 years Prelims papers
2. Strategy for 2019 prelims (which sources to refer)
3. Scrutinizing the 2018 prelims paper (destroying the myth that clearing UPSC prelims is fully based on luck and regular sources have become useless)
4. Highlighting themes from which UPSC is asking the most number of questions and areas which are being ignored to help you in prioritizing most important topics

Do share this video and post your doubts related to the preparation in the comments section.

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Every year, we update our TS syllabus sources to carefully add/remove study material according to the demands of the exam and changing pattern.

There are 3 sources that are used for our Test Series.

1. NCERTs – HAVE TO BE DONE at all costs. Not to be left on any account as they provide a basic understanding. There are instances where UPSC examiners have framed questions that can be easily solved by NCERT sources. It is an absolute must.
2. Standard Books – Books like Laxmikanth for Polity and Spectrum for Modern India have become indispensable for their short, concise and easily revisable content. We cover all of these for each major module to give you a thorough coverage.
3. CD Sources – Many sources for important topics for prelims as well as mains are not according to the demands of the exam. We have created modules in easy to revise format for various topics – Ancient Art and Culture, Indian Geography, Economy, Compendium on Conventions and Organisations for Environment, Government Schemes compilation and of course Tidbits on Polity (for those obscure topics in Laxmikanth).

For those who are done with the basics, we have a list of additional sources to further mature your understanding.

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If you are a mature aspirant, you will definitely connect with the concept of question types.

What are questions types 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Students,

Prelims are around the corner and we hope you are sticking to the timetable.  A gentle reminder to join our TS if you haven’t – Our Prime Test Series is our Flagship Course. You will

-3200 questions (+3 CSAT Tests) that will act as your notes for revision.

-Over 600 Tikdams to tackle those tricky questions that stump people on D-Day.

–Personalized counseling if you stray off track and need help.

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Click here for the complete list of all our programs

The philosophy of our Test Series has been to bring it closer to the actual exam in terms of both toughness and format. We try to ensure that the standard of questions is continuously raised.

One of the ways we do it is using – Evidence-based question making

The questions are not framed according to the whims and fancies of the question-makers. They have to provide objective evidence to the supervisory team about the relevance of the question and why it has a higher probability of being asked in the actual exam. They have to prove that a similar question has been asked previously in the Prelims exam.

We are putting in conscious effort to ensure more questions are asked on themes that UPSC considers important. At the same time, we try to ignore those themes that UPSC has been ignoring. List of examples presented at the end.

Examples of Evidence-based question making 

Consider the following statements :

1. The north-south extent of India is greater than its east-west extent.

2. Area Wise, Rajasthan is the largest state and Sikkim the smallest.

Select the correct statements using the code below :

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Similar question asked in UPSC 2016 Prelims

Which of the following pairs of States of India indicates the easternmost and westernmost State?

a) Assam and Rajasthan

b) Arunachal Pradesh and Rajasthan

c) Assam and Gujarat

d) Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat

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Which one of the following islands are separated from each other by the ‘Duncan Passage? 

a) Little Andaman and Great Andamans

b) Nicobar and Sumatra

c) Maldives and Lakshadweep

d) Sumatra and Java

Similar question asked in UPSC 2014 Prelims

Which one of the following pairs of islands are separated from each other by the ‘Ten Degree Channel’?

a) Andaman and Nicobar

b) Nicobar and Sumatra

c) Maldives and Lakshadweep

d) Sumatra and Java

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Which of the following are the features of Subsistence Farming:

1. Most of the work is done manually.

2. overall yield is high but productivity per labor is low.

3. Traditional methods of farming are followed.

Select the correct statements using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) All of the above

Similar question asked in UPSC 2012 Prelims

Which of the following is the chief characteristic of ‘mixed farming’?

(a) Cultivation of both cash crops and food crops

(b) Cultivation of two or more crops in the same field

(c) Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together

(d) None of the above

Dear Students,

Multiple emails have forced us to announce the last batch with an updated study-plan. The same is available by clicking here – TS 2019 Time-table

All the features of the program and joining links are available here – Click2View