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Smash Prelims Super-25 Program is back after a thumping success in Prelims 2021. Out of 25 students Santosh sir has mentored, 15 have cleared prelims this time.

How was Mentorship for UPSC Prelims Conducted in our Recent Super-25 Session by Birendra Sir

Birendra sir sat down with a student and mentored him for 1 1/2 hours after he had given his test. We were able to get a 3 minute video of him explaining a revision technique that could have helped the student remember important facts in polity. The student says he understands the importance of inter-linking due to sir.

Birendra sir then highlighted the situations when one has to do revision. A wrong method of revision is to read the entire book. The correct method of revision is to revise only those topics the aspirant was confused with or could not remember the facts. Birendra sir suggested that he would help the student prepare a list of topics he should revise before the next test. During the mock test, he advised the student to analyse if he remembered the topic or not. If he did not, then the student had to make a note of the topic on the side and revise it after test.

Mentorship of Birendra sir helped solve the student’s persistent problem of how he could revise in limited time.

From this, you can understand there is no specific format for mentorship. It is conducted atleast 5 times a month and depends on your test performance and your doubts. After mentorship, you will get a fresh direction to improvise your preparation with less confusion and stress.

Why Your Focus for Next 3 Months Must be About Scoring Above Cut-Off Marks in UPSC-CSE Prelims? Isn’t the last 1 Month Enough for This?

Every year, the competition for UPSC-CSE is increasing while vacancies are decreasing drastically. This year there are only 712 vacancies as against 2019 which had 927 vacancies. However, atleast 10 lakh students will attempt the prelims exam. This is why right now, it’s important to start having an Olympic Athlete mindset. You need to daily focus on scoring above the cut-off marks in your test series.

Civilsdaily Student and 2019 UPSC-CSE AIR 8 Topper Abhishek Saraf had practiced nearly 6000+ MCQs under us to clear prelims!

What makes prelims tough? It’s because the paper is unpredictable. If this year, science questions are a breeze then the next year you will have to answer advanced concept-based questions. Unlike Mains, Prelims has negative markings.

Toppers like Pranav Vijayvergiya (AIR 65) and Swati Sharma (AIR 17) have found Prelims to be tougher than Mains. In fact, Pranav failed to clear Prelims thrice. But, in his fourth attempt he took Civilsdaily mentorship and cleared Prelims, Mains and Interview in one shot!

Are you feeling low that you are unable to get the required cut-off marks in your test series. Worry not, for about 65% of the UPSC toppers have said that they scored below cut-off marks till December. But by June, they were able to boost their marks to get through the prelims hurdle. It’s time to be like them now. The two mentors alloted to you at Civilsdaily will discuss notes, sources, test scores and even counsel you on your mental health.

How will Super-25 Program be structured?

We have neither diluted the criteria for selecting aspirants nor the core strategy. Infact, this year Super-25 will be a more effective version of last year. 

Four Pillars of Super- 25 Program

1. It is mentorship led test series and value addition program over 90 days. 

2. Two-Tier Mentorship: You will have one dedicated mentor during the entire journey, while Santosh Gupta sir will be strategic mentor. Santosh sir will take strategic mentoring calls twice in a week. It would ensure that you do not fall back at any cost and benefit from the experience of two mentors who have cleared the exam 6 times. We will ensure that you achieve not your weekly targets but the target of clearing prelims. 

3. Number of tests: 60 practice tests (50 questions) + 40 Full length tests ( 12 Basic + 6 advanced + 10 Current affairs test + 8 FLTs+ 4 CSATs) . It means everyday you can give a test. With this, we will ensure that you revise your syllabus 3 times in three months at least. 

4. Current affairs: Entire Current affairs of 1.5 years ( Jan 2021 – April 2022) will be covered by Core faculty, comprising of Santosh sir, Sajal sir, Sudhanshu sir, Birendra sir and Sukanya Ma’am. You will learn how to link current affairs with static topics on the go.

5. Strategic Value Addition Sessions: They say that a woodcutter sharpens his axe for 8 hours to cut 1 tree. This is the most popular session aroun taken by Santosh Gupta sir to enrich your knowledge base and analytical ability. 

Approach of Super-25

1. Keyword approach to revise syllabus of 1 subject in 2-3 hours.

2. Focus on FCE approach ( Factual, Conceptual and Elimination ) to enhance your score.

3. Critical gap filling sessions and notes, learning to link static with current affairs and vice versa.

4. Evidence based questions to ensure 360 degree testing.

5. Weekly monitoring of targets by dedicated mentor and your strategic mentor Santosh Gupta.  

How Super- 25 will help you

1. Setting a clear strategy for the next 90 days to get 120+ score in Prelims.

2. Revising the whole syllabus in an effective manner.

2. Filling critical gaps in preparation.

4. Practice tests to enhance your chances of qualifying prelims.

5. Covering the entire current affairs from a prelims perspective.

Who can be part of Super-25?

1. Only those who are struck in the range of 80-90 marks in last 2-3 attempts and are desperate to write mains.

2. Those who have given prelims at least once.

3. Those willing to give 100% or nothing less. 

There are no secrets to success, it is a result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure. Are you willing to learn from failures? Let’s start together. 

Self Preparation with Mentorship: What do Civilsdaily Students think of Santosh Sir’s Mentorship for UPSC-CSE Prelims?

We asked Santosh sir’s students about their opinion on mentorship — if it was something that saved their time or wasted their time in studies and this is what they had to say:

Kamini: “If I can say in one word, then Santosh sir’s mentorship is unique. Before I joined his program, I used to score 90 marks in Full Length Test Series. Santhosh sir had done in depth analysis of my test papers and suggested ways to reduce the negatives. Right now I am able to score 100+ in advanced test series of not only Civilsdaily but other institutes. He is always available to clear my doubts and solve my issues on call or phone. No issue is too big enough for Santosh sir. He has always told me after you finish a test series, read the same topics again and take another test series the same day to see if your marks improve. From Santosh sir’s polity and economic survey notes, we got questions in 2021 Prelims. I always feel its better to do self studies with mentorship than join coaching institutes and get spoon fed with information.”

Sweetie Raj: “I am a banking professional, living with a joint family. Attending coaching classes is out of question because I won’t have time to read the books myself. Santosh sir helps me self-study by providing me mentorship daily. I study daily from 9PM to 3AM. Santosh sir has been available for 1 hour strategy calls even during this time. No other teacher would have wanted me to succeed as much as he wants me to. I can understand concepts by myself and don’t need help in that. I want someone who pushes me to complete the target modules, checks if I did my mains answer writing for the day and analyses the previous year question papers with me. Because of Santosh sir, I understood that its just not enough reading one book but at the same time I dont have to waste time reading many books. He tells me the topic-wise sources to refer. Also he has designed a study plan for me that I can follow every week. Once, I told Santhosh sir I was missing test series discussion classes as it was conducted at 7PM. Immediately, he provided me recorded videos and kept the session at 8.30PM.”

Samples From Smash Super-25 Program

Sample 1-on-1 Mentorship for Smash Prelims

Sample Notes

Sample Test Series

Sample classes on CSAT & Topic Wise Analysis

Sample Notes & Handout Material

Toppers’ Speak: How Civilsdaily Mentorship Helped Me Clear UPSC?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSwO38weHAA

About Santosh Gupta Sir

Santosh sir has scored above 140 twice in UPSC prelims and 120 plus in all 6 attempts. He has written all 6 mains and has appeared for Interviews 3 times. He has qualified UPSC EPFO and BPSC 56-59th also. As the Prelims coordinator at Civilsdaily, he has helped 15 out of 25 students clear the prelims examination this year.

Dear Aspirants,

This Spotlight is a part of our Mission Nikaalo Prelims-2022.

You can check the broad timetable of Nikaalo Prelims here

Session Details

Morning 12 PM  – Prelims Spotlight Session

Evening 06 PM  – TIKDAM/MCQs Session

Evening 08 PM  – Tests on Alternate Days

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

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11th Mar 2022

Executive

Titbits

1. President, VP both elected indirectly by proportional representation by means of single transferable vote and voting is by secret ballot
2. Electoral college of president contains elected MPs and elected MLAs (including that of UTs of Delhi and Puducherry) while that of VP includes all MPs (nominated MPs and nominated MLAs not included in presidential electoral college where as nominated MPs are included in Vice presidential but none of the MLAs )
3. MLCs not included in electoral college of either president or VP
4. Value of votes of all elected MPs = Value of votes of all elected MLAs
5. Min age 35 years for both president and VP (LS, MLA = 25, RS, MLC = 30, local bodies =21)
6. Oath to preserve, protect and defend the constitution to president by CJI while by president to VP
7. Impeachment for violation of constitution by ⅔ absolute majority
8. Vacancy in presidential office, VP and in his absence CJI
9. President acts in accordance with aid and advice of CoM except where situational discretion is necessary (govt losing no confidence motion, no clear majority)
10. President appoints judges of supreme court as well as high court

Issue	President	Governor
Head	Head of the country, head of govt is PM	Head of a state, head of govt is CM
Executive power	All executive action in his name	Same
Oath	Preserve, protect and defend the constitution	Same
Appointment	Indirect election	Nominated by president; representative of union in states
Removal	Impeachment	President can remove him any time/ pleasure principle
Grounds of removal	Violation of constitution	No grounds mentioned
Advice of council of minister	Binding (42nd amendment), can return the advice once (44th amendment)	binding save for exceptional circumstances (various supreme court judgements)
Ordinance	Art 123, when either house is not in session, not for CAB	Art 213, same
Ordinary bill	Can be sent for reconsideration once to parliament, bound to give assent after that	same
Money bill	Can’t send for reconsideration (after all president himself recommends the bill)	same
Constitution amendment bill	Has to give his assent (24th amendment)	No role
if governor reserves the bill for president (article 200)	Can assent/ withhold assent or send the bill for reconsideration (except money bill which can’t be resent) (article 201)	No further role of governor
If house sends the bill back in the same form	Not bound to give assent <governor is bound to give assent after repassage>	No role
Clemency power	Can pardon death sentence and court martial sentences	Can’t pardon death sentence, no role in military matters

Bills which must be reserved for President’s consideration

1. bills derogating the powers of the High Court (art 200)
2. imposition of taxes on water or electricity in certain cases (Article 288)
3. during a Financial Emergency (art 360)

Bills which may be reserved for President’s consideration and assent for specific purposes

a). To secure immunity from operation of Articles 14 and 19. These are Bills for

1. acquisition of estates, etc.  (Article 31A(I (b))
2. giving effect to Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 31C)

(b) A Bill relating to a subject enumerated in the Concurrent List, to ensure operation of its provisions despite their repugnancy to a Union law or an existing law, by securing President’s assent in terms of Article 254(2)

(c) Legislation imposing restrictions on trade and commerce

Titbits

1. 1. President (governor) appoints the leader of the majority party as PM (CM). Discretion in case of no clear majority.
   2. Ministers are appointed on the advice of PM or CM (no discretion)

• CM of UTs is appointed by President not Lt. Governor

1. Ministers hold office during pleasure of president (governor) and are collectively responsible to house of people
2. Total strength of CoM including PM (CM) not to exceed 15% of membership of LS (91st CAA)
3. Ministers can be appointed w/o being part of LS or RS but have to get elected w/i 6 months
4. Ministers/ Attorney general who are not member of a house/ committee can attend the meetings but can’t vote
5. The cabinet is a subset of CoM and includes only ministers of cabinet rank (article 352)

Governor of state  v/s LG of Delhi

	Governor/ state	LG/ Delhi
Appointment of CM/ ministers	By governor	By president
Ministers hold office till pleasure of	Governor	President
Discretion	Very limited	Can refer any matter to president if not satisfied
Who can make Laws on state list	Only state legislature ordinarily	Parliament as well as state legislature

Civil services

While ministers are political executives, civil servants are permanent executives as they don’t have to seek the mandate of people every five years.

All India Services: Common to both centre and states

1. Recruitment by the centre, serve under states
2. 3 all India services – IAS, IPS and Indian forest services <created in 1968>
3. Parliament can create a new IAS if RS passes a resolution by ⅔ majority
4. Central govt makes service rules in consultation with state govt
5. Work under the pleasure of the president with safeguards

Topics for Today’s questions:

GS-1        Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.

GS-2      Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

GS-3        Indian Economy

GS-4        Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections. 

Question 1)

 

Q.1 Despite changes in the institution of marriage in recent times, there have been elements of continuity as well. Discuss in the context of India.(10 Marks)

 

Question 2)

Q.2 The intra- and inter-basin transfer (IBT) of water is a major hydrological intervention to rectify the imbalance in water availability. However, IBTs raises larger questions about hydrological assumptions and the use and the management of freshwater resources in India. What are such assumptions and issues with the management of freshwater resources in India? (10 Marks)

Question 3)

Q.3 India is fast becoming one of the largest startup ecosystems in the world. In the contest of this, examine the factors driving this growth and its implications for the Indian economy. (10 Marks)

Question 4)  

Q.4 Explain why superstitious beliefs and practices abound in India. In this context, discuss the importance of inculcating scientific temper to remove superstitions. (10 Marks)

 

HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?

1. Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.

2. 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.

3. You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.

4.  Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.

5. Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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*. 

1. For the philosophy of AWE and payment: