Subject: Trivia

Picking up an important question from our last pop quiz on Ethics – GS Paper4. Since no one attempted this question, I would like you to give it another chance.

I wish to bring forth an interesting set of dilemma and theory on the Paper 4 via this question. Do give it a shot.

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#2. You are first lieutenant in a military organisation. You report to captain who in turn reports to Major. You share positive working relation with both.

In your office there arises vacancy of a supervisor. In this regard both of your officers encourage you to appoint a particular person from other department. However you are not impressed with that person and found that person unsuitable for the post. In-spite of this you decided to trust your seniors and appoint him.

After one month it is clear to you that your judgement was correct that this person is not competitive enough. Although given time he can improve and develop his skills.

However very soon situation has become very complicated New supervisor has developed misunderstanding with the Captain and now the Major and the Captain are sending conflicting signals. Captain suggests that you immediately transfer supervisor during his probation period while Major urged you to write an early highly positive evaluation for him even before prescribed three months.

Q1. Examine the major issues involved.

Q2. Trace your course of action.

While we renew our pitch to join  NSG, the crash in Sinai exposes the vulnerabilities that we have to live with! Here is set 6 for you to brush up on current affairs with a little bit of geography thrown in.

#1. Despite substantial thorium reserves, Indian Nuclear Programme is largely uranium-centric because

(a) thorium cannot sustain a chain reaction on its own unlike uranium

(b) India wants to preserve its thorium reserves for future exigencies

(c) energy efficiency in thorium based reactors is much less compared to uranium based reactors

(d) thorium based reactors are known to be more prone to meltdown compared to uranium based reactors

#2. Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a multinational body concerned with reducing nuclear proliferation. Which of the following is/are among the member countries of NSG?

1. Ireland

2. Mongolia

3. Japan

4. Norway

Select the correct alternative using the codes given below.

(a) 2, 3 and 4 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

#3. In case of India, the monetary policy of the country is decided by the

(a) the chief of the central bank in consultation with a committee headed by a government representative

(b) the Central government in consultation with the central bank

(c) the chief of the central bank advised by a technical committee

(d) the Central government in consultation with State Finance Ministries

#4. Consider the following statements:

1. The first Indi-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) was held in Addis Ababa.

2. The theme of the recently concluded IAFS was ‘Partnering the Resourceful Africa’.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

#5. Sinai Peninsula, recently in news, is a region in

(a) Southern Africa

(b) North-Western Africa

(c) Central Africa

(d) North-Eastern Africa

#6. Wassenaar Arrangement is a term generally used in connection with

(a) bilateral trade agreements between regional groupings

(b) control of use of chemical agents in war-torn regions

(c) arresting the trade in parts of endangered wildlife

(d) export control for conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies

#7. Which of the following pairs is/are not correctly matched?

1. Garhjat Hills : Western India

2. Mikir Hills : North-Eastern India

3.  Mahadeo Hills : Central India

4. Satmala Hills : Eastern India

Select the correct alternative using the codes given below.

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 1 and 4 only

(d) 3 and 4 only

Answer Key:

#1. (a)

#2. (c)

#3. (c)

#4. (d)

#5. (d)

#6. (d)

#7. (c)

 

With special focus on GS3, here are the questions to solve for today. Model answers will be made available tomorrow.

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#1. Write a note on Green India Mission with special emphasis on its goals and current status.

The National Mission for Green India (GIM) is one of the eight Missions outlined under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). It aims at protecting; restoring and enhancing India’s diminishing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures.

Try to consolidate your answer and keep it to the point. Do not start explaining the concept and waste words on that.

#2. (a) What is ‘DigiLocker’? Discuss its utility.
#2. (b) What is ‘Could Computing’? Identify its benefits.

Factual question. Should be an easy answer. Try putting in some government of india centric points on how this can be extended to enhance participation, reach etc.

#3. ‘Cyberspace has emerged as the biggest challenge to the national security’. Comment.

Start your answer with an India centric viewpoint. Use a popular case (example) to establish your theory.

#4. Discuss the environmental impact of constructing dams in Himalayan region and suggest the mitigating strategies.

#5. Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of the disasters/ As an administrator what steps shall you initiate to mitigate impact of flooding in the coastal and island territories of the country.

Still in college or a dilemma whether to  go for coaching classes or rely on self studies for IAS Preparation? Read To coaching or not to coaching first to make up your mind.

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Now then, if you have indeed made up your mind to attend some, here are 5 recommendations on How to Make Most Out of Coaching Classes for IAS Preparation:

#1. Follow the class plan religiously

Most of the coaching centre follow a pre-meditated plan which is generally handed over at the outset listing the topics to be covers and the dates. Take advantage of this routine!

Since you already have the topic that shall be covered by the instructor, go through it from the reference books or the study material that may have been provided by the institute. The rationale behind doing so is that you shall have a fair idea of what to expect in the class, you shall be able to relate more to the topic and shall also be able to clarify doubts that would have cropped if you had read the topic from the reference books at a later stage.

Secondly, there is high chance that sometimes you might miss what the instructor just said in the ongoing clatter. In such cases you can still manage to get back on the track because you shall be able to fill up the gap from your prior reading of the topic. Thirdly, you will only take down the instructions that are not there in the reference book avoiding jotting down everything that the instruction speaks.

#2. Read your books, even if they are just NCERTs

At times the instructors shall themselves ask you to read some books, which may even be an NCERT, before you come for the next class. Read it. Do not assume that it will not serve any purpose as it is ‘just a NCERT’. NCERTs help a lot in understanding the most complex issues and the instructor must be having a reason to refer to it.

#3. Utilise your travel time well. Don’t waste it in playing teen patti!

Many of the aspirants travel from far off places to their coaching center. Make use of this traveling time. Opening a newspaper and spreading it might be annoying to fellow travelers and in any case does not give you the luxury of underlining in most cases and a reference book may be too heavy to carry everyday. Fall back on digital media. Best time to read up on from Civilsdaily’s Newscards, right?

#4. Avoid being the last bencher

It was just fine and cool if you were last bencher in your school/college, but in these classrooms try to occupy front benches if you really want to gain some knowledge. The last benches have enough non-serious candidates and noise to distract you through out the class. If some of them are your friends, shun them, for the class we mean!

#5. Create a better network – Study & Share

Few days into the class, you can very well identify the candidates who are there because they want to be there and are serious about their preparation. Befriend them. They will not only increase the utility of the class but shall also come in handy for discussing the issues. It is only with discussions with such candidates that you open up to new ideas and develop alternative perspectives.

 

 

Today let’s take a detour through the Indian landscape. It is a favourite topic among the examiners with the richness and variety it can throw in the questions and who knows what surprises IAS Prelims 2016 can throw! Let’s go!

#1. Which of the following forms a watershed between the Brahmaputra and the  Barak river systems?

(a) Dafla Hills

(b) Barail Range

(c) Mishmi Hills

(d) Garo Hills

#2. Eight Degree Channel separates

(a) Minicoy Island and Maldives

(b) Little Andaman and Car Nicobar Islands

(c) Great Nicobar Island and Indonesia

(d) Amindivi and Cannanore Islands

#3. Consider the following pairs:

Peak/Hills                   Region

1. Amarkantak     :   Vindhyan Range

2. Kudremukh     :    Middle Sahyadri

3. Girnar Hills     :    Kathiawar Peninsula

Which of the above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

#4. Which of the following is/are tributaries of River Krishna?

1. Tungabhadra

2. Indravati

3. Bhima

4. Pranhita

Select the correct alternative using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 4 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3 only

(c)  2 and 4 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

#5. Which of the following is most southerly located?

(a) Nilgiri Hills

(b) Shevaroy Hills

(c) Javadi Hills

(d) Cardamom Hills

#6. Karewas are a feature generally found in the state of

(a) Arunachal Pradesh

(b) Himachal Pradesh

(c) Jammu and Kashmir

(d) Uttarakhand

#7. River Alaknanda is joined by the river Pindar at

(a) Devprayag

(b) Vishnuprayag

(c) Rudraprayag

(d) Karnaprayag

Answer Key:

#1. (b)

#2. (a)

#3. (c)

#4. (d)

#5. (d)

#6. (c)

#7. (d)

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So let us have some questions from the terms that keep appearing in the newspapers to find out if we did out little extra effort on them. Who knows what’s in store for the IAS Prelims 2016. Here we go!

#1.  Consider the following statements:

1. Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is released every quarter.

2. Index of  Eight Core Industries (ICI) is released every month.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

#2. Consider the following statements:

1. Central Sector Schemes are fully funded by the Central government.

2. Centrally Sponsored Schemes are implements by the respective State      governments.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

#3. Which of the following grouping of countries operates without any permanent Secretariat?

(a) ASEAN

(b) G-20

(c) APEC

(d) BIMSTEC

#4. Consider the following statements:

1. The Advocate-General of a State is appointed by the State’s Governor.

2. The Advocate-General of a State cannot be removed by the State’s Governor.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

#5. Consider the following statements:

1. Creation or abolition of a Legislative Council in a State does not involve an amendment of the Constitution.

2. Parliament has no role to play in the creation or abolition of a State’s Legislative Assembly.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

#6. Consider the following pairs:

                     Body                                     Headed by

1. National Security Council           :   Defence Minister

2. Cabinet Committee on Security :   Prime  Minister

3. Board of Approval for SEZs        :   Commerce Minister

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

(a) 2 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c)  3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

#7. Consider the following statements:

1. Geographical Indications Registry has been set up at New Delhi.

2. All aspects of GI are administered by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer key:

#1. (b)

#2. (c)

#3. (b)

#4. (a)

#5. (a)

#6. (a)

#7. (b)

Explanations shall follow in comment section.

 

Preparing for Civil Services gives you the best time to catch up on your nation’s history, unless you are the one who snoozes through the subject and wakes up in the last minute to ratofy Spectrum books!

But traditional books tend to become a boring read after a while! Add to that, the oft recommended best sellers – Discovery of India, Freedom at Midnight, Argumentative Indian and likes become a tad too traditional for our senses, neh?

Hence, to keep things spicy, go through this article and let us know – How much do you score on this list of 5 must read books on Indian History?

#1. The Idea of India by Sunil Khilnani

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This long essay makes an eloquent and persuasive argument for Nehru’s idea of nationhood in India. At a time when the relevance of Nehru’s vision is under scrutiny, this book assumes a special significance.

This is what Anil Swaroop (Secretary, GoI) has to say about the book,

The book doesn’t directly answer the critical question: What is the idea of India? However, it lays bare certain dimensions of the idea that enables the reader to have a reasonably good idea of the idea. A well researched book on what could be the idea of India. Given the complex matrix of Indian history and the present day existence, it is indeed difficult to articulate in black and white such an idea but one can comprehend and perhaps appreciate it as one walks through the pages of the book.

 

#2. The Story of India by Michael Wood

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Michael sets out on an epic journey across this vibrant country to trace the roots of India’s present in the incredible riches of her past. The Story of India is a magical mixture of history and travelogue, and an unforgettable portrait of India – past, present and future.

Why should you read it?

It reinforces some otherwise mundane facts with beautiful anecdotes! You will read a lot about Kanishka and the southern empires in this compelling narrative. In case you haven’t watched the BBC produced documentary, do give it a shot!

#3. The Great Arc by John Keay

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The Great Arc is a wonderful little chronicle of the “Great Trigonometrical Survey” carried out in India roughly between 1800-1860 CE. Various teams surveyed India right from its southern tip, to the Himalayas.

Do you know the importance of that work?

The Great Arc made possible the mapping of the entire Indian sub-continent and the development of its roads, railways and telegraphs. India as we now know it was defined in the process.

It’s a thin book and is amazingly well chronicled and you would thank us for referring this to you!

#4. Land of the Seven Rivers by Sanjeev Sanyal

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Did the Great Flood of Indian legend actually happen? Why did the Buddha walk to Sarnath to give his first sermon? How did the Europeans map India?
The history of any country begins with its geography. So grab this book as soon as you can! 

#5. India After Gandhi by Dr. Ramachandra Guha

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We are sure you already know about this one. Why doubt an aspirant’s wisdom and knowledge when he has already spent countless hours wondering whether to read post independence from India After Gandhi or fall back on Bipan Chandra!

However, we did come by an interesting review of this book and we would do well to produce a befitting quote to suit the magisterial work that this is.

If you do not know where you come from, then you don’t know where you are, and if you don’t know where you are, then you don’t know where you’re going. And if you don’t know where you’re going, you’re probably going wrong.
— Terry Pratchett

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So, that was it from our side! If you have some free time, catch up on these books. Let us know some of your favorites and of course, do let us know your score!

 

Let’s change study habits for good!

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For this week, for answer writing practice for IAS Mains 2015, we are bringing in these choicest questions from the topics that have been in news in 2015.

#1. Discuss the concept of judicial independence in the light of the recent judgements of the SC with regard to NJAC.

A lot has been said and debated in this topic in 2014/15. In this question, to fetch most marks – make sure you summarise and mention recent judgements and arguments put forth by either sides of the debate.

Ref:

• https://www.civilsdaily.com/key-points-on-njac-that-you-need-to-remember/
• https://www.civilsdaily.com/njac-a-triumphant-verdict/

#2. Bring out the potential of- and the bottlenecks to the ‘Start Up India, Stand Up India’ initiative.

A classic question which looks at summarising our growing economic and political initiatives which can embolden India’s Startup initiatives. Answer in quick key points to cover this holistically.

Ref: https://www.civilsdaily.com/story/digital-india-initiatives-whats-buzzing/

#3. MDGs shall soon give way to the SDGs. Evaluate the performance of India on various parameters of the MDGs.

#4. Discuss the recent political developments in Nepal. Should they be of any concern to India?

#5. Present a case for the India’s membership to the UN Security Council.

Imagine that you are making a case before countries with conflicting interests, how can you show the pros of putting India in the Security Council so that they agree despite not being on board with India’s ambitions. It’s a perfect question for the wannabe IFS Officer!