Tuesday 29 March 2011

DON'T RELY ONLY on MAGS FOR CURRENT AFFAIRS

Most people have this bad habit,

They don't read newspaper regularly but see the entire months 'current capsule' in the mag

And think that their 'currents ' is good.


Disadvantage


you are only learning the 'facts' but not the heart of the current issue- where it came from and which direction its moving.
  1. in mags they've page limit, because they've to put big coaching classes advertisement with toppers photos on every second page, so they can't discuss everything in detail like a newspaper /its editorial. So they end up giving you some facts and data and bullets – and you feel happy. But won't help you in prelims.
  2. Mags don't cover many things like in newspaper you'll come across in the economy section that Kishore biyani is the owner of Big Bazar and Pentaloon, but this thing never mentioned in mags but this question was asked in 2008. (That Kishor Biyani is associated with Retail business.)

How to do the currents then?

Keep a diary and note down the thing that you are sure the mags won't be writing.

Same way if you come across some good editorial, then cut and paste It in in a file. (I use old rough full scape note and stick them with glue on it.)



That's it.

Refer the paper set and see what UPSC has been asking from each topic and prepare accordingly from the books mentioned above.



Sometimes mags don't cover entire G/S in their cycle (of December to April)

So you might need to find and buy the older PT special issues for certain topics like Mental Ability , Chemistry-Physics, Ancient – Medieval India- so don't forget.

DO MAKE NOTEs.

 Since G/S is so vast – its not possible to make notes of everything but at least do it for imp topic that you think you'll forget if you don't keep revising.

And rest of the things are getting covered in your Current Affairs Diary.

Do practice the mental ability sums

Most people only glance over the solved sums- but unless you try your hand on it- you won't master it.
 

DON'T NEGLECT ANY SECTION

Many people would advice you (especially this 'Faculties' & many of those who did not clear the prelims) (I've not cleared the prelims either- I failed in 2008's attempt )

"oh you are a arts grad? Ok then don't waste lot of time in Science portion – instead concentrate on Geography / History"

"oh you are a Science Grad? Ok then don't waste time in economy is you can't understand- instead concentrate on Science portion"

"economy is worth only 5 marks in prelims so don't waste time on it."



But that's wrong approach – you've to be good in all of them, ignoring anything completely will hurt you. you at least need to have basic idea of each.

i.e. they don't ask some extremely tough question from Chemistry generally but they ask easy stuff like What's blue vitriol etc. – and if you are ignoring even such easy stuff then only God can help you.

at the same time going through entire Mishra Puri for 5M Economy is waste of energy but at the same time its shameful to not to even know what's GDP , GNP, Budget etc.

Remember it's a tough competition. Just because you are ignoring one section doesn't mean other serious candidates will do the same.

AND you've 11 months in your hands – time limit is not an issue.



Strengthen your strength and make sure your weakness is well hidden

Ie. If you like polity – then make sure you are well prepared enough that even on the toughest paper you can get 12/15 correct in polity , but if you are weak and uninterested in economic then at least make sure you are not so dumb that you can't even answer basic GDP/GNP/Inflation /CRR questions.

AVOID MARCH-APRIL FLOODS

 When the March end comes- you'll see a flood of material from Delhi.

(if you go to some coaching class OR studying in group) – you'll notice that all your friends are Xeroxing some imp notes that came from some big classes of Delhi. Most people go greedy and stop their routine preparation and concentrate on that imp thing only but UPSC doesn't ask anything from it (just like they did not ask anything from Vaji's Current affairs notes this time lol- don't waste your time AND money on Xeroxing it)



And finally

DO read the question before answering

Consider following questions



Q.1 Consider following statements and chose the incorrect statement

i. Gandhi was a lawyer

ii. Gandhi is preached truth and non-violence.

Ans


  1. Only 1
  2. Only 2
  3. Both 1 & 2
  4. Neither 1 or 2.


So the correct answer is D.

BUT many people are under stress and haste so when they see statement I and 2 – they think oh yes both are true, so they'll tick 'C' as true answer.

You don't make that mistake- read it carefully what they've asked. (correct statement or incorrect statement)

That's why I said practice test papers- they'll give you more accuracy and speed dealing with such questions.




DON'T BLUFF/ BLIND GUESS IN PRELIMS

UPSC questions are tricky, many times you feel like "oh yes this must be the answer" BUT if you've not read it earlier in some book/newspaper or magazines

then its most likely you'll be wrong in it.

even if you get only 50 or 40 correct answers in the paper- never ever take blind risk of attending the answers you don't know cause you're going to lose marks. (0.33 per wrong answer)



if you feel that the question paper is hard- then its hard for the rest of the India as well,

so if you can't answer something - chances are a lot others won't be able to answer it either. (provided that you really have prepared good.) So in that case by taking risk you're degrading your own score.

so don't get scarred in the exam hall. its all about walking in with confidence and walking out with confidence - bluffing & guessing ain't gonna help.

 



 


 

 


 

 

Tips : How to prepare General studies for  Prelims

For UPSC civil service IAS IPS Exam

G/S is important

Most people make mistakes in thinking that in prelims

  • Opt. Subject : 300M
  • G/S : 150 M
So lets put more effort in 300 M of Opt. Subject at the cost of G/S.

But that's wrong way cause its really tough competition and just because you are ignoring G/S doesn't mean other serious candidates are doing the same.

So Prepare G/S very well.

Recommended BOOKLIST

first is you get all of your weapons ready.

that's buy following books or get them xerox.

don't do like you buy one book now and once you finish reading it then you go buy another book

(cause you'll waste time going to market buying every time. )

all your tools have to be on your table no matter when you want to use it.

buy them all at once and then lock yourself in the room. and start preparing




  1. NCERT- History, Geography, Economy & Science (10-12)
    They don't ask direct questions from it much, but you need to study it only for make your base concepts clear. (more on it written ahead.)

    I've posted Downloadable NCERT books here




  2. Spectrum : History of Modern India
  3. Wizard India 2009 ( this one has everything exam oriented , including the side issues, so you don't have to see original Govt. 's India 2009)- there are many such books available from different publications but I used this one. All the famous place/ language/people/art/dance/ nuke sci/agri/industry/dams/army/ everything is covered in this book.

  4. Paper set of Previous Years UPSC G.S. Prelims
    1. You can use Arihant/ Wizard/Unique/Chronicle anyone But make sure that Its topic wise and not year wise (i.e. 2001,2002) and that it has explanation for every answer.
    2. I recommend Arihant's paper set.


  5. Wizard Indian Polity .
    1. Again lot books from other publications too but I use this one. And I'm not a topper – so my recommendation of books doesn't chance as per the magazine in which my interview is getting published.


  6. The Hindu / Indian Express.
    1. Don't read Times of India – its more about 'masala/spicey news' : what's imp. From G/S point of view come in above newspapers only.


  7. Atlas - Mapbook (Orient Longman or any other )
    1. They ask map question like 4 countries given and you've to identify which river is going through etc etc- you need to be familiar with world map.


  8. Subscription to Yojana – Kurukshetra
    1. Published by Government of India, about its schemes, rural Development etc


  9. Any one magazine
    1. Chronicle or
    2. Wizard

This is going to cost good money, but its like a business – you've to invest your time , energy and money to get this job.

Also this is not the ultimate list – you can use different books- what matter is you must be able to clear your concepts from the book.

Some friends asked me how about the 'material'?

In Delhi there are many good publications which cover them short and sweet,

But they're good only if you are basics are clear from NCERT.

Some examples are M'n'M series' / New Vishal booklets on History, Economy etc.

Daulat Khan's Current Affairs and many more.

Frankly speaking I don't use much 'material' cause I've never been to Delhi nor can I afford those materials. I depend on newspapers and magazines and internet for my G/S preparation.



and, Gone are the days when conventional stuff was being asked.

And you could answer almost all question from TMH G/S manual or Brilliant's Material etc

Nowadays the questions are 'out of the box', + UPSC makes sure no questions are asked from big coaching classes' material (read the 'avoid March-April Flood' topic below.)



Bottom line is

These mags or coaching classes don't write off something from sky,

Whatever they write – they've compiled from newspapers, std reference book And internet.

All they do is present it in a nice bullets and points , boxes and tables format.

You can use any of it, It doesn't make much difference. The requirement is you should be able to understand it and clear your concepts.

HOW NOT TO PREPARE?

Don't directly use PT Special Issues if you are unfamiliar with that subject.

From December 2009- all these mags will start publishing PT (prelim test) Special issues.

Most people make the mistake of directly taking the PT special issue as final solution of G/S.



e.g. when Geography special issue comes, they'll preparing nothing else but from those 15 pages of mag. Only and believe that their G/S Geography is finished.


Disadvantage is


  1. These mags give lot data and facts so you feel happy but they don't explain the basic concepts and principles
    1. i.e in Geography special issue – you'll hardly see any map. So whatever you read- you'll remember for a fraction of seconds only. Same way they won't explain in user friendly manner- how monsoon comes and everything.
    2. In Economy they always take "after LPG" (liberelisation –pvtzn-gloablisation ) disinvestment , FDI upto 100% allowed etc etc but never talk of why LPG came? for that you've read NCERT and if you don't then entire PT issue of Economy won't get down in your long term memory. So unless you're a B.Com,- DO refer NCERT to clarify the basic economic concepts 1st.
    3. If you are a science graduate then you can directly use the PT special physics-chemistry,biology but you are an Arts /Comm. Grad then you won't grasp much of it unless you get some basics cleared from NCERT.

SO BEFORE You PREPARE FROM PT SPECIAL MAGS ISSUES –

DO CLEAR YOUR CONCEPTS FIRST FROM NCERT.


 

 

 

[Economy Q] Difference between Tax and Cess

explain the difference between 'Tax' & 'Cess'

Tax is self-explanatory, you've to pay a portion of money to the Government on the income /profit you make or the products you purchase etc.

Cess means Tax on that tax.


 For example if there is 10% income Tax and 3% Educational-Cess on it.
Your income is 1 lakh Rupees, so you have to pay 10% income tax on it =Rs. 10000.
And Cess = tax on the tax. So 3% cess on Rs.10000 income Tax = Rs.300

Generally Cess is temporary in nature. e.g. Education cess on income tax is taken, and after Government get sufficient money to open new schools, then cess is removed.

Food for thought

 The tax itself is taken in pretext of running the administration and doing the Development work so If Cess (tax on tax) is demanded that means something is not right in the system.

Joining of Major Rivers

The Government has kept a provision of Rs. 182.80 crore during Eleventh Five Year Plan for the preparation of Pre-feasibility / Feasibility / Detailed Project Reports of river links under Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) programme including that for preparation of Pre-feasibility / Feasibility Reports of Intra-state links by National Water Development Agency (NWDA).
The details of fund allocations are given below:                            
(Rs. in crore)
Budget Estimates
Final Estimates
Expenditure incurred
2007-08
26.00
22.00
22.00
2008-09
30.00
To be decided in Jan./ Feb., 2009
11.85
(upto September, 2008)
        
   The details of progress made during the year 2006, 2007 and 2008 are given below:
(i) The work for preparing Feasibility reports of following links was taken up:

* Under Peninsular Component

- Bedti – Varada link

* Under Himalayan Component

- Chunar – Sone barrage link,

- Yamuna – Rajasthan link,

- Farakka – Sunderbans link,

- Ganga (Farakka) – Damodar – Subernarekha link,

- Subernarekha – Mahanadi link,

- Rajasthan – Sabarmati link,

- Sone dam – Southern Tributaries of Ganga link,

- Manas – Sankosh – Tista – Ganga link,

- Kosi – Ghagra link, Gandak – Ganga link,

- Jogighopa – Tista – Farakka link

(ii) The works for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Ken – Betwa link project was taken up in 2006 and is planned to be completed by December, 2008. (iii) During 2008, the Government of Gujarat and Maharashtra have conveyed their concurrence to Union Government on Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for taking up the work of Preparation of Detailed Project Reports of two links namely Par-Tapi-Narmada & Damanganga – Pinjal.

 

Books For The Public Administration Mains

Books For The Public Administration Mains

Chapter-I:
Introduction
Mohit Bhattacharya: New Horizons of Public Administration
Nicholas Henry : Public Administration and Public Affairs
Special Issues of Indian Journal of Public Administration


Chapter-II: Theories of Administration
D. Ravindra Prasad, V.S. Prasad and P. Satyanarayana : Administrative Thinkers
D. Gvishiani Organisation and Management: A Critique of Western Theories.


Chapter-III: Structure of Public Organisations :
R.K. Jain : Public Sector Undertakings; and
Mohit Bhattacharya : New Horizons of Public Administration


Chapter-IV: Administrative Behaviour
Paul Hersey : Organisational Behaviour
OR
Stephen P. Robbin : Organisational Behaviour


Chapter-V: Accountability and Control:
Mohit Bhattacharya : New Horizons of Public Administration
Special Issues of Indian Journal of Public Administration on Accountability


Chapter-VI: Administrative Law:
Massey :Administrative Law
OR
M.P. Jain :Administrative Law


Chapter-VII: Administrative Reforms:
P.R. Dubbashi : Administrative Reforms
G.E. Gaiden :Administrative Reforms


Chapter-VIII: Comparative Public Administration:
Ferrel Heady : Public Administration-A Comparative Perspective
OR
R.K. Arora : Comparative Public Administration


Chapter-IX: Development Administration:
Ferrel Heady : Public Administration - A Comparative Perspective
OR
R.K. Arora : Comparative Public Administration


Chapter-X: Public Policy :
IGNOU Lessons on Public Policy
R. K. Sapra : Public Policy

Chapter-XI: Personnel Administration:
O Glenn :Stahl : Public Personnel Administration
S. L. Goel : Personnel Administration in India.


Chapter-XII: Financial Administration
M. J. K. Thavaraj :Public Financial Administration
OR
G.S. Lal :Financial Administration in India
IGNOU Lessons on Financial Administration


PAPER - 2

Chapter-I: Evolution of Indian Administration
B.N. Puri Administrative History of India (Vol. I, II and III)


Chapter-II: Constitutional Framework
D. D. Basu An Introduction to the Constitution of India


Chapter-III: Union Government and Administration
A. Avasthi Central Administration


Chapter-IV: State Government and Administration
J.D. Shukla State Administration


Chapter-V: District Administration
T.N. Chaturvedi District Administration; and
Special Issue of Indian Journal of Public Administration on District Administration


Chapter-VI: Local Government
S.R. Maheswari Local Government in India


Chapter-VII: Public Sector in India
R. K. Jain Public Sector Undertakings
Annual Survey on Public Sector of Department of Public Enterprises


Chapter-VIII: Public Services
S.L. Goel Personnel Administration in India


Chapter-IX: Control of Public Expenditure
M. J. K. Thavaraj Financial Administration
IGNOU Lessons on Financial Administration


Chapter-X: Administrative Reforms
P.R. Dubbashi Administrative Reforms
S. R. Maheswari Administrative Reforms
Special Issue of Indian Journal of Public Administration on Administrative Reforms


Chapter-XI: Machinery for Planning
A. Avasthi Central Administration


Chapter-XII: Administration of Law and Order
K. K. Sharma Law and Order Administration in India
K. J. Guha Roy, District Policing


Chapter-XIII: Welfare Administration
Annual Reports of Department of Social Welfare


Chapter-XIV: Major Issues in Indian Administration
Special Issue of Indian Journal Public Administration on Indian Administration, Retrospect and Prospect and on Good Governance.
Source- UPSCPORTAL

      List of ChairmAn since its inception

 LIST OF CHAIRMEN  OF  THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS  COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT  SINCE INCEPTION (1921 to 2006-07)
                                                           
Sl.No.
           Name
Year
Party
 
1.
Mr. W. M.  Hailey
1921
-
2.
Sir Basil P Blackett
1922
-
3.
Sir Basil P Blackett
1923
-
4.
Sir Basil P Blackett
1924
-
5.
Sir Basil P Blackett
1925
-
6.
Sir Basil P Blackett
1926
-
7.
Sir Basil P Blackett
1927
-
8.
Sir Bhupendra Nath Mitra
1928
-
9.
Sir George Schuster
1929
-
10.
Sir George Schuster
1930
-
11.
Sir George Schuster
1931
-
12.
Sir Alan Parsons
1932
-
13.
Mr. A. H. Lloyd
1933
-
14.
Sir James Grigg
1934
-
15.
Sir James Grigg
1935
-
16.
Sir James Grigg
1936
-
17.
Mr. J. C. Nixon
1937
-
18.
Sir James Grigg
1938
-
19.
Sir Jeremy Raisman
1939
-
20.
Sir Jeremy Raisman
1940
-
21.
Sir Jeremy Raisman
1941
-
22.
Mr. C. E. Jones
1942
-
23.
Sir Jeremy Raisman
1943
-
24.
Sir Cyril Jones
1944
-
25.
Sir Archibald Rowlands
1945
-
26.
Sir Eric Coates
Dr. John Matthai
Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan
1946
-
27.
Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan
Shri R. K. Shanmukham Chetty
1947
-
28.
Shri R. K. Shanmukham Chetty
Dr. John Matthai
1948
-
29.
Dr. John Matthai
1949
-
30.
Shri B. Das
1950-51
INC
31.
Shri B. Das
1951-52
INC
32.
Shri B. Das
1952-53
INC
33.
Shri B. Das
1953-54
INC
34.
Shri B. Das
1954-55
INC
35.
Shri V. B. Gandhi
1955-56
INC
36.
Shri V. B. Gandhi
1956-57
INC
37.
Shri T. N. Singh
1957-58
INC
38.
Shri T. N. Singh
Prof. N.G. Ranga
1958-59
INC
39.
Dr.  P. Subbarayan
Shri Upendranath Barman
1959-60
INC
INC
40.
Shri Upendranath Barman
1960-61
INC
41.
Shri C. R. Pattabhi Raman
1961-62
INC
42.
Shri Mahavir Tyagi
1962-63
INC
43.
Shri Mahavir Tyagi
Shri R. K. Khadilkar
1963-64
INC
44.
Shri R. R. Morarka
1964-65
INC
45.
Shri R. R. Morarka
1965-66
INC
46.
Shri R. R. Morarka
1966-67
INC
47.
Shri  M. R. Masani
1967-68
Swatantra
48.
Shri M. R. Masani
1968-69
Swatantra
49.
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee
1969-70
Jan Sangh
50.
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee
1970-71
Jan Sangh
51.
Shri Era Sezhiyan
1971-72
DMK
52.
Shri Era Sezhiyan
1972-73
DMK
53.
Shri Jyotirmoy Basu
1973-74
CPI(M)
54.
Shri Jyotirmoy Basu
1974-75
CPI(M)
55.
Shri H. N. Mukherjee
1975-76
CPI
56.
Shri H. N. Mukherjee
1976-77
CPI
57.
Shri C. M. Stephen
1977-78
Cong(I)
58.
Shri P. V. Narasimha Rao
1978-79
Cong(I)
59.
Shri T. A. Pai
 
Shri R Venkataraman
1979-80
(upto 30.7.79)
1979-80
(w.e.f. 2.8.79)
Cong(I)
 
Cong(I)
60.
Shri Chandrajit Yadav
1980-81
Lok Dal
61.
Shri Satish Agarwal
1981-82
BJP
62.
Shri Satish Agarwal
1982-83
BJP
63.
Shri Sunil Maitra
1983-84
Cong(I)
64.
Shri Sunil Maitra
1984
Cong(I)
65.
Shri E. Ayyapu Reddy
1985-86
TDP
66.
Shri E. Ayyapu Reddy
1986-87
TDP
67.
Shri Amal Datta
1987-88
CPI(M)
68.
Shri Amal Datta
1988-89
CPI(M)
69.
Shri P. Kolandaivelu
1989
(upto 27.11.89)
AIADMK
 
70.
Shri Sontosh Mohan Dev
1990-91
Cong(I)
71.
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee
1991-92
BJP
72.
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee
1992-93
BJP
73.
Shri Bhagwan Shankar Rawat
1993-94
BJP
74.
Shri Bhagwan Shankar Rawat
1994-95
BJP
75.
Shri Ram Naik
1995-96
BJP
76.
Dr Murli Manohar Joshi
1996-97
BJP
77.
Dr Murli Manohar Joshi
1997-98
BJP
78.
Shri Manoranjan Bhakta
1998-99
INC
79.
Shri Narayan Datt Tiwari
1999-2000
INC
80.
Shri Narayan Datt Tiwari
2000-2001
INC
 
81.
Shri Narayan Datt Tiwari
 
Shri N. Janardhana Reddy
2001-2002
(upto 1.3.2002)
2001-2002
(w.e.f. 15.3. 2002
to 30.4.2002)
INC
 
INC
82.
Sardar Buta Singh
2002-2003
INC
83.
Sardar Buta Singh
2003-2004
(upto 6.2.2004)
INC
84.
Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra
(2004-2005)
BJP
85. Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra   (2005-2006) BJP  
86 Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra (2006-2007) BJP  
87. Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra (2007-2008) BJP  
 
Note:   Till 1966-67 Chairmen, PAC were appointed from members of the ruling Party.