e book ias planner www.upscportal.com

5/22/2018 E Book IAS Planner Www.upscportal.com

1/55


2/55

IAS PLANNER for Freshers

http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner

Order UPSCPORTAL Books Online:

http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/books


CONTENTS

1. About the Civil Services Examination 4-12

Nature of The Exam All India Services Indian Administrative Service (IAS) The Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Indian Police Service (IPS) Indian Revenue Service (IRS) Indian Railway Services (IRaS) The Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Training Civil Servants: Pay Scales

2. Civil Services as a Career 12-14

What are the Prospects for Engineering & Science Stream Students? IAS Salary Perks, Benefits & Facilities Enjoyed by IAS Officers Nature of Works

3. Notification & Eligibility Criteria 14-19

Procedure of Examination Academic Eligibility Other Eligibility Conditions

4. Scheme of Civil Services Examination 19-20

Preliminary Examination Main Examination Interview Test

5. Anatomy of the Civil Services Exam 21-40

Exam Process A. Preliminary Examination B. Mains Examination Personality Test (Interview)

6. General Strategy of Civil Services Exam 40-43

Choosing Civil Services as a Career Goal Selection of Optional Subjects
http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/ias-plannerhttp://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/bookshttp://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/bookshttp://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner


3/55





Selection of Medium of Exam Importance of General Studies Taking Your First Attempt Taking Your Further Attempts

7. The Mantra to Crack Civil Services Exam 43-48

Hard Work Dedication Patience Self-Confidence Faith in God/Luck Time Management Writing Skills Examination Tacties Examination Tacties Use of Internet Strategy for Freshers Role of Coaching Institute General Trend of Marks

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 48-49


4/55





About the Civil Services Examination

NATURE OF THE EXAM

Before taking any exam aspirants should understand the very nature of exam, it will give them a clear

understanding about the exam process, it exam structure and the other aspects of the exam, in all at the firststance we should understand the exam and set our target and strategy accordingly. It is common trend that

UPSC issues notification in the first week of December, (for the next exam year) in The Employment Newsbut we have seen last year and this year also that it has published the notification in FEB. For the clear

understanding and the whole exam one should studied complete notification carefully. The notification can

also be downloaded from UPSC official website www.upsc.gov.in

Every aspirants has its dream to become an IAS officer, it is one of the coveted service in the country, yes

there are private sector which are offering high perks and benefits but still Civil Service has its own charm.

Over the number of aspirants are very high and accordingly the vacancies are very low, in any year of

notification the vacancies is only about 800-1000. So here to understand the nature of the exam is

significant. Aspirants before get into the preparation should be very sure about the pre-requisites and the

very requirements of the examination. As the nature of the exam suggests that whole full time preparation is

required. The exam has its competitiveness that comes with hard work. Aspirants needs to start there

preparation at least one year before for the first attempt, as the whole exam process takes one year thus two

year of completely rigorous and devoted preparation are very much required for the exam.

Every competitive exam has its own nature, understanding the nature of the exam is half way towards the

success. Our preparation should be focused on what exactly examination expects from the aspirants rather

what aspirants expects from the exam. The nature of exam suggests that your preparation should be relative

instead of absolute. Aspirants are required to be better than the other aspirants. So before preparation I

would suggest the aspirants to have clear idea and understanding of the exam and contemplate thoroughly.First of look yourself at evaluate that are you fit for the job or not, if yes then go ahead. Read as much as you

can for the understanding of the exam, there are several articles, blogs are available. Make a realistic

assessment of the effort that is required for the exam and put yourself accordingly. Rational self assessment

always helps. Remember do not set you target which is based on your past laurels and achievements as this

exam is not testing intelligence as defined in the conventional sense. The exam is looking for broad-based

individuals with opinions. It is important to know the exam, what is the nature of exam. For instance it is anAll India Exam; it has three tier, prelims, mains and Interview. What is the exam process is also required to

know before opting to get into the preparation.

Thus think twice before taking the plunge. But make sure that if once you have made the choice to becomean IAS, there should be no looking back. During the whole process you might face failure, sometimes you

will doubt your ability, may have to start from square one after reaching up to the last stage. Here is the realtest of your mental strengths rather than your intellectual abilities. In one way or another the whole process

of exam is a life changing one, whether you come out successful or unsuccessful. It matters a lot for the lifeof yours and your loved ones. You have to sail through each and every aspects of all these events.

At the same time it becomes essential to make a realistic assessment of your potential otherwise theoptimum years of your career are lost in chasing a subtle target. It is advisable to prepare yourself for the

civil service in the graduation years by identifying the weak and strong points and familiarizing yourselfwith the syllabus and pattern of examination. It is seen that those who have taken the exam as soon as they
http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/ias-plannerhttp://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/bookshttp://www.upsc.gov.in/http://www.upsc.gov.in/http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/bookshttp://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner


5/55





become eligible are better than then the others so it is best to take the exam as soon as you are eligible.

However here keep your other options open for your career as a safety net.

What is UPSC?

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Indianisation of the superior Civil Services became one of the major

demands of the political movement compelling the British Indian Government to consider setting up of aPublic Service Commission for recruitment to its services in the territory. The first Public Service

Commission was set up on October 1st, 1926. The Constituent Assembly, after independence, with thepromulgation of the new Constitution for independent India on 26th January, 1950, this Public Service

Commission was accorded a constitutional status as an autonomous entity and given the title - Union Public

Service Commission.

Constitutional Provisions: the UPSC is an constitutional body in the sense that it is directly created by the

Constitution of India. It has been established under Article 315 of the Constitution of India. Usually, the

Commission constitutes 9 to 11 members including the Chairman.

The UPSC is the central recruiting agency in India. The major role played by the Commission is to select

persons to man the various Central Civil Services and Posts and the Services common to the Union and

States (viz. All-India Services). Under the Constitution one of the functions of the Commission is to conduct

examinations for appointment to Civil Services/Posts of the Union. The Commission usually conducts over

a dozen examinations every year on an all India basis. These include Examinations for recruitment to

services/posts in various fields, such as Civil Services, Engineering, Medical and Forest Service, etc.

1. Civil Services Examination2. Indian Forest Service (IFoS)3. Engineering Service Examination (IES)4. Indian Economic & Stastical Service (IES/ISS)5. Geologist Examination6. Special Class Railway Apprentices Examination (SCRA)7. Combined Medical Services (CMS)8. Central Police Forces (CPF)9. Combined Defence Service (CDS)10.National Defence & Naval Academy (NDA/NA)

At present the Union Public Service Commission conduct their examinations at numerous venues spreadover 42 regularcenters throughout the country. There are several other Public Service Commission i.e. Uttar

Pradesh(UPPSC), Bihar(BPSC), Jharkhand(JPSC), Madhya Pradesh(MPSC), Rajasthan(RPSC), etc. publicservice commission.

1. Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission2. Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission3. Assam Public Service Commission4. Bihar Public Service Commission5. Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission6. Goa Public Service Commission7. Gujarat Public Service Commission8. Haryana Public Service Commission9. Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission10.Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission


6/55





11.Jharkhand Public Service Commission12.Karnataka Public Service Commission13.Kerala Public Service Commission14.Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission15.Manipur Public Service Commission16.Maharashtra Public Service Commission17.

Meghalaya Public Service Commission18.Mizoram Public Service Commission

19.Nagaland Public Service Commission20.Orissa Public Service Commission21.Punjab Public Service Commission22.Rajasthan Public Service Commission23.Sikkim Public Service Commission24.Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission25.Tripura Public Service Commission26.Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission27.Uttaranchal Public Service Commission28.West Bengal Public Service Commission

The civil service has always attracted the best in the country. This is a three stage recruiting process. TheCivil Services Examination (CSE) offers the widest range of jobs in our country and is conducted by the

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). There are about twenty-six (24) services offered through thissingle examination.But, most popular among them are Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police

Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) , Indian Revenue Service (IRS), Indian Customs & CentralExcise Services, etc. along with the other central services. Recruitment is made in the following services

through Civil Services Exam

1 Indian Administrative Service ( IAS )

2 Indian Foreign Service ( IFS )

3 Indian Police Service ( IPS )

GROUPA SERVICES

4 Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service

5 Indian Audit & Accounts Service

6 Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise)

7 Indian Defence Accounts Service

8 Indian Revenue Service (I.T)

9 Indian Ordnance Factories Service Group A (Asst. manager, Non-technical)

10 Indian Postal Service

11 Indian Civil Accounts Service

12 Indian Railway Traffic Service

13 Indian Railway Account Service

14 Indian Railway Personnel Service

15 Posts of Assistant Security Officer, Group-A in Railway Protection Force


7/55





16 Indian Defence Estates Service

17 Indian Information Service(Junior Grade)

18 Indian Trade Service

19 Indian Corporate Law Service

GROUP B SERVICES

20 Armed Forces, Headquarters Civil Service,(Section Officers Grade)

21 Delhi and Andaman & Nicobar Islands Civil Service, Group B

22 Delhi and Andaman & Nicobar Islands Police Service

23 Pondicherry Civil Service

24 Pondicherry Civil Service

Courtesy:upsc.gov.in

All India Services

The recruitment to these services is made through the UPSC on the basis of the annual civil service exam, acompetitive exam. IAS, IPS, IFS is considered as All India Services while others services recruited through

this civil services exam is known as Central Services. The officers of the All India Services are recruited andtrained by the federal Union Government ("the Centre") and serve in the various State Government("the

States") as well as Centre (which is why the IRSis a "central service" instead of an All India Service as theywork only in the Central Government). Officers are organized into cadres, derived from the states they are

allotted to work in for as long as they continue to be a member of the respective Service. Twenty-four stateshave their own cadre, but there are also three joint cadres: Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram

and Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Union Territories.

Indian Administrative Service (IAS)

IAS is topmost service in the civil services exam. Among 1000 vacancies only those who secure their

position under could make into the IAS service. IAS officers holds several key positions in the government.

During the normal course of an IAS career, they are posted at the Sub-Division, and District, and serve in

the State Secretariat or as Head of Departments. They might be posted in the Centre.

The work definition of an IAS officer would encompass framing, modifying, interpreting and

Implementation of policy matters in the Government of India (i.e. in the ministries). Implementation entailsdisbursement of funds, which calls for personal supervision. In each Ministry you will supervise the

allotment and utilization of funds by the field officers in your Ministry.

Half of an IAS career has spent in the State where they have allocated. During the initial year of two yearsprobation you will be attached to various training schools, to the Secretariat and field offices and to a district

collector's office. After the completion probation an IAS be appointed as a Sub Divisional Magistrate(SDM). Here you will look after law and order, general administration, revenue work and such

developmental work as may be assigned to you. In the next three scales i.e.. Senior Scale, Junior

Administrative Grade and Selection Grade an IAS have to serve as District Magistrate, Director of any

government department, Chief Managing Director of a Public Sector Unit. In the super time scale they

appointed as Secretaries or Divisional Commissioners. The highest post in the State is that of the Chief


8/55





Secretary. At the top of the hierarchy of IAS officers is the Cabinet Secretary followed by Secretary/

Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Director, Under Secretary and then the Junior Scale Officers.

The Indian Forest Service (IFoS)

India has a vast natural resource for the balanced and all round development of these resources vast

machinery are also required. India has an area of 635,400 km2 designated as forests, about 19.32 percent ofthe country. India forest is one of them. The Indian Forest Service( IFS) is the Forestry service of India. It is

one of the three All India Services of the Government of India. Service was created in 1966 for protection,conservation, and regeneration of forest resources. Selected candidates are sent for foundation training at the

Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration at Mussourie. This is followed by Forest Service-

specific orientation at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy at Dehradun, with training on forest and

wildlife management, soil conservation,surveying, Scheduled Tribes, and handling weapons.

After completing the academies, candidates go through a year of on-the-job field training in the state to

which he or she is assigned. There is a probationary period three years during which they are posted as

Assistant Conservators of Forests. On completion of this,and after a total period of four years of service in

the junior scale, officers are appointed to the Senior Time Scale and are entitled to be posted as the Deputy

Conservators of Forests or Divisional Forest Officers in charge of districts/forest divisions.

Ranks of the Indian Forest Service are as follows:

Probationary Officer / Assistant Conservator of Forests Deputy Conservator of Forests Conservator of Forests (CFs) Chief Conservator of Forests (CCFs) Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Addl. PCCFs) Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) - highest post in a State Director General of Forests - highest post at Centre, selected from amongst the senior-most PCCFs

of states.

Indian Police Service (IPS)

The Indian Police Service simply known as Indian Police or IPS, is one of the three All India Services of the

Government of India. The IPS is not a law enforcement agency; rather it is a civil service in which officers

are selected on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations, and to which all

police officers are professionally identified. Indian Police officers are employed by the police departments

of respective states of India. During the probation period an IPS has to undergo two year of the job training

in the office of a Superintendent of Police of a district in the State you have been allocated .On completing

your two year probation, you will be confirmed as a three star Assistant Superintendent of Police (A.S.P.).

As Superintendent of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police of a District and as Deputy Inspector General

of a Range you will be exclusively responsible for the prevention and detection of crime. In cities like Delhi,

Mumbai and Bangalore, the law and order duties are the exclusive responsibility of the police force. In thesecities the ASP, SP, and the DIG are called Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACPO), Deputy

Commissioner of Police (DCP) and Commissioner of Police (CP). The Director General of Police (DG) isthe head of the entire Police force of a state.

With the passage of time Indian Police Service's objectives were updated and redefined, the rules and

functions of an Indian Police Service Officer are as follows:


9/55





To fulfill duties based on border responsibilities, in the areas of maintenance of public peace andorder, crime prevention, investigation, and detection, collection of intelligence, VIP security,

counter-terrorism, border policing, railway policing, tackling smuggling, drug trafficking, economic

offences, corruption in public life, disaster management, enforcement of socio-economic legislation,

bio-diversity and protection of environmental laws etc.

Leading and commanding the Indian Intelligence Agencies like Research and Analysis Wing(R&AW), Intelligence Bureau(IB), Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI), Crime InvestigationDepartment (CID) etc., Indian Federal Law Enforcement Agencies, Civil and Armed Police Forces

in all the states and union territories. Leading and commanding the Para-Military Forces of India (PMF) which include the Central Police

Organisations (CPO) and Central Paramilitary Forces (CPF) such as Border Security Force (BSF),Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Security Guard

(NSG), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Vigilance Organisations, Indian Federal LawEnforcement Agencies.

Serve at head of the departments in policy making in the Ministries and Departments of Central andState Governments and public sector undertakings both at centre and states, Government of India.

To interact and coordinate closely with the members of other All India Services and Central CivilServices and also with the Indian Armed Forces primarily with the elite Indian Army.

Endeavour to inculcate in the police forces under their command such values and norms as wouldhelp them serve the people better.

Inculcate integrity of the highest order, sensitivity to aspirations of people in a fast-changing socialand economic milieu, respect for human rights, broad liberal perspective of law and justice and highstandard of professionalism.

Indian Revenue Service (IRS)

The Indian Revenue Service (IRS) is the revenue service of the Government of India. It is one of the CentralCivil Services (Group A). The Service functions under the Department of Revenue in the Union Ministry of

Finance and is concerned with the collection and administration of the various direct and indirect taxes

accruing to the Union Government.IRS comprises two branches - IRS (Customs and Central Excise) andIRS (Income Tax), which are controlled by two separate statutory bodies, viz., Central Board of Excise and

Customs (CBEC) and Central Board of Direct Taxes(CBDT) respectively.

Under the service of Indian Revenue Service your major work is to earn money for the exchequer. The

nature job is officer oriented as you are involved in all the processes from investigation to decisions and

policy planning. Starting with Assistant Commissioner (AC), members of the IRS usually rise up to the

designation of Chief Commissioner (CC). Some senior-most members serve as Chairpersons or Members of

Central Board of Direct Taxes(CBDT), Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), Customs, Excise and

Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) and Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT). IRSs training

conducted in the National Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur. Being Central Government Servants, The

members of the service are liable to be posted anywhere in the country and are thus truly national in

character. The respective Boards are authorized by the statute to regulate the transfer and promotion policiesgoverning the members of the service. This helps in keeping the services highly apolitical and their technicalnature keeps them more professional and skill oriented.

Indian Railway Services (IRaS)

Indian railway is Asias largest and second largest railway in the world it is life line of the country. It caters

movement of traffic of both freight and passenger and also supporting economic growth and promoting

national intregration.The recruitment of Group 'A' gazetted employees is carried out by the Union Public


10/55





Service Commission through exams conducted by it. These are following list of Group A services which are

recruited by the UPSC of India.

UPSC Civil Services Exam

Indian Railway Traffic Service, Group A.

Indian Railway Accounts Service, Group 'A'. Indian Railway Personnel Service, Group A. Railway Protection Force, Group A UPSC Engineering Services Exam Indian Railway Service of Engineers, Group A Indian Railway Stores Service, Group A Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers, Group A Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers, Group A Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers, Group A

Indian Foreign Services

Indian Foreign Services comes second in the civil services exam there are a few who get this coveted service

as the number of vacancies is about 10-20 every year. IFS has been trained at Mussoorie, and after trainingthe I.F.S. probationers are attached to the Ministry of External Affairs and have to become conversant in a

major foreign language. After this in the second year they are appointed in Indian Embassy/High

Commission where that language is spoken and they spend another two years in the same Embassy. After

two postings abroad, the I.F.S. Officers are posted in India in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Here

major work to be done is to look after India's political, economic and commercial work. In the Selection

Grade I.F.S. Officers serve as Counsellors. In very small countries the Indian Ambassador would be in that

grade.

In the supertime scale, many I.F.S. Officers become Ambassadors of medium sized countries. In the

Additional Secretaries Grade, I.F.S. Officers are made ambassadors in relatively big embassies of Deputy

High Commissioner in London. The biggest Indian Embassies / High Commissions like Moscow,

Washington and London are headed by Ambassadors of the rank of Secretary.

Training

In the present form, the identified institutions offer training programmes designed in consultation with the

Department of Personnel and Training. The civil service system at the Centre provides for induction training

to probationers. All new entrants called probationers (IAS,IPS,IRS etc.) first undergo a 4-month Foundation

Course(common to all officers recruited through CSE) at Lal Bhadur Shastri National Academy ofAdministration, Mussoorie. After the completion of the foundation course, the probationers are sent to their

respective institutes for professional training, while the IAS probationers continue to stay at the Academy

for their professional training. The probationers of the Indian Foreign Service are trained at Delhi. After

completing the foundation the probationers of the Police Service are trained at Sardar Vallavbhai Patel

National Police Academy, Hyderabad. The probationers of the Indian Revenue Service are trained at

National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT), Nagpurfor the officers of IRS (IT) and at National Academy ofCustoms, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN), Faridabad for the officers of IRS (C&CE).


11/55





Civil Servants: Pay Scales

Approximately the range of salaries drawn at various levels is as

follows:

Promotional Grades For Civil Servants:

Scale Position/Job (Pre-Revised)Junior Officer Scale Work in their allotted States

(Pay Band/ PB-3 15600 - 39100 + Grade Pay/GP 5400) Senior Scale Officer (Under Secretary GOI level)

(PB-3 15600 - 39100 + GP 6600) Junior Administrative Grade (after 9 years Deputy Secretary GOI level)

(PB-3 15600 - 39100 + GP 7600) Selection Grade (after 14th year) (Directors/Deputy Secretary)

(PB-4 37400 - 67000 + 8700) Super time Scale B (DIG grade(IPS)/Conservator of Forest(IFS) etc)

(between 14 to 16th year of service)

(PB-4 37400 - 67000 + 8900)

Super Time Scale or Senior Administrative Grade (Joint Secretary GOI Level)(between 17th to 18th year)

(PB-4 37400 - 67000 + 10000)

Above Super Time Scale or Higher Administrative Grade/Additional Secretary GOI Level (after atleast 25 years of service) (67000 - annual increment @3% -79000)

Apex Time Scale (75000 - annual increment @3% -80000) (This scale exist for certain services likeIPS/IFS/IA & AS/IRS etc.)

Apex Scale 80000 (fixed) (Secretary GOI Level) (after 30 years of service) Consolidated 90000 (fixed) Cabinet Secretary ( Only for IAS one post at the Centre)

In addition to the salary civil servants receive various allowances such as Dearness Allowance, City

compensatory Allowance, Leave Travel Allowance, Medical and subsidized housing.

Hierarchy: The members of the All-India civil service start as Deputy Secretaries and normally go up to the

level of Joint Secretaries. There is no lateral entry in the All-India services. Only at the level of Secretary to

the Government of India, specialists are taken as Secretaries. Only 5% of the members of the All-India

services reach the top position of Secretary to Government. The post of Cabinet Secretary to the

Government of India, the highest in the Indian civil service, has remained the privilege only of the officers

of the IAS.

Equivalent Ranks:S

No

Indian Administrative Service

(IAS)

Indian Police

Service (IPS)

Indian Forest

Service (IFoS)

Indian Revenue

Service (IRS)

1 Assistant CollectorAssistantSuperintendent of

Police

AssistantConservator of

Forests

Assistant Commissioner

of Income Tax

2 Collector/Deputy Additional Deputy Deputy Commissioner


12/55





Commissioner/Deputy Secretary

/ Deputy Directors

Superintendent of

Police/ Superintendent

of Police

Conservator of

Forests

of Income Tax

3

Collector/ Deputy

Commissioner / AdditionalSecretary / Joint Secretary /

Directors

Senior Superintendent

of Police

Deputy

Conservator of

Forests

Joint Commissioner of

Income Tax

4Deputy Inspector

General of Police

Conservator of

Forests

Additional

Commissioner of

Income Tax

5Secretary/ Commissioner &Secretary

Inspector General ofPolice

Chief Conservatorof Forests

Commissioner ofIncome Tax

6Principal Secretary/Financial

Commissioners

Additional Director

General of Police

Additional

Principal ChiefConservator of

Forests

Chief Commissioner of

Income tax

7Director General of

Police

Principal Chief

Conservator of

Forests

Director General of

Customs &

Excise/Board &

Tribunal Members

8Chief Secretary/Chairman

Administrative Tribunal etc

Director General of

Police (Head of State)

Principal Chief

Conservator ofForests (Head of

State)

CBDT Chairman/Board

Chairman etc

Civil Services as a Career

What are the Prospects for Engineering & Science Stream

Students?

Civil services is the premier job in the country, every second students wants to become a civil servant. But

as compare to the private sector this job offers less at some instances their perks and salary are three times

high. Even though private sector offers best of salaries a majority of students as well as parents wants their

children to be an IAS officer. Here it is true that it doesnt offer perks and benefits as other sectors (private

etc.) are offering but it offers an opportunity to lead and to work with the common people and at the

grassroots level. It always gives you opportunity and chance to impact people's lives across a variety of

domains such as health, education, water, sanitation, roads and electricity. In the private sector job you

wont get such privilege. However, the debate is still on whether the civil services should be a best career

option for young people or not will remain unanswered. The very nature of work of civil servant is not only

to maintain law and order but also implementing programmes of the popularly elected governments as heads

of district administration to jobs at the United Nations and the World Bank, formulating policies which

touch the lives of millions of people across the globe. It is always being asked that is civil service as a careersuits Engineering graduate, at some extend it doesnt suit because it couldnt offer what they are offering but

it offers above all Salary of IAS Officer.


13/55





IAS Salary

IAS salary structure consists of four Pay Scales: Junior Scale, Senior Scales, Super Time Scale, and Above

Super Time Scale. Each of the pay scale further consists of different pay bands.

Junior ScalePay Band: Rs 15600-39100 Grade Pay Rs 5400

This would be the salary of new recruits. Along with this basic pay a civil servant is also entitled to HRA,DA and other allowances.

Senior Scales

(i) Senior Time Scale: An IAS Officer is promoted to the Senior Time Scale usually after 7-9 years ofservice.

Pay Band:Rs 15600-39100 Grade Pay Rs 6600

(ii) Junior Administrative GradePay Band:Rs 15600-39100 Grade Pay Rs 7600

At this level an IAS is generally a Deputy Secretary in the State Secretariat or the Municipal Commissionerin the field.

(iii) Selection GradePay Band:Rs 37400-67000 Grade Pay Rs 8700

In this Selection Grade an IAS Officer will be the Joint Secretary in the State Government or a Deputy

Secretary in the Central Government.

Super Time ScalePay Band: Rs 37400-67000 Grade Pay Rs 10000At this level of the IAS hierarchy an IAS has most probably be the Secretary of some state government

department or could be posted at the Centre in the position of Joint Secretary. It takes about 20 years toreach the

Super Time Scale.

Above Super Time Scale

There are three Pay Bands in this scale.

Rs 37400-67000. Grade Pay of Rs 12000.

The Apex Pay Scale of Rs 80000 (fixed). No Grade Pay.

Cabinet Secretary Grade of Rs 90000 (fixed). No Grade Pay.

The IAS officers in the Super Time Scale includes Senior Secretaries, Chief Secretaries, Secretaries in theCentral Government and the Cabinet Secretary, the highest position an IAS officer can aspire for in life.to

work with the people whom we belongs to. Apart from all the to become an engineer certain qualities are


14/55





required such as honesty, objectivity, creativity, diligence, independence of thought, and respect for time. In

the developing country like India these same qualities is required administrators. They have good knowledge

of science and engineering, such skills are considered as a best suited for an administrative career. If we see

the results of past years a significant number of engineering graduates have passed - indeed topped - the

Civil Services examinations.

Perks, Benefits & Facilities Enjoyed by IAS Officers

IAS officers get rent free accommodation or accommodation at very low rent, official vehicle, house help,free electricity and other such facilities. At the posting at the PSUs an IAS officer enjoys all the benefits that

regular PSU employees are entitled to in addition to benefits meant for IAS officers only. This is an added

bonus of the IAS. All these facilities are extended to the retired Civil Servants also, they also entitled to

subsidized accommodation, telephone and transport facilities etc.

Nature of Works

The nature of work attached to a Civil servant officer is administration in nature. It involves interaction with

people at each and every levels of the society. The work and decision taken by an IAS has been affected tomany lives, thus responsible decision-making is another important aspect of this work. Civil servant are also

required to travel extensively as their nature of job demands all these, both during inspection tours of the

areas under their jurisdiction in the country, or as in the IFS, the world. In general rule, the initial years of an

officers career are spent in the districts and small towns. Over year they have promoted to the senior grades,

where the area of responsibility is wider, posting are usually to bigger cities, state capitals or at the center.

Other important tasks of Civil Servants are Policy Formulation and implementation, supervision and its

assessment, Planning etc.

Notification & Eligibility Criteria

Procedure of Examination

The whole examination procedure is being conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. Usually

notification of the examination is made in December/January/Feburary. The examination consists of three

tier: Preliminary, Mains and Personality Test. Preliminary exams held in the month of May/ June. This is

followed by the Main Written Examination and a personal Interview. Final result and ranking has been made

by the performance in the Mains exam. The candidates are then allotted to various services on the basis of

their ranks and the preferences expressed by them.

Academic Eligibility

A degree of any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature inIndia or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be a

Deemed University under the UGC Act, 1956, or an equivalent qualification.

Candidates who have appeared or intend to appear for the qualifying examination and are awaitingresults are also eligible to appear for the Preliminary Examination. All such candidates who qualify

to appear for the Civil Services Main Examination must produce proof of having passed the said

examination along with their application for the Main Examination.


15/55





The UPSC may in exceptional cases treat a candidate without the requisite qualification as aneligible candidate if he / she has passed an examination conducted by other standard institutions that

justifies his / her admission in the opinion of the Commission.

Candidates with professional and technical qualifications recognised by the Government asequivalent to professional and technical degrees.

Candidates who have passed the final year of MBBS or any Medical Examination but are yet tocomplete the internship can also appear for the Main Examination. However they must submit alongwith their Main Examination application, a certificate from the concerned authority of the University

/ Institution that they have passed the final professional medical examination. At the Interview stagethey must then produce a certificate from a competent authority that they have completed (including

internship) all the requirements for the award of the Medical Degree

Other Eligibility Conditions

Nationality

Only Indian nationals are eligible for IAS and IPS. For other services a candidate can be either of the following:

a. a citizen of India,

b. a subject of Nepal,

c. a subject of Bhutan,

d. a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962 with the intention of permanently

settling in India, or

e. a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Burma, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Pakistan, Sri Lanka,

Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Vietnam, Zaire or Zambia with the intention of permanently settling

in India.

Candidates belonging to either categories of b., c., d. or e. must produce an eligibility certificate issued by

the Government of India. Those who belong to either of b., c. or d. categories are not eligible for

appointment to the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

Age Limit

A candidate must have attained 21 years and not be over 30 years on August 1 of the year ofexamination.

The upper age limit for the post of Assistant Commandant - Group A in CISF is 28 years only. The upper age limit is relaxed in specific cases as mentioned below:

a. upto a maximum of 5 years if the candidate belongs to SC/ST.

b. upto a maximum of 3 years if the candidate belongs to Other Backward Classes.

c. upto a maximum of 5 years if the candidate had been domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir during the period

between January 1, 1980 and December 31, 1989.

d. upto a maximum of 3 years in the case of Defence Services personnel disabled during hostilities with

foreign countries or in a disturbed area and consequently released.


16/55





e. upto a maximum of 5 years in the case of ex-servicemen including Commissioned Officers and ECOs /

SSCOs who have rendered at least five years Military Service as on August 1 of the year of examination and

have been released:

on completion of assignment (including those whose assignment is due to be completed within oneyear from August 1 of the year of examination) otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on

account of misconduct or inefficiency, or on account of physical disability attributable to Military Service, or on invalidment.

f. upto a maximum of 5 years in the case of ECOs / SSCOs who have completed an initial period of

assignment (5 years Military Service) as on August 1 of the year of examination and whose assignment has

been extended beyond 5 years. Such candidates will have to provide a certificate from the Ministry of

Defence stating that they can apply for civil employment and they will be released on a notice of 3 months,

upon selection, from the date of receipt of offer of appointment.

g. upto a maximum of 10 years in the case of blind, deaf-mute and orthopaedically handicapped candidates.

The date of birth accepted by the Commission is that entered in the Matriculation or Secondary SchoolLeaving Certificate or in a certificate recognised by an Indian University as equivalent to Matriculation or in

an extract from a Register of Matriculates maintained by a University, which extract must be certified by the

proper authority of the University or in the Higher Secondary or an equivalent examination certificate. These

certificates are required to be submitted only at the time of applying for the Civil Services (Main)

Examination.

No other document relating to age like horoscopes, affidavits, birth extracts from Municipal Corporation,

service records and the like will be accepted.

The expression Matriculation/Secondary Examination Certificate in this part of the instruction includes the

alternative certificates mentioned above.

Number of attempts :

Every candidate appearing at the examination who is otherwise eligible, shall be permitted four attempts at

the examination. Provided that this restriction on the number of attempts will not apply in the case of

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes candidates who are otherwise eligible. Provided further that the

number of attempts permissible to candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes, who are otherwise

eligible shall be seven. The relaxation will be available to the candidates who are eligible to avail ofreservation applicable to such candidates.

Provided further that a physically handicapped will get as many attempts as are available to other non-

physically handicapped candidates of his or her community, subject to the condition that a physicallyhandicapped candidate belonging to the General Category shall be eligible for seven attempts. The

relaxation will be available to the physically handicapped candidates who are eligible to avail of reservation

applicable to such candidates.

NOTE :

An attempt at a Preliminary Examination shall be deemed to be an attempt at the Examination.


17/55





If a candidate actually appears in any one paper in the Preliminary Examination, he/she shall bedeemed to have made an attempt at the Examination.

Notwithstanding the disqualification cancellation of candidature, the fact of appearance of thecandidate at the examination will count as an attempt.

Number of Attempts and Age Limit

Category Age Limits No. of Attempts

Minimum MaximumGeneral 21 30(by AUG of Exam Year) 4

OBC 21 33(by AUG of Exam Year) 7

SC/ST 21 35(by AUG of Exam Year) Not Applicable

Blind, deaf-mute and Orthopaedically handicapped persons 10 years i.e. 40 10

Restrictions on applying for the examination:

A candidate who is appointed to the Indian Administrative Service or the Indian Foreign Service on the

results of an earlier examination and continues to be a member of that service will not be eligible to competeat this examination.

How to Apply:

There is two ways to apply: Offline and Online.

OFFLINE

The UPSC have developed an application form common for all their examinations, which will be processed

on computerised machines. This application form alongwith an Information Brochure containing general

instructions for filling up the form, an acknowledgement card and an envelope for sending the application isobtainable from the designated Head Post Offices/Post Offices throughout the country as against cash

payment of Rs. 30/- (Rupees twenty only). Form should be purchased from the designated Post Offices only

and not from any other agency. This form can be used only once and for only one examination. Candidates

must use the form supplied with the Information Brochure only and they should in no case use photocopy /

reproduction / unauthorisedly printed copy of the Form. Since this form is electronically scannable, due care

should be taken to fill up the application form, correctly. While filling up the application form, please refer

to detailed instructions given in the Notice. The duly filled in Application Form with the acknowledgement

card should be sent to - Secretary, Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, New Delhi - 110011.

ONLINE

Candidates may apply online using the website http://www.upsconline.nic.inDetailed instructions for filling

up online applications are available on the above mentioned website.Salient features of the system of Online Application Form are given hereunder :

Detailed instructions for filling up online applications are available on the above mentioned website. Candidates will be required to complete the Online Application Form containing two stages viz. Part-I and

Part-II as per the instructions available in the above mentioned site through drop down menus.

The candidates applying Online are required to pay a reduced fee of Rs. 50/- (Rupees Fifty only)

(excepting Female/SC/ST/PH candidates who are exempted from payment of fee) either by remitting the
http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/ias-plannerhttp://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/bookshttp://www.upsconline.nic.in/http://www.upsconline.nic.in/http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/bookshttp://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner


18/55





money in any branch of SBI by cash, or by using net banking facility of SBI or by using any Visa/ Master

Credit/Debit Card.

Before starting filling up of online application, a candidate must have his photograph and signature duly

scanned in the .png or .jpg format in such a manner that each file size should not exceed 40KB each.

FEE :

(a) Candidates applying Online (exempting Female/SC/ST/PH Candidates who are exempted from payment

of fee) are required to pay a reduced fee of Rs. 50/- (Rupees Fifty only) either by remitting the money in anyBranch of SBI by Cash, or by using net banking facility of SBI or by using Visa/Master Credit/Debit Card.

(b) Candidates applying Offline (through Common Application Form) are required to pay a fee of Rs. 100/-

(Rupees One Hundred only) through a single Central Recruitment Stamp. Central Recruitment Fee Stamp

(NOT Postage Stamp) of the requisite denomination may be obtained from the Post Office and affixed on

the application form in the space provided therein. The stamp must be got cancelled from the issuing Post

Office with the date stamp of the Post Office in such a manner that the impression of the cancellation mark

partially overflows on the application form itself but within the space provided on the Application form

itself. The impression of the cancellation mark should be clear and distinct to facilitate the identification of

date and the Post Office of issue.

Candidates residing abroad should deposit the prescribed fee in the office of India's High Commissioner,

Ambassador or representative abroad as the case may be for credit to account head "051-Public Service

Commission-Examination Fees" and attach the receipt with the application.

All female candidates and candidates belonging Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/ Physically Handicapped

categories are exempted from payment of fee. No fee exemption is, however, available to OBC candidatesand they are required to pay the prescribed fee in full.

Physically disabled persons are exempted from the payment of fee provided they are otherwise eligible for

appointment to the Services/Posts to be filled on the results of this examination on the basis of the standards

of medical fitness for these Services/Posts (including any concessions specifically extended to the physicallydisabled). A physically disabled candidate claiming fee concession will be required by the Commission to

submit along with their Detailed Application Form, a certified copy of the certificate from a Government

Hospital/

Medical Board in support of his/her claim for being physically disabled.

Center of Examination:

AGARTALA CHANDIGARH IMPHAL LUCKNOW RANCHI

AHMEDABAD CHENNAI ITANAGAR MADURAI SAMBALPUR

AIZAWL CUTTACK JAIPUR MUMBAI SHILLONG

ALIGARH DEHRADUN JAMMU NAGPUR SHIMLA

ALLAHABAD DELHI JODHPUR PANAJI (GOA) SRINAGAR

AURANGABAD DHARWAD JORHAT PATNA THIRUVANANTHAPURAMBANGALORE DISPUR KOCHI PUDUCHERY TIRUPATI

BAREILLY GANGTOK KOHIMA PORT BLAIR UDAIPURBHOPAL HYDERABAD KOLKATA RAIPUR VISHAKHAPATNAM

The centres and the date of holding the examination as mentioned above are liable to be changed at the

discretion of the Commission. While every effort will be made to allot the candidates to the centre of theirchoice for examination, the Commission may, at their discretion allot a different centre to a candidate, when


19/55





circumstances so warrant. Blind candidates will, however, be required to take the examination at any one of

the seven centres viz. Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Dispur and Mumbai. Candidates

admitted to the examination will be informed of the time table and place or places of examination.

Scheme of Civil Services Examination

Preliminary Examination

(A) Preliminary Examination | Objective Type/Multiple Choice

Questions

The preliminary exam is the first stage of the whole examination process. The very nature of the exam is to

screen to select to the next level of exam that is mains. It is seen over the approximately five lakh candidatesappear for the Prelims but only less than fifteen thousand made it to the Mains. The introduction of the

Preliminary Examination was introduced to weed out non-serious candidates and select those who aredeserving.

Preliminary Examination is an objective type (four alternatives for every question) exercise meant to serve

as a screening test/qualifying paper only. The exam is usually held in the month of May every year and it

consists of two objective type papers which carry a maximum of 400 marks. Previously, it carried a total of

450 marks and the total number of questions that were asked used to be 270. These included:

150 questions based on General Knowledge, each carrying one mark, and 120 questions based on the Optional Subject chosen by the candidate, each carriying 2.5 marks.

Now, in the changed pattern, CSAT 2011 or Civil Services Preliminary Exam 2011 onward only

carried 400 marks. Only 180 questions were asked this year. Out of this: Paper 1. 100 questions based on General Knowledge were asked, each carrying two marks and, Paper 2. 80 questions based on Aptitude Test were asked.

Except for Question Nos. 73 to 80 in the General Studies Paper II, all the questions both papers had negative

marking. For each wrong answer, 1/3 mark were deducted from the total scores of the candidate. Trend

nowadays has shifted more towards current issues, hence a thorough awareness of recent events/happenings

is mandatory.

Earlier,

Papers No. of Questions Marks Duration

I. General Studies 150 150 2 Hours

II. Optional Subjects 120 300 2 Hours

Total 270 450

Now,

Papers No. of Questions Marks Duration

I. Paper 1 100 200 2 Hours


20/55





II. Paper 2 80 200 2 Hours

Total 180 400

Those who passed the Preliminary examination are only eligible for the next stage of the examination. The

Preliminary exam consists 400 marks but the marks obtained in this level examination by the candidates will

not be counted for determining their place in the final order of merit.

Main Examination

(B) Main Examination | Descriptive/Essay Type

The Mains consists of 9 tests. The first two are language tests: first is the English Test and the second is the

Language Test in any one of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian constitution. Eachtest is worth 300 points. These tests are at the high school level. The candidates are expected to only qualify;

the score from these tests is not included in the aggregate. The Language Test is not required for candidatesfrom the North-East. The third test is an Essay Test, worth 200 points. The candidate can write the essay in

English or in any other language included in the Eighth Schedule of the constitution. The next two tests,each worth 300 points, are on General Studies. The syllabus for each test is different. These tests aim to

judge your awareness and well as your understanding and analysis of contemporary events. The remaining

four tests, each worth 300 points, are on two of the optional subjects chosen by the candidate. The subject

matter is consistent with the college level education.

Thus, the Main examination comprises a total of nine (9) papers of two types:

2 papers of non-ranking types only qualifying in nature 7 papers of ranking type

Two papers of non-ranking type include one paper of an Indian language, to be selected by the candidate out

of languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution, and the second paper is of English, whichis a compulsory paper. Both these papers are very simple in nature (10th standard) and, in a way, mentally

prepare the candidate for writing the subsequent exams.

Among the ranking or scoring papers, there are three groups of papers, which are:

Two optional subjects with two papers each 4 papers in all (comprising a total of 1200 marks) Essay 1 paper (200 marks) General Studies 2 papers (total 600 marks)

Interview Test

Personality Test or Interview Test is the last level of the Civil Services selection process. It carries 300

marks, though it doesnt carry much marks but it plays decisive role for the final ranking. One can get moremarks than the other candidates, here it makes difference. Aspirants cannot afford it lightly. The number of

candidates to be summoned for interview will be about twice the number of vacancies to be filled. Theinterview test is sometimes called and also known as the personality test because of its nature of the Exam.

Anatomy of the Civil Services Exam


21/55





Exam Process

Civil servants are the backbone of Indian administration. They plays prominent and central role in the

development of the country, due to the such importance and nature of civil servants, Union public Service

Commission that recruits civil servants takes utmost care in selecting the right candidate for the premier

post. There are several measures are being used to measure their administrative potential. These measures

are tested through the process of three tier exam i.e. Preliminary Examination, Main Examination andInterview Test. Thus, aspiring candidates must complete a three-phase process to crack the civil services

exam:

Phase I:Preliminary Examination A qualifying test held in May every year Phase II: Main Examination Main test, held in October/November every year Phase III:Interview Test Held in April/May of the following year

Purpose of the exam The Preliminary Examination tests the numerical ability, awareness of current events,

and the state of mind of the candidate to grapple with administrative issues. The Main Examination tests

his/her grip on the language, general knowledge, and expertise on subjects which he/she takes as options.

The candidates also have to write an essay. The personal interview is final stage of the exam it is considered

as a deciding stage. The Interview is conducted by various boards constituted by the Union Public Service

Commission composed of board chairmen, subject experts, psychologists, and reputed civil servants.

A. Preliminary Examination

This is the first stage of the exam and should never be taken lightly. Candidate should clear it to keep

himself in the race. But its never been easy; it is a hard nut to crack. The preparation should be such that

you should not have any doubt about clearing the exam. The prelims should only be a passing phase. If you

prepare well for the mains exam and be clear about the basics, then prelims should not be problem. Now, we

have a brand new syllabus for PRELIMS with two papers, the nature of syllabus requires a candidate more

to concentrate on the General Studies section. Though we have Paper 2 which is more or less an extension of

Paper 1. The new Recruitment Process of Civil Services Exam conducted by the UPSC is called the CSATor the Civil Services Aptitute Test. The CSAT has in effect from the Civil Services Examination, 2011.

CSAT will not only enable us to choose civil servants with right aptitudes but also end the use of scalingsystem for varying subjects that has been a matter of concern for many. Earlier it used to be one paper of

General Studies and other is one of the 23 optional subjects offered by the UPSC now the paper 2 haschanged to a new Paper called CSAT. There are no optional subjects as both the subject is common to all

candidates. In one way we can say that preliminary exam is a test of recognition. You have to recognize thecorrect answer from given options. So if you are strong in basics this should not be problem. Do not spend

too much time in memorizing facts. Its fine if you can recognize it. Prepare some mnemonics, which will

help you in recognizing the right answer. One should do as many previous year papers as possible. It will

help you in time management and also in identifying the weak areas. Please remember that this practice

should be right from the beginning and not in the final stages. As the new pattern suggests that aspirants

should focus more on the language skills along with other disciplines.

NEGATIVE MARKING/PENALTY FOR WRONG ANSWERS

Negative marking in the Prelims examination was introduced in 2007 with the idea to select eligiblecandidate for the further stages. Also to filter out candidates who get selected on the basis of smart guesses

and luck. Negative marking make paper more complex but its good and suits for the genuine and meritoriouscandidates. In the Negative marking there is Penalty for wrong answers marked by the candidate in the


22/55





Objective type Question Papers. Except some of the questions where the Negative Marking will be built in

the form of different marks being awarded to most appropriate and not so appropriate answer for such

questions. The underlined sentence must be read carefully as in the PRELIMS 2011 Paper 2 there were

questions which didnt had any penalty. It was free from negative marking. Candidate should keep in mind.

There are four alternatives for the answers to every question. For each question for which a wronganswer has been given by the candidate, one third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question willbe deducted as penalty.

If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of thegiven answers happens to be correct and there will be same penalty as above for that question.

If a question is left blank i.e. no answer is given by the candidate, there will be no penalty for thatquestion.

PAPER I : GENERAL STUDIES

As in the new pattern of the examination General Studies is playing most crucial and decisive role for the

selection, it has its role not only in prelims but also in mains. It suggests not to undermine the General

Studies in any way. General Studies always been a nightmare for both fresheres and experienced candidates.

As the nature of the exam is objective which makes it important to go through every minutest details of the

syllabus and to reproduce it examination. you need to have in depth knowledge of various.

The preparation strategy for Paper I involves various things among good knowledge base, extensive reading,

thorough practice, regular test are important one. The prelims is going to be relatively easier to those

candidate who is adopting integrated. Isolated study approach is no more useful to crack the exam. Isolate

study will land you in isolation. Prelims 2011 confirms this trend. Interdisciplinary learning is the best wayto go forward instead of insolation approach.

We should understand that main objective of Prelims is to test candidates range of information. So this

needs to read extensively. And its time to give up traditional way of studying and take up fresh challenges

that has emerged and emerging day by day. The nature of question of Prelims exam is factual as well asanalytical, we must keep this aspect in mind. Preliminary examination intends to focus on analytical abilities

and understanding rather than the ability to memorize.

General Studies (GS) has to be prepared with great ease. Because the very nature of this paper any issue

both major and minor can be asked. This means that studying NCERT is good but not sufficient as the

candidate has to cultivate the concepts beyond the conventional perspective. Therefore the preparation of GSPrelims requires to identify the he most important aspect for the preparation of GS Prelims, therefore, is to

identify the ambiguities of the subject and and plug always them as soon as possible. The books available inthe market is good but the skill which requires nowadays is lacking there are which is incorporated with

each other.

Quick Recap of Syllabus of Paper I

Marks : 200

Duration : Two hours

1. Current events of national and international importance.

2. History of India and Indian National Movement.


23/55





3. Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.

4.Indian Polity and Governance - Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights

Issues, etc.

5.Economic and Social Development - Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics,

Social Sector initiatives, etc.

6. General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and ClimateChange

7. General Science.

Note 1:Total Marks 200

Note 2: The duration of the paper will be of two hours.Note 3:The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type.

Though UPSC has given the syllabus of both the papers but we cannot measured merely by it. We have to

understand that anything that exists in the Universe can be a part of UPSC Prelims syllabus, as nothing is

very mention in syllabus. Sticking to the syllabus is good, you feel that the preparation is good, but certain

new trends have been emerging in the examination. So we should go beyond the given syllabus. It is

challenging but not impossible.

It always helps to understand the trend in this changing scenario. Go through previous years' questions

again-and-again and identify the areas from where most of the questions are being asked. To tackle the

menace of the General Studies you have to give up the traditional way of studying and follow the new way.More time should be devoted to GS. General Studies is as vast as an ocean. It cannot be measured merely on

the basis of topics or sections.

Union Public Service Commission is not following any sort of standard pattern of allotment of questions inthe examination. Hence, it is wise to stress on those subjects, which are common for Main Examination. The

areas to be taken care are Modern India, Polity, Indian Economy, Geography, Current Events and General

Science. We can bifurcate whole General Studies into :

Conventional topics. General knowledge and current affairs.

Traditional topics comes under the traditional parts of General Studies, for instance history of India and

Indian national movement, Indian and World Geography, Indian Polity and governance, Economic andsocial development, environmental ecology, biodiversity, climate change and general science are the

traditional areas of the General Studies. Whereas another part of General Studies is composed of GeneralKnowledge and Current Affairs. Recent trend of the examination suggests that latter part is more

comprehensive and important than earlier one. As the whole scenario has change with the introduction ofnew syllabus, the new syllabus requires a candidate more focused and up-to-mark study.

We will discuss this Paper with the help and important takeaways of 2011 PRELIMS Question, it will help

us to find out what the new trends are adding in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Conventional Topics:

It is composed of:


24/55





1. Indian History : History has always been a important component of each and every competitive

examination being conducted in India by different recruiting agency. It is also a vital component for the

Civil services exam. It is considered that a good and successful administrator must have knowledge of

history because it is history which gives us culture and makes us civilized. Just as we should know our

family history to know our family better it is Indian History to know the India better as well. History is

important in developing a larger understanding of our country and its culture. The subject is like a story and

there could be linkages between two questions. Students thus need to ensure that the entire syllabus iscovered in detail while revising history. We all, whenever think studying history is all about mugging up

events and dates, but we should take history beyond this perception. They can, however, do withoutpreparing portions which appeared last year in the main stage of the examination. The general trend is that

there are no repetitions from last year's papers, but once in a while students could be in for a surprise. Thepart relating to Indian culture will cover all aspects from ancient to modern times. One need to have a good

understanding of the National movement (1800s-1947). The areas to be covered are the history from ancientto modern period. The basic understanding can be obtained from below 10th NCERT books. The focus

should be on modern Indian history, which is covered in the mains. The basic knowledge in Ancient India

and Medieval India is sufficient.

Topic wise Trend Analysis of previous 6 years:

Years 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Ancient History 7 1 0 3 2 3

Medieval History 6 1 1 1 2 0

Modern History 9 14 12 13 11 10Topics

Total 22 16 13 17 15 13

The Analysis clearly shows that our focus should be on Modern India. Especially Indians Struggle for

Independence part is important for prelims point of view. Now take some examples:

1. Which one of the following observations is not true about the Quit India Movement of 1942?

(PRELIMS 2011)

a. It was a violent movement

b. It was led by Mahatma Gandhi

c. It was a spontaneous movement

d. It did not attract the labour class in general

Ans: The Wardha Propsal of Quit India Movement was passed in historical Tank Ground in Bombay onAugust 8, 1942. Mahatma Gandhi gave the sologan for the Movement Do or Die. The Quit India

Movement attracts all classes from the society despite one or two, the labour class was also part of the

movement. Though, many contemporary labour organizations didnt actively participated in the movement.

2. With reference to Indian Freedom Struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for-(PRELIMS 2011)

a. Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement

b. Participating in the Second Round Table Conference

c. Leading a contingent of Indian National Army

d. Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.


25/55





Ans: Usha Mehta along with Ram Manohar Lohia and B.M.Khakar had gone underground and had been

running the Secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India movement of 1942.

The questions requires a candidate in-depth study of any topic and interconnects it to another topic, if anyinterconnection. The interdisciplinary approach of study will always helpful to crack it.

The NCERT books (Class XI and XII) are good enough for the purpose.

You can refer following books

Ancient India , NCERT Class XI Medieval India , NCERT Class XI Modern India , NCERT Class XII A book comes with the publication of NBT(National Book Trust) it cover certain parts on Indias

Struggle for Independence. History Study Kit provided by UPSC Portal. Indias Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra is a good book. Read it cover to cover.

2. Geography:

There is significant change in the Geography syllabus, several new areas has been added. Major inclusion is

the Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate. As we are in the era of Global Warming and ClimateChange, we can expect most of the questions on this topics. A significant number of questions are being

asked from these topics every year. Students should concentrate on human and economic geography. Humansection includes issues related to population. There will be questions based on the Human Development

Report prepared by United Nations Development Programme. The World Development Report of World

Bank deals in different aspects of economic geography like safe drinking water. Students should emphasise

less on classical geography like types of soil and rocks. The stress should be on preparing cultural and

economic geography and issues related to it. But do not invest too much in the pure Geography rather focus

should be on issues like ecology, sustainable development, green living, environmental impact assessmentetc.

Year wise question analysis of Geography.

Topic

Geography 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

World Geography 2 5 3 4 5 6

Indian Geography 1 2 3 3 7 4

Census Based Questions 2 1 4 1 0 0Power Projects, Irrigations Projects, Dams 0 0 4 1 1 1

Minerals and Natural Resources of India 0 2 1 1 2 2

Indian River Systems and Water falls 3 2 2 3 2 3

Map Based Questions 8 11 6 5 2 0

Current Affairs Based Questions 0 5 2 4 1 1


26/55





Total 16 28 25 22 20 17

Suggested Reading:

For Indian Geography

Physical Geography of India, NCERT Class XI Land and People, NCERT Class XI

For World Geography

General Studies Manual by TMH or Spectrum Publications. Google and make notes onunfamiliar terms you may come across in the newspapers. Physical and Human Geography by G. C. Leong Atlas (Oxford and Orient Longmon)

For Both Indian and World Geography, follow Study Kit of UPSC Portal, it has covered those sections

which is useful for exam and covers the topic comprehensively. Chronicle Magazine or Competition Wizard

Magazine is also good. Candidate must go thorough suggested reading thoroughly. Map based questions and

questions on locations, lakes, rivers, mountain ranges etc. are being increasingly asked. Map of India

(particularly physical) should be properly studied. Same is true about world map albeit with lesser

intensity.Geography must be studied with the help of ATLAS, it will help you to understand the Geography

better. There are no. of Atlas available in the market I would suggest OXFORD School Atlas, along with

ORIENT LONGMAN. Internet resources could help in your study make it as a tool for your preparation.

Whenever you find any new term i.e. any new country, capital, river, strait, mountain, places etc Google it

right away. And make note of your finding. While reading newspaper always keep a Atlas with you as more

and more questions are getting location oriented e.g. instead of asking the venue of APEC meet they might

ask you to locate the place on world map.

Some examples of previous year questions:

1.A state in India has the following characteristics-(PRELIMS 2011)a. Its northern part is arid and semiarid.

b. Its central part produces cotton.

c. Cultivation of cash crops is predominant over food crops.

Which one of the following states has all the above characteristics?a. Andhra Pradesh

b. Gujarat

c. Karnatakad. Tamil Nadu

Ans: Gujarat state is located on western coast. Its northern part is dry and semidry.

2.La Nina is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from El

Nino?i. La Nina is characterised by unusually cold ocean temperature in equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Nino

is characterised by usually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.


27/55





ii. El Nino has adverse effect on south-west monsoon of India, but La Nina has no effect on monsoon

climate.

Which of the statement given above is/are correct?a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2d. Neither 1 nor 2

3. Indian Polity and Constitution:

This is another major area where candidates could done well. The syllabus and question paper suggests the

Indian Constitution and various related aspects are important for this section. Though Constitution is a book

of articles but some articles should be memorised. Other than these different aspects of the Constitution like

Supreme Court judgment during the past one year are important. At macro level, students need to know in

detail issues like judicial activism. It is better to prepare this area well since it will be helpful in mains and

interview. Now a days the pattern of questions are being asked on Indian Polity is completely different from

what it used to be asked till couples of years back. Earlier we used to have more questions directly from the

Constitution of India which has now fallen to around 2-3 questions, even the nature of question which were

being asked on Constitution is more or less conceptual explanation which is now changing fast now

whatever question are being asked from the Constitution are complex in nature, to solve the question one

have good grasp over concepts and with their application as well. Further these constitutional issues are

related to what is happening currently in the country. Like if a question is on the clemency power ofPresident of India. The question and answer should be better understand in the light of recent happening and

issues related to mercy petitions pending with the President. Issues related to mercy plea of Afzal Guru andkillers of former PM Rajiv Gandhi have been on the news for the several and its been in the front pages of

Newspapers in the recent times. Therefore candidates keep yourself abreast of burning political andconstitutional issues. To tackle these questions we need to incorporate a lot of additional study material in

our preparation apart from the traditional ways of studying. For instance we need to add newspaper in our

study material and collect information on the contemporary issues and take a note on various opinions ofeminent scholars on those contemporary issues. Newspaper also keep us up-to-date.

Year wise last 6 year question analysis:

Topic

Polity 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Indian Constitution and its various Concepts 6 4 5 6 3 8

Indian Political History 2 4 4 4 1 1

Current Constitutional News 2 1 1 2 1 1

Total 10 9 10 12 5 10

Any good book on the constitution is fine. The Indian Polity by Lakshmikanth and NCERT books are

sufficient. Also refer, DD Basu. Read it also cover to cover.

4. Indian Economy:


28/55





First of all, the heading of Economy in the prelims level has been changed to Economic and Social

Development Sustainable development. It shows growing importance of Indian Economy of General

Studies of civil services exam. It is one of the most important constituents of General Studies as well. If we

analyze the last 5-6 years question pattern of UPSC we will discover number of questions from economics is

increasing every year. It has increased from 5-6 to 25-30. Moreover, the nature of the questions have

become more contempory, analytical and interdisciplinary. The candidate should have a grip over the basic

economic concepts. The important current topics should be studied extensively. We are in the globalfinancial crisis and at the domestic level the changes is very structure of Indian Economy that is leading to a

paradigmatic shift in the policy focus. These all developments within and outside has not gone unnoticed bythe UPSC and hence a frequent change in the syllabus, questions nature and the pattern of the Civil services

exam. Along with, Budget and Economic Survey the two most important documents of India. These twodocuments should be read in details every minute details is important. The role and functions of World

Bank, IMF,WTO, WIPO, etc. which influences Indias economic interaction and have effect on IndianEconomy. It should be understand clearly.

For instance the questions in the prelims as:

Why is the teaser loan by commercial banks a cause of economic concern? In the terms of economy, the

visit of foreign nationals to witness the 19th Commonwealth Games in India amounted to.

There were questions which is mixed of current economy and basic of economy for example

Economic Growth is usually coupled with------? It is called Inflation. We all are suffering from Inflation.

Candidate are expected to know the facts and facets of Inflation or such topics.

Year wise previous 6 year question analysis:

Topic Years

Economy 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Pure Economy - Conceptual 3 3 0 2 7 10

Pure Economy - Conceptual 3 3 0 2 7 10

Indian Econo

e book ias planner www.upscportal.com

Documents