The Civil Services (Main) Examination 2011 is scheduled in October . Over the years, there has been a rise in preparation awareness among aspirants, but this exam continues to throw a surprise element calling for newer strategies.
The papers have clearly shown that the UPSC seems to be determined to select those aspirants who are able to cover most of the topics in the syllabus with focus on current affairs.
The number of questions in the General Studies question papers has been doubled from 30 to 60, says P.S. Ravindran, director, Vajiram and Ravi Institute for IAS Examination, New Delhi. “As UPSC covers a large number of areas, General Study’s preparation should be comprehensive,” he says. He stressed the need to score more than 320 marks in both the optional subjects as scoring in the General Studies has become more challenging.
A good number of aspirants in the previous mains examination were not able to score more than 270 out of 600 in both the GS papers.
Many questions pertaining to current affairs of the month of October 2010 were unexpected and candidates found it quite tough to write them properly in the 2010 mains.
Candidates who were able to read at least two broadsheet newspapers such as The Hindu regularly were able to answer those questions. “Reading of two newspapers and Frontline is necessary. Questions based on less prominent news is also being asked,” says Mr. Ravindran.
Instead of reading tons study materials, candidates are advised to select two source materials and concentrate on that with four rounds of quick revision.
A thorough preparation of in statistics and Indian Economy is key for high score. The questions would cover Indian economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development, Panchayati Raj, International events and employment.
Issues arising from the social and economic exclusion of large sections from the benefits of development, economic and trade issues such as foreign trade, foreign investment, economic and diplomacy issues relating to oil, gas and energy flows, the role and functions of IMF, World Bank and WTO which influence India's economic interaction with other countries and international institutions are important.
The aspirants who score more than 300 in the GS papers are those with excellent understanding of the subjects at the secondary and higher secondary school level.
They do not need to have any specialized study in any of the subjects for the GS. NCERT books of geography, polity, economy, history and statistics continue to be useful for revising the syllabus for the main examination.
IGNOU study materials on optional subjects could be of great used for understanding the basic for the General Studies and the optional subjects.
The CSAT-2011 had 14 questions on current affairs of May 2011. Over 70 questions in the CSAT -2011 were related to current affairs. This trend is likely to continue in the civil services main examination as well.
“Many first-timers have cleared the prelims. So presentation of answers will be more important,” says Ganesa Subramanian, Director, Ganesh's IAS. Questions pertaining to the celebration of the 150 years of existence of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, diamond jubilee celebrations of the Election Commission of India, Union Budget, Constituent Assembly and Reserve Bank of India may be of significance, he says.
Current affairs based on newspaper reports from September 2010 to October 2011 are the important areas. The aspirants must be able to think and formulate views based on their subject knowledge based primarily on NCERT material.
Last year, questions on news covered in the period between October 1 and 15 oct took candidates by surprise.
More surprises may be in store of UPSC for them this year. Commission is expected to continue testing the analytical ability of candidates in this main exam . Environment, ecology, biodiversity and climate change may be key segment.
Reading editorials of newspapers has been a helping strategy for Essay paper and for answering questions on polity and social issues.
Economic Survey and publications such as Yojana,Kurukshetra may be useful. Lok Sabha channel debates may throw light on social issues and helpful of opening the windows of the mind. Weekly group discussions or joint study with other candidates would enrich the understanding of key areas.
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