Register for UPSC Mains Masterclass By IAS Benjo P Jose, AIR 59, On 21st August 2024 at 7 PM

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Read what IAS Benjo P Jose, AIR 59 has to say about his Mains Prep

If you feel the only way to clear Mains is to memorize tonnes and tonnes of data and facts, then this session is for you.

Brainstorming or answer thinking is a unique approach to UPSC Mains. It involves generating points for the answer while understanding both the explicit and implicit demands of the question, rather than simply writing from pre-prepared notes on the topic. Past toppers like IAS Gaurav Agarwal and IAS Pratyush Pandey have emphasized this approach.

It moves away from traditional methods of making notes, revising them multiple times, and writing numerous tests, which can often be overwhelming for aspirants. Instead, the focus shifts to brainstorming PYQs. With practice, the time taken to think of every answer gradually reduces. This approach emphasizes interlinking points with other topics in the GS papers, making it a more creative and dynamic method for UPSC Mains answer writing.

IAS Benjo Sir, AIR 59 this year, is probably the first topper in many years to have successfully used this approach again. This method will help you make your notes more compact, adding creativity and logic to your UPSC preparation. Join this masterclass to learn the art of structured brainstorming and how to integrate it with your existing study routine. The session will be held on 21st August, Wednesday at 7 PM.

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It will be a 45-minute webinar, post which we will open up the floor for all kinds of queries that a beginner or veteran aspirant must have. No questions are taboo.

Join us for a Zoom session on 21th August 2024 at 7:00 p.m. This session is a must-attend for you If you are attempting UPSC for the first time or have attempted earlier and now preparing for next year, then it is going to be a valuable session for you too.

We will deal with all the aspects for a comprehensive UPSC Mains Preparation. We’ll talk about starting with the basics and moving to advanced level.

See you in masterclass

Register for UPSC session to get a focussed UPSC Mains preparation strategy

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About Civilsdaily Mentorship Philosophy:

At Civilsdaily, we treat Mentorship as a specialization. Not every Mains or interview candidate can be a mentor. Most such mentors will suggest cosmetic changes and will only help you evolve slowly. It is easy to find comfort in sentences like ‘every topper is different’ and’ they have their own path’. Finding what’s different about you and then figuring out your own path is why Mentorship is essential.

We walk the talk by helping you craft your own way of preparation. A method that enhances your probability of qualifying UPSC-CSE in a single attempt. We give you that near-perfect certainty. Delivering this consistently to hundreds of aspirants (now rankers) in the past was challenging. We still stick to it and keep getting better at it with each passing year.

At CD, we understand the science and the art of everything UPSC. If you have a problem, we will sit with you and find a solution. If that doesn’t work, then we try solution 2. Eventually, we will make sure you end up making progress. What’s the point of any content, program, or mentorship without progress? This is precisely why aspirants trust they have the best shot at clearing the exam with Civilsdaily.

We invest a significant amount of time, effort, and energy into creating lectures, notes, and tests, understanding your needs as an aspirant. We take this responsibility seriously because, ultimately, your future depends on it.

The heart of the Civilsdaily platform is the Yearlong Mentorship Program. For years, aspirants have enrolled here because they couldn’t find such depth and passion towards quality content and Mentorship anywhere. Their search inevitably ends at Civilsdaily. Enrollment in these programs and Mentorship also makes us accountable to aspirants for the value they get.

In the past few years, we’ve worked quietly in the background with hundreds of aspirants; many now serve as IAS, IPS, IFS and more. We are very proud of what we’ve achieved. Overwhelmed by quick fixes, content overload, and messy timetables that never work? Join us as we take you through a realistic and relatable roadmap for UPSC 2026 preparation. 

In this masterclass, you will get:

1. A 45-minute deep dive on how to plan your UPSC strategy from the start to the end.
2. How do first-attempt IAS Rankers get the most out of their one year prep?
3. Insider tips that only the top IAS and IPS rankers know and apply to get rank.

By the end, you’ll have razor-sharp clarity on how to apply this methodology without the need to memorize a lot of content. 

Join UPSC orientation session on 21th August 2024, 7:00 pm

(Don’t wait—the next webinar won’t be until September 24)

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These masterclasses are packed with value. They are conducted in private with a closed community. We rarely open these webinars for everyone for free. This time we are keeping it for 300 seats only.

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Not sure yet?

We recommend you register here. It takes less than 10 seconds to register.

• No spam! Once in a while, we’ll only send you high-quality exam-related content. 
• We will inform you about the upcoming Masterclasses that might benefit you.
• You can demand one free mentorship call from verified Civilsdaily mentors. 
• You can always choose to unsubscribe. 

Register for the UPSC Masterclass by Rimita Saha, IAS 13th August 2024 at 7:00 to get yearlong mentorship & study plan for UPSC-CSE

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Read what Rimita Saha, IAS 2023 has to say about preparing for a job

Every year there are more and more candidates who are clearing this exam as a working professional. AIR 2 Animesh was a working professional who cleared this exam on his first attempt and many others.

Even though it’s challenging, it is very much doable. We see working professionals clearing this exam with a top 50 rank every year. Effective time management and consistency in their preparation are the most difficult parts for them. College students who aim to clear this exam right after graduation face similar challenges.

Time Crunch for Working Professionals:

• Working professionals face a serious time crunch.
• They can typically dedicate only 5-7 hours daily to their preparation.
• Despite these limited hours, they must cover the vast UPSC syllabus effectively.
• College students aiming to clear the exam right after graduation face similar hurdles in managing time and consistency.

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It will be a practical webinar and here’s what we will be discussing:

1. How should an absolute beginner start his/ her UPSC 2026 prep? What are the high-yielding areas that are quick to conquer and necessary to master
2. Absolute non-negotiables for every beginner – If you miss mastering these, forget your rank, you will risk even your mental health – so get them right
3. LIVE UPSC PYQs attempts to show the difference between a beginner vs. a ranker’s attempt to the same question.

It will be a 45-minute webinar, post which we will open up the floor for all kinds of queries that a beginner must have. No questions are taboo.

Here’s what you will be getting after attending the webinar:

1. Scanned GS Paper PDF Notes of Rimita Saha, IAS
2. Flash Notes of GS Polity: Ranker approved notes for exam ready revision

Join us for a Zoom session on 13th August 2024 at 7:00 p.m. This session is a must-attend for you If you are attempting UPSC for the first time or have attempted earlier and now preparing for next year, then it is going to be a valuable session for you too.

In the session, we will discuss how mentorship works. Why Mentorship is a must when you attempting for the first time.

We will deal with all the aspects for a comprehensive UPSC Preparation. We’ll talk about starting with the basics, and move to advanced level.

See you in masterclass

Register for UPSC session to get a focussed UPSC preparation strategy

---

About Civilsdaily Mentorship Philosophy:

At Civilsdaily, we treat Mentorship as a specialization. Not every Mains or interview candidate can be a mentor. Most such mentors will suggest cosmetic changes and will only help you evolve slowly. It is easy to find comfort in sentences like ‘every topper is different’ and’ they have their own path’. Finding what’s different about you and then figuring out your own path is why Mentorship is essential. We walk the talk by helping you craft your own way of preparation. A method that enhances your probability of qualifying UPSC-CSE in a single attempt. We give you that near-perfect certainty. Delivering this consistently to hundreds of aspirants (now rankers) in the past was challenging. We still stick to it and keep getting better at it with each passing year.

At CD, we understand the science and the art of everything UPSC. If you have a problem, we will sit with you and find a solution. If that doesn’t work, then we try solution 2. Eventually, we will make sure you end up making progress. What’s the point of any content, program, or mentorship without progress? This is precisely why aspirants trust they have the best shot at clearing the exam with Civilsdaily.

We invest a significant amount of time, effort, and energy into creating lectures, notes, and tests, understanding your needs as an aspirant. We take this responsibility seriously because, ultimately, your future depends on it.

The heart of the Civilsdaily platform is the Yearlong Mentorship Program. For years, aspirants have enrolled here because they couldn’t find such depth and passion towards quality content and Mentorship anywhere. Their search inevitably ends at Civilsdaily. Enrollment in these programs and Mentorship also makes us accountable to aspirants for the value they get.

In the past few years, we’ve worked quietly in the background with hundreds of aspirants; many now serve as IAS, IPS, IFS and more. We are very proud of what we’ve achieved. Overwhelmed by quick fixes, content overload, and messy timetables that never work? Join us as we take you through a realistic and relatable roadmap for UPSC 2026 preparation. 

In this masterclass, you will get:

1. A 45-minute deep dive on how to plan your UPSC strategy from the start to the end.
2. How do first-attempt IAS Rankers get the most out of their one year prep?
3. Insider tips that only the top IAS and IPS rankers know and apply to get rank.

By the end, you’ll have razor-sharp clarity and a clear path to crack UPSC with confidence and near-perfect certainty. 

Join UPSC orientation session on 13th August 2024, 7:00 pm

(Don’t wait—the next webinar won’t be until September 24)

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---

These masterclasses are packed with value. They are conducted in private with a closed community. We rarely open these webinars for everyone for free. This time we are keeping it for 300 seats only.

---

Not sure yet?

We recommend you register here. It takes less than 10 seconds to register.

• No spam! Once in a while, we’ll only send you high-quality exam-related content. 
• We will inform you about the upcoming Masterclasses that might benefit you.
• You can demand one free mentorship call from verified Civilsdaily mentors. 
• You can always choose to unsubscribe. 

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality

Dante Alighieri

We, at Civilsdaily are deeply saddened by the loss of our fellow aspirants Nivin Dalwin, Shreya Yadav, Tanya Soni, and Nilesh Rai(who was electrocuted last week). This tragic event has left the whole community of teachers & aspirants in deep shock and bewilderment.

Our team—comprising faculty and mentors—is profoundly affected, grappling with overwhelming emotions while providing continuous support to our distressed students. We want to assure everyone that we are here for you, ready to listen and support; no topic is too difficult or sensitive.

Please feel free to reach out to us by call/whatsapp on 7303316700 or visiting our office at 16 & 17, Ground Floor, Apsara Arcade. Our doors and hearts are open to you.

At Civilsdaily, we are more than just an academic institution; we are a supportive community that stands firmly with our students. 

We have had 2 instances where our students have come out of the closet to their mentors and have left free for the first time in their lives, and numerous cases where our students have lost their near and dear ones and have been disoriented. Our mentors have prevented suicides, identified extreme cases of depression and even talked with professional therapists. 

Our experiences with you have shown us the depth of challenges you face—from personal revelations to mental health struggles—and we have stood together through it all. What we see at ORN is just the tip of the iceberg. We understand the story through and through. 

Let us stand together during these trying times, united in grief but also in our commitment to support and uplift each other. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of Nivin, Shreya, Tanya, and Nilesh during this difficult time.

Reiterating again – Please feel free to reach out to us by call/whatsapp on 7303316700 or visiting our office at 16 & 17, Ground Floor, Apsara Arcade. Our doors and hearts are open to you.

Team Civilsdaily

Together in Education, United in Heart

PS- Please be assured that we have raised the issue of institutes owning buildings to not play by the rules and all authorities have been aware of the same.

Get 1-1 Mentorship or Mains

Dear All,

Clearing Prelims is an opportunity; you should garner every support and help to clear Mains with flying colors. Your Mains attempt should make your preparation interview-proof. Interviews are a 1-day show. You can’t work with the mindset that you have another attempt where you will make up for what you couldn’t cover in this attempt.

The current cohort of Smash includes IPS, IRS rankers in huge numbers. After their 1st copy discussion, they understood they have a lot of room for improvement and a clear path to get to IAS tag.

Few pointers

1)Given the aggressive competition, the structuring of the answer cannot go wrong in any of the 20 questions. There is no room for this kind of error.

2) There has to be value addition, which brings preciseness and authenticity to your answer. Our X-Factor Notes – where recent data facts, and examples are given come in handy.

3) The competition is so intense that most students are going the extra point and quoting more points.

Discuss your Mains copy with us.

With the limited time remaining for Mains, it is important that you solely focus on giving FLTs and have post-test discussions.

Our questions will push you to innovate, the variety will test you on a lot of nuances. Consider a sample question with a Model Answer.

Connect with us for the program brochure and details

Register for AIR 23, Saurabh Sharma Sir’s masterclass to take your Essays from ‘Zero To Advanced Level’.

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Read what AIR 23, Saurabh Sharma Sir says about his UPSC Mains preparation and approach.

“Scoring well in the UPSC Essay is crucial for achieving your IAS goals. The exam has evolved, with an increase in abstract and philosophical essays making it more challenging.”

A common myth is that you need a flair for writing to score high marks. However, building a strong context is more important than writing beautifully.

Your essay should have a clear tempo and structure. Focusing on presenting your ideas logically and coherently to maximize your score is important.

IAS Saurabh Sharma, AIR 23, has mastered the art of essay writing and will share his own essay copies to help you understand the Dos and Don’ts.

From the importance of topic selection to the usage of examples and crafting a strong conclusion, he will guide you through each step.

Your essay should engage the examiner like a novel, building anticipation and delivering a satisfying conclusion.

With so much information and content around us, we lose track of ourselves and our preparation. We are constantly looking for the next shiny things that can help us. This inevitably results in FOMO, anxiety and distraction. Whether you are someone who can immerse yourself in preparation for 7-8 hours daily or a UPSC warrior balancing work or college with 4-5 hours of study, remember, it’s about quality, not just quantity.

Join me for a Zoom session on 18th July 2024 at 7:00 p.m. This session is a must-attend for you to move your essays in the top 1% bracket. If you are attempting Mains for the first time in 2024 or preparing for UPSC-CSE 2025, then it is going to be a valuable session for you too.

In the session, we will discuss how to start and strategize your Mains Prep and improve answer writing. I will share with you a precise step-wise plan and approach.

We will deal with all the aspects for a comprehensive UPSC Mains Preparation. We’ll talk about starting with the basics, and move to advanced level answer writing.

Focus on mastering answer writing should be from early on. Your notes should be concise, clear, and, most importantly, practical. You have to learn to weave current affairs with static portions seamlessly. This isn’t just preparation; it’s about building a habit, a discipline.

I know what you’re up against because I’ve been there. In this masterclass, I’ll also discuss my own mains answer copies with you.

See you in my Masterclass”

Register for AIR 23, Saurabh Sharma Sir’s Masterclass on GS Mains answer writing to score 400+ marks

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In this masterclass, you will get:

1. A 45-minute deep dive on how to plan your GS Essay strategy from the start to the end.
2. How do first-attempt IAS Rankers get the most out of their Essays?
3. Insider tips that only the top IAS and IPS rankers know and apply in essays.

By the end, you’ll have razor-sharp clarity and a clear path to scoring 130+ in your GS Mains exam with confidence and near-perfect certainty. 

Saurabh Sharma, AIR 23, UPSC 2023

Join AIR 23, Saurabh Sharma Sir’s Masterclass on 18th July 2024, 7:00 pm

(Don’t wait—the next webinar won’t be until Aug 24)

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These masterclasses are packed with value. They are conducted in private with a closed community. We rarely open these webinars for everyone for free. This time we are keeping it for 300 seats only.

---

Not sure yet?

We recommend you register here. It takes less than 10 seconds to register.

• No spam! Once in a while, we’ll only send you high-quality exam-related content. 
• We will inform you about the upcoming Masterclasses that might benefit you.
• You can demand one free mentorship call from verified Civilsdaily mentors. 
• You can always choose to unsubscribe. 

Register your seat for the closed group zoom session.

Dear all,

Hope you are doing well and geared up for the upcoming Mains.

Careful considerations need to be followed before filling the DAF. Please DONOT fill unless you have had a session with us.

We have come across many candidates who unknowingly mess up their DAF. Please DONOT submit your DAF-1 without attending this session.

Questions that our students have asked-

-EWS, Non-creamy certificates issuing authorities.

-Degree not in hand.

-Photographs.

and many more

Session : Offline and Online. Always encourage offline.

Date and Time : 6:00PM, 7th July tomorrow.

Dont let mistakes or lack of clarity create hindrances for you.

Register your seat for the closed group zoom session.

Dear all UPSC CSE Prelims Results are out.

We are following up with over 1500 of our students who were sure/ on the border for clearing prelims.

In the unlikely event, that you haven’t been able to clear the exam, please have a word with us. https://wa.aisensy.com/qAaAYO

99.9% students dont clear the exam because they lack a deep understanding of the focus areas, pyqs and precise areas from which questions can be asked.

Those looking for the 10 controversial questions in UPSC prelims, connect with us here and we will help you with 10 questions that were tricky.

For those who are on a roll! CONGRATULATIONS. We are excited for you and wish to do everything in our power to support you in your future journey.

Our YT Discussion is happening here-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw21hP5sGro

To get PDF of all recurring micro themes, get in touch

Dear students, 

Q1,Q2,Q3 are controversial questions in UPSC prelims and UPSC can use its own logic to decide the answer. We have taken our stand based on our knowledge. 

We are all aware that prelims is becoming very unpredictable. It requires a very targeted approach. 

First, you need to be aware of all the recurring micro themes from which UPSC repeatedly asks questions year after year. You must develop a solid command of these themes and ensure you don’t miss a question. Questions on these themes are on the tougher side. Next, you need to master adjacent themes and CA themes that are prominent in the same year. 

Finally, the art of attempting the paper, taking guesses based on previous year patterns.  

– https://wa.aisensy.com/vF6bRr

Q1. Consider the following:

1. Carabid beetles
2. Centipedes
3. Flies
4. Termites
5. Wasps

Parasitoid species are found in how many of the above kind of organisms?

a) only two

b)only three*

c) only four

d) all five 

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Answer: (b)

Explanation:

Parasitoids are small insects whose immature stages develop either within or attached to the outside of other insects, referred to as hosts, eventually killing it. Parasitoids have characteristics of both predators and parasites.

Various resources only list Beetles, Wasps and flies. 

https://australian.museum/learn/animals/insects/predators-parasites-and-parasitoids/

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/parasitoids

Termites and Centipedes dont seem to exhibit this mechanism. 

Ichneumonidae, Phoridae, Calliphoridae, Coptoterms and others have been mentioned. We dont feel these are apt in this setting. 

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Prepare with Civilsdaily. Connect with our Mentors Now.
Reach out here- https://wa.aisensy.com/vF6bRr

Q2. Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:

If the United States of America (USA) were to default on its debt, holders of US Treasury Bonds will not be able to exercise their claims to receive payment.

Statement-II:

The USA Government debt is not backed by any hard assets, but only by the faith of the Government.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?” 

a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I

b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect

d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

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Answer: (d)

Explanation:
Statement-I: Is incorrect because you can always exercise claims. You will not get it is a separate issue. 

Statement-II: This statement is correct. US Government debt, such as Treasury Bonds, is backed by the full faith and credit of the US Government rather than any specific physical assets.

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3. Consider the following activities:

1. Identification of narcotics on passengers at airports or in aircraft

2. Monitoring of precipitation

3. Tracking the migration of animals

In how many of the above activities can the radars be used?

a) Only one

b) Only two

c) All three

d) None

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Answer B

Explanation

1. Identification of narcotics on passengers at airports or in aircraft: This is typically done using X-ray scanners or advanced imaging technologies like millimetre wave scanners. Radars are unheard of in this context. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

A distinction between IDENTIFICATION and DETECTION is needed. Even if some RADAR system is being developed for the detection of potential narcotics, it cannot identify on its own whether it is narcotics or some other hard substance. Thats more nuanced information. 

2. Monitoring of precipitation: Radars, specifically weather radars, are commonly used to monitor precipitation. They can detect rain, snow, and other weather conditions by bouncing radio waves off precipitation particles. Hence, statement 2 is correct

3. Tracking the migration of animals: Radars can be used to track the migration of birds and other animals. They are often used in ornithological studies to monitor bird migration patterns. Hence, Statement 3 is correct 

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4. Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:

Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe.

Statement-II:

Sumed pipeline connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.

b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does explain Statement-I.

c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

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Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Statement I: The SUMED pipeline transports crude oil north through Egypt and has a capacity of 2.5 million barrels per day. 

Total oil shipments via these routes accounted for about 12% of total seaborne-traded oil in the first half of 2023, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments accounted for about 8% of worldwide LNG trade.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is between the Horn of Africa and the Middle East, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea. Most exports of petroleum and natural gas from the Persian Gulf to Europe and North America pass through multiple chokepoints, including the SUMED pipeline and both the Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz. Therefore, statement I is correct.

Fig: Data is given by U.S. Energy Information Administration

Statement II: The Suez Canal and SUMED pipeline are located in Egypt and connect the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea. The Sumed pipeline connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, statement II is also correct.

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5. Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:

The European Parliament approved the Net-Zero Industry Act recently.

Statement-II:

The European Union intends to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 and therefore aims to develop all of its own clean technology by that time.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I

b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, but Statement II does not explain Statement I

c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect

d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct

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Answer: (c)

Explanation:

• Statement I: The European Parliament has approved the Net-Zero Industry Act to enhance net-zero technology production within the European Union. Therefore, statement I is correct.
• Statement II: The Act targets Europe to produce 40% of its net-zero technology needs by 2030 and capture 15% of the global market for these technologies. Therefore, statement II is incorrect.

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6. Consider the following statements:

    1. The Red Sea receives very little precipitation in any form.

    2. No water enters the Red Sea from rivers.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   a) 1 only

   b) 2 only

   c) Both 1 and 2

   d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Answer (A)

Explanation

Statement 1:The Red Sea is located in a desert region with very high temperatures and low humidity. This leads to very little rainfall or any form of precipitation.Hence statement 1 is correct.

Statement 2: Due to its location, there are no major rivers flowing into the Red Sea. The water in the Red Sea comes primarily from the inflow of saltier water from the Gulf of Aden through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. 

Many links claim the same- 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rivers_of_Eritrea

Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

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7. Consider the following information:

Waterfall          Region                River

1. Dhuandhar  Malwa                 Narmada

2. Hundru        Chota Nagpur     Subarnarekha

3. Gersoppa    Western Ghats   Netravati

In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?

a) Only one

b) Only two

c) All three

d) None

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Answer: (A)

Explanation

● Dhuandhar: This waterfall is located on the Narmada River, but the region is not Malwa. It is in Madhya Pradesh Mahakoshal region. Hence, pair 1 is incorrectly matched.

The map is attached-

● Hundru: This waterfall is indeed located on the Subarnarekha River within the Chota Nagpur Plateau. Hence, pair 2 is correctly matched.

● Gersoppa (also known as Jog Falls): This waterfall is on the Sharavati River in the Western Ghats, not the Netravati River. Hence, pair 3 is incorrectly matched.

Therefore, Option A is correct

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Q8. With reference to the ‘Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan’, consider the following statements:

1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and six months post-delivery health care service in any government health facility.

2. Under this scheme, private sector health care providers of certain specialities can volunteer to provide services at nearby government health facilities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Answer B

Explanation

No provisions for post-delivery care. There is a separate program for that.

The program aims to provide assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care, free of cost, universally to all pregnant women on the 9th of every month.

➔ PMSMA guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their 2nd / 3rd trimesters of pregnancy at designated government health facilities. There is no mention of Post pregnancy health care services. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

➔ The programme follows a systematic approach for engagement with the private sector which includes motivating private practitioners to volunteer for the campaign developing strategies for generating awareness and appealing to the private sector to participate in the Abhiyan at government health facilities. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

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Q9. The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises which of the following members:

1. Governor of the Constituent State

2. Chief Minister of the Constituent State

3. Three Members to be nominated by the President of India

4. The Home Minister of India

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1, 2 and 3 only

b) 1, 3 and 4 only

c) 2 and 4 only

d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

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Answer: A

Explanation

It is only a matter of chance that the Home Minister is appointed by the President to be the Chairman time and again. But the Act doesnt have a provision stating the Home Minister. 

The NEC Act was amended by the Parliament in 2002 (Act No. 68 of 2002). The ‘North Eastern Areas’ now means the area comprising the States of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Mizoram. 

The Council now has as its members the Governors of the States mentioned above, the Chief Ministers of the said States and three Members nominated by the President. The President will nominate the Chairman of the Council and he need not be nominated from amongst the other Members. 

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Q10. With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements:

1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.

2. Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Answer: (a)

Explanation

Statement I: Doesnt say ONLY. So it is true. 

• The Act of 1935 provided for the establishment of an All India Federation consisting of Provinces and Princely States as units. Therefore, statement 1 is correct.
• The Act also contains the provisions for Chief Commissioners’ Provinces of British Baluchistan, Delhi, Ajmer-Merwara, Coorg and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The area known as Panth Piploda, and such other Chief Commissioners’ Provinces as may be created under this Act.

Statement II: Logically speaking, Defence and Foreign Affairs cant be given to federal units. They are too critical. 

• The Act divided the powers between the Centre and units in terms of three lists, Federal List (for Centre containing 59 items), Provincial List (for provinces containing 54 items) and the Concurrent List (for both containing 36 items). The creation of a ‘Federation of India’ that consisted of two levels:
• Central Executive and Parliament,
• Provinces and Princely states.
• It discarded the ‘dyarchy’ system at the provincial level and allowed for the emergence of popularly elected provincial legislatures. Dyarchy was introduced at the central level, key subjects like defence and foreign affairs were under the direct control of the Governor General.
• A federal court was established.
• The franchise was expanded to 14% of the population from 3%.
• Separate electorates were provided for Muslims, Sikhs and others, but not to Depressed Classes.
• Governor enjoyed critical emergency powers.
• Residuary powers were given to the Viceroy. However, the federation never came into being as the princely states did not join it. But this has formed the basis of Schedule VII of the Constitution of India, 1950.Therefore, Statement 2 is Incorrect.

To get PDF of all recurring micro themes, get in touch

Everyone join in!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPBROLP8Vxo

Prelims 2023 is here. And we are all with you. We will keep updating this section with all the necessary details.

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Message from entire Civilsdaily’s Team

Good luck for tomorrow from the entire Civilsdaily Family. This is not a feel-good post but a hard-hitting one because life isnt feel good and upsc definitely isnt feel good. Tomorrow is an important day, and having the right mindset is crucial. Ultimately, Prelims is a mind game.

1. **Going from strength to strength**

Molightson’s story is significant. He comes from the Maring tribe in Manipur, leading a content life with limited exposure to the outside world. His painful experiences with city life and hotel management could’ve made him bitter. But not him. He learned to handle pressure. He appeared for Prelims amidst riots in Manipur. He could’ve said Prelims is not worth risking his life, given his slim chances. Instead of blaming the world for his problems, he looked inward and went from strength to strength. The right kind of people have this attitude.

2. **Control the controllables**

Anything you do in life with a 0.1% success rate will have uncontrollable elements. Your hard work and the inner force to push your limits are necessary conditions but not sufficient. To achieve success, many factors need to come together. Animesh, AIR 2 was battling his Mom’s cancer(where he eventually lost) on one front and fighting UPSC on the other(where he aced like none). We all want to win all fights. But all we can do is give our best and leave the rest to destiny. If you haven’t done your best, putting your best foot forward to control what you can; then you dont have the right to blame what you can’t control.

3. **Choices you make**

You always have a choice in how to respond to a situation. Consider last year’s Prelims. Many came out saying elimination techniques were ineffective. Yet, every ranker used a spectrum of elimination techniques, few requiring solid prior knowledge and deep conceptual understanding, while others requiring none.

Many rankers have held sessions with us, solving the Prelims paper and explaining the same.

What happened here? Your response was reactive. UPSC tricked you into believing what your institutes taught you was worthless. Those who could stop these thoughts gave their best. Tomorrow is not about content, or academics. That is something you can fix with time. It is about getting these life lessons right. It is about building this kind of resilience.

Not sure whether UPSC intended its candidates to be this tough. But the kind of folks entering the services NOW definitely have the right mindset.

🔗 For PDFs. Fill out the form here – https://bit.ly/cd_yt to register and get the keys.

Hi everyone,

The cutoffs have been released. Prelims have seen the lowest-ever cutoffs.

Both the level of the competition and the level of the questions being asked is exceptionally high.

5 core competencies are required

1. Consolidation and building your notes for every stage of your preparation.
2. Deep PYQ understanding so you get the mindset of UPSC and understand repeating themes.
3. Aggressive testing and post-test discussions for both prelims and mains. Find your faults and fix them in the next attempt.
4. Managing Current Affairs.
5. Being in the right mindset.

And all the above competencies have a long gestation period. They need to be consciously worked upon along with covering

Attend our webinar and discuss with us

Hello officers, hows the josh.

This final countdown before the end results is the hardest. Friday, the weekend and now Monday is over. There is nothing more anxiety-inducing than this wait. It might surprise you, but we, your CD family, are at least 10x more anxious than you are and we are rooting for our 450+ students from across programs. We have been attending your calls non-stop since Friday. Everyone here Saket Sir, Pravin Sir, Sumit Sir, Ravi Sir, Shubham Sir, Zeeshan Sir everyone has been jam-packed(PS Photo of Z Sir and Pravin Sir after student interaction)

Now that we all are sure that the results will be announced tomorrow, it’s important to take a moment to appreciate how far you have come.

We have interacted with every one of you over a prolonged period and your stories have humbled us. No matter what the outcome is tomorrow, all of you are awesome, a class apart.

Mentoring you have ensured that we push our limits, and put in all we have. This experience has made us better in all senses. We believe in all of you and are with you throughout your entire preparation journey. #nomatterwhatittakes

Always available on Call/whatsapp on 073033 16700Show less

There is no time to read everything, no time to make lengthy notes, and to speak of facts only 1% of the aspirants will be able to clear UPSC Prelims 2023.

But, starting today, you can guarantee a 120+ score in UPSC Prelims with PYQ Based Score Booster Batch-2024 under Zeeshan Sir’s guidance and mentorship.

Attempt the test now!

https://prelims.civilsdaily.com/products/dominate-prelims-open-test-2024/

Starts at 4:30PM NOW

The features of the test are as follows:

Our open tests have the highest hit ratios because we follow 2 simple principles, 5 categories, and 80 themes.

1. 5 categories of questions  

The actual UPSC prelims paper can be said to follow broadly 5 categories – 1.⁠ ⁠Core, 2.⁠ ⁠Non-core, 3.⁠ ⁠Logical, 4.⁠ ⁠Ultra-hard (Skippable), 5.⁠ ⁠Surprising. We are aligning very closely with this distribution. 

1.⁠ ⁠Core: These questions are from core sources like standard books, monthly magazines, and Atomic Notes. You are expected to answer ALL of these questions correctly. 

[2023] Consider the following organizations/ bodies in India:

1.⁠ ⁠The National Commission for Backward Classes

2.  The National Human Rights Commission

3.  The National Law Commissions

4.  The National Consumer Disputes Redressal CommissionHow many of the above are constitutional bodies?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

2.⁠ ⁠Non-core: These questions are 1 level above what is present in core sources. E.g. Political Parties during the freedom movement, Ancient Medieval terms, and terms around Buddhism Jainism.  

[2023] Consider the following statements:

1.⁠ ⁠India has more arable area than China.

2.⁠ ⁠The proportion of irrigated area is more in India as compared to China.

3.⁠ ⁠The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c)  All three

(d) None

3.⁠ ⁠Logical: Not solvable by knowledge alone but through logical approach. 

[2023] Consider the following statements:

1.⁠ ⁠Some mushrooms have medicinal properties.

2.⁠ ⁠Some mushrooms have psychoactive properties

3.⁠ ⁠Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties

4.⁠ ⁠Some mushrooms have bioluminescent properties.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

4.⁠ ⁠Ultra-hard (Skippable): Needs to be skipped (if attempted by student, it’s a case of over-attempt. Because knowing what not to attempt is as important as knowing what to attempt. 

[2023] Consider the following fauna:

1.⁠ ⁠Lion-tailed Macaque

2.⁠ ⁠Malabar Civet

3.⁠ ⁠Sambar Deer

How many of the above are generally nocturnal or most active after sunset?

(a)  Only one

(b) Only two

(c)  All three

(d) None

5.⁠ ⁠Surprising: Unexpected questions in terms of content and format inspired by innovations we see in other exams conducted by UPSC. Ensures you are not rattled during the exam. 

[2019] Consider the following States:

1.⁠ ⁠Chhattisgarh

2.⁠ ⁠Madhya Pradesh

3.⁠ ⁠Maharashtra

4.⁠ ⁠Odisha

With reference to the States mentioned above, in terms of percentage of forest cover to the total area of State, which one of the following is the correct ascending order?

(a) 2-3-1-4

(b) 2-3-4-1

(c) 3-2-4-1

(d) 3-2-1-4

2. 80 most repeated UPSC themes 

We are being very precise. We won’t ask you a broad question on Species. 

When it comes to high-profile species like tigers, elephants, and other critically endangered species, UPSC is asking for conservation efforts or behavioural patterns. We will ask you something similar. We are this detail-oriented. 

This is true for all subjects. For instance, in Economics, detailed questions on inflation, bonds, differentiated banks, etc. are more difficult. 

We have 80 detailed themes and our questions will be framed on similar lines. 

[CSP2017]Q. The term ‘M-STrIPES’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of

(a)Captive breeding of Wild Fauna

(b)Maintenance of Tiger Reserves

(c)Indigenous Satellite Navigation System

(d)Security of National Highways

[CSP2020]Q. Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?

(a) Corbett

(b) Ranthambore

(c) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam

(d) Sunderbans

[CSP2021]Q. With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements:

1.The leader of an elephant group is a female.

2.The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.

3.An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.

4.Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

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Answer Booklets of Rankers serve 3 purposes

1. You understand how answer writing standards have been rising through the years. A small eg. AIR 1, 2017 Anudeep Durishetty covered all dimensions supported by factual information. This year’s AIR 1, Ishita Kishore was a natural writer. Less facts but better structure, better flow.
2. It is the only way to understand what UPSC considers a top-notch answer NOW in 2024.
3. It tells you the level of competition and how far you have to go.

It is exceptionally hard to interpret answer booklets of Rankers and draw insights from them. Shubham Sir has done all the heavy lifting. Attend his session and get a clear idea of where you should be progressing.

Register for Shubham Sir’s Webinar

(Don’t wait—the next webinar won’t be soon)

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These masterclasses are packed with value. They are conducted in private with a closed community. We rarely open these webinars for everyone for free. This time we are keeping it for 300 seats only.

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Not sure yet?

We recommend you register here. It takes less than 10 seconds to register.

• No spam! Once in a while, we’ll only send you high-quality exam-related content. 
• We will inform you about the upcoming Masterclasses that might benefit you.
• You can demand one free mentorship call from verified Civilsdaily mentors. 
• You can always choose to unsubscribe.