Please welcome Alok Pandey an in-service ICLS officer. He’ll be taking a live session on Sunday which will be followed by a Q&A session. In this live session, Alok Pander, ICLS will talk about the various services, their nature, about administration in action, and UPSC preparation in general.
This is an essential session. You don’t want to miss out on this one.
Time: 6:00 pm
Date: 5th July 2020, Sunday
Link here (Click on the video below, click on “Set Reminder”)
About Alok Pandey, ICLS:
An Electronics and Communication Engineering graduate from NIT, Kurukshetra, Alok has worked for Nomura (Japanese financial services firm). While working, he prepared for UPSC exams and cleared it in his 3rd attempt with an AIR 571 (UPSC 2016). He got 193 in the personal interview. Alok has been posted as AROC, NCT of Delhi and Haryana.Alok is also an avid reader, a skillful blogger, and a passionate cinephile. Follow him at https://corporatecorridors.law.blog/.
Reviews will be provided in a week. (In the order of submission- First come first serve basis). In case the answer is submitted late the review period may get extended to two weeks.
*In case your answer is not reviewed in a week, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. If Parth Sir’s tag is available then tag him.
For the philosophy of AWE and payment, check here: Click2Join
Reviews will be provided in a week. (In the order of submission- First come first serve basis). In case the answer is submitted late the review period may get extended to two weeks.
*In case your answer is not reviewed in a week, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. If Parth Sir’s tag is available then tag him.
For the philosophy of AWE and payment, check here: Click2Join
AWE Program is gaining popularity and seeing a lot of participation.
We request all students to renew their subscription for the upcoming months. Let’s keep the momentum going.
The accuracy and fairness of exams can be impacted by some candidate’s fear or anxiety around the exam process. Taking a test in Civilsdaily’s Daily Answer Writing Enhancement (AWE) Program doesn’t just measure how much you know, it helps reinforce the learning and make it more likely that you can retrieve the same information later.
It’s a fact that taking an AWE test can actually be more beneficial to learning than spending the same amount of time studying. Answer writing practises through Civilsdaily’s Daily AWE program can reduce test anxiety and helps you ace the GS Mains answer writing. And what is a better way to practice for UPSC Mains Examinations than attempting Questions which are the closest to demands of UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination?The more you are accustomed to sitting for a period of time, answering questions, and pacing yourself, the more comfortable you will feel when you actually sit down to take the real UPSC Mains examinations yourself.
We are working hard to make the program more featureful, highlight the best answers, show the competency levels of students.
Here is the schedule for the Month of July for topics being covered in GS Paper 1 and Paper 4
July 2020
Date
Question 1
Question 4
1st July, Wednesday
Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent)
Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
2nd July, Thursday
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information.
3rd July, Friday
History of the world including events from the 18th century.
Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters.
6th July, Monday
Political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc.- their forms and effect on the society.
Case studies
7th July, Tuesday
Indian Society and Diversity of India.
Case studies
8th July, Wednesday
Role of women and women’s organization.
Case Studies
9th July, Thursday
Population and associated issues, poverty, and developmental issues.
Case Studies
10th July, Friday
Urbanization, their problems, and their remedies.
Case Studies
13th July, Monday
Effects of globalization on Indian society.
Work culture, Quality of service delivery.
14th July, Tuesday
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
15th July, Wednesday
Salient features of the world’s physical geography.
Essence, determinants, and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships.
16th July, Thursday
Distribution of key natural resources across the world.
Human Values
17th July, Friday
Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries.
Attitude
20th July, Monday
Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone, etc.
Case studies
21st July, Tuesday
Changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
Case studies
22nd July, Wednesday
Indian culture covering the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature, and Architecture.
Case studies
23rd July, Thursday
Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present.
Case Studies
24th July, Friday
The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
Case Studies
27th July, Monday
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.
Giving a big relief and accepting the demands of aspirants UPSC has released a notice where it has given the option of changing and submitting exam centre for UPSC CSE Prelims 2020. It also includes Forest Services Pre 2020 exam.
Not only for Pre but candidates have been provided the option for changing Mains Centre as well.
Two important things to note here:
Provision for submitting revised choice of Centres will be operational in two phases i.e. 7th-13th July, 2020 (06.00 PM), and 20th-24th July 2020 (06.00 PM).
Change of exam centres will be considered based on the principle of a “first-apply-first allot” basis.
A Withdrawal Window will also be made available to the candidates on the Commission’s website https://upsconline.nic.in during the period from 1st-8th August 2020.
If you are still confused about balancing Prelims and Mains preparation for 2020 and want to restrategize your preparation lets have a discussion. Fill our Samanvaya form to talk to senior mentors from Civilsdaily.
Reviews will be provided in a week. (In the order of submission- First come first serve basis). In case the answer is submitted late the review period may get extended to two weeks.
*In case your answer is not reviewed in a week, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. If Parth Sir’s tag is available then tag him.
For the philosophy of AWE and payment, check here: Click2Join
We are ecstatic to announce that allUPSC Optional groups are live now on Civilsdaily’s Habitat – our learning platform. (Links for all optional provided below)
Habitat is yet another innovation by Civilsdaily. Another day, another slay! Not boasting really! but we have actually re-invented learning in general and re-structured UPSC preparation in particular.
Preparing for Optionals in the old, outdated manner you can never be ready for the curveballs in the Optional mains exam. Modern problems require ‘postmodern’ solutions.
What is our philosophy?
We have diminished, if not removed the barrier between teacher and student. Co-learning and co-creating knowledge is the need of the hour. The discourses, the vaad-vivaad on every topic, every theory and every issue pushes theboundaries of your thoughts. (Yup, it’s desirable!)
It gets chaotic in the Mains when you are sitting there scratching your head thinking about what surprises the next question might hold for you. For that, you have to get chaotic now, turn it into constructive chaos, and channelize it.
Links of the Optionals:
(Click on it and follow the instructions provided at the bottom)
By joining these Optional groups you will be getting exclusive optional groups; mentor and community support; answer writing and discussion; planned syllabus completion and revision; notes, references, and much more.
Exclusive Optional groups on Civilsdaily’s Habitat
You will be assigned to an exclusive group for your optional. Habitat is administered by Civilsdaily’s faculty and in-service officers. Here you’re going to ask doubts; learn and unlearn, and relearn; think and discuss like you never did before.
Every discussion is going to be neatly organized in separate threads. You are going to learn with a highly focussed community of diverse-minded aspirants.
We have more than 25 optional groups.
Sociology optional group on Habitat.Anthropology optional group on Habitat.
Planned progression
Discussion and syllabus coverage of the Optionals is going to be planned not only for the day but also for a week, with dedicated days for revision, reviews, and restrategizing. It is going to ensure discipline and consistency.
Not all of you are at the same stage of preparation. Some are just beginning and some have covered the syllabus more than once. Your preparation and approach will also differ.
Modern solutions, they offer one size fits all solutions. We are way past that. Our approach is postmodern! It’s personalized and customized to your individual learning competencies, situation, attitude, and aptitude.
You are going to learn as per your learning competencies, we are just going to make it efficient.
Personalized targets
Answer writing and discussion
This is one of the most important offerings these Optional groups have to offer. Daily questions are shared, from previous year questions to topic-based questions. Answers to them are reviewed and discussed thoroughly. You don’t want to miss these sessions.
Answer writing and discussion
Notes and references
There are so many sources. Wisdom lies in not only selecting the most appropriate sources but also in knowing what you can and should avoid. All the important readings, references, and materials are suggested and shared on a regular basis. Based on the reference material shared, important topics will be pointed out and discussed.
You will be joining a focussed community of learners.
Reviews will be provided in a week. (In the order of submission- First come first serve basis). In case the answer is submitted late the review period may get extended to two weeks.
*In case your answer is not reviewed in a week, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. If Parth Sir’s tag is available then tag him.
For the philosophy of AWE and payment, check here: Click2Join
Reviews will be provided in a week. (In the order of submission- First come first serve basis). In case the answer is submitted late the review period may get extended to two weeks.
*In case your answer is not reviewed in a week, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. If Parth Sir’s tag is available then tag him.
For the philosophy of AWE and payment, check here: Click2Join
CLICK ON SET REMINDER ON THIS VIDEO. WEBINAR LINK SHARED BELOW.
Dear friends,
Get ready to meet S Krithiga ma’am, AIR 18, UPSC IFoS 2019. This is going to be a super informative session. You don’t want to miss out on this session.
Time: 6:00 pm
Date: 28th June 2020, Today
Link: Click on the video below and set a reminder for 6pm.
There will be a Q/A session where Krithiga ma’am will be answering your questions.
(You will be getting a one-on-one discussion call by senior Civilsdaily’s mentors.)
About S Krithiga
S Krithiga is a rank holder Civil Engineer (2014) from Anna University. During her college days, she was chosen as a student representative for the UNICEF Sanitation Campaign for the years 2012 and 2013. After graduation, she worked as a freelance interior designer for a while, before she got into civil service preparation. Her interest in Environmental studies, made her choose Indian Forest Services as her first preference. Success eluded her, but after 4 attempts, she achieved an AIR 18 in Indian Forest Service Examination- 2019. She is currently pursuing an MBA(Project Management) and also working as a freelance lyricist.
S Krithiga is a rank holder Civil Engineer (2014) from Anna University. During her college days, she was chosen as a student representative for the UNICEF Sanitation Campaign for the years 2012 and 2013. After graduation, she worked as a freelance interior designer for a while, before she got into civil service preparation. Her interest in Environmental studies, made her choose Indian Forest Services as her first preference. Success eluded her, but after 4 attempts, she achieved an AIR 18 in Indian Forest Service Examination- 2019. She is currently pursuing an MBA(Project Management) and also working as a freelance lyricist.
Reviews will be provided in a week. (In the order of submission- First come first serve basis). In case the answer is submitted late the review period may get extended to two weeks.
*In case your answer is not reviewed in a week, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. If Parth Sir’s tag is available then tag him.
For the philosophy of AWE and payment, check here: Click2Join
There comes a time in our lives when we realize our calling. When to get where we have to go – even if there are no doors or windows, we walk through a wall. If this is that time for you please continue reading.
In our discussion with over 1000 bright students last month, we realized that it wasn’t a lack of motivation that stood in the way of their success, it was something else…
Motivation will get you started but it is discipline alone which will keep you growing. Remember, even a drop of rain every day will make a hole in the most stubborn stone. Be that goddamn drop of rain!
It is persistence and discipline that is the bridge between your goals and accomplishments.
A common misconception about discipline is that it is about punishment and suffering. No, It is not! It is about accountability – daily, weekly, monthly.. for the entire journey of your IAS preparation.
How to set and enforce that accountability to keep your journey disciplined and always on track?
This is where our 3 tier mentoring comes in:
1. 1st step starts with this Samanvaya call: Once you fill in the form, we get on a 30-40 minute call with you to understand your prep level, working/ study constraints, current strategies and create a step by step plan for next week, next month and so on
2. You are given access to our invite-only chat platform, Habitat where you can ask your daily doubts, discuss your test-prep questions and have real-time, live sessions on news and op-eds, and find your optional groups.
Daily target monitoring.
3. The third and the most personalized tier is the 1 on 1 mentor allotment who stays with you through the course of your UPSC preparation – always-on chat and on scheduled calls to help you assess, evaluate, and chart the next milestone of your IAS 2021 journey.
Working Junta? If you are preparing for IAS 2021 and working simultaneously, we can help you design a timetable that fits right in your hectic schedule.
First-time prep? If you are in the last year of college or thinking of dropping a year and preparing for IAS 2021 full time, we can help you pick the right books and craft a practical & personal strategy.
Once done, we will call you within 24 hours or so.
Here are some testimonials of our students about Samanvaya and our propriety chat interventions:
This world is full of unsuccessful talents, unrewarded geniuses, and educated derelicts. Nothing in this world can take the place of discipline and persistence. – Calvin Coolidge
Reviews will be provided in a week. (In the order of submission- First come first serve basis). In case the answer is submitted late the review period may get extended to two weeks.
*In case your answer is not reviewed in a week, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. If Parth Sir’s tag is available then tag him.
For the philosophy of AWE and payment, check here: Click2Join
We are delighted to announce UPSC Optional groups on Civilsdaily’s Habitat – our learning platform.
Habitat is yet another innovation by Civilsdaily. Another day, another slay! Not boasting really! but we have actually re-invented learning in general and re-structured UPSC preparation in particular.
Preparing for Optionals in the old, outdated manner you can never be ready for the curveballs in the Optional mains exam. Modern problems require ‘postmodern’ solutions.
What is our philosophy?
We have diminished, if not removed the barrier between teacher and student. Co-learning and co-creating knowledge is the need of the hour. The discourses, the vaad-vivaad on every topic, every theory and every issue pushes theboundaries of your thoughts. (Yup, it’s desirable!)
It gets chaotic in the Mains when you are sitting there scratching your head thinking about what surprises the next question might hold for you. For that, you have to get chaotic now, turn it into constructive chaos, and channelize it.
What all you’ll be getting?
By joining these Optional groups you will be getting exclusive groups; mentor and community support; answer writing and discussion; planned syllabus completion and revision; notes, references, and much more.
Exclusive Optional groups on Civilsdaily’s Habitat
You will be assigned to an exclusive group for your optional. These groups are administered by experienced Civilsdaily’s faculty and in-service officers. Here you’re going to ask doubts; learn and unlearn, and relearn; think and discuss like you never did before.
Every discussion is going to be neatly organized in separate threads. You are going to learn with a highly focussed community of diverse-minded aspirants.
Sociology optional group on Habitat.Anthropology optional group on Habitat.
Planned progression
Discussion and syllabus coverage of the Optionals is going to be planned not only for the day but also for a week, with dedicated days for revision, reviews, and restrategizing. It is going to ensure discipline and consistency.
Not all of you are at the same stage of preparation. Some are just beginning and some have covered the syllabus more than once. Your preparation and approach will also differ.
Modern solutions, they offer one size fits all solutions. We are way past that. Our approach is postmodern! It’s personalized and customized to your individual learning competencies, situation, attitude, and aptitude.
You are going to learn as per your learning competencies, we are just going to make it efficient.
Personalized targets
Answer writing and discussion
This is one of the most important offerings these Optional groups have to offer. Daily questions are shared, from previous year questions to topic-based questions. Answers to them are reviewed and discussed thoroughly. You don’t want to miss this session.
Answer writing and discussion
Notes and references
There are so many sources. Wisdom lies in not only selecting the most appropriate sources but also in knowing what you can and should avoid. All the important readings, references, and materials are suggested and shared on a regular basis. Based on the reference material shared, important topics will be pointed out and discussed.
You will be joining a focussed community of learners.
Reviews will be provided in a week. (In the order of submission- First come first serve basis). In case the answer is submitted late the review period may get extended to two weeks.
*In case your answer is not reviewed in a week, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. If Parth Sir’s tag is available then tag him.
For the philosophy of AWE and payment, check here: Click2Join
Reviews will be provided in a week. (In the order of submission- First come first serve basis). In case the answer is submitted late the review period may get extended to two weeks.
*In case your answer is not reviewed in a week, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. If Parth Sir’s tag is available then tag him.
For the philosophy of AWE and payment, check here: Click2Join
Reviews will be provided in a week. (In the order of submission- First come first serve basis). In case the answer is submitted late the review period may get extended to two weeks.
*In case your answer is not reviewed in a week, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. If Parth Sir’s tag is available then tag him.
For the philosophy of AWE and payment, check here: Click2Join
Hitting the fish’s eye, and winning over the Mains hurdle.
Where is the fish’s eye?- an exact understanding of what’s been asked and answering to the point and not beating around the bush!
Where do you miss the war of the Mains Exam?
Not getting the essence of the question.
Getting confused with the directives used in the question
Whether to write in points or in paragraph
How to structure the answer in the best possible way
Diagram- where, how, and why?
Making yourself presentable even in your absence
Intro and Conclusion- how to gain mastery in this
These are the most probable questions which almost every UPSC aspirant has in her/his mind, especially regarding the Mains paper. And believe me, it’s not so easy! But then, it’s not impossible also 🙂
Then what NEXT? How to break this Chakravyuha!!!
Not much… we only need some faith in yourself and Civilsdaily and a lot of practice.
“An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of Reading”
How Civils Daily Mains essential Program is going to solve your dilemmas???
1. Evidence-based question Framing- keeping in mind the wheel of UPSC
Question Formulation
Q). How is the Law Commission of India Constituted and what are its mandates? Analyze the role of the Law Commission in legal reforms in India. (CIVILS DAILY)
Why this question?
A similar question has been asked by UPSC in 2018 regarding Finance Commission i.e.“How is the Finance Commission of India constituted? What do you know about the terms of reference of the recently constituted Finance Commission? Discuss.”
Question Formulation
Our questions will now specifically state the following
Whether they are straightforward or thought-provoking/analytical.
Whether they have subparts.
Why this question – similar previous year questions, the importance of the theme, etc.
CD Innovation – Rather than the regular uninspiring questions, we have gone the extra mile and crafted unique, intellectually-stimulating questions. These will reward analytical ability and critical thinking.
Example:
(Q.) Intra-party democracy is indispensable for substantive democracy in India. Comment
2. Structured answers with holistic explanation
Model Answers
For ‘thought-provoking/analytical’ type of questions, we’ll provide the best way to approach them.
Alternate introductions
Sub-headings and categorization to enhance readability and answer structure.
OTB – Out of the box points for additional marks- with colour coding
(a.) Use of Question appropriate subheadings- to bring clarity in your thoughts
Sample from our test series:
Q.) What do you understand by price deficiency payment? Can it be a solution to end farmers’ woes in India? Critically Examine. (10 marks)
What is Price Deficiency Payment system?
Woes of Farmers
How can PDP Solve these woes
Challenges in front of PDP
Balanced Other reforms needed along with PDP to end the farmer’s woes
(b.) Continuous flow- so as to bring newness and avoid fragmentation
Taking a cue from the same Question we used in the second part:
How Farmers Will Be Benefited By PDPS:
MSP – The MSP system has many flaws in execution which include:
limited geographical coverage.
Better Cropping Pattern: The PDP system may be more effective than MSPs at ensuring that cropping patterns in India respond to consumer needs.
The price deficiency system may incentivize farmers to diversify beyond the conventional cereals.
Bypassing the need of storage facilities:
It will help curb food grain losses due to lack of adequate storage,
(Q.) What is the importance of Green Finance? So far, how has India performed in terms of Green Finance?
(e.) Colour coding
RED COLOUR TEXT– THESE POINTS ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE. ABSENCE OF THESE MEANS THAT YOU WILL GET BELOW AVERAGE MARKS
GREEN COLOUR TEXT: THESE ARE VALUE ADDED/INNOVATIVE POINTS, WHICH MAY FETCH YOU MORE MARKS IF USED.
Example of Green colour point:
(Q.) Despite its environmental costs, coal is expected to retain its important position in India’s energy mix.
In this answer majority of candidates will mention how coal is abundant in India, how Renewable energy infrastructure is not yet developed enough to meet our energy needs.
However, a Green colour point here will be
How the people of Chota Nagpur region are dependent on coal and their job opportunities will take a hit if we stop using coal. This could further worsen the Naxalite problem in that region. You have added an internal security angle in a geography Question. This is what we mean by an innovative point.
Example of a red color point
Importance of Green Finance
Ecology savior: The environmental benefits include, for example, reductions in air, water and land pollution, reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improvedenergy efficiency while utilizing existing natural resources, as well as mitigation of and adaptation to climate change and their co-benefits.
Green finance involves the effective management of environmental risks across the financial system.
(f.) Different styles of answering so as to reduce monotonicity
Read the Question carefully and in your mind, divide the Question into sub-parts and all of these sub-parts need to be addressed in a structured way.
3 ways(types) to start your introduction:
1 st way is the Context: A question asked on lateral entry.
you can write little context to it like recently the govt has introduced lateral entry for the post of Joint secretary. You can always start with the context
2nd-way definition based: A question asked on do you think competitive federalism is working in India?
In this defining what is competitive federalism in the introduction part and after defining you can come to the main body that is it working or not and the solution. You can start by defining the concept.
3rd way is the Background based/Historical background: There is a question on all India judicial services.
you can start with its background that it was first recommended by law commission 1950s and after that other commissions had recommended this. So you can start with the history of the topic.
3. Experts to evaluate your weaknesses- who have already written Interviews and scored outstanding marks in GS papers
Answer-copy evaluation in the industry has become stagnant. The focus is restricted to superficial, memory-based lapses rather than on analytical excellence and cross-domain inter-linkages.
Our stress will be on the following –
Superior introduction and conclusion.
Usage of subject-specific vocabulary.
Question comprehension: Answer alignment, Question Directive, Breaking down of the Questions into parts.
Articulation proficiency.
Substantiating evidence like Government and International Reports and Indices.
Prominent and contemporary examples.
Presentation: Use of Flowcharts, Tables, Graphs, Data, etc
4. Habitat chat group- in touch with mentors
But why to chat?
Because a single mentor cannot give a 360-degree view for all subjects
Subject wise division of group
Current Affairs based discussion- to provide you the idea of upcoming Questions
Inter-linkages of Paper 1, 2,3 and 4
Resolving Preparation related queries
Group learning
CD Habitat is where everything comes together learning, doubt clearing, notes, references, mentors, and a focussed community. You’re going to learn and discuss like never before. How will your queries be resolved? The moment you have a query, you post it in the group.
5. Video discussion after every test – to give a humanistic touch to your queries and bringing a new at every point
Together we can and together we will. We are here to become Guru Dronacharya. You must be ready to become ARJUN- The Warrior.
This is what our students have to say..
Kamya Misra, Mains Test series, UPSC 2018Kunal Aggarwal, Mains Test Series, UPSC 2018Read the full review here
UPSC CSE 2019 Interviews are set to start from 20th July 2020 to 30th July 2020. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you restart your interview preparation as soon as possible.
Civilsdaily is always at the forefront when it comes to ensuring that your prep is rapid, focused, and effective. Thus, we have resumed our highly praised ‘Interview Guidance Program (IGP) – Transcend 2019-20’. Over 80 interviews have already been conducted. Register yourself now.
(Submit your DAF 1 and DAF 2 at hello@civilsdaily.com)
Civilsdaily’s IGP TRANSCEND 2019-20 students can vouch for the most comprehensive and holistic interview preparation. Click here to know what students have to say about Transcend 2019-20
We help make you understand how the panel at UPSC thinks, what they would expect from you (as per your DAF), and how to gear your preparation towards the 200+ marks target.
Our trailblazing questioning techniques (like rapid-fire round, word formation, sentence formation, extempore, etc.) reveal every minute, but significant, aspects of your personality.
Without plugging the gaps in these aspects, your selection can get compromised. The mock ends with very comprehensive and workable feedback with ample time given to the student to discuss all her doubts. This is disruptive innovation at its finest!
You need to go beyond the regular to attain your full potential. You need to choose TRANSCEND to transcend yourself.