The Chimú culture was centred on Chimor with the capital city of Chan Chan, a large adobe city in the Moche Valley of present-day Trujillo, Peru.
The culture arose about 900 AD, succeeding the Moche culture
The Chimú people are best known for their distinctive monochromatic pottery and fine metal working of copper, gold, silver, bronze, and tumbaga (copper and gold)
The pottery is often in the shape of a creature or has a human figure sitting or standing on a cuboid bottle
Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
The Berne Convention deals with the protection of works and the rights of their authors
It is based on three basic principles and contains a series of provisions determining the minimum protection to be granted, as well as special provisions available to developing countries that want to make use of them
The three basic principles are the following:(a) Works originating in one of the Contracting States (that is, works the author of which is a national of such a State or works first published in such a State) must be given the same protection in each of the other Contracting States as the latter grants to the works of its own nationals (principle of “national treatment”)(b) Protection must not be conditional upon compliance with any formality (principle of “automatic” protection)
(c) Protection is independent of the existence of protection in the country of origin of the work (principle of “independence” of protection). If, however, a Contracting State provides for a longer term of protection than the minimum prescribed by the Convention and the work ceases to be protected in the country of origin, protection may be denied once protection in the country of origin ceases
India has been the Member of Berne Convention since 28th April 1928
Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts
Name : London Declaration
Brief Intro : The London Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases is a collaborative disease eradication programme launched on 30 January 2012 in London.
Objective : It was inspired by the World Health Organization 2020 roadmap to eradicate or negate transmission for neglected tropical diseases.
Type : Declaration
Category : Health
Year : 2012
Importance (wr. Prelims) : Medium
Place : London
Key Terms/ Institutions spinoffs : Officials from WHO, the World Bank, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world’s 13 leading pharmaceutical companies, and government representatives from US, UK, United Arab Emirate, Bangladesh, Brazil, Mozambique and Tanzania participated in a joint meeting at the Royal College of Physicians to launch this project.
Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this
We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not
Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.
Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam
Contains details about radars and vehicles being procured. Should be given a read as UPSC is now also asking technical specifications in Science & tech questions in Prelims
Mentions 2 very important terms: Anthropocene era & Half Earth project. Has a high chance of appearing in UPSC Prelims just like ‘Sixth Mass Extinction’ question of 2018
Geological Survey of India [GSI] has completed 60% of its flagship landslide mapping programme. By 2020, the GSI plans to map out the landslide-prone hilly terrains of 18 States
Canada’s Senate has voted to legalise recreational marijuana, clearing a major hurdle that puts the country on track to become the first Group of Seven nation to permit the national use of the drug
There are also demands to legalise marijuana in India but this news is not important from UPSC perspective
We have decided to continue this series until Prelims 2019 as it has become the demand of the exam to continuously revise these factual details. Now students cannot rely on the last-minute effort.
Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts
Key words related to History: Upanayana
Dynasty/era: Ancient India
Meaning : 1.Upanayana is one of the traditional saṃskāras (rites of passage) that marked the acceptance of a student by a guru (teacher) and an individual’s entrance to a school in Hinduism. 2.The sacred thread (yajnopavita) is received by the boy during this ceremony, that he continues wearing across his chest thereafter. The upanayana was restricted in many medieval Indian texts to the upper three of the four varnas (castes) of society — brahmins, kshatriyas and vaishyas.
Key words related to History: Kaivalya
Dynasty/era : Mahavira period
Meaning : 1.Kaivalya is a state of solitude, aloneness, isolation and detachment. The word is derived from the Sanskrit kevala, meaning “alone” or “isolated.” 2.It is a separation of purusha (Self or Soul) from prakriti (primal matter). The state of kaivalya is the main goal of Raja yoga. 3.It is a detachment and independence from relationships, egoism, attraction, aversion and the cycle of birth and death. One can achieve this state by performing austerities, yoga practice and discipline. One who achieves this state is called a Kevalin.
Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this
We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not
Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.
Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam
Supreme court recently allowed quota in promotions for SC/ST on a temporary basis until the Constitution bench decides on the validity of such promotions in accordance with provisions of the constitution
Note down Article 16, 335 and read more about them from textbook along with the associated case like Indra Sawhney
The red sandstone sculpture found at a Chalukyan temple in Satyavolu village of Andhra Pradesh portrays Lord Siva as the therapeutic physician (Rudra Bhaishajana) — as described in Rigveda
Note down the term and its meaning as it has high chances of appearing in Prelims
The government has decided to fix the minimum price of refined sugar at ₹29/kg, create a buffer stock, and facilitate a ₹4,440 crore loan scheme to help mills produce ethanol from surplus cane
Only important part of this news is: The government intends to control sugar prices by notifying an order under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and imposing stockholding limits on mills
Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this
We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not
Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.
Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam
News discusses about Article 35A that allows the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to decide the “permanent residents” of the State, prohibits a non-State resident from buying property in the State and ensures reservation in employment for residents
A question on special provisions related to Kashmir can appear in both Pre as well as in Mains in light of continued militancy in state
A six-member delegation of senior Chinese officials will meet their counterparts in Indian agencies to deepen cooperation between the two countries on people wanted for corruption and asset recovery
According to a study, Global warming can be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius by improving the energy efficiency of our everyday activities such as travel, indoor heating and device use
No big info or keyword that can be used to frame a Prelims question
Fragile Five is a term coined in August of 2013 by a financial analyst at Morgan Stanley to represent emerging market economies that have become too dependent on unreliable foreign investment to finance their growth ambitions.
The acronym follows a long line of analyst acronyms that have caught on over the years, including Jim O’Neill’s BRICS and MINTS acronyms.
As capital flows out of emerging markets to developed markets, many of their currencies experienced significant weakness and made it difficult to finance current account deficits.
The lack of new investment also made it impossible to finance many growth projects, which contributed to a slowdown in their respective economies. This created a potential issue for certain vulnerable economies.
At present, India has in its armoury the Agni series –
Agni-1 with 700 km range,
Agni-2 with 2,000 km range,
Agni-3 with 2,500 km range,
Agni-4 with more than 3,500 km range.
Agni-5 with more than 5500km.
The first test of Agni-5 was conducted on April 19, 2012, the second on September 15, 2013, the third on January 31, 2015 and fourth on December 26, 2016. The last test was held on January 18, 2018.
All the five earlier trials were successful.
The third, fourth and fifth launches were from canister integrated with a mobile launcher, in its deliverable configuration that enables launch of the missile with a very short preparation time as compared to an open launch.
Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts
Name : Advance Area Defence (AAD) interceptor missile
Defence Forces : Army
Module Type : Missiles
Brief Intro: 1. Advanced Air Defence (AAD) is an anti-ballistic missile designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles in the endo-atmosphere at an altitude of 30 km (19 mi).
2. AAD is a single-stage, solid-fuelled missile.
3. Guidance is similar to that of Prithvi Air Defence (PAD): it has an inertial navigation system, midcourse updates from ground based radar and active radar homing in the terminal phase
Green GDP is a term used for expressing GDP after adjusting for environment degradations.
Green GDP is an attempt to measure the growth of an economy by subtracting the costs of environmental damages and ecological degradations from the GDP
The concept was first initiated through a System of National Accounts.
The System of National Accounts (SNA) is an accounting framework for measuring the economic activities of production, consumption and accumulation of wealth in an economy during a period of time.
When information on economy’s use of the natural environment is integrated into the system of national accounts, it becomes green national accounts or environmental accounting.
The process of environmental accounting involves three steps viz. Physical accounting; Monetary valuation; and integration with national Income/wealth Accounts:
Physical accounting determines the state of the resources, types, and extent (qualitative and quantitative) in spatial and temporal terms.
Monetary valuation is done to determine its tangible and intangible components.
Thereafter, the net change in natural resources in monetary terms is integrated into the Gross Domestic Product in order to reach the value of Green GDP
Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts
Name: Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
Objective : Lead international efforts to defeat hunger
Members : FAO has 194 Member Nations, two associate members and one member organization, the European Union
As a part of revision for Prelims 2018, Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts
Name : Pinaka Mark II
Defence Forces : Army
Module Type : Missiles
Brief Intro: 1.Pinaka II, also called Guided Pinaka, is being developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune; Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad; and Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad. 2.The Mark II version is equipped with a navigation, guidance, control kit and has considerably enhanced the range and accuracy of the missile. The accuracy of the missile is estimated to be between 60m-80m at all ranges. Background: Pinaka is a multiple rocket launcher produced in India and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army. The system has a maximum range of 40 km for Mark-I and 65 km for Mark-II, and can fire a salvo of 12 HE rockets in 44 seconds. The system is mounted on a Tatra truck for mobility. Pinaka saw service during the Kargil War, where it was successful in neutralising enemy positions on the mountain tops. It has since been inducted into the Indian Army in large numbers.
Name : Dhanush Gun
Defence Forces : Army
Module Type : Weapons
Brief Intro : The Dhanush is a 155 mm towed howitzer used by the Indian Army. The design is based on Bofors, now Haubits FH77 which India acquired in the 1980s. The gun as of June 2016 has entered into active production with confirmed order of 414 guns
As a part of revision for Prelims 2018, Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts
Name : SWATHI
Defence Forces : Army
Module Type : Tech Misc.
Brief Intro : 1.The Swathi Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) is a mobile artillery locating phased array radar developed by India.This counter-battery radar is designed to detect and track incoming artillery and rocket fire to determine the point of origin for Counter-battery fire. 2.The WLR has been jointly developed by DRDO’s Bangalore based laboratory, LRDE and the Government owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The sub-systems have been fabricated by BEL based on the DRDO designs and delivered to LRDE for integration
Name : INS Tillanchang
Defence Forces : Navy
Module Type: Warships
Brief Intro : 1.INS Tillanchang, a Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC) was recently commissioned into the Indian Navy. 2.INS Tillanchang is the third ship of four follow-on WJFAC built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Kolkata. The first two ships of the class, IN ships Tarmugli and Tihayu were commissioned in 2016 and are based at Visakhapatnam. 3.The ship has been indigenously designed and built and is an upgrade from the Chetlat class of Fast Attack Craft that the Indian Navy possesses.
As a part of revision for Prelims 2018, Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts
Name : Forest Carbon Partnership Facility(FCPF)
Objective : To assist countries in their REDD+ efforts by providing them with financial and technical assistance in building their capacity to benefit from possible future systems of positive incentives for REDD+. To pilot a performance-based payment system for REDD+ activities, with a view to ensuring equitable benefit sharing and promoting future large-scale positive incentives for REDD+. Within the approach to REDD+, to test ways to sustain or enhance livelihoods of local communities and to conserve biodiversity. To disseminate broadly the knowledge gained in the development of the Facility and the implementation of Readiness Preparation Proposals (RPPs) and Emission Reductions Programs (ERPs).
Name: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Recently in News because : U.S., Israel quit UNESCO India Kumbh Mela Intangible Heritage
Objective : To contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms
Members : 195 member states and ten associate members
As a part of revision for Prelims 2018, Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts
Name of the scheme : She-Box
Salient Features : Online complaint Management System for women working in both public and private organizations to ensure effective implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at workplace Act
Nodal Ministry : Ministry of Women & Child
Name of the scheme : Mission for Protection and Empowerment for Women
Objectives: To achieve holistic empowerment of women through convergence of schemes/programmes of different Ministries/ Department of Government of India as well as State Governments
Salient Features : It aimed at improving the declining Child Sex Ratio; ensuring survival. & protection of the girl child; ensuring her education, and empowering her to fulfill her potential.s a social sector welfare schemes for care, protection and development of women. -It will provide an interface for rural women to approach the government for availing their entitlements and for empowering them through training and capacity building.
As a part of revision for Prelims 2018, Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts
Name : NPT
Brief Intro : The NPT is a landmark international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament. The Treaty represents the only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of disarmament by the nuclear-weapon States. Opened for signature in 1968, the Treaty entered into force in 1970.
Objective : To prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament.
Type : Treaty
Category : E&B
Year: 1970
Importance (wr. Prelims) : High
Name : CTBT
Brief Intro: The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is a multilateral treaty that bans all nuclear explosions, for both civilian and military purposes, in all environments. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 September 1996 but has not entered into force as eight specific states have not ratified the treaty.
1. Polity is not about memorization. 2. Try to relate the setup at the Centre and the state and especially note their differences 3. Issues/terms frequently in news like Office of Profit, Uniform Civil Code etc should be made note of. 4. The various committees and their recommendations are very important eg the Sarkaria and Punchii Commissions, the 2nd ARC, etc 5. Concentrate on the sections which have been made bold. These are UPSC’s favourite areas. This is simply because these are also important lynchpins of our polity. Know this – what is important for India’s polity is important for UPSC’s question setting
These are made keeping the Civil Services Exam in mind and therefore are tailor-made for your needs. Do Supplement with Current Affairs from CD’s news cards and stories.
#2. Basic Books:
To be read once and made notes from
4. NCERT 9th – Democratic Politics, 5. NCERT 10th – Democratic Politics, 6. NCERT 11th – Indian Constitution at Work
Why this one?
This is important to develop a basic understanding of Indian Polity.
#3. Supplementary reading:
To be skimmed through once and made notes from
7. 2nd ARC Report
Why this one?
The govt’s official observations and recommendations can be quoted in your Mains answers to increase their heft
Daywise plan + Feedback questions with Explanations & Tikdams where applicable
• NCERT 11th – Indian Constitution at Work – Chapter 1 – 4
Day 6
Rapid Basics buildup – Indian Constitution
• NCERT 11th – Indian Constitution at Work – Chapter 5 – 8
Focus Area:
• Focus on developing a conceptual understanding of India as a democratic and constitutional polity and a parliamentary form of govt • What are its characteristics, why were they so chosen, what are their advantages and limitations
Day 7: Revision Time
Day 8 + 9 + 10 + 11
Indian Constitution & its features
• Lakshmikanth Chapters 1 – 4, 10, 11, 16 • NCERT 11th – Indian Constitution at Work – Chapter 9, 10
Focus Area:
Give importance to
• Historical background – Give importance to Acts – post-1857, when British Crown assumed sovereignty over India from the East India Company. • Trace how an act/charter helped create a basic framework for the governance during the British rule. eg Indian-Councils Act, 1909 introduced direct elections for the first time • Making of the Constitution – Context in which the Constituent Assembly was framed. eg role of Cripps Mission • Composition and role of the Constituent Assembly and its criticism
• Salient Features of the Constitution • Schedules and Sources from where it has been borrowed • Philosophy of the Constitution – The Preamble -its importance and utility; Understand the objective of the Preamble along with the keywords like Sovereignty, Socialist, Secular, Justice etc.
Emergency Provisions • Different kinds of Emergency – their procedure and time duration for approval and revocation • Changes brought about by 42nd and 44th Amendment Act w.r.t Emergency • Impact on the distribution of legislative, Executive and Financial Powers & on Fundamental rights (Article 358 and Article 359) when Emergency is in force Criticism/misuse of emergency powers by the Central Government
Amendment of the Constitution • Procedure for amendment & provisions of the Constitution which can be amended based on Simple and Special majority. • Amenability of Fundamenta Rights • ‘Basic Structure’ of the constitution • Important Constitutional Amendments Acts – 42nd, 44th, 61st 72nd, 73rd • Criticism
Previous year’s MCQs to judge one’s level of understanding + Tikdams:
1. The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the (a) Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909 (b) Montagu-Chelmsford Act, 1919 (c) Government of India Act, 1935 (d) Indian Independence Act, 1947
Answer – C
Tikdam – Straight-forward. you know it or you don’t
2. To uphold and protect the Sovereignty, Unity and Integrity of India is a provision made in the a) Preamble of the Constitution b) Directive Principles of State Policy c) Fundamental Rights d) Fundamental Duties
Answer – D
The idea behind the incorporation of fundamental duties was to remind the citizens of the country that they have certain obligations towards the country and society. The fundamental duties were added to the constitution on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. There were ten fundamental duties at the time of incorporation but the eleventh was inserted by the 86th Amendment in 2002. To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India is one of them.
Tikdam: it’s clearly not a right or directive. it’s duty so fundamental duty
3. The idea of ‘Welfare State’ in the Indian Constitution is enshrined in its a) Preamble b) Directive Principles of State Policy c) Fundamental Rights d) Seventh Schedule
Answer – B
In a welfare State, the functions of the State are not only the defence of the country or administration of justice or maintaining law and order but it extends to regulating and controlling the activities of the people in almost every sphere—educational, commercial, social, economic, political and even marital. DPSP thus promotes the idea of a welfare state as it guides the state in making policies for the socio-economic well being of the people of India. Preamble, option A, will NOT be the answer because it simply lists the socio-economic objectives of Indian society. It does not tell us who will design or execute policies based on the objectives.
Tikdam: DPSP – the welfare state, social and economic democracy.
Day 11 + 12: Cumulative Revision
Day 13
Union and its territory & Citizenship
• Lakshmikanth – Chapter 5 & 6
Focus Area:
Union and its Territory • Article 1, Article 2, Article 3 and Article 4 – Difference between them • Understand the difference between ‘Union of India’ & ‘Territory of India’ • Parliament’s power to reorganize State. • Different Commissions set-up for Reorganization of States – DHAR commission and JVP commission, Fazal Ali commission
Citizenship • Constitutional Rights and Privileges of Citizens of India • Acquisition and termination of citizenship • Difference between a PIO, NRI, OCI • Recent policies and schemes related to voting rights, refugee status and for PIOs, NRIs or OCI eg Visa on Arrival
Day 14
Fundamental Rights
• Lakshmikanth – Chapter 7
Focus Area:
Pay Attention to • Need for FRs • Their significance, implications and applications than just remembering all the articles. Understand the reason and target groups for the different FRs • FRs available to only Indian citizens and those also to foreigners • Difference between Fundamental rights and Rights secured by other provisions of the Constitution • Different types of Writs (Article 32) and its scope • The present position of Right to Property Exceptional cases with regard to FR’s – Armed forces and when Martial Law is enforced
Previous year’s MCQs to judge one’s level of understanding + Tikdams:
In India, if a religious sect/community is given “the status of a national minority, what special advantages it is entitled to? 1. It can establish and administer exclusive educational institutions. 2. The President of India automatically nominates a representative of the community to LokSabha. 3. It can derive benefits from the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only’ (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer – C
President only nominates Anglo Indians and people of excellence in various fields. Eliminate 2 and get the answer.
Day 15
Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties
• Lakshmikanth – Chapter 8, 9
Focus Area:
DP’s • Why have DPSPs • Classification of DPSP- Socialistic, Gandhian, Liberal-Intellectual principles • Justiciability & enforceability in court • Comparison with Fundamental Rights, • Conflicts between them – history of cases from Dorairajan case to Minerva Mills case (1980) and the present situation • Significance of 42nd and 44th Amendment Act w.r.t DPSP
FD’s • Committee recommendations like Swaran Singh, Verma Committee • Enforcement of FD’s – is it justiciable or non-justiciable • Significance and Criticism of FD’s
Previous year’s MCQs to judge one’s level of understanding + Tikdams:
Consider the following statements regarding the Directive Principles of State Policy:
(1) The Principles spell out the socio-economic democracy in the country (2) The provisions contained in these Principles are not enforceable by any court. 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
Answer – C
Socio-economic democracy is spelt out because it provides for the idea of a welfare state. For e.g. consider Article 39 (b) and (c) which provide for minimizing inequalities in income and wealth, and ensuring that the wealth is not concentrated in the hands of few. While another article provides for the health of children, rights of working women etc. DPSP is not enforceable by courts. Only Fundamental rights can be enforced by the courts.
Tikdam: Statement 2 any court is red flag but think of course they can’t be enforced in the court of law meaning in any court
So don’t mark a statement wrong just by seeing any.
Day 16 + 17: Revision Time
Day 18
Parliamentary and Federal system
• Lakshmikanth – Chapter 12, 13
Day 19
Centre-state and Inter-state relations
• Lakshmikanth – Chapter 14, 15
Focus Area:
Federal System • Comparison between Unitary and Federal features; advantages and disadvantages • Distribution of legislative, Executive and Financial Powers between the Union and the States – the 3 lists and residuary powers • Principles behind distribution of Tax revenues • Circumstances when Parliament can legislate on the State list subjects • Finance – Role of Finance Commission (Statutory grants) and Planning Commission (Discretionary grants) • Issues with the above two institutions – FC and PC • Borrowing powers of the Union and the States from Market and Abroad • Powers of Executive – giving directions to States • All-India Services, UPSC • Extra-Constitutional devices like Planning Commission/NITI, National Development Council, National integration Council etc.
Inter-State Relations Measures to ensure coordination between States • Full Faith and Credit clause • Inter-state River water dispute (A-262) • Inter-state council (A-263)- composition, functions • Zonal council – composition, functions • Freedom of Inter-State trade and Commerce • Freedom of Movement and residence throughout the country (Article 19(1)(d) and (e))
Previous year’s MCQs to judge one’s level of understanding + Tikdams:
There is a Parliamentary System of Government in India because of the a) Lok Sabha is elected directly by the people b) Parliament can amend the Constitution c) Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved d) Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha
Answer – D
Option A points to a democratic system. It does not necessarily mean a Parliamentary Democratic system. For e.g. in USA the Congress is also elected, but it is a Presidential Democracy. Option D is correct because “Collective responsibility” of the council of ministers to the Lok Sabha (Article 75) lies at the heart of a Parliamentary democracy. Tikdam: Parliamentary stystem meaning executive part of legislature and accountable to it as opposed to presidential where Executive is not part of legislature
The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect is passed by the
a) Lok Sabha by a simple majority of its total membership b) Lok Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its total membership c) Rajya Sabha by a simple majority of its total membership d) Rajya Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its members present and voting
Answer – D
If Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a majority of not less than two-thirds of members present and voting saying that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest that Parliament should make a law on a matter enumerated in the State List, Parliament becomes empowered to make a law on the subject specified in the resolution, for the whole or any part of the territory of India. Such a resolution remains in force for a maximum period of one year but this period can be extended by one year at a time by passing a similar resolution further. Tikdam: 1 of the 2 special powers of RS. Artice 249, other is art 312
Day 20 + 21 + 22: Revision Time
Day 23 + 24
President, VP and Governor
• Lakshmikanth – Chapter 17, 18, 30
Day 25 + 26
PM/CM, Council of Ministers and cabinet
• Lakshmikanth – Chapter 19, 20, 21, 31, 32
Focus Area:
Develop an understanding of The differences between Prime Ministerial and Presidential form of Govt, their merits and de-merits.
President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Central Council of Ministers • Election procedure/Mode of Appointment • Powers and Functions eg Veto power, Ordinance making power, etc • Resignation/Removal/Impeachment • Relationship between President and Prime-Minister w.r.t. their roles and responsibilities
Central Council of Ministers (COM) • Understand the concept of collective responsibility, kitchen cabinet, etc • Difference between COM’s and Cabinet Ministers • Importance of 91st Amendment Act with regard to composition of COM • Cabinet ministers, Cabinet Committees – their role and responsibilities
State Executive • The ‘differences’ between institutions like Governor, CM & CoM w.r.t the Centre Govt • The controversial nature in the ‘Appointment of Governor’ • Constitutional position of Governor • The Governor’s powers, Executive, Judicial & Discretionary (Note the differences with the President’s functions)
Previous year’s MCQs to judge one’s level of understanding + Tikdams:
Which one of the following statements is correct? a) In India, the same person cannot be appointed as Governor for two or more States at the same time b) The Judges of the High Court of the States in India are appointed by the Governor of the State just as the Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President c) No procedure has been laid down in the Constitution of India for the removal of a Governor from his/her post d) In the case of a Union Territory having a legislative setup, the Chief Minister is appointed by the Lt. Governer on the basis of majority support
Answer – D
Statement 1 – Same person can be appointed as Governor of two or more states at the same time.Statement 2 – Judges of HC are also appointed by President. Statement 4 – In case of UTs, CM is appointed by President.
Tikdam: judges are appointed and removed by president. CM of UT is appointed by president
Consider the following statements : (1) The Executive Power of the Union of India is vested in the Prime Minister. (2) The Prime Minister is the ex officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board. 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
Answer – D
Executive power of the Union of India is vested in the President of India. Cabinet Secretary is the ex-officio head of the Civil Services Board, the Cabinet Secretariat, the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and head of all civil services under the rules of business of the Government of India.
Tikdam: Vested in presdident,PM has real power. Civil services board – cabinet secretary
Day 27 + 28
Legislatures and Legislation
• Lakshmikanth – Chapter 22 – 25, 33
Focus Area:
This is the most important part in Polity from the exam’s perspective. The entire chapters are important!
Focus: • Working of the legislatures • Role and functions • Sessions, Motions, Parliamentary procedure – Summoning, Prorogation, Joint sitting • Devices of Parliamentary proceedings like Question Hour, Zero Hour, Adjournment Motion etc. • Similarities and Differences between Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, their composition, election, powers and functions; Special powers of Rajya Sabha • Qualifications and Disqualification’s of members; Anti defection law • Parliamentary Privileges • Legislative enactment – Different stages in passing of a Bill. Conditions that cause the bill to lapse • Different types of bills – Ordinary Bill, Money Bill, Finance Bill –its importance
Budget- • Enactment of Budget, its significance • Charged Expenditure • Funds like Consolidated Fund, Contingency Fund, Public Accounts Fund – who authorizes them, what they contain • Role of important institutions in the Parliament like Speaker and Chairman of Rajya Sabha – their election, removal/resignation, functions • Role of Leader of opposition (LoP) • Importance of Parliamentary Committees –Estimates Committee, Business Advisory Committee, Committee on Government Assurance – their composition, functions, and a general idea about the less significant committees like Rules Committee etc.
Do a comparative study with state legislatures. Identify the similarities and differences at the central and state level. Eg 2nd house at state level is powerless • States which have Bi-cameral legislatures (Example: BIMAKUJ only these six states have Bi-cameral legislatures) • Creation and abolition of the Upper House- Article 169
Previous year’s MCQs to judge one’s level of understanding + Tikdams:
Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its prorogation. 2. A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which was not been passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on dIssolution of the Lok Sabha. Select the correct answer using the code given below. a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer – B
The position with respect to lapsing of bills is as follows: A bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses (whether originating in the Lok Sabha or transmitted to it by the Rajya Sabha). A bill passed by the Lok Sabha but pending in the Rajya Sabha lapses. A bill not passed by the two Houses due to disagreement and if the president has notified the holding of a joint sitting before the dissolution of Lok Sabha, does not lapse. A bill pending in the Rajya Sabha but not passed by the Lok Sabha does not lapse. A bill passed by both Houses but pending assent of the president does not lapse. A bill passed by both Houses but returned by the president for reconsideration of Houses does not lapse.
Tikdam: Bills lapse only on dissolution so 1st is wrong 2nd is correct as new LS can discuss the bill after it has been passed by RS. Only a bill which is introduced and pending in RS does not lapse or joint sitting or reconsideration bill
• Supreme Court– Appointment of judges, Procedure for removal of judges • Constitutional provisions to safeguard the Independence of Supreme Court • Jurisdictions and Powers of Supreme Court – Writ jurisdiction, Appellate jurisdiction, Original jurisdiction, Special leave petition, Advising jurisdiction • Power of judicial review • High Court– Differences between High Court and Supreme Court with regard to their powers, jurisdiction; Removal of a HC judge • Subordinate Courts – Understand the Organization of the Subordinate Courts
Previous year’s MCQs to judge one’s level of understanding + Tikdams:
The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in
a) The President of India b) The Parliament c) The Chief Justice of India d) The Law Commission
Answer – b
A memory based question. Even if you can’t remember distinctly you can use the following reasoning. The Law commission’s recommendations in any case are never binding – hence can have no role to change no. of judges. Similarly the CJI has been asking for expeditious appointments. Therefore he can’t increase posts either. That leaves us with A or B. But atleast you increased your chances to 50-50
Day 31
Special provisions for some states
• Lakshmikanth – Chapter 36, 37
Day 32
Union Territories and Special Areas
• Lakshmikanth – Chapter 40, 41
Focus Area:
• What are the provisions especially for J&K • Need for special provisions • Problems caused due to such provisions
• Focus on the need for their existence. • The differences between states (in case of UTs) and areas (in case of Scheduled Areas)
Previous year’s MCQs to judge one’s level of understanding + Tikdams:
The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to
a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes b) determine the boundaries between States c) determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats d) protect the interests of all border States
Answer – A
“Option C is incorrect because it excludes the fifth and sixth schedule areas from the application of the Panchayati Raj system. This is to ensure that the local tribal practices, customs, religious laws, social and political institutions are not tampered with. Instead, the act known as PESA, 1996 extends the panchayati raj system to the tribal areas.
Tikdam: easy – for schedule areas and schedule tribes”
Day 33 + 34 + 35 + 36: Revision Time
Day 37
Local Govt
• Lakshmikanth – Chapter 38 & 39
Pay attention to • Steps taken by the govt for decentralisation & people participation, • Evolution & recommendations of committees • Important Acts related to Panchayat Raj system like 73rd & 74th Amendment Acts, PESA, Forest Rights Act etc. • their provisions – compulsory and voluntary and need • Types of urban government • Metropolitan planning committee (MPC) and District Planning Committees • Problems faced by Panchayat Raj institutions and Urban Local Govts
Day 38 + 39
Constitutional bodies
• Lakshmikanth – Chapter 42 – 51
• Focus on Composition, Powers and functions, Removal of the Constitutional bodies
Day 40
Non-constitutional bodies
• Lakshmikanth – Chapters 52 – 59
• Focus on Composition, Functions, Working of the Non-Constitutional bodies
Day 41
Other Constitutional Dimensions
• Lakshmikanth – Chapter 60 – 66
Focus on Official Language and Tribunals • Establishment of the Tribunal, appointment of the Chairman • Tribunals under Article 323A and Tribunals under Article 323B • Functions and Powers of Administrative Tribunals – CAT and SAT
Day 42
Political Dynamics
• Lakshmikanth – Chapter 67 – 75
• Focus on elections, its machinery • Anti-defection law – need, merits and demerits • Pressure groups • Foreign Policy – broad contours and imperatives
Focus Area:
Pay attention to • Steps taken by the govt for decentralisation & people participation, • Evolution & recommendations of committees • Important Acts related to Panchayat Raj system like 73rd & 74th Amendment Acts, PESA, Forest Rights Act etc. • their provisions – compulsory and voluntary and need • Types of urban government • Metropolitan planning committee (MPC) and District Planning Committees • Problems faced by Panchayat Raj institutions and Urban Local Govts
• Focus on Composition, Powers and functions, Removal of the Constitutional bodies
• Focus on Composition, Functions, Working of the Non-Constitutional bodies
Focus on Official Language and Tribunals • Establishment of the Tribunal, appointment of the Chairman • Tribunals under Article 323A and Tribunals under Article 323B • Functions and Powers of Administrative Tribunals – CAT and SAT
• Focus on elections, its machinery • Anti defection law – need, merits and demerits • Pressure groups • Foreign Policy – broad contours and imperatives
Previous year’s MCQs to judge one’s level of understanding + Tikdams:
Consider the following statements:
1. The minimum age prescribed for any person to be a member of Panchayat is 25 years. 2. A Panchayat reconstituted after premature dessolution continues only for the remainder period. 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
Answer – B
The minimum age for contesting elections to panchayats is 21 years. In case of dissolution of Panchayats before expiry of its term, it is mandatory to hold elections within 6 months of its dissolution. Every Panchayat shall continue for full term of 5 years. However, a Panchayat reconstituted after premature dissolution shall continue for only the reminder of the period. If the period is less than 6 months then it is not mandatory to held the elections.
Tikdam: Easy. 21 years for local bodies, 25 for LS, 30 for RS
With reference to the Delimitation Commission, consider the following statements :
1. The orders of the Delimitation Commission cannot be challenged in a Court of Law. 2. When the orders of the Delimitation Commission are laid before the LokSabha or State Legislative Assembly, they cannot effect any modifications in the orders. 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
Answer – C
Which of the following bodies does not/do not find mention in the Constitution? 1. National Development Council 2. Planning Commission 3. Zonal Councils Select the correct answer using the codes given below. (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer – D
Day 43 + 44 + 45: Revision Time
Day 46
NCRWC & ARC
• Lakshmikanth – Chapter 76 – NCRCW
Day 47
• 2nd ARC Reports – 4th
Day 48
• 2nd ARC Reports – 5th
Day 49
• 2nd ARC Reports – 7th
Day 50
• 2nd ARC Reports – 9th
Day 51
• 2nd ARC Reports – 12th
Day 52 + 53 + 54
Revision of Reports – NCRCW + 2nd ARC
Day 55 – 60
Cumulative Revision
Day 61
Test
Note4students:
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Read all Titbits here
Polity Titbits: Fundamentals of Polity and Constitution Click2read
Polity Titbits: Important articles/schedules of Constitution Click2read
Polity Titbits: Functions/powers of legislature Click2read
Polity Titbits: Functions/powers of executive Click2read
Polity Titbits: Functions/powers of Judiciary Click2read
Polity Titbits: Constitution- Special provisions Click2read
Polity Titbits: Constitutional, Statutory and quasi judicial bodies Click2read
Polity Titbits: Panchayati Raj- Local governance Click2read
Link for the test: Click2Attempt (Let us know your score in comments)
We have started our Open SIP program in conjunction with our PAID program (Click2Know all details of the program)
We will be running this special FREE initiative on daily basis providing students with revision questions for static subjects as well as current affairs starting from June 2017
Test 45 as per schedule (Click2View) is Misc. Test 21
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As a part of revision for Prelims 2018, Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts
Name : INLCU L51
Defence Forces : Navy
Module Type : Warships
Brief Intro: 1.INLCU L51 was commissioned into the Indian Navy. LCU 51 IS First of the Eight ships of the LCU Mk IV Class. 2.It has been built by M/s Garden Reach Ship Builders & Engineers Ltd, Kolkata, it is the first of the eight ships of the LCU MK IV Class. Conceived and designed indigenously, the commissioning of the ship adds a feather to the glorious chapter in the nation’s ‘Make in India’ initiatives & indigenisation efforts in the field of warship design and construction. With a displacement of 900 tons the magnificent ship spans 62.8 m in length and 11 m in breadth.
Name : USHUS-II submarine sonar
Defence Forces : Navy
Module Type : Tech Misc.
Brief Intro : 1.Sonars are the eyes and ears of a submarine under water. DRDO has developed the State-of-the-Art submarine sonar suite, USHUS-II, a highly evolved compendium of multiple sensors. 2.The constituent sonars in the suite include passive sonar, active sonar, intercept sonar, obstacle avoidance sonar and underwater telephony.
Link for the test: Click2Attempt (Let us know your score in comments)
We have started our Open SIP program in conjunction with our PAID program (Click2Know all details of the program)
We will be running this special FREE initiative on daily basis providing students with revision questions for static subjects as well as current affairs starting from June 2017
Test 44 as per schedule (Click2View) is Misc. Test 20
Liked the test? You can join our FLT program containing more such high-level questions. The module contains 11 FLTs (8 paper 1 TS + 3 CSAT)
Know all details about the program and join here: Click2Join
Want to do quick revision for Prelims? Join our SIP Comprehensive or SIP Mini modules giving you Static & Dynamic subjects coverage through video lectures
