Subject: Trivia

UPSC Syllabus for GS Paper 3 with Infographics [250 marks]

Read the IAS Mains - GS Paper 1 Syllabus already? Click Here.

Read the IAS Mains - GS Paper 2 Syllabus already? Click Here.

The Civil Services Main examination is designed to test the academic talent of the aspirant, also his/her ability to present his/ her knowledge in a clear and coherent manner.

The Main Examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory.

Economics & Enviro are the mainstay of this GS Paper 3. While we can say that Economics will be an interesting read, not much can be said about Environment & Biodiversity. The other 3 topics form a relatively small segment of this paper and are mostly covered at the end of time (which is a euphemism for last month of IAS Mains).

#1. Indian Economy

1. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
2. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.  
3. Government Budgeting.
4. Major cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems  storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
5. Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System– objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping;  issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions;  economics of animal-rearing.
6. Food processing and related industries in India– scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
7. Land reforms in India.
8. Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
9. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads,  Airports, Railways  etc.
10. Investment models

Civilsdaily.com focuses on Current Economics News here – Stories @Economics

#2. Environment & Biodiversity

#3. Science & Tech

1. Science and  Technology – developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
2. Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
3. Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
   

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   #4. Disaster Management

It forms an integral part of Environment & BioD. So, beyond policy and institutional maneuvers (by Center and State), you won’t have to focus on anything separately.

#5. Internal Security 

1. Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
2. Role of external state and nonstate actors in creating challenges to internal security.
3. Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.
4. Security challenges and their management in border areas;linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
5. Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

What’s with all the hashtags?

1. We are thinking of adding sub categories to news and explainers which we put forth.
2. What that will do is bring more focus to your preparation and give you more context on current affairs.
3. While we do make efforts to make current affairs easy and approachable – that still leaves a LOT and LOT of current affairs to be covered! Hence, in our continued efforts on making “complex news, easy” – we will try out this experiment.
4. The Civilsdaily’s Android App however will still carry the same old broad categories. Don’t want to create a clutter of categories everywhere!

Anything that you would love to share? or Propose?

PS: We will be sharing the pdfs of these infographics in a short while.

Just look at this picture, and tell me one thing. What if you need to revise the entire pile of books in just 5 days, because the 6th day is your doom’s day? You need to finish so you crack your IAS, okay?

Yes! Of course I know, you people aren’t much bothered to read or memorise stuff. Even if it is the IAS exam, you hallucinate and hope some magic to happen that you remember all the stuff in the examination hall. But here’s an option! How about being able to remember everything on your own and let your confidence be the real magic that can hit the ‘bingo’ point?

The IAS exam comes with a lot to memorise and nobody can escape that.

You know what – There are a hell lot of ways in which you could memorise faster, without making you sit bored for hours long. The most important thing being, pacing up your reading speed. If your reading speed is pathetic, you’ll 100% get bored of finishing that entire syllabus or even revising it on the eve of your exam. On the contrary, what if you develop a great speed for reading? That’ll definitely help you retain those facts faster. Not only faster, but you could even revise the portion if you cut out that time of reading.

Say – reading a page as this one takes you 4 minutes, what if it could get done in around 2.5 minutes? You could read more, even retain more in your brain which you think is just too small.

So, there you go with some great ways to help you improve upon your reading speed.

#1. STOP TALKING TO YOURSELF WHILE READING

• While you read mutely, you tend to speak those words internally and that makes your jaws move. This puts a control on the speed of reading. The speed decreases as you clearly try to utter each word in your mind.

• Rather, while reading in mind, stop your mind from pronouncing those words clearly internally. Skipping these clear utterances will make you run through the words faster, ending your reading session waay faster by 2/3 times.
  

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#2. COVER THE WORDS YOU’VE ALREADY READ

• Covering the words you’ve already read with your palm or a ruler helps, as your eyes don’t keep moving around those extra words that are unnecessary. Covering them will help you to focus on what you’re actually supposed to read.
  

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#3. MAKE LESSER EYE MOVEMENTS

• If the next words are familiar, the brain decides to move your eyes in a way that you can read faster. Training your eyes to move directly to the familiar words helps you read the entire page quickly, as you jump through and understand quickly.
  

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#4. UNDERSTAND EYE MOVEMENTS

• Don’t give jerks to your eyes while reading. Let your eyes read the words naturally and smoothly all throughout the line. Make fewer movements of your eyes while reading all the words in a line.

#5. TRUST YOUR BRAIN

• To improve reading speed, you have to start trusting your brain. If you can start trusting your brain more, you will definitely have an easier time breaking your old reading habits and learning new ones. This is because without your brain you could not have come as far as you’ve come already.
• Every step of the way, your brain has been right alongside you. And whether you believe it right now or not, your brain is fully capable of understanding all the information you read. Don’t just panic because it is the nervousness that tends to make you forget things you have read. Be calm and trust your memory power for a very effective quick learning.

So, that’s it.

I gave you enough tips to work upon your reading speed. All you need to crack an IAS exam is, a good memory, which would come with a great reading speed. Of course, common sense and intelligence stand two of the main concerns.
Good luck! Hope you’ll have a happy speed – read.

P.S. – Reading faster is not everything. Read fast, and UNDERSTAND your facts. Because, only if both are added, you get enough to clear an exam such as IAS. Not only could you get passing marks, but also finish any Harry Potter in 2 days! But I really hope you get extra time, from your IAS related readings!

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What is Santhara?

Santhara also called as Sallekhana, Samadhi-marana, Sanyasana-marana, is the Jain ritual practice of facing death voluntarily at the end of one’s life.

What’s so significant about this practice?

1. From Jain community, Santhara, is believed to have been practised since the foundation of Jainism and finds mention in its agams (religious texts).
2. The Pratikramana Sutra in Shravaka Anuvrata (the code of conduct for Jains) clearly explains santhara, saying that when all purposes of life have been served, or when the body is unable to serve any more purpose, a person can opt for it.

Then, why do some people oppose it?

1. Human rights activists alleged that it’s a social evil, and old people are made to undertake Santhara by family members who don’t want to look after them for a variety of reasons.
2. The petition in the High Court compared the practice with that of Sati.

Okay, so how did it all started? When did the case come up before the Rajasthan High Court?

1. In 2006, Jaipur-based lawyer Nikhil Soni filed a public interest litigation and sought directions under Article 226 to the central and state governments to treat Santhara, the fast unto death practised by Swetambara Jains (Digambars call it Sallekhana), as illegal and punishable under the laws of the land.
2. Calling it suicide and, therefore, a criminal act, the PIL also sought prosecution of those supporting the practice for abetment to suicide.
3. The PIL argued that death by Santhara was not a fundamental right under Article 25 (freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion), because it violated the right to life guaranteed under Article 21. It argued that religious freedom is subject to public order, morality and health.

What did the High court say in its order?

1. The Bench said that it was not established that Santhara or Sallekhana is an essential practice of the Jain religion. Jain scriptures or texts don’t say that moksha (salvation) can be achieved only by Santhara.
2. According to the judges, it was one thing to argue that Santhara is not suicide, and quite another to say that it is a permissible religious practice protected by Articles 25 and 26.
3. The court asked the state to stop the practice in any form, and directed that any complaint made in this regard be registered as a criminal offence in accordance with Section 309 (attempted suicide) or Section 306 (abetment to suicide) of the IPC.

So many articles cites, so much legalities brought into the picture! So, what did the Jain Community say?

1. Jain community defends that, Santhara is an ancient religious practice aimed at self-purification.
2. The vow of Santhara/Sallekhana is taken when all purposes of life have been served, or when the body is unable to serve any purpose of life. It is not the giving up of life, but taking death in their stride.

How did the Jain community react to the judgment? What line have the Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and central governments taken?

1. No government has articulated an official line, but politicians, including ministers, have criticised the judgment.
2. Members of the Jain community took to the streets immediately by organising protest rallies.
3. On August 24, the community took out massive silent rallies in several cities and towns. In meetings held before the rallies, members of the community openly criticised the judges, calling them ignorant and disrespectful of religious practices.

How does constitution interpret this issue? <and this is the part which should be important for an IAS Aspirant>

1. The preamble to the Constitution states that the Constitution secures to all its citizens liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship.
2. Article 25 guarantees that every person in India shall have freedom of conscience and a right to profess, practice and propagate religion.
3. Article 29 goes further and declares that any section of citizens having a distinct culture shall have a right to conserve the same. If any law comes in conflict with constitutional rights, it will have to yield.”

Relief from SC judgement?
The Supreme Court restored the Jain religious practice of a ritualistic fast unto death by staying an order of the Rajasthan High Court, which compared it to an act of suicide.

Some philosophical issues which spring out of this debate

This has been a debate that pits state versus individual; law versus custom; and the right to life versus the right to choose the outcome of one’s own life.

1. In the context of law the issue is presented as a conflict of rights, that is, between the right to freedom of religion and the right to life. When posed in this way, Santhara comes to be cast as a ritual or a religious practice, an action, rather than a way of knowing and being.
2. It is framed as a choice to die rather than as a fast unto freedom, expressed in terms such as “she left her body” as opposed to “she died” or that “she is dead.”
   The practice exemplifies how the subject or self is regarded as continuing to exist and flourish long after it leaves the body, rather than as coming to an end.
3. This practice cannot be compared to Sati, as some have done, arguing that it is coerced and mainly forced upon women. Not only is the vow made by both men and women in the Jain community, the fast is undertaken by the concerned subject for self-realisation, and not for some dead husband or for the sake of honour, self sacrifice, and all the other hugely problematic reasons given to justify violent acts towards women through the language of familialism and sacrality.

Have other religious practices faced legal challenges earlier?

1. Bal Diksha, the controversial practice in which children as young as 8 years take diksha to become ‘Bal Munis’, a role that requires them to observe a strict, regimented lifestyle, has been challenged in the courts.
2. Case was filed in Goa against a naked Digambar monk for obscenity. When an amendment in the Wildlife Protection Act was proposed to ban domestic trade of peacock feathers, the community feared that monks would be stopped from carrying peacock feathers.
3. The community is also against a ban on open defecation because that is the way some monks answer nature’s call.

So, what’s your opinion on Santhara ritual? It’s curse or sacred in fundamental nature of ritual?

Published with inputs from Arun

Before we proceed to understand how IPV works, let us first explore the concept of vaccination?

The basic principle behind the vaccination/immunization is that the pathogen is introduced into the body either in the live attenuated/killed form, to generate memory cells. <Why and How of this will be explored in a short while>

A vaccine will generate a primary immune response which helps in establishing the memory about the foreign antigen. This is what principally happens in the body, when a vaccine is provided into the body.

Now, what will happen when actual virus attacks the body?
There will be a strong secondary <mind it, primary response was seen during vaccination> immune response quickly, which will involve the massive production of antibodies against the same infection.

Now, let’s analyse the difference between primary and secondary immune response?
The primary immune response is weak in potency and work for short duration, where as secondary immune response generates large concentration of antibodies in short duration. The latter helps in providing strength and these antibodies circulate for the longer period of time, mitigating foreign antigens.

Live Attenuated vis-a-vis Inactivated Vaccine
In live attenuated (meaning weakened), the virus which is introduced in the body is not dead, it is only weakened. This virus shows more properties of a real polio virus, which will lead to vaccinated individual developing more memory of polio virus and handling it.

Inactivated vaccines is produced by killing the disease-causing microbe with chemicals, heat, or radiation. Such vaccines are more stable and safer than live attenuated vaccines. The dead microbes can’t mutate back to their disease-causing state.

Now, we come to explore the Vaccine Derived Virus
Actual discussion starts here, because this will showcase the need to introduce IPV for Polio.

One of the disadvantage of live attenuated vaccination is that the safety margins are little less, i.e. if a person is suffering from any serious ailment such as TB, HIV,etc., then his immune system is vulnerable, which might lead to multiplication and mutation of vaccine virus. This will cause clinical infection, which is also called vaccine derived infection.

Now, it will be easy for you to understand the debate on OPV vs. IPV – How is IPV different from OPV?

Injectable Polio Vaccine is made up of heat-killed virus that cannot cause the disease in any case, because the pathogen is not alive. However, it does produce the memory in the cells, required for immunity.

Oral Polio Vaccine is made up of live-attenuated virus, which is nearly incapable of producing an infection.  This type of vaccination helps in providing immunity to wild-type of virus.

Now, what exactly India is planning to do?

1. National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) recommended that India should introduce Injectable vaccine, as we have achieved polio free status.<wild type infection only>
2. India is introducing IPV in its Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
3. There will be shift from tri-valent variety OPV(P1, P2 and P3) to bivalent OPV (P1 and P3), so as to reduce incidence of vaccine-derived poliovirus.
4. However, IPV will be administered for all the 3 strains of virus, providing immunity to a child from all 3 strains.
5. IPV will be given in addition to existing OPV, in order to boost population immunity.

Now, the obvious question that arises, that why are we stopping OPV for P2 type?

The wild-type P2 variant was eliminated in 1999. As, it will not be administered in OPV form, the propensity to manifest as a vaccine derived infection will be countered.<In simple words, we will be able to eliminate vaccine derived polio virus of P2 type>

If OPV can lead to vaccine-derived polio infection, then why don’t we switch to IPV only regimen? Because my friend, there are huge challenges in administering IPV:

• It requires skilled professional, as the vaccine needs to be injected
• The dosage is very costly, approx $1/dose!

Any further questions?

Published with inputs from Pushpendra

IMP: Civilsdaily IAS Prelims 2018 Test Series Module Launched – Click here

If you have come across this page via a simple google search on “How to Clear IAS” or “How to Prepare for Civil Services” or any related SOS call on this mother of all examination, then we can safely deduce 2 things –

1. We are sort of getting famous (or at least we would like to think so!)

2. You have already made up your mind and probably want some really basic – quick tips to start with – just to see that you get the initial things correct OR you are the “done with the 9to5 job – start up idea nahi hai – life mein kya karein“ junta and you are thinking of giving Civil Services a shot!

If on the other hand, you are a regular reader at this website, you would agree that it’s a customary job of every self respecting IAS Prep site to give out occasional gyan on how to clear IAS!

Update #1: Prelims Paper 1 Syllabus for UPSC

Fair enough? In quick points then, here are the 5 commandments that will do well to get started with the IAS Prep. Advanced gyan later!

#1. Start slow, Build on your strengths & Focus on Environment & Biodiversity

Preparing from civil services is like taking an extended sabbatical from regular life and getting on a train to Hogwarts  Wasseypur to take on an unprecedented enemy. One day you are casually browsing through articles such as this and the other day you have 10kg worth of material piled up on your study desk!

You might have cleared the gruelling JEE or that unnerving CAT, got a stellar rating in those demanding corporate jobs or a magna-cum-laude certificate from a US university BUT nothing, virtually nothing overwhelms you like UPSC does!

So, take things slow. It’s a long race and you need to develop an appreciation for the syllabus. This could be a start of something good – you will get to know policy matters, economic realities and the sad social reality of the country you live in and you might just be able to connect with your surroundings and grow a new found love for India in general!

Except maybe for environment & biodiversity – We are yet to find a person who loved mugging up all the national parks and endangered species for the love of god! So, please have a headstart on E&B – Keep a tab on all small, big enviro related things in the current affairs and make a note in a copy – most of the questions are asked from the current affairs.

A more comprehensive post on how to tackle E&B has been written by Satish (CSE 2014: AIR 97) – How to Approach Enviro & Biodiversity?

#2. The Old and New NCERTs and then a few more Books!

Remember the time when you used to scoff at civics – that thin, small, parchment sized book which used to form a meagerly 20% part of your SST syllabus in class 9th and 10th? Of course you do!

That non-existent subject now forms a big part of the UPSC Syllabus in a new avatar – The Indian Polity.

Remember those moral science classes you used to have where the teachers tried hard to make an adarsh balak out of you? Yes, no? Well, UPSC has made a full fledged GS Paper out of it – Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude.

So, what’s the point? 

The point is that this is the time to pay homage to the old gods and new those NCERTs and quickly brush up on the concepts. Do not waste time hankering between old or new books. Get hold of the new NCERTs – go through them briskly – they are easy to read, are less boring and may delude you into believing that clearing IAS is a cake walk!

That’s where you need to graduate you to a bit heavier books – Laxmikanth for Indian Polity, Bipan Chandra for Pre and Post Independence and so on. We will furnish the reference books in a separate post and link that here soon.

#3. Don’t over indulge on daily news. Not just yet. Build your basics first

We made the Civilsdaily Android App for one reason and one reason alone – To make Current Affairs more approachable. So, keep up with the daily Newscards on the app – you will slowly get a hang on the events of national and international importance.

Once you cover the NCERTs and build some command over the static part of the syllabus, you will be able to understand news better. You would understand what Raghuram Rajan mean by rate cuts, what’s going on with India and the world or why is there so much clamour about the Judicial Appointments System.

That’s when the real magic starts! That’s when you will be able to attempt questions better and bring out better analysis points!

Update #2: Read our 3 point strategy post on Newspapers for IAS Prep

 #4. Discuss, debate and regroup!

The golden rule is this – You will learn more from your peers than from your teachers. This held true in college and this holds true even now. But why’s that?

We tend to have our biases and blind spots in life. We give more importance to some subjects, some themes (even at the expense of leaving out on other exam related important stuff) because that’s just how we are. And here is where your peers come to save you – their take on some issue could complement your learning and vice versa.

You are more likely to remember those passionately argued points on labour laws or women issues than the ones mentioned in the XEROX booklets at Karol Bagh.

The whole idea of this expansive UPSC syllabus is to make the future bureaucrats more sensitive about the various issues plaguing our country and having passionate aspirants in your study groups help!

#5. Choose your Optional wisely

All men are equal but some are more equal than others… And the 2 papers worth 500 marks @ IAS Mains are dedicated to the optional which will make or mar your chances. For some it’s a continuation of their graduation subject and for some it’s a whole new science (or arts if we should be precise).

A good optional also serves as a good breather for the time when you feel overwhelmed and over-annoyed with all the GS around! So, take your time and test the waters before zeroing on one. We will come to your rescue with posts from some of the IAS Rankers on how and why they chose their optionals. Some of them are –

• Abhijit Thorat on Civil Engineering – Read here.
• Saikanth Varma on Maths – Read here.
  

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For the benefit of our readers, we have compiled some 30+ posts written on the theme of “How to clear IAS”. Please click through this collection to read more –

• All the posts on How to clear IAS
• Detailed strategy for cracking IAS examination for the beginners
• How to prepare polity for Prelims

Thank you students for appreciating the thoughts. It is imperative that in current day and age we work out to mitigate the fears of GS and lay down and approach which works best and is all inclusive.

Moving on with the two factors which I mentioned before –

I. External factors:

• Natural Law

It is a belief that every thing in this world is meant to fullfil certain purpose. Anything which disrupts this teleology then it will be considered as unethical. e.g same sex marriages

According to critics it is “unnatural” because they say that sexual intercourse is meant for new life i.e. for child. Hence, they denounce use of contraceptives , abortion, etc.

But at the same time we know it for sure that many societies/countries have legalised same sex marriages. Why ? Just think.

• Consequences Based

In this approach it is the result which influences our choice/decisions. Formula being “ greatest good of the greatest number” (Utilitarianism).

II. Internal factors:

• Conscience (inner voice)
• Duty based – It is governed by the feel of “what ought to be”. It is basically Kantian ethics.
• In recent years there is growing view that there are no predefined norms of morality such that we are supposed to be governed by those principles. Rather it is us who have to create values by the exercise of our free will. Most of the Existentialist thinkers fall under this category.

In nutshell this paper is all about ethical decision and courageously defending our stand without FEAR & FAVOUR.

This paper is unique. It is not just about “question-answer” as it happens in other GS papers and optional paper i.e. questions are asked for which there are well defined and well structured answers. Usually a candidate pours whatever he/she has mugged up.

But in this paper this is not the scenario. Here you have to take a “stand”. In simple terms you need to take a decision , a decision which you can justify. Best decision ( of course ethical decision)is that  which you can justify in front of:

• Media
• Your parents
• Huge crowd
• Or simply yourself when you are alone or having guts & courage to look directly into your own eyes in front of mirror.

Another misconception about this paper is that this paper is all about case studies i.e. just do case studies, theory part can be dealt in examination hall itself !!! But this is completely a wrong strategy. Actually as said earlier, in this paper  one has to take a stand , a stand which can be justified.

And this justification will come basically from theoretical portion i.e. values , philosophers ,psychology concepts ,moral thinkers/personalities , personal experience , etc. So until &  unless your theoretical portion is very strong , you can’t justify your decision/stand in case studies.

In fact you can’t differentiate between case studies and theory. In fact theory makes a strong foundation over which case studies approach has to be built upon. Hence, to deal this paper competitively  we need to understand strong inter-linkages between philosophy , psychology and governance.

Apart from all these , for complete appreciation of this paper we need to grasp some fundamental/basic issues of ethics (I am not talking of theories!!). In fact there are two basic issues ( one being “what ought to”) over which entire ethics is built on.

Actually, our life is governed by two set of factors –

1. Circumstances
2. Choice

Circumstances is one area where we can do nothing , there is no freedom , we cannot do anything e.g. situation , gender, society , etc in which we find ourselves in this world. Consequently, it has nothing to do with ethics. Just remember role of ethics begins only when there is freedom.

Second thing is “Choice” where one enjoys freedom. Hence, it is the domain of ethics. The kind of choice which we make defines our life & it governs our life – we enjoy , we suffer ,we repent , we feel proud , we face repercussions ,etc. Our life is all about our choices . In any situation , whatever, we have no options but to make choice. One of the existentialist thinker says ‘ Man is condemned to be free i.e. he has no choice but to make choice’.

Even if somebody says that he only follows his brother or parents or teacher , actually he is exercising his choice to follow. He could have very well denied. In one of the religious text “ Abraham decided to sacrifice his only son Isaac on the orders of God.” But don’t you think that it was his choice to obey God’s order.

Therefore – “ No choice but to make choice.”

Moment you make choice, here begins the domain of ethical examination and then question arises “whether such choice is right or wrong , good or bad , just or unjust, or simply ethical or unethical”.

To make a choice or to exercise freedom one does not need any specialisation in any discipline. YOU DON’T HAVE TO STUDY ETHICS , INTEGRITY & APTITUDE !!

An illiterate person in very remote village does make choice. Twenty two years back one person named Manjhi made a choice to cut a way through mountain !! You all are seeing a movie based on his life and simply appreciating his choice !! But he didn’t study GS IV. He acted what his conscience said to him, rest is the history ( great , awesome , unbelievable).

Now if ethics is all about choice then one question becomes obvious that what are the factors which governs our ability to decide ?

Let’s come back to those two factors in the other post. I would like to hear from your side on your views on Ethics. I will follow up with another post.

Take good care.

Three broad divisions – 

1. Ancient India
2. Medieval India
3. Modern India and national struggle for independence

Tips for study –

1. For modern India from 1757 to 1857 you have to study Old NCERT book of modern India.
2. At same time you can prepare for mains as you can expect 1 question from this part every year.
3. Struggle for Indian independence by Bipan Chandra ( Don’t know why UPSC loves this book. It literally picks questions from this directly both in prelims and mains) Read this book as many times as possible. Please note that this book is not specially written for examination and one needs to make his own points and underline them in same page.
4. Spectrum Modern India is book which has all summarized of both NCERT and Bipin Chandra. It has many tables, bullet points. This book is perfect for revision and memorizing points but this book should be studied only after reading above books otherwise sometimes you may not understand the issue or event. (At this point with 1 month left for prelims this is important).
5. Next important part in history is Culture. Most of the questions from ancient and medieval India will be related to socio-cultural issues.

How to tame Art & Culture?

1. Main books and web links have been listed above
2. Now take a drawing chart divide it into 4 parts with vertical lines. Then under each part divide whole art and culture into visual arts, performing arts, literature and drama, socio religious and others. You may choose your own way of division of topics. (Such a division of any topics either in art and culture or polity will get you more quality).
3. So now while reading ancient you come across some architecture you write about that in very small and short important keywords in chart. Then when Buddhism comes write in socio religious part. Like that complete the whole books. Similarly do with the medieval India.
4. Then start with CCRT and study. There is a problem of getting confused and forgetting what we read in culture. So preparing through chart is one method. In addition to that, when you are reading about something try to see that image in internet. (For example if I am studying regarding Dravidian architecture it would be easy if I keep seeing an image while studying. This increases the understanding level and also makes your life easy).
5. Buddhism is a hot favorite, anyday!

PS – For history & visualisations – we have started some crisp infographs in the history sections. Follow the stories as they may help in the ultimate revisions.

Links – Civilsdaily – History for Prelims