To understand the points in depth, we recommend you download and read.
We have been hammering on the importance of logical thinking and art of Tikdam along with sound preparation as essential ingredients to clear prelims examination for quite some time now.
Make no mistake, this is a GOLDMINE of practical wisdom.
Sajal Sir discusses the utility of Tikdam Technique for Prelims 2017 paper.
PS: We are in the process of preparing an updated dossier on the Art of Tikdams and will make it available for a free download soon. If you wish to download an older version of the document, pls click here.
Starts September 16th. First lecture on September 16th.
Note4Students
This post includes Date wise lecture schedule for all the subjects.
The topics given in the time-table are indicative. The list is not exhaustive. students are expected to refer to books for more detail.
The Foundation 2020 is our most ambitious programme to date. It marks the culmination of our learnings across the 4+ year of our operations and introduces a hitherto unexplored but immensely important layer of abstraction: Identification of yourLearning Personas.
Understanding your learning personas is an evolving process and we are upgrading our Samanvaya calls to ensure that our mentors adapt to your learning patterns and provide flexible yet comprehensive strategies.
That said, the execution part of the Foundation 2020 course leaves nothing to chance. It takes care of 100% of your learning & assessment needs in a way that reinforces superior test-taking strategies for desired outcomes.
We have prepared this brochure with immense care & love. Please download and go through it for all information regarding:
What’s different with Foundation 2020 & rest of the similar programs from other portals
Key constituents of Foundation 2020 & their details
Quick reference table for pricing
The journey of a Foundation 2020 course student (broad timetable and learning outcomes)
NOTE #1: BEFORE MAKING A DIRECT BANK TRANSFER, PLS CHECK THE FULL AMOUNT (INCLUSIVE OF TAXES). ONCE THE PAYMENT IS DONE, DROP A MAIL TO HELLO@CIVILSDAILY WITH YOUR TRANSACTION ID AND COURSE JOINED NOTE #2: CIVILSDAILY’S PARENT COMPANY NAME IS APEIROGON TECHNOLOGIES. DON’T PANIC!
This post will be followed by Day-wise subject specific plans.
The topics given in the time-table are indicative. The list is not exhaustive. students are expected to refer to books for more detail.
Dear students,
As you are aware, UPSC has an exceptionally vast syllabus. And it is a very complex task to come up with a study-plan/time-time table that harmonizes every element and takes into consideration the return on investment on certain topics.
We are hell-bent on simplifying things for you. Hence, we have come up with a plan that you will instantly connect with you and give you a vibe that yes you can do it!
1. Integrated Approach
Preparation for Prelims and Mains is harmonized. You study a subject, attempt prelims tests and then attempt mains tests for the same. This leads to a solid preparation.
Many institutes our there will not able to present an integrated approach. They offer separate timetables for prelims and mains confusing the students further. That’s not the case with us!
2. Simplified Approach
Our Time-table is the easiest to remember and follow. All tests prelims, mains and Samachar Manthan will be held on the weekend.
Prelims Tests are held on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month.
Monthly Current Affairs Tests are held on the last Saturday of every month.
Mains Tests are held on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month after the subject is complete.
Essay Tests are held on the 2nd Sunday of every month.
3. Priority-wise Coverage of subjects
We are starting with the most important subjects from the exam perspective first. These are very predictable + have a very high return on investment. They need to be mastered if one has to have a shot at the exam. Polity, Modern History, and Economics. The lower priority ones follow afterward.
4. Logical Division of Topics
Subjects have been divided into topics that logically fit together. Eg. for Polity we ask you to prepare in 2 parts – first, till Central Government and second, from State Government and beyond. This division is not ad-hoc and does not break the flow of your studies.
5. Base and Advanced Sources
We have divided the sources into 2 parts, Base Sources, and Advanced Sources. Base sources are those which you have to master. You should come to advanced sources only when you are thorough with the Base Sources.
This is a must watch! A student-driven Q&A session.
Presenting the most interesting and enriching discussion – Civilsdaily invited two toppers who represent the extremes of the CSE-prep spectrum.
Kunal gives the most practical tips. Debunks myths around the number of questions to attempt, whether to go for high-valued questions. His outlook on life remains admirable.
While Kamyaa (AIR 172) exemplifies the ‘happy-go-lucky attitude’ who cracked the exam with little planning; Kunal (AIR 211) personifies the ‘meticulous planner with never-say-die philosophy’.
It is difficult to find a video that combines such diverse wisdom so methodically.
For holistic guidance for IAS 2020, join Foundation 2020: http://bit.ly/foundation2020
This is not the time to study new things but to consolidate and revise whatever you have studied so far.
Watch this lecture on how to make the most out of the 60 days you have.
As is the case with all our programs, we have spent an ample amount of time to define what we want to achieve with this revision program.
1. Prelims SPOTLIGHT
This initiative is meant to help you revise details and facts that can be asked in prelims. They are simplified, synthesized and prepared using most authentic sources.
These can easily slip your mind or you can easily confuse these. Continuous Revision for the same is required. Dare you to miss the updates!
2. Static Subject Revision and Tests
The timetable for the static subjects is released. Tests will start on 5th of April.
Coverage and Relevance are the 2 Pillars of our Tests.
We will try our best to provide
The theme of the question
The Year of matching previous year question from the actual exam so you can assess the relevance
You appear for a test every 2nd day at 8 PM. We believe some breathing time is necessary to ensure consistency and efficiency. Besides, a good revision also requires quality time commitment.
Instant score after you submit your test with proper explanations for the questions.
Top 10 Ranks will be announced for every test at the launch of the next test.
Please ensure you attempt the tests with utmost sincerity.
The Advanced Lecture Series has been well appreciated by students both last year and this year. Hence, we are including them in the SIP Program. These are lectures on static subjects. They will not focus on explaining you the basics but instead focus on important details/trivia you tend to skip. From a prelims perspective, these details become very important. We have upgraded the lectures covering information we believe we missed last time. The upgrades will ensure that this year’s lectures are a level up over the ones provided last year.
Join our program to get these lectures and much more
Machhindra (PSIR optional, Hindi medium) is a candidate who is an absolute inspiration for anyone and everyone. This young lad from Maharashtra comes from the most humble of all backgrounds – farming. Much of his preparation has happened in his village.
His replies are crisp, unambiguous and balanced even when faced with a stern interviewer on controversial topics. This interview is for everyone. Machhindra proves that despite modest credentials, in the end, all that matters is one’s attitude.
This energetic mechanical engineer from IIT Guwahati has a DAF that can fill anyone with awe. The diversity of his extra-curriculars are equivalent to his academic feats. But, nothing attracts the inquisitiveness of the interview board more than a rich DAF. Watch this electrifying session for life-changing tips on interview prep.
We are starting to release the mock interview videos. The playlist is being maintained here.
It is well known that the interview is the third and final stage of the CSE. But, the importance of this stage is often underestimated. Despite being a fraction of the total marks in the exam, its weightage is tremendous when it comes to the final rank a candidate gets. Many times it is the interview that makes or breaks your dream of joining the elite clique of civil servants.
It is vital to realise that cracking the interview is an ‘art’ as well as a ‘science’, both of which are intrinsically connected. In order to understand this enigma, Civils Daily studied the interview to the bone and the findings were shared with the student community through the free lectures of Sh. V.P. Singh (IRTS, 2009).
We went one step further and conducted mock interviews based on the findings of our research. The mocks were taken by a distinguished panel of experts including Dr. Makhan Saikia (published author and faculty of Pol. Sc.), Sh. V.P. Singh (IRTS, 2009) and Mr. Rakesh Dalal (Core Faculty and Mentor, CD). The comprehensive assessment has been done on parameters like:
Integrity
Leadership
Critical power of assimilation
Openness to new ideas
A clear and logical expression
Balance of judgement
Mental alertness
Emotional stability
Body language
The mocks not just corroborated the strengths of the candidates, but, and more importantly; revealed hidden shortcomings which could have proved deadly in the actual interview.
The following are the links of the mock interviews taken on 8th January 2019 for your reference:
Personifying a ‘never-say-die attitude’, Kunal is a charismatic young man whose passion for civil services is equated by his calm composure and balanced replies in this ‘stress interview’. After his B.Tech (Computer Sc. and Engineering) from IIT, Hyderabad; Kunal had been working in a reputed MNC for 3 yrs until his decision to take on the UPSC. This mock interview will be most beneficial to those having PSIR optional and to those dejected with multiple attempts at CSE.
With a passion for teaching and serving the underprivileged, this electronics and communication engineer from NSIT, Delhi has balanced his job with social service. With PSIR as his optional subject and an intriguing social service profile, Rohit made a classic interview candidate. His replies further kindled the interview panel’s curiosity. Watch this session to find out what could be those obscure contradictions in your DAF that could cost you your dream job.
VISHAL SINGH – MOCK INTERVIEW
This energetic mechanical engineer from IIT Guwahati has a DAF that can fill anyone with awe. The diversity of his extracurriculars are equivalent to his academic feats. But, nothing attracts the inquisitiveness of the interview board more than a rich DAF. Watch this electrifying session for life-changing tips on interview prep.
CD has done its part in making this ordeal of a stage more intelligible and less daunting. It is now your turn to roll the ball further with your valuable feedback and active cooperation.
Dr. Saikia is a leading analyst of International Relations, Globalization and India’s foreign policy. He occasionally writes for The Pioneer and is a regular speaker at prominent global conferences.
He is passionate about shaping the next generation of bureaucrats. He took out time from his busy schedule to interact with the candidates facing the interviews in the coming weeks.
In this session, he effortlessly touches upon the various dimension of the 2 most important crisis – Brexit and the Middle East.
Students preparing for Prelims and Mains should make a note of various Organizations, Conferences, and Conventions mentioned by Sir. Doubts can be posted in the comments below.
The Supreme Court on 16 December dismissed the pleas of five states seeking modification of its order issued last year on the selection and appointment of director generals of police. The apex court was hearing applications of various state governments, including Punjab, Kerala, West Bengal, Haryana and Bihar, seeking implementation of their local laws regarding the selection and appointment of DGPs.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said the earlier directions of the court on selection and appointment of DGPs were issued in larger public interest and to protect the police officials from political interference.
The top court, on July 3 last year, passed a slew of directions on police reforms in the country and chronicled the steps for appointment of regular DGPs. It said the states will have to send a list of senior police officers to the UPSC at least three months prior to the retirement of the incumbent. The commission will then prepare a panel and intimate the states, which in turn will immediately appoint one of the persons from that list.
Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu inaugurated the Global Aviation Summit 2019 in Mumbai on Tuesday.The two-day summit, with a theme ‘Flying for all-especially the next 6 Billion’,is being organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in association with FICCI.It offers stakeholders an opportunity to explore, deliberate and understand how technology-driven innovations will change air travel in the decades to come.
India is the seventh-largest country by area and the second-most populous with over 1.35 billion people. It is one of the fastest growing economies of the world and is likely to become the 5fth largest in 2019.
The Indian aviation market is on a high growth path. Total passenger traffic to, from and within India, during Apr-Nov 2018 grew by around 15% year on year as compared to around 6% globally. India is now the seventh largest aviation market with 187 million passengers in FY 2017-18. It is expected to become the third largest by 2022.
The Supreme Court on 14 January agreed to hear the PIL, challenging Article 370 and separate Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir. The Apex Court tagged it with another pending matter and will hear all matters on Tuesday 2nd April.
Article 370 of the Indian constitution is an article that gives autonomous status to the state. The article is drafted in Part XXI of the Constitution: Temporary,Transitional and Special Provisions, the state of Jammu & Kashmir has been accorded special status under Article 370.
All the provisions of the Constitution which are applicable to other states are not applicable to J&K. For example, till 1965, J&K had a Sadr-e-Riyasat for governor and prime minister in place of Chief Minister.
President Donald Trump,facing the prospect soon of the longest U.S. government shutdown in history,was considering declaring a national emergency that would likely escalate a policy dispute with Democrats over his proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall into a court test of presidential power.
To escape a political trap of his own making,Trump suggested strongly on Thursday that he might declare an emergency so that he can bypass Congress to get funding for his wall,which was a central promise of his 2016 election campaign.
Trump is demanding that Congress provide $5.7 billion in U.S. taxpayer funding for the wall.That is opposed by Democrats in Congress,who call the wall an ineffective,outdated answer to a complex problem.The standoff has left a quarter of the federal government closed down and hundreds of thousands of federal employees staying home or working for no pay.
After intense debate for nearly five hours, the Lok Sabha today passed The Constitution (One hundred and twenty-fourth amendment) Bill, 2019 to provide reservation in public employment and higher education for economically weaker sections.At the voting held at around 10 PM on the last day of the winter session, 323 out of 326 MPs present voted in support of the Bill.
Economic reservation in jobs and education is proposed to be provided by inserting clause(6) in Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution. The proposed Article 15(6) enables State to make special provisions for advancement of any economically weaker section of citizens, including reservations in educational institutions. It states that such reservation can be made in any educational institution, including private institutions, whether aided or unaided, except minority educational institutions covered under Article 30(1).
It further states that the upper limit of reservation will be ten percent,which will be in addition to the existing reservations.As regards job reservations,the proposed Article 16(6) enables State to make provision for reservation in appointments,in addition to the existing reservations, subject to a maximum of ten percent.
At present, reservations account for a total of 49.5%, with 15%, 7.5% and 27% quotas for Scheduled Castes,Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes respectively.”Economically weaker sections” for the purposes of Articles 15 and 16 mean such sections as notified by the State from time to time on the basis of family income and other indicators of economic disadvantage. This will be a class distinct from the already specified classes of SCs, STs and socially and educationally backward classes.
The economically weaker sections of citizens have largely remained excluded from higher education and public employment due to their financial capacity.Therefore, there is a need to amend the constitution to give them a fair chance of getting higher education and public employment,so as to fulfill the mandate of Article 46 of the Constitution.
The nine judge bench decision of the SC in the Indira Sawhney case(1992) had capped the upper limit of reservation at 50%. The proposed amendments seek to get over this limit. The Indira Sawhney case had further held that social backwardness cannot be determined only with reference to economic criterion.
Developmental assistance can play a major role in transforming Afghanistan,official sources said on 3 January, rejecting US President Donald Trump’s jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over funding of a “library” in the war-ravaged country. Trump had taken a jibe at PM Modi for funding a “library” in Afghanistan, saying it is of no use in the war-torn country as he criticised India and others for not doing enough for the nation’s security.
In his first cabinet meeting in the new year on 1st Jan,Trump asked India,Russia,Pakistan and other neighbouring countries to take responsibility for Afghanistan’s security as he defended his push for the US to invest less overseas.
India may be building small libraries as part of the community development initiative,but most of its investments in Afghanistan were on mega infrastructure projects including the 218 km road from Zaranj to Delaram,the Salma Dam and the new Afghan Parliament building.India has also been supplying military equipment to Afghanistan besides providing training to hundreds of Afghan security personnel.
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday rejected the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s call for unification under a “one country, two systems” approach.
Tsai said her island of 23 million people would never accept the approach proposed by Beijing.One country, two systems refers to a framework similar to Hong Kong in which the territory became part of China but retained a degree of autonomy.
Taiwan and China split in a civil war that brought the Communist Party to power in China in 1949.The rival nationalists set up their own government on Taiwan,an island 160km off the Chinese mainland.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has secured a massive victory in the parliamentary polls for the third straight time. This victory makes her longest serving Prime Minister of the country giving her four terms.
As per the official reports from Dhaka, the ruling party Awami League and its allies have won 288 of the 300 parliamentary seats contested well surpassing their tally in the previous polls.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday has also congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her victory, saying “Hasina’s victory was the reflection of Bangladesh’s stunning development under her dynamic leadership”.Both India and Bangladesh share long and special ties and the stability of Bangladesh is prized by India given the strategic and political significance of the south-east Asian nation.
The 71-year-old leader, daughter of Bangladesh’s founding statesman Shiekh Mujibur Rehman has been lauded for boosting the economic growth of the country as well as handling Rohingya refugee crisis considered to be a massive humanitarian crisis to have hit region.
Meanwhile, the opposition has questioned the polls, which saw violence in some pockets and death of 17 persons.The main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP),which had boycotted the polls in 2014 could win only 6 seats this time.
