How to score high marks in UPSC Civil Services Prelims?

  • June 7, 2020
  • Posted by: admin
  • Category: Prelims
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I consider it is my duty to share this with every sincere aspirant as I have cleared all six (6) prelims back to back with very high margins. I have seen many aspirants even the selected candidates (IPS, IRS, etc.) failing to clear prelims in their subsequent attempt. You might me thinking how can this happen? But it is very common. I will explain this. I would like help everyone who is struggling with CSE prelims.

 

My strategy was KISS- Keep It Simple Stupid.

With this strategy I managed to clear all 6 Prelims back to back with huge margin.

Detailed Strategy:

Stage 1: Preparation

Basic NCERT Level: NCERT

I started with NCERT books and gave most utmost importance to them. In my experience, UPSC is fond of framing questions directly from NCERTs especially in History and Geography section. Many interesting facts mentioned in NCERTs (BOX) are hard to be found in any standard book. Therefore, I believe NCERTs are a must.

 

Advanced Level:

After completing NCERTs I focused on one standard book for every subject. I tried to master them. This is the list of books which I followed and found more than sufficient to qualify Prelims.

  • Polity- Laxmikanth
  • Economy – Shankarganesh+NCERT Macro Eco and Eco Development
  • Environment -NCERT BIO and Shankar IAS
  • History – Spectrum+ Bipin Chandra for reference
  • Art and culture- ALL new history NCERT and Fine arts, some portion of Nitin Singhania for folk arts
  • Geography – all NCERTS with G C Leong
  • Science- NCERT and TMH
  • Current affairs – The Hindu+ Indian Express

 

Here I would like to say this experience of clearing all 6 CSE Prelims gave me a unique insights about what UPSC expects. Therefore, I felt it’s my duty to help other aspirants  who sometimes struggle to get authentic material for current affairs. In this regard, I have come out with Daily Prelims Notes (DPN) which focusses on prelims exam. This is a unique initiative as it is one stop solution for CSE Prelims as it links every current topic to its core concept. It is based on the pedagogy developed by me which links context to concept for every important relevant current topic. The selection of topics are done with a lot of thought and content is kept appropriate for prelims level.

 

Stage 2: Testing

Test: Taking sufficient number of mock tests are important to develop exam temperament. In this regard test series comes to rescue.

But what I have observed, that most test series schedule are designed for senior veterans. They just mix everything without any scientific basis and a new students ends up getting demotivated. In my first two attempts I solved very few mocks. I focused more on mastering these books. I personally know many students who have been fooled by institutes to run after mocks with no guidance.

No body stresses on building conceptual clarity. Always testing can come only after product is developed. Once your concepts are clear you can start practicing mocks. But, mocks should be of good quality and as per UPSC standard.

Here, I would like to tell you about LAQSHYA-2021 which is a prelims 2021 mentorship program. It is designed to enhance your ability rather than just testing it.  The plan is very scientifically designed with three levels of study:

  1. Basic NCERT Level
  2. Advanced Applied Level
  3. Final Stimulated Level

This is coupled with a SWOT analysis of your performance after every test and unique actionable behavior insights to work on your weaknesses.

The defining feature of this program is the Online Community to give you 24*7 support. You can post your questions and doubts and get your answers from experts and other fellow aspirants.

Stage 3: Predictions

I had developed the art of predicting topics because of my vast experience of clearing all 6 Prelims. This gave me edge in my later attempts which resulted in huge score.

 

In 2019 I predicted many questions which even so called all India Test Series  with 100s of test were not able to do. You can read here: https://www.quora.com/Do-you-think-UPSC-is-always-beyond-the-lakhs-of-aspirants-and-1000s-of-coaching-institutes-in-term-of-paper-setting

Today I am using this knowledge in my Daily Practice Sheet (DPS) which has Daily Prelims Topics and Prelims Power Play.

Stage 4: Unique Elimination Techniques developed by me.

  1. Never mark question before reading all options. Don’t be in a hurry. Be like tailor -He takes measurement two times but cuts once .Likewise read question twice if confused before marking.
  2. Be careful of words like – all, none, any, no, always, never, only (radical words). Statements with these words are generally incorrect.

Let us take example:

Example CSE 2012

Recently, there has been a concern over the short supply of a group of elements called ‘rare earth metals’. Why?

  1. China, which is the largest producer of these elements, has imposed some restrictions on their export.
  2. Other than China, Australia, Canada and Chile, these elements are not found in any
  3. Rare earth metals are essential for the manufacture of various kinds of electronic items and there is a growing demand for these elements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[A] 1 Only

[B] 2 & 3 Only

[C] 1 & 3 Only

[D] 1,2& 3

Ans: Option [C]

Example 2. With reference to the ‘Trans-Pacific Partnership’, consider the following statements:

  1. It is an agreement among all the Pacific Rim countries except China and Russia.
  2. It is a strategic alliance for the purpose of maritime security

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: 4

All and only are used and both are incorrect.

Example 3. With reference to the ‘Gram Nyayalaya Act’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. As per the Act, Gram Nyayalayas can hear only civil cases and not criminal cases.
  2. The Act allows local social activists as mediators/reconciliators.

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

Solution: B

Again only is used, this is again incorrect.

Example 4. In the areas covered under the Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, what is the role/power of Gram Sabha? (2012)

  1. Gram Sabha has the power to prevent alienation of land in the Scheduled Areas.
  2. Gram Sabha has the ownership of minor forest produce.
  3. Recommendation of Gram Sabha is required for granting prospecting licence or mining lease for anymineral in the Scheduled Areas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans :b

In place of any it should be minor

Example 5 .With reference to consumers’ rights/ privileges under the provisions of law in India, which of the following statements is/arc correct?

  1. Consumers are empowered to take samples for food testing.
  2. When a consumer files a complaint in any consumer forum, no feeis required to be paid
  3. In case of death of a consumer, his/her legal heir can file a complaint in the consumer forum on his / her behalf.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below

[A] 1 Only

[B] 2 & 3 Only

[C] 1 & 3 Only

[D] 1,2 & 3

Solution: c

In place of No fee , there is nominal fee.

 

What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing ‘Goods and Services Tax (GST)’?

  1. It will replace multiple taxes collected by multiple authorities and will thus create a single market in India.
  2. It will drastically reducethe ‘Current Account Deficit’ of India and will enable it to increase its foreign exchange reserves.
  3. It willenormously increasethe growth and size of the economy of India and will enable it to overtake China in the near future.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A) 1 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: A) 1 only

 

Here statement 2 and 3 are extreme statements

What is/are unique about ‘Kharai Camel’, a breed found in India?

  1. It is capable of swimming up to three kilometres in seawater.
  2. It survives by grazing on mangroves.
  3. It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution: A

Here again the word cannot is extreme.

 

Be careful of words like – all, none ,any , no ( radical words)

Example CSE 2012

Recently, there has been a concern over the short supply of a group of elements called ‘rare earth metals’. Why?

  1. China, which is the largest producer of these elements, has imposed some restrictions on their export.
  2. Other than China, Australia, Canada and Chile, these elements are not found in any
  3. Rare earth metals are essential for the manufacture of various kinds of electronic items and there is a growing demand for these elements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[A] 1 Only

[B] 2& 3 Only

[C] 1& 3 Only

[D] 1,2& 3

Ans: C

In the areas covered under the Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, what is the role/power of Gram Sabha? (2012)

  1. Gram Sabha has the power to prevent alienation of land in the Scheduled Areas.
  2. Gram Sabha has the ownership of minor forest produce.
  3. Recommendation of Gram Sabha is required for granting prospecting licence or mining lease for anymineral in the Scheduled Areas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: b

Statement 3 is incorrect. In place of any it should be minor

With reference to consumers’ rights/ privileges under the provisions of law in India, which of the following statements is/arc correct?

  1. Consumers are empowered to take samples for food testing.
  2. When a consumer files a complaint in any consumer forum, no fee is required to be paid
  3. In case of death of a consumer, his/her legal heir can file a complaint in the consumer forum on his / her behalf.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below

[A] 1 Only

[B] 2 & 3 Only

[C] 1 & 3 Only

[D] 1,2 & 3

Solution: C

In place of No fee, there is nominal fee.

These are few tips.

Keep cool throughout the exam .Don’t take unwarranted risks.

This was my strategy which helped me clear all 6 CSE Prelims. Hope it helps future aspirants.

God Bless You.