pathfinder - civil services main examination

131 Pages·2014·1.21 MB·English

Pathfinder Civil Services Main Examination
Editor
Dr. Divya S. Iyer
English Language
Pathfinder-Civil Services Main Examination
Self Help/ Career Guidance
by Divya S. Iyer
© D C Books/Rights Reserved
First Published August 2013
First E-book Edition November 2013
Cover Design
Anish Uthimoodu
Publishers
iRANK
An imprint of D C Books, Kottayam 686001
Kerala State, India
website : www.dcbooks.com
e-mail : [email protected]
Although utmost care has been taken in the preparation of this book, neither the
publishers nor the editors/compilers can accept any liability for any consequence arising
from the information contained therein. The publisher will be grateful for any information,
which will assist them in keeping future editions up to date.
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ISBN 978-81-264-4662-9
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Introduction
Pathfinder is an effort to equip the aspirants to the Civil Services to navigate through
the bewildering maze of the syllabus of the Main examination, particularly of the newly
introduced General Studies papers. Prepared essentially for the NSS Academy of Civil
Services (NACS) to give its faculty a framework for teaching the General Studies papers,
the material is being made available widely in a spirit of sharing. It also provides a
glimpse of the topics, which will be covered in the Main Examination course, which is
currently under way at NACS. I hope that the aspirants will benefit from the book,
whether they attend NACS classes or prepare by themselves, following the path
suggested here.
Our editor, Dr.Divya Iyer, with her recent experience of the examination, which secured
for her a creditable position in the service, with very high marks in the personality test,
has conceptualized, planned and composed a large part of this book. She has drawn up,
in the order of priority, a list of the topics that must be covered under various sections of
the syllabus and has contributed several articles on different aspects of the examination.
This book is the fruit of her thoughtful initiative and relentless efforts. The other
contributors to the book are also experts in their respective fields. The editor has
acknowledged their contributions separately.
For me, the establishment of NACS and its performance so far are a dream come true.
Having had the benefit of serving in the Indian Foreign Service for 37 years, I felt that I
should motivate and assist the young generation to compete for the Civil Services. Even
after the advent of the vast opportunities in the private sector, the Civil Services still
provide the most attractive opportunity to serve the cause of the people and to make a
difference. The success in the Civil Services Examination truly transforms a person from
an ordinary citizen to a privileged individual, destined to occupy the most important
official positions in the Government in the centre and the states. Compared to politicians,
who get elected for short terms, the civil servants run the Government for thirty years or
more. The influence and authority of the Civil Services are, therefore, more durable as
part of the "steel frame", which functions as the sentinel of democracy and good
governance. For young, intelligent and patriotic Indians, the Civil Services offer the
greatest opportunity and challenge.
Equally important is the fact that the Civil Services examinations are transparent and
efficient and impartially conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. They are so
far untainted by charges of corruption, nepotism or discrimination. Equity and justice are
the hallmark of the examination. This means that there should be no fear that merit will
go unrecognized, regardless of the economic, social or political background of the
aspirants. People from remote villages and Oxford and Cambridge graduates compete on
a level playing field and get selected by the sheer dint of their abilities. Several reforms
introduced in the last several years have helped to remove language and educational
inequities and increased the level of confidence people have in the credibility and
integrity of the Civil Services examination. In other words, any young graduate can
compete without any fear of unfair treatment.
The purpose of the examination is to catch people with exceptional abilities young and
to equip them for heavy responsibilities. Good education, diverse interests, broad
reading, inquisitiveness, good judgment and commitment to integrity and ethical conduct
are the kind of qualities for which the aspirants are tested. Since many of these qualities
are developed in the cradle and remain till the grave, it is never too early to prepare for
the examination. The personality that has developed in the first twenty years is the best
asset for the aspirants and the rest are systematic study of the subjects offered and deep
knowledge of the contemporary national and international scene. Good articulation of
ideas in words and writing is of utmost importance and special attention will be given to
reasoning and logic. The advantage in attending a good academy of Civil Services is that
it provides opportunities for exchange of ideas, group discussions and collective thinking.
Compared to the time that I took the examination successfully in 1966, the level of
difficulty of the examination has increased. The preliminary examination, known as the
aptitude test, designed to screen candidates for the Main Examination, has proved to be
tricky because of its broad sweep and lack of clear guidelines of study. Some good
candidates have met their Waterloo in the Preliminary Examination. The latest scheme
for the Main Examination has further increased its width and depth. On the other hand,
the extended age limit and the increase in possible chances for appearing in the
examination have bestowed advantages, compared to earlier times.
As a self-proclaimed evangelist of the Indian Foreign Service, I regret the diminishing
interest of high rank holders in the Diplomatic Service. Part of the reason for this is the
inadequate knowledge about the opportunities and challenges of the Foreign Service and
exaggerated notions about its hazards. At a time when the profile of India is rising on the
international firmament, our best young men and women should flock to the Foreign
Service. At NACS, we intend to encourage the aspirants to consider a diplomatic career
with full knowledge of its charms and challenges.
I hope that the Pathfinder will be of immense value to its users. The eventual success
will depend on the manner in which the material is used imaginatively. The aspirants
should choose their own level of studies to suit the availability of time, the level of
preparedness in the past and the capacity to delve deep into each subject. We at NACS
will rejoice if the book is found helpful by anyone. This is a competition and our wish is
only that the best should win.
T.P. Sreenivasan
NACS–The Pathfinder
I am glad that the NSS Academy of Civil Services (NACS) has devised a strategy to tackle
the Civil Services Main Examination and decided to share it with the aspirants all over
India with the help of D C Books. Such a strategy is extremely important as the Main
Examination this year is breaking new ground and there is a crying need for a publication
of this kind to guide the aspirants. NACS has been in existence only for a year, but its
team has already made a mark in the best traditions of N S S institutions, inspired by the
vision and hard work of its founder, Mannath Padmanabhan. It is emerging as one of the
premier Civil Service training institutions in India, with a visionary leadership, brilliant
faculty and first-rate facilities. I am sure that its new venture to publish a volume for the
benefit of aspirants far and wide will secure a prominent place for NACS among the best
Civil Services Academies in India. I congratulate the NACS team and the other
contributors to the book on this project and hope that the publication will be a major
contribution to the preparations for the Civil Services Examinations in the future.
G. Sukumaran Nair
N S S General Secretary
Editor’s Note
“We ourselves must walk the path.”—Buddha.
Pathfinder is an instrument to help you walk the path, valiant and vehement to reach
your target. Your winning spirit is our reward. Your victory will be our asset. We present
to you a novel strategy to tackle the expansive set of exam papers at the Civil Service
Main Exams. UPSC’s introduction of a set of grand reforms in the Main Examination
structure and syllabi this year (2013) has bewildered many in the aspirant community.
Pathfinder is an attempt to throw some light on the revised syllabi of the Main
Examination and aid the aspirant to navigate her/his way through the maze and tangle of
the subjects and papers of the exam. The first step in your strategy for facing any
examination remains indisputably the same. It is Understanding the Syllabus. Adhering to
that, we provide you with a subject-wise classification of the various topics included in
the four General Studies Papers in the ‘Subjects in Syllabi’ section. This table will
deconstruct the myth around many new topics and areas freshly introduced and help you
grab the right resources. The crux of the book involves the ‘Scheme of Study’: an
elaborate analysis and decoding of each of the sixty topics in the syllabi, stratified into
three levels as per the degree of complexity involved. This by no means is a complete
key to the General Studies Papers; however it does provide a platform for you to stand
on, and a framework for you to hold on to before you start the race. The next section in
the core of the book, ‘Suggested Reading’ contains the list of books that are worth a read
as you delve into the issues. I have omitted the run of the mill targets in the market, as I
presume that you would have managed to lay hands on those books/guides/ photocopied
material by now; and read them to shreds.
Apart from the decipherment of the revised syllabi, Pathfinder also gives you cardinal
points to consider while writing an essay, choosing an optional subject and facing the
prestigious Personality Test in the UPSC.
NACS is a young institution carrying with it the passion of youth and the promise of
wisdom. Our Honorary Director, Amb.T.P.Sreenivasan, has been the beacon and bolster
for the institution. But for his engaging thoughts and unfailing enthusiasm, Pathfinder
would not have been a reality. Prof. N. Gangadharan Nair, Dr. Shaijumon and the entire
faculty at NACS have lent their support and contributed generously in terms of hours and
efforts in helping me bring forth this edition. It was a privilege to work on this book, with
Sri. Mohammed Hanish, one of the most diligent IAS officers in the country whose zeal
and zest for accomplishing good work is almost infectious. I place on record my deep-felt
gratitude to them for their laudable contributions. I am grateful to Prof. K. Gopalakrishnan
for stringing his pearls of wisdom into this garland. I also thank Sri. P.K.Hormis Tharakan
and Dr. Alexander Jacob for the encouragement and inspiration that they provided. A
special thanks to Prof. G. Gopakumar, Sri. V. Suresh, Dr. Lekshmi V. Nair, Prof. T.
Nandakumaran, Prof. L. Vijayan, Prof. Jagadish B. Nair, Shri. K.B. Jayaprakash, Prof. N.S.
Syamaprasad, Prof. V. Karthikeyan Nair and Dr. Arun Surendran for their valuable
suggestions and inputs. I hope that the bouquet of good wishes extended to each one of
you from all the contributors of the book will add a degree of brightness to your days
ahead.
I urge you to use the model for studies given in the Pathfinder and form your own
personal strategy to ensure that you finish the essential readings within the stipulated
time and go on to supplement it with extramural reading and revision prior to the exam. I
have always believed that the recipe for success is highly customized, though the
ingredients for it may be the same. The Buddhist saying that I quoted at the start of this
passage echoes similar sentiments. We must not only walk the path ourselves, but see to
it that we reach the desired destination through our own unique, earnest and industrious
ways that make us deserving and worthy of it. Winning by a lightning of luck is also a
common happening in our midst; but as someone said, “Luck is like the lift, hard-work is
like the stairs. The lift might fail you, but the stairs will always take you to the top.”
Perseverance is the key to success. Sustained, systematic and sincere efforts put into
smart hours of work will see you through. I would like it if you can share the knowledge
and ‘gyan’ you gain from this modest book, with the world through some means or the
other. The spirit of sharing will not blunt the edge of competitiveness. The more light you
spread, the more you receive from its reflection.
“When the path ignites a soul, there's no remaining in place.” Sanai.
So get, set, go! Enjoy the experience and trust Pathfinder to be a reliable companion for
you in this journey.
Best Wishes
Dr. Divya S. Iyer
The Way to Civil Services
APM Mohammed Hanish
Civil servants ought to be game-changers in the present societal context. Encouraging
and guiding enthusiastic aspirants to earn their meritorious entry into the Civil Services is
a privilege. The tremendous dynamism and vivacity of the youth of our nation needs to
be channelled to progressive activities that contribute to the building of the nation. Civil
Services provide a steady platform for committed officers to offer their services in a wide
arena and cater to the needs of a vast population. The profession assumes more
significance today than ever before as the effective way to fight for equity in a society
plagued by inequities. Though a civil servant has to battle with various forces of vested
interests, the gratification one experiences in having won a virtuous and righteous battle
is ennobling. The will and independence to speak your mind and follow your conscience is
the only weapon that an officer needs to be armed with, to accomplish it. It is a little
known fact that the best of contributions in the Civil Services has been made silently in
splendid isolations. The right aptitude for the services doesn’t emerge merely out of a
victory bagged in the UPSC examination. It has to be bred in you through the experiences
that life offers you and the lessons you imbibe from them. The recent reforms effected in
the structure and syllabi of the Civil Services Main examination, has raised new hopes in
this arena by the introduction of a new paper on Ethics, integrity and Aptitude in the
General Studies section.
As Aristotle said, “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high
intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many
alternatives— choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” The Civil Services
examination is a test of your conviction, aspirations and perseverance. An intelligent
mind, informed choices and industrious nature are prerequisites for success. The
approach to dealing with the Civil Services examination needs to have a relook in the
wake of the Civil Services Aptitude Test introduced in 2011 and the renewed structure
and syllabi in the Civil Service Main Exams in 2013.
The Civil Services Aptitude Test comprising General Studies, Aptitude, Reasoning, etc.
for 200 marks each entails broader reading of the basic text books that include the
NCERT ones, wider coverage of current affairs and astute skills of analysis. The second
paper on aptitude ensures that graduates from all disciplines are equally poised to face
the exam on a level-playing field, if only they have the right bent of mind and keen
powers of observation and reasoning. The earlier system of conceding an edge to those
candidates who had perfected their optional subjects alone no longer exists and that is a
welcome change. The year 2013 saw in continuity with that, larger volumes of the
change spreading into the Main Examination. Though faced with objections from various
corners, the major chunk of the proposed reforms has been translated into action, which
has proved to be a turning point in the history of UPSC. This ensures that the balance
amongst students from diverse academic streams level playing field has been extended
to the Main examination as well.
The drastic reversal of proportion of marks for the General Studies and Optional Subject
papers is the key to this enablement. The past has witnessed grievances of many a Civil
Service aspirant who lost their rightful due of marks on the scorecard due to a low-scoring
or tough optional paper which denied them the entry. The other end of the spectrum saw
a relatively less prepared aspirant with low scores in the General Studies papers making
his way through the written exams on the wings of the marks gained in two high-scoring
optional subjects. The new set of reforms is a panacea to such aberrations and justifiable
sense of injury nursed by aspirants who couldn’t make it through the exam.
The expansion of the scope of General Studies is yet another welcome change, as this
serves to whet the appetite of diverse sections of students from various backgrounds to
display their competence. There is sufficient representation of all the areas of
contemporary relevance to our country and the world at large, in the new syllabi. This will
require considerable escalation of efforts from the part of the candidates to collate
knowledge and assimilate information under various subjects, in a systematic fashion.
The four General Studies papers along with the essay paper cover the whole gamut of
topics of common application to mankind. The best way to approach it would be to break
the task into parts that can be savoured upon within a structural framework. This book
provides you with that much needed structure and layers for your study.
A wide ambit of reading is called for to come out with flying colours in these exams.
Besides that, there are certain key strategies that one needs to adopt during the
preparation phase. Sitting with the open books or skimming through numerous pages
does not amount to effective reading. Purposive reading is what delivers without fail.
Reading has to be followed by reflecting upon what has been read. These two processes
will give rise to original thoughts which will in turn impart originality to your answers in
the exam papers. The process of Read-Reflect-Think-Write needs to be practiced
continually. Authentic text books gain prime importance in matters related to modern
Indian history, economics, national security, environment, etc. It is not advisable to go by
ad hoc compilations of notes or guides available in the market, to begin with. They may
be of use for a quick revision towards the end, once the strong foundation of knowledge
has been laid using standard books. The revision process will be of great benefit if you
have your own little handwritten pocket notes that were made during your period of
study.
Special attention has to be paid to hone the craft of writing; as you will have 1250
marks to write on spontaneously in the exam, in generic issues and possibly
unanticipated topics. Only writing can help you write better. When you write, ensure that
your work is precise, succinct and relevant to the question. There is no room for
erroneous facts or figures. The statistical data and numerical data have to be authentic
and should be at your finger-tips. Equally important as writing skills, if not more, are
communication skills as you move on to the next stage in the Civil Service examination