Civil Services Main 2013

Civil Services

Main 2013

CS Main New pattern

• This year UPSC combined the prelims for Civil Services Exam (CSE) and Indian Forest services exam (IFoS), but their mains were kept separate

• Like IFoS Main, CS Main Exam had a combined question paper cum answer sheet, but a separate “take home” question paper was also attached with this answer sheet

• This year, all the questions in GS were compulsory to attempt

• In earlier years, UPSC used to have differential marking scheme with questions of 25 marks, 20 marks, 15 marks, 10 marks, 5 marks, 2 marks and a mark. But this time, for each of the first 3 papers of GS, there were 25 questions of 10 marks each.

• There were some questions with subsections. Effectively, you had only 10-markers and 5-markers in the first 3 papers of GS.

10,080

What comes to your mind?

• Number of choices you had in the two papers of GS last year!!!

• Paper 1

• In the 1st question, you had to do 5 out of the 6 given questions

• In the 2nd question, you had to do 7 out of the 8 given questions

• This means 48 choices (6*8) in paper 1

• Paper 2

• 1st question, 4 out of the first 5

• 2nd question, 5 out of the first 6

• 3rd question, 6 out of the 7

• Effectively, 210 choices (5*6*7)

• Both the papers put together 10,080 (48*210)

• In the 4th paper you had 25-markers, 20-markers and 3-markers as well

• In this paper, you had 6 Case-Studies worth 125 (20*5 and 25*1) marks which means 50% of the paper was on Case-Studies

Maximum word limit of 200 words was there for each of the questions in the first three papers of GS. Which means 20 words per mark.

• Till last year, you had to write only 10 words per mark in GS. They would expect you to write 20 words for a 2-marker, 250 words for a 25-marker, etc.

• It effectively means, now you have to write 5,000 words (250*20) in three hours in comparison with 3,000 words (300*10) earlier, a whopping 66.67 % more!!!

• Get into Writing Practice right from the beginning

• 5,000 words in 3 hours!!!

Comparison of Main marking scheme

S.NO. AREA 2012 2013

1 General Studies 600 (26.09%) 1000 (49.38%)

2 Essay 200 (8.70%) 250 (12.34%)

3 Optional subject I 600 (26.09%) 500 (24.69%)

4 Optional subject II 600 (26.09%) -

5 Compulsory English Language

Qualifying Qualifying

6 Regional Language Qualifying Qualifying

  Subtotal 2000 1750

7 Personality Test 300 (13.04%) 275 (13.58%)

  Grand Total 2300 2025

1. The simple one:

1000/2025 (49.38%) now, as against 600/2300 (26.09%) earlier

2. If we treat our Essay Writing Ability as being heavily dependent on our GS ability:

1250/2025 (61.73%) now, as against 800/2300 (34.78%) earlier

3. And if we treat our performance in the Personality Test as being heavily dependent on our GS ability:

1525/2025 (75.30%)

Importance of GS: Various Interpretations

Essay Paper

• In the revised pattern, the weightage of essay paper has increased from 200 out of 2000 (10%) to 250 out of 1750 (14.28%) with no change in the allotted time. Effectively, Essay has become 43% more important.

• Earlier no word limit was mentioned in the essay paper but now UPSC has specifically mentioned that the essay should be of “not more than 2500 words”. Luckily here, only 10 words per mark!!!

• Like last year, there were 4 topics this year too

1. Be the change you want to see in others – Gandhiji

2. Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s success?

3. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the well-being of a country.

4. Science and Technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation.

Essay Topics

Compulsory English

English Paper in 2013 was lengthier than previous years’ English papers as there were two compulsory essays, 2 précis writings, one comparatively long comprehension and questions to test one's basic grammatical concepts based on articles and vocabulary.

Section-wise distribution of marks is given below:2 Compulsory Essays (50 marks each) 100

1 Reading Comprehension of 50 marks (comprising 5 questions)

50

2 précis writing (of 60 and 40 marks respectively)

100

Sentence Formation 10

Antonyms 5

Sentence correction 10

Re-writing the sentences as per the instructions

15

Fill in the blanks 10

General Studies Analysis

• After analysing this year’s GS Main Paper, it can be concluded that UPSC wants only those candidates who have information as well as very good writing skills (very fast writing skills too).

• Silver Lining: it is specifically mentioned in the question paper that ‘Content of the answer is more important than its length’.

General Studies Paper 1

Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society

• Importance of Indian heritage and culture has increased considerably in the civil services exam in both Prelims and Main examinations. Moreover, students have to this in a more detailed manner keeping in mind the latest trends.

• Newly added topics like World History, World Geography and Indian history after Independence constituted the major chunk of GS paper-1 this year.

• Questions asked from area of the Indian heritage and culture were difficult in nature like Sangam literature and Tandava dance.

• In World History, questions were asked from American revolution, Japanese imperialism, African colonialism and great depression. The level of difficulty was moderate.

Section 2013 2012

Indian heritage and culture 20 37

History of the world 40 -

Indian Geography 40 42

World Geography 30 15

Society 40 -

Indian History before Independence

30 27

Indian History after Independence

50 -

Section-wise distribution of marks in GS PAPER-1

General Studies Paper 2

Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

• The questions in Paper 2 were designed to test a candidate’s basic concept in polity and constitution and their relevance with the current scenario

• A few of the topics were dealt by us in our Mock Test Series, like question number 10, 16, 17, etc.

• In Paper 2, areas of governance have gained importance

• Questions asked from constitution were traditional in nature

• International Affairs and Bilateral Relations have always been favourite topics in UPSC Mains. This year major focus was on India’s bilateral relations with its neighbours.

• In this section, basic questions of constitution were analytical and were related with current scenario like on role of individual MPs and anti-defection law, section 66A of IT Act vis-a-vis Article 19 of the Constitution, relevance of Article 371A in Nagaland regarding the decision of Ministry of Petroleum, etc.

• And, you thought that it is all about article 370 only!!!

Section-wise distribution of marks in GS PAPER-2

Section 2013 2012

Polity and Governance 80 35

Constitution 40 12

Social Justice 50 20

International Relations 80 135

General Studies Paper 3

• In Science and Technology, the maximum number of questions pertained to traditional areas

• However, questions were also asked from new areas of science and technology, such as, fixed dose drug combinations, 3D printing technology work, FRP composite material, run-of-river hydroelectricity project, etc.

• Indian economy in the light of inclusive growth was given importance along with importance of CSR, liberalization, investment model, PPP etc. Though the most of the questions were analytical, some of them as FRBM act was asked directly. As per expectations, questions were also asked on food security, land reform bill, subsidies, impact of FDI into multi brand retail etc.

• There were five questions from the newly added topic of internal security. This area, specifically described under security section, covered almost all threats. Varying from economic threat in the form of money laundering to social and political threats like naxalism were all covered.

• Two questions on IT threat and border issues were also part of this paper.

• Questions from ecology and environment section were broadly from sustainable energy (run-off hydroelectric energy), disaster management and National Water Policy of India.

• Additionally, one question from sports - the Umpire Decision Review System in cricket and one question from disaster management was asked.

Section 2013 2012

Science and Technology/ Science

30 85

Economic Development 110 115

Environment 30 110

Security 50 -

Disaster Management 20 -

Personalities - 5

Situation based - 5

Sports - 10

General Studies Paper 4

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

In this paper also, all the questions were compulsory like GS Paper 1, 2 and 3

The questions were divided into two sections namely, Section A and Section B

Section A consisted of 8 theoretical questions. The marks for each question was specified beside the questions itself

Section B consisted of 6 case studies questions which tested you on the ethics in real life situations

• Both sections A and B were of 125 marks each• The word limit within the paper did not follow a

specific pattern and was different for each question• Overall 3,400 words for 250 marks, a relief for ur

hand!!!• A significant feature of this paper was that few

questions were either exactly the same or very similar to the questions asked in the sample paper of ‘Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude’, issued by UPSC. Some of these were - definitions of certain terms used in the context of public service, case study on sexual harassment case, and question on values and ethics.

• Overall this paper was comparatively easier than the first three GS papers

Similarities between GS Main Paper IV questions and decision making questions asked in CSAT Paper

S.No. Decision making Questions asked in CS Prelims

CS Main 2013 Paper IV -Case studies

1 You are setting up university paper and your colleague wants you to help his son by leaking some questions. This colleague gave you favours earlier in the past (Preliminary 2013)

You work in finance ministry and know some secret information. A contractor wants this information and he has done good job for the government earlier.

Similarities between GS Main Paper IV questions and decision making questions asked in CSAT Paper

S.No. Decision making Questions asked in CS Prelims

CS Main 2013 Paper IV -Case studies

2 Case studies involving ‘project deadlines’ where candidates were asked to handle a time-bound project. During the project review meeting, it is found that the project is likely to get delayed due to lack of cooperation of the team members (2012). One of the options was “escape by reporting sick”.

Similar “deadline” issue type question asked in Main. The only difference is that you found flyover is of defective quality but people want it to be quickly opened, to reduce traffic congestion. Here too there was this option to “report sick.”

Similarities between GS Main Paper IV Actual questions and Sample questions given by UPSC

S.No. Paper IV Sample paper given by UPSC

Main 2013, Actual paper IV

1 Case study: sexual harassment victim lady gives you a written complaint

Similar case but instead of giving written complaint, she resigns from the job itself.

S.No. Paper IV Sample paper given by UPSC

Main 2013, Actual paper IV

2 Write on the following terms:

•Spirit of service•Commitment•Perseverance•Intellectual integrity

Write on the following terms:

•Spirit of service•Commitment•Perseverance•Integrity

S.No. Paper IV Sample paper given by UPSC

Main 2013, Actual paper IV

3 Indicate two attributes which you consider very important for “public servants”. Justify your answer.

Indicate two attributes which you consider very important for “public service”. Justify your answer.

4 What do you understand by ‘Ethical Human Conduct’? In what way is it important to be ethical along with being professionally competent?

What do you understand by ‘values’ and ‘ethics’? In what way is it important to be ethical along with being professionally competent?

Optional Papers

• In the optional paper, there were eight questions in two sections (A and B) in each of the papers (1 and 2)

• Candidates had to attempt five questions

• Questions 1 and 5 were compulsory

• Out of the remaining, candidate had to pick any three, but had to choose at least one from each section

• The pattern was similar to that of previous years

Hindi (Compulsory Regional Language) Paper

• Like last time, the paper was of 300 marks and 3 hour duration

• In 2012, candidates had to write on any one of the five essays

• But, this time two compulsory essays of 300 words each had to be tackled. Each essay was of 50 marks

• The difficulty level of Reading Comprehension was above that of last year

• Like in 2012, précis was of 60 marks but more difficult than that of 2012. Translation of English to Hindi and vice versa was there this year too.

• Hindi grammar, vocabulary, idioms and phrases were also asked

• Overall, the difficulty level of this paper was above that of last year

Strategy to crack Main

• Until a few years back this examination was more like a university subject paper where quantity of information mattered more than the quality

• The new pattern has changed the mode of preparation of the candidates significantly

• Selective study of a few topics has given way to a comprehensive study of every topic

• Main examination has become more challenging and more demanding

• You cannot take your eyes off Internet as it has become the most powerful source of information

Useful Websites/links

www.indiaculture.nic.in

www.bbc.co.uk

www.pib.nic.in

www.indg.in

www.rbi.in

www.cseindia.org

www.india.gov.in

www.csir.res.in

www.nature.com/nature/

Websites

World News, Politics, Economics, Business & Finance

www.economist.com/

www.cnfworldfocus.org/

Books

• History of the World – Mastering Modern World History by Norman Lowe, IGNOU notes

• NCERT books from Std. 6 to 12th (History, Geography, Social Sciences and Science)

• NCERT Biology book for class XII (Unit on Ecology and Environment)India after Gandhi- Ramachandra Guha, Picador India

• India Since Independence- Bipin Chandra, Mridula Mukherjee and Aditya Mukherjee, Penguin publishers

• Economic survey of India, officially released by Govt of India

Books

• Ethics in Public Administration: A Philosophical Approach by Patrcik J. Sheeran, Prager Publishers

• Indian heritage and culture - Living Craft Traditions of India (NCERT class XI)

• Craft Traditions of India: Past, Present and Future (NCERT class XII), An introduction to Indian Art Part I (NCERT class XI)

• Manorama Year Book• Constitution Of India: Bare Act of Any good

publication• Introduction to the constitution of India by D D

Basu • Indian Year Book by Ministry of Information and

Broadcasting

Magazines

1. Frontline by The Hindu Group of publications2. Economic and Political Weekly by Sameeksha

Trust3. World Focus4. Down to Earth –by Environmental

Communications5. Yojana and Kurushetra- by Publications

Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India

7. Science Reporter 

Newspapers

1.The Hindu2.Indian Express

Visit our sitewww.careerlauncher.com/civil

s

Mussoorie Beckons…