India Since Independence: Bipin Chandra

In this post we will be looking at what are some of the chapters that are relevant for UPSC mains from the book listed above. This is unlike conventional book reviews where emphasis is on assessing the whole book and summarizing its content. The need to reduce the number of pages to read or number of books to refer is a common demand for student preparing for civil service examination. This is true specially in case of students looking forward to appear for mains in the immediate future. The dilemma to balance endless sources of study material and limited time is a difficult one to manage.

India since Independence is a well written book with impartial evaluation of significant events in the post independent India. The book is divided into 41 chapters spread out in 770 pages. So out here I will list the respective chapters from the book and interlink it with the topics mentioned in the syllabus that it can be helpful for. 

No.	Chapter  Title	UPSC Syllabus
4 5	§  The Evolution of Constitution and main features §  The Architecture of the Constitution: Basic Features and Institutions	Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
7 8 9 10	§  Consolidation of India As a Nation §  Consolidation of India As a Nation: The Linguistic Reorganization of the States §  Consolidation of India As a Nation: Integration of the Tribals §  Consolidation of India As a Nation: Regionalism and Regional Inequality	Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
12	§  Foreign Policy: The Nehru Era	India and its neighbourhood- relations.
25 26 27 28	§  Indian Economy, 1947-1965: the Nehruvian Legacy §  Indian Economy, 1965-1991 §  Economic Reforms Since 1991 §  The Indian Economy in the New Millennium	Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
29 30 31 32	§  Land Reform: Colonial impact and legacy of the national and peasant movements §  Land Reforms: Zamindari Abolition and Tenancy Reforms §  Land Reforms : Ceiling and the Bhoodan Movement §  Land Reforms: Cooperatives and an Overview	Land reforms in India.
33 34	§  Agriculture Growth and the Green Revolution §  Agrarian Struggles Since Independence	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.
35	§  Revival and Growth of Communalism	Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
37	§  Caste, Untouchability, Anti-caste Politics and Strategies	Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India
38	§  Indian Women Since Independence	Role of women and women’s organization,

This is in case of a strategic approach to preparation for students with shortage of time, otherwise the ideal suggestion would be to read the book from cover to cover.

 

How important is the Interview test?

While filling in the application form for the Civil Services Preliminary and Main examination, candidates are also asked to fill in their preferences for their appointment in various services once they qualify.

According to statistical results, people who score more than 60% enjoy a huge possibility getting into the service of their own choice, once they qualify in the interview.

About 90% of the candidates, who qualify for the interview, score around the range of 55%. If you are able to score more than 58%, it is quite likely that you would be appointed in a Class I service.

Confidence, self-assurance, tact and diplomacy play a key role for a successful interview test. The selectors in the interview panel analyse the thought process of the candidates and their ability and presence of mind to tackle tricky questions with diplomacy, without provoking controversies or attacking a particular section of a society with prejudice or racist remarks.

Candidates can score well in the interview if they keep themselves updated about the core socio-economic issues, foreign relations and current affairs of our country and converse about the relevant issues with clarity of expression.

Rules for choosing optional subjects for the Main examination

A candidate is eligible to choose an optional subject that he has not studied during the graduation or post graduation level. In addition, candidates can write the exam in English or any of the 22 languages listed in the Eighth schedule of the Indian constitution.

However, a student cannot write different papers of the Civil Services Main Examination in different languages.

Candidates are required to choose two optional subjects of their choice for the main examination. However, the following combinations of optional subjects are not allowed.

1. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science.
2. Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science and Medical Science.
3. Anthropology and Sociology.
4. Commerce & Accountancy and Management.
5. Management and Public Administration.
6. Mathematics and Statistics.
7. Of the Engineering subjects, viz., Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering – not more than one subject.
8. Political Science & International Relations and Public Administration.
9. Two literature subjects cannot be opted together. Only one of them can be chosen.

Besides, the candidate can also opt for taking the interview in the same national language that he has chosen to write in the Main examination.

Eligible number of attempts to appear in Civil Services examination

                Many students have numerous queries regarding the number of attempts that they are eligible for to appear for the civil services examination.

                Except for people belonging to the scheduled castes (SC) and scheduled tribes (ST), for whom there are no restrictions, there is an upper limit for the number of attempts to qualify for the civil services examination.

                People falling under the general quota category are allowed a maximum of 4 attempts whereas people from other backward castes (OBC category) are allowed a maximum of 7 attempts for appearing in the examination. Besides, only the candidates belonging to communities that are listed in the central list of OBCs are eligible for these concessions.

                There is no additional relaxation for candidates who are physically handicapped. They are allowed for the same number of attempts as any other aspirant, depending on the category they fall in.

                If a candidate has only applied for the civil services preliminary examination but has not appeared for any of the papers, it is not counted as an attempt. However, if the candidate has completed writing any one paper of the preliminary examination and signed the attendance, it is still counted as an attempt even if he discontinues attempting the rest of the papers in the middle.

Click here to know more the eligibility and restrictions to appear for civil services preliminary examination.

Preparation Tips for the UPSC interview

                 The last and the most important step for qualification in the Indian Civil Services examination is the interview. While you have a few hours to prove your skills in written examination, the interview test explores your spontaneity, general knowledge, reasoning and decision making skills in addition to your soft skills like clarity in thoughts and expression, ability to interact and also your presence of mind!

                 There is no thumb rule or guide book to prepare for the UPSC interview. In fact, it is a continuous process and should be done throughout the preparation. The best way to tackle the interview stage is to have a fair idea of subjects of varied interests by reading newspapers, journals, magazines, editorial columns and reviews.

                 It may also be worthwhile to practice mock interviews if you are doing group study with other civil services aspirants. The ability to carry on an interesting and constructive conversation with clear and correct pronunciation of words will go a long way to qualify in the interview.

                 Interview questions are not at all tough to tackle if you are aware of the current affairs and socio-economic issues and are able to tackle questions related to them.

                 You can browse the internet for quick tips of tackling interviews and also contact the thinktank panel of the indiancivils team and request for further help in tackling tricky questions.

Making your UPSC interview, a success story

                   You have crossed a major part of your journey to fulfil your dream of joining the Indian civil services once you qualify in the preliminary and mains examination. The last step is to give a good interview and impress the panel who are evaluating you.

                   The first step to display your confidence is to show a positive body language. Ensure that you follow the formal dress code while appearing for the interview and sit with the right posture. Maintain a calm composure and do not get into long-winded discussions that are irrelevant to the topics asked.

                   

                    Note that the key to a good interview is to grasp the question and answer briefly only with the relevant points with clarity of expression. Show your appreciation and knowledge of various topics in current affairs like socio-economic problems or foreign relations that are relevant to the question asked. Your answers should also reflect your personal viewpoints that do not trigger any controversies, but reflect a concern for the economic growth and progress of our country.

To know more about the interview, visit http://www.indiancivils.com/exams/civil_services_exam_interview.htm.

                     Indiancivils.com would be proud and happy to guide students who qualify for the interview through the expert thinktank panel who have valuable experience in the past of qualifying in the UPSC interview.

Facts about India and Current Affairs

How much do you know about your motherland? Are you familiar with various facts about India in different domains – geography, sports, politics, entertainment, foreign relations and trade, education, employment, history, freedom movement and any other topic such as these?

Well, scoring in CSAT (Prelims) is not really tough if you are aware about your country and keep yourself updated about current affairs.

The key is to purchase the latest yearbook (most popular being, Manorama Year book) and also subscribe to popular journals and magazines (like FrontLine and World Focus) during the course of your preparation. Attempt the extensive question bank in the year book and also concentrate on the major headlines related to current affairs in the magazines.

Make it a point to read the newspaper. The Hindu and The Indian Express are recommended. However, considering the fast-paced life and limited time at your disposal, you should quickly be able to differentiate between ‘sensational news’ and ‘headlines’ and concentrate more on what is important.

Do you want further assistance on ‘success strategies’ while preparing for the Civil Services Examination? Attend the orientation programme conducted by Indiancivils.com and also register for our courses conducted by our experienced faculty team.

Register for the Virtual classroom sessions now!!

Easy subjects to score for CSAT (Prelims)

In order to score well in prelims, civil services aspirants can thoroughly prepare for some topics that are quite straightforward and easy to score. Most of them involve light reading of well-organised resources on a regular basis.

Some of them include questions that:

·         are based on statistics

·         are map based

·         related to polity and current affairs

·         test comprehension and decision making skills

Do you commute for long hours to your office in a bus? Do you travel frequently? Then carry a copy of Manorama Year book and a small pocket notebook to make important notes. You can spend about 20 minutes after lunch to just glance through the topics and even prepare flash cards.

Some of the general knowledge topics are quite tedious to read and hence, schedule a time for preparing for these while you are at home. Otherwise, you can keep browsing through the latest headlines to keep yourself updated about the current affairs.

Make it a point to practice sample tests regularly from the comprehensive question bank at Indiancivils.com and attempt questions that have appeared in the previous years. You may also contact our faculty for any further queries or clarifications while preparing for CSAT (Prelims).

Smart Preparation Tips to score well in Civil Services Examination

Many civil services aspirants wrongly assume that they need to dedicate 10 to 15 hours every day for effective preparation. How many of you realise that the quantity of time spent for preparing does not matter and quality is what finally matters?

·         Go through the syllabus and highlight sections that are easy to cover.

·         Make a note of areas that are easy to score.

·         Write down those topics which you find easy.

·         Note down topics which you are very unsure of or find it difficult to understand.

Plan a schedule for preparing for subjects that are weak on a regular basis and practice questions from the comprehensive question bank so that you know the kind of questions that have appeared in the previous year examinations.

Ask your queries during the online virtual classroom session to the faculty so that the rest of the students are also benefited. You may also send emails directly to your faculty to clear your doubts.

Attend practice and mock tests and be regular with your submissions. Read the feedbacks of the faculty carefully and attend the sessions where the solutions of the tests are discussed without fail.