Nov 27, 2009

[Explained] Cut-Off Marks, Proportional Representation, Scaling system for 2010's Prelim

click on this chart to easily understand everything.

this is only for complete newcomers

How does it start?

December 2009, UPSC issues notification for 2010's Exam
Suppose there are 1000 Vacancies
(Just for example & easy calculation)
1000 Vacancies means UPSC had decided that--

Vacancy X10= 14,000 People will be sent to Mains after prelims
Vacancy X2= 2000 People will be sent to interview after mains

Proportional Representation

you've to chose an optional subject for prelims.

suppose

total 1,00,000 People appear in Prelim
You chose History as your Opt. subject,
suppose 10,000 people appear with History in Prelims

Now in Prelims, the Ratio of History People to Total candidates

=1,00,000/ 10,000

=10

UPSC will maintain the same ratio for mains exam
so they'll allow that much number of people from History to pass the prelim Exam
Like we saw ago, UPSC had decided that 10000 people will be sent to mains (i.e.Vacancy X 10=10,000)

Now to maintain same ratio of Historymen in Mains, they'll do this

=10,000 [Number of total seats in mains] divided by 10 [Ratio of Historymen in Prelim]

= 1000 people from history will be allowed to pass Prelims

Thus, by taking a popular subject, you've more seats = easier to crack prelims!

(I don't recommend you take your optionals based on that consideration only.)

thus a vicious cycle is created,

every year more people will appear in history thinking 'its a scoring subject' and
more coaching classes will open giving coaching into that, and
more advertizements will be displayed about how their students got selected with perticular subject, =
more people will go to take coaching in the given subject.

Reform?

UPSC wants to end this cycle, hence they're talking about removing the optional system but since its a bureaucratic structure, don't expect them to radically reform everything in 2010's exam and so keep preparing your optional subejct until their notification is out in December 2010.

Cut-Off in Prelim

In the Prelims, UPSC makes a seperate merit list for each subject group. (and sub-seperate list for General/SC/ST/OBC/Physically Handicapped)
your merit number in your subject group = [GS + Opt Subject's] Total Marks
you now understood 1000 kids will be from history (proportional representation)
so the 1000th History kid who gets selected in prelim - his marks are called the 'cut-off' marks for that subject.
(but UPSC never discloses either cut-off or your merit number)
thus, cut-off marks is brainchild of Delhi's coaching classes for their advertizement propoganda.

Prelim Subjectwise-Reservation Category Merit list is combo of GS+Opt.Sub's marks

so, it doesn't mean that you can score low in GS and yet you'll crack the prelims if you had scored that magical 'cut-off' marks in your Opt. (or reverse)
means both GS and Optional Subject are equally important
means if 90 was the cut off for Public Administration last year,

cut-off marks change every year depending on

Number of Vacancies
Number of people appearing with same subject
toughness of the Q?paper

What is difference in Prelims & Mains?

in short, Prelims is MCQ (Multiple choice questions | like Kaun Banega Crorepati) type of exam whose marks don't get counted in final selection
but you've to pass the prelims so that UPSC allows you to sit in mains
Mains exam is descriptive (essay like) type answers, whose marks are counted in final selection.
After Prelims in May 2010, the Mains will held in October 2010

How can I sit in the Mains?

you can only appear in Main if you clear the prelim of given year.
that means if you passed prelim in 2007, doesn't mean that you can appear in mains of 2009.
UPSC will send you application form of mains exam once you clear the prelim.

Scaling system (In Mains)

scaling system is to make sure that people from humanities subjects (arts) don't have compititive disadvantage vis-a-vis the scientific subjects (maths/physics/engineering)
suppose you've English literature and got 55/100
I had maths I got 100/100.
thus theoritically, no matter how much you try you can never get selected. but to solve that problem, UPSC invented the scaling system.
Thus, after the mains answersheets are checked, they'll apply a mysterious scalling formula based on which some of my marks will be deducted and some more makrs will be alloted to you - thus we both get on a 'common scale'
i.e. after the scaling you might have 75/100 and mine would be reduced to 70/100.
so based on that new merit list is made,
they'll call people for interview. based on that new merit list.
the scaling system ends there because everyone now is on a common scale.
and in interview everyone faces the same 300 marks interview, irrespective of his/her optional subject.
so there is just one common merit list for everyone after interview.
= No scaling system / proportional representation in final selection after interview (held in April 2010)

Nov 26, 2009

[Actual Interview Questions 2008] Mihir Rayka , (Alloted Indian Revenue Services)

*most successful candidates only give vague answers when someone asks them what was asked to them in interview, but Mihir Rayka, has disclosed everything, and here are his details* (original Article published in DivyaBhaskar's Gujarati Edition (25th Nov.) By Mr. Pankaj Ondhiya, Dy.Collector, Gujarat)

Biodata

Candidate: Mihir G. Rayka (Selected in Indian Revenue Services)

Education- B.Com, South Gujarat univ.

Earlier employment – Commercial Tax Officer (Gujarat)

Optionals – Public Administration + Gujarati Literature

Attempt- 4^th

Marksheet

Mains		Obtained
General Studies	Paper 1	137
	Paper 2	113
Opt-1 : Public Administration	1	179
	2	191
Opt-2: Gujarati Literature	1	148
	2	150
Essay		126
Written Total (Mains Marks)		1044
Interview		135
Final Score		1179

Interview date

06- April 2009, Afternoon session

Board

Lt.Gen (Retd.) Nirbhay Sharma

Interview Questions

hobby

What's your hobby (his answer was Tabel Tennis)
1. Then What's Ping-Pong diplomacy?
2. Was there any role of Pakistan in Ping-Pong diplomacy?

International relations

What do you know about Bangladesh?
Tell us something about Indo-US relations
*same on* Indo Tibet

Economy

What is VAT?
1. Who gets most benefit from VAT - Govt. or traders?
What do you know about Satyam Scandal?
1. How were the auditors responsible for that scandal?

Regarding Attempts / Coaching classes

Have you ever taken any coaching for this exam?
This is your 3^rd trial, why have you not been selected yet?

Role model

Who's your role model?
Who's your Administrative and political role model?

Hypothetical Questions

If you were made a collector of communally sensitive district, what will you do?

About Home State

Tell us about Gujarat's culture?

Election

What should be done to increase voter's turnout?

Climate Change

What's greenhouse effect?
1. What are the renewable resources
2. Why are they not popular?
Which are the companies involved in the Oil Exploration in Rajasthan?

Interview Finished

Time taken in interview – 45 minutes
Marks obtained in Interview – 135
Alloted to Indian Revenue Services.

Reference:-

25^th November's Divybhaskar Newspaper (Guajarati Edition) (pg.6) , original questions given by Pankaj Odhiya (Deputy Collector, Gujarat) an officer and the gentleman writing regular columns in newspaper to generate more awareness about civil service Exam in Gujarat.
Chronicle's October 2009 issue for Mr.Mihir's Marksheet & biodata(pg.132)

Nov 25, 2009

[Internet Speed Tip] Load webpages faster with firefox : Save Money & Time

In India we don’t get much fast internet speed even though the ISP would claim our plan is ‘upto 2 mbps’! + Internet services in India are much expensive than in the 1st world.
So any webpage takes about 20-30 seconds to load completely.

Compare these screenshots:

Yahoo home page with images= takes more time to load the webpage

Yahoo Home page with out images = webpage gets loaded faster

Now that webpage would have loaded in just 2-3 seconds if there were no images or flashy advertisement banners etc in it! So all we’ve to do is make our browser not to load those things.

ISP= (internet Service provider) like BSNL , Dataone, Airtel, Reliance etc.
IE = internet Explorer
FF = Firefox

Consequences of seeing webpages full of images.

1. If your ISP plan is per minute Usage (ie. 1 Rs per minute) then you’re burning your pocket because more the time it takes to load a webpage, more money you’re paying to your ISP.
2. If your ISP plan is per MB Usage (ie. In BSNL, upto 1 GB free and then every MB costs 60 paise.)
a. Many people think that such plans consider only ‘download’ so if we surf or watch youtube that doesn’t count in MB Usage = myth ; every such thing counts. Because even if you don’t download, it still gets downloaded in a TEMPorary folder on your HD before it show something in your browser. –now back to the main point
3. Even if your internet plan is ‘unlimited’, its simply a waste of time having to wait for 10 seconds every time you click a link wait for the webpage to completely load.
4. In either case on the 1st of any month you get a huge bill. But you can save it by going through following tips>
Steps

General introduction

- (none of these requires you to spend any money, everything is free and safe & used by millions of web surfers around the world.)
- All the website links given below are legit and phishing / spam free
- While downloading any of the things listed below, you’ll not be asked for your email id or getting registered anywhere!

Install Firefox

1. If you’re still using Internet Explorer , then Download firefox : from this link (size about 8 MB)
2. Firefox Is just another browser like Internet explorer but with tones of features that save your bandwidth and make your surfing safer. (you’re more likely to catch a virus using Internet Explorer)
Add-on
1. What makes firefox cooler, is the ‘add-on’ they’re tiny accessories that add new features in your browser. (its like buying a standard new car, then adding the stereo, seat covers etc of your choice.)
2. Add-ons are free to download – and they’re safe to use as long as you download them from authentic firefox add on site.
How to Use Add-on
1. In my below article, I’ve given links for imp add-ons , all you’ve to do is click the link> you’ll go to the authentic site, and hit the ‘Add to Firefox’ button in that page, so automatically the add-on gets installed on your system.
2. Every time you install an addon- you’ve to restart your firefox browser (tip : don’t restart everytime installing a single addon, instead just add all the addons listed below and then restart for single time. )
How to disable / uninstall addon
a. In firefox Goto Tools > Addon
b. You’ll see a window, there you can disable / uninstall an Addon

Which addon to save bandwidth?

Imglikeopera

1. This addon will disable all images in a webpage = extremely fast surfing.
2. Because All the images are replaced by white empty squares with red dot inside!
3. you'll now see a camera icon in your status bar of firefox. click on its small arrow to get a menu > settings > load Cached Images only = you're done! now it won't show any images in any webpage.

4. What if you want to see some image?
a. Right click on that empty square with red dot , click on ‘Load image’
b. or click on the camera icon, > select show all images
c. you can put some website in 'whitelist' by going into settings(so that it always shows image from that site)

Adblockplus

1. This addon will disable all the ad banners / advertizements / in a webpage = yet more faster surfing
2. If you find that its not blocking some ad banner, then right click on that banner and select ‘Block image with Adblockplus’ you’ll get a new window, there you can even use wildcards ‘*’ to make all similar things blocked.

Noscript

1. This will disable all the javascripts etc in a webpage (= you won’t see many fancy buttons, image borders, video , flash animations) etc while surfing internet
2. This makes your surfing safe because all those phishy java scripts and cookie stealing codes will be disabled = less chances of someone hacking into your account./ infecting your PC with viruses.
3. Since it blocks all javacodes, when you go to youtube etc sites you won’t see any video. Solution is simple, click on the noscript icon and select ‘temporariliy allow all on this page’ and then you’ll see the videos.
Together this will make your Firefox browser extremely fast and using very few MB while surfing.

A simple comparison IE vs FF :

• Checking your Yahoo mail with Internet Explorer = 2 MB Used, thanks to all those fancy ads and banners loaded.
• Checking your Yahoo mail with FIREFOX along with above add-ons = only about 400 Kilobytes used. (=0.4 MB)

More Addons

- If you’re an orkut / MySpace /tweeter etc. user then Firefox got dozen of toolbars to help you use them more effectively and surf faster.
-

Virus and Slow Internet

- One of the main reasons for slow internet is some virus / Trojan / worm in your system that keep downloading trash in background hence eating up your bandwidth and speed.
- In that case use “spybot search and destroy” software to get rid of the spywares.
- Just an antivirus doesn’t protect you from the internet malwares and network attacks, hence you need antivirus + Firewall (window’s built in firewall is not powerful enough.)
- Your expired Norton / Macafee doesn’t protect you from new threats.
- Its essential to update your security software once in a week or 15 days, if you regularly surf internet.
- If you don’t have any internet security softwares, you can consider following freewares
o AVG + ( Zone Alarm / Comodo) firewall
o Comodo internet Security

Nov 22, 2009

[My Tips]Installing Office 2010 Beta without crashes & Errors

[Detailed Solutions] Installing Office 2010 Beta & Dealing with Crashes <can’t install due to ‘Prerelease Technical Preview’ etc>

Contents

Introduction (the reason for writing this article) 2

Abbrivations 2

Doing Quick trial Errors 2

Setup language is not supported by your system ? 3

The solutionS that work in most case 3

you uninstalled TP but beta installation thinks you still have it 3

you’re unable to uninstall TP 4

Uninstall TP : “The Groove Method” 4

Perfect Uninstaller method 5

Installation runs but crashed half way or after 75% 5

you successfully installed Beta but it randomly crashes word/outlook etc 5

Outlook profile file is corrupted? 5

Dotnets 6

you’ve Office 2007 and Office 2003 6

the .dotnet issue (you can’t install beta / it randomly crashes word etc.) 6

Uninstall .dotnet 3.5 and 4 beta 6

Repair .dotnet 2 6

The “‘normaldoc’ template delete method” 7

Registry Cleaner 7

Random Tricks 8

X64 or x86? 8

Introduction (the reason for writing this article)

Office 2010 beta is a really great software but unfortunately many people are having trouble installing it because of the previous ‘Technical Preview’ installation.

There are many web articles giving solutions on this, but none covering all the solution in one page hence I’m doing it.After wasting my hours for trying to install 2010 beta, (and finally getting success) I’ve decide to share my experience with all of you so you don’t have to go through all the agony.

You’d be stuck @ different point or you might have tried something already so jump to appropriate section. this article deals with most of the things people are trying.

Abbrivations

TP = Technical Preview of Microsoft Office 2010 (the one you might were using until now.)

Beta= Office 2010 Beta , that was released just few days back.

Doing Quick trial Errors

If you’re getting errors during beta’s installation, chances are you’ll have to apply more than one tricks to get it work but

If you’ve a single setup file of 700MB e.g.

en_office_professional_plus_2010_beta_x86_x16-19227.exe

then every time you launch , it takes about 15 minutes for it to extract and launch the ‘actual setup’ (the yellow box) and give you errors. Reason: the exe file is compressed and needs to be extracted before setup can run

Solution

1. Run that single setup file. (en_office_professional_plus_2010_beta_x86_x16-19227.exe or whatever name its in your case)

2. Let it get extracted, and give you error

3. Now don’t close that window but goto “C:\Documents and Settings\*username*\Local Settings\Temp\”

4. You’ll see some folder named Office14.tmp (or other similar name)

5. Copy that folder to another place / D drive / USB Flash drive / Blank CD with name “Office 2014 Setup”

extracted setup folder, it looks like this

From now no you should launch that setup icon.

6. Now close that installation error messege. (this will remove this extracted setup from your temp file, but you’ve copied it! )

7. Now whenever you want to do trial-error, goto that Office14.tmp folder (wherever you saved it) and launch the setup.exe! = it takes less than 5 seconds for it to either install / give you error (=time saved compared to the earlier 15 minutes ‘extraction’ each time.)

Setup language is not supported by your system ?

If you get this error, that means you had extracted your setup file using 7-zip or universal extractor or winrar.

So don’t do it, it’ll not install like that.

The solutionS that work in most case

1. Uninstall Outlook connector

2. Use the ‘Groove Method’ (written in detail , later on in this article)

you uninstalled TP but beta installation thinks you still have it

Assuming that you managed to uninstalled TP somehow (by going via ‘2007’’s method) or using some ‘Perfect Uninstaller’ etc programs.

Now even after that’ you’re getting this error “Office 2010” can’t upgrade from prerelease.-something like this window

Then do this

1. Download this Windows Installater clean up software.[don’t worry its from official Microsoft site and completely free & safe.]

2. Here is the link to download it

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Secure-cleaning/Windows-Installer-CleanUp-Utility.shtml

3. Install it

4. Now goto “C:\Program Files\Windows Installer Clean Up\”

5. Double Click on msicuu.exe

6. Now you’ll see a window that allows you to uninstall programs.

7. Important :: incase you get any ‘blank lines’ on the top of the list—do select them and uninstall. (this happens when you uninstalled the TP using perfect uninstaller.)

you’re unable to uninstall TP

1. Make sure you uninstalled Outlook Connector

Uninstall TP : “The Groove Method”

To uninstall Office 2010 TP , if you have an uninstall error message "This product installation has been corrupted".

The Problem is a missing file in the installation folder of office 2010. Office 2010 has an Setup

Controller directory and uses the directory to check the installed components.

Steps:

1. please check the directory "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE14\Office Setup Controller\Groove.en-us\".

2. if you have no "Setup.xml" file

3. there please copy the file from the "Groove.en-us" directory of the source files (setup folder of your TP DVD/CD) to this directory and test the uninstallation again.

4. If you don’t have a TP setup file /CD/DVD then you can download the Setup.xml from This site (size: just a few kb)

Perfect Uninstaller method

1. Many people claim they were able to uninstall TP using ‘Perfect Uninstaller’ (there are many other software like that too.)

2. Such programs, remove the registry entries, folders etc of TP

3. I tried this but even after that I was unable to install Beta cause setup was thinking that I still had those ‘prerelease’.

4. In above case , go on top and try the “#1 : you uninstalled TP but beta installation thinks you still have it” : (this one solved my problem)

Installation runs but crashed half way or after 75%

1. Primary reason is some antivirus softwares preventing the setup to write/modify certain files

Solution = disable antivirus before you start setup process.

2. Another trick, run the setup but instead of clicking on ‘upgrade / install’ , please click on ‘Customize’

3. Now you’ll get another window, that allows you to select which components you want to install?

4. Here you right click and select ‘donot install this’ for given components

.net programmability support for each word/excel/powerpoint
Fonts (you shouldn’t select fonts in any case because more fonts you’ve in system , more bootup time it takes)
Sharepoint and visio related components
*many people claim, you only install ‘Excel’ via this then it works* and then you run setup again, to add more components.

5. Also try the uninstall .dotnet 3.5/4 and repair .net 2

6. Or perhaps your setup file Is corrupt? (did you download It from some illegal warez / torrent?)

7. Or perhaps the CD / Flash drive you’re using is damaged?

you successfully installed Beta but it randomly crashes word/outlook etc

Outlook profile file is corrupted?

1. The problem may be with your outlook’s profile .pst file

2. There is a freeware software named “OLFix Outlook-Reperatur.exe” (size 1MB)

3. Use following software to repair that.

Dotnets

1. Uninstall the .dotnet 4 beta or 3.5 etc

2. Repair .dotnet 2

3. Above two are written in detailed another topic

Also try

1. normaldoc’ template delete method”

2. registry cleaners

you’ve Office 2007 and Office 2003

1. Problem is that when you launch beta setup, and click ‘upgrade/install’ that’ll give you error due to uninstallation problem of 2007/2003.

2. In that case you need to continue with out uninstalling them.

3. For this, when you launch setup of beta, then instead of clicking ‘upgrade’ > click on customize!

4. In the next window>> you keep the ‘previous versions’ = the setup doesn’t try to uninstall those 2007 or 2003s = no error.

5. I’ve a desktop, I installed

the .dotnet issue (you can’t install beta / it randomly crashes word etc.)

Uninstall .dotnet 3.5 and 4 beta

1. You don’t need them to run office 2010.

2. 1^st uninstall the .dotnet 4 beta / its userprofile

3. Then uninstall dotnet 3.5

4. Try again (installing / running the program word/access whatever)

Repair .dotnet 2

1. Also try this> goto add Remove programs> click to uninstall ‘Microsoft Dotnet 2’

2. This will give you a window that has option > ‘Remove / Repair’ (like this screen)

3. Select ‘repair’ let it repair (might take 15-20 minutes)

4. Then again try installing etc.

The “‘normaldoc’ template delete method”

1. Goto “C:\Documents and Settings\*username*\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates\”

2. You might need to ‘show hidden files and folders’ to view that folder.

3. In that folder ,Delete the template files like Normal.dotm etc from there (don’t forget to take a backup before though.)

4. Again try setup / running word/excel etc which was otherwise crashing.

Registry Cleaner

1. Even after uninstalling TP , your Beta setup Is saying ‘can’t install due to prereleases’ then you can try all those fancy registry doctor / manager/ diagnosis kinda programs (e.g. CCleaner, Registry Mechanic 9 etc.)

2. They can search and delete the invalid registry keys left after uninstallation of TP.

3. If you’re using this, know that you need to restart your PC every time such programs fix the registry errors. (cuz only then the changes will take place.) > then you again try the installation or running the installed program.

Random Tricks

1. Uninstall ‘Web folders/ FolderXP etc softwares (incase you’ve such program)

2. Stop the antivirus while running the setup.

For example if you’ve Kaspersky, then right click on its tray icon and select “Pause Protection”

X64 or x86?

1. There are 2 versions of office2010 beta, x64 for 64 bit computer and x86 for 32-bit computer

2. In most cases you’ll have the 32-bit computer and hence you need to install x86 version of the Office 2010 beta otherwise it’ll give you error.

Still Problem or want to say thanks or share somE other tip?

Use this webpage to send me an email!

Or try this forum

Nov 20, 2009

[Geography Prelim Strategy] A planed hard work with direction is one key tool for clearing civils

Everyone appearing with Geography as prelim optional MUST Read following Thread (a very detailed and to the point strategy for Geography is given in it)
Click Me to Read it

[Mental Ability] Do Speedy Math in Your Head

this is imp because you're not allowed to use calculator in G/S prelim, and there will be mental ability questions

156 + 13 = 169, the square of 13; and then, 169 + 13 = 182 + 14 = 196, etc.

Fives Times

If you have a multiplication of five, then an easy way to find the answer is to half the multiplied number and times by ten.

For example: 24 * 5 = (24 / 2) * 10 = 120

Square off

To square a number like 14, identify the preceding round number — in this case, 10. Since you subtracted 4 to get 10, add 4 to 14 to get 18 and multiply that by 10 (*the round number). Add to that the square of 4: 180 + 16 = 196.

Proof: (x - y)(x + y) + y^2 = x^2; x^2 + xy - xy - y^2 + y^2 = x^2; x^2 = x^2

To find the square of the next number in a series without multiplying: Say you know the square of 12 is 144. Add 12 to 144 and add the next number — in this case, 13 — to find the square of 13: 144 + 12 =

9 times any digit number (the super simple way)

Take the number you wish to multiply by 9, multiply it by 10 and substract the original number.

Let us take 23 for instance:

23 * 9 = (23 * 10) - (23 * 1) = 230 - 23 = 207

11 times any digit number (the super simple way)

This is just the same principle as 9 times any digit number.

Take the number you wish to multiply by 11, multiply it by 10 and add the original number once more.

Let us take 23 for instance:

23 * 11 = (23 * 10) + (23 * 1) = 230 + 23 = 253

11 times any digit number (the simpler way)

Take any number you want to multiply by 11, like 18 for example

Write 18 then shift 18 one left space over:

And add the numbers up in the middle column to get 198 as the sum. 1 (1+8 = 9) 8

If it is a double digit number like 88, where it's:

Then add the middle 8s to be 16, and carry the 1 over to the left for:

968

11 times any two-digiter

To multiply, say, 11 x 32, add the digits of 32 (3 + 2 = 5) and insert the sum between them: 352. Numbers with two-digit sums use a slight variation: For 11 x 84 (8 + 4 = 12), add the 1 from 12 to the 8 and leave the 2 in the middle: 924.

Squaring Numbers that End in Five

To square a number that ends in 5 (e.g., 25, 65, 1005) simply remove the 5 from the end of the number and multiply the remaining number times the next number then tack a '25' on the end of it (squares of numbers that end in 5 will always end in 25).

For example,

25 squared is 2*3 = 6 and tack on '25' to the end = 625.
65 squared is 6*7 = 42 and tack on '25; to the end = 4225.

Multiplying by 8

To multiply by 8 just multiply by 2 3 times.

e.g. 37 * 8 = (37 * 2) *2) *2) = 296

Actual Calculation done in head.

(2 * 7) + (2 * 30) = 70 + 4 = 74
(2 * 4) + (2 * 70) = 140 + 8 = 148
(2 * 8) + (2 * 140) = 280 + 16 = 296

taken from this site

http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Do_Speedy_Math_in_Your_Head

P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

[Interview Questions] Set #2

(these questions are setup by Pankaj Audhiya, Deputy Collector, Gujarat)

**Don't just read and run away,

DO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS, **

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

despite such a big population why does India produce only a few Noble winners compared to Western Nations?
who're the most favored nations in India's current foreign policy?
do you think we are in cold war with China?
in population we are 2nd after China, but in Army strength we are 4th- why?
you think there should be compulsory military training for all civilians in india?
if you're ordered to learn a language other than English , which language will you choose?
Why is China unhappy about Dalai Lama's Arunachal visit ?
what's difference between "loving your nation" and 'Nationalism'?
you think India will become a superpower in near future?
if you are ordered to settle in a country other than India, which country will you choose?

CIVIL SERVICES

From IAS and IFS who can contribute more to the nation's Development ?
IAS has Constitutional recognition, why don't IFS have such prestige?
what's your opinion on civil service exam's reforms?

POLICE

every organized crime is not an act of terrorism but every terrorist act is an organized crime - comment
suggest the steps to curb organized crime
is there a difference between Naxals and Terrorists?

Development Administration

suggest some steps to improve HDI?
what are the things you like and dislike about india?
suggest 5 reforms in education system
if you educate a man , you just educate an individual, but when you educate a woman you're educating a family- comment.

POLITY

if you were given a free hand to amend Constitution, tell me which 5 amendments will you do?
do you think the election procedure in india should be changed, if yes then what change?
Election is done based on people's representative's Act. but after election, to what extend the winners are people's representatives?

MISC.

what's the relation between Green-house & Flouriculture?
tell us something about green technology.
what's your most favorite sentence/ motto

P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

Nov 19, 2009

[WARNINING]for Newcomers in 2010’s prelim

Read this thread only if

You've never appeared in prelims before and are going to appear in 2010's prelim for the first time in your life or if
You're yet to finish your syllabus
You appeared in previous prelims but never qualified.

As a friend who cares and as a candidate who lost once in prelims (2008),

I must warn you about the upcoming dangers and pitfalls before 2010's prelim.

Without wasting any time you must get serious and start hard preparation from today.

REFORM IN EXAM System

There is uncertainty about whether there will be optional subjects / aptitude test in 2010. But it's certain that in either case there will be general studies with polity, geography, history, science, current affairs and mental ability. So don't waste your time doing guess works and speculations – put it in preparation.

Optional subject (whether to prepare or not?)

Every year there is talk of UPSC removing opt. subjects (I'm hearing that since 2007.) the only way to know is when UPSC issues the exam notification in December. So, if you're completely new to this, then

DO FINISH YOUR OPTIONAL SUBJECT'S SYLLABUS

In case UPSC keeps the opt. system , then you'll have to start preparing the opt. subject from January from scratch = you'll lag behind in the race with "old timers"=those who have been giving trials – they've already gone through the entire syllabus- including of mains, hence its just 'revision work' for them.
In case UPSC removes the optionals, you still gained some knowledge that can help you in G/S, mains and interview (for those with opt. like History, Geography, Public Administration, Political sci, socio etc etc.)

IGNORE SECOND OPTIONAL FOR THE TIME BEING?

On the ideal conditions (i.e. the previous years when scheme of exam was status quo and everything was certain) , in those days you could prepare for 2^nd opt till December / even upto February. But in the current scenario of uncertainty, (and Especially IF you've yet to finish the syllabus of G/S + 1^st optional) then ignore the 2^nd optional. I know some people who selected their 2^nd opt. only after prelims and yet now they're IAS. (Again this is all about individual's hard work, and not the safe generalized principle of preparation.)

CRUCIAL GOLDEN TIME (NOVEMBER-DECEMBER)

The time upto 31^st December is golden time, when you can go through entire syllabus (including that of mains.) if you fail to utilize this opportunity on maximum capacity, the next months will be real hard for you. (January, February, March, April.)

One of the major reason for my failure in 2008's prelim was failing to utilize this golden time. And then it started a chain reaction – spoiling the entire schedule of preparation.

FINISHING THE SYLLABUS

Many people would advise you that you can finish the syllabus upto February and you'll still be in the safe zone.Especially the coaching classes (so that they can run more batches) However I'm in the opinion that you can and should do it before 1-15^th January, then you can work easy for the next months- concentrating on revision and test papers. If you finish the syllabus in February then you've very less time for revision and test papers compared to old timers.= lag behind in race / mental pressure + stress = reduced efficiency.

MAGIC PILLS

If you believe there exists some coaching class or postal course or miracle material that can get you through this prelim, then you're living in a fairy tale and digging your own grave.
Many coaching classes / postal courses will claim they'll finish your syllabus in just 1 month crash course. But this isn't the proper / safe way for preparation.
Such material / teaching is good for getting an idea of the subject when you're complete newbie. But cracking prelims requires perfection that can't be achieved by relying solely on such things.
If you've not learned it yet, UPSC always makes sure no question from coaching classes's imp stuff is asked.

DYNAMIC SUBJECTS

In subjects like Public Administration , geography and in topics like Economy, polity – everyday something new happens. So living on static coaching class material, not reading newspaper = = again digging your own grave (ADYOG)
Magazines would fail to cover the subject specific current affairs details for Public Administration / Geography.

There is no better alternative

to the standard books, newspaper and your own handmade notes

it never was and never will.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

solely relying on magazines (Chronicle / Wizard / CST) for current affairs or the 'special current affairs material from Delhi' = again digging your own grave (ADYOG)
Current affairs is not something that can be learned reading a book for 10 days or a month. it's a continuous process that doesn't and shouldn't stop until you're in final selection.
In April 2010, everyone will publish current affairs books – if you believe you can safely ignore Current affairs now and will prepare it in april from those books, then you'd not be able to revise your optional subject + other topics of G/S during that time = ADYOG.

TEST SERIES

Solve as many as you can (including previous years' and of different classes). But don't expect that UPSC will ask something from it.
Yet this is important because it makes you aware about the negative marking. (for more read my this thread)

Solve them only after you've finished particular topic / entire syllabus,

Otherwise it'll demoralize you

and for the same reason – its necessary to finish the syllabus and revise it as soon as possible.

Don't make excuses

if you don't get good marks in such test series, don't say that

it was very hard
outside syllabus
UPSC won't ask this etc.

ADMIT that there is some fault in your preparation – amend it and move ahead.

EXAM ORIENTED PREPARATION

Theoretically, everything written on Wikipedia is imp. For G/S. but do you've time? Do you've the brain that can remember everything?

Consider this,

What are the obstacles in Panchayati Raj?
What reforms do you suggest for better implementation of E-gov / Disaster Management ?

In depth knowledge of such things is crucial for mains / interview but @ prelim point of view – you don't have to do Ph.D on right now (else you'd not be able to finish syllabus properly). First of all concentrate on the core areas and basic facts – about everything.

Try to be jack of all trades rather than trying to be expert on few topics (for prelims)

WORKING PROFESSIONALS (who're yet to finish syllabus)

You're still in the Dilemma of

whether leave the job /
give the exam next year /
take holidays /
join some classes /
Schedule of such classes not matching working hours.

Do following steps

Gather up all the books / Xerox / material (AS SOON AS POSSIBLE)
(if possible) Take a vacation of 7-10-15 day to 1 month.
Finish the syllabus (don't forget to make notes)
Resume the job – keep revision – test papers.

If you believe in magical "working professionals' special crash classes / postal material"

will ride you through this prelim

AD YOG

For those who are new and missed my previous threads – click below

[Role of Media] Are they playing it right? & their role in National integration

Your views and counter views are very welcome and kindly requested

The 'Media' I'm referring to is not The Hindu / Indian Express etc but the media that reaches to the masses, e.g Vernacular Press, Aaj Tak, Star News, Zee News etc.

1^st of all: what is / should be the role of media?

the media has a moral duty that goes beyond the routine "displaying facts and interviewing people and doing sms polls".

The Moral duty is…

Exposing corruption / inefficiency of Govt. – asking questions, gathering public opinion.
Exposing the ill-practices in
- Religion: witch doctors, solar eclipse, child illness etc.
- society: female infanticide, dowry, caste violence, rural / poor people's problem, Maoists.
National integration by covering all problems from each part of the country.
Educating people about the matters of international / scientific / medical importance.
Cherishing the achievements of
- Honest citizens/officers (and politicians, if any) / social workers /
- inventors/scientists/etc.
- Sportsmen and women (other than cricketers)
- Army men living in harsh weather conditions of borders.
*please add your list in this*

Now lets see what media is doing nowadays>>

End of the World

Before going to this topic, a flashback-

Previously there was 'Large Headron Collider', and the media predicted the end of the World. And instead of directly giving the mission details, they'd sensationalize everything like

Kya ye Maut ki machine hai? (क्या ये मौत कि मशीन है?) [is it the machine of death?]
Kya hoga Dharti ka aant issse (क्या होगा धरती का अंत ईससे?) [will it cause the end of the world ?]
**Add some more poetic verses to attract and scare people**

Now after giving an introduction like this, their host starts talking, and the exact details and purpose of the entire Headron mission will be given at the end of the program (only for 5 minutes) but for the rest 25 minutes, they'll talk in detail about all the negative things and possibilities regarding the mission.

Result of that Headron coverage

One man died of heart attack watching the it
Another teen girl committed suicide thinking this was going to end the world
Masses run to holy rivers, holy temples and holy priests: offer prayer, rituals, donations – This time, money and work hours could have been used in something more productive.

Fast forward to the new toy : Mayan Calendar ,2012

Past few weeks, the media anchors got a new toy to play with, known as Mayan Calendar which predicts the end of the world in 2012 by some sort of giant meteorite collision. Again insert those red flashing texts here, and the trailer clips from the movie 2012.

They'll add the issue of Glaciar melting and rise in ocean level to it- again flash the facts like how much sq.km of glaciar was lost (they'll flash it for 10 minutes but won't talk for the reasons and steps a common Indian man should take to prevent it.)

Possible Result of 2012's Coverage

Refer point #3 of previous headron coverage's result = money making business for priests and holymen.
No one has died in heart attack / suicide due to fear of 2012 yet but I see it coming soon.

Terrorism

Some news channels (like Aaj Tak) spend 70% of their time showing Taliban and drone attack and paki bomb blast coverage.

And if

Union Govt. issues some terror alert to states (which they do every 3^rd day) or
if Govt. beefs of security of something (nuke station / airport) [which again they do every 4^th day]

then its Christmas time for the news channels : covering it 24/7 until they get some other thing to sensationalize.

Now you might say that its good because then people would keep an eye on the suspicious activities, things and people around them when Govt. has alerted them on possible terror strike- but are we Indians so immature that we need nagging about it every 3^rd day? + so much terrorism coverage makes It look like India is very vulnerable to terrorists and its unsafe to live in India. (If you were a foreign tourist/ businessman watching these terror sensationalizing news – would you come to India?) I'm not saying that we shouldn't cover it but there is no reason why media should be talking about it 70% time of our day.

David Headly / Rana

Another routine feature nowadays, media spending almost 70% of their time on this duo.

Their connection with Bollywood,
their stay in different cities of India,
their involvement in 26/11

its important news but I don't think they deserve so much of news air-time, when there are other important issues at hand. Like there is nothing else happening in india and the world -worth talking about.

7^th Dossier & Self Esteem

Yesterday Govt. of india gave 7^th dossier regarding terror evidences of 9/11. Reminds me of the schooldays when some class bully keeps teasing and beating you , you complaint to teacher and no action is taken. On one hand the same ministers say pakis are not acting on the evidences provided by them and on the other hand they give more evidences.

When we are certain nothing is going to happen then why sell off our self esteem with every dossier to pakis?
Why a Real man (which india is) should expect justice from a eunuch (which Pakistan was, is and shall remain forever).

But this again is a non-issue for media.

1 year to 26/11 and Kasab is not hanged yet!

We should let the law take its course. i.e if verdict goes against Kasab, let him appeal in High Court then Supreme Court and finally Mercy petition to President (if Kasab takes one year to justice- even after having a special court for him, how much time a common man's case will take in a common court?)
More than a hundred witnesses have to be examined and thousands of pages worth chargesheets is to be read so it takes time. Now in this case
- if one witness proves he killed people- Maximum punishment he can get is death.
- if 100 witness prove he killed people- Maximum punishment he can still get is death.
- So why waste everyone time?
If we immediately hang him we wouldn't be able to extract more info from him
First the involvement of pakis in 26/11 must be 'exposed' via him and pakis must be humiliated for it.

Now my question : Expose and Humiliate pakis in front of whom?

America / EU / Western World
1. You think they don't know about it already?
2. you think they'll stop giving aid /visa to Pakis?
Indians (show me an Indian that thinks pakis are not involved )
many poor people in the distant rural parts of India who have no access to TV/ newspapers, they might even not know who's kasab? What is difference between PM / CM / President /Governer? .. but in that case we are humiliating ourselves for failure to improve their lives.

I'm not saying hang kasab next minute. (Perhaps he can give more info on David Headly issue) but atleast media shouldn't go mute on it. But this again is a non-issue for media.

Sports Coverage

Glorifying our sportsmen (other than crickers)

There aren't many opportunities for sportsmen and women in hockey, football, chess, badminton, billiards, swimming, atheletics, boxing, wrestling etc: to earn lot money, compared to opportunities available to the cricketers. But they've RIGHT TO EARN OUR RESPECT, FAME AND RECOGNITION, which can only be secured by the media. But in reality, for the media- Saina Nehwal or Vijindar Singh aren't worth giving even half hour coverage.

Yesterday: Sri Lanka's 591 Runs

Media got a refreshing change from the routine 2012 / Taliban coverage when our cricketers gave them a new issue : 591 Runs by Sri Lanka in Motera Stadium's Test match and how our players were white washed by them. So expect those 30 minutes coverage every 2^nd hour for next few days till something new comes.

Positive side

if you're a non-cricket sportsman then you wouldn't get 2 hours criticism every day in case you fail in some game (unlike the cricketers) hence you wouldn't get Demoralized or demotivated from your failure.

International events

Obama's "Tibet belongs to China" Comment

Obama went to China (& pleased Hu Jintao by saying Tibet belongs to China) ,
Obama hasn't come to india & said "Kashmir Belongs to India" (to please Manmohan Singh)
Obama went to China but did not come to Delhi (which is just a half hour's ride for his superfast air-force one from China!)
Instead Manmohan Singh is going to Washinton next week to meet him.
this shows that either
- India isn't that important or powerful/hard nation that the President of United States should pay a visit to it. (are we a soft state?)
- India can't play mind games and ransom tactics like Chinese but acts like an obedient employee and would oblige to all Climate change / economy issues unlike China.
- Obama thinks that since we are purchasing nuke material from them / or that they already have done us the favor by getting us through N.S.G. hence we don't deserve much attention right now

but I guess this is a non-important issue for media.

there is nothing to sensationalize in this news so media isn't covering it. (and our media men lack the knowledge of foreign policy beyond Pakistan / Taliban , to talk anything really meaningful on this.)

G8-WTO-Climate Change

What was the last time did you see any decent coverage of it by our media, That'd inform a common man about the positive and negative aspects of them with out going in to technical jargon and statistical graphs?

Kids falling in bore-well

Thieves steal the lids of borewells, or Govt. forgets to put lids on the first place.

In either case some poor Kid falls in it, gets 24/7 media attention until he is rescued or declared dead.

What was the last time you saw a media man doing coverage of other lid-less bore wells after the episode was over?
What was the last time when a media man tried to investigate find where all those lids go?

National integration & Role of media

Crime

If someone is robbed, committed suicide or killed in accident in Delhi- its shown in headlines.

Media is addicted to sensational crime reporting, but the crimes happened in other states/ places will find place only in their special 'crime reporter' program- but rarely in the 'headlines'

Naxal / Maoists

Their attacks are rarely reported for more than 2-5 minutes. (except the last hijack of Rajdhani Express but then there was no follow up- media stopped covering it from on 3^rd day.)

Result

The news are heavily biased – covering more about things important for urban centres.
The problem of poor states rarely finds coverage. (except Madhu Koda but now they forgot him because we've got David Headly.)
The people of North / West states are uninformed of the problems of other areas (South/NE./Red corridor)
The people of Southern / North Eastern states won't watch these news channels (as they see no coverage of their areas) and would see their own regional channels = they also remain uninformed of the problems of North / West India.

this in turn creates a passive psychological unawareness –lack of sensitivity of the urban people that their problems (of the poor states) are not our problems. Anything good or bad happening in South India or North East India is again not our concern=harm to national integration. . + Christmas Time for politicians because their failure to curb insurgency/maoists is not exposed by media.

Rural / Urban integration

Drinking water/ sewage/ traffic problems of cities would get more attention by media men.

The problem of rural people that rarely find coverage in media-

payment of NREGA Wages (Airlines strikes is more imp.)
education – absenteeism of teachers (rise in fees in Delhi's Posh schools / admission problems are more imp.)
medical facilities (Seasonal Dengue coverage in Delhi is more imp than the 2 Lakh people dying from TB in rural areas every year.)
identification of beneficiaries / BPL list (scandals of plot allotment in Delhi Housing board is more imp.)

again this creates a barrier in rural / urban integration because people on each side would think that the problems of other side are not important. + Christmas Time for politicians because their failure to bring change in rural areas is not exposed by media.

Besides too much coverage of terrorism (urban India's problem) and too less coverage of Maoist (rural /tribal India's problem) = harm to integration.

The counter argument to all this

if you don't like news turn of the tv
if you feel there is so much wrong in Indian media – start your own TV channel
the national integration is politicians' responsibility.
Media shows what people want to see. If they start showing boring things, they'll lose advertisement revenue.

Conclusion:-

Media shows the things people want to see. (the kids always want to play games and avoid school- but it's the responsibility of the parents to send them to school –get them educated.) hence media should never forget their moral duty of educating the people rather than entertaining (and scaring) them.

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