General Studies Civil Services: Both Prelims/Mains

GAAR: What is it?

2012-04-29T21:44:00.000+05:30

GAAR stands for General Anti-Avoidance Rules. It is aimed at checking the tax avoidance by companies. The Economic Times article HERE discusses the different dimensions and actual thought behind it. It is good for reading and making relevant notes.

Demographic Data for 60 Plus

2012-04-02T12:51:00.000+05:30

India is a country which is growing young. In case of other countries, the old population is increasing more than young population. However, that does not mean that India would not be having the issue of old population. In coming years, the issue of the old age population would require attention of the government.

Check the Report HERE and make notes on the contents.

Demographic Data 2011

2012-03-25T08:15:00.000+05:30

Demographic data is very crucial. Rather Demographic studies are must. Such a data is crucial for every country and nation for planning. Secondly, it is needed by all such sciences which deal in human beings whether it is sociology, economy, history, political science, public administration. The latest data is equally important as remembering some core ratios. It is useful for GS prelims, GS Mains as well as elective subjects.

Check the report HERE and study it attentively and make notes on change size of family over a decade. Along with that, there should be sensitization about the related problems like housing, child care and divorce rates.

Monorail Project

2012-03-22T12:51:00.000+05:30

Surface Transportation and Urban Habitation Management are crucial issues. The questions can be expected even at Mains Level.

It is important to note that Progressive Movement in America during the first decade of Twentieth Century included the transportation issue as one of their problem areas.

Mark the report HERE and makes note.

India Year Book 2011

2012-01-29T21:57:00.002+05:30

The interested aspirants can download the India Year Book 2011 HERE.

The link is provided by an anonymous commentator on this website. The commentator has provided the link to padegaindia.in. The site has good information on other competitive examinations also. However, it has inbuilt links to other sites also. I hope that the candidates would find the link provided by me quite useful.

La Nina

2012-01-21T22:26:00.001+05:30

The present Cold weather is attributed to La Nina effect.

Check the Times of India Report HERE.

For details

Check the Wikipedia explanation HERE.

Indo-China Trade $67 billion:6700 crore $

2012-01-15T08:13:00.000+05:30

Check the Outlook Story HERE.

It is a usual kind of a story on the news magazine. However, there are figures on Indo China Trade which are good for notes. Secondly, it has given a perspective on ground realities of Indo-China trade which can be useful for preparing answers for the interview.

Hints:
The hurdles for small and medium Indian Businessmen
The objections of the Chinese Businessmen against the Indian business scenario.
The local ground realities of Chinese Market.
The support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The credit problem for the Indian Businessmen
The future prospects
The Indian Exporters expectation from the Chinese Market

Onam Festival

2011-09-08T06:22:00.002+05:30

Onam Festival: This topic has appeared again and again in the GS prelims as well as in Mains.

IBN news item gives a good description at What 'Onam' festival is all about?

On the other hand Wikipedia has a more elaborate write up. (Click Here to Access)

For further study on similar lines Check the social festival index on Wikipedia. (Click here to Access)

Kindly observe caution while making notes from the Wikipedia write ups. Sometimes they are subjected to vandalism or motivated tones.

Manas National Park

2011-06-22T19:00:00.000+05:30

Manas National Park Assam is in UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Check the following Link for making further notes: Click Here

Scotia Prince

2011-06-14T22:42:00.001+05:30

Make a note of the following link:

Scotia Prince

New Consumer Price Index

2011-03-15T08:08:00.001+05:30

Before reading the post, Check the contents of a suggestive report here

From February 2011, the GOI has adopted new CPI. Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Minister for Labour And Employment had given a statement in Parliament giving the detail of the composition of CPI.

It is interesting to read the contents of the statistics.

I am of the view, that this year question paper is going to be bulky. As the stress will to evaluate the analytic ability, therefore, some sets of data will definitely take space on the question paper.

Go through the data provided in the report. Try to question as follows:
If any change takes place in housing, which section of society is going to be effected more?

Which type of food items are consumed more in Urban area?

If you are businessman in a particular area of trade, which section of society, rural or urban, can be your customers?

Check the contents of the suggestive report here.

Murnal Blog

2011-03-07T06:26:00.005+05:30

The author of Murnal Blog himself is an aspirant. He is taking up very pertinent queries on his blog. I have subscribed to his blog. I generally do not recommend any other identity. However, in his case, I have found that he has taken up such questions and queries that are sought by new aspirants and answered them in a very effective manner.

It seems that he has been associated with a website India Officer. He has borrowed material from numerous sources especially like upscportal.com. In one of his write up, he has remarked that the people do not like to read the manuals. They require specific information. Now, it is here, that many bloggers like us are becoming useful. Before, recommending anything read the whole material yourself. Understand the requirement and then share the information. There are many e-books which I have been sharing only when some of you have approached me on phone or through email. However, in his case, as he seems to know some tweaking with html, xml and good understanding of free resources (anyhub.net, But I am bit reluctant to use every free resource on the internet), he has developed a better blog and assembled a good assortment of widgets and IT resources.

I strongly recommend that new aspirants subscribe to his blog if you are new to preparation. He takes up very pertinent questions and answer them in simple, short and effective manner. Let us hope, he continues to blog and post with same zeal, integrity and approach. Click HERE to REACH MURNAL
(He seems to have good knowledge of capital market. Must be indulging in speculation and capital investment. He is from Gujarat!!! No apology to the person as it is a light hearted comment.)

India Year Book 2011 (Publication Division India)

2011-03-07T05:52:00.004+05:30

Now you can get the India Year Book 2011 HERE. I acknowledge the contribution of one of the anonymous commentator for providing the link.

The India Year Book 2011, a reference manual published by Publication Division of India is available on the site of Publication Division. To access the book Click HERE.

During recent analysis of the last year papers, it has been found that lesser number of questions are based on the contents of the India Year Book. Even then, it is recommended that reading of this book is essential as it otherwise helps to understand many aspects of Indian Polity and Economy which require special study.

I strongly recommend to retain it as one of the essential book to be read for Civil Services Preparation.

There is one bad news this time in case of this publication. Earlier, the whole book was available free of cost. This year, at least I am not able to download the whole book. Presently only five pages are available which includes the index of the chapter. The price is Rs. 345/-.

Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS)

2011-03-07T05:45:00.000+05:30

In game of cricket, if replays indicate the distance for the ball to travel to be in excess of 2.5 metres from the point of impact, a batsman can still be given out if Hawk-eye shows the ball will strike any part of the middle stump at a comfortable height.

The rule has been adopted by ICC: International Cricket Council

It has become an issue of debate during the World Cricket Cup 2011.

Source: The Telegraph - Calcutta

Sample Paper for CS 2011 by UPSC

2011-01-04T18:59:00.000+05:30

The Sample Paper for the Preliminary Test 2011 for Civil Services is displayed on the site of UPSC at upsc.gov.in.

A copy of that paper can be accessed here.

Check www.sumir.co.in for further resources and guidelines.

UN Climate Change Conference in Cancun: 29/11/10 to 10/12/10

2010-12-07T17:38:00.000+05:30

Climate Change Conference, the 16 session of COP 16 held at Cancun Mexico.

Refer to Kyoto Protocol and Copenhagen Accord also.

Refer to the following two links:

UNCCCC

Wikipedia

What is a dhow?

2010-12-04T20:44:00.000+05:30

A dhow is a traditional Arab sailing vessel. For detail check Wikipedia.

France and India in 2010

2010-12-04T20:31:00.000+05:30

The President of France is in India. The Economic Times gives a report on his press conference in Bangalore. It reads a note on the relation between India and France.

Remember, three main leaders, namely The President of USA, The President of France and Premier of China (next to come) main visitors to India. Hence, the relations with three countries will form important issues during the interview. Similarly, it will definitely acquire place in May 2011.

Make note of these three countries. They are the probable issues for the Civil Services till May 2011.

AIR for civil services preparation

2010-12-01T23:27:00.002+05:30

Many successful candidates have recommended using all India Radio as a source of locating the topics for the Civil Services and also getting updates on daily basis at your own leisure. If you are in job and preparing for Civil Services, then AIR radio becomes a very handy tool to remain updated at your own choosing. This you can access, listen and use on internet.

Visit www.newsonair.com

Locate the news items in audio files spread over the whole website and its pages. The files are easily downloaded in a short duration. Do not need any special audio player or device to replay them. The Windows Media Player gives good out put.

One of the most recommended page on the site is News Feature sheet.

Security Concerns of India: Home Ministry Perception

2010-12-01T19:45:00.000+05:30

The hitched report is based on the press conference given the Home Minister P. Chidambaram. The report contains the issues on which the Home Ministry is working. This report is valid for 2011 prelims as well as the interview in 2011.

Hitched Report: Chidambaram Press Conference Report by The Hindu

A P Singh, IPS, New CBI Chief

2010-12-01T19:32:00.000+05:30

A P Singh IPS of Jharkhan Cadre will be the new CBI Chief. The earlier chief was Ashwani Kumar IPS of Himanchal Pardesh Cadre. Consult the appended report

Hitched Report
AP Singh CBI Chief

Corruption in Administration: Solutions and Ways

2010-12-01T19:27:00.000+05:30

How can the increasing corruption in the government offices be curbed?

What role can the elected legislators and Executive perform?

Such questions are generally asked in the interview and expect some original ideas and ability to do coherent thinking. The Bihar government is going to come up with a legislation on the accountability of the bureaucracy. It is definitely going to become the issue of debate for a long time. All the issues of corruption which are in news will never be asked directly in written question papers. They can be asked in the interview. Therefore, the aspirants must develop a mature and balanced answer to such queries.

Make a note of the Report " Nitish Kumar's move to curb corruption, red-tapism".

Permanent Commission to Women in Armed Forces

2010-12-01T19:19:00.000+05:30

The women will get permanent commission in armed forces. Consult the report here.

Liquidity Crunch: A theoretical perspective

2010-12-01T19:06:00.000+05:30

The RBI is the monetary monitor in the country. The policies adopted by it has earned it appreciation through out the world.

Economic policies and foreign relations are two major topics which have emerged as major topics for General Studies Main paper. These two issues are highly specialized topics which all the aspirants are not expected to understand in their true dimensions. However, questions are there. They are to be prepared. The Economic Times and Business Standard are two such papers which regularly publish notes on the theoretical aspects on Economic policy issues. You do not have to have deeper knowledge of economics. The write ups are such that they could be understood by any intelligent educated person regardless of his or her academic background. The given report titled Liquidity Crunch: A tool to Transmit Monetary Policy is a note with such a content. There are many more issues taken up in the article like repo rate and reverse repo rate which are important topics which can be asked in the paper are also taken up. Kindly make note of that.

Urbanization in Gujarat

2010-11-14T10:13:00.001+05:30

The report is to be kept for reference. It is about the trends in urbanization in India as per empirical studies by National Sample Survey Organization (NSS0).