UPSC Mains: No Propaganda, Only Evaluation...................Part II

In continuation in this series, we post our second assessment. 

Furthermore, we had the hunch that UPSC may not 'fix' its pattern of asking 25 qs flat - we too experimented with the number of qs in our Test Series. UPSC too asked 20 qs in GS II with 12.5 marks each.


On GS 2

1. Starting from inventing the ‘basic structure’ doctrine, the judiciary has played a highly proactive role in ensuring that India develops into a thriving democracy. In light of the statement, evaluate the role played by judicial activism in achieving the ideals of democracy
   
   [Test Series: Q 15 of  GS II 1st Test: "How has the ‘Basic Structure Doctrine’ evolved? & 
      
   Test Series: Q 23 of  GS II 1st Test: "As far as 2G scam and ‘Coal-gate’ were concerned, do you believe that the Judiciary overreached and over-reacted?" &
   
   Test Series: Q 16 of  GS II Full Length Test: “However, it needs to be said in defence of the Apex Court that as a repository of public trust it has stepped in only in conditions of administrative apathy and legislative stasis to protect basic rights and constitutional values.” Opine]
   
2. Though the federal principle is dominant in our Constitution and that principle is one of its basic features, but it is equally true that federalism under the Indian Constitution leans in favour of a strong Centre, a feature that militates against the concept of strong federalism. Discuss.
   
   [A partial reference could be found in: Test Series: Q 16 of  GS II 1st Test: Is there any constitutional restriction upon the borrowing by the provincial governments? Comment on the financial relation between the Union and the states. ]
   
3. The ‘Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and its Members’ as envisaged in Article 105 of the Constitution leave room for a large number of un-codified and un-enumerated privileges to continue. Assess the reasons for the absence of legal codification of the ‘parliamentary privileges’. How can this problem be addressed?
   
   [Standard Qs - Discussed in the classroom & asked in previous years' Test Series]
   
4. What do you understand by the concept “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss.
   
   [Partial Reference could be traced in: Test Series: Q 8 of  GS II Full Length Test: Has the section 66A of the Information Technology Act (2000) turned out to be the nemesis of free speech and expression? ]
   
5. Instances of President’s delay in commuting death sentences has come under public debate as denial of justice. Should there be a time limit specified for the President to accept/reject such petitions? Analyse.
   
   [Test Series: Q 11 of  GS II Full Length Test: "Argue about the contentious issue of death sentence to criminals"]
6. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in India can be most effective when its tasks are adequately supported by other mechanisms that ensure the accountability of a government. In light of the above observation assess the role of NHRC as an effective complement to the judiciary and other institutions in promoting and protecting human rights standards.
   
   [Standard Qs - Discussed in the Classroom]
   
7. The penetration of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in rural areas in promoting participation in development programmes is facing socio-cultural hurdles. Examine.
   
   [Test Series: Q 16 of  GS II 1st Test: Can we say that micro-finance has ushered in peace to financially underprivileged Indian women?]
   
8. Do government’s schemes for up-lifting vulnerable and backward communities by protecting required social resources for them, lead to their exclusion in establishing businesses in urban economics?
   
   [Partial References: Test Series: Q 7 of  GS I 2nd Test: Write a note on “Slums - the ultimate urban exclusion”   &
   Test Series: Q 15 of  GS II Full Length Test: “India demands fast-track development with social harmony.” Explain.]
   
9. Has the Cadre based Civil Services Organisation been the cause of slow change in India? Critically examine.
   
   [Partial Reference: Test Series: Q 15 of  GS II Full Length Test: "Entrants like Dr Raghuram Rajan and Mr Raghu Raman have opened up the debate of allowing lateral entry into the top echelons of Indian bureaucracy. Opine on the concept of lateral entry into civil service." ]
   
10. Two parallel run schemes of the Government viz. the Adhaar Card and NPR, one as voluntary and the other as compulsory, have led to debates at national levels and also litigations. On merits, discuss whether or not both schemes need run concurrently. Analyse the potential of the schemes to achieve developmental benefits and equitable growth.
    
    [Test Series: Q 10 of  GS III Full Length Test:Write a note on the Indian Agricultural Research Institute’s (IARI) ‘postal-agri extension’ programme. Evaluate the Aadhar Scheme launched by the government]
    
11. With respect to the South China sea, maritime territorial disputes and rising tension affirm the need for safeguarding maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region. In this context, discuss the bilateral issues between India and China
    
    [Standard Qs - Discussed in the Classroom]
    
12. WTO is an important international institution where decisions taken affect countries in profound manner. What is the mandate of WTO and how binding are their decisions? Critically analyse India’s stand on the latest round of talks on Food security.
    
    [Stndard Qs - Discussed in the Classroom]
    

Can we vouch for 125 marks or so?

UPSC Mains: No Propaganda, Only Evaluation...................Part I

UPSC MAINS 2014 is over - a week of strain. In this entire process of selecting the would-be-bureaucrats of the nation-state, we feel it pertinent to evaluate how Trademark fared in its journey - especially in justifying its Test Series and Classroom training programme.

This is the first part of the series. 



A. In our Test Series, we conducted 2 Tests on Essay - the first with the traditional one essay format & the second with 2-essay format. We had the hunch that UPSC may go for the 2-essay format. And since UPSC has mentioned 'multiple essays' in its syllabus, we expect in the near future, even 3-essays can be asked. Anything more than that may not be justified. 


B. On GS I 

1. To what extent has the urban planning and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization provided inputs to the present day urbanization? Discuss. 
   
   [Pls see: http://policyforindia.blogspot.in/2013/02/indus-valley-civilization-in-2013.html]
   
2. Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain.
   
   [Test Series: Q. 11 of GS I 2nd Test: "Draw a distinction between the Mathura & Gandhara school of sculpture."]
   
3. Examine critically the various facets of economic policies of the British in India from mid-eighteenth century till independence.
   
   [Standard Qs - Discussed in the Classroom]
   
4. In what ways did the naval mutiny prove to be the last nail in the coffin of British colonial aspirations in India?
   
   [Standard Qs - Discussed in the Classroom]
   
5. What were the major political, economic and social developments in the world which motivated the anti-colonial struggle in India?
   
   [Oblique Qs - Discussed in the Classroom]
   
6. What were the events that led to the Suez Crisis in 1956? How did it deal a final blow to Britain’s self-image as a world power?
   
   [We always stress on Norman Lowe - it pays to read that book !!]
   
7. The New Economic Policy – 1921 of Lenin had influenced the policies adopted by India soon after independence. Evaluate.
   
   [Nice, Oblique Qs - Norman Lowe helps in elucidating NEP]
   
8. How do the Indian debates on secularism differ from the debates in the West?
   
   [Test Series: Q6 of GS I Full Length - “The Muslim alienation has often been stigmatised in Indian historiography as communalism” Comment.  - We agree, that this qs does not exactly mimic the qs asked by UPSC - but at least veer the thought process to a similar analytic plane]
   
9. Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the El-Nino effect. Do you agree?
   
   [Test Series: Q16 of GS I 2nd Test: "Compare ‘El Nino’ with ‘La Nina’]
   
   So can we vouch for around 60 marks in Paper I ?
   ======================================================

Class Schedule - DEC 3rd Week

General Studies [02 classes]

Class I - Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

1. RTI Act

2. State Information Commissions

3. Central Information Commission

Class II - GS Geography for Mains

1. Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices;

2. Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning,limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security;

3. Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.

Optional History

The Rise of Japan

followed by a Short Test on World History. 

Topics for Test:

1. China [as per 2nd Week's Class]   
2. WW I    

3. Japan [as per 3rd Week's Class]

Class Schedule - DEC 2nd Week

General Studies - 02 Classes

Class I - Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

1. Ethics & Values

2. Ethics in Administration

3. Lessons from lives of great leaders / administrators - Kautilya, Machiavelli, Vivekananda and others

Class II - Geography for MAINS

1. e-Technology for farmers 

2. Infrastructure - Energy, Ports, Railways, Roads & Airports

Class III - Optional History 

History of China - upto 1912

GS Schedule - DEC 1st week

Session I : Internal Security for MAINS

1. Terrorism by cross-border non-state actors and Role of Police in counter-terrorism 

2. CAPFs Vs State Police 

3. Police Reforms in India

4. Miscellaneous 

Session II : Geography for MAINS

1. Major crops

2. Cropping pattern

3. Irrigation, Marketing, Storage & Transport of Agri products

Schedule - NOV 3rd week

General Studies


World Geography from Mains' perspective

1. Geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

2. Distribution of key natural resources across the world.

History Optional

Towards WW I : Europe from 1870 - 1914 

Age Limit - UPSC

A news flashed at a prominent newspaper has generated some doubts & surely spread panic

May read this : 

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/centre-to-lower-age-limit-for-civil-service-aspirants/article6609797.ece

HOWEVER,

in the same newspaper, on the same day, pls READ THIS TOO:

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/dopt-yet-to-notify-change/article6609800.ece

Our suggestion:

Pls concentrate on the job at hand - i.e. your preparation & stop paying attention to speculative news items !  

It will be ridiculous that the Govt decides to increase the age limit upto 32 yrs & thereafter brings it down to 26 yrs in the very next yr !!!

It was definitely not expected of a 100 yrs + old newspaper to have generated such  sensationalism. Pretty unfortunate and preposterous. 

Second ARC recos were lying in the cupboard for a length now - suddenly the 1878 newspaper gets hold of the recos and flashes it - actually exploits the 'belief' of the gullible civil service aspirants in its credibility. 

For corroboration of our notion, pls read:

"Govt says no to UPA move to lower UPSC age limit"

Aloke Tikku, Hindustan Times  New Delhi, November 18, 2014

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-says-no-to-upa-s-move-to-lower-upsc-age-limit/article1-1287621.aspx

Class Schedule - NOV 1st week

GS Class 1:

• Insurgency 
• Insurgency in Contemporary World
• Types of Warfare in Insurgency
• Terrorism, Guerrilla Warfare & Insurrectional Foco

GS Class 2:

• Insurgency in India
• India's Maoist Insurgency: Security Aspects

History Optional:

American War of Independence - Immediate Causes, War & Significance

10 in IAS Mains 2014 & 11 in WBCS Mains 2014

We are glad to intimate that 9 (nine) of our members have cleared the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2014 :

1. Shekhar Chaudhary

2. Deepak Pal [HISTORY Optional]

3. Subham Ghosh [HISTORY Optional]

4. Roll No. 028741 [on condition of anonymity] [HISTORY Optional]

5. Sachin Gourav

[Qualified for Forest Service Mains also]

6. Tuhin Shubhra Hira [HISTORY Optional]

7. Debajyoti Majumdar [Pol Sc Optional]

8. Anirban Saha

9. Rajan Agarwal [HISTORY Optional]

10. Ravi Kant 



We are further glad to intimate that 11 (eleven) of our members have cleared the WBCS Prelims 2014 :

1. Gargi Chakraborty [HISTORY Optional]

2. Somdatta Halder [HISTORY Optional]

3. Rajan Agarwal [ROLL: 0600513] [HISTORY Optional]

4. Suman Mukhopadhyay 

5. Buddhadeb Dhar [Also qualified for West Bengal Forest Services] 
[HISTORY Optional]

6. Debjyoti Majumdar [POL SC Optional]

7. Pritam Bhattacharyya 

8. Raja Das 

9. Roll no 0200357 [On request of anonymity] [HISTORY Optional]

10. Roll no. 0111618 [On request of anonymity] [HISTORY Optional]

11. Shri D.C. [On request of anonymity] [POL SC Optional]

WBCS Grp "A" Results

3 of our members have qualified in 

Grp A WBCS 

2 as Commercial Tax Officers :

Topper, Shri Jagannath Mukherjee (working professional) & 

3rd Merit holder, Shri Uddipan Mukherjee   (software preofessional) 

and 

Shri Nirmal Nath - in Food & Supplies

What They Say - About History !

We face innumerable queries regarding the choice of Optional for UPSC Mains. It's a common folly to choose the optional quite late in the day - and by then it assumes Himalayan proportions ! However, going by the change in syllabus of General Studies in Mains exams, it is quite prudent now to choose HISTORY as an optional subject as it has become 'the' optional ! In GS I, one has to study Indian National Movement, India after independence, World History and Indian Culture [a large part of Medieval & Ancient India]. Needless to mention the fact that the full Indian history is a part of the Prelims GS paper too. 

In this context, please have a look what some of our members had to say!

----------------------------------------------------------

"Initially when I opted for History as an Optional Subject, I was not very sure about it. The part that worried me was mugging up of dates & events. However a year into it & classes at Trademark have fine-tuned my perspective. Now I know History is not mere facts, rather its the exquisite study from an unbiased perspective of the tides of time that have unmade & made the world as we know it now. It was foolish of me to expect History as a finite subject. Now I realize, History as a subject is continuous & ever evolving. As my optional subject, I am really in love with it.

Attending the History classes at Trademark have enriched my understanding. The best part is me being in love with the subject i loathed in my school days. Classes at Trademark are the best History classes I have ever had. Its just because of these classes that I delved deeper into the subject, I started reading books on World History (a thing I had never done before), I tried to read about characters like Napoleon, Mussolini and Hitler.

Opting for History as my Optional Subject sure has given me a lot of knowledge & made me far less ignorant than I was a year before."                                                           
  

                                          - Ms Nilanjana Guha 

"History as an optional subject is scoring and very interesting for a student to study.

As far as teaching of history in Trademark is concerned then I personally don't think there is a better place to study History other than trademark.

Faculty here teaches extremely well ending up getting the most uninteresting topic to be extremely interesting and keeps us hooked to the sessions that and thus helping every student be a part of the discussion. 

Even people who do not belong to Arts background generate  immediate interest towards the subject.

I would recommend any and every student who plans to take up history as optional for upsc to come and study in Trademark."

                                 - Ms Madhurima Sengupta

"History is probably the best optional as it helps in writing any question of not only history but economics,constitution,geography,culture and social welfare. It also helps in Prelims as 10 to 11 questions directly comes from history.

No doubt teaching of History at Trademark is best in West Bengal and without much doubt can say in India also.

The way History is taught at Trademark can not be described in words.The rational,logical and emotional factors of human beings which actually creates history is taught here. As E.H.Carr said in "What is history",read the historian before reading history,i.e. what we learnt here." 

                                     
                                    - Mr Sambuddha Mandal

"Studying History is fun. What I felt earlier that History is nothing but facts, but after one year of studying at Trademark what I understand is that History is every thing 'but' facts. Whether you crack UPSC or not, but studying for UPSC itself is a memorable journey. Journey becomes experience and fun while your companion is great. History is the companion.

Teaching of History at Trademark is fabulous. Had I got this sort of guidance all through my school life I would have definitely been a better student and moreover a better individual. Then, I would have rather taken up humanities than engineering!"

                                             - Mr Biprashis Das

"In my opinion, history is among few subjects which UPSC itself stresses upon probably due to its wider acceptability in public affairs.History is exciting and a reliable subject for UPSC as it fetches good marks in optional papers. It also has a wide advantage in General Studies for Mains as well as Prelims. Almost all the syllabus of optional paper covers GS paper 1. Standard materials are also easily available.

Trademark has taken the growing challenge posed by UPSC and widened scope of History as an optional subject. Trademark gives  right direction and required guidance to the aspirants who take History as the optional paper.Meticulous guidance and personal effort by the Faculty at Trademark is enough to score well in history." 

                                         
                                               - Mr Chandan Sen

"History as an optional subject in UPSC CSE is a very good choice.In prelims we have to study History along with other subjects.In main GS paper-I is mainly composed of History.In essay writing also History is needed.And as an optinal subject it can be said that if you love studying History then it is a very good subject. Materials are  easily available.And at last it can be said that if History as an optional subject can't make u a prince it wont make you a pauper either.

History is very well taught at Trademark. Teachers are very well versed in the subject. And it is taught according to UPSC requirements."

                                       - Mr Tuhin Shubhra Hira

"Yea, I have chosen History as my optional subject in UPSC & WBCS both, and also taking the preparation of that subject under the supervision of Trademark IAS. I hope, I would finish my preparation fully as per the guidance of Trademark" 

                                        
                                           - Mr Nilay Sengupta

What They Say !

   We value the feedback from our members 

Sindhuri Talwar

"I find the classes very interactive and highly beneficial for the preparation. The references given were also helpful in providing an insight into the topic. Faculty members are doing a commendable job and I look forward to being a part of the classes."

[Ms Talwar is an arts graduate with History, Geography and Public Administration as core subjects]

Advaita Das

"I am fully satisfied with the teaching. The study materials are also equally well and exhaustive."

[Mr Das is an Engineer in computer science and MBA in human resource]





"As a new joinee, the first class was quite good. I hope I could also make through UPSC exam 2015 with the lectures and notes provided by the institution."

-  Ms Shruti Srivastava [Working Professional]


" I find the classes very good and the notes quite comprehensive. I am glad that I joined Trademark IAS. I am sure it will be my stepping stone to success."

- Ms Anusree Sen 


"I am really satisfied with the clarity with which each topic is presented. Also liked the fact that while one topic is discussed, all other connected topics are also brought up."

- Mr Vishwaroop Chatterjee [Working Professional]



"I've enjoyed both the GS classes, and I'm thankful to have the notes." 
- Mr Tuhin Chatterjee

"The faculty is excellent but since it was my first class I could not understand everything. But the classes are very helpful nonetheless."
- Mr Atanu Roy


"The Test Series is well planned and comprehensive.Questions are of IAS level and the paper checking has been regular and satisfying. Thank you so much for your sincere effort to help the students."

- Ms A. J.[on condition of anonymity]

Our Test Series - A Look at 2013

We generally don't claim to have 'set' questions which are later on 'asked' by UPSC as most institutes do.

However, it is also not prudent to remain shy when few things do happen:

Just find some questions framed in our 2013 Test Series:

1. Evaluate the possible options for India in a post-US Afghanistan.   

[Qs R, GS II Full Length: 10-Nov-2013 ]        15 

2. “India is the largest recipient of Japanese ODA”. Elucidate India-Japan bilateral relations through the economic prism.        15

 [Qs A, GS II Full Length: 10-Nov-2013 ] 

3. “Protests in garment factories, protests against war crimes tribunal and protests at Shahbag” – Is Bangladesh imploding?  20

[Qs. F, GS II Full Length: 10-Nov-2013 ] 

And pls see Qs Nos. 18, 20 & 21 in the final UPSC GS II MAINS paper 

Qs 18: On India's options in a post-ISAF Afghanistan

Qs 20: India-Japan Economic Ties

Qs 21: Shahbag protests in Dhaka

http://www.upsc.gov.in/questionpaper/2013/CSM%202013/GS%20II.pdf

Furthermore, it is pertinent to mention that 

Citizen's Charter, SHGs, MDGs, String of Pearls, Indo-Sri Lanka, Art 262, Gujral Doctrine, World Bank / IMF, Lokpal, PURA, Cash Transfer, Pressure Groups, Whip & Small-Vs-Big State Debate - all were either discussed in the regular classes OR detailed in the notes OR set in the Sectional Tests in the 2013 Test Series. 

And this goes for other GS Papers as well - varying in extent & degree. 

Furthermore, the 'new' pattern was also predicted to a large extent: we set questions without any options !

And we don't claim to have 'leaked' questions OR have the 'Godly Connection' !!

One may surely argue that if we read everything - then common questions are bound to come !

Very True.....No denial at all.........

But some credit may be given to have provided the right direction among the plethora of topics & issues

And if that's not the case, then why should other institutes claim vociferously such things and why should aspirants be awestruck at only their facades? 

We also have an architecture.