Why Zamindars defaulted on Payments
Company officials felt that a fixed revenue demand would give zamindars a sense of security and, assured of returns on their investment, encourage them to improve their estates. In the early decades after the Permanent Settlement, however, zamindars regularly failed to pay the revenue demand and unpaid balances accumulated.
The reasons for this failure were various. First: the initial demands were very high. This was because it was felt that if the demand was fixed for all time to come, the Company would never be able to claim a share of increased income from land when prices rose and cultivation expanded. To minimise this anticipated loss, the Company pegged the revenue demand high, arguing that the burden on zamindars would gradually decline as agricultural production expanded and prices rose.
Second: this high demand was imposed in the 1790s, a time when the prices of agricultural produce were depressed, making it difficult for the ryots to pay their dues to the zamindar. If the zamindar could not collect the rent, how could he pay the Company? Third: the revenue was invariable, regardless of the harvest, and had to be paid punctually. In fact, according to the Sunset Law, if payment did not come in by sunset of the specified date, the zamindari was liable to be auctioned. Fourth: the Permanent Settlement initially limited the power of the zamindar to collect rent from the ryot and manage his zamindari. The Company had recognised the zamindars as important, but it wanted to control and regulate them, subdue their authority and restrict their autonomy. The zamindars’ troops were disbanded, customs duties abolished, and their “cutcheries” (courts) brought under the supervision of a Collector appointed by the Company. Zamindars lost their power to organise local justice and the local police. Over time the collectorate emerged as an alternative centre of authority, severely restricting what the zamindar could do. In one case, when a raja failed to pay the revenue, a Company official was speedily dispatched to his zamindari with explicit instructions “to take charge of the District and to use the most effectual means to destroy all the influence and the authority of the raja and his officers”.
At the time of rent collection, an officer of the zamindar, usually the amlah, came around to the village. But rent collection was a perennial problem. Sometimes bad harvests and low prices made payment of dues difficult for the ryots. At other times ryots deliberately delayed payment. Rich ryots and village headmen – jotedars and mandals – were only too happy to see the zamindar in trouble. The zamindar could therefore not easily assert his power over them. Zamindars could prosecute defaulters, but the judicial process was long drawn. In Burdwan alone there were over 30,000 pending suits for arrears of rent payment in 1798.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Today's Motivation
THE FUTURE IS A BIG ADVENTURE
You need to focus on your future, not your past.
Prepare for your future, don't live in the past.
Relish your good memories and use any bad ones as lessons in life.
Sooner or later, those who win are those who think they can.
The cards you're dealt in life are less important than the way you play them.
Every day you face a new deck and new cards.
Carve out a niche for yourself in your imagined future.
Begin immediately to think and feel yourself as successful.
To achieve your goal in life, you need to project your end result.
Think of the elation, the satisfaction, the joy you'll feel when you've
achieved your objective.
Carry these ecstatic feelings with you every day and they will bring
your desired goals into view.
Success is waiting for you.
You need to focus on your future, not your past.
Prepare for your future, don't live in the past.
Relish your good memories and use any bad ones as lessons in life.
Sooner or later, those who win are those who think they can.
The cards you're dealt in life are less important than the way you play them.
Every day you face a new deck and new cards.
Carve out a niche for yourself in your imagined future.
Begin immediately to think and feel yourself as successful.
To achieve your goal in life, you need to project your end result.
Think of the elation, the satisfaction, the joy you'll feel when you've
achieved your objective.
Carry these ecstatic feelings with you every day and they will bring
your desired goals into view.
Success is waiting for you.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Modern History - Colonialism & The Country Side Part III
The problem of unpaid revenue
The estates of the Burdwan raj were not the only ones sold during the closing years of the eighteenth century. Over 75 per cent of the zamindaris changed hands after the Permanent Settlement.
In introducing the Permanent Settlement, British officials hoped to resolve the problems they had been facing since the conquest of Bengal. By the 1770s, the rural economy in Bengal was in crisis, with recurrent famines and declining agricultural output. Officials felt that agriculture, trade and the revenue resources of the state could all be developed by encouraging investment in agriculture. This could be done by securing rights of property and permanently fixing the rates of revenue demand. If the revenue demand of the state was permanently fixed, then the Company could look forward to a regular flow of revenue, while entrepreneurs could feel sure of earning a profit from their investment, since the state would not siphon it off by increasing its claim. The process, officials hoped, would lead to the emergence of a class of yeomen farmers and rich landowners who would have the capital and enterprise to improve agriculture. Nurtured by the British, this class would also be loyal to the Company.
The problem, however, lay in identifying individuals who could both improve agriculture and contract to pay the fixed revenue to the state. After a prolonged debate amongst Company officials, the Permanent Settlement was made with the rajas and taluqdars of Bengal. They were now classified as zamindars, and they had to pay the revenue demand that was fixed in perpetuity. In terms of this definition, the zamindar was not a landowner in the village, but a revenue Collector of the state. Zamindars had several (sometimes as many as 400) villages under them. In Company calculations the villages within one zamindari formed one revenue estate. The Company fixed the total demand over the entire estate whose revenue the zamindar contracted to pay. The zamindar collected rent from the different villages, paid the revenue to the Company, and retained the difference as his income. He was expected to pay the Company regularly, failing which his estate could be auctioned.
The estates of the Burdwan raj were not the only ones sold during the closing years of the eighteenth century. Over 75 per cent of the zamindaris changed hands after the Permanent Settlement.
In introducing the Permanent Settlement, British officials hoped to resolve the problems they had been facing since the conquest of Bengal. By the 1770s, the rural economy in Bengal was in crisis, with recurrent famines and declining agricultural output. Officials felt that agriculture, trade and the revenue resources of the state could all be developed by encouraging investment in agriculture. This could be done by securing rights of property and permanently fixing the rates of revenue demand. If the revenue demand of the state was permanently fixed, then the Company could look forward to a regular flow of revenue, while entrepreneurs could feel sure of earning a profit from their investment, since the state would not siphon it off by increasing its claim. The process, officials hoped, would lead to the emergence of a class of yeomen farmers and rich landowners who would have the capital and enterprise to improve agriculture. Nurtured by the British, this class would also be loyal to the Company.
The problem, however, lay in identifying individuals who could both improve agriculture and contract to pay the fixed revenue to the state. After a prolonged debate amongst Company officials, the Permanent Settlement was made with the rajas and taluqdars of Bengal. They were now classified as zamindars, and they had to pay the revenue demand that was fixed in perpetuity. In terms of this definition, the zamindar was not a landowner in the village, but a revenue Collector of the state. Zamindars had several (sometimes as many as 400) villages under them. In Company calculations the villages within one zamindari formed one revenue estate. The Company fixed the total demand over the entire estate whose revenue the zamindar contracted to pay. The zamindar collected rent from the different villages, paid the revenue to the Company, and retained the difference as his income. He was expected to pay the Company regularly, failing which his estate could be auctioned.
Today's Motivation
WHO'S TO BE MASTER OF YOUR LIFE?
Sometimes if you want to see a change for the better,
you have to take things into your own hands.
Once you decide to be at the level of choice,
you take responsibility for your life and gain control of it.
If you don't run your own life, someone else will.
You're in control of your life to the degree that you make the decisions.
If you let others make decisions for you, you have no control.
When you control the decisions, you control the actions.
Take charge of your life.
You don't have to ask permission of other people.
Don't give someone veto power over your life.
If not you, then who?
If now now, then when?
Sometimes if you want to see a change for the better,
you have to take things into your own hands.
Once you decide to be at the level of choice,
you take responsibility for your life and gain control of it.
If you don't run your own life, someone else will.
You're in control of your life to the degree that you make the decisions.
If you let others make decisions for you, you have no control.
When you control the decisions, you control the actions.
Take charge of your life.
You don't have to ask permission of other people.
Don't give someone veto power over your life.
If not you, then who?
If now now, then when?
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Modern History - Colonialism & The Country Side Part II
The Production of Chronicles
Chronicles commissioned by the Mughal emperors are an important source for studying the empire and its court. They were written in order to project a vision of an enlightened kingdom to all those who came under its umbrella. At the same time they were meant to convey to those who resisted the rule of the Mughals that all resistance was destined to fail. Also, the rulers wanted to ensure that there was an account of their rule for posterity.
The authors of Mughal chronicles were invariably courtiers. The histories they wrote focused on events centred on the ruler, his family, the court and nobles, wars and administrative arrangements. Their titles, such as the Akbar Nama, Shahjahan Nama, Alamgir Nama, that is, the story of Akbar, Shah Jahan and Alamgir (a title of the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb), suggest that in the eyes of their authors the history of the empire and the court was synonymous with that of the emperor.
Chronicles commissioned by the Mughal emperors are an important source for studying the empire and its court. They were written in order to project a vision of an enlightened kingdom to all those who came under its umbrella. At the same time they were meant to convey to those who resisted the rule of the Mughals that all resistance was destined to fail. Also, the rulers wanted to ensure that there was an account of their rule for posterity.
The authors of Mughal chronicles were invariably courtiers. The histories they wrote focused on events centred on the ruler, his family, the court and nobles, wars and administrative arrangements. Their titles, such as the Akbar Nama, Shahjahan Nama, Alamgir Nama, that is, the story of Akbar, Shah Jahan and Alamgir (a title of the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb), suggest that in the eyes of their authors the history of the empire and the court was synonymous with that of the emperor.
Today's Motivation
DREAMS DO COME TRUE
You are never given a wish without also being given the power
to make it come true.
The achievement of your goal is assured the moment
you commit yourself to it.
If you have the desire, you have the power to attain it.
You can have anything you want in life
if you will sacrifice everything else for it.
Your dreams can come true if you pursue them.
Where there's a will, there's a way.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Modern History - Colonialism & The Country Side Part I
Bengal and the Zamindars
As you know, colonial rule was first established in Bengal. It is here that the earliest attempts were made to reorder rural society and establish a new regime of land rights and a new revenue system. Let us see what happened in Bengal in the early years of Company (E.I.C.) rule.
An auction in Burdwan
In 1797 there was an auction in Burdwan (presentday Bardhaman). It was a big public event. A number of mahals (estates) held by the Raja of Burdwan were being sold. The Permanent Settlement had come into operation in 1793. The East India Company had fixed the revenue that each zamindar had to pay. The estates of those who failed to pay were to be auctioned to recover the revenue. Since the raja had accumulated huge arrears, his estates had been put up for auction.
Numerous purchasers came to the auction and the estates were sold to the highest bidder. But the Collector soon discovered a strange twist to the tale. Many of the purchasers turned out to be servants and agents of the raja who had bought the lands on behalf of their master. Over 95 per cent of the sale at the auction was fictitious. The raja’s estates had been publicly sold, but he remained in control of his zamindari.
Why had the raja failed to pay the revenue? Who were the purchasers at the auction? What does the story tell us about what was happening in the rural areas of eastern India at that time?
As you know, colonial rule was first established in Bengal. It is here that the earliest attempts were made to reorder rural society and establish a new regime of land rights and a new revenue system. Let us see what happened in Bengal in the early years of Company (E.I.C.) rule.
An auction in Burdwan
In 1797 there was an auction in Burdwan (presentday Bardhaman). It was a big public event. A number of mahals (estates) held by the Raja of Burdwan were being sold. The Permanent Settlement had come into operation in 1793. The East India Company had fixed the revenue that each zamindar had to pay. The estates of those who failed to pay were to be auctioned to recover the revenue. Since the raja had accumulated huge arrears, his estates had been put up for auction.
Numerous purchasers came to the auction and the estates were sold to the highest bidder. But the Collector soon discovered a strange twist to the tale. Many of the purchasers turned out to be servants and agents of the raja who had bought the lands on behalf of their master. Over 95 per cent of the sale at the auction was fictitious. The raja’s estates had been publicly sold, but he remained in control of his zamindari.
Why had the raja failed to pay the revenue? Who were the purchasers at the auction? What does the story tell us about what was happening in the rural areas of eastern India at that time?
Today's Motivation
NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE TO A WILLING HEART
You can do anything in this world you want to do,
but you must want to do it badly enough.
You really can have everything you want, if you go after it.
You have to want it.
The first ingredient of success is desire.
Do you know what you want?
Your desire is the planting of your seed.
Your desire for success must be so strong within you
that it's the very breath of your life.
It must be your first thought when you wake up in the morning,
and your last thought when you go to bed at night.
You can be whatever you make up your mind to be.
What's in your mind is all that counts.
You can do anything in this world you want to do,
but you must want to do it badly enough.
You really can have everything you want, if you go after it.
You have to want it.
The first ingredient of success is desire.
Do you know what you want?
Your desire is the planting of your seed.
Your desire for success must be so strong within you
that it's the very breath of your life.
It must be your first thought when you wake up in the morning,
and your last thought when you go to bed at night.
You can be whatever you make up your mind to be.
What's in your mind is all that counts.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Today's Motivation
IF YOUTHINK BIG YOU'LL BE BIG
High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation.
You'll always hit what you aim for in the long run.
So why not aim high?
Have the courage to follow your dreams.
It's the first step towards attaining your destiny.
If you can dream it, you can do it.
If you don't have a dream, how are you going to make it come true?
The empire of your future resides in your mind.
Big thinking precedes big achievement.
High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation.
You'll always hit what you aim for in the long run.
So why not aim high?
Have the courage to follow your dreams.
It's the first step towards attaining your destiny.
If you can dream it, you can do it.
If you don't have a dream, how are you going to make it come true?
The empire of your future resides in your mind.
Big thinking precedes big achievement.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Today's Motivation
YOU CAN BE A WINNER IF YOU PLAN AHEAD
You gain the advantage in any situation through one medium: time
You can do things before they need to be done.
You can position yourself ahead of time in the best place.
Think ahead of any approaching action.
Make a plan and you will always have the advantage.
Let your advance worrying become advance thinking and planning.
The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.
In life, as in chess, forethought wins.
You gain the advantage in any situation through one medium: time
You can do things before they need to be done.
You can position yourself ahead of time in the best place.
Think ahead of any approaching action.
Make a plan and you will always have the advantage.
Let your advance worrying become advance thinking and planning.
The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.
In life, as in chess, forethought wins.
Monday, July 27, 2009
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE - THE SOLAR SYSTEM
Pluto
Diameter 3,040 Kilometer
Moons 1
Avg.Distance to Sun 5,865.5 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 248 Years
Facts This Planet is the farthest, the smallest, the darkest, the coldest and arguably the strangest.
It follows the most elongated and tilted orbit in the solar system.
Its moon, Charon, is nearly half its size - appears like a bi-planet.
NASA used a new infra-red telescope, has learned that Pluto is shrouded in frozen nitrogen- not methane as once thought. Nitrogen makes 78% of the air.
Neptune
Diameter 49,000 Kilometer
Moons 8
Avg.Distance to Sun 4,497 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 165 Years
Facts It is denser & little smaller than Uranus.
Its Atmosphere appear blue, with quickly changing white clouds often suspended high above an apparent surface.
Atmosphere constituents are mostly hydrocarbon compounds.
It Emits about 2.3 times more energy than it receives from the sun and the Aurora phenomenon was noticed by Voyager II.
Uranus
Diameter 52,096 Kilometer
Moons 17
Avg.Distance to Sun 2,852.8 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 84 Years
Facts Waterly Uranus is the only planet that lies on its side.
One pole, than the other, faces the Sun as it orbits.
Voyager-I found nine dark, compact rings around the planet and a corkscrew-shaped magnetic field that stretches millions of kilometers.
Mars
Diameter 6,755.2 Kilometer
Moons 2
Avg.Distance to Sun 225.6 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 687 Days
Facts The Viking probes failed to Beneath its thin atmosphere.
Mars is barren, covered with pink soil and boulders.
Long ago it was active, the surface is marked with dormant volcanoes and deep chasms where water once freely flowed.
Venus
Diameter 12,032 Kilometer
Moons None
Avg.Distance to Sun 107.52 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 225 Days
Facts Earth's twin in size and mass, sparingly hot Venus is perpetually veiled behind reflective sulfuric-acid clouds.
Probes and radar mapping have pierced the clouds and carbon-dioxide environment to reveal flat, rocky plains & signs of volcanic activity.
Mercury
Diameter 4,849.6 Kilometer
Moons None
Avg.Distance to Sun 57.6 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 88 Days
Facts Tiny Mercury, slightly larger than Earth's moon.
Races along its elliptical orbital 1,76,000 kilometer per hour.
A speed that keeps it from being drawn into the Sun's gravity field.
The crated planet has no atmosphere, days are scorching hot and nights, frigid.
Earth
Diameter 12,732.2 Kilometer
Moons 1
Avg.Distance to Sun 148.8 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 365 Days
Facts Uniquely moderate temperature and the presence of oxygen and copious water maker Earth the only planet in the solar system to support life.
Jupiter
Diameter 1,41,968 Kilometer
Moons 16
Avg.Distance to Sun 772.8 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 11.9 Years
Facts Two Pioneer space probes photographed the Great Red Spot on the Solar system's largest planet.
Voyagers I and II later showed it is an enormous eddy in the turbulent cloud cover. Earth the only planet in the solar system to support life.
They also spotted dusty rings, three new moons and volcanoes on the Moon.
Saturn
Diameter 1,19,296 Kilometer
Moons 20 or more
Avg.Distance to Sun 1,417.6 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 29.5 Years
Facts Voyager I found that the celebrated rings of the golden giant Saturn are composed of thousands of rippling, spiraling bands just 100 feets thick.
The moon Titan has a nitrogen atmosphere and hydrocarbons.
Sun
Diameter 13,84,000 Kilometer
Statellites 9 Planets
Age 4.5 billion years
Facts A rather ordinary, middle age star, the gaseous sun may reach a temperature of 27-millon degrees Celsius at its core.
Its 11 years cycle is now approaching a solar maximum, a period marked by frequent sunspots and flares.
On Earth, some radio waves will be disturbed and the amazing sky streamers called Northern Lights will appear.
Diameter 3,040 Kilometer
Moons 1
Avg.Distance to Sun 5,865.5 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 248 Years
Facts This Planet is the farthest, the smallest, the darkest, the coldest and arguably the strangest.
It follows the most elongated and tilted orbit in the solar system.
Its moon, Charon, is nearly half its size - appears like a bi-planet.
NASA used a new infra-red telescope, has learned that Pluto is shrouded in frozen nitrogen- not methane as once thought. Nitrogen makes 78% of the air.
Neptune
Diameter 49,000 Kilometer
Moons 8
Avg.Distance to Sun 4,497 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 165 Years
Facts It is denser & little smaller than Uranus.
Its Atmosphere appear blue, with quickly changing white clouds often suspended high above an apparent surface.
Atmosphere constituents are mostly hydrocarbon compounds.
It Emits about 2.3 times more energy than it receives from the sun and the Aurora phenomenon was noticed by Voyager II.
Uranus
Diameter 52,096 Kilometer
Moons 17
Avg.Distance to Sun 2,852.8 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 84 Years
Facts Waterly Uranus is the only planet that lies on its side.
One pole, than the other, faces the Sun as it orbits.
Voyager-I found nine dark, compact rings around the planet and a corkscrew-shaped magnetic field that stretches millions of kilometers.
Mars
Diameter 6,755.2 Kilometer
Moons 2
Avg.Distance to Sun 225.6 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 687 Days
Facts The Viking probes failed to Beneath its thin atmosphere.
Mars is barren, covered with pink soil and boulders.
Long ago it was active, the surface is marked with dormant volcanoes and deep chasms where water once freely flowed.
Venus
Diameter 12,032 Kilometer
Moons None
Avg.Distance to Sun 107.52 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 225 Days
Facts Earth's twin in size and mass, sparingly hot Venus is perpetually veiled behind reflective sulfuric-acid clouds.
Probes and radar mapping have pierced the clouds and carbon-dioxide environment to reveal flat, rocky plains & signs of volcanic activity.
Mercury
Diameter 4,849.6 Kilometer
Moons None
Avg.Distance to Sun 57.6 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 88 Days
Facts Tiny Mercury, slightly larger than Earth's moon.
Races along its elliptical orbital 1,76,000 kilometer per hour.
A speed that keeps it from being drawn into the Sun's gravity field.
The crated planet has no atmosphere, days are scorching hot and nights, frigid.
Earth
Diameter 12,732.2 Kilometer
Moons 1
Avg.Distance to Sun 148.8 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 365 Days
Facts Uniquely moderate temperature and the presence of oxygen and copious water maker Earth the only planet in the solar system to support life.
Jupiter
Diameter 1,41,968 Kilometer
Moons 16
Avg.Distance to Sun 772.8 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 11.9 Years
Facts Two Pioneer space probes photographed the Great Red Spot on the Solar system's largest planet.
Voyagers I and II later showed it is an enormous eddy in the turbulent cloud cover. Earth the only planet in the solar system to support life.
They also spotted dusty rings, three new moons and volcanoes on the Moon.
Saturn
Diameter 1,19,296 Kilometer
Moons 20 or more
Avg.Distance to Sun 1,417.6 million KM
Time to Orbit the Sun 29.5 Years
Facts Voyager I found that the celebrated rings of the golden giant Saturn are composed of thousands of rippling, spiraling bands just 100 feets thick.
The moon Titan has a nitrogen atmosphere and hydrocarbons.
Sun
Diameter 13,84,000 Kilometer
Statellites 9 Planets
Age 4.5 billion years
Facts A rather ordinary, middle age star, the gaseous sun may reach a temperature of 27-millon degrees Celsius at its core.
Its 11 years cycle is now approaching a solar maximum, a period marked by frequent sunspots and flares.
On Earth, some radio waves will be disturbed and the amazing sky streamers called Northern Lights will appear.
Today's Motivation
A GOOD SYSTEM SHORTENS THE ROAD TO YOUR GOAL
Your success will be determined on the drawing board.
All you need is a plan, a road map, and the courage to press on
to your destination.
Somewhere there is a map of how it can be done, for at all times,
it's better to have a method.
Planning will bring your future into the present so you can do
something about it now.
Find a good system and it will shorten the road to your goal.
Divide your movements into easy to do sections.
If you falter or fail, divide your movements again.
You can't get lost on a straight road.
Your success will be determined on the drawing board.
All you need is a plan, a road map, and the courage to press on
to your destination.
Somewhere there is a map of how it can be done, for at all times,
it's better to have a method.
Planning will bring your future into the present so you can do
something about it now.
Find a good system and it will shorten the road to your goal.
Divide your movements into easy to do sections.
If you falter or fail, divide your movements again.
You can't get lost on a straight road.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE - FAMOUS PLACES OF INDIA
PLACE / LOCATION
AJANTA AURANGABAD (MH)
AMARNATH CAVE KASHMIR
AKBAR'S TOMB SIKANARA, AGRA
AMBER PALACE JAIPUR (RAJASTHAN)
ANAND BHAWAN ALLAHABAD
BHAKRA DAM PUNJAB
BIBI DA MAQBRA AURANGABAD
BIRLA PLANETORIUM CALCUTTA
BLACK PAGODA KONARK (ORISSA)
BODHISATVA AJANTA CAVES
BRIHADEESWARA TEMPLE TANJAVUR, TANJOR
BRINDABAN GARDENS MYSORE
BULAND DARWAZA FATEHPUR SIKRI
CHARMINAR HYDERABAD
CHEENA KESAVA TEMPLE BELUR
CHILKA LAKE EAST COAST OF INDIA NEAR BHUBANESHWAR
DAL LAKE SRINAGAR
DILWARA TEMPLE MT.ABU
ELEPHANTA CAVES BOMBAY
ELLORA CAVES AURANGABAD
GATEWAY OF INDIA BOMBAY
GOLDEN TEMPLE AMRITSAR
GOL GUMBAZ BIJAPUR
HANGING GARDENS BOMBAY
HAWA MAHAL (PLACE OF WINDS) JAIPUR
HOWRAH GRIDGE CALCUTTA
ISLAND PALACE UDAIPUR
ITMAAD-UD-DAULAH'S TOMB AGRA
JAGANNATH TEMPLE PURI
JAHAZ MAHAL MANDU, M.P.(CITY OF JOY)
JAI STAMBHA (TOWER OF VICTORY) CHITTORGARH
JAMA MASJID DELHI
JANTAR MANTAR NEW DELHI
JOG (GERSOPPA) FALLS KARNATAKA
KAILASA TEMPLE ELLORA
KANYAKUMARI TEMPLE KANYAKUMARI
KHAJURAHO M.P.
KIRTI STAMBHA (TOWER OF VICTORY)CHITTORGARH
KORNARK ORISSA
LAKSHMI VILAS PALACE BARODA
LAL BAGH GARDEN BANGALORE
LALGARH PALACE BIKANER
MAHABALESHWAR TEMPLE UJJAIN (M.P.)
MAHESHMURI (TRIMURTY) ELEPHANTA CAVES
MALABAR HILL BOMBAY
MAN MANDIR PALACE GWALIOR FORT
MARBLE ROCKS JABALPUR
MARINA BEACH MADRAS
MINAKSHI TEMPLE MADURAI
MT. GIRNAR (JAIN TEMPLE) JUNAGADH
NAGIN LAKE SRINAGAR
NISHAT BAGH SRINAGAR
PADMANABHA TEMPLE TRIVANDRUM
PALITANA JUNAGADH
PANCH MAHAL FATEHPUR SIKRI
PICHOLA LAKE UDAIPUR
PRINCE OF WALES MUSEUM BOMBAY
QUTAB MINAR DELHI
RAJ GHAT NEW DELHI
RASHTRAPATI BHAWAN NEW DELHI
RED FORT DELHI
SANCHI STUPA SANCHI (BHOPAL)
SAHAR BOMBAY
SARNATH TEMPLE VARANASI
SIDI SAYYID MOSQUE AHMEDABAD
SHALIMAR BAGH SRINAGAR
SHAHI CHASHMA SRINAGAR
SHANTI VANA NEW DELHI
SHORE TEMPLE MAHABALIPURAM
SOMNATH TEMPLE GUJARAT
STATUE OF GOMATESWARS KARNATAKA
STATUE OF UGRA NARASIMHA HAMPI
SUNDERBANS WEST BENGAL
SUN TEMPLE KONARK
TAJ MAHAL AGRA
TRIPATI TEMPLE ANDHRA PRADESH
TOWER OF SILENCE BOMBAY
VICTORIA MEMORIAL CALCUTTA
VICTORIA GARDEN BOMBAY
VIJAY GHAT NEW DELHI
AJANTA AURANGABAD (MH)
AMARNATH CAVE KASHMIR
AKBAR'S TOMB SIKANARA, AGRA
AMBER PALACE JAIPUR (RAJASTHAN)
ANAND BHAWAN ALLAHABAD
BHAKRA DAM PUNJAB
BIBI DA MAQBRA AURANGABAD
BIRLA PLANETORIUM CALCUTTA
BLACK PAGODA KONARK (ORISSA)
BODHISATVA AJANTA CAVES
BRIHADEESWARA TEMPLE TANJAVUR, TANJOR
BRINDABAN GARDENS MYSORE
BULAND DARWAZA FATEHPUR SIKRI
CHARMINAR HYDERABAD
CHEENA KESAVA TEMPLE BELUR
CHILKA LAKE EAST COAST OF INDIA NEAR BHUBANESHWAR
DAL LAKE SRINAGAR
DILWARA TEMPLE MT.ABU
ELEPHANTA CAVES BOMBAY
ELLORA CAVES AURANGABAD
GATEWAY OF INDIA BOMBAY
GOLDEN TEMPLE AMRITSAR
GOL GUMBAZ BIJAPUR
HANGING GARDENS BOMBAY
HAWA MAHAL (PLACE OF WINDS) JAIPUR
HOWRAH GRIDGE CALCUTTA
ISLAND PALACE UDAIPUR
ITMAAD-UD-DAULAH'S TOMB AGRA
JAGANNATH TEMPLE PURI
JAHAZ MAHAL MANDU, M.P.(CITY OF JOY)
JAI STAMBHA (TOWER OF VICTORY) CHITTORGARH
JAMA MASJID DELHI
JANTAR MANTAR NEW DELHI
JOG (GERSOPPA) FALLS KARNATAKA
KAILASA TEMPLE ELLORA
KANYAKUMARI TEMPLE KANYAKUMARI
KHAJURAHO M.P.
KIRTI STAMBHA (TOWER OF VICTORY)CHITTORGARH
KORNARK ORISSA
LAKSHMI VILAS PALACE BARODA
LAL BAGH GARDEN BANGALORE
LALGARH PALACE BIKANER
MAHABALESHWAR TEMPLE UJJAIN (M.P.)
MAHESHMURI (TRIMURTY) ELEPHANTA CAVES
MALABAR HILL BOMBAY
MAN MANDIR PALACE GWALIOR FORT
MARBLE ROCKS JABALPUR
MARINA BEACH MADRAS
MINAKSHI TEMPLE MADURAI
MT. GIRNAR (JAIN TEMPLE) JUNAGADH
NAGIN LAKE SRINAGAR
NISHAT BAGH SRINAGAR
PADMANABHA TEMPLE TRIVANDRUM
PALITANA JUNAGADH
PANCH MAHAL FATEHPUR SIKRI
PICHOLA LAKE UDAIPUR
PRINCE OF WALES MUSEUM BOMBAY
QUTAB MINAR DELHI
RAJ GHAT NEW DELHI
RASHTRAPATI BHAWAN NEW DELHI
RED FORT DELHI
SANCHI STUPA SANCHI (BHOPAL)
SAHAR BOMBAY
SARNATH TEMPLE VARANASI
SIDI SAYYID MOSQUE AHMEDABAD
SHALIMAR BAGH SRINAGAR
SHAHI CHASHMA SRINAGAR
SHANTI VANA NEW DELHI
SHORE TEMPLE MAHABALIPURAM
SOMNATH TEMPLE GUJARAT
STATUE OF GOMATESWARS KARNATAKA
STATUE OF UGRA NARASIMHA HAMPI
SUNDERBANS WEST BENGAL
SUN TEMPLE KONARK
TAJ MAHAL AGRA
TRIPATI TEMPLE ANDHRA PRADESH
TOWER OF SILENCE BOMBAY
VICTORIA MEMORIAL CALCUTTA
VICTORIA GARDEN BOMBAY
VIJAY GHAT NEW DELHI
Today's Motivation
THE HIGHEST OF DISTINCTIONS IS SERVICE TO OTHERS
The truly successful person doesn't use others,
oOther people use the successful person.
If you can contribute to others, no matter how small your talent,
You too can become successful.
The measure of anyone is the number of people that they serve.
Service to others is the essence of success.
No one achieves success without being of service.
All great men and women became successful because they gave
some talent or ability in the service of others.
Everybody has to be somebody to somebody to be anybody
The truly successful person doesn't use others,
oOther people use the successful person.
If you can contribute to others, no matter how small your talent,
You too can become successful.
The measure of anyone is the number of people that they serve.
Service to others is the essence of success.
No one achieves success without being of service.
All great men and women became successful because they gave
some talent or ability in the service of others.
Everybody has to be somebody to somebody to be anybody
Thursday, July 23, 2009
DO YOU KNOW
Abbivated Names of Famous Personalities
Acharya Rajneesh:Osho
Adam Smith: Father of Economics
Adolf Hitler: Fuhrer (also fuehrer)
Alfred Hitchcock: Master of Suspense
Andrei D. Sakharov: Father of the (Soviet) Hydrogen Bomb
Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Lokmanya; Father of Indian Unrest
Bhagat Singh: Shahid - e - Azam
C. Rajagopalachari: C.R. Rajaji
C.F. Andrews: Deenabandhu
C.N. Annadurai: Anna
Chittaranjan Das: Deshbandhu
Dadabhai Naoroji: Grand Old Man of India; Father of Indian Politics and Economics.
Dadasaheb Phalke: Father of Indian Cinema.
Duke of Wellington: Iron Duke.
Dwight David Eisenhower: lke
Edmund Spencer: Poets' Poet
Eivis Presley; Elvis the Pelvis
Ernest Rutherford: Father of Nuclear Physics.
Erwin Rammel: Desert Fax.
Florence Nightingale: Lady with the Lamp.
Geoffrey Chaucer: Father of English Poetry.
George Bernard Show: 'G.B.S'
Giovanni Baccaccio: Father of the Novel
Gurcharan Singh: Ground Old Man of Indian Pottery, Daddyji.
Henrik J. Ibsen: Father of Modern Drama
Herodotus: Father of History
Hippocrates: Father of Medicine
Homi J. Bhabha: Father of Indian Nuclear Science
Indira Gandhi: Iron Lady of India
J.R.D. Tata: Father of Civil Aviation in India.
Jamshedji Tata: Father of Indian Industry
Jawaharlal Nehru: Chacha; Panditji
Jayaprakash Narayan: 'J.P'; Loknayak
Joan of Arc: Maid of Orleans
Joseph Priestley: Father of Soda Pop; Father of Modern Chemistry
K.M. Cariappa: Kipper, Grand Old Man of Indian Army.
K.V. Puttappa: Kuvempu
Kalidas: Indian Shakespeare, Shakespeare of India
Kato Ichire: Dr. Robot.
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan: Badshah Khan; Frantier Gandhi; Fakhre-e Afghan,
Lala Lajpat Rai: Punjab Kesari (Lion of the Punjab or Sher-e-Punjab)
M.F. Robespierre: The Incorruptible
M.K. Gandhi: Bapu; Mahatma; Father of the Nation.
M.S. Golwalkar: Guruji
Madan Mohan Malaviya: Mahamana
Nandlal Base: Father of Modern Painting in India.
Napoleon Bonaparte: Little Corporol; Man of Density.
Otto Von Bismarck: Man of Blood and Iron; Iron Chancellor
Queen Elizabeth I; Maiden Queen
Rabindranath Tagore: Gurudev
Rajinder Singh: Sparrow
Raja Rammohan Roy: Father of Indian Renaissance.
Richard Cobden: Apostle of Free Trade
Samudragupta: Indian Napoleon.
S. Sathyamurthi: Firebrand of South India
Salim Ali: The Birdman of India
Sarojini Naidu: Nightingale of India
Shakti Chattapadhyaya: Robert Frost of West Bengal.
Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah: Lion of Kashmir (Sher-e-Kashmir)
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Bangabandhu
St. Nicholas: Santa Claus
Subhash Chandra Bose: Netaji
Susruta: Father of Modern Plastic Surgery
T.T. Krishnamachari: T.T.K.'
Tanguturi Prakasam: Andhra Kesari
Tenzing Norgay: Tiger of Snows
Thomas Cook: Father of Modern Tourism
Thomas Edward Lawrence: Lawrence of Arabia
Tushar Kanti Ghosh; Grand Old Man of Indian Journalism
Vallabhbhai Patel: Iron Man of India, Bismarck of India.
Vinoba Bhave: Acharya
V.M. Basheer: Sultan of Beypore
Walter Scott: Wizard of the North
William Ewart Gladstone: Grand Old Man of British Politics.
William Pitt: The Younger Pitt, Grand Commoner
William Shakespeare: Bard of Avon.
Acharya Rajneesh:Osho
Adam Smith: Father of Economics
Adolf Hitler: Fuhrer (also fuehrer)
Alfred Hitchcock: Master of Suspense
Andrei D. Sakharov: Father of the (Soviet) Hydrogen Bomb
Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Lokmanya; Father of Indian Unrest
Bhagat Singh: Shahid - e - Azam
C. Rajagopalachari: C.R. Rajaji
C.F. Andrews: Deenabandhu
C.N. Annadurai: Anna
Chittaranjan Das: Deshbandhu
Dadabhai Naoroji: Grand Old Man of India; Father of Indian Politics and Economics.
Dadasaheb Phalke: Father of Indian Cinema.
Duke of Wellington: Iron Duke.
Dwight David Eisenhower: lke
Edmund Spencer: Poets' Poet
Eivis Presley; Elvis the Pelvis
Ernest Rutherford: Father of Nuclear Physics.
Erwin Rammel: Desert Fax.
Florence Nightingale: Lady with the Lamp.
Geoffrey Chaucer: Father of English Poetry.
George Bernard Show: 'G.B.S'
Giovanni Baccaccio: Father of the Novel
Gurcharan Singh: Ground Old Man of Indian Pottery, Daddyji.
Henrik J. Ibsen: Father of Modern Drama
Herodotus: Father of History
Hippocrates: Father of Medicine
Homi J. Bhabha: Father of Indian Nuclear Science
Indira Gandhi: Iron Lady of India
J.R.D. Tata: Father of Civil Aviation in India.
Jamshedji Tata: Father of Indian Industry
Jawaharlal Nehru: Chacha; Panditji
Jayaprakash Narayan: 'J.P'; Loknayak
Joan of Arc: Maid of Orleans
Joseph Priestley: Father of Soda Pop; Father of Modern Chemistry
K.M. Cariappa: Kipper, Grand Old Man of Indian Army.
K.V. Puttappa: Kuvempu
Kalidas: Indian Shakespeare, Shakespeare of India
Kato Ichire: Dr. Robot.
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan: Badshah Khan; Frantier Gandhi; Fakhre-e Afghan,
Lala Lajpat Rai: Punjab Kesari (Lion of the Punjab or Sher-e-Punjab)
M.F. Robespierre: The Incorruptible
M.K. Gandhi: Bapu; Mahatma; Father of the Nation.
M.S. Golwalkar: Guruji
Madan Mohan Malaviya: Mahamana
Nandlal Base: Father of Modern Painting in India.
Napoleon Bonaparte: Little Corporol; Man of Density.
Otto Von Bismarck: Man of Blood and Iron; Iron Chancellor
Queen Elizabeth I; Maiden Queen
Rabindranath Tagore: Gurudev
Rajinder Singh: Sparrow
Raja Rammohan Roy: Father of Indian Renaissance.
Richard Cobden: Apostle of Free Trade
Samudragupta: Indian Napoleon.
S. Sathyamurthi: Firebrand of South India
Salim Ali: The Birdman of India
Sarojini Naidu: Nightingale of India
Shakti Chattapadhyaya: Robert Frost of West Bengal.
Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah: Lion of Kashmir (Sher-e-Kashmir)
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Bangabandhu
St. Nicholas: Santa Claus
Subhash Chandra Bose: Netaji
Susruta: Father of Modern Plastic Surgery
T.T. Krishnamachari: T.T.K.'
Tanguturi Prakasam: Andhra Kesari
Tenzing Norgay: Tiger of Snows
Thomas Cook: Father of Modern Tourism
Thomas Edward Lawrence: Lawrence of Arabia
Tushar Kanti Ghosh; Grand Old Man of Indian Journalism
Vallabhbhai Patel: Iron Man of India, Bismarck of India.
Vinoba Bhave: Acharya
V.M. Basheer: Sultan of Beypore
Walter Scott: Wizard of the North
William Ewart Gladstone: Grand Old Man of British Politics.
William Pitt: The Younger Pitt, Grand Commoner
William Shakespeare: Bard of Avon.
Today's Motivation
TO CHOOSE TIME IS TO SAVE TIME
You always have enough time, if you will but use it wisely.
Your dilemma goes deeper than having a shortage of time.
It's basically a problem of priorities.
Most people leave undone those things that should be done, while they do things that they shouldn't be doing.
Set priorities for your goals.
A major part of successful living lies in your ability to put first things first.
Most major goals are not achieved because people put second things first.
Is what your doing getting you closer to your objectives?
Anything that is wasted effort represents wasted time.
Don't serve time, make time serve you.
You always have enough time, if you will but use it wisely.
Your dilemma goes deeper than having a shortage of time.
It's basically a problem of priorities.
Most people leave undone those things that should be done, while they do things that they shouldn't be doing.
Set priorities for your goals.
A major part of successful living lies in your ability to put first things first.
Most major goals are not achieved because people put second things first.
Is what your doing getting you closer to your objectives?
Anything that is wasted effort represents wasted time.
Don't serve time, make time serve you.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Studying while doing a Job
Civil Services demand at least one and half year full time preparation. It is obviously difficult to prepare for Civil services while doing a job. It is even more difficult if you are doing a private job like software job. But, It is not impossible. There are many examples who have secured top ranks while doing job. Those who have financial constraints can definitely prepare while doing their job by following tips below.
Tips for those who are preparing while working:
1. Make sure that you get leave for at least 1 month before Preliminary exam and 3 months before Mains Exam.
2. Make complete use of Internet at office. Simply exploit.
3. Evenings shall completely be devoted for preparation.
4. It is very important to have constant contacts with those who are preparing full time. Interact with them regularly.
5. Don’t get sentimental about Company if your boss motivates you to work more or when any job challenge is thrown at you. There is a danger of deviation if you get too much involved in the work. Never bring work home.
6. Your work for company should be impassionate.
7. Always remember that you are working only for financial support not for building a career in that company. If you eye for building a career in the company you will definitely be deviated from your cherished goal of Civil Services.
#COURTESY - HOW TO CRACK CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION written by RANKERS#
Tips for those who are preparing while working:
1. Make sure that you get leave for at least 1 month before Preliminary exam and 3 months before Mains Exam.
2. Make complete use of Internet at office. Simply exploit.
3. Evenings shall completely be devoted for preparation.
4. It is very important to have constant contacts with those who are preparing full time. Interact with them regularly.
5. Don’t get sentimental about Company if your boss motivates you to work more or when any job challenge is thrown at you. There is a danger of deviation if you get too much involved in the work. Never bring work home.
6. Your work for company should be impassionate.
7. Always remember that you are working only for financial support not for building a career in that company. If you eye for building a career in the company you will definitely be deviated from your cherished goal of Civil Services.
#COURTESY - HOW TO CRACK CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION written by RANKERS#
General Studies – Main Examination
It is usually observed that many aspirants fear the GS paper. But with proper orientation GS becomes very scoring. In fact, many try to concentrate more on optionals than GS. This may not be a good strategy, as GS gives good marks with lesser efforts. The GS is also helpful in essay and interview, and also later on in career. Therefore, proper attention should be given to GS preparation.
Firstly, the nature of GS should be understood. This can be done by a thorough analysis of the previous year’s papers. It can be observed that the examiner is not asking everything under the Sun, which is contrary to the opinion of many aspirants. The questions are focused only on certain dimensions, especially those relevant for an administrative career.
It is important to know the difference between a generalist and a specialist. A generalist is a person who knows “less and less of more and more”, while a specialist is a person who knows “more and more of less and less”. The Civils Exam in the GS paper is testing the Generalist approach.
History
The national movement and related developments have to be studied with good clarity. The aspirant should have a clear idea about the chronological sequence, the linkages between various topics and a good analysis about each stage. It should be remembered that the portion is not to be studied as if writing History optional. The GS paper will only test the basic clarity on the national movement.
Suggested Reading:
Modern History by Spectrum Publications – This is written well in exam orientation.
Bipan Chandra books as a reference and to get further clarity.
NCERT books for a basic understanding.
Note:
- Observe the forward and backward linkages at every stage of national movement and its importance in the overall context. Note that all the events were related in some way or the other.
- Prepare simultaneously for the two markers- note down the personalities, places, terms, movements, journals etc. You should be able to identify them if given in exam. This is a very scoring area.
- Innovations like maps (eg. 1857- spread and centers of revolt), flow diagrams etc can be made.
- Try to attempt factual and non-controversial questions.
- Concentrate on the cultural aspects also which are asked for two markers.
Geography
There should be a good understanding about the geography of India. This will also help a lot in prelims.
Suggested Reading:
- Physical Geography of India, NCERT Class XI
- Land and People, NCERT Class XI
- Geography of India by Khullar – Selective Reading only
Note:
- Some current affairs based questions are also asked
- Maps and diagrams can be used extensively
Polity
There is a standard syllabus for this part and good material with clarity is also available. The questions are mostly asked directly. So scoring becomes easy with good understanding with clarity. The knowledge in polity also helps a lot in the essay and interview. This will give a good foundation for the career as an administrator. It is very important to study polity well.
Suggested Reading:
- Indian Polity by Laxmikant, TMH - it is a very good compilation from various sources.
- DD Basu can be used as a reference.
- NCERT books provide the various topics from which questions can be asked and also provide material with good clarity.
Note:
- You need not to remember all the articles. There are only around 50 articles which are important. Note them when referred to in the text.
- Its better to quote some articles and Court judgments (only very important ones) while writing answers.
- Give examples with contemporary relevance. Generally all the questions in this section are asked with implied contemporary relevance.
- Prepare simultaneously for two markers.
- Some questions are repeated, so be thorough with previous years papers.
- Questions are linked to various topics. So while preparing you should be aware of the inter-linkages between various topics.
- Various current affairs topics which are linked to polity are asked. Also, some times basic questions linked to current affairs can be asked.
Social Issues
There is no standard material for these topics. Further, questions are also not asked every year. Even if asked, mostly they are of general nature, which can be answered with common sense. So do not spend too much time on these areas or in search of material. Prepare well for other parts of GS and later if time permits then come to these areas.
Suggested Reference:
- “The Hindu” News Paper
- “Frontline” Magazine
- Competition magazines
- Yojana
- NCERT books
- Social problems by Ram Ahuja
- Spectrum Publications.
- Internet
Note:
- You only need a basic logical structure for each topic. If there is no proper material, just spend time in thinking on the topic and to prepare a basic structure. Then, you may spend time in searching for material. For. eg. Drug abuse, you should raise following logical questions - what is drug abuse; what are the causes; distribution; impact; efforts to check; problems with strategy;
suggestions
- Discuss it with other aspirants and get the information.
- Current affairs based question can be asked. For eg. Some controversial case related to Child labour comes in media, then you can expect a question on Child labour.
India and The World
The questions are asked to test the basic understanding about the relations with other nations and India’s foreign policy. Mostly, questions are related to current affairs. There is a need to have clarity about the basic contours of the evolution of India’s foreign policy. But do not get into too much depth or controversial topics. You are expected to have a basic clarity on India’s external affairs. There are not many standard books available on the subject. Mostly, the preparation has to be based on current affairs.
Suggested Reading:
- NCERT 12th std. book on Political science
- Old NCERT book on Political Science
- Newspapers - Hindu articles, C. Raja Mohan articles in New Indian Express.
- AIR spot light- analysis by experts.
- Foreign Ministry website
Note:
- Understand the core issues between India and various nations.
- The external relations can be structured into political, economic, defence, cultural, S&T, etc. so prepare in these dimensions.
- The relations with important nations are to be done for long answers, while for other nations it is sufficient for the two markers.
- Note the various terms eg. Track 2, which can be asked for two markers.
- There is no material for the topics on Overseas citizens of India. So look out for any issues that come in media related to NRIs. They can be asked for the two markers.
- You can make innovations like maps, flow charts, etc. For eg. A map for Indo- Iran pipeline, or for Munnabao-Khokrapar rail link.
International Affairs
The questions are mainly current affairs related. The most important developments which appear in the newspapers will be sufficient for the preparation. Observe the terms, personalities, places, etc which can be asked for the two markers. Also prepare for the institutions. First list out the various important institutions. Then gather basic material on them. You can also try the web sites of the institutions for the information. You can also read “International Organizations” by Spectrum Publications.
Indian Economy
This is an area, which is feared by many, especially because of lack of proper exam oriented textbook with clarity. But with some basic understanding, economy can become very scoring because of 15 two-mark questions.
Suggested Reading:
- Dutt and Sundaram or Mishra and Puri - These books are a big compilation with lots of unnecessary facts. Do not read the book from end to end. You should be able to get clarity out of every topic. So, first scan through the topic and the side headings. Then question logically in various dimensions. Try to find the answers to the questions raised as you go through the material and prepare a logical structure.
For. E.g. Unemployment - What is unemployment; types; extent and distribution; causes; impact; efforts to reduce; appraisal of policies; recent measures; suggestions;
- Economic Survey- It is a very useful document, which should be focused upon. Prepare notes from it. Also observe the graphs, which can be used as innovations in answers. While reading, note the terms, which can be asked for two markers. The box items are very important.
- NCERT books
- Indian Economy by Pratyogita Darpan Publications
Note:
- Questions can be on basics or the current affairs based.
- You can use innovations like graphs, diagrams, flow charts etc.
- The main aspect is to gain the basic understanding with clarity. So spend more time on logical thinking and inter-relating, rather than on various books or articles.
- Simultaneously, prepare for the two markers. Note the various economic terms that keep appearing in the newspapers. Also, be thorough on the previous years’ papers.
Science and Technology
Some Arts students fear this part and leave them for the exam. However, note that the examiner is not interested in the technical aspects. They are only testing if the candidate has basic understanding on the technological developments. In fact, technology is going to play a very key role in changing the administration. So, do take an active interest in the technological developments, as they will help you in being an effective change agent when you join the service.
In the exam, the questions are being asked from both the standard and the currentaffairs based. While preparing, concentrate on the relevance and the application of the topic. The following dimensions should be focused:
- What is the basic technological dimension of the topic
- How is it being used; applicability
- Developments in India
There is no good material available for this area. Notes have to be prepared from various sources. The synopsis should also focus on the diagrams and figures, wherever applicable.
Suggested Reading:
- The Hindu Thursday S&T pages (From May 3rd week previous year to current year September 30)
- Competition Magazines
- Internet
- S&T – Spectrum Series
Note:
- Do not go into much technical detail, even if you are from technical background. Concentrate on applications and related issues.
- Innovate using figures, diagrams, flow charts, etc.
- Prepare notes on the various computer related terms.
Statistics
This is another area, which is feared by students from Arts background. While, others from technical background take it too lightly, and lose marks in the end. This area is very scoring for anybody who can concentrate on the basics and do lots of practice.
Suggested Reading:
- NCERT 11th std.
- Spectrum publications.
Note:
- Understand the basics well with clarity.
- Practice the previous papers with the time limit.
- Show the calculations clearly
- Draw the diagrams and graphs neatly.
- Do not forget to take the calculator to the exam hall.
- Some times difficult questions are asked. Do not orient preparation keeping those questions in view. Just be strong on the basic standard questions that are asked every year.
- Its better to attempt the statistics question in the beginning of the exam.
Current Affairs
This is the most important component of the preparation. It has crucial role in prelims, essay and interview. It requires continuous efforts throughout the year. The notes have to be prepared from various sources. The effectiveness of the preparation will increase if you have a good understanding about the questions that are asked every year. That way you will be in a position to discriminate between what to read and more importantly what not to read.
Sources:
- The Hindu newspaper, some aspects of the New Indian express
- The Frontline
- Yojana
- Internet
Note the following points:
- Prepare notes topic-wise. As you go through various sources, identify the topics that can be asked in the exam. Write the topics on a sheet of paper. You will be preparing notes for those topics only. The main source will be the Hindu newspaper. The other sources should be supplemented to gain clarity in the topics.
- Everyday listen to the AIR news bulletins. They cover all-important topics in a dispassionate manner. The analysis after the bulletin is also quite good. Try doing some thing else while listening the news so that you don’t waste time. If any political or unimportant issue is being discussed in the news you can ignore and concentrate on your work.
- Next day by the time paper comes, you already know what to expect from that
since you followed news on AIR previous day. So, go to the important topics and read slowly, and prepare notes.
- Do not read everything in the newspaper. Read only that which is important for the exam. Do not even look at the items from second page to centre page. The main focus should be on front page, editorials, articles, news analysis, business etc. In the sports page just spend time on recognizing the personalities and tournaments, which can be asked in exam.
- Before reading a news item, question logically about that topic or issue. Then read the article. This way the eyes try to gather the answers for the questions raised. Also, the clarity on the topic increases.
- With practice, you should increase efficiency and should not spend more that 2 hrs on newspaper.
- Many innovations can be made like maps, diagrams, flow charts, graphs, case studies etc.
- Keep two mark questions in mind while preparing for the current affairs. Make separate notes for the personalities, places, awards, terms, etc.
- Keep cuttings of the editorial in a monthly file.
General Suggestions:
- Writing practice within the time limit is very important. There is problem of time management for the GS paper-2.
- Go though the Vajiram coaching material if you have access to it.
- While reading newspapers observe the following- abbreviations; new terms; organisations; quotes and examples, which can be used elsewhere; etc.
#COURTESY - HOW TO CRACK CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION written by RANKERS#
Firstly, the nature of GS should be understood. This can be done by a thorough analysis of the previous year’s papers. It can be observed that the examiner is not asking everything under the Sun, which is contrary to the opinion of many aspirants. The questions are focused only on certain dimensions, especially those relevant for an administrative career.
It is important to know the difference between a generalist and a specialist. A generalist is a person who knows “less and less of more and more”, while a specialist is a person who knows “more and more of less and less”. The Civils Exam in the GS paper is testing the Generalist approach.
History
The national movement and related developments have to be studied with good clarity. The aspirant should have a clear idea about the chronological sequence, the linkages between various topics and a good analysis about each stage. It should be remembered that the portion is not to be studied as if writing History optional. The GS paper will only test the basic clarity on the national movement.
Suggested Reading:
Modern History by Spectrum Publications – This is written well in exam orientation.
Bipan Chandra books as a reference and to get further clarity.
NCERT books for a basic understanding.
Note:
- Observe the forward and backward linkages at every stage of national movement and its importance in the overall context. Note that all the events were related in some way or the other.
- Prepare simultaneously for the two markers- note down the personalities, places, terms, movements, journals etc. You should be able to identify them if given in exam. This is a very scoring area.
- Innovations like maps (eg. 1857- spread and centers of revolt), flow diagrams etc can be made.
- Try to attempt factual and non-controversial questions.
- Concentrate on the cultural aspects also which are asked for two markers.
Geography
There should be a good understanding about the geography of India. This will also help a lot in prelims.
Suggested Reading:
- Physical Geography of India, NCERT Class XI
- Land and People, NCERT Class XI
- Geography of India by Khullar – Selective Reading only
Note:
- Some current affairs based questions are also asked
- Maps and diagrams can be used extensively
Polity
There is a standard syllabus for this part and good material with clarity is also available. The questions are mostly asked directly. So scoring becomes easy with good understanding with clarity. The knowledge in polity also helps a lot in the essay and interview. This will give a good foundation for the career as an administrator. It is very important to study polity well.
Suggested Reading:
- Indian Polity by Laxmikant, TMH - it is a very good compilation from various sources.
- DD Basu can be used as a reference.
- NCERT books provide the various topics from which questions can be asked and also provide material with good clarity.
Note:
- You need not to remember all the articles. There are only around 50 articles which are important. Note them when referred to in the text.
- Its better to quote some articles and Court judgments (only very important ones) while writing answers.
- Give examples with contemporary relevance. Generally all the questions in this section are asked with implied contemporary relevance.
- Prepare simultaneously for two markers.
- Some questions are repeated, so be thorough with previous years papers.
- Questions are linked to various topics. So while preparing you should be aware of the inter-linkages between various topics.
- Various current affairs topics which are linked to polity are asked. Also, some times basic questions linked to current affairs can be asked.
Social Issues
There is no standard material for these topics. Further, questions are also not asked every year. Even if asked, mostly they are of general nature, which can be answered with common sense. So do not spend too much time on these areas or in search of material. Prepare well for other parts of GS and later if time permits then come to these areas.
Suggested Reference:
- “The Hindu” News Paper
- “Frontline” Magazine
- Competition magazines
- Yojana
- NCERT books
- Social problems by Ram Ahuja
- Spectrum Publications.
- Internet
Note:
- You only need a basic logical structure for each topic. If there is no proper material, just spend time in thinking on the topic and to prepare a basic structure. Then, you may spend time in searching for material. For. eg. Drug abuse, you should raise following logical questions - what is drug abuse; what are the causes; distribution; impact; efforts to check; problems with strategy;
suggestions
- Discuss it with other aspirants and get the information.
- Current affairs based question can be asked. For eg. Some controversial case related to Child labour comes in media, then you can expect a question on Child labour.
India and The World
The questions are asked to test the basic understanding about the relations with other nations and India’s foreign policy. Mostly, questions are related to current affairs. There is a need to have clarity about the basic contours of the evolution of India’s foreign policy. But do not get into too much depth or controversial topics. You are expected to have a basic clarity on India’s external affairs. There are not many standard books available on the subject. Mostly, the preparation has to be based on current affairs.
Suggested Reading:
- NCERT 12th std. book on Political science
- Old NCERT book on Political Science
- Newspapers - Hindu articles, C. Raja Mohan articles in New Indian Express.
- AIR spot light- analysis by experts.
- Foreign Ministry website
Note:
- Understand the core issues between India and various nations.
- The external relations can be structured into political, economic, defence, cultural, S&T, etc. so prepare in these dimensions.
- The relations with important nations are to be done for long answers, while for other nations it is sufficient for the two markers.
- Note the various terms eg. Track 2, which can be asked for two markers.
- There is no material for the topics on Overseas citizens of India. So look out for any issues that come in media related to NRIs. They can be asked for the two markers.
- You can make innovations like maps, flow charts, etc. For eg. A map for Indo- Iran pipeline, or for Munnabao-Khokrapar rail link.
International Affairs
The questions are mainly current affairs related. The most important developments which appear in the newspapers will be sufficient for the preparation. Observe the terms, personalities, places, etc which can be asked for the two markers. Also prepare for the institutions. First list out the various important institutions. Then gather basic material on them. You can also try the web sites of the institutions for the information. You can also read “International Organizations” by Spectrum Publications.
Indian Economy
This is an area, which is feared by many, especially because of lack of proper exam oriented textbook with clarity. But with some basic understanding, economy can become very scoring because of 15 two-mark questions.
Suggested Reading:
- Dutt and Sundaram or Mishra and Puri - These books are a big compilation with lots of unnecessary facts. Do not read the book from end to end. You should be able to get clarity out of every topic. So, first scan through the topic and the side headings. Then question logically in various dimensions. Try to find the answers to the questions raised as you go through the material and prepare a logical structure.
For. E.g. Unemployment - What is unemployment; types; extent and distribution; causes; impact; efforts to reduce; appraisal of policies; recent measures; suggestions;
- Economic Survey- It is a very useful document, which should be focused upon. Prepare notes from it. Also observe the graphs, which can be used as innovations in answers. While reading, note the terms, which can be asked for two markers. The box items are very important.
- NCERT books
- Indian Economy by Pratyogita Darpan Publications
Note:
- Questions can be on basics or the current affairs based.
- You can use innovations like graphs, diagrams, flow charts etc.
- The main aspect is to gain the basic understanding with clarity. So spend more time on logical thinking and inter-relating, rather than on various books or articles.
- Simultaneously, prepare for the two markers. Note the various economic terms that keep appearing in the newspapers. Also, be thorough on the previous years’ papers.
Science and Technology
Some Arts students fear this part and leave them for the exam. However, note that the examiner is not interested in the technical aspects. They are only testing if the candidate has basic understanding on the technological developments. In fact, technology is going to play a very key role in changing the administration. So, do take an active interest in the technological developments, as they will help you in being an effective change agent when you join the service.
In the exam, the questions are being asked from both the standard and the currentaffairs based. While preparing, concentrate on the relevance and the application of the topic. The following dimensions should be focused:
- What is the basic technological dimension of the topic
- How is it being used; applicability
- Developments in India
There is no good material available for this area. Notes have to be prepared from various sources. The synopsis should also focus on the diagrams and figures, wherever applicable.
Suggested Reading:
- The Hindu Thursday S&T pages (From May 3rd week previous year to current year September 30)
- Competition Magazines
- Internet
- S&T – Spectrum Series
Note:
- Do not go into much technical detail, even if you are from technical background. Concentrate on applications and related issues.
- Innovate using figures, diagrams, flow charts, etc.
- Prepare notes on the various computer related terms.
Statistics
This is another area, which is feared by students from Arts background. While, others from technical background take it too lightly, and lose marks in the end. This area is very scoring for anybody who can concentrate on the basics and do lots of practice.
Suggested Reading:
- NCERT 11th std.
- Spectrum publications.
Note:
- Understand the basics well with clarity.
- Practice the previous papers with the time limit.
- Show the calculations clearly
- Draw the diagrams and graphs neatly.
- Do not forget to take the calculator to the exam hall.
- Some times difficult questions are asked. Do not orient preparation keeping those questions in view. Just be strong on the basic standard questions that are asked every year.
- Its better to attempt the statistics question in the beginning of the exam.
Current Affairs
This is the most important component of the preparation. It has crucial role in prelims, essay and interview. It requires continuous efforts throughout the year. The notes have to be prepared from various sources. The effectiveness of the preparation will increase if you have a good understanding about the questions that are asked every year. That way you will be in a position to discriminate between what to read and more importantly what not to read.
Sources:
- The Hindu newspaper, some aspects of the New Indian express
- The Frontline
- Yojana
- Internet
Note the following points:
- Prepare notes topic-wise. As you go through various sources, identify the topics that can be asked in the exam. Write the topics on a sheet of paper. You will be preparing notes for those topics only. The main source will be the Hindu newspaper. The other sources should be supplemented to gain clarity in the topics.
- Everyday listen to the AIR news bulletins. They cover all-important topics in a dispassionate manner. The analysis after the bulletin is also quite good. Try doing some thing else while listening the news so that you don’t waste time. If any political or unimportant issue is being discussed in the news you can ignore and concentrate on your work.
- Next day by the time paper comes, you already know what to expect from that
since you followed news on AIR previous day. So, go to the important topics and read slowly, and prepare notes.
- Do not read everything in the newspaper. Read only that which is important for the exam. Do not even look at the items from second page to centre page. The main focus should be on front page, editorials, articles, news analysis, business etc. In the sports page just spend time on recognizing the personalities and tournaments, which can be asked in exam.
- Before reading a news item, question logically about that topic or issue. Then read the article. This way the eyes try to gather the answers for the questions raised. Also, the clarity on the topic increases.
- With practice, you should increase efficiency and should not spend more that 2 hrs on newspaper.
- Many innovations can be made like maps, diagrams, flow charts, graphs, case studies etc.
- Keep two mark questions in mind while preparing for the current affairs. Make separate notes for the personalities, places, awards, terms, etc.
- Keep cuttings of the editorial in a monthly file.
General Suggestions:
- Writing practice within the time limit is very important. There is problem of time management for the GS paper-2.
- Go though the Vajiram coaching material if you have access to it.
- While reading newspapers observe the following- abbreviations; new terms; organisations; quotes and examples, which can be used elsewhere; etc.
#COURTESY - HOW TO CRACK CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION written by RANKERS#
General Studies – Preliminary Exam
UPSC is not following a standard pattern of allotment of questions for various topics.
It is becoming difficult now to attempt or even to prepare for complete syllabus. Hence, it is wise to stress on those subjects, which are common for Main Examination. The areas to be taken care of are Modern India, Polity, Indian Economy, Geography, Current Events and General Science. Considering the general nature of the examination the tactics must be to focus on greater rather than intensive coverage giving more stress on subjects, which are common to Main Examination.
History
The areas to be covered are the history from ancient to modern period. The basic understanding can be obtained from below 10th NCERT books. The focus should be on modern Indian history, which is covered in the mains. The basic knowledge in Ancient India and Medieval India is sufficient.
The NCERT books (Class XI and XII) are good enough for the purpose.
You can refer following books
- Ancient India, NCERT Class XI
- Medieval India, NCERT Class XI
- Modern India, NCERT Class XII
- Modern India, Spectrum publications
Polity
The Constitution and various related aspects should be done well. Some articles and facts should be memorised. It is better to prepare this area well since it will be helpful in mains and interview.
The Indian Polity by Lakshmikanth and NCERT books are sufficient. Also refer, DD Basu and Pratiyogita Darpan Special Issue - Indian Polity.
Geography
Suggested Reading:
For Indian Geography
- Physical Geography of India, NCERT Class XI
- Land and People, NCERT Class XI
For World Geography
- General Studies Manual by TMH or Spectrum Publications.
For Both Indian and World Geography, follow Prelims issues by Civil Services
Chronicle Magazine or Competition Wizard Magazine.
Economy
The basic concepts are being asked along with current affairs based questions. The basic clarity can be obtained from the standard books. The current affairs can be studied from Economic Survey and the newspapers.
Suggested Reading:
- Economic Survey
- Dutt & Sundaram or Mishra & Puri or IC Dhingra
Sciences
Some times the questions are asked very difficult that even science students find it difficult to answer. But the preparation should be in such a way that all the basic questions can be done correctly. The questions are also asked in applications orientation.
Suggested Reading:
- Science and Technology, NCERT Class IX & X
- What, Why & How books by CSIR.
Mental Ability
Do lot of practice from previous years papers. The preparation can also be made from some standard guide like General Studies Manual by TMH. The speed and accuracy should be practised. Concentrate on permutations, combinations, probability, logical reasoning.
Current affairs
This has become a very important component. The preparation should be continuous from the sources given in mains strategy. The notes should be focused on the factual aspects that come in the news. Many questions are asked from this area, so prepare thoroughly. The efforts will be useful for all stages of the exam. It should become a part of your daily routine.
Suggested Reading:
- The Hindu News paper
- Frontline Magazine
- Yojana Magazine
- Competition Wizard
- Competition Wizard - Current Affairs Annual Issue or Spectrum Issue on Current Affairs – This is just to make sure that you have covered all the current affairs issues in News Paper.
General Knowledge
Quite a few questions are asked from this area. Some difficult questions are also asked. Do not spend too much time in memorizing unnecessary facts. You should have a broad awareness about various fields. At the same time, focus more on areas, which have been asked in the past.
India Year Book - This is important for the prelims and also for some mains two mark questions. But do not read every thing given in the book, be logical and concentrate on the basics, which can be asked in the exam. You should prepare notes on the various terms that are given in the book. Do not focus too much on unnecessary facts given in the book.
Manorama Year book - This book should also be taken as reference.
For the GS prelims, if you want a compilation of all material at one point then can refer some standard guide like TMH. But do not ignore the NCERT and other books since they give better clarity.
#COURTESY - HOW TO CRACK CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION written by RANKERS#
It is becoming difficult now to attempt or even to prepare for complete syllabus. Hence, it is wise to stress on those subjects, which are common for Main Examination. The areas to be taken care of are Modern India, Polity, Indian Economy, Geography, Current Events and General Science. Considering the general nature of the examination the tactics must be to focus on greater rather than intensive coverage giving more stress on subjects, which are common to Main Examination.
History
The areas to be covered are the history from ancient to modern period. The basic understanding can be obtained from below 10th NCERT books. The focus should be on modern Indian history, which is covered in the mains. The basic knowledge in Ancient India and Medieval India is sufficient.
The NCERT books (Class XI and XII) are good enough for the purpose.
You can refer following books
- Ancient India, NCERT Class XI
- Medieval India, NCERT Class XI
- Modern India, NCERT Class XII
- Modern India, Spectrum publications
Polity
The Constitution and various related aspects should be done well. Some articles and facts should be memorised. It is better to prepare this area well since it will be helpful in mains and interview.
The Indian Polity by Lakshmikanth and NCERT books are sufficient. Also refer, DD Basu and Pratiyogita Darpan Special Issue - Indian Polity.
Geography
Suggested Reading:
For Indian Geography
- Physical Geography of India, NCERT Class XI
- Land and People, NCERT Class XI
For World Geography
- General Studies Manual by TMH or Spectrum Publications.
For Both Indian and World Geography, follow Prelims issues by Civil Services
Chronicle Magazine or Competition Wizard Magazine.
Economy
The basic concepts are being asked along with current affairs based questions. The basic clarity can be obtained from the standard books. The current affairs can be studied from Economic Survey and the newspapers.
Suggested Reading:
- Economic Survey
- Dutt & Sundaram or Mishra & Puri or IC Dhingra
Sciences
Some times the questions are asked very difficult that even science students find it difficult to answer. But the preparation should be in such a way that all the basic questions can be done correctly. The questions are also asked in applications orientation.
Suggested Reading:
- Science and Technology, NCERT Class IX & X
- What, Why & How books by CSIR.
Mental Ability
Do lot of practice from previous years papers. The preparation can also be made from some standard guide like General Studies Manual by TMH. The speed and accuracy should be practised. Concentrate on permutations, combinations, probability, logical reasoning.
Current affairs
This has become a very important component. The preparation should be continuous from the sources given in mains strategy. The notes should be focused on the factual aspects that come in the news. Many questions are asked from this area, so prepare thoroughly. The efforts will be useful for all stages of the exam. It should become a part of your daily routine.
Suggested Reading:
- The Hindu News paper
- Frontline Magazine
- Yojana Magazine
- Competition Wizard
- Competition Wizard - Current Affairs Annual Issue or Spectrum Issue on Current Affairs – This is just to make sure that you have covered all the current affairs issues in News Paper.
General Knowledge
Quite a few questions are asked from this area. Some difficult questions are also asked. Do not spend too much time in memorizing unnecessary facts. You should have a broad awareness about various fields. At the same time, focus more on areas, which have been asked in the past.
India Year Book - This is important for the prelims and also for some mains two mark questions. But do not read every thing given in the book, be logical and concentrate on the basics, which can be asked in the exam. You should prepare notes on the various terms that are given in the book. Do not focus too much on unnecessary facts given in the book.
Manorama Year book - This book should also be taken as reference.
For the GS prelims, if you want a compilation of all material at one point then can refer some standard guide like TMH. But do not ignore the NCERT and other books since they give better clarity.
#COURTESY - HOW TO CRACK CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION written by RANKERS#
Negative Marking
UPSC has taken a right step introducing negative marking to filter out candidates who get selected on the basis of smart guesses and luck. So, the serious candidates should cheer up now. Negative marking make paper more complex. But it is easy for a well prepared student and gives an extra benefit to a genuine candidate.
How to tackle negative marking?
- Identify the areas of your strength in the question paper. Solve questions from these areas first. Solving easy question will boost your confidence.
- Don’t waste your time for particular questions. Leave time consuming questions to take up in the end.
- The definition of intelligent guessing changes now with negative marking. You should tick only those answers which you feel 70% correct.
- Don’t play any blind and stupid game of guessing.
- Practice…Practice…Practice…Mock tests reduce mistake in the exam and prepare you to face real environment in which you can tackle & solve the questions within time limit.
- Mock tests provide you a platform where you can check your own weakness, mistakes and errors and develop a better understanding for solving different types of questions.
#COURTESY - HOW TO CRACK CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION written by RANKERS#
How to tackle negative marking?
- Identify the areas of your strength in the question paper. Solve questions from these areas first. Solving easy question will boost your confidence.
- Don’t waste your time for particular questions. Leave time consuming questions to take up in the end.
- The definition of intelligent guessing changes now with negative marking. You should tick only those answers which you feel 70% correct.
- Don’t play any blind and stupid game of guessing.
- Practice…Practice…Practice…Mock tests reduce mistake in the exam and prepare you to face real environment in which you can tackle & solve the questions within time limit.
- Mock tests provide you a platform where you can check your own weakness, mistakes and errors and develop a better understanding for solving different types of questions.
#COURTESY - HOW TO CRACK CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION written by RANKERS#
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
