Tuesday 20 October 2015

How to fill DAF

How to fill DAF

DAF has around 8 parts and has to be filled online first. Then a print out of the same is to be taken and mailed to UPSC through post/courier along with necessary documents.

For your convenience , I am attaching the photos of a DAF .







For service and cadre preference ,
check the following link  DAF -Cadre and service preference

 8 mistakes generally committed while filling DAF
  1. Don’t send the DAF print preview pdf  to UPSC by mistake. The DAF that should be send to UPSC must be the original one.
  2.  Should be printed on single/one sided page. (2014 instruction)
  3. Sign the DAF at all pages and at the space mentioned by UPSC.
  4. Affix a passport size photograph of yours, similar to the photograph displayed in DAF.
  5. Affix a central recruitment stamp worth Rs.200/- in the space mentioned. Get it cancelled using the post-office seal which should clearly mark the date and post office name.
  6. Attach all necessary certificates mentioned by UPSC along with the DAF. For general candidates the certificates needed include Class 10th mark-list to prove DOB and Degree-Certificate to prove your eligibility. The certificates attached should be attested – either by a gazetted officer or self attested with date.
  7. Superscribe on the top of envelope -“Application for Civil Service (Main) Exam *”.
  8. It’s always better to read UPSC Civil Service Exam Notification and Instructions before filling DAF.
This is a part of a blog of series on IAS Exam -simplified like never before!

Here is the list of blogs in this series so far -

We are now active on every social media platform .
https://www.quora.com/R-A-Israel-Jebasingh/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficersIASAcademy?ref=hl
officersiasacademy (@officersiasacad) | Twitter

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Thursday 15 October 2015

IAS Mains - how to prepare for GS paper 3 ?

Hi friends ,


Lets now discuss how to prepare General Studies Paper 3 for mains .

Some guidelines before you start your preparation:
1. Keep the syllabus in front of you.
2.Decide which books/notes you will follow.Stick to the same material till the end of the exam.
3. Look into the past question papers to understand how questions have been asked.
Check the analysis of previous year question papers -2013&2014 before you read the blog further -
4.Make your own notes accordingly. Notes should be such that they contain important key words/phrases .You should be able to revise the notes before the exam.

Reference material/books 
For Basics -
1. Economic Development
Economic development


( Questions  in 2013 were direct,but in 2014 ,most of them were from current affairs .So you need to follow current affairs properly)
If you are a first timer,you might find it difficult to interpret the Budget and Survey.
I would suggest you to read any material,Yojana or others,  presenting an analysis of the budget and survey .
Here is a list of topics covered by Yojana in 2015

 Jan 2015 -Sanitation

Feb 2015 -Federalism and Indian polity

Mar 2015 -Budget

Apr 2015 -Manufacturing Sector

May 2015 -Tourism

June 2015 -Alternative Medicine

July 2015 -International Relations

Aug 2015 -Inclusive growth and social Change

Sep 2015 -
Technology,Innovation and Knowledge Economy

Oct 2015 -Skilled India

Nov 2015 -Transport sector

Pick relevant article to read,according to the syllabus.
Technology
The Hindu
India Year Book ( for India’s achivements in S&T)

Security
The reference links will take you to full reports .You  should be able to consolidate the important points into notes.
Else ,you can buy /xerox any good material from an IAS institute and use for your preparation.
Disaster Management
The reference links are to reports .You  should be able to consolidate the important points into notes.
Else ,you can buy /xerox any good material from an IAS institute and use for your prepparation.
Environment and Biodiversity
  • The Hindu
  • Ministry of environment,Forest and Climate Change (Website and on PIB)

Here is my message in brief -
Select your material,
Consolidate them into notes.
Revise ! Revise ! Revise!

And yes ,take up mock tests to monitor your preparation and performance.

All the best !
This is a part of series of blogs on IAS preparation-simplified like never before !

Here is the list of blogs in this series so far -



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Monday 12 October 2015

GS PAPER 3 -PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS (2013&2014)

Hi friends ,

I have segregated GS paper 3 questions of the previous years  into different categories:
1.Economic development
2.Science and technology
3.Biodiversity ,Environment
4.Disaster management
5.Security

 An analysis of weightage of different categories in 2013 and 2014









Past Question papers-2013&2014
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2014
  1. Normally countries shift from agriculture to industry and then later to services, but India shifted directly from agriculture to services. What are the reasons for the huge growth of services vis-a-vis industry in the country? Can India become a developed country without a strong industrial base?
  2. While we found India’s demographic dividend, we ignore the dropping rates of employability. What are we missing while doing so? Where will the jobs that India desperately needs come from? Explain.
  3. The right to fair compensation and transparency land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement act, 2013 has come into effect from 1 January 2014. What implication would it have on industrialization and agriculture in India?
  4. Capitalism has guided the world economy to unprecedented prosperity. However, it often encourages shortsightedness and contributes to wide disparities between the rich and the poor. In this light, would it be correct to believe and adopt capitalism driving inclusive growth in India? Discuss. 
  5. Foreign direct investment in the defence sector is now said to be liberalized. What influence this is expected to have on Indian defence and economy in the short and long run?
  6. Explain how private public partnership agreements, in longer gestation infrastructure projects, can transfer unsuitable liabilities to the future. What arrangements need to be put in place to ensure that successive generations’ capacities are not compromised?
  7. National urban transport policy emphasizes on moving people instead of moving vehicles. Discuss critically the success of various strategies of the government in this regard.
  8. There is also a point of view that agriculture produce market committees (APMCs) set up under the state acts have not only impeded the development of agriculture but also have been the cause of food inflation in India. Critically examine.
  9. “In the villages itself no form of credit organisation will be suitable except the cooperative society.” – All Indian rural credit survey. Discuss this statement in the background of agriculture finance in India. What constrain and challenges do financial institutions supplying agricultural finances? How can technology be used to better reach and serve rural clients?
2013
  1. With a consideration towards the strategy of inclusive growth, the new companies bill, 2013 has indirectly made CSR a mandatory obligation. Discuss the challenges expected in its implementation in right earnest. Also discuss other provisions in the bill and their implications.
  2. What are the reasons for introduction of Fiscal responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) act, 2003? Discuss critically its salient features and their effectiveness.
  3. What is meaning of the term tax-expenditure? Taking housing sector as an example, discuss how it influences budgetary policies of the government.
  4. Examine the impact of liberalization on companies owned by Indian. Are the competing with the MNCs satisfactorily?
  5. Discussion the rationale for introducing Good and services tax in India. Bring out critically the reasons for delay in roll out for its regime.
  6. Write a note on India’s green energy corridor to alleviate the problems of conventional energy.
  7. Adaptation of PPP model for infrastructure development of the country has not been free from criticism. Critically discuss the pros and cons of the model.
  8. Food security bill is expected to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in India. Critically discuss various apprehensions in its effective implementation along with the concerns it has generated in WTO.
  9. What are the different types of agriculture subsidies given to farmers at the national and state levels? Critically analyze the agriculture subsidy regime with the reference to the distortions created by it.
  10. India needs to strengthen measures to promote the pink revolution in food industry for better nutrition and health. Critically elucidate the statement.
  11. Establish the relationship between land reform, agriculture productivity and elimination of poverty in Indian Economy. Discussion the difficulty in designing and implementation of the agriculture friendly land reforms in India.
  12. a.Discuss the impact of FDI entry into multi-trade retail sector on supply chain management in commodity trade pattern of the economy.                                                                                        b. Though India allowed foreign direct investment (FDI) in what is called multi brand retail through joint venture route in September 2012, the FDI even after a year, has not picket up. Discuss the reasons.
SCIENCE AND TECH
2014
  1. Can overuse and the availability of antibiotics without doctor’s prescription, the contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved.
  2. Scientific research in Indian universities is declining, because a career in science is not as attractive as our business operations, engineering or administration, and the universities are becoming consumer oriented. Critically comment.
  3. In a globalised world, intellectual property rights assume significance and are a source of litigation. Broadly distinguish between the terms – copyrights, patents and trade secrets.
2013
  1. Bring out the circumstances in 2005 which forced amendment to section 3(d) in the India n Patent Law, 1970. Discuss how it has been utilized by Supreme court in its judgment rejecting Novartis patent application for “Glivec“. Discuss briefly the pros and cons of the decision.
  2. What do you understand by fixed dose drug combinations (FDCs)? Discuss their merits and demerits.
  3. What do you understand by Umpire decision review in cricket? Discuss its various components. Explain how silicon tape on the edge of a bat may fool the system?
    1. What is digital signature? What does its authentication mean? Giver various salient built in features of a digital signature.
    2. How does the 3D printing technology work? List out the advantages and disadvantages of the technology.
    1. What is an FRP composite material? How are they manufactured? Discuss their applications in aviation and automobile industry
    2. What do you understand by run of the river hydroelectricity project? How is it different from any other hydroelectricity project?
ENVIRONMENTAND BIODIVERSITY
2014
  1. Should the pursuit of carbon credit and clean development mechanism set up under UNFCCC be maintained even through there has been a massive slide in the value of carbon credit? Discuss with respect to India’s energy needs for economic growth. 
  2. Environmental impact assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before project is cleared by the government. Discuss the environmental impacts of coal-fired thermal plants located at Pitheads.
2013
  1. What are the consequences of illegal mining? Discuss the ministry of environment and forests’ concept of “GO AND NO GO” zones for coal mining.
  2. Enumerate the National Water Policy of India. Taking river Ganges as an example, discuss the strategies which may be adopted for river water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions for management and handling of hazardous wastes in India?
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
2014
  1. Drought has been recognized as a disaster in view of its party expense, temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effect on various vulnerable sections. With a focus on the September 2010 guidelines from the National disaster management authority, discuss the mechanism for preparedness to deal with the El Nino and La Nina fallouts in India.
2013
  1. How important are vulnerability and risk assessment for pre-disaster management. As an administrator ,what are key areas that you would focus in a disaster management.
SECURITY
2014
  1. The diverse nature of India as a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society is not immune to the impact of radicalism which has been in her neighborhood. Discuss along with the strategies to be adopted to counter this environment. (Been in news after Al-Qaeda threat to India and US report on counter-terror measures in India).
  2. International civil aviation laws provide all countries complete and exclusive severity over the airspace above the territory. What do you understand by airspace? What are the implications of these laws on the space above this airspace? Discuss the challenges which this poses and suggests ways to contain the threat.
  3. How illegal transborder migration does pose a threat to India’s security? Discuss the strategies to curb this, bring out the factors which give impetus to such migration.
  4. In 2012, the longitudinal marking of the high-risk areas for piracy was moved from 65° East to 78° east in the Arabian Sea by International Maritime organisation. What impact does this have on India’s maritime security concerns?
  5. China and Pakistan have entered into an agreement for development of an economic corridor. What thread does it dispose for India’s security? Critically examine. 
2013


  1. Money laundering poses a serious threat to country’s economic sovereignty. What is its significance for India and what steps are required to be taken to control this menace?
  2. What are social networking site and what security implications do these sites present?
  3. Cyber warfare is considered by some defense analysts to be a larger threat than even Al Qaeda or terrorism. What do you understand by Cyber warfare? Outline the cyber threats which India is vulnerable to and bring out the state of the country’s preparedness to deal with the same.
  4. Article 244 of Indian Constitution relates to Administration of Scheduled areas and tribal areas. Analyze the impact of non-implementation of the provisions of fifth schedule on the growth of Left Wing Extremism.
  5. How far are India’s internal security challenges linked with border management, particularly in view of the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar?
Good luck !
This is a part of a series of blogs on IAS preparation- simplified like never before!

 Here is the list of blogs in this series so far -

How to prepare for IAS Exam -Beginners Guide
What were the cutoffs for Prelims ,Mains and Final in 2013 &2014 ?
Prelims Syllabus
How to prepare for prelims ?
How to read 'The Hindu '?
How to make notes from NCERTs?
How to prepare for GS paper 1 of Mains ?
How to prepare for GS paper 2?
IAS Mains -7 tips to improve your answer writing
How to fill DAF
DAF -Cadre and service preference


 Here is the list of blogs ,on my experience as an IAS officer:

Bharat Darshan - the dream of every IAS aspirant.
One night at Flood Centre
My experience with a toothache

We are now active on every social media platform .
https://www.quora.com/R-A-Israel-Jebasingh/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficersIASAcademy?ref=hl
officersiasacademy (@officersiasacad) | Twitter


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Thursday 8 October 2015

IAS Mains- Strategy to become a topper

Hi friends ,

When you prepare for mains ,your target should be to score maximum marks with the optimum preparation. And to score maximum marks ,you should understand which areas to focus .

Mains exam contains:(each of 250 marks)

 1 Essay paper
4 General Studies Paper
2 Optional Paper.

At the face of it ,it might look like GS preparation will help you score more marks. Hence,many students start GS preparation first and try to complete it . However ,the syllabus is so vast that they never feel they have completed.


However ,I would suggest you to start and complete your optional paper preparation first. Please look into the marksheets of few 2014 toppers .They have scored as much in 2 optional papers as all the 4 GS papers put together.

Also,dont take the essay paper lightly and just face it on the day of exams .Look how the toppers essay scores have helped them in scoring really well. Practise atleast 5 essays and get them evaluated.

This does not mean you should not focus on GS. I am just asking you to keep the weightage of scoring in mind  ,to use your time judiciously.




So here is the message in brief -
Consolidate your optional preparation first,
Practise essays to score more than the average ,
And keep doing your General Studies side by side .

 Good luck !
This blog is a part of a series of blogs on IAS preparation -simplified like never before !

Here is the list of blogs in this series so far -

Here is the list of blogs ,on my experience as an IAS officer:

Bharat Darshan - the dream of every IAS aspirant.
One night at Flood Centre
My experience with a toothache

We are now active on every social media platform .
https://www.quora.com/R-A-Israel-Jebasingh/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficersIASAcademy?ref=hl
officersiasacademy (@officersiasacad) | Twitter

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Tuesday 6 October 2015

IAS Mains - 7 tips to improve your Answer Writing

Hi friends ,

90% of the candidates who take up  mains know the same information as you know .But still, only around 3000 candiditates make it to the interview .Why is it so ?

Its not what you know,but what you write and how you write .

7 TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR ANSWER WRITING
Tip 1. Answer the question completely. Read the question twice to understand ,what all is asked.

 Foreign direct investment in the defence sector is now said to be liberalized. What influence this is expected to have on Indian defence and economy in the short and long run?
                                                                                                 (GS Paper 3,2014)
In this question ,you have to answer two parts -
a)Impact of FDI in defence .
b)Impact on economy .
Also ,in both the parts ,you should write about "short run" and "long run" perspective.

 Tip 2. Understand what is exactly asked .Do not write whatever you know in the topic without understanding what is asked.
While we flaunt India’s demographic dividend, we ignore the dropping rates of employability. What are we missing while doing so? Where will the jobs that India desperately needs come from? Explain.
                                                                                              (GS Paper 3,2014)
The moment you see "demographic dividend",do not start writing about it . Read the question again. The question is refering to the unemployability of the demographic dividend. Thereby refering to skill development of the demographic dividend. Now connect the two and write your answer.
Also ,dont miss the second part of the question on "where will the jobs come from".

Tip3.Use key words and phrases
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.
                                                                                                 (GS Paper 2,2014)
 Use key words related to the question like  cooperative federalism,bargaining federalism,etc.This will add weight to your answer.

 Tip 4. Manage your time for each answer properly.
Every paper of GS requires you to answer 20/25 questions. Hence , do not spend too much time on one particular answer because you know it too well /you are not able to generate points .And dont spend time too much time to write introduction /conclusion in the GS papers.

 Tip 5.Present the answer well .
Keep this in mind .An examiner has to evaluate a lot of sheets along with yours,on a single day . How will you make the examiner feel your answer is better ? How will you make it easy for him to give you marks ?

Its possible when you write legibly,make use of charts/diagrams/subheadings/maps .

Donot write at a stretch.Break into paragraphs/ subheadings /bullet points .Follow according to the needs of the question.

Tip 6. Use relevant facts/data to substantiate your answer.
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.
                                                                                                     (GS Paper 2,2014)
 To substantiate your argument in the above answer, you should quote instances of Supreme Court ruling ,Bhullar case ,Constitutional provisions on death penalty,etc .This will give more validity to the answer.

 Tip7. Practise Answer writing.
Practise .Practise .Practise .Thats the only way !
Take up mock tests and monitor your performance .
Good luck !
(This is a part of a series of blogs on IAS Exam simplified -like never before)

 Here is the list of blogs in this series so far -


 Here is the list of blogs ,on my experience as an IAS officer:

Bharat Darshan - the dream of every IAS aspirant.
One night at Flood Centre
My experience with a toothache


We are now active on every social media platform .
https://www.quora.com/R-A-Israel-Jebasingh/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficersIASAcademy?ref=hl
officersiasacademy (@officersiasacad) | Twitter

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