I like to share my final civil service marks with you.
Total - 1244 out of 2300
GS = 322 [151+171]
Tamil Literature = 292 [156+136]
Botany = 284 [133+151]
Essay = 130
Interview = 216
Rank - 36
Knowledge knows no limits, it cannot be destroyed and it is not a thing which can be stolen (save IPRs). The only case of generosity where both the giver and receiver are profiting. Join me and share knowledge ! Happy blogging !
Jun 5, 2010
Jun 3, 2010
Economics for Civil Services
Usually people from arts and science background find this part difficult. But it is not so if we understand the concepts and have strong basics. If you find facts (Budget allocations, percentages, years) too hard to memorize, don't do that. Only less than 5% of questions from economics are factual.
Sources of material-
-Economics part in TataMcGrawHill GS manual
-Pratiyogita Darpan Indian Economy
-NCERT Indian Economic development Class-XI
Areas to concentrate-
(The list is not exhaustive)
*Five year plans-history, targets, success, outlays, motto of plan
*Latest Budget- salient features, income tax slabs, new tax levies, estimates
*LPG- our economy till 1991 and the shift thereafter
*Brettonwoods institutions- IBRD, IMF, IDA, etc.
*UNO- its associated organisations like UNICEF, ILO, UNESCAP, UNESCO.. and their chiefs.
*Poverty, Unemployment, Overpopulation, Migration, Urbanisation, Low agricultural productivity- reasons, problems, solutions
*Agriculture- net sown area, major crops, latest production capacity, schemes for the welfare of farmers, unorganised sector, crop insurance, Green revolution
*Industry- cotton mills, iron and steel,automobiles, software, SEZ, government's industrial policy
*Banks- RBI & its functions, CRR, SLR, Repo, reverse Repo, Inflation, Great economic depression, Recent financial crisis, nationalisation of banks, NBFCs, Seed banks, RRBs, Monetary policy, NABARD
*Rural Development- Bharat Nirman, NREGA, SGSRY, SGSY, indira awas yojana, NRHM, TRYSEM, food for work, antyodaya anna yojana, PDS, SSA, PM's gram sadak yojana etc.
*Tax reforms
*energy sector, non-conventional electricity
*balance of trade, BoP
*tourism, telecommunications
*WTO- patents, subsidies, developed vs. developing
*trade blocs, G-7, G-15, G-20, G-77, Free trade agreements, Preferential trade agreements, CECA, CEPA of India
*Population statistics- Latest is 2001. Aspirants for IAS 2012 and later, please wait for the 2011 census operations' result.
*National Income- calculation methods
Sources of material-
-Economics part in TataMcGrawHill GS manual
-Pratiyogita Darpan Indian Economy
-NCERT Indian Economic development Class-XI
Areas to concentrate-
(The list is not exhaustive)
*Five year plans-history, targets, success, outlays, motto of plan
*Latest Budget- salient features, income tax slabs, new tax levies, estimates
*LPG- our economy till 1991 and the shift thereafter
*Brettonwoods institutions- IBRD, IMF, IDA, etc.
*UNO- its associated organisations like UNICEF, ILO, UNESCAP, UNESCO.. and their chiefs.
*Poverty, Unemployment, Overpopulation, Migration, Urbanisation, Low agricultural productivity- reasons, problems, solutions
*Agriculture- net sown area, major crops, latest production capacity, schemes for the welfare of farmers, unorganised sector, crop insurance, Green revolution
*Industry- cotton mills, iron and steel,automobiles, software, SEZ, government's industrial policy
*Banks- RBI & its functions, CRR, SLR, Repo, reverse Repo, Inflation, Great economic depression, Recent financial crisis, nationalisation of banks, NBFCs, Seed banks, RRBs, Monetary policy, NABARD
*Rural Development- Bharat Nirman, NREGA, SGSRY, SGSY, indira awas yojana, NRHM, TRYSEM, food for work, antyodaya anna yojana, PDS, SSA, PM's gram sadak yojana etc.
*Tax reforms
*energy sector, non-conventional electricity
*balance of trade, BoP
*tourism, telecommunications
*WTO- patents, subsidies, developed vs. developing
*trade blocs, G-7, G-15, G-20, G-77, Free trade agreements, Preferential trade agreements, CECA, CEPA of India
*Population statistics- Latest is 2001. Aspirants for IAS 2012 and later, please wait for the 2011 census operations' result.
*National Income- calculation methods
More on statistics
Please carry with you relevant stationery- sharp pencils, ruler, eraser, compass, protractor, simple calculator (not digital with storage)
The main kinds of questions asked:
-Based on frequency distribution, graphs, pie charts
-Mean, median, mode
-Averaging speeds of vehicles
-Profit & loss
-Based on set theory
-Simple interest, compound interest
-Time and work
-Age of persons
-Drawing a table to represent data given
-Ratio & proportions
-Comment on statements - (True or false type)
-Probability
#Do not miss out on 'Drawing a table to represent data given'- type of questions, because they do not have any formulae, but only simple addition and subtraction; and since you are allowed a Calculator, it cannot be simpler.
#Concentrate also on frequency distribution sums. They usually carry more marks since they are graph-based. The universal law in graph problems is 'Writing SCALE' which we either forget or don't know to write. Write it in the top right corner of graph sheet.
Sample:
X-AXIS: 1 cm = 1 unit
Y-AXIS: 1 cm = 10 units
#If there is a need to show different regions in graph through different colors/shading methods, definitely give a legend/key indicating what each color/shade/stroke represents; preferably in the right side of the graph. Do not crowd your graph with numbers, units, etc. Give it as neatly as possible.
#Don't complicate your graph by making each centimetre represent 3, 4, 6, 8 units, etc. Always prefer units in 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, etc.
#Make sure you do not spend so much time on problems you have absolutely no clue. Even a shabby presentation may come in the way of getting full marks. Do not overwrite. Make it a neat table/graph as far as possible. Use the last sheet of your answer booklet to make rough calculations and make sure you strike them out.
The main kinds of questions asked:
-Based on frequency distribution, graphs, pie charts
-Mean, median, mode
-Averaging speeds of vehicles
-Profit & loss
-Based on set theory
-Simple interest, compound interest
-Time and work
-Age of persons
-Drawing a table to represent data given
-Ratio & proportions
-Comment on statements - (True or false type)
-Probability
#Do not miss out on 'Drawing a table to represent data given'- type of questions, because they do not have any formulae, but only simple addition and subtraction; and since you are allowed a Calculator, it cannot be simpler.
#Concentrate also on frequency distribution sums. They usually carry more marks since they are graph-based. The universal law in graph problems is 'Writing SCALE' which we either forget or don't know to write. Write it in the top right corner of graph sheet.
Sample:
X-AXIS: 1 cm = 1 unit
Y-AXIS: 1 cm = 10 units
#If there is a need to show different regions in graph through different colors/shading methods, definitely give a legend/key indicating what each color/shade/stroke represents; preferably in the right side of the graph. Do not crowd your graph with numbers, units, etc. Give it as neatly as possible.
#Don't complicate your graph by making each centimetre represent 3, 4, 6, 8 units, etc. Always prefer units in 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, etc.
#Make sure you do not spend so much time on problems you have absolutely no clue. Even a shabby presentation may come in the way of getting full marks. Do not overwrite. Make it a neat table/graph as far as possible. Use the last sheet of your answer booklet to make rough calculations and make sure you strike them out.
May 27, 2010
Statistics and GMA for Civil services
How many of you have competitive-exam ARITHMOPHOBIA (fear of numbers)?
-Are you that person who chose pure science group only to avoid maths?
-Do you feel like bashing the person who invented calculus?
-Do you shudder like you have committed a sin on seeing sin, cos and tan?
-Do you shiver at the sight of General Mental Ability problems?
-Do you hate the alphabet 'x' just because it comes in algebra?
-And are you finally that person who hates civil service exam for its GMA section?
Yes. Then this blog is definitely dedicated to you, my friend. Why are you afraid of numbers? Or of logical puzzles? If you say you hate solving puzzles or detest even the thought of problem-solving, then how can the country believe in your ability and award you with one of the most coveted services in India? You have to take the initiative to fall in love with numbers and to live with numbers.
Life is in itself a complex puzzle. We live a life that unfolds mysteriously before our eyes.
# Can you predict the character of a stranger you meet on the road? He is an 'x'. An unknown. Algebra!
# How large is your living room? Area!
# How huge is your water tank? Capacity!
# How fast can you drive on a traffic free road? Time and distance!
# You eat a family pack ice-cream in one hour. You share it with a friend and it is gone in forty minutes. Time and work!
# More friends mean less time to finish the family-pack. Inverse proportion!
# How will you share it equally? Fractions!
# Your marks in exams. Profit in business. Percentages!
# You love someone. What are the chances that he/she loves you back? Probability!
# Find your place on an atlas and express it latitude-longitude-wise. Graphs!
# All mothers are affectionate to their babies. This needs no proof, yet true. Axiom!
# How long can you live on earth? Approximation theory!
# On an average, what is your monthly electricity bill? List it out for the past one year. Statistics!
So can you hate life now, since it incorporates so many mathematical concepts? No. You can't. Mathematics was not thrown from the sky. It is no alien flying saucer. It is not gifted only to a few. It belongs to everyone. And is present in everyone's life. That we do not comprehend this fact creates problems.
Only a person who solves problem knows the joy of it. Take a question from your GMA section. Do not look at its answer. Solve it and then go to answers page. The moment you see that your answer and the given answer are the same, you will feel that joy. For some it may last a bit longer, but there cannot be anyone who does not enjoy that little success. Keep thinking and I'll get back to you with tips on easy-puzzle-solving...
-Are you that person who chose pure science group only to avoid maths?
-Do you feel like bashing the person who invented calculus?
-Do you shudder like you have committed a sin on seeing sin, cos and tan?
-Do you shiver at the sight of General Mental Ability problems?
-Do you hate the alphabet 'x' just because it comes in algebra?
-And are you finally that person who hates civil service exam for its GMA section?
Yes. Then this blog is definitely dedicated to you, my friend. Why are you afraid of numbers? Or of logical puzzles? If you say you hate solving puzzles or detest even the thought of problem-solving, then how can the country believe in your ability and award you with one of the most coveted services in India? You have to take the initiative to fall in love with numbers and to live with numbers.
Life is in itself a complex puzzle. We live a life that unfolds mysteriously before our eyes.
# Can you predict the character of a stranger you meet on the road? He is an 'x'. An unknown. Algebra!
# How large is your living room? Area!
# How huge is your water tank? Capacity!
# How fast can you drive on a traffic free road? Time and distance!
# You eat a family pack ice-cream in one hour. You share it with a friend and it is gone in forty minutes. Time and work!
# More friends mean less time to finish the family-pack. Inverse proportion!
# How will you share it equally? Fractions!
# Your marks in exams. Profit in business. Percentages!
# You love someone. What are the chances that he/she loves you back? Probability!
# Find your place on an atlas and express it latitude-longitude-wise. Graphs!
# All mothers are affectionate to their babies. This needs no proof, yet true. Axiom!
# How long can you live on earth? Approximation theory!
# On an average, what is your monthly electricity bill? List it out for the past one year. Statistics!
So can you hate life now, since it incorporates so many mathematical concepts? No. You can't. Mathematics was not thrown from the sky. It is no alien flying saucer. It is not gifted only to a few. It belongs to everyone. And is present in everyone's life. That we do not comprehend this fact creates problems.
Only a person who solves problem knows the joy of it. Take a question from your GMA section. Do not look at its answer. Solve it and then go to answers page. The moment you see that your answer and the given answer are the same, you will feel that joy. For some it may last a bit longer, but there cannot be anyone who does not enjoy that little success. Keep thinking and I'll get back to you with tips on easy-puzzle-solving...
May 12, 2010
Books suggested for UPSC Tamil Literature
The list contains books that I have read (and also those that I was suggested to read but could not due to lack of time and availability of books). The list is not exhaustive. Prepare notes and keep them fora handy reference
ALL THE BEST !!
Tamil mozhi varalaru – Su. Sakthivel
Mozhi nool – Mu. Varadarasanar
Mozhi varalaru – Mu. Varadarasanar
Tamil ilakkiya varalaru – Mu. Varadarasanar
Tamil ilakkiya varalaru – Thamizannal
Tamil ilakkiya varalaru – Madhu Sa. Vimalanandam
Oppilakkiya kotpaadu – Ka.Na.Kailasapathy
Naatupura iyal aaivu – Su.Sakthivel
Ulaga sevviyal mozhigalin varisaiyil tamil – V.C. Kulandaisamy
Valluvar padaikkum vaiyathu sorkkam – V.C. Kulandaisamy
Tamil mozhiyum varalarum – Devira
Tamil thiranaaivum panpaadum – Devira
Tamizhar valartha azhagu kalaigal – Mayilai seeni Vengadasamy
Ithazhiyal – Su. Sakthivel
Tholkappiar kanda samudaayam – Dr. Natesan
Idhazhiyal kalai – Dr. Ma.Pa. Gurusamy
Ilakkiya Marabu – Mu. Varadarasanar
Sanga ilakkiyam: ilakkiya valamum vaazhviyal aramum – Dr. R. Chandrasekaran
Tamilaga naatupuraviyal – Dr. Sargunavathy
Silappathigara thiranaaivu – Dr. Ma.Po.Sivagnanam
Silappathigara urai – Gna. Maanickavasagan
Kurunthogai – Puliyoor Kesikan urai
Thirukkural – Parimelazhagar urai
Kumbakaruna vadhai padalam – Dr. Durai Rasaram Urai
Vanakkam valluva – Erode Tamilanban
Thiruppavai – C.Subramanian
Kambar kaatum kumbakarnan – Arunagiri
Thiruvasagam – A.Sa. Gnanasambandan
Notes for second paper topics by –Devira, Sarala Rajagopalan
Mozhi iyal – R. Srinivasan
Tamil ilakkiya varalaru – C. Balasubramanian
Tamil ilakkiya varalaru – Muthamizh chelvan
Puthiya nokkil tamil ilakkiya varalaru – Tamilanban
Tamilzhar nagarigamum panpaadum – Thatchinamoorthy
Tamizhar varalarum panpaadum – K.K. Pillai
Tamil kaadhal – V. Subamanickam
Thambiyar iruvar – A.Sa. Gnanasambandan
Silambo silambu – Arasan Santhuvanar
Silappathigara tamizhagam – Sami Sidhambaranar
ALL THE BEST !!
Tamil mozhi varalaru – Su. Sakthivel
Mozhi nool – Mu. Varadarasanar
Mozhi varalaru – Mu. Varadarasanar
Tamil ilakkiya varalaru – Mu. Varadarasanar
Tamil ilakkiya varalaru – Thamizannal
Tamil ilakkiya varalaru – Madhu Sa. Vimalanandam
Oppilakkiya kotpaadu – Ka.Na.Kailasapathy
Naatupura iyal aaivu – Su.Sakthivel
Ulaga sevviyal mozhigalin varisaiyil tamil – V.C. Kulandaisamy
Valluvar padaikkum vaiyathu sorkkam – V.C. Kulandaisamy
Tamil mozhiyum varalarum – Devira
Tamil thiranaaivum panpaadum – Devira
Tamizhar valartha azhagu kalaigal – Mayilai seeni Vengadasamy
Ithazhiyal – Su. Sakthivel
Tholkappiar kanda samudaayam – Dr. Natesan
Idhazhiyal kalai – Dr. Ma.Pa. Gurusamy
Ilakkiya Marabu – Mu. Varadarasanar
Sanga ilakkiyam: ilakkiya valamum vaazhviyal aramum – Dr. R. Chandrasekaran
Tamilaga naatupuraviyal – Dr. Sargunavathy
Silappathigara thiranaaivu – Dr. Ma.Po.Sivagnanam
Silappathigara urai – Gna. Maanickavasagan
Kurunthogai – Puliyoor Kesikan urai
Thirukkural – Parimelazhagar urai
Kumbakaruna vadhai padalam – Dr. Durai Rasaram Urai
Vanakkam valluva – Erode Tamilanban
Thiruppavai – C.Subramanian
Kambar kaatum kumbakarnan – Arunagiri
Thiruvasagam – A.Sa. Gnanasambandan
Notes for second paper topics by –Devira, Sarala Rajagopalan
Mozhi iyal – R. Srinivasan
Tamil ilakkiya varalaru – C. Balasubramanian
Tamil ilakkiya varalaru – Muthamizh chelvan
Puthiya nokkil tamil ilakkiya varalaru – Tamilanban
Tamilzhar nagarigamum panpaadum – Thatchinamoorthy
Tamizhar varalarum panpaadum – K.K. Pillai
Tamil kaadhal – V. Subamanickam
Thambiyar iruvar – A.Sa. Gnanasambandan
Silambo silambu – Arasan Santhuvanar
Silappathigara tamizhagam – Sami Sidhambaranar
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