Hi friends,
It has really been long since I posted anything on this blog, and my apologies. Understandably it was because of the jam-packed schedules which we had during our foundation course training at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy Administration (hereafter referred to as LBSNAA or labasnaa). It was a fun-filled experience of 100 days that gave me inspiring role-models, friends to cherish for lifetime and unforgettable memories.
Briefly, as the blog title says, the FC had the following features in store for us-
morning PT-
classroom lectures-
officer's mess-
officer trainee's lounge-
hostel cafeteria-
cultural evenings-
clubs & societies-
mountain trekking-
village visit-
atheletic meet-
india day-
social services fete-
crosscountry race-
blood donation camp-
hands on project experience-
extra curricular activities-
language learning sessions-
counselors-
gymnasium-
sports complex-
library-
and the list temporarily stops here.. Will elaborate on them soon.. Happy blogging..
Aug 27, 2010
Madrasapattanam to Mussoriepattanam - The transition anticipated
I guess, out there in LBSNAA, I might have a tough time adapting to the climate shift, but easier to adapt to the cultural drift, given my priorities. I am expecting a strict institution that nurtures the creamy layer of civil servants to be the best in the nation, in terms of duty,discipline and decorum. I am a bit nervous too, for I need to interact with most of the people in English or Hindi. I cross my fingers now and wait to experience the transition fully and will follow this up with the transition encountered.. This is probably my last post from Madras before training commences..
Madrasukku bye bye, Mussoriekku hai hai !!
Madrasukku bye bye, Mussoriekku hai hai !!
Aug 6, 2010
இன்னா தம்ம இவ்வுலகம்
ஓரில் நெய்தல் கறங்க , ஓரில்
ஈர்ந்தன் முழவின் பாணி ததும்பப்
புணர்ந்தோர் பூவணி அணியப், பிரிந்தோர்
பைதல் உண்கண் பனிவார்பு உறைப்பப்
படைத்தோன் மன்ற அப்பண்பிலாளன்
இன்னா தம்ம இவ்வுலகம்
இனிய காண்க இதன் இயல்புணர்ந்தோரே !!
ஈர்ந்தன் முழவின் பாணி ததும்பப்
புணர்ந்தோர் பூவணி அணியப், பிரிந்தோர்
பைதல் உண்கண் பனிவார்பு உறைப்பப்
படைத்தோன் மன்ற அப்பண்பிலாளன்
இன்னா தம்ம இவ்வுலகம்
இனிய காண்க இதன் இயல்புணர்ந்தோரே !!
Jul 28, 2010
"TRACE"-ing Our Future (Day -2)
We also got an opportunity to go LIVE on All India Radio (Trichy) FM Rainbow on the second day, where we interacted with RJ Bharathi and few callers from in and around Trichy. There were a few sodappal spots and comic sessions too, thanks to those callers and RJ! We went on to survey the Ramnad Combined Water Supply Scheme (CWSS) (Maaperum Koottu Kudineer Thittam, in Tamil). A TWAD Engineer was there with us to describe the project, that was devised to supply drinking water drawn from banks of Kaveri, to three districts that were water-scarce. There are no beneficiaries in Trichirappalli for this scheme.
We walked a stretch of ~1340m to and fro, observed the giant pipes that carried water from the supply site to the storage site, also enjoyed the phenomenon of passing clouds drifted by the breeze (and made popular by the Tamil flick Aayirathil Oruvan). The engineer impressed upon us about the rapidity with which the project was completed well before time.
We then rode along the road to Karur and visited an NGO at Allur village. It is called SEVAI (Society for Education Village Action and Improvement), founded by Mr. Govindaraju in 1975. The beneficiaries include women, children, differently abled persons and prison inmates to name a few. They teach economic activities, healthy lifestyle, support SHGs by helping them obtain loans and rehabilitate FSW,WIP,MSM and IDUs. A mock interaction with the SHG members who were part of HLF(Habitation Level Federations) and PLF(Panchayat Level Federations) was a never-before-experience and a peek into our future face-to-face with the public. The women were united in their sense of pride about Trichy being the best in India, their SHG activities, their children, their husband and family support to actively participate in SH groups and about SEVAI as a whole. Yet when it came to discussing about Government they had different ideas, few supporting and many complaining. The areas of their major concern were education, employment, inflation, rainfall and real estates encroaching into agricultural lands.
This was followed by a (paasathil thoindha) lunch and when we left the place, we needed no efforts to fall sleep, but Mukkombu saw to it that we didn't go to slumber. It's a lovely place to spend a cloudy, quiet evening (unless you are deaf to monkey chatter!) We skipped the stage of getting our feet wet, but did not miss out on icecreams (hey, that's no childish thing, we just helped out a cottage industry!)
Then we went en route Musiri, Thottiyam blocks to reach Thaathaiyengarpettai (Tha.pettai in Tamil and T-Pet in English) block, Aaraichi Panchayat where a few weeks before, Periyar Samathuvapuram had been inaugurated. It provided 100 dwelling units in an approx. area of 13 acres. Each house was provided with separate setups for RWH, Biogas compost pits and closed toilets. The beneficiaries were identified after several stages of scrutiny by the Village President, BDO, VAO, RI and Tehsildar; they had to include 40% reserved category, in order to really live up to the term 'samathuva'puram. Village President Mrs. Vijaya, a graduate, has been elected again for the second term from Aaraichi, this time from a non-woman-reservation-panchayat. She being an independent candidate, is an example of women empowerment with no political background.
We saw and heard about many unique facts and stories about peoples and places.
* 95% of Maternal deaths are preventable.
* Thiruverumbur and Thirueengoimalai are sites named after ant and bee respectively, the insect forms that worshipped Lord Siva.
* Gunaseelam was treating lunacy at its Prasanna Venkatachalapathy (Vishnu) Temple till before 2 years.
* Amateur tailors are given 5.50 per nighty stitched. It is 6.50 for designed nighties. Each one earns upto 25 per day, we were informed.
* Rent details of the costliest hotels and chatrams in Trichy
* Oyamari, the place where corpses were burnt 24 X 7, till before it was recently converted into an electric crematorium to control pollution and bad smell in the surroundings.
* Pachamalai holds a monthly sandhai to sell its rare herbal products (mooligai) that are raw materials for Siddha and other natural medicines; siddhars are speculated to live in this area.
* The people of these hills are believed to be early settlers from ancient Cheranadu (present Kerala).
'TRACE - Exposure visit' and discussions with JD-EO Mr. Suresh Kumar helped me to understand how creativity and novelty can be infused into the regular governmental setup; how barefoot scientists can help in 'sustainable development'.
We then rode along the road to Karur and visited an NGO at Allur village. It is called SEVAI (Society for Education Village Action and Improvement), founded by Mr. Govindaraju in 1975. The beneficiaries include women, children, differently abled persons and prison inmates to name a few. They teach economic activities, healthy lifestyle, support SHGs by helping them obtain loans and rehabilitate FSW,WIP,MSM and IDUs. A mock interaction with the SHG members who were part of HLF(Habitation Level Federations) and PLF(Panchayat Level Federations) was a never-before-experience and a peek into our future face-to-face with the public. The women were united in their sense of pride about Trichy being the best in India, their SHG activities, their children, their husband and family support to actively participate in SH groups and about SEVAI as a whole. Yet when it came to discussing about Government they had different ideas, few supporting and many complaining. The areas of their major concern were education, employment, inflation, rainfall and real estates encroaching into agricultural lands.
This was followed by a (paasathil thoindha) lunch and when we left the place, we needed no efforts to fall sleep, but Mukkombu saw to it that we didn't go to slumber. It's a lovely place to spend a cloudy, quiet evening (unless you are deaf to monkey chatter!) We skipped the stage of getting our feet wet, but did not miss out on icecreams (hey, that's no childish thing, we just helped out a cottage industry!)
Then we went en route Musiri, Thottiyam blocks to reach Thaathaiyengarpettai (Tha.pettai in Tamil and T-Pet in English) block, Aaraichi Panchayat where a few weeks before, Periyar Samathuvapuram had been inaugurated. It provided 100 dwelling units in an approx. area of 13 acres. Each house was provided with separate setups for RWH, Biogas compost pits and closed toilets. The beneficiaries were identified after several stages of scrutiny by the Village President, BDO, VAO, RI and Tehsildar; they had to include 40% reserved category, in order to really live up to the term 'samathuva'puram. Village President Mrs. Vijaya, a graduate, has been elected again for the second term from Aaraichi, this time from a non-woman-reservation-panchayat. She being an independent candidate, is an example of women empowerment with no political background.
We saw and heard about many unique facts and stories about peoples and places.
* 95% of Maternal deaths are preventable.
* Thiruverumbur and Thirueengoimalai are sites named after ant and bee respectively, the insect forms that worshipped Lord Siva.
* Gunaseelam was treating lunacy at its Prasanna Venkatachalapathy (Vishnu) Temple till before 2 years.
* Amateur tailors are given 5.50 per nighty stitched. It is 6.50 for designed nighties. Each one earns upto 25 per day, we were informed.
* Rent details of the costliest hotels and chatrams in Trichy
* Oyamari, the place where corpses were burnt 24 X 7, till before it was recently converted into an electric crematorium to control pollution and bad smell in the surroundings.
* Pachamalai holds a monthly sandhai to sell its rare herbal products (mooligai) that are raw materials for Siddha and other natural medicines; siddhars are speculated to live in this area.
* The people of these hills are believed to be early settlers from ancient Cheranadu (present Kerala).
'TRACE - Exposure visit' and discussions with JD-EO Mr. Suresh Kumar helped me to understand how creativity and novelty can be infused into the regular governmental setup; how barefoot scientists can help in 'sustainable development'.
"TRACE"-ing Our Future (Day-1)
Trichy Academy for Competitive Examinations (TRACE) gave me a chance of exploring the real time scenario encountered in the life of a civil servant before actual training. Along with 8 colleagues, we witnessed the actual implementation of various state and central schemes in different panchayats of Trichy district. With every area we covered, I could see how Tamilnadu easily qualifies as one of the leading states in Tamilnadu.
We started off by listening to a general overview of our plan of visit by the Project Director Mr.R. Venkatachalam and the District Collector (I/C) of Trichy, Mr.Raman. Mr.Murugannan, Block Development Officer accompanied us throughout the tour and briefed the salient features of each of the schemes. TRACE team acted as our tourist guides and revealed interesting snippets for us to ponder upon.
We visited the NIC/ELCOT training centre to know about the diverse applications of computers in administration (e-Governance) like
* land record maintenance
* Online Grievance Redressal
* PDS management
* Old age pension disbursement
* Payroll system
* transport & passport office
ELCOT's product TNSWAN has thus spread its wings in all arenas of governance. Interestingly, NIC is the agency that plans to give unique email addresses to every government servant.
Then we travelled to Navalpattu panchayat (Thiruverumbur taluk) to visualise the functioning of the MGNREGS. Enroute to the destination, we caught a glimpse of the NABARD sponsored approach-road laying scheme and Navalpattu Primary Health Centre (PHC). The PHC was a small area but well-maintained and did not have any undesirable stench which I have so far associated with the thought of GHs. They regularly update details regarding diseases treated on HMIS (Health Management Information System) website.
The Thamaraikulam Supply channel desiltation work was done as part of MGNREGS in Navalpattu panchayat. We were elaborated on job cards, unique family numbers, settlement of wages, attendance, division of labour, etc. We were also informed that in the adjacent Manigandam taluk, the implementation of wage settlement has been made transparent by operating individual labourer's account in banks.
We then watched the activities carried out by the RD & PR department, under the state scheme - AGAMT (Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam). The compulsory works we witnessed were Oorani/Pond Construction, Library, Community Sports centre, and Cremation/Burial ground. Manjathidal pond in Ellaikudi panchayat was a sad remnant of the 4 year old pond construction work, still hailed as equivalent to Chicago by RD website, thus impacting on our minds the necessity of maintenance of excellently carried out schemes. Ellaikudi has also been awarded the NGP under the Total sanitation campaign (TSC). We saw the pond of Pappakurichi under construction and the Library of Ellaikudi. Its honorary librarian was a responsible lady- a retired school teacher.
The day ended with an interaction of our team with TRACE aspirants followed by a brief felicitation and dinner with the Dt. Collector (I/C), City Police Commissioner, Corporation Commissioner, literatteurs, orators and chief patrons instrumental in the establishment of TRACE, parents and aspirants.
We started off by listening to a general overview of our plan of visit by the Project Director Mr.R. Venkatachalam and the District Collector (I/C) of Trichy, Mr.Raman. Mr.Murugannan, Block Development Officer accompanied us throughout the tour and briefed the salient features of each of the schemes. TRACE team acted as our tourist guides and revealed interesting snippets for us to ponder upon.
We visited the NIC/ELCOT training centre to know about the diverse applications of computers in administration (e-Governance) like
* land record maintenance
* Online Grievance Redressal
* PDS management
* Old age pension disbursement
* Payroll system
* transport & passport office
ELCOT's product TNSWAN has thus spread its wings in all arenas of governance. Interestingly, NIC is the agency that plans to give unique email addresses to every government servant.
Then we travelled to Navalpattu panchayat (Thiruverumbur taluk) to visualise the functioning of the MGNREGS. Enroute to the destination, we caught a glimpse of the NABARD sponsored approach-road laying scheme and Navalpattu Primary Health Centre (PHC). The PHC was a small area but well-maintained and did not have any undesirable stench which I have so far associated with the thought of GHs. They regularly update details regarding diseases treated on HMIS (Health Management Information System) website.
The Thamaraikulam Supply channel desiltation work was done as part of MGNREGS in Navalpattu panchayat. We were elaborated on job cards, unique family numbers, settlement of wages, attendance, division of labour, etc. We were also informed that in the adjacent Manigandam taluk, the implementation of wage settlement has been made transparent by operating individual labourer's account in banks.
We then watched the activities carried out by the RD & PR department, under the state scheme - AGAMT (Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam). The compulsory works we witnessed were Oorani/Pond Construction, Library, Community Sports centre, and Cremation/Burial ground. Manjathidal pond in Ellaikudi panchayat was a sad remnant of the 4 year old pond construction work, still hailed as equivalent to Chicago by RD website, thus impacting on our minds the necessity of maintenance of excellently carried out schemes. Ellaikudi has also been awarded the NGP under the Total sanitation campaign (TSC). We saw the pond of Pappakurichi under construction and the Library of Ellaikudi. Its honorary librarian was a responsible lady- a retired school teacher.
The day ended with an interaction of our team with TRACE aspirants followed by a brief felicitation and dinner with the Dt. Collector (I/C), City Police Commissioner, Corporation Commissioner, literatteurs, orators and chief patrons instrumental in the establishment of TRACE, parents and aspirants.
Jul 20, 2010
Felicitation at Pune
A heart-warming experience at the cool city of Pune !
People met, ideas exchanged, cultures identified, lighter moments shared,.. Maharashtra Institute of Technology-School of Government (MIT-SOG) gave us a great opportunity to meet our future peers and initiate the formation of workplace networks. Like minded people working together takes the nation to greater heights. I wish we all strive for the betterment of the society in every way possible.
Yes, we all know that this is just the beginning. We shall accept all these honours humbly and work for "Better India" in all spheres.
Acknowledging our feat of clearing the civil services exam as the most difficult achievement, rewarding citations from the hands of eminent Nuclear scientist Padma awardee Anil Kakodkar, congratulating us for selecting Bureaucracy as a career option after completing degrees in varied disciplines and Stressing the important role of bureaucrats as the sole source of stability amongst the nation's changing governments (and their policies),.. we are now a fully motivated lot with eyes on nothing but SERVICE.
Thanks to MIT-SOG team!
People met, ideas exchanged, cultures identified, lighter moments shared,.. Maharashtra Institute of Technology-School of Government (MIT-SOG) gave us a great opportunity to meet our future peers and initiate the formation of workplace networks. Like minded people working together takes the nation to greater heights. I wish we all strive for the betterment of the society in every way possible.
Yes, we all know that this is just the beginning. We shall accept all these honours humbly and work for "Better India" in all spheres.
Acknowledging our feat of clearing the civil services exam as the most difficult achievement, rewarding citations from the hands of eminent Nuclear scientist Padma awardee Anil Kakodkar, congratulating us for selecting Bureaucracy as a career option after completing degrees in varied disciplines and Stressing the important role of bureaucrats as the sole source of stability amongst the nation's changing governments (and their policies),.. we are now a fully motivated lot with eyes on nothing but SERVICE.
Thanks to MIT-SOG team!
Jul 11, 2010
Filling Up Mains Application Part 2
The most important area in the application form is the one where you show to the interview panel your previous achievements. This reveals to them to an extent, how much you suit to the job applied for.
There are 4 sub-headings:
1] Particulars of prizes, medals, scholarships, etc.
2] Team/Games/Sports/N.C.C.
3] Positions of Distinction/Leadership held in School/College
4] Other extracurricular activities and interests (Hobbies, etc.)
* Never do the Himalayan mistake of leaving all columns blank because you do not have any.
* Write the detail for which you have certificates to support. Not needed for demonstrable skills (like oratory, singing, dancing, pencil sketching, mimicry, etc.)
* Do not overlap the same achievement in more than one column. Also do not re-word a single achievement in an attempt to seem more meritorious. Example- Writing NCC 'C' Certificate for [2] and writing Rank of Sergeant in NCC for [3]
* Arrange them in order either latest-first or chronologically (I personally, prefer the former)
* Prizes won in Academics can be written in [1] and those won for sports can be given in [2] though it may be prize, it comes under sports. If you have no medals, etc. for Academics, rewards for sports can be mentioned in [1] itself and for [2], just mention the name of the event.
* For [3], avoid repeating NCC rank if you have mentioned it in [2], because a NCC member is inevitably expected to show fine leadership qualities. You can mention School first or college second in academics/sports, etc., all-rounder awards, any posts in college like Sports/cultural secretary, etc.
* People with no notable achievements to write in [3] can think back whether they held any class monitor/representative posts in school/college. If other columns are full enough, leaving [3] blank will not have a great effect.
* [4] is where questions may probably nailed upon, especially for the first few minutes of the interview. Include any computer courses, diploma courses (not mentioned in details of education), other languages learnt, craftworks, skills. Be true about hobbies - PLEASE DO NOT WRITE 'READING BOOKS' UNLESS YOU REALLY DO IT. This is the commonest hobby I have come across, others being listening to music, watching TV/cricket/match. Serious candidates, please do not give silly hobbies like chatting with friends, discussing politics, sleeping, etc.
* Female candidates think twice before writing 'COOKING' as a hobby. Men can manage with it however, given our societal conditions. 'EXERCISING, DOING YOGA' and 'BODY BUILDING' are not hobbies. They are part of your daily activities. Nature lovers who write 'BIRD WATCHING, STAR GAZING, ADMIRING NATURE, STARING AT SCENARIES' must be well versed in what they see.
* Those who write ASTROLOGY, NUMEROLOGY, etc. may get difficult questions if you are not really well-versed with those areas. For those who write 'WRITING ESSAYS, POEMS, HAIKUS' expect a mock topic on which you have to express your ideas.
* Finally, NOT ONLY FOR THIS COLUMN, BUT THROUGHOUT YOUR APPLICATION, BE CAREFUL ABOUT YOUR SPELLINGS. If wrong, they really really damage your image even before you enter the interview hall.
DOUBTS WELCOME!
There are 4 sub-headings:
1] Particulars of prizes, medals, scholarships, etc.
2] Team/Games/Sports/N.C.C.
3] Positions of Distinction/Leadership held in School/College
4] Other extracurricular activities and interests (Hobbies, etc.)
* Never do the Himalayan mistake of leaving all columns blank because you do not have any.
* Write the detail for which you have certificates to support. Not needed for demonstrable skills (like oratory, singing, dancing, pencil sketching, mimicry, etc.)
* Do not overlap the same achievement in more than one column. Also do not re-word a single achievement in an attempt to seem more meritorious. Example- Writing NCC 'C' Certificate for [2] and writing Rank of Sergeant in NCC for [3]
* Arrange them in order either latest-first or chronologically (I personally, prefer the former)
* Prizes won in Academics can be written in [1] and those won for sports can be given in [2] though it may be prize, it comes under sports. If you have no medals, etc. for Academics, rewards for sports can be mentioned in [1] itself and for [2], just mention the name of the event.
* For [3], avoid repeating NCC rank if you have mentioned it in [2], because a NCC member is inevitably expected to show fine leadership qualities. You can mention School first or college second in academics/sports, etc., all-rounder awards, any posts in college like Sports/cultural secretary, etc.
* People with no notable achievements to write in [3] can think back whether they held any class monitor/representative posts in school/college. If other columns are full enough, leaving [3] blank will not have a great effect.
* [4] is where questions may probably nailed upon, especially for the first few minutes of the interview. Include any computer courses, diploma courses (not mentioned in details of education), other languages learnt, craftworks, skills. Be true about hobbies - PLEASE DO NOT WRITE 'READING BOOKS' UNLESS YOU REALLY DO IT. This is the commonest hobby I have come across, others being listening to music, watching TV/cricket/match. Serious candidates, please do not give silly hobbies like chatting with friends, discussing politics, sleeping, etc.
* Female candidates think twice before writing 'COOKING' as a hobby. Men can manage with it however, given our societal conditions. 'EXERCISING, DOING YOGA' and 'BODY BUILDING' are not hobbies. They are part of your daily activities. Nature lovers who write 'BIRD WATCHING, STAR GAZING, ADMIRING NATURE, STARING AT SCENARIES' must be well versed in what they see.
* Those who write ASTROLOGY, NUMEROLOGY, etc. may get difficult questions if you are not really well-versed with those areas. For those who write 'WRITING ESSAYS, POEMS, HAIKUS' expect a mock topic on which you have to express your ideas.
* Finally, NOT ONLY FOR THIS COLUMN, BUT THROUGHOUT YOUR APPLICATION, BE CAREFUL ABOUT YOUR SPELLINGS. If wrong, they really really damage your image even before you enter the interview hall.
DOUBTS WELCOME!
Jun 25, 2010
Filling Up your Mains Application
Success in Interview depends on how mindfully you fill the Mains application form, as it determines the usual areas where you will be asked questions. This blog is just to give an insight on that.
Be a good planner. Take one or more photocopies of the original application and fill up the duplicate first. In that case you will not end up with a shabby and unplanned application form. You are NOT asked to sign on the photograph, so don't do that.
Community:
OBC candidates, please verify whether you fall into the Creamy layer category or not. Obtain OBC certificates accordingly. For guidance on Creamy layer, visit the website of National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). Parents' IT returns (if being filed), are to be attached (only photocopies - no originals). Make sure your OBC certificates are as in the format requested by UPSC, else we need to get them again and again till UPSC agreeds with it. [Personal experience says- Tehsildars do not agree to formats prescribed by any institution but only furnish them in their own formats set in place many years ago; new G.O.s will not be mentioned on the certificate which they give]
Be choosy about the Indian Language (Compulsory) paper:
Your knowledge in that subject determines whether all your answer sheets would be evaluated or not in the first place. Choose a language in which you will be able to write essays, identify sentence-grammar-spelling-errors, be able to say meanings, opposites and identify proverb-like phrases and clauses. There is also a segment with comprehension passage and precis writing exercises.
Another area of caution is the Language Medium for Interview:
People who write Main exams in Indian language medium, can opt for Interview in English, but the reverse is not allowed, i.e.,writing in English medium and conversing in Indian Language, say Hindi.
Details of Education:
There are 10 rows in which you can fill up details regarding your schooling from first standard to latest degree. If in case you have studied in 11 or more institutions, organise your data and fit them into given space only.
Details of Exams passed:
6 rows are given. Those with more than 4 degrees in college please squeeze your data in the given space but do not skip out anything. These are areas where questions come from. (Important- The interview panel knows only your subjects; not marks percentage/grade/class/board)
Annual Income of parents:
Give the figure for which you have proof by way of IT returns (in the latest assessment year), or income certificate.
Home state:
Based upon the places where you studied, where your parents originally belong, your place of birth and mothertongue, you are asked to claim a state as your home state.
State Cadre Preference & Post Preference:
It's all your choice, but be careful while selecting them as you cannot change them in any further stage of selection. Once entered, it is final. In case you don't wish to go for a certain service, say Corporate law service, do not leave the column blank, but fill it '00'.
Details of Employment:
5 rows given. If you have worked in more than 5 establishments/designations, give the latest 5.
Hobby:
Take a look at the separate blog on this topic. Take the maximum care of all to fill this up.
Enclosures:
Copies of Matriculation, Degree certificates, Self addressed envelopes,
acknowledgement card are common to all. Others add accordingly Community certificate, IT returns, medical certificates, etc.
Be a good planner. Take one or more photocopies of the original application and fill up the duplicate first. In that case you will not end up with a shabby and unplanned application form. You are NOT asked to sign on the photograph, so don't do that.
Community:
OBC candidates, please verify whether you fall into the Creamy layer category or not. Obtain OBC certificates accordingly. For guidance on Creamy layer, visit the website of National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). Parents' IT returns (if being filed), are to be attached (only photocopies - no originals). Make sure your OBC certificates are as in the format requested by UPSC, else we need to get them again and again till UPSC agreeds with it. [Personal experience says- Tehsildars do not agree to formats prescribed by any institution but only furnish them in their own formats set in place many years ago; new G.O.s will not be mentioned on the certificate which they give]
Be choosy about the Indian Language (Compulsory) paper:
Your knowledge in that subject determines whether all your answer sheets would be evaluated or not in the first place. Choose a language in which you will be able to write essays, identify sentence-grammar-spelling-errors, be able to say meanings, opposites and identify proverb-like phrases and clauses. There is also a segment with comprehension passage and precis writing exercises.
Another area of caution is the Language Medium for Interview:
People who write Main exams in Indian language medium, can opt for Interview in English, but the reverse is not allowed, i.e.,writing in English medium and conversing in Indian Language, say Hindi.
Details of Education:
There are 10 rows in which you can fill up details regarding your schooling from first standard to latest degree. If in case you have studied in 11 or more institutions, organise your data and fit them into given space only.
Details of Exams passed:
6 rows are given. Those with more than 4 degrees in college please squeeze your data in the given space but do not skip out anything. These are areas where questions come from. (Important- The interview panel knows only your subjects; not marks percentage/grade/class/board)
Annual Income of parents:
Give the figure for which you have proof by way of IT returns (in the latest assessment year), or income certificate.
Home state:
Based upon the places where you studied, where your parents originally belong, your place of birth and mothertongue, you are asked to claim a state as your home state.
State Cadre Preference & Post Preference:
It's all your choice, but be careful while selecting them as you cannot change them in any further stage of selection. Once entered, it is final. In case you don't wish to go for a certain service, say Corporate law service, do not leave the column blank, but fill it '00'.
Details of Employment:
5 rows given. If you have worked in more than 5 establishments/designations, give the latest 5.
Hobby:
Take a look at the separate blog on this topic. Take the maximum care of all to fill this up.
Enclosures:
Copies of Matriculation, Degree certificates, Self addressed envelopes,
acknowledgement card are common to all. Others add accordingly Community certificate, IT returns, medical certificates, etc.
Jun 13, 2010
GS PREPARATION
Dear all,
The GS Preparation has many sections incorporated:
HISTORY- More attention to be given to Modern India, after Plassey and Buxar. Indian National Movement is very important. Spectrum Modern India is what I suggest freshers and Non-History-Optional-Students. Medieval India- learn the dynasty members (tughlaq, khalji,slave, lodi,etc.) learn in detail about razia sultana. Cover in depth Jainism and Buddhism for Ancient India. Remember Indus civilization locations in the map and whether they lie in India or Pakistan. Vedic age and Post-vedic age are exact opposites in many aspects like women freedom, caste system, etc. hence use logic to attend such questions.
WIZARD History Special for GS Issue is a concise ready reckoner. Do not miss that out.
GEOGRAPHY- Spend time with Atlas to get an idea about the location of countries in news (current affairs, presidential elections, terror attacks, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, sports championships, prominent citizens recently passed away, ethnic/social/inflationary crisis countries). Try to have an idea about the countries nearby, its approximate location, islands, strait, bay, gulfs, seas and oceans nearby. Concentrate on territorial dispute areas- sir creek, kuril islands, aksai chin, etc.
NCERT books are for Indian geography and geomorphology. Have no doubts about regions of plateaus and plains, deserts and forests in India. Keenly note areas of dense forests, heavy rainfall, high population and pop.density, urbanisation areas, climatic zones and areas in biodiversity threat. National parks, their locations, famous species in it all these are favorite areas for question-paper-setters.
ALWAYS HAVE THE IDEA OF ASSOCIATING CURRENT AFFAIRS TO HISTORY,GEOG,POLITY & ECONOMY.
CHECK IF ANYTHING PROMINENT HAD HAPPENED 5,10,20,25,40,50,75,80,90,100, ETC. YEARS AGO. FOR EXAMPLE 2010 COMPLETES 60 YEARS OF INDIAN REPUBLIC. 2011 CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF BIRTH OF BANGLADESH., AND SO ON
POLITY - I fully referred Indian Polity in Laxmikanth's Indian Polity and solved MCQs from Pratiyogita Darpan's Special Edition on Indian Polity. The latter had a complete coverage of all areas from which questions could be asked. Be thorough with the step-by-step manner in which power transfer was done to Indians from British hands- decentralisation, constituent assembly formation, the various GoI acts before that. Relate Historical events in UK that lead to 1947 independence of India.
Prepare notes on each part of the constitution, keep them handy. Be thorough about the various sub-clauses of fundamental rights, functions of president, governor, Lok and Rajya Sabha; Be clear in the various types of bills, funds, and budgetary terms. Give importance to lok ayuktas and ombudsmen type of establishments, panchayati raj, election commission.
ECONOMY - Refer my other blog on economy. However, keep in mind that current facts like 625384826.23 rupees was allocated to so-and-so scheme is unnecessary. Have comparative ideas about which sector got more importance than which other sector & whether it is different from last year's outlay. Share market related terms, RBI and World bank related issues are important. Questions from Finance commission, NDC and planning commissions are inevitable.
GMA - Refer my other blog on GMA and statistics. Do not neglect this section. This fetches you sure-on-the-spot-marks.
ALL THE BEST
The GS Preparation has many sections incorporated:
HISTORY- More attention to be given to Modern India, after Plassey and Buxar. Indian National Movement is very important. Spectrum Modern India is what I suggest freshers and Non-History-Optional-Students. Medieval India- learn the dynasty members (tughlaq, khalji,slave, lodi,etc.) learn in detail about razia sultana. Cover in depth Jainism and Buddhism for Ancient India. Remember Indus civilization locations in the map and whether they lie in India or Pakistan. Vedic age and Post-vedic age are exact opposites in many aspects like women freedom, caste system, etc. hence use logic to attend such questions.
WIZARD History Special for GS Issue is a concise ready reckoner. Do not miss that out.
GEOGRAPHY- Spend time with Atlas to get an idea about the location of countries in news (current affairs, presidential elections, terror attacks, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, sports championships, prominent citizens recently passed away, ethnic/social/inflationary crisis countries). Try to have an idea about the countries nearby, its approximate location, islands, strait, bay, gulfs, seas and oceans nearby. Concentrate on territorial dispute areas- sir creek, kuril islands, aksai chin, etc.
NCERT books are for Indian geography and geomorphology. Have no doubts about regions of plateaus and plains, deserts and forests in India. Keenly note areas of dense forests, heavy rainfall, high population and pop.density, urbanisation areas, climatic zones and areas in biodiversity threat. National parks, their locations, famous species in it all these are favorite areas for question-paper-setters.
ALWAYS HAVE THE IDEA OF ASSOCIATING CURRENT AFFAIRS TO HISTORY,GEOG,POLITY & ECONOMY.
CHECK IF ANYTHING PROMINENT HAD HAPPENED 5,10,20,25,40,50,75,80,90,100, ETC. YEARS AGO. FOR EXAMPLE 2010 COMPLETES 60 YEARS OF INDIAN REPUBLIC. 2011 CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF BIRTH OF BANGLADESH., AND SO ON
POLITY - I fully referred Indian Polity in Laxmikanth's Indian Polity and solved MCQs from Pratiyogita Darpan's Special Edition on Indian Polity. The latter had a complete coverage of all areas from which questions could be asked. Be thorough with the step-by-step manner in which power transfer was done to Indians from British hands- decentralisation, constituent assembly formation, the various GoI acts before that. Relate Historical events in UK that lead to 1947 independence of India.
Prepare notes on each part of the constitution, keep them handy. Be thorough about the various sub-clauses of fundamental rights, functions of president, governor, Lok and Rajya Sabha; Be clear in the various types of bills, funds, and budgetary terms. Give importance to lok ayuktas and ombudsmen type of establishments, panchayati raj, election commission.
ECONOMY - Refer my other blog on economy. However, keep in mind that current facts like 625384826.23 rupees was allocated to so-and-so scheme is unnecessary. Have comparative ideas about which sector got more importance than which other sector & whether it is different from last year's outlay. Share market related terms, RBI and World bank related issues are important. Questions from Finance commission, NDC and planning commissions are inevitable.
GMA - Refer my other blog on GMA and statistics. Do not neglect this section. This fetches you sure-on-the-spot-marks.
ALL THE BEST
Jun 11, 2010
Eating the Elephant
The part which freshers to civil service preparation find difficult is CURRENT AFFAIRS (C/A). Like myself, these freshers did not watch news till then with an orientation needed for CS Exams. The GS papers of Prelims, Mains and most of the Interview have a lot to deal with C/A.
For first attempters, managing C/A can be like eating an elephant. Yes, we cannot avoid this huge mammal and have to eat our way through it. Wise old saying keeps telling us -
"EAT AN ELEPHANT ONE BITE AT A TIME"
This is precisely the technique you need to follow in handling C/A. First, do a SWOT analysis and identify the areas where you are strong and relatively weaker. Strengthen further your strongholds. Eliminate all doubts regarding the weaker ones. A balance between both is what you need.
Select each section of C/A - Regional, National, International, Sports, Cinema, Books/authors, Awards/prizes, Institutions, Agreements/pacts, Ethnic/religious/social/economic crises, etc. & study them individually. (One piece at a time)
Yet, remember the whole thing constituted the single elephant of Current Affairs. So be open-minded enough to correlate facts and opinions amongst the sections.
Like how Rome wasn't built in a single day, Success too doesn't come all of a sudden. It is the fruit of a long-endured onerous journey.
A bee recognises its success in finding honey with a characteristic "8-shaped" dance. Only that bee knows how long it travelled to reach a magnificient flower.
A spider succeeds every time a prey falls into its web. Only that spider knows how many times it slipped and slid while building that artistic web.
A rock wins when it becomes a statue. Who else other than the rock knows how many hits it received from a chisel?
Even mud succeeds the minute it turns into a brick. Only it knows how much heat it endured.
These bees, spiders, rocks and mud do not think of their success when at duty. They are rewarded for their hardwork. They do not always celebrate success, but definitely do not mourn during failure. This is what separated them from humans.
Think to win!!
For first attempters, managing C/A can be like eating an elephant. Yes, we cannot avoid this huge mammal and have to eat our way through it. Wise old saying keeps telling us -
"EAT AN ELEPHANT ONE BITE AT A TIME"
This is precisely the technique you need to follow in handling C/A. First, do a SWOT analysis and identify the areas where you are strong and relatively weaker. Strengthen further your strongholds. Eliminate all doubts regarding the weaker ones. A balance between both is what you need.
Select each section of C/A - Regional, National, International, Sports, Cinema, Books/authors, Awards/prizes, Institutions, Agreements/pacts, Ethnic/religious/social/economic crises, etc. & study them individually. (One piece at a time)
Yet, remember the whole thing constituted the single elephant of Current Affairs. So be open-minded enough to correlate facts and opinions amongst the sections.
Like how Rome wasn't built in a single day, Success too doesn't come all of a sudden. It is the fruit of a long-endured onerous journey.
A bee recognises its success in finding honey with a characteristic "8-shaped" dance. Only that bee knows how long it travelled to reach a magnificient flower.
A spider succeeds every time a prey falls into its web. Only that spider knows how many times it slipped and slid while building that artistic web.
A rock wins when it becomes a statue. Who else other than the rock knows how many hits it received from a chisel?
Even mud succeeds the minute it turns into a brick. Only it knows how much heat it endured.
These bees, spiders, rocks and mud do not think of their success when at duty. They are rewarded for their hardwork. They do not always celebrate success, but definitely do not mourn during failure. This is what separated them from humans.
Think to win!!
Jun 5, 2010
My Final Marks
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
Total - 1244 out of 2300
GS = 322 [151+171]
Tamil Literature = 292 [156+136]
Botany = 284 [133+151]
Essay = 130
Interview = 216
Rank - 36
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
Suggested books for Botany
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 !!
A text book of botany – Singh, Pandey, Jain
Systematic botany – R.K.Gupta
Algae – B.R. Vashista
Fungi – P.D.Sharma
Cell biology – P.S. Verma, V.K.Agarwal
Genetics - P.S. Verma, V.K.Agarwal
Molecular biology - P.S. Verma, V.K.Agarwal
Microbiology – K.P. Powar
Microbiology – Pelczar
Microbiology – Prescott
Genetics – B.D.Singh
Cytology – Esau
Plant anatomy - B.P. Pandey
Cytology, genetics and molecular biology – P.K.Gupta
Elements of biotechnology – P.K. Gupta
Outlines of biotechnology – Emkay publishers
Biotechnology – Dubey
Plant physiology – V.K.Jain
Plant physiology – P.S. Gill
Physiology and biochemistry – Salisbury, Ross
Physiology and biochemistry – Fritz, Noggle
Plant diversity and systematics – verma, singh, agarwal
Ancillary botany – Rao, Narayanasamy
Taxonomy and morphology – R.C.Dutta
Plant pathology – R.S.Singh
Plant pathology – Mehrotra
Plant pathology – Bilgrami
Plant pathology - B.P. Pandey
ICAR Handbook of agriculture
Plant breeding – B.D. Singh
Embryology – Bhojwani, Bhatnagar
Economic Botany – B.P. Pandey
Economic botany – S.L. Kochar
Economic botany – Sudhir Pradhan (1995)
A text book of Pharmacognosy – Kokate, Purohit, Gokhale
Ecology – V.B. Rastogi
Plant ecology – Shukla, Chandel
Environmental biology and toxicology – P.D. Sharma
Biodiversity conservation – P.C.Trivedi, K.C.Sharma (2003)
Evolution – T.K.Ranganathan
Plant-related articles from Yojana, Kurukshetra and other forestry related government schemes, bills, acts and laws.
IAS Botany material available online as pdf files
Competition refresher’s botany material
Brilliant tutorials botany material
Biology Special issue of civil service chronicle and Competition wizard
Botany material of TataMcGraw Hill GS Manual, Pearson, Spectrum
CSIR-NET – Life sciences material
Botany for pre-medical entrance exam
Plant quiz books
Previous year question papers (Q.Bank)
ALL THE BEST !!
A text book of botany – Singh, Pandey, Jain
Systematic botany – R.K.Gupta
Algae – B.R. Vashista
Fungi – P.D.Sharma
Cell biology – P.S. Verma, V.K.Agarwal
Genetics - P.S. Verma, V.K.Agarwal
Molecular biology - P.S. Verma, V.K.Agarwal
Microbiology – K.P. Powar
Microbiology – Pelczar
Microbiology – Prescott
Genetics – B.D.Singh
Cytology – Esau
Plant anatomy - B.P. Pandey
Cytology, genetics and molecular biology – P.K.Gupta
Elements of biotechnology – P.K. Gupta
Outlines of biotechnology – Emkay publishers
Biotechnology – Dubey
Plant physiology – V.K.Jain
Plant physiology – P.S. Gill
Physiology and biochemistry – Salisbury, Ross
Physiology and biochemistry – Fritz, Noggle
Plant diversity and systematics – verma, singh, agarwal
Ancillary botany – Rao, Narayanasamy
Taxonomy and morphology – R.C.Dutta
Plant pathology – R.S.Singh
Plant pathology – Mehrotra
Plant pathology – Bilgrami
Plant pathology - B.P. Pandey
ICAR Handbook of agriculture
Plant breeding – B.D. Singh
Embryology – Bhojwani, Bhatnagar
Economic Botany – B.P. Pandey
Economic botany – S.L. Kochar
Economic botany – Sudhir Pradhan (1995)
A text book of Pharmacognosy – Kokate, Purohit, Gokhale
Ecology – V.B. Rastogi
Plant ecology – Shukla, Chandel
Environmental biology and toxicology – P.D. Sharma
Biodiversity conservation – P.C.Trivedi, K.C.Sharma (2003)
Evolution – T.K.Ranganathan
Plant-related articles from Yojana, Kurukshetra and other forestry related government schemes, bills, acts and laws.
IAS Botany material available online as pdf files
Competition refresher’s botany material
Brilliant tutorials botany material
Biology Special issue of civil service chronicle and Competition wizard
Botany material of TataMcGraw Hill GS Manual, Pearson, Spectrum
CSIR-NET – Life sciences material
Botany for pre-medical entrance exam
Plant quiz books
Previous year question papers (Q.Bank)
UPSC Tamil Literature - Areas to concentrate
Freshers are please noted to refer to UPSC Tamil syllabus side-by-side to make use of this blog better.
http://upscportal.com/civilservices/syllabus/part-b-main-examination-syllabus-tamil
Paper-1
Section-A
Part-1
· Fully fact based, remember the names of various languages in dravidian family with a brief note on specialty of each language.
· Sangam tamil and pallava tamil- prepare clear notes showing variations of both the periods.
· Grammar- be strong on the classification of noun, verb, tense and case markers; find creative examples rather than the ones that are usually given in guides.
· Borrowed words- find words that are easy to remember and restrict examples to less than five; do not interchange examples in an attempt to furnish many examples.
· Only short notes have so far been asked in this part
Part-2
· Make thorough analysis of tolkappiam, silambu and megalai ; their core ideas, need for development of ethical literature, sangam literary works and one catchy poetry from each book of ettuthogai and pathupaatu.
· Secular sangam literature is a favourite essay question for paper-setters.
Part-3
· Find catchy and easy-to-remember and explain poetry lines of nayanmars and alwars. Andal requires special attention.
· Nayaga-nayagi baavanai is a prime area.
· Sitrilakkiya vagaigal is another scoring area in short notes. Parani and kuravanji need more focus.
·Social factors in modern Tamil literature- deal novel, short story and new poetry separately. Be thorough in two among these three. Remember names of trendsetters.
· For impact of political ideologies on modern writing, take opinions on the same lines as given by faculty and search for interesting poetry and prose examples.
Section-B
Part-1
· Literary criticism and comparative literature are possible essay questions. Prepare after full comprehension. Names of scholars who introduced certain methods of criticism are to be remembered and used.
· For literary techniques, illustrate your answer with interesting examples. If they are from parts that are not covered in syllabus of second paper (quote pugaar kandam, arathupaal, inbathupaal, new poetry, haiku, poems of bharathiyar and dasan, namakkal kavignar and kavimani), it will impress on the mind of the evaluator that the candidate has a wide grasp of subject.
Part-2
· Have extensive reading on folklore and do not miss out a question from this area. It can be very creatively dealt with; a high scoring area. Quote examples from film songs to add charm to your answer, but do not overuse them.
· Translation- uses and list of translated works are usually covered exhaustively in guides.
· Journalism timeline- start with the pioneers and end your answer with latest new magazines (like puthiyathalaimurai), remember names of trendsetters.
Part-3
· Another area not to miss out is cultural fusion by Jainism and Buddhism. How these religions influenced on Tamil society, culture and literature needs concentration.
· Pallava, chola and nayaks arts, architecture- fact based, remember names of temples and literary works of their respective periods, do not overlap examples.
· Role of mass media- write in an innovative way, give your ideas rather than going by material. This would fetch you more marks.
Paper-2
· Understand the meaning of the poetry or prose, interpret in various ways, collect similar quotes (oppeedu) of other poets and authors; spot those areas usually asked in previous years and frame answers to it.
· You need not mug up the whole vazhakkurai kaathai (silambu), but important key lines that are easy to remember at least have to be quoted. Intersperse your answer with quotes; do not overuse them.
· You must have enough idea to write about individual poetry as well as the overall chapter of poetry (e.g. whole porunmozhikaanjithurai as well as pisiraandhaiyar’s song alone).
· Identify literary techniques used in the poetry (uvamai, nayam, ethugai-monai, uruvagam, padimam, kuriyeedu, etc). It helps both in descriptive answer as well as ilakkiya nayam paarattal-type of questions.
· Read chittirappavai full text at least twice, the first time to know the story and further to know the features of every character in the novel. Same applies to gurupeedam, yarukkum vetkamillai and muthupattan kathai. Usually the clash between idealistic and realistic views of authors will be asked. Find few positive points to appreciate even the villain character of the book. Similarly, find few negative points about the main hero character of the book.
ALL THE BEST
http://upscportal.com/civilservices/syllabus/part-b-main-examination-syllabus-tamil
Paper-1
Section-A
Part-1
· Fully fact based, remember the names of various languages in dravidian family with a brief note on specialty of each language.
· Sangam tamil and pallava tamil- prepare clear notes showing variations of both the periods.
· Grammar- be strong on the classification of noun, verb, tense and case markers; find creative examples rather than the ones that are usually given in guides.
· Borrowed words- find words that are easy to remember and restrict examples to less than five; do not interchange examples in an attempt to furnish many examples.
· Only short notes have so far been asked in this part
Part-2
· Make thorough analysis of tolkappiam, silambu and megalai ; their core ideas, need for development of ethical literature, sangam literary works and one catchy poetry from each book of ettuthogai and pathupaatu.
· Secular sangam literature is a favourite essay question for paper-setters.
Part-3
· Find catchy and easy-to-remember and explain poetry lines of nayanmars and alwars. Andal requires special attention.
· Nayaga-nayagi baavanai is a prime area.
· Sitrilakkiya vagaigal is another scoring area in short notes. Parani and kuravanji need more focus.
·Social factors in modern Tamil literature- deal novel, short story and new poetry separately. Be thorough in two among these three. Remember names of trendsetters.
· For impact of political ideologies on modern writing, take opinions on the same lines as given by faculty and search for interesting poetry and prose examples.
Section-B
Part-1
· Literary criticism and comparative literature are possible essay questions. Prepare after full comprehension. Names of scholars who introduced certain methods of criticism are to be remembered and used.
· For literary techniques, illustrate your answer with interesting examples. If they are from parts that are not covered in syllabus of second paper (quote pugaar kandam, arathupaal, inbathupaal, new poetry, haiku, poems of bharathiyar and dasan, namakkal kavignar and kavimani), it will impress on the mind of the evaluator that the candidate has a wide grasp of subject.
Part-2
· Have extensive reading on folklore and do not miss out a question from this area. It can be very creatively dealt with; a high scoring area. Quote examples from film songs to add charm to your answer, but do not overuse them.
· Translation- uses and list of translated works are usually covered exhaustively in guides.
· Journalism timeline- start with the pioneers and end your answer with latest new magazines (like puthiyathalaimurai), remember names of trendsetters.
Part-3
· Another area not to miss out is cultural fusion by Jainism and Buddhism. How these religions influenced on Tamil society, culture and literature needs concentration.
· Pallava, chola and nayaks arts, architecture- fact based, remember names of temples and literary works of their respective periods, do not overlap examples.
· Role of mass media- write in an innovative way, give your ideas rather than going by material. This would fetch you more marks.
Paper-2
· Understand the meaning of the poetry or prose, interpret in various ways, collect similar quotes (oppeedu) of other poets and authors; spot those areas usually asked in previous years and frame answers to it.
· You need not mug up the whole vazhakkurai kaathai (silambu), but important key lines that are easy to remember at least have to be quoted. Intersperse your answer with quotes; do not overuse them.
· You must have enough idea to write about individual poetry as well as the overall chapter of poetry (e.g. whole porunmozhikaanjithurai as well as pisiraandhaiyar’s song alone).
· Identify literary techniques used in the poetry (uvamai, nayam, ethugai-monai, uruvagam, padimam, kuriyeedu, etc). It helps both in descriptive answer as well as ilakkiya nayam paarattal-type of questions.
· Read chittirappavai full text at least twice, the first time to know the story and further to know the features of every character in the novel. Same applies to gurupeedam, yarukkum vetkamillai and muthupattan kathai. Usually the clash between idealistic and realistic views of authors will be asked. Find few positive points to appreciate even the villain character of the book. Similarly, find few negative points about the main hero character of the book.
ALL THE BEST
UPSC - Success with Tamil Literature
Tamil Literature:
· I have read a lot of Tamil novels and poems. Language has always been a relaxing subject. It does not put stress on the reader. Added to it, in a literary subject, we have the freedom to express our ideas. We can take sides on interpretive questions and substantiate it with facts. Though my Tamil handwriting is not too good, I do not usually get spelling mistakes. This gave me the confidence to select Tamil literature.
· I got advice on suggested reading from Dr. Iraianbu’s book and from Manidhaneyam faculty Dr. Sankara Saravanan. I started preparing for second optional, one week after Prelim exam got over. Books from Manidhaneyam library were very helpful.
· Classroom sessions of Manidhaneyam started mid June and were the sole source of my preparation. Tests were conducted regularly within prescribed syllabus. The classes and tests were extensive, in such a way that I never felt the pressure of writing the first Mains.
· I wrote down important, interesting and easy-to-remember lines of poetry and quotations separately and revise it often. I collected notes from library books, various scholar’s views on a topic (kurunthokai, purananuru, silambu, thirukkural).
· Usually the second paper will be an application of concepts in first paper. While preparing, do not restrict it to that paper alone. Find portions that are relevant to be used as quotes in the other paper (extensive reading on folk literature for first paper will help in muthupattan kadhai and malaiyaruvi ; deep reading of kurunthokai and purananuru, kudumba vilakku will help in citing examples for literary techniques like kuriyeedu, padimam and the like ; we can quote thiruvalluvar’s couplets for a question on almost any topic –kurunthokai, puram, silambu, kumbakarunan).
· Be open minded when you read any topic. Find where it overlaps with other topics and how it differs from a similar topic. Make notes from revision and keep them handy. Develop interest in the subject. Read Tamil for the sake of gaining knowledge and appreciating its literary excellence; do not associate it with the idea of marks or career.
· I have read a lot of Tamil novels and poems. Language has always been a relaxing subject. It does not put stress on the reader. Added to it, in a literary subject, we have the freedom to express our ideas. We can take sides on interpretive questions and substantiate it with facts. Though my Tamil handwriting is not too good, I do not usually get spelling mistakes. This gave me the confidence to select Tamil literature.
· I got advice on suggested reading from Dr. Iraianbu’s book and from Manidhaneyam faculty Dr. Sankara Saravanan. I started preparing for second optional, one week after Prelim exam got over. Books from Manidhaneyam library were very helpful.
· Classroom sessions of Manidhaneyam started mid June and were the sole source of my preparation. Tests were conducted regularly within prescribed syllabus. The classes and tests were extensive, in such a way that I never felt the pressure of writing the first Mains.
· I wrote down important, interesting and easy-to-remember lines of poetry and quotations separately and revise it often. I collected notes from library books, various scholar’s views on a topic (kurunthokai, purananuru, silambu, thirukkural).
· Usually the second paper will be an application of concepts in first paper. While preparing, do not restrict it to that paper alone. Find portions that are relevant to be used as quotes in the other paper (extensive reading on folk literature for first paper will help in muthupattan kadhai and malaiyaruvi ; deep reading of kurunthokai and purananuru, kudumba vilakku will help in citing examples for literary techniques like kuriyeedu, padimam and the like ; we can quote thiruvalluvar’s couplets for a question on almost any topic –kurunthokai, puram, silambu, kumbakarunan).
· Be open minded when you read any topic. Find where it overlaps with other topics and how it differs from a similar topic. Make notes from revision and keep them handy. Develop interest in the subject. Read Tamil for the sake of gaining knowledge and appreciating its literary excellence; do not associate it with the idea of marks or career.
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