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Mains 2021: Doubt and strategy discussion thread

Thank you :)

Here’s the sorted question papers from 2014. Couldn’t find official ones from before then. PSIR and Marathi included. 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1A4COH_r4pYXZHfVH0MFNWT0q_NJB1TF1


EDIT: Whoops upload error. Uploading properly.

Thank you for this. Edited the post with your link.

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nice!!! maybe we can make one for psir... quite a few gaps to be plugged in there as well.

@whatonly Could you please create one?

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Hello peeps. :) 

Where were you? 

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Will Mains365 suffice or should Dipin Sir's CA classes be joined now? Please someone help how to decide?! How are you planning to cover CA.

 I am guessing this is your first mains and hence, the dilemma. I dedicate my last year's failure to the blunder of banking on Mains365. I wasn't able to reproduce much that I read in the last two months prior to Mains.

I am not disputing the quality of Mains365 here, only the ocassion of doing it. Mains365 is content overload with very little time to internalise the content. It requires at least 2-3 readings to grasp any material for Prelims. For Mains, you need more readings! You won't be able to do those many number of readings in these months.

On the contrary, CA Classes are a different deal altogether. You'd only have to revise the notes. From last year, I realised that information accumulation is of no use if it does not translate on your answer script. I had read a lot last year-Books, Value addition materials, CA magazines and what not. In the end, under the panic and pressure of finishing the paper, I was writing what I had internalised in the whole duration of preparation and lot less the new information I had gathered between Pre and Mains. 

This time my strategy is to read less and to work more on the aspect of effective expression. 

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@AzadHindFauz Hey.. Can you pls upload the last year forumias 2019 Mains handwritten CA Notes.. I searched for the same.. only volume 2 is available.... 


 I won't. It would amount to copyright infringement. 

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Uhm guys, I found the model booklet on the upsc website, but just wanted to confirm - is 2 pages for 150 word questions and 3 for 250 the usual amount of space given in the answer sheet? :p

Yes. 4 pages for 20 markers in the Optional. 

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Best pick among Vision, Vikash Ranjan and Forum for Essay?
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» show previous quotes

have also heard about Shabir sir!!

Deliberately didn't include the said name! 

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https://www.csewiki.org/Important_data

Important Data for Value addition. Plus, check the website too. Really helpful!


Super, indeed! 

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http://demystifycse.in/

   This is a website by CSE 2019 selected candidates. Contains a lot of info on test series/answer writing and also has GS notes. Must go through! :)

I have added all these important links on the original post to avoid the hassle of searching through pages.

Thank you for sharing.

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How do you start a case study? 

@AzadHindFauz @SergioRamos @Phagocyte @Kapiushon 

 This is my approach-

1. Bring out the ethical dilemma straightway. Eg: The aforementioned case reflects a conflict between public relations and private relations. 

2. Identify the stakeholders- make a table with corresponding values for a comparative analysis or simply hub-spoke model to list them down.

3. Explore each solution keeping in mind the stakeholders. Here, I give special emphasis on:

  • Using relevant ethical theories if possible- Like Bentham's conception of happiness of greater number, 7 sins of Gandhi, principles of Buddhism, Jainism etc. whatever suits. 
  • Using the keywords mentioned in the syllabus: objectivity, integrity etc. etc. 
  • Using examples from our lives to substantiate a solution. Like- Gandhi chose to sacrifice his private interests for larger good of indentured labourers in South Africa. 

4. End on a positive note citing the values I'd uphold in choosing a particular solution/ its spillover effect on family, society, organistion, nation and world. (bottom up approach) 


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How important is test series for Mains?

I gave Mains last year as well and my focus was almost entirely on past year papers. I attempted them within the time constraint. I thought my GS went well, but can't be sure since marks are not out yet. What is the opinion of people who have taken test series in the past? Did you find them helpful from a preparation and feedback perspective? Or is it more about getting used to the time in hand?

Time wala hi angle hai mostly + time-bound completion of syllabus. In my case, I tend to digress, read random things without deadlines. 

Also, sometimes you need a second pair of eyes to validate what you're doing is right. Gives a sense of satisfaction.

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GS TEST 5 MATTER at 120 AT 10 JULY.pdf


@Joeyisthebest bhai decide on your own this are model answers

Bhai. Can you telegram me these model answers? Would be great help. 

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@AzadHindFauz Thanks for the structure of attempting ethics case studies! :) 

If possible could you pls attach a sample attempted case study (from some mock maybe)for better clarity. 

Have hard copies only :/

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Is it just me or GS3 is normally having more utpatang questions than any of gs1 2 or 4

"Indian Society" has become the real pain after 2019.

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Is it just me or GS3 is normally having more utpatang questions than any of gs1 2 or 4

"Indian Society" has become the real pain after 2019.

2019? I thought 2002 would be more appropriate 😂🤣


Dosti bani rahe.

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Is anyone around South Patel Nagar(Ranjeet Nagar area) now? Are the libraries open and basic amenities(like cooks) easily available?

Yes. Things are like they were before. (Pre-COVID)

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Spocksaid

Any tips on how you guys are covering world history? I am trying to do it from the Vision IAS booklet but it is taking a lot of time 

NCERT is more than enough. Will take 2-3 days to finish it. World History has decent spillover effect across a range of topics, Ethics and Essay. Please do it from a standard source.

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@deceptrix i am not getting into the content because I don’t think I have enough practice yet to be able to review someone else’s answers, but please consider being more respectful here. Contrary to what you said this is NOT the process of learning. Nobody learns, or even gains anything, by being unnecessarily defensive about their own answers or coming up with new syndromes to diagnose someone who is taking time out of their day to help you. He was respectful in his review - you could have ignored it if you did not agree (as he himself said). Those points could actually have been made as constructive suggestions without questioning Patootie’s merit and motives.  Everything after the first line in your comment was unnecessary and actually harmful to the spirit of this place. Why will anyone try to help anyone here if all they’re going to get in return is a diagnosis and a lecture? And do you really need to defend your answer to a stranger on the internet if you think you’re still right? And to say please don’t get offended... it’s like punching someone and saying please don’t let it hurt. You’re right in saying that we’re all still learning and improving, but I think basic courtesy is something we can all be good at even if we’re not at writing answers.

Couldn't agree more. Please keep the thread clean. For spreading negativity, there are other threads. I request the esteemed members to not entertain unhealthy conversation. 

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Any place where I can find evaluated essays of rankers?

TIA.

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Was wondering if@AzadHindFauz can pin following threads, which is running simultaneously for different mains related subject. By this way, one can just land here, and quickly manoeuvre all the relevant mains related threads, saving time and negativity of other threads. 


Thread for GS 1 by@upsc2020-  https://forumias.com/post/detail/Mission-Mains-2020-GS-1-1593004000

Thread for GS 2 & 3 by@goldberry - https://forumias.com/post/detail/Mission-Mains-2020-GS-Paper-2-3-Do-or-Die-1589614273

Thread for GS 4 by@upsc2020 - https://forumias.com/post/detail/Official-GS-4-Ethics-Discussion-1591106284

Thread for Essay by@whatonly - https://forumias.com/post/detail/Essay-for-Mains-2020-tips-thoughts-and-interesting-things-1602501086

I hope I have not missed anything.

PS:@Patootie This might be repetitive for you (and maybe I am bit late for this), but would like to dil se thank you for penning your thoughts on mains preparation on this thread. You have consolidated and organised our jingled thought processes, and have given us yet another golden post to bookmark.

Done. 

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Can anyone please explain me the difference between different forms of communism: Marxism, Leninism, Stalinism, Maoism, Trotskyism. 

Thank you

Marxism: I want a stateless society where workers will be at the helm of affairs! Workers have the wisdom to know that they are being exploited. They don't need leaders. So, they don't need any Communist Party! They will rise together against the oppression of bourgeoisie and establish an egalitarian, classless society where there will be no state. State is the instrument of capitalist class. 

Leninism: We can't have a stateless society just like that! Workers are not that intelligent. They need to be mobilised first. To do this, we need a strong Communist Party that will be the vanguard of our revolution. We need to establish a dictatorship of the Proletariat (working class) as an intermediate arrangement to reverse the excesses of the bourgeoisie first. Then, we can think about Marxism (stateless society). In the economic sphere, we will emulate bourgeoise policies to an extent for our development, but mind you- Communist Party is in charge and it knows what's best for the proletariat. (democratic socialism) 


Stalinism/Marxism-Leninism: I'll pervert everything and I'll call it a synthesis of Marxism and Leninism. Marxism because the end goal is same. Leninism because I also believe in bringing revolution with the help of Communist Party.

But wait wait. In reality, I'll be the role model. I'll nationalise everything. I'll control everything. I have the ultimate wisdom to usher in a bright future for Soviet Republics! =>Totalitarianism (1 leader) hence, just opposite to Marxism (all leaders) 

Maoism: You fake communists! Why don't you think about the peasantry? Peasantry is the real revolutionary group. They'll usher in the revolution to usurp power from the foreign bourgeoise. 

Trotskyism: Yo, I'm the wingman of Lenin. I'll carry forward his idea after his death. There should be a permanent revolution in the world and the bourgeoisie should be eliminated from everywhere. Don't talk about Socialism in just one country. Kind of closest to Marxism, Leninism. 

Comparison:

  • Marxism and Leninism differ in the methodology. 
  • Trotskyism takes a world view and want to make communism a global ideology.
  • Stalinism is not an ideology but a propaganda! In my opinion, he didn't even believe in Marx. He put a blot on Marxism.
  • Maoism was modified-Marxism to suit Chinese conditions that was predominantly agricultural. 


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Keep a writing pad while studying. Write the things you learnt every 30 mins/ 1 hour without looking up anything, based on memory only. Do this for 1 month religiously. Thank me later. 

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how to improve ans writing skills,how to prepare the content for it ?

i already completed the syllabus(for pre),i read the basic books for pre,but i wont be able to write the ans as the approach for reading pre and mains is different for ex if there is a MCQ related to events of dada bhai naroji i can eliminate wrong option and reach the ans but for me its very difficult to write 100-150 words on Dada bhai,so i guess is a lack of content....how to improve that ?

content kaise improve kare Vision vam se,secure  compilation se test series padke..mains ke lie book padne se muze itna fayda nhi lagta

also plz tell me the approaches to read the same content for pre and for mains(basically mains me likhna padta hai toh sab yaad karna padega nd pre me ankhon ke saamne ans hota hai)

and one last thing plz explain how to dobrainstormingon ca topics and other topics 

@AzadHindFauz @Sherkhan1428 @SergioRamos @Patootie @iskool @Naadan_Parinda 

and also other plz throw some light on this 


You can re-do the sources you referred for prelims emphasising- What, Why, How. 

That's how I revise my sources. Although I've made notes now, but I still do it if I need to read the books. 

What- becomes your introduction. 

Why and How- The body. 

Make quick short notes + club them with your factual prelims notes (they will help substantiate your arguments.) 

Even if you remember the prelims notes, you'll be able to write a decent answer. What really matters in mains is backing up your arguments with valid data/facts.



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@Naadan_Parinda Blue ticks are really cool. How do people get it? :p

@root @Neyawn 

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@AzadHindFauz You ask, we give.


Whom to ask? :p

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@Naadan_Parinda Blue ticks are really cool. How do people get it? :p

@root @Neyawn 

Frankly, I don't know. May be based on the number of followers, or number of posts, or number of likes & comments or how much is someone active/ regular on the platform etc. I was much active earlier on the platform, and I got this Blue tick then only. 

Cool. Then I guess I don't deserve it :/

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Any idea regarding when 2019 mains marks will be released?

It's best to forget about 2019 attempt. I've made peace with this reality. 

The UPSC is not implementing the HC order. The contempt hearing is scheduled on 3rd November. Things will become more clear after 3rd November unless the commission decides to respect the verdict before. 

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@Naadan_Parinda Blue ticks are really cool. How do people get it? :p

@root @Neyawn 

Frankly, I don't know. May be based on the number of followers, or number of posts, or number of likes & comments or how much is someone active/ regular on the platform etc. I was much active earlier on the platform, and I got this Blue tick then only. 

Cool. Then I guess I don't deserve it :/

I think you'll get a Green tick directly :D

🙏🙏🙏

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Hello

Can someone tell me how many pages do we get for hindi essay in hindi language compulsory paper?  Also people who have already written mains do u find hindi paper lengthy ?   what difficulties do you face ? 

Hindi to english and english to hindi conversion ho jaata kya easily ? thanks 

Use the vocabulary of the question paper and apply some sense to frame logical sentences. If you generally talk in Hindi, it wouldn't be difficult. 

Only a bit of smartness needed, the paper itself has 1000+ Hindi words. Use them cleverly. 

PS: Got 178 marks in Hindi. Didn't write any Hindi after 2010.

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@AzadHindFauz Thankyou Bhai. :)  Eased my nerves.   Yey Essay ke liye bhi 7 pages hote hai kya ? English paper jaise ? 


No. Itne pages nahi hote. 500-600 words only. Maine essay bhi question paper ko dekh kar likha tha. Cheating kar ke. 

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What works for people who have given mains.. can some senior highlight what can be done so that there is no self made mistakes.. 

Please guide! 

@AzadHindFauz @Sherkhan1428 


Few things that may work for seasoned aspirants-

1.They work backwards- Think about the stuff you'll be revising on the 7th, 6th, 5th, 4th... of January beforehand. My first mains was very disorganised. I didn't know what to revise and what to leave. Felt immense pressure and the head felt heavy with content overload.

2.Prior experience of the actual exam conditions- Proper planning of what you'll be doing between the break, the type of food, managing the sleep cycle etc. This is of utmost importance. One poor choice here and there will impact your performance significantly. This is also the time when you need to give your body ample rest. Exercise light or preferably in the evening or do not exercise at all for a week! Walk less before and in between the papers. These are small things people tend to overlook. 

3.Knowledge of what worked for them and what not- Seasoned aspirants may know the areas they need to improve upon from their last mains. This is the most important facet about which the first timers can't do anything. What they can do is depend on feedback from the test series + self-evaluation. 

4.The art of managing time: The time between Prelims and Mains is crucial in the sense that we are overburdened with a lot of things in this period. It might be easy for seasoned aspirants to manage this time given their good exposure to subjects. 


All of what I have written is not some cosmic revelation, but just the experience. I don't think there's much difference between serious aspirants. We all are equally capable of doing things the way they must be done.


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Gauravsaid

CSE Prelims result out! 

Share your result guys.


In. 

But, Mains is the key. Those who couldn't make the cut, please don't get disheartened. You have got a great headstart for the 2021 Mains. Make sure 2021 becomes your last attempt! 

I'll try to contribute to the community in whatever ways possible. This community is family now. 

Arise, awake and not stop until selection! 

 

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Does anyone know of any website or file where  important upsc relevant statistics on different issues are available? Remember seeing such a post here can't find right now. 

See the original post. I add all the important stuffs shared by members to the original post for easy reference. 

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DAF is out! No hobbies, preferences etc., just basic info.

It wasn't there last year too. There will be a DAF-II post mains for interview-qualified people.

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musksaid

@Patootie @AzadHindFauz  How you guys have done modern history. Question seems to me too broad and book may not solve the full purpose. What are your take on this?

I prepare a set of themes around the 'Why' associated with all the events only! Say for example, "Why" the revolutionary movement in the 1900s? Why not before?

Such questionnaire-based approach help me cover the syllabus and interlink different dimensions. 

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@AJ_  It's working.

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Jokarsaid

@मुसाफिर There is no harm in trying but it would be better if you first clarify from UPSC by calling them. I am not really sure about the date thing. I just got to know about the case when Mains result was delayed. You can check this year's notification if it mentions anything about the certificate date. Last year was the first time this was introduced so they asked for certificates dated till August. This time you have to check the notification or call them. If nothing works, CAT can be the last resort.


yes..thinking same..thanx for the advice.

The EWS matter is still sub-judice in the Delhi HC. Get in touch with the lawyers involved in the matter as early as possible and seek their opinion. If the verdict is out, you'll have to start from the scratch.

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Dengue took away 15 days of preparation. Please reshare the important links that needs to be added to the post. I've not been regular with the thread.
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Time managment in mains mocks is a major problem for me. And i am finding it very difficult to track time question wise with my analog watch. Are digital watches(not smart watch) allowed in the centre? That simple 150-200₹ digital watch. Read in few old 2018 posts that it is at discretion of the centre. Is it still that way or there's some clarity? 1st attempt completely clueless. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I remember a few people were not allowed to carry digital watch inside the exam hall at my centre. So, it's better to play safe.

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