While the paper this year has surely been unconventional paper with over emphasis on agriculture,and hardly questions from some of the popular areas from which UPSC asks questions such as wetlands,GI tags,PVTGs,IPRs,International Reports etc, but the paper was not totally out of pattern.
The questions from Polity were almost all from the important chapters and topics we have mentioned in both Pro and Strategic Articles section.
The questions on Flyash,Biochar,Blockchain technology,Gold Tranche,Wildlife Protection Act,MEFS etc and many others can be directly answered from the Probables List.
One can list the important topics based on trends,but to expect that one can predict exact question with all options is not a wise thing to do.
Its not possible to predict exact options or the exact questions but our assessment of the incoming paper was correct and many questions could be answered with application of mind,such as the question on factors affecting price rise could be answered by Market Interventions provided in Probables List.
Artificial Intelligence,Genetic Engineering etc were repeated this year as well and we had been focusing on these emergent technologies.There was a question on wireless communication technology as well.
Map based question on Kashmir was also on expected lines- last topic in our Probables List.
BUT,
the paper this year was different in the sense that the previous approach of simply doing monthly compilations shall not yield result,one will have to do detailed study of a topic and be updated regularly.
For example,one should have a section in one’s notebook dedicated to Artificial Intelligence topic and all developments which have been in news need to be updated under that section. Piecemeal approach of reading one part from July CA compilation and other from October CA compilation will not yield proper results.Because the options were very widespread and ranged over a period of time.Also, related sub topics too need to be dug,such as while studying PM-KUSUM Yojana one must have information about solar pumps as well.
Over-reliance on certain sections for prelims can be risky,one will have to cover all sections of syllabus properly,the emphasis on any section in prelims any year can vary,its agriculture this year,next year it may be economy or science and technology.
UPSC moves one step ahead with a certain topic,for example- if they had been asking about only the institutions releasing certain reports earlier,they moved ahead a step last year to ask about indices composing the Ease of Doing Business Index by World Bank. Last year they asked about Indian rivers,this year they shifted to the world rivers.So if a topic is being repeated ,one has to go in detail on that topic for prelims next year.
There are certain factual questions every year which only aspirants with that particular optional can answer easily while its very tough for others,such as History questions.Few such questions don’t matter as the race is to clear the cut off and not score full marks.
It does not mean that monthly CA compilations should not be done,its just that one cannot reply only on them for CA,one has to keep oneself updated through newspapers.
A holistic approach towards syllabus with current-conventional linkage is what’s needed in current paper.Decent preparation with focus on certain sections and good revision of complete syllabus will help anyone clear the cut off with ease.
IASNOVA
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