ARC, headed by Congress leader M Veerappa Moily, has suggested bringing a new civil services law with provisions of performance-based continuation of service, accountability and new system of promotion and cadre allotment. The 377-page report also talks about mandatory training at different stages of a civil servant’s career.

Major recommendations for Civil Services Examination aspirants

1. Permissible age for appearing in the Civil Services Examination should be 21 to 25 years for general candidates, 21 to 28 years for OBCs and 21 to 29 for SC/STs and physically challenged as against existing upper age limit of 30 for general, 33 for OBCs and 35 for SC/STs.

2.  Number of permissible attempts should be 3, 5, 6 and 6 for general, OBC, SC/ST and physically challenged as against existing 4, 7 and unlimited (subject to age limit) for general, OBC and SC/ST respectively.

3. Present cut-off date for determining eligibility in terms of age (August 1 in the year of exam) may continue.

4. Number of short-listed candidates after preliminary exam should be two to three times of the number of vacancies.

5.  Preliminary Examination - Only one or two general studies papers (including Constitution of India, Indian legal system, Indian economy, polity, history and culture). There should be no optional subject — as is the current practice.

6. Main Examination — Only compulsory subjects (2 papers) and essay
(one paper); no optional subject. Currently, aspirants have to appear in two optional subjects — two papers each — besides essay and general studies.

7. DoPT should finalise the syllabi of compulsory subjects for both the preliminary and main examination for the recruitment cycle of 2010.

8. Compulsory induction of officers of State Civil Services into IAS.

9.  Compulsory cadre allocation for north-eastern states.

(i) Indian Administrative Service
(ii) Indian Foreign Service
(iii) Indian Police Service
(iv) Indian P&T Accounts & Finance Service, Group ‘A’
(v) Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
(vi) Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise), Group ‘A’
(vii) Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
(viii) Indian Revenue Service (I.T.), Group ‘A’
(ix) Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Group ‘A’ (Assistant Works Manager, Non-technical)
(x) Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’
(xi) Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
(xii) Indian Railway Traffic Service, Group ‘A’
(xiii) Indian Railway Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
(xiv) Indian Railway Personnel Service, Group ‘A’
(xv) Post of Assistant Security Officer in Railway Protection Force, Group ‘A’
(xvi) Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’
(xvii) Indian Information Service (Junior Grade), Group ‘A’
(xviii) Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’
(xix) Armed Force Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade)
(xx) Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service, Group ‘B’
(xxi) Pondicherry Civil Service, Group ‘B’
(xxii) Pondicherry Police Service, Group ‘B’

Application Form:
Candidates must apply in the Common Application Form devised by the Commission for its examinations, which can be purchased from the designated Head Post Offices/Post Offices (specified in Appendix-III of the Notice) throughout the country against cash payment of Rs. 20/- (Rupees Twenty only). Each such form can be used only once and only for one examination.

In case of any difficulty in obtaining Application Forms from the designated HPOs/POs, the candidates should immediately contact the concerned Post Master or UPSC’s “Form Supply Monitoring Cell” over Telephone No. 011-23389366/Fax No. 011-23387310.

Last Date for Receipt of applications:
All applications must reach the “Secretary, Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi-110069” either by hand or by Post/Speed Post or by Courier, on or before the January 5, 2009.
The candidates should note that applications will be received by hand only one at a time at the designated country(s) and not in bulk, till 5 PM only.
However, in respect of candidates residing abroad or in certain remote localities specified in Para 6 of this Notice the last date for receipt of applications by Post/Speed Post only (not by Hand or by Courier) is January 12, 2009.

Penalty for Wrong Answers (in objective type papers):
Candidates should not that there will be penalty (Negative Marking) for wrong answers marked by a candidate in the Objective Type Question Papers.

To read the complete information please visit

www.upsc.gov.in

Q.1.  Answer any ONE of the following (About 250 words) : -                                               30
(a) Trace the origin of the Swadeshi Movement. How did it involve the masses
(b) What was Mountbatten Plan ? Discuss the reactions of Gandhi and Azad to the Plan.

Q. 2. Answer any TWO of the following (About 150 words each):-                        15 x 2 = 30
(a) Who established the Arya Samaj ? What was its goal ?
(b) How did the terrorist movement gather strength in countries other than India?
(c) Was Jawaharlal Nehru justified in adopting the principle of non-alignment as the corner-stone of India’s foreign policy ?

Q. 3. Answer the following (About 20 words each) : -                                             2 x 15 = 30
(i) Brahmagupta
(ii) Amir Khusro
(iii) William Jones
(iv) C.F. Andrews
(v) Narayan Guru
(vi) Tantia Tope
(vii) Sayyid Ahmad
(viii) Margaret Noble
(ix) Sangam Literature
(x) Gandhara School of art
(xi) Granth Sahib
(xii) Fort William College
(xiii) Epsom
(xiv) Lala Amarnath
(xv) Tiger Woods.

Q. 4. Answer any TWO of the following (About 125 words each):-                        2 x 10 = 20
(a) Mention the agro-climatic regions of India stating the basis of classification.
(b) Explain the major racial groups of India.
(c) What is waste land ? Write a note on prospects of waste land development in India.

Q. 5. Write notes on the following (About 20 words each) :-                                     5 x 2 = 10
(i) Linguistic regions of India
(ii) Nagarjunasagar Project
(iii) Mango Showers
(iv) Multi-level planning in India
(v) India’s Laterite soils.

Q. 6. Answer any ONE of the following (About 250 words):-                                                30
(a) Examine the need for the review of the Indian Constitution.
(b) Examine the demand for greater State-antonomy and also its impact on the smooth functioning of the Indian polity.

Q. 7. Answer any ONE of the following (About 250 words) :-                                               30
(a) How does Parliament control the Union Executive ? How effective is its control ?
(b) What constitutes the doctrine of ‘basic features’ as introduced into the Constitution of India by the Judiciary ?

Q. 8. Answer any TWO of the following (About 150 words each) :-                       15 x 2 = 30
(a) Identify, the major electoral reforms which are necessary in the Indian Political System.
(b) Examine the role of Estimates Committee.
(c) Discuss the major extra-constitutional factors influencing the working of federal polity in India.

Q. 9. Answer the following (About 20 words each) :-                                                5 x 2 = 10
(a) What is vote on account ?
(b) What is a Caretaker Government ?
(c) Do you justify the Prime Minister’s entry into Parliament through the Rajya Sabha ?
(d) What is a Privilege Motion ?
(e) What is Contempt of Parliament ?

Q.10. Answer any ONE of the following (About 250 words) :-                                              30
(a) Discuss the provisions of the Human Rights Protection ACt (1993) relating to the following :-
(i)   Definition of human rights.
(ii)  Composition of the National Human Rights Commission.
(iii) Functions of the Commission.
(iv) What suggestions have been made for amending the Act for making the role of the NHRC
more effective ?
(b) Discuss the propositions laid down by the Supreme Court of India in the context of Torture in Prisons and Human Dignity.

Q. 11. Write on any TWO of the following (About 125 words each) :-                    2 x 10 = 20
(a) Explain Public Interest Litigation. Who can file it and on what basis can it be rejected by the Court of Law ?
(b) Discuss Human Genome.
(c) What are the features of the Uttar Pradesh Regulation of Public Religious Buildings and Places Bill, 2000, that have caused widespread protests from minorities ?

Q. 12. Write notes on any TWO of the following (About 125 words each) :            2 x 10 = 20
(a) Universal Postal Union
(b) Economic and Social Council
(c) Florence Nightingale.

Q.13. Write about the following (About 20 words each) :-                                        2 x 5 = 10
(a) CRY
(b) Baba Amte
(c) Ali Sardar Jafri
(d) ‘Water’
(e) Aruna Roy.

Time Allowed : Three Hours
Maximum Marks : 300

Instructions Each Question is printed both in Hindi and in English.
Answers must be written in the medium specified in the Admission Certificate issued to you, which must be stated clearly on the cover of the answer-book in the space provided for the purpose. No mark will be given for answers written in a medium other than that specified in the Admission Certificate. Candidates should attempt ALL questions strictly in accordance with the instructions given under each question. The number of marks carried by each question is indicated at the end of the question.

Candidate should attempt All questions strictly in accordance with instructions given under each question.

1. Answer any one of the following: (about 250 words)(30 marks)
* “The reforms of 1909 introduced a cardinal problem and ground of controversy at every revision of the Indian electoral system.” Comment.
* Discuss the problem that impeded the integration of the princely states into the Indian Union. How were these problems tackled?

2. Answer any two of the following: (about 150 words) (2 X 15 = 30 marks)
* ‘The mainstay of Mahatma Gandhi’s movements was the rural India.’ Elucidate.
* Discuss the character of major tribal uprisings in British India in the nineteenth Century.
* Bring out the ideological basis of the Moderate-Extermist divide in the Indian National Congress.

3. Write notes on the following: (about 20 words ) (15 X 2 = 30 marks)
* Arthasastra
* Saranath Pillar
* The Jatiya Sarkar of Tamluk
* Punnapra-Vayalar
* Sajjad Zahir
* Al-Hilal
* Har Dayal
* Khudai Khidmatgar
* Mahayana Cult
* W.W. Hunter
* Indu Lal Yajnik
* Achhut Patwardhan
* Sir William Jones
* James Wilson
* Ghulam-giri.

4. Answer any two of the following: (about 125 words) (2 X 10 = 20 marks)
* Describe the major characteristics of the rivers of Peninsular India.
* Account for the very high concentration of salt extraction industries in the Saurashtra and South Tamilnadu Coast.
* State the four distinctive stages of Indian Demographic history.

5. write short notes on the following: (about 20 words) (5 X 2 = 10 marks)
* Define Terai Region.
* Mention the areas of Shola forests in India.
* Who are the Todas and where do they live?
* Name any four priccipal languages of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
* What is MRTS? Where it is in operation?

6. Answer any one of the following: (about 250 words) (30 marks)
* Discuss the question of death sentence and Presidential clemency.
* Explain the discretionary powers of the Governor of a State.

7. Answer any two of the following: (about 150 words) (2 X 15 = 30 marks)
* Highlight the signifucance of Forty Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of India
* Identify the major Fundamental Duties
* Explain the relevance of Rajya Sabha as a second chamber in the federal set up of Indian Parliamentary System.

8. Answer the following: (about 20 words) (2 X 5 = 10 marks)
* What is a point of order? When can it be raised?
* What is a Privilege Motion?
* State the difference between Council of Ministers and the Cabinet.
* How is the Vice President of India elected?
* What is meant by ‘sine-die’ adjournment?

9. Answer any one of the following: (about 250 words) (30 marks)
* Discuss the steps taken by Government to check child labour and promote child welfare.
* Suggest measures for the eradication of wide spread corruption in Public Life in India.

10. Answer any two of the following: (about 125 words) (2 X 10 = 20 marks)
* The issue of gender equality in India.
* Natural Heritage and Cultural Heritage.
* Identify the types of disabilities.

11. Answer any two of the following: (about 125 words) (2 X 10 = 20 marks)
* What are the distinctive features of the Lokpal Bill introduced in the Parliament this year?
* What is the Prime Minister’s Five-Point agenda fir India’s development as a Knowledge Society?
* What are the precinditions for the growth of Civil Society? Is Indian democracy conducive to it?

12. Write about the following (about 20 words) (5 X 2 = 10 marks)
* Anthrax
* Radiation and its effects
* The Statue of Liberty
* George Walker Bush
* Genome.

INSTRUCTIONS
Candidates should attempt all question strictly in accordance with the instructions given under each questions. The number of marks carried by each question is indicated at the end of the question.

1. Answer anyone of the following questions (in about 250 words) : 30
(a) What was the character of social religious reforms in the 19th Century and how did they contribute to the national awakening in India?
(b) The crisis of the colonial order during 1919 and 1939 was directly linked to the constitutional reforms, disillusionment and militant anti-colonial struggles. Elucidate.

2. Answer any two of the following questions (in about 150 words each) : 15×2 = 30
(a) What are the salient features of the Government of India Acts of 1858 and 1909?
(b) Do you think Mahatma Gandhi’s support to Khilafat Movement had diluted his secular credentials? Give your argument based on the assessment of events.
(c) Evaluate the contribution of revolutionary terrorism represented by Bhagat Singh to the cause of India’s Struggle of independence.

3. Write about the following (not 20 words each) : 2×15 = 30
(a) Age of Sangam Literature
(b) Bhakti
(c) Ashtadhyayi of Panini
(d) Charvakas
(e) Ajivikas
(f) Gandhara Art
(g) Mlechchas
(h) Lingayats
(i) Megasthenes
(j) R. C. Dutt
(k) Nagarjunakonda
(l) Pastoralism
(m) Rudramadevi
(n) Sati
(0) Ramanuja

4. Answer any two of the following questions (in about 125 words each) : l0×2=20
(a) Explain how the Himalayan and the Tibetan highlands play an important role in the development of the South West monsoon.
(b) Technological changes have brought in a major shift in the use of roads as transport corridors in India. How far do you agree with this view?
(c) Explain the nature and causes of growing slum problems in the metropolitan cities of India.

5. Write notes on the following (in about 20 words each) : 2 x 5= 10
(a) Special Economic Zone (SEZ)
(b) Inceptisol
(c) Jarawas
(d) Indira Point
(e) Causes of Chambal Ravines

6. Answer anyone of the following questions (in about 250 words) : 30
(a) What is a Constitution? What are the main sources of the Indian Constitution?
(b) Bring out the differences between the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy. Discuss some of the measures taken by the Union and State Governments for the implementation of the Directive Principles of State Policy.

7. Answer anyone of the following questions (in about 250 words): 30
(a). What is regionalism ? In which way regionalism has affected the Indian Polity.
(b). what are the Main determination of voting behavior in India?

8. Answer any two of the following questions (in about 150 words each): 15×2 = 30
(a) What are the exceptions when the President of India is not bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers?
(b) What is pro tem Speaker?
(e) Under what circumstances, Parliament may legislate on State subjects?

9. Answer the following questions (in about 20 words each): 2 x 5 = 10
(a). What is criminalization of politics?
(b). How president of India elected?
(c). what is casting vote?
(d). what is the difference between council of Minister and Cabinet?
(e). what is the importance of Right to constitutional remedies?

10. Answer anyone of the following questions (in about 250 words): 30
(a). what were the main recommendations of the Platform for Action (PFA) adopted at the Beijing Women Conference 1995?
(b) Discuss the steps to get rid of child labour in India.

11. Answer any two of the following questions (in about 125 words each): l0×2=20
(a) What is stealth technology?
(b) Differentiate between Natural and Cultural heritage.
(c) What is value-based politics?

12. Write notes on any two of the following (in about 125 words each) : 10×2=20
(a) Integrated Child Services (lCDS) Development
(b) Prime Minister’s 5-point agenda for India’s development as a knowledge society
(c) The Lokpal Bill.

13. Write short notes on the following ( in about 20 words each ) 2 x 5 = 10
(a) Yakshagana
(h) PACE.
(c) Footloose Industries
(d) The Statue of Liberty
(e) Genome

For G.S. Mains start your preparation with recommended books, magazines and newspapers. Here, one should be very careful about the word-limit because you have to answer the questions in limited number of words. This also can be achieved through practice. There should not be any introductory remarks while answering the questions of G.S. Mains. Try to write the answers to the point.

In Preliminary exam, multiple choice questions are asked and these can be answered on the basis of facts you have remembered while reading the books on various subjects. One should also try to develop the capacity of answering multiple choice questions as quickly as possible because you have only 120 minutes for answering 150 questions in exam.

Tips for General Studies Preparation

1. Read newspapers and magazines carefully, which will expand your knowledge base and give good command and writing skill.
2. Preparation for General studies should be done hand in hand while preparing for optional papers.
3. NCERT books should be studied carefully and newspapers like The Hindu and magazines such as Frontline.
4. Trend nowadays has shifted more towards current issues, hence a thorough awareness of recent events/happenings is mandatory.
5. Other than the syllabus given, questions on planning, budgeting, developmental programmes, latest issues of political and constitutional importance, Panchayati Raj, electoral reforms, natural resources, culture, growth of nationalism, committees, commissions etc can be expected almost every year.
6. Emphasis is normally placed on the general aspects of the subjects, which every educated person aspiring to join the civil services is expected to know.
7. The General Studies paper needs special and thorough preparations and does not need to be over-emphasised.
8. Those who would like to appear for Civil Services should have a strong base, which will make them easy to follow the subjects.
9. Exhaustive study of each subject and every aspect of the General Studies is essential.
10. An important point is efficient time management and proper planning. The time available with the candidates for preparations is limited and hence has to be intelligently utilized.

Reading Material for UPSC General Studies Exam

Indian Polity:
NCERT (+1 level)—Indian Political System
N.L. Madan : Bhartiya Rajya Vyavastha
D.D. Basu—Indian Constitution
Kashyap—Constitution of India
Publication Division—Subhash Kashyap : Our Parliament
P.M. Bakshi—Indian Constitution

Science:
NCERT : (10 level) : Science, (+2 level) : Biology.
Popular Science Series (CSIR)

Indian History & Culture:
NCERT (+ 2 level) — Ancient India, Medieval India, Modern India.
Publication Division : Gazetteer of India (Vol 2 : History & Culture)
Vaid’s Study Notes.
Gandhi Nehru Tagore & Ambedkar—Gopal Krishna
Raghavan Aiyer—Mahatma Gandhi

Geography:
NCERT (+2 level)
Sharma & Cotinho : Economic and Commercial Geography of India.
Indian Economy
NCERT (+1 level)—Evolution of Indian Economy.
Mishra & Puri or Dutt & Sundaram
Bimal Jalan

Statistics:
(NCERT +1 level) Elementary Statistics

1. India Year Book latest
2. One competitive Magazine
3. Economic Times & The Hindu
4. Yojana/Kurukshetra.

Even if you promise yourself not to look, a brief glance unknown to yourself will help you answer a part of a question and lead to believe that you know it when you don’t! When you find yourself hitting a brick wall in an exam on material you thought you knew, this can be one of the causes. Even the psychological comfort of having your study notes nearby is something you won’t have in the exam and once you find yourself without them you will feel the pressure.

Time yourself. Write down the time at the start of each question and at the end. Don’t worry if you go over the allocated time, you will improve with practice. But do keep an eye on how long you are taking. If you are consistently over the time, then either you are writing too much or you do not know your content well enough and you are taking too long to think about it.

Usually if you have practiced a lot and are still taking too long, you do know your material but are writing too much. Pay more attention to the wording of your questions, and the marks awarded for each section, if this is available. This will help you gauge the depth required. Ask your teacher to correct some of your answers to see what you can safely leave out.

Least populous district: Yanam

Most literate district: Aizawl

Least literate State: Bihar - 47%

Most densely populated State: West Bengal

Most literate State: Kerala

Largest State (areawise): Rajasthan

Smallest State: Goa

Most populous State: UP

Least populous State: Sikkim

Southern most point: Indira Point

Maximum North-South distance: 3214 km

Maximum East-West distance: 2933 km

Golden quadrilateral connecting 4 metros: distance: 5846 km

Major Ports on coastline: 12

Biosphere Reserves and their location.

1. Nilgiri - Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka

2. Nanda Devi - Uttar Pradesh (part of Chamoli, Pithorgarh and Almora districts and Meghalaya ( part of Garo hills)

3. Nokrek - Meghalaya

4. Manas - Assam

5. Sunderbans - West Bengal

6. Gulf of Mannar - Tamil Nadu

7. Great Nicobar - (A & N Islands)

8. Simlipal - Orissa

9. Dibru-Saikhowa - Assam

10. Dihang Dibang - Arunachal Pradesh

11. Kanchenchunga - Sikkim

12. Pachmarhi - Madhya Pradesh

13. Agasthyamalai - Kerala

14. Achanakamar -Amarkantak- Parts of MP and parts of Chattisgarh

Length of rivers (in km):

Indus - 2900

Brahmaputra - 2900

Ganga - 2510

Godavari - 1450

Narmada - 1290

Krishna - 1290

Mahanadi - 890

Kaveri - 760

West flowing small rivers of India:

Sabarmati, Mahi, Dhandhar, Kalinadi, Sharavathi, Bharathapuzha, Periyar

East flowing small rivers of India:

Subarnarekha, Baitarni, Brahmani, Penner, Palar

Agriculture - Crop Seasons:

India has two crop seasons.

a) Kharif: Rice, Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Maize, Cotton, Jute

Sowing: June/July

Harvest: September/October

b)Rabi: Wheat, Barley, Peas, Rapeseed, Mustard, Gram.

Sowing: October/December

Harvest: April/May

Time Allowed: Three Hours Maximum Marks: 300

INSTRUCTIONS

Candidates should attempt all questions strictly in accordance with the instructions given under each

questions. The number of marks carried by each question is indicated at the end of the question.

SECTION A

1. Answer any three of the following questions. Each answer should not exceed 200 words….20×3=60

(a) What is the backward rising input supply curve? Illustrate with the help of suitable example.

(b) With the help of suitable diagram, elaborate Cournot Model. What is the significant of reaction curve in the

model?

(c) What are the different kinds of disequilibrium in balance of payment? Suggest some measures to solve the

problem of structural disequilibrium in balance of payments.

(d) What are the desired structural changes required for achieving the objective of economic development.

2. “Welfare Economic is a branch of economic theory which provides a theoretical framework for optimum use of

resources”. In the Light of above statement, examine the main areas of welfare economics….60

3. Outline the Keynesian theory of money and interest. What is the role of expectation in the theory of

determination of rate of interest?….60

4.” The adjustment to a tax imposition not only affects the distribution of tax burden but also bears upon the

efficiency of resource use in the private sector”. Substantiate the statement highlighting the role of taxation policy in

improving allocation efficiency in economy….60

SECTION B

5. Answer any three of the following questions. Each answer should not exceed 200 words….20×3=60

(a) “The Ministerial Declaration adopted at Hon Kong addresses some of the concerns of developing countries

related to agriculture”. Comment upon the statement. What were the time frames and targets in specific areas

decided in the declaration?

(b) Discuss the Lewis Model of economic growth. Do you think the model is applicable to the Indian Development

progress?

(c) “Under the flexible foreign exchange rate scenario devaluation has become redundant”. Comment upon the

statement”.

(d) Explain Sustainable development.

6. “Heckscher-Ohlin theory does not invalidate the classical theory of comparative cost but rather powerfully

supplements it” . Substantiate the statement….60

7. What are the human development indices used for international comparison of status of development?

Elaborate the methodology used for developing Human Development Index….60

8. “With the change in economic policies, relative role of market and state also change”. Do you agree with the

statement? Illustrate your answer with the help of suitable examples….60

————————————————–

Paper- II

SECTION-A

1. Answer any three of the following questions. Each answer should not exceed 200 words….20×3=60

(a) Give a critical account of the development of India during British Rule.

(b) Discuss the nature and incidence of the problem of rural poverty in India. What suggestions do you offer to

solve it?

(c) Examine the role of indirect taxes in India’s Economic Development.

(d) Is Economic planning relevant in the context of the Globlised Economy of India? Elucidate.

2. Discuss the impact of World Trade Organization ( WTO) on Indian Agriculture. 60

3. Explain the nature and the cause of inflation of India. Critically appraise the measure adopted the authorities to

control it….60

4. Make a critical assessment of National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme in India….60

SECTION-B

5. Answer any three of the following questions. Each answer should not exceed 200 words….20×3=60

(a): Examine the Progress of Tax Reform in India.

(b). Comment on the recent moves towards liberalization and their effects on Indian industry.

(c). critically examine the functioning of Indian Money Market.

(d). Is privatization a boon or a bane in India.

6. Write a detailed note on the import-Substitution and export promotion strategy of India….60

7. Discuss the need for and justification of Banking Reforms in India….60

8. Critically evaluate the reasons for fluctuation in agricultural price in India. What would be the components of an

optimum agricultural price policy regime for India?….60