50 Most Important Areas For Prelims 2023-24

UPSC Prelims 2023-24
50 Most important areas for Prelims-2023/24

How to cover them for 115+ marks in Prelims
Santosh Gupta
6 prelims cleared with score>130+
Prelims Head @ CivilsDaily IAS
PAGE 1
a CIVILSDAILY presentation
Order of things today
1. Preparation planning and time management
2. Methods of effective learning
3. Fifty Most important areas:
a. Polity
b. Economy
c. Environment
d. History
e. Geography
f. Science & tech
4. How to cover them
5. Q&A
PAGE 2
Prelims- Negatives matter
Correct Incorrect Total Score
65 15 80 120
65 25 90 114
60 35 95 96
How to optimise your attempt for 115+ ?
PAGE 3
Preparation planning
● Oct- Dec, 2022: Golden Period of Preparation.
● Balanced preparation of Prelims and Mains
● 3 x 3 hour rule
● 5 hours selective study
● Study and Revision by Effective techniques
● Effective Learning - Revision, short notes,

Concepts building, PYQs, Mock Tests and
analysis
● Jan- March: Prelims Pocus
PAGE 4
Building Conceptual Clarity
➔ Memory -> Knowledge -> Understanding
➔ Revision by writing
➔ Keywords approach
➔ Rolling motion
➔ Mental Map/ Diagrams/Flow charts
➔ Small targets
➔ Avoid peer pressure
PAGE 5
Changing Pattern
➔ Less Emphasis to direct Current affairs
➔ Back to Basics:
◆ Polity: 13/15
◆ Economy: 15/18
◆ Environment: 14/18
◆ History: 10/16
◆ Science and Tech: 8/12
➔ Basics: 60/100, Direct Current affairs< 20
PAGE 6
PAGE 7
Polity: 4 meta topics
A. Polity Fundamental aspects- Related to basics of
Political Science: 3-4 Qs
B. Polity and Constitution aspects: 6-8 Qs
C. Current Affairs: Constitutional Amendments and

Laws : Inspired questions only (2-4 Qs)
D. Governance: (1-2 Qs)
PAGE 8
Q. In the context of polity, which one of the
following would you accept as the most
appropriate definition of liberty?-2019
(a) Protection against the tyranny of political

rulers
(b) Absence of restraint
(c) Opportunity to do whatever one likes
(d) Opportunity to develop oneself fully
PAGE 9
Topics to cover: Polity Fundamental
● Democracy
● Republic
● Constitutionalism
● Liberty
● Rule of Law
● Due Process of Law
● Principles of natural Justice
● Equality
● Separation of powers
● Parliamentary vs Presidential System
● Power-sharing
PAGE 10
Topics to cover: Polity Fundamental
● Justice
● Concept of Rights
● Liberalism
● Socialism, Gandhism and communism
● Nature of State
● Nation and State
● Citizenship
● Types of Society
● Secularism and Communalism
● Feminism
PAGE 11
Polity- constitution aspects
● Constitutional Developments
● Fundamental rights/ DPSP/Duties
● Federal Vs Unitary features
● Parliament
● Supreme court/High court
● Constitutional Bodies/ Statutory bodies
● Commissions/committees*
PAGE 12
B. Questions on Polity & Questions before 2021 prelims Questions in 2021 and 2022
Constitution prelims
•Good Number of Questions
from Preamble, FRs and
DPSP
1.Preamble •One direct question on preamble, in another Indirect question on Preamble-
Preamble is one of right options. Status of India on 26th January
1-2 questions ever year 1950
•Two questions in 2017 such minds of
constitutional makers and another on
contents of preamble
•Contents of preamble(2015)
2.Fundamental rights •One direct question in 2020 (Article Two questions in 2021
17-Untouchability) 1.Article 14- equality
2 questions every year 2.Article 18- Abolition of titles
•Two questions in 2019 such as right to marry 3.Right to privacy
and 9th schedule
3.DPSPs Two direct questions in 2020 One Direct question: Concentration
1.Welfare State of Wealth in 2021
At least 2 questions every year 2.Part IV
One Indirect Question- UNHDR
PAGE 13
Q. Under the Indian Constitution, concentration of
wealth violates
A. The Right to Equality
B. Directive Principles of State Policy
C. The Right to Freedom
D. The Concept of Welfare
PAGE 14
4. Parliament Prelims-2021
One Question on Two questions
Few Difficult Rulebook(2020) 1. Parliamentary democracy: Indian
Model vs British Model
questions on
Minister eligibility & RPA (2020)
Parliament 2. Lok Sabha Elections
Procedures, 2019: office of profit and
Committees etc. disqualification Prelims-22
Role of Deputy Speaker
1-2 questions on Nominated member
motions/ Loksabha vs Rajya Sabha
resolutions, Constitutional bill
qualifications
5. Judiciary related Basic Structure and Judicial •Direct question on Independence of
At least one question Review (2020) Judiciary
•Judicial Review and 44th
Amendment (2019) •Indirect question on role of Judiciary in
federalism
•Impeachment of Judges(2019)
•Indirect question on role of judiciary in
ensuring liberal democracy
Types of Writs( 2022)
Contempt of court
PAGE 15
Committees
➔ H.N. Sanyal Committee
➔ First Administrative Reforms Commission
(1966)
➔ Rajamannar Committee (1969)
➔ Sarkaria Commission (1983)
➔ National Commission to Review the Working
of the Constitution (2000)
➔ Singhvi Committee
➔
PAGE 16
Q We adopted our parliamentary democracy based on the
British model, but how does our model differ from the British
model?
1. As Regards legislation the British parliament is Supreme or
sovereign, but in India the power of the parliament to
legislate is limited.
2. In India matters related to the constitutionality of an

amendment of an act of the parliament are referred to the
constitutional bench by the Supreme Court
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
PAGE 17
Indian Polity: Sources
● NCERT- Democratic Politics
● NCERT- Political theory
● NIOS- Political science
● Laxmikant + PYQs + Mock tests
● Focus on conceptual clarity

● Integration of Fundamental, static and
Current in polity
PAGE 18
Economy: break it down
➔ Most dynamic section

➔ 5 Areas:
◆ Pattern of Economic indicators: tax/ GDP,
production, consumption: 3-4Qs
◆ 2. Fiscal policy: 2-3Qs
◆ 3. RBI, inflation and monetary policy: 3-4 Qs
◆ 4. External Sector: 3-4 Qs
◆ 5. Schemes- Socio-economic Development
◆
PAGE 19
Economy: last 10 Years
● Agriculture 10
● Fiscal Policy 7
● Banking 27
● investment 10
● Monetary 23
● Planning 9
● Scheme 21
● Taxes 6
● Trade and BOP 15
● Development 10
● International Institution 18
PAGE 20
Q) With reference to the Indian economy, consider the
following statements:
1. A share of the household financial savings goes
towards government borrowings.
2. Dated securities issued at market-related rates in
auctions form a large component of internal debt.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) None of the above
PAGE 21
Major topics
● GDP, GNP, NI, Per capita income
● Economy- Agriculture, Industry, Services
● Employment-
● Savings and Investments
● Taxation- Fiscal policy
PAGE 22
Q. Consider the following statements:
1. Tight monetary policy of US Federal Reserve
could lead to capital flight.
2. Capital flight may increase the interest cost of
firms with existing External Commercial
Borrowings (ECBs).
3. Devaluation of domestic currency decreases the
currency risk associated with ECBS.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
PAGE 23
Q.Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term
credit support is given to farmers for which of the
following purposes ?
1. Working capital for maintenance of farm assets
harvesters,
2. Purchase of combine tractors and mini trucks
requirements of farm
3. Consumption households
4. Post-harvest expenses
5. Construction of family house and setting up of
village cold storage facility
Select the correct answer using the code given
below:
(a) 1, 2 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2,3,4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
PAGE 24
Q. With reference to the international trade of India
at present, which of the following statements is/are
correct?
1. (1) India’s merchandise exports are less than its
merchandise imports.
2. (2) India’s imports of iron and steel, chemicals,
fertilisers and machinery have decreased in
recent years.
3. (3) India’s exports of services are more than its
imports of services.
4. (4) India suffers from an overall trade/current
account deficit.
below:
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 only (d) 1, 3 and 4 only
PAGE 25
Sources and approach: Economy
● Ncert- 11th- Indian Economic Development
● book- Ramesh Singh/Sanjiv Verma/ Singhania
● Budget and Survey: 2022-23
● PYQs: 20 years
Approach:
● Clarity over keywords
● Data and Facts
● Linking and interlinking of topics
● Practice of tests: CD Smash Prelims
● Linking of static and current
PAGE 26
Environment: Break it down
➔ Making or breaking section
➔ Questions: conceptual and applied
➔ Four areas: 18-20Qs
◆ Basic Concepts of ecology: 2Qs
◆ Biodiversity, conventions and treaties: 5Qs
◆ Pollution: 5Qs
◆ Applied and current Aspects: 6-8Qs
➔ Approach
◆ Avoid memorising conventions and species’
distribution without understanding them
◆ Through focus on right content, linking
concepts and facts and current with static.
PAGE 27
Q. Consider the following kinds of organisms:
1. Copepods
2. Cyanobacteria
3. Diatoms
4. Foraminifera
Which of the above are primary producers in the

food chains of oceans?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 4
PAGE 28
Prelims- 2021
Basics: 13
● Mosquito repellent
● Primary producers
● Curling animals*
● Magnetite particles
● Filter Feeder*
● Biogeochemical cycle
● Detritivorus
● Symbiosis relation*
● Copper Smelters
● Permaculture
● Biome
● Savanna
Current Ecology : 5
● New york declaration
● Common Carbon metric*
● UN capital development*
● Right to city
● Climate smart agriculture*
PAGE 29
Prelims- 2022
Basics:
● Methane Emission
● Role of aquatic plants
● Miyawaki method
● Cultivators of Fungi
● Nitrogen Fixation plants
Pollution:
● Acid Rain
● WHO air Quality
● PET bottles
PAGE 30
Prelims- 2022
Biodiversity:
● Climate action tracker
● Climate group
● Bird
● EPA and animal protection
● Polar Code
● Green Washing
Applied aspects
● Gucchi mushroom
● Indian Sanitation coalition
● Biorock technology
PAGE 31
Q. With reference to polyethylene terephthalate,
the use of which is so widespread in our daily lives,
consider the following statements:
1. Its fibres can be blended with wool and cotton
fibres to reinforce their properties.
2. Containers made of it can be used to store any
alcoholic beverage.
3. Bottles made of it can be recycled into other
products.
4. Articles made of it can be easily disposed of by
incineration without causing greenhouse gas
emissions.
(a) 1 and 3 (b) 2 and 4
(c) 1 and 4 (d) 2 and 3
PAGE 32
Sources: Environment
➔ NIOS materials
➔ Shankar IAS/ Majid Hussain
➔ PYQs
➔ Current Affairs
➔ Focus on applied aspects
➔ Concepts more important than memory
PAGE 33
Geography
● Most questions from mapping: India and World

● More number of questions: Increasing trend
● Difficult to eliminate
● New type of matching
PAGE 34
Q. Consider the following pairs:
Reservoirs : States
1. Ghataprabha : Telangana
2. Gandhi Sagar : Madhya Pradesh
3. Indira Sagar : Andhra Pradesh
4. Maithon : Chhattisgarh
How many pairs given above are not correctly
matched?
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs PAY
(c) Only three pairs
(d) All four pairs
PAGE 35
Sources for Geography
A. NCERT- 11th and 12th
B. G.C.Leong
C. Majid Hussain/Khular for Reference
D. Atlas
PAGE 36
Science & Tech
● Dynamic Aspects
● Conceptual understanding of basics
● NCERT Level
● Applied aspects of life
PAGE 37
Q) With reference to Non-Fungible Tokens
(NFTs), consider the following statements:
1. They enable the digital representation of
physical assets.
2. They are unique cryptographic tokens that
exist on a blockchain.
3. They can be traded or exchanged at
equivalency and therefore can be used as
a medium of commercial transactions.
Which of the statements given above are
correct? (UPSC CSE Prelims 2022)
(a) 1 & 2 (b) 2 & 3
(c) 1 & 3 (d) A All of them
NFT mutant Gorilla
PAGE 38
History: Sources
➔ History:
➔ Ancient India: Old NCERT- 11th
➔ Medieval India: Old NCERT- 11th
➔ Modern India: Spectrum/TMH
➔ PYQs- 30 years ( Ghatnachakra PYQs)
➔ Approach:
◆ Chronological and Sectoral approach
◆ Art and culture in context of historical
developments
PAGE 39
Q. In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai
case of 1884 revolved around
1. Women’s right to gain education
2. Age of consent
3. Restitution of conjugal rights
below :
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
PAGE 40
Q. Indigo cultivation in India declined by the
beginning of the 20th century because of
(a) peasant resistance to the oppressive conduct of
planters
(b) its unprofitability in the world market because of
new inventions
(c) national leaders’ opposition to the cultivation of
indigo
(d) Government control over the planters
PAGE 41
Current affairs:
● Coverage 1-1.5 years
● Prepare topics than news
● Only One source: Civilsdaily/others
● Make your own notes
● Avoid weekly/monthly compilation
● Concepts than titbits
● 360 degree coverage
● Linking with static: Integration is must

● Current Affairs < -> Static
PAGE 42
Logical approach to paper Solving: Avoid Hit and
Trial
Type of Logic:
1. Fact based
2. Understanding Based
3. Blind Logic
4. Types of Questions:
1. Knowledge based>> Attempt
2. Knowledge+ Logic>>Attempt
3. Completely Unknown>>Not Attempt
4. Completely Unknown (Elimination based)
>>Attempt only if know the technique
PAGE 43
Conceptual Logic
Q) Consider the following statements:
1. Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing
economies in the world in the recent years.
2. Vietnam is led by a multi-party political system.
3. Vietnam’s economic growth is linked to its
integration with global supply chains and focus
on exports.
4. Foe along time Vietnam’s low labour costs and
stable exchange rates have attracted global
manufacturers.
5. Vietnam has the most productive e-service
sector in the Indo-Pacific region.
a) 2 and 4 b) 3 and 5
c) 1, 3 and 4 d) 1 and 2
PAGE 44
Blind Logic types
Q. Consider the following statements:
1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to
promote sustainable sanitation and is funded
by the Government of India and the World
Health Organization.
2. The National Institute of Urban Affairs is an
apex body of the Ministry of Housing and
Urban Affairs in Government of India and
provides innovative solutions to address the
challenges of Urban India.
Which of the statements given above is/are

correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
PAGE 45
Smash Prelims-2023
6 Components:
1. Prelims Tests: 44 (14 Basic + 8 Advanced + 6 CA tests +
10 Full tests + 6 CSAT tests)
2. Mentorship: Individual Mentor one to one+ Strategic
mentor till Prelims-2023.
3. Weekly Zoom call session
4. Current Affairs: 2 year through live lectures and
summary notes
5. 50 Value Addition classes and notes covering static
syllabus
6. Strategic Question solving Sessions- 1000Qs solved live
4
PAGE
6 a CIVILSDAILY presentation
7 Steps of Smash Prelims
1. Orientation Call:
2. Revision and Short keywords notes
3. Attempt past year papers (2000- 2022)
4. Attempt Test: Logical approach
5. Analysis the Mistakes: Less mistakes> More score
through FCA/E approach
6. Revise the topics of mistakes
7. Talk to Santosh Gupta/Senior Mentor
PAGE 47
Outcome of Smash Prelims-2022
Success Rate:
UPSC Results in Prelims : < 1%
Smash Prelims: 70% Success Rate among enrolled
PAGE 48
Outcome of Smash Prelims-2022
PAGE 49
PAGE 50
Smash Prelims-2023: join us
Target- 115+
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
PAGE 51

50 Most Important Areas For Prelims 2023-24

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

50 Most Important Areas For Prelims 2023-24

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

UPSC Prelims 2023-24

50 Most important areas for Prelims-2023/24

Correct Incorrect Total Score

How to optimise your attempt for 115+ ?

● Oct- Dec, 2022: Golden Period of Preparation.

● Balanced preparation of Prelims and Mains

● 5 hours selective study

● Study and Revision by Effective techniques

● Effective Learning - Revision, short notes,

● Jan- March: Prelims Pocus

➔ Memory -> Knowledge -> Understanding

➔ Less Emphasis to direct Current affairs

◆ Science and Tech: 8/12

➔ Basics: 60/100, Direct Current affairs< 20

B. Polity and Constitution aspects: 6-8 Qs

C. Current Affairs: Constitutional Amendments and

D. Governance: (1-2 Qs)

(a) Protection against the tyranny of political

● Fundamental rights/ DPSP/Duties

● Federal Vs Unitary features

● Supreme court/High court

● Constitutional Bodies/ Statutory bodies

One Indirect Question- UNHDR

A. The Right to Equality

B. Directive Principles of State Policy

C. The Right to Freedom

D. The Concept of Welfare

2. In India matters related to the constitutionality of an

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

● Laxmikant + PYQs + Mock tests

● Focus on conceptual clarity

➔ Most dynamic section

● GDP, GNP, NI, Per capita income

● Economy- Agriculture, Industry, Services

● Savings and Investments

● Taxation- Fiscal policy

Which of the above are primary producers in the

➔ Shankar IAS/ Majid Hussain

➔ Focus on applied aspects

➔ Concepts more important than memory

● Most questions from mapping: India and World

A. NCERT- 11th and 12th

C. Majid Hussain/Khular for Reference

● Conceptual understanding of basics

● Applied aspects of life

NFT mutant Gorilla

➔ PYQs- 30 years ( Ghatnachakra PYQs)

● Prepare topics than news

● Only One source: Civilsdaily/others

● Make your own notes

● Avoid weekly/monthly compilation

● Concepts than titbits

● 360 degree coverage

● Linking with static: Integration is must

Which of the statements given above is/are

UPSC Results in Prelims : < 1%

Smash Prelims: 70% Success Rate among enrolled

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

You might also like