Mains 2019 Preparation and Discussion Thread

@mannemvasukinandan701lower cut has much to do with timing of exams and ease with which certificate can be obtained during notification period. Cse was first exam in which ews rule applied so expect surprises.

@kochikaameHe is ATLEAST AIR 50 as he predicted.

@mannemvasukinandan701Possible.
Few points-
A. The petitioners asked for 2 days at first. The bench insisted it be made tomorrow only! So, the bench is in hurry now. Possibly, the leave of one of the judges was in the mind?

The bench is a division bench. One judge is on leave on Wednesday. The other is not. It could be that the available judge writes the order. Anyway, they have made up their minds. So, I believe anyone can write the order. But, I have no knowledge of how this work, so can't comment with conviction here.

B. The UPSC stated that any more delay at this stage would amount to cascading effect on future exams/processes conducted by the commission. The bench appeared to have taken note of (with seriousness) this situation. So, they want to write a judgment sooner than later.

As of now, the submission is being drafted by the petitioners, so it looks less likely that judgment will be issued today. Let's hope it's available tomorrow!

As for the details of what is the contention of the EWS candidates in this case, in my opinion, it's best to disclose once an order is produced.

my take

baaki apne hisaab se upar neeche kar lo sab

2018           2019

essay 125           135

gs-1  90            90

gs-2  102           90

gs-3  102           95

gs-4  95            95

Op    260           260

      774           765

@kochikaame
8 QUESTIONS of 15 marks attempted perfectly ( 55 to 60 marks are expected )
8 questions of 10 marks attempted perfectly ( 40 to 45 marks)
left 3 questions blank
so 95 to 100 are expected ( rest UPSC will decide )

My analysis for 2019 vs 2018:

1. Essay: 10-15 marks bump as 2019 pattern similar to 2018 so no surprises there.
2. GS1: Tuffer environmental and physical geogrpahy, easier world history, tuffer society questions. Let's say a dip of 5-10 marks in average scores
3. GS2: Polity analytics question were tough, IR tough too, Governance shooting through the roof as question required know how of the ins and outs of it. Easy 10-15 marks dip
4. GS3: Tricky questions on GST and Inflation, S&T (cyberdome), heavy focus on agri sector. Expect similar marks to 2018 though because it was nasty too
5. GS4: Marked variance from the norm in case studies, higher focus on governance question. Dip of 5-10 marks here

All in all I would say 10-20 marks dip in GS + Essay. Optional varies but after normalisation I hardly feel there can be a any significant movement in mean and distribution from last year. A couple subjects here and there but it happens every year. So, I think 2019 mains cutoff= 774 (2018 cutoff) - (10 to 20)= close to 760.

Can someone Shed light on this issue?
Would it be wise enough to get EWS cerificate if I fufil al the criterias except owing a plot of area around 1090 sq ft in notified municipality? Can DOPT come to know about it during background verification because Address on my Aadhar card is of my ancestral village's and not of the area where my parents' own plot?

Do they only check the certificates produced or DOPT's personnel visit the candidates' places and find out the truth with the help of local authorities?

@CaesarESE mech me last 2 saal se 70% seats general category ki hi aa rahi hai.

@VivekanandSNever ever mess with UPSC
This year someone who had got ranks both in forest and civils was in trouble regarding obc certificates!

@VivekanandS
My cousin recently joined combined medical service of UPSC. For combined medical service for obc, the certificates were verified with the help of local authorities. Further, it was verified only if the certificates are original. No further property details verification or anything was done.

But, problem may arise if someone complaints or something. So, u should take a wise decision.

@NalandaOkay..Thank You

Just for the sake of the information can OBC non creamy layer can apply in EWS?

@ManchesterUnitedWas the certificate fake?

@satyendramaurya16245No.....It is mentioned very explicitly!

@VivekanandSNope some discrepancies!
Issue resolved and that person has got a cadre now!
But it was a close shave.

@abhishek_p
for me questions were difficult in 2019 across all gs esp 2 an3 and optional also

@ManchesterUnitedOkay

@TETRACYCLINEGS2 was the toughest among all the papers. It was difficult to understand the demand of question. Whether one knows the answer or not comes second. In 2018 questions in GS2 were straight forwards.

i think a lot more depends on how marks are awarded
if they give liberal marks in atleast two papers the cut off may reach 780 but if pattern remains like previous yr then it wont cross 750

@zombieland
same here bhai
wo services wala ques maine 4 bar pdha kuch nhi smjh aya socha bad me pdhnenge fir almost blank hi rahgya wo
15 marks wale me bda difficult tha analysis and kya likhna hai smjh nhi arha tha
ho sktahai gs 2 ki liberal marking kre tabhi 100 cross krne ke chances hai