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Prelims 2020 - Preparing Repeatedly Asked Questions

There are many favourite topics of UPSC CSE paper setters. These questions come every year, yet are not found in an easy to do manner in most books. I want to take 20 such high yielding topics and do 1 per day. I am hoping this will help me do 4-5 extra questions in the exam.

Let us do it together. We can make a list today and start doing them from tomorrow.


Main List

  1. Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks, Biosphere Reserves(Finished on Sep 6) - Use ForumIAS material (link for BR|link for NP & WLS) or create tables yourself(Link for Govt Database)
  2. Ramsar - Wetlands, Marine protected areas, Elephant Reserves and Tiger Reserves(Finished on Sep 7) - No compilation that I know of, make tables of imp areas only (link for Wetlands|link for Tiger Reserves | Link for Govt Database)
  3. Jainism and Buddhism + Sufi and Bhakti tradition(Finished on Sep 8 & 9) Use your previous notes and consolidate for quick revision (Link for Bhakti & Sufi tradition)
  4. Rivers - Origin, Tributaries, Deltas, Dams and Termination (+ Lakes - Ramsar/Montreux if time permits)Finished on Sep 10
  5. Pollutants Finished on Sep 11
  6. Indexes and authorities that release themFinished on Sep 12Forum IAS links -1,2,3,4|Shankar IAS Link 
  7. Biodiversity (Species etc)Finished on Sep 13
  8. Tribes of IndiaFinished on Sep 13
  9. Schedules/Important Articles of the Constitution Finished on Sep 14
  10. Seas and water bodies in the world + countries surrounding them Finished on Sep 14
  11. Gandhian movementsFinished on Sep 15
  12. 1940-47 in Indian IndependenceFinished on Sep 16
  13. Trends in Indian economy (+ Nationalization of various sectors + Land reforms)Finished on Sep 17
  14. Acts and conventions in Environment + National Environment Bodies Finished on Sep 18
  15. International groupings that India is a part of + imp ones where India is not a member Finished on Sep 19
  16. Biotechnology Finished on Sep 19
  17. Wireless Communication + Diseases in news Finished on Sep 20
  18. WTO, UN, IMF and other important bodies Finished on Sep 20
  19. Control Groupings : MTCR, Australian Group, NSG, Wassenar and Associated topics like IAEA,NPT To do - Sep 21
  20. India's defence - Military exercises, weapons, fighter planes, submarines, stealth frigates, aircraft carriers + Satellite Missions/Space Missions To do - Sep 21
  21. Places in news + Conflict Zones + GI tags To do - Sep 22
  22. One liner type questions asking a particular pact or agreement signed between India and another country To do - Sep 22
  23. Finance Commission To do - Sep 22

Other Important Topics - No need of notes/Do from the book

  • Parliament
  • Fundamental Rights, DPSP and Fundamental Duties
  • HC/SC
  • Historical background of Indian Constitution
  • Preamble
  • Folk paintings, dance and music

Smaller topics which do not require much retention:

  • Current account and Capital Account convertibility
  • National Income - GDP, GVA, GNP etc etc.

Please comment below and then I will add them to the list.

curious_kid,rootand85 otherslike this
355.5k views

394 comments

@whatonly wht else shuld 1 know in schemes?


7.5k views
By my judgement the aims and ministry would cover at least 75% of PYQs (just take a look at them once). If there’s time enough after that then maybe the other provisions (who funds what etc). But gotta be extra careful with similar sounding schemes.
12.7k views

https://blog.forumias.com/wetlands/

This article has attached map and tables about ramsar sites.New wetlands are added in this.

EiChan,Dora-the_Explorerand2 otherslike this
8.3k views

https://blog.forumias.com/wetlands/

This article has attached map and tables about ramsar sites.New wetlands are added in this.

Thank you. I have updated the link in the post above.

thepolicydreamer,
9.6k views
Finance Commission is another important topic for this year 
Dora-the_Explorer,
8.2k views

@thistooshallpass

http://www.wiienvis.nic.in/Database/trd_8222.aspx

this site has list of NP, WS, BR etc.

Dora-the_Explorer,Steve
7.9k views

@thistooshallpass

http://www.wiienvis.nic.in/Database/trd_8222.aspx

this site has list of NP, WS, BR etc.

This is so good. Thanks for sharing. I will update it in the post above.

9.4k views
We can add one more topic ie acts passed in last 1-1.5 yrs.
chamomile,thistooshallpass
7.7k views

INDIA is not part of RCEP

USA opted out from TPP


I've been trying but I've made peace with the fact that I'm too dumb to comprehend this. 

Dora-the_Explorer,chamomile
7k views
Climate/ weather related technology is generally a high yielding area. 
EiChan,Dora-the_Explorer
7k views
@Patootie you forgot to mention whatever happens happens for a reason...if u haven't read my suicide letter then ignore it... :)


7.4k views
can anyone pls share the precise notes of bhakti sufi topics
Dora-the_Explorer,
6.6k views


Aurora,Rise from Ashesand7 otherslike this
7.1k views

Constitutional bodies and its ammendment 

Another one is govt scheme and bill passed 

7k views
can anyone pls share the precise notes of bhakti sufi topics

https://www.clearias.com/medieval-india-bhaktism-sufism-sikhism/

You can get an idea from here.

Steve,
8.3k views
I am still not done with yesterday's topic. So I will be completing it today. Those of you who have done it can either continue with the next topic or take a day's break.
Dora-the_Explorer,Steve
8.3k views
Looking for financial aid in United Kingdom, you can apply forpayday loans direct lenders onlyand acquire the money soon.
6.6k views
If anyone can share notes of pre-1857 wars, it would be helpful. I'm getting confused.
6.4k views
If anyone can share notes of pre-1857 wars, it would be helpful. I'm getting confused.

Advent_of_Europeans_and_Pre-1857_Wars.pdf


peacefulwarrior,MatildasMissHoneyand21 otherslike this
13.4k views
@hashtag2020 this is dope ! Amazing work !


Dora-the_Explorer,
6.7k views
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