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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
314.7k views

394 comments

@thistooshallpass and others, WII ENVIS (http://wiienvis.nic.in/Database/Species_1067.aspx seems like a comprehensive place to study biodiversity from, although it is really, really humongous. Are there any other sources you guys are studying from?

I am doing only the animals mentioned in Vision PT 365. Otherwise it is too bulky.

JackRyan,
17.2k views
@thistooshallpass Yup, that seems like a better option. Thanks,


thistooshallpass,
15.7k views
Does anyone have Edubaba’s map magazine? 
thistooshallpass,
15.9k views
Does anyone have Edubaba’s map magazine? 

I have been hearing about it too. I would like to know other's opinions as well.

MonicaGeller,
16.8k views

@MonicaGeller @thistooshallpass  Reminder: don't forget the thumb rule guys....no new material in the last days no matter how good it is..😉

Deepak802,JSMilland9 otherslike this
19.5k views

Itachisaid

@MonicaGeller @thistooshallpass  Reminder: don't forget the thumb rule guys....no new material in the last days no matter how good it is..😉

Yes, you are right. Thanks for the reminder. :)

Itachi,
16.7k views
@Itachi Yes, you’re right but just wanted to be double sure in case of much ignored yet easy to score sections like mapping


Itachi,
15.7k views
anyone having notes of rivers and dams on them?
14.6k views
anyone having notes of rivers and dams on them?

You can refer to these. These are not mine but a topper's.

rivers1.pdf

GaryVee,whatonly
16.2k views
Hey! Upsc almost always asks a question or two on new technology whether related to  space, communication or rest. Can we compile a list? 
GaryVee,Dora-the_Explorerand4 otherslike this
14.9k views
@thistooshallpass thanks a lot


thistooshallpass,
14.7k views
@Oatmeal let’s suggest topics as per our current readings. 
1. 5G basics; difference between 5G & 4G
2. RFID; NFC; Fastag 
3. Digital currency electronic payment project- China 


Dora-the_Explorer,AzadHindFauz
14.7k views
Someone please share short notes of international organisations and reports nd indices if possible 
14.6k views
@Rudra12 Not comprehensive of course. But covers a good chunk. Zoom in for ease. And google where necessary .


Dora-the_Explorer,Faceless_Man
14.5k views
@Sherkhan1428 thanx brother more than sufficient please share reprts nd indices if u have TIA


Dora-the_Explorer,
14.5k views
@Oatmeal quantum computing
optical fibre and related principles (TIR)
nuclear tech - ITER, india's three stage nuclear                                  prog ,
biotech- pcr, transcription ,translation


Dora-the_Explorer,Oatmeal
14.5k views
@Rudra12 Acompilation PDF fromShabbir Sir's Channel !



Dora-the_Explorer,
14.5k views
@Sherkhan1428 Thanx brother


14.4k views

Off topic ---

In Vision FLT test 30 & 31, I got 77 and 75 respectively and that has really drained me. Are the pattern of UPSC questions similar to it?


13.8k views

What are the Important Topics for S&T this year?

13.9k views
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