10 Hard Multiple Choice Questions

Q.1- Which of the following is correct regarding zika disease?

1. Zika disease is spread through Aedes mosquito
2. Aedes mosquito is also responsible for dengue and chikungunya

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. None

Q.2- Which of the following are correct regarding Sustainable development goals?

1. They were accepted by the governments in COP 21
2. There are total 17 goals present under SDG
3. SDG talks about inequality within country only and nothing about in between the countries.

A. 1, 2
B. 2, 3
C. 2 only
D. All

Q.3- There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which of the following actions can be taken by the government to reduce the deficit?

1. Reducing revenue expenditure
2. Introducing new welfare schemes
3. Rationalizing subsidies
4. Expanding industries

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 only 
D. 1,2,3 and 4

Q.4- Triton and paracel islands are part of which of the following?

A. South China sea
B. East China sea
C. Yellow sea
D. Indian Ocean

Q.5- Consider the following statements about ICJ

1. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN).
2. Seat of the court is in Hague
3. Only UN members are entitled to be the party to the court

A. All
B. 1, 3
C. 1, 2
D. 2, 3

Q.6- Which of the following are part of the structural reforms?

1. Improving infrastructure
2. Making the tax structure better
3. giving more subsidies

A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2
C. 2 and 3
D. All

Q.7- Which of the following countries are neighbour to Thailand?

1. Laos
2. Myanmar
3. Vietnam 
4. Cambodia

A. 1, 2 
B. 1, 3, 4
C. 1, 2 and 4
D. All

Q.8- Which of the following is/are correct regarding direct benefit transfer?

1. It reduces the black marketing
2. It increases government expenditure
3. It makes scheme better targeted

A. 1, 2
B. 1, 3
C. 2, 3
D. All

Q.9- Arrange these places from west to east?

1. GilGit
2. Siachen 
3. Kargil
4. Aksai chin

A. 1-2-3-4
B. 1-3-2-4
C. 3-1-2-4
D. 3-2-1-4

Q.10- Consider the following statements regarding National Investment and infrastructure fund and mark the correct option.

1. The NIIF is established as single Alternate Investment Funds (AIF) under the SEBI Regulations. 
2. It had an initial authorised corpus of 20000 crore.
3. It provides equity / quasi-equity support to those Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)/Financial Institutions (FIs) that are engaged mainly in infrastructure financing.

Which of the following statements are correct?

A. 1, 2
B. 1, 3
C. 2, 3
D. All

Current Affairs MCQ (high level)

Q.1- Consider the following provisions under the Directive Principles of State Policy as enshrined in the Constitution of India :

1. Securing for citizens of India a uniform civil code
2. Organizing village Panchayats
3. Promoting cottage industries in rural areas
4. Securing for all the workers reasonable leisure and cultural opportunities

Which of the above are the Gandhian Principles that are reflected in the Directive Principles of State Policy?

(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q.2- Which of the following form part of priority sector lending?

1. Medium enterprises
2. Renewable energy
3. Social infrastructure

A. 1, 2
B. 2, 3
C. All
D. 1, 3

Q.3- With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments
2. IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.
3. CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Convention does not take the place of national laws.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Q.4- Which of the following are part of evaluation criteria for Smart city?

1. Existing service levels
2. Institutional systems and capacities
3. Future planning

A. 1, 3
B. 2, 3
C. 1, 2
D. All

Q.5- Which of the following is correct regarding Lokpal and Lokayukta Act?

1. Lokpal has maximum capacity of 9 members
2. One third members must be women
3. Lokpal’s jurisdiction includes every category of public servant.

A. 1, 2
B. 2, 3
C. 1, 3
D. All

Q.6- IMF quota decides which of the following?

1. Financial resources which member is obliged to provide to the IMF
2. The quota largely determines a member's voting power in IMF decisions.
3. The amount of financing a member can obtain from the IMF (its access limit) is based on its quota.

A. 1, 2
B. 1, 3
C. 2, 3
D. All

Q.7- Consider the following statements regarding immunity to president and governor

1. The President or the Governor of state shall not be answerable to any court on exercise of the powers and duties of his office.
2. No civil proceedings whatsoever shall be instituted or continued against the President, or the Governor of a State, in any court during his term of office.

Which of the following statements are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both

D. None

Q.8- Consider the following statements and mark the correct option:

1. European Union has 28 members and headquarter at Brussels
2. European Central Bank is central bank for all the members of European Union
3. European Commission is the legislate organ of European Union

A. 1, 2

B. 2, 3

C. 1 only

D. 1, 3

Q.9- Which of the following are part of core sector of economy?

1. Coal
2. Electricity
3. Power
4. Natural gas

A. 1, 2

B. 2, 3 and 4

C. 1, 3 and 4

D. All

Q.10- Consider the following statements and mark the correct option for Pradhan Maitri Fasal Bima Yojna:

1. It makes a uniform premium of 2 percent for Kharif crops
2. Government will pay balance premium to provide full insured amount to the farmers against crop loss
3. National agriculture insurance scheme and modified national agriculture scheme will continue

A. 1, 2
B. 1, 3
C. 2, 3
D. All

Q.11- Priority Sector Lending by banks in India constitutes the lending to:

A. Agriculture: 
B. Micro And Small Enterprises 
C. Weaker Sections 
D. All Of The Above

Q.12- Which of the following is/ are correct regarding section 377 of IPC

1. It is only against men
2. punishement of 1[imprisonment for life], or with impris­onment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years is provided

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. None

UPSC Prelims 2016 model Test – Answers & Explanations

1) Question : 1. Which of the following cities have been designated as members of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN)?
Options
a. Jaipur and Ajmer
b. Ajmer and Varanasi
c. Jaipur and Varanasi
d. Ahmedabad and Varanasi
Answer : c. Jaipur and Varanasi
Explanation: The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)
i. It was created in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.
ii. The 69 cities which currently make up this network work together towards a common objective: placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their development plans at the local level and cooperating actively at the international level.
iii. The Creative Cities Network currently covers seven creative fields: Crafts &folk art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Music and Media Arts.
iv. Varanasi is added under the category ‘Music’ and Jaipur under ‘Crafts and Folk art’
2) Question : Which of the following statements regarding Chhau dance are correct?
1. Chhau dance is a tradition from western India that enacts episodes from epics including the Mahabharata and Ramayana, local folklore and abstract themes.
2. It was inscribed in 2010 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Options
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
Answer : b. Only 2
Explanation: Chhau dance
i. Chhau is a tradition from eastern India that enacts episodes from epics including the Mahabharata and Ramayana, local folklore and abstract themes.
ii. Its three distinct styles hail from the regions of Seraikella, Purulia and Mayurbhanj, the first two using masks.
iii. Chhau dance is intimately connected to regional festivals, notably the spring festival Chaitra Parva.
iv. Its origin is traceable to indigenous forms of dance and martial practices. Its vocabulary of movement includes mock combat techniques, stylized gaits of birds and animals and movements modeled on the chores of village housewives.
v. Chhau is taught to male dancers from families of traditional artists or from local communities. vii. Chhau is an integral part of the culture of these communities. It binds together people from different social strata and ethnic background with diverse social practices, beliefs, professions and languages.
vi. The dance is performed at night in an open space to traditional and folk melodies, played on the reed pipes mohuri and shehnai. The reverberating drumbeats of a variety of drums dominate the accompanying music ensemble.
viii. However, increasing industrialization, economic pressures and new media are leading to a decrease in collective participation with communities becoming disconnected from their roots.
3) Question : Which of the following statements regarding sedimentary rocks are correct?
1. Sedimentary rocks are formed when igneous rocks undergo gradational activity by different agents of erosion.
2. Sedimentary rocks of organic origin are coal, gypsum and limestone.
3. Rock salt is a chemically formed sedimentary rock.
4. All sedimentary rocks are layered, lying in vertical beds.
Options
a. 1,2,3,4
b. 1 & 4 only
c. 3 only
d. 1 & 2 only
Answer : c. 3 only
Explanation: Sedimentary rocks make up about 5% of the total earth’s crust.
i. Any rock on the earth surface is exposed to weather changes and to the agents of erosion. It thus gets broken into fragments and further gets reduced to small particles called sediments.
ii. So it is not only igneous rocks, but also metamorphic and older sedimentary rocks get fragmented to form new sedimentary rocks.
iii. Sedimentary rocks are distinguished from other rock types in their characteristic layer formation and are termed stratified rocks.
iv. These layers are horizontally arranged in a sedimentary rock. These layers or strata may vary in the thickness from a few inches to many feet.
v. The materials that form sedimentary rock may be brought by streams, glaciers, wind or even animals. They are non-crystalline and often contain fossils.
vi. On the basis of composition, sedimentary rocks are distinguished as.
i. Mechanically formed Sandstone, conglomerate, limestone ii. Chemically formed Rock salt, gypsum, saltpetre, limestone iii. Organically formed Coal, limestone, geyserites
4) Question : Consider the following statements about Madan Mohan Malaviya
1. He established Hindu Banaras University in 1916.
2. He was the founder of Hindu Mahasabha.
3. Malaviya was posthumously conferred with Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award in 2014.
Which of the above statements are incorrect?
Options
a. Only 2
b. Only 3
c. Only 1
d. None
Answer : d. None
Explanation: Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya or Mahamana Malaviya,
i. He was born on 25th December 1861 at Prayag.
ii. Pt Malaviya after his graduation and study of law, practiced for a while in the High Court of Allahabad.
iii. Journalism was also in his blood and was one of the earliest leaders of the Indian National Congress and also elected as President of INC multiple times.
iv. He was elected to the provincial legislative council in 1903. v. His vision of India envisaged rapid industrial and agricultural development and to achieve the same he advocated education. 
vi. His dissent to the report of the Indian Industrial Commission stands testimony to his clear thinking on Indian industrial and economic problems. 
vii. His major contribution is the founding of the Banaras Hindu University in 1916 and working ceaselessly for it with funds from donations showing his selfless devotion to the cause of education. 
viii. One of his outstanding arguments was on the Press Bill. Speaking on April 4, 1910, he vociferously opposed the Bill. Similarly in 1910 he argued against the Seditious Meeting Act. ix. On the National Ideal, he said “No Indian is entitled to the honour of being called a patriot, be he a Hindu, Mohammedan, Christian or Parsi who desires for a moment that any fellow-countrymen of his, whatever his race or creed may be, should be placed under the domination of the men of his own particular persuasion or community, or that any one section should gain an undue advantage over any other section … Patriotism demands that we should desire equally the good of all our countrymen alike.”
x. Pt Malaviya played an important part in the removal of untouchability and in giving direction to the Harijan movement.
xi. Hindu Mahasabha was founded in 1914 by Madan Mohan Malaviya. It worked with Arya Samaj and other Hindu organizations. It was directly link with Rashtriya Swam Sevak Sangh founded in 1925 at Nagpur by K.B.Hegewar.
5) Question : Consider the following statements.
1. Heat wave is a condition where temperature is greater than 6 degree Celsius above what’s usual for the region.
2. Severe heat wave is a condition in which temperatures are greater than or equal to 47 degree Celsius.
Which of the above statements are correct according to latest definitions by IMD?
Options
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
Answer : b. Only 2
Explanation: i. Heat wave is defined as temperatures greater than 4.5 degree Celsius above what is usual for the region.
ii. Cold wave denotes temperatures less than 4.5 Degree Celsius of what is usual for the region.
iii. A sever heat wave condition occurs when the temperature is greater than or equal to 47 Degree Celsius.
iv. A severe cold wave situation occurs when the minimum temperature is 2 Degree Celsius or lower.
v. If India’s monsoon rainfall were to dip below 10 per cent of the normal and span between 20 and 40 per cent of the country’s area, it would be called a “deficient” year instead of an “All India Drought Year” as the IMD’s older manuals.
vi. A more severe instance, where the deficit exceeds 40 per cent and would have been called an “All India Severe Drought Year” earlier, will now be named as a “Large Deficient Year”.
vii. The IMD has never used the term “drought” in its forecasts and has maintained that declaring droughts was the prerogative of States.
6) Question : Which of the following Statements regarding Climate change Agreement 2015 are correct?
1. There is penalty for countries that miss their emissions targets set out in the Climate Agreement 2015.
2. The agreement asks governments to review their targets in the next four years.
3. In order to reach the long-term goal, countries agreed to set national targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions every five years.
4. The long-term objective of the agreement is to make sure global warming stays "well below" 2 degrees Celsius.
Options
a. Statements 1,2,3 are correct
b. Statements 1,3,4 are correct
c. Statements 2,3,4 are correct
d. All Statements are correct
Answer : c. Statements 2,3,4 are correct
Explanation: i. Paris Climate Change Agreement 2015 is not a binding agreement on the parties and no penalty is thus ensued from it.
ii. More about Paris Climate Change Agreement 2015
iii. The Paris Agreement for the first time brings all nations into a common cause based on their historic, current and future responsibilities.
iv. The universal agreement’s objective is to keep the global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius and to drive efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
v. The 1.5 degree Celsius limit is a significantly safer defense line against the worst impacts of a changing climate.
vi. Additionally, the agreement aims to strengthen the ability to deal with the impacts of climate change.
viii. Countries will submit updated climate plans – called nationally determined contributions (NDCs) – every five years, thereby steadily increasing their ambition in the long-term.
vii. To reach these ambitious and important goals, appropriate financial flows will be put in place.
x. This is further underlined by the agreement’s robust transparency and accounting system, which will provide clarity on countries’ implementation efforts, with flexibility for countries’ differing capabilities. The agreement includes a compliance mechanism, overseen by a committee of experts that operates in a non-punitive way.
ix. Climate action will also be taken forward in the period before 2020. Countries will continue to engage in a process on mitigation opportunities and will put added focus on adaptation techniques. Additionally, they will work to define a clear roadmap on ratcheting up climate finance to USD 100 billion by 2020.
7) Question : Recently Supreme Court of India rejected petitions seeking an order against widening of NH-7 highway project. Which of the following tiger reserves are affected by the project?
Options
a. Dudwa Tiger Reserve , UP
b. Kanha and Pench Tiger reserve, MP.
c. Panna tiger reserve, MP
d. None of the above
Answer : b. Kanha and Pench Tiger reserve, MP.
Explanation: Development vs Conservation: Apex court ruling on the widening of National Highway 7. Please read the article, the topic is of relevance as India is gearing up for new era of development with the initiatives like Make in India, Skilling India etc. A dear topic for UPSC all the time. Important even from the Mains POV.
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/...
8) Question : Which of the following Central Taxes are subsumed under proposed GST?
1. Central Excise Duty
2. Additional Excise Duty
3. The Excise Duty levied under the Medicinal and Toiletries Preparation Act
4. Service Tax
5. Sales Tax
Options
a. 1,2,3,5
b. 2,3,4
c. 1,2,3,4
d. All
Answer : c. 1,2,3,4
Explanation: GST, or Goods and Services Tax, will subsume central indirect taxes like excise duty, countervailing duty and service tax, as also state levies like value added tax, octroi and entry tax, luxury tax. i. The final consumer will bear only the GST charged by the last dealer in the supply chain, with set-off benefits at all the previous stages.
ii. As a measure of support for the states, petroleum products, alcohol for human consumption and tobacco have been kept out of the purview of the GST. iii. It will have two components - Central GST levied by the Centre and State GST levied by the states.
iv. However, only the Centre may levy and collect GST on supplies in the course of inter-state trade or commerce. The tax collected would be divided between the Centre and the states in a manner to be provided by parliament, on the recommendations of the GST Council. 
v. The GST Council is to consist of the union finance minister as chairman, the union minister of state of finance and the finance minister of each state. 
vi. The bill proposes an additional tax not exceeding 1% on inter-state trade in goods, to be levied and collected by the Centre to compensate the states for two years, or as recommended by the GST Council, for losses resulting from implementing the GST.
Sales tax is levied by the State Government and not Central Government. 
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-...
9) Question : Consider the following statements regarding neutrinos?
1. Neutrinos are electrically charged elementary particle.
2. They are affected by electro-magnetic radiation and can pass through any material. Which of the above statements are correct?
Options
a. All b.
Only 1 c.
Only 2 d.
None
Answer : d. None
Explanation: Neutrinos are one of the fundamental particles which make up the universe. They are also one of the least understood. 
i. Neutrinos are similar to the electron, with one crucial difference: neutrinos do not carry electric charge. 
ii. Neutrinos are electrically neutral, they are not affected by the electromagnetic forces which act on electrons. 
iii. Neutrinos are affected only by a "weak" sub-atomic force of much shorter range than electromagnetism, and are therefore able to pass through great distances in matter without being affected by it.
iv. If neutrinos have mass, they also interact gravitationally with other massive particles.v. India was a world leader in neutrino experiments in 1960s but with the closing of the Kolar Gold Fields which was the site of the experiments, experimental neutrino research in India came to a halt.vi. The Indian Neutrino Obervatory at Theni, Tamil Nadu is expected to revive the lost legacy.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/sc...
10) Question

: Consider the following statements
1. Lake Lonar in Maharastra is an example of a crater or Caldera Lake.
2. Barren Island in Andaman is an example of a dormant or sleeping volcano.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Options
a. 1 only
b. Both
c. 2 only
d. None
Answer : b. Both
Explanation: i. Most volcanoes are an individual mountain or a hill nearly conical in shape.
ii. The extent and the height of this cone depend upon the viscosity of lava erupting from the earth’s surface.
iii. On eruption, the cone is ripped off and a crater (a funnel shaped feature with a diameter ranging from a few score meters to 2 or 3 or even more kilometers) formed in its place.
iv. As the time passes, the crater is converted into a lake often called as caldera.

Interview of IAS Exam 2011 Topper Prince Dhawan

Question: Please tell us about your childhood, family background, schooling and higher education?
Prince Dhawan: I am Prince Dhawan. My father was in the revenue service that is why my childhood had been spent in seven to eight cities across India. My schooling had completed from various schools. I had enjoyed my exposure to diverse crowds. Moreover, I had successfully completed my 10+2 from the city of Indore. Further, I had completed my B.Tech and M.Tech as a dual degree in electrical engineering from IIT Delhi. I always believe to do efficient work and want to enjoy it.

Question: When did the idea of becoming a Civil Services Officer strike your mind?
Prince Dhawan: I had felt that there were many opportunities in life to serve the society in different ways. As I always have an open mind, so, I had realized that Civil Services is one of the way through which I can serve the society and can enjoy as well. So, I was trying with this idea from my graduation time only.

Question: what kept you motivated towards the Civil Services in the course of rigorous preparation for the exam?

Prince Dhawan: The motivation in me came by the fact that I had enjoyed the preparation phase. I loved staying away from my home and spending time with my friends. I think that Civil Services are not just an exam it’s a journey and I was enjoying the journey a lot.

Question: Please tell us about your icons, hobbies and interest?
Prince Dhawan: My icons are my Parents i.e. My mother and my father. My hobbies are teaching, debating and mentoring junior students at IIT Delhi.

Question: How many attempts did it take to taste success?
Prince Dhawan: It is my first attempt and I believe that success is a very subjective concept. I define success when you sleep peacefully at night and you remain happy.

Question: How much time one should devote in preparing for the Main exam? What according to you is the ideal time to start the preparation for Main exam?
Prince Dhawan: I think it is not about the time. I had never thought of time while preparing my exam. I use to set some short term targets or long term targets and my main strategy was to achieve those targets.

Question: How helpful are coaching institutes?
Prince Dhawan: I don’t prefer coaching institutes. I had taken electrical engineering as my optional and my IIT teachers had helped me out for that. Moreover, in public Administration exam I had taken guidance from some experienced teachers.

Question: Did you take the help of internet while preparing for the examination? How helpful did you find it? Did you use any current affairs website?
Prince Dhawan: As it is a proven fact that UPSC had became very dynamic in today’s scenario. So, it requires lot of awareness in your surrounding and that is the reason that internet was very crucial part of my preparation. I often read from jagranjosh.com and I believe that this site is regularly updated.

Question: How much time did you take to prepare for the CSE?
Prince Dhawan: I think that it is a very subjective question. I cannot give answer to this question but, I believe that it depends upon the individual and every individual should devote as much time until and unless they are not confident about the subject and their preparation.

Question: Given the extensive nature of contents asked in the preliminary exam, did you apply any specific method for the preparation?
Prince Dhawan: My only aim was to prepare for the main exam. To keep an eye on the main examination I had prepared my subjects.

Question: When did you start preparing for the Main examination? What was your medium of the written exam? What were your optional subjects for the Main exam?
Prince Dhawan: I had started preparing for mains and the prelims together. I had not taken the peace-meal approach. Although,my strategy was also similar for both examinations.

Question: not audible
Prince Dhawan: It is a very subjective question. Some might find the prelims easier or some might find the interview easier. It depends upon the perception of different people with accordance to their mindset.

Question: How much time one should devote in preparing for the Main exam? What according to you is the ideal time to start the preparation for Main exam? 
Prince Dhawan: One thing that one should keep in mind while preparing that one should be confident and comfortable about the subject and preparation respectively.

Question: What were your optional subjects? 
Prince Dhawan: My optional subjects were Electrical Engineering and Public Administration.

Question: What was the basis for choosing these optional subjects?
Prince Dhawan: Electrical Engineering was a natural choice for me as I had done both B.Tech and M.Tech in electrical Engineering and as far as Public Administration is concerned, I felt that it suited my personality bit more as I had led certain student bodies in my college and I was very eager to know that how they can be managed. These are the reasons or we can say basis for choosing my optional subjects.

Question: Do you think that public administration should be a compulsory subject as the nature of duties required and administrating things on the field so everyone should be aware through this?
Prince Dhawan: I think that training exemplifies everything. So, I don’t think that it should be a compulsory subject.

Question: What is your approach while preparing Public Administration? Which books, notes and things you had preferred? What was your strategy to prepare that strategy?
Prince Dhawan: I believe that that there is no substitute for self study. No amount of coaching can help a person if he/she is not putting an effort to his own. My first approach towards Public Administration is to get a grip on the study material and practice for writing answers regularly.Which

Question: Which Indian Language you chose for the Main exam?
Prince Dhavan: I had opted for Hindi.Which Indian Lan

Question: How did you plan for the General Studies in the main examination? 
Prince Dhawan: I read newspapers and prepared some notes and I revised them periodically. Apart from that, I used to check the websites of Ministry on regular basis. In addition, I constantly keep revising my fundamental subjects-Politics, geography, history, economy, science etc- so that I can remember the right things at the right time.

Question: Do you think that Current affairs news is helpful while preparing the subject-Public Administration?
Prince Dhawan: Yes, certainly. Public Administration is a dynamic subject and one should constantly places the subject in the current context for that one should keep an eye on current happenings specially in the field of administration and gain and learn from them.

Question: For essay paper, how did you prepare?
Prince Dhawan: For essay paper, I had read that what UPSC wanted in essay paper. It requires concise, original and innovative thinking. Students should keep their essays to the point and they must stick to the topic. I feel lot of writing practice is required with ideal thinking over issues. This will help candidates to think over essay writing.

Question: Would you like to give any tips for the preparation of Essay paper to the future aspirants? 
Prince Dhawan: For essay paper, I would say that calm your mind and gather through thoughts before you pick up the pen.

Question: What was your plus point?
Prince Dhawan: I think my mistakes were too many while interview and plus points cannot be pinpointed. It is over all personality appeal and, board was very learned, experienced and respectable members. Therefore, they are able to gauge the personality of an individual easily.

Question: Who was the chairman of the interview board?
Prince Dhawan: Mr. P.K. Sharma was the chairman.

How to read NCERT Books for civil services exam

There are two ways to read NCERT books for IAS Preparation.

First method to read NCERT BOOKS for Exam-Read all books class wise .In this method you have to read all books from specific class and after completing them then proceed to next class and in same way to next class.

Example-Start from class 6 NCERT books then read and complete all subjects history,geography,civics(political science) and science after completing all subjects move to next class (class 7)and again read all subjects of class 7 ncert books.

Second method to read NCERT BOOKS for Exam preparation-Read NCERT books subject wise. In this method you have to first complete any one subject from any class then move to next class and read same subject which you have read in previous class.

Example-Start from class 6 take any subject  for example science then complete it and after reading science book move to next class 7 and read same subject (Science) and after completing it move to next class and again choose science subject. After completing whole NCERT science book read another subject in same way.

Which way is the best to read NCERT BOOKS for UPSC civil services exam (IAS) ???

After reading NCERT books many times from my personal experience and some experience from others .In my opinion Second method is the best to read NCERT books for IAS Exam. So choose the second method-Read NCERT books subject wise.

Why second method is best way to read NCERT BOOKS for UPSC civil services exam ???

Read NCERT BOOKS subject wise for exam preparation-You will swim with flow. If you read NCERT books subject wise you will understand subject easily and your basic knowledge gets more stronger in any subject .In contrast if you read NCERT books by first method that is class wise you will get less knowledge because this method create gap between the same subject .

To understand the above question understand the simple logic

More time (more gaps between the same subject) =more memory loss (in first method)

Less time (No gap between same subject)=more memory(in second method)

From the above discussion 

1.Start IAS preparation from class 6 NCERT BOOKS

2.Take any subject of your interest.

3.Complete all chapters from that subject in targeted time frame .

4.Pick same subject which you have chosen in previous class.Apply the same process as mentioned in step 3

5.Then in the same way reach to the class 12 and complete on subject

6.Start the above process with another subject in same way.

How many NCERT books you have to read for IAS Preparation?

If you read history,geography,political science,and science then you have to read around 40 to 44 NCERT Books for civil services exam preparation.

How much time it takes to COVER ALL NCERT BOOKS FOR IAS PREPARATION?

If you read NCERT BOOKS with full concentration then you will cover it in two to three months(2-3 months).If not with much focus and concentration it will take too much of time may be 4-6 months (four to six months).

Why I am saying it will take two months to three months not one month ?

Because you have to read around 44 NCERT BOOKS even if you complete one book in one day it will take more than one month.

Can you complete one book in one day (one science book contain about 14-16 chapter) ???

Note-Time depends on your hard work, concentration and caliber.

How to complete NCERT BOOKS for IAS preparation???

1.Make a time table-Write to do list

2.First write down how much time you have to complete it .

3.Then make to do list (for topics and subjects) for one month.

4.The break this one month to do list in one week and then in day

5.In this way you will achieve more in less time.

If you have any other question just put you message or comment in comment box ,it will help others also .