Brochure g.s. 2013_oct

8/12/2019 Brochure g.s. 2013_oct

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THE NEW SYLLABUS NEEDS NEW ORIENTATION! GET A FRESH PERSPECTIVE AT SYNERGY!!

MUKHERJEE NAGAR: 102, Ist Floor, Manushree Building, Behind Post Office, Delhi-09, Ph: 011-2764518, 2765349

KAROL BAGH: 16-A/2, First Floor, Ajmal Khan Road, W.E.A., New Delhi-05, Ph:- 011-25744391, www.synergy.edu.in

The UPSC had notified the revised civil service main exam pattern, which doubles the number of papers for General Studies and substantially increases its

weightage vis-a-vis optional subjects. However, it is worth pondering over what changes have been made? What do these changes indicate? And accordingly the

students should change their priorities in preparation and plan to write the exam successfully.

Please be attentive to the following observations:-

1. The new GENERAL STUDIES syllabus signifies both continuity and change or break from the past ( find the details from the table below).

Table No. 1






2. An experienced and sincere mentor would explain that the changes in the GS syllabus has not been completely new; those were

already visible in the main exam of last couple of years. Following have been the major shifts in recent period(main exams of last two

years) which now have become explicit-(a) Current/dynamic portion of various issues have become the dominant or predominantly the emphasised area.

(b) Number of questions have been dramatically increased and questions had been in the form of analyse, comment etc., so as to test whether the

student is merely a book worm or genuinely aware of various issues.

(c) Number of questions have been asked which apparently was believed then as being not within the syllabus but has now found a place in the new

syllabus.

Please consider few of the following questions asked in the last two years-

DEAR STUDENTS, in the light of above analysis we can safely conclude that t hough t he syllabus has changed this year

but the quest ions were already, to a substantive extent , as per this changed pattern and requirements. This largely explains

the reason for abysmally low scores in GS papers in the last couple of years - while questions and their requirements have

changed the preparation remained the same as it used to be traditionally.

SO, THE NEW SYLLABUS NEEDS NEW ORIENTATION !

GET A FRESH PERSPECTIVE AT SYNERGY !!

AN INITIATIVE THAT COMBINES EXPERIENCE WITH NOVELTY !!!






* The New G.S. Syllabus as displayed above has been simplified & better organized for the convenience of the students.






Now let’s try to unravel the New syllabus –

Preparing History and Culture can be incredibly dull if you do not follow right strategy. This new syllabus lists five topics under ‘History and culture’ section. Here

are a couple of ways to prepare these five topics.

A. HISTORY RELATED TOPICS

1. Indian culture

One needs to pay special attention on the salient aspects of Art forms, literature and

Architecture from ancient to modern times. This section is evolving as the ‘hunting

ground’ for the UPSC to frame questions.

The concept of heritage comprises of movable and immovable assets of artistic,

literary, architectural, historical, archeological, ethnological value that embody the

essence of a nation.

To make things simple, we can categorise the whole gamut of this section under

the following three heads:

A. Visual Art –

Architecture - (Nagara School, Dravida School,

Vessar School, Indo- Islamic Style, Victorian Style etc.)

Sculpture – (Gandhara School, Mathura School,

Amaravati School etc.)

Painting – (Prehistoric, Ajanta and Bagh painting,

Miniature painting, Mughal painting, Rajput Style, Pahari School, Patna

Kalam, Madhubani painting, Manjusha painting etc.)

B. Performing Art – Music, Dance, Theater, Circus, Puppetry, etc.

C. Miscellaneous topics – Language, Craft, Religion, etc.

Study Reference:

The Wonder that was India Vol - I & II( A.L.Basham/S.S. Rizvi)

Introduction to Indian Art-NCERT – Class XI.

2. Modern Indian History (from about the middle of the eighteenth century untill the present)

If one scans through the development of this period, one can notice some significant event, personalities and issues. It is quite difficult to know the

details of this section because it covers everything.

One can cover areas like establishment of British rule in Bengal, Reactions like Tribal revolt, Civil rebellion, Sepoy revolt, Rise of

nationalism, Development and planning process after independence, Colonial policies and so-called reforms, Bhoodan movement, Green Revolution,

Origin of Naxalism, Bodoland movement, Ayodhya issue, Operation Blue star, Bhopal gas leak tragedy, Chipko movement, Emergency, Hawala

Scandal, JK issue, Total Revolution etc.

Study Reference:

Bipan Chandra – History of Modern India (Orient Blackswan)

Grover & Grover – History of Modern India

3. The Freedom Struggle

A vital issue which often confuses a candidate is - whether all topics are equally important in the freedom struggle. Basic familiarity with all the topics

is required and for this, one reading of Bipan Chandra’s India’s struggle for Independence is must.

We need to prepare all the phases of our national movement from 1885 to 1947. But a close examination of the recent trends suggest the

importance of some new issues like role of Viceroys, role of working class, role of capitalists, role of regional leaders, Constitutional development,role of Women organization etc.

Idea is to go beyond the mainstream freedom struggle and to appreciate contribution from different sections.

Study Reference: Bipan Chandra – India’s struggle for Independence

Sumit Sarkar – Modern India

4. Post- Independence, Consolidation and reorganization within the country This section of new syllabus takes a holistic view of the political economy of Indian development since independence. After independence, challenges

for us were to overcome the colonial legacy of economic underdevelopment, gross poverty and stark social inequality and injustice. This challenge of

nation- building was taken up by our people and leader with a certain elan and determination.

Our approach should be to know some important issues like linguistic reorganization of the states, integration of the states, integration of

tribals, land reforms, Cooperative movement etc..

Study Reference: Bipan Chandra – India since independence

5. World HistoryThis section of our new syllabus is a surprising element for many. It can cause a general frustration among the candidates because of the length and

breadth of the syllabus.

G.S.-I(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the

World and Society.)






If one examines the whole of the syllabus closely, the following issues can be considered relevant for this section:-

Beginning of the Modern Age, Rise of Colonialism, Industrial revolution, State building, Process and Unification Process, Development leading to the

World War-I- It’s impact, Russian Revolution, 1917, Socialism, Capitalism, The League of Nations, The Spanish Civil War, Communism, Totalitarianism

and the road to World War-II, Causes of World War-II - the devastation and aftermath, UN, Decolonization process, Fall of communism.

Study Reference: Textbooks on Class XI & XII – NCERT

B. Topics Related to Indian Society

Various topics added in this section can be appreciated in the context of need for development of socialawareness. Developing Social Awareness involves learning about the dynamics of social relationships

between individuals, groups and communities. A socially aware individual values human rights and

acknowledges the importance of harmonious social interaction for the developmental progress of human

beings.

Further, knowing more about social issues makes an individual more responsible and enables the

individual to take efficient actions in favour of the society. For example, if more children are taught about

the ill effects of global warming, they will be more responsible with fuel. Moreover social awareness will

empower them to face certain difficult situations and solve it. It is also important to enable people, mostly

women, to know their status and dignity is society.

This section thereby requires a thorough understanding of various sociological concepts. Suppose you are

asked a question on poverty, this may have theoretical inferences. You may also need empirical case studies examples to analyse the topics.

Students need to have analytical eye with focus on continuity and change. Like, despite so many changes, why caste system is still prevalent in our country.

Or, despite the break-up of the joint family system, the mentality of joint family still exists among Indians.

Once you get conceptual clarity, it becomes very easy to understand the crux of sociological topics in the new syllabus.Study Reference:

The beginners may give more emphasis on some of the basic books before they go on the read the other books.

NCERT books on sociology for class XI & XII may be found very useful.

S.C. Dubey - Indian Society

Arjun Appadurai : Globalization (Public Culture Book).

– The article on – Globalization at what cost.

Philip Mason : India and Ceylon – Unity and Diversity

– Chapter 1- Unity in Diversity in I ndia C. Topics Related to Geography

1. Salient Features Of World’s Physical Geography: This portion deals with the

basic understanding of geographical phenomena and processes over the globe. This

includes study of four spheres – air, water, land and bio – as well as the environment

as a whole. Thus, the chapters would be(a) Geomorphology – Landforms, Factors controlling landform development;

Endogenetic and exogenesis forces; Origin and evolution of the earth’s crust and

Physical conditions of the earth’s interior.

(b) Climatology: Temperature and pressure belts of the world; Heat budget of the

earth; Atmospheric circulation; atmospheric stability and instability. Planetary

and local winds; Monsoons and jet streams; Air masses and frontogenesis,

Temperate and tropical cyclones; Types and distribution of precipitation; Weather and Climate; Global climatic change and role and response of

man in climatic changes.

(c) Oceanography: Bottom topography of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans; Temperature and salinity of the oceans; Ocean deposits; Waves,

currents and tides; Marine resources: biotic, mineral and energy resources.

(d) Biogeography – Soil types, characteristics and distribution; Problem of Soil degradation and conservation; World distribution of plants and animals,

and factors influencing it; Problems of deforestation and conservation measures; Major gene pool centres.

(e) Environmental Geography: Principle of ecology; Influence of man on ecology and environment; Environmental degradation, management andconservation; Biodiversity and sustainable development. (Header 3 deals with this aspect) This portion also includes the header on ‘Important

Geophysical Phenomena’.

Study Reference:

NCERT XI- Principles of Geography/Fundamentals of Physical Geography

Goh Cheng Leong – Certificate in Physical & Human Geography

2. Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of

primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India): This portion deals with the spatial distribution of

economic activity over the globe. It includes the fact of distribution as well as the factors responsible for it.

Study Reference:

Geography Made Simple – Economic and Human Geography (for the world)

NCERT XII- Fundamentals of Human Geography

3. Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment : This portion deals with the current concerns

relating to the negative fallouts of human-environment interaction. The manner end extent of extraction of natural resources from environment as wellas negative fallouts of its utili sation on environment in the form of pollution is part of this discourse.

Study Reference:






Erach Bharucha – Environmental Studies

A. Topics Related to Governance, Constitution and Polity

This section deals with Governance, Polity and constitution besides dealing with Social Justice and

International Relation. For most, there is hardly a difference between constitution, Polity and Governance. A

discerning eye would be able to decipher the critical difference. Let us try to understand.

Constitution is a set of fundamental principles or mother laws according to which a state or any organization

runs. Polity refers to a particular form or system of government. Governance refers to the act of managing

the resources of the government or the act of governing.

In this regard thereby, a student is required to understand the constitution of India, the form of government

in India and the manner in which the government operates. Thus, a student is required to study the above

dimensions in detail. No more the study can be restricted to the articles of the constitution and few judicial

cases and clarifications associated with it (as has been the style of preparation previously under the hitherto

existing GS syllabus). Now under the changed syllabus in this section the student is moreover required to

understand various contents and aspects of the constitution, the form of government including various

subordinate and associated governmental and non-governmental bodies and the manner in which the government operates that would include Civil Service and

associated issues. Moreover, this section of the paper requires the student to understand the government and administration in India both in the concept and

practice.

Study Reference:

Subhash Kashyap – 1. Our Constitution

2. Our Parliament

3. Our Political System

Textbooks of Class XI & XII (Dealing to Polity Democracy etc.) – NCERT

Magazines like Yojna, Kurukshetra, & Frontline

B. Topics Related to International Relations

What all are explicit in the syllabus:-

1. India and its neighbourhood relations

2. India’s bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements & its effect on India.

3. Development Countries Vs. Developing Countries- their politics and policies & is effects.

4. Indian Diaspora.

5. Important International Institutions, agencies and for a- their structure & mandate.

What all are implicit in the syllabus:-

1. India and its neighbourhood includes not only subcontinent nations such as Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, etc. but the concept of extended neighbourhood

shall also be included viz. S-E Asian nations, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Iran, etc.

2. Bilateral regional and global groupings signify the alliances between two or more nations on issue-based or interest-based. These ‘grouping’

importance increases, if they have any, direct or indirect implications on India’s interests inside and outside.

3. Role of Indian diaspora was already there in the erstwhile syllabus but in the new syllabus its importance has increased considering 'the politics and

policies of developed & developing countries' section explicitly added in the syllabus. There is a considerable role of Indian diaspora in politics and

policies of developed and developing nations.

4. The dimension of International Institution/Organization is so vast that any form or type of such institution/organization can be asked in question. To

pinpoint the areas under this topics, it is very important to cover the developments in current affairs.

Study Reference:

This is completely a dynamic area where informations change overnight so the best way to prepare it, is to follow the Hindu newspaper along with a

Magazine-Frontline.

G.S.-II(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and

International relations)






Besides one can ponder upon NCERT-XII Political Science textbook: Democracy in India: Issues & challenges. Indian Year Book is useful in preparing

the section on Indian diaspora and Manorama Year Book is quite handy in preparing International Institution/organization section.

How to Approach?

Begin with NCERT-XII and Keep making notes from Current Affairs material such as Newspaper, Magazines, Frontline and the MEA website.

A. Topics Related to Economic Development What all are explicit in the syllabus:-

1. Indian Economy

(a) Issues relating to planning

(b) Mobilisation of resources

(c) Growth & development

2. Inclusive Growth & issues arising from it.

3. Govt. Budgeting

4. Agriculture and issue related to it.

5. Socio-Economic Issues emerging out of agriculture- farm subsidies,

MSP, PDS, food processing etc.

6. Land Reforms in India

7. Effects of liberalization on the economy.

8. Industrial policy- Changes & its effects on industrial growth.

9. Infrastructure- Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

What all are implicit in the syllabus:-

1. Indian Economy:- This words itself connotes every possible and current dynamics

of Indian economy but the focus shall remain on understanding the entire

conventional part of Indian economy such as planning, agriculture, industry,

National Income, etc

2. The component i.e. effects of liberalization on the Indian Economy, is a corollary

of the above part of Indian Economy as mentioned explicitly in the syllabus. This

component will automatically include the effects of liberalization post 1991-on

every economic component such as Agriculture, industry, services, banking and

financial reforms, etc.

3. The above two descriptions are sufficient enough to open the ‘Pandora box’ of the

Indian Economy.

4. Budgeting as a concept- was needed to be understood in the erstwhile syllabus but now in ‘Govt.

Budgeting’, it will be essential to understand its process, types, forms and its impact overall on

society and economy, etc.

5. The kind of in-depth exploration which has been done on two broad topics such as Agriculture &

Industry, now it will require clear-cut understanding on the minute details of the concepts such asagriculture- crop varities, cropping pattern, irrigation forms & its availability with challenges, etc.

Study Reference: A popular proverb deems fit here-“its old wine in new bottle”. Still the mantra of success is to rely upon

NCERT- XI & XII textbooks, along with few reference books such as I.C. Dhingra - Indian Economic

Development, R.C. Tiwari - Geography of India (Only for Agriculture), Mohit Bhattacharya - New Horizons of

Public Administration (only for Govt. Budgeting).

B. Topics Related to Science and Technology – Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

– Achievements of Indians in science & technology;

– Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

– Awareness in the fields of (1) IT (2) Space (3) Computers (4) Robotics (5) Nano- technology (6) Bio-technology and (7) Issues relating to intellectual

property rights.

Implicit part in the syllabusDevelopments and their applications of SC. & TECH.-includes every possible area of Science and Technology such as: Nuclear Technology, Ocean Technology,

Defence Technology, Clean –Fuel Technology, Electronics, Plasmonics, etc…..

Begin with NCERT text books & then refer I.C.

Dhingra’s book, and further one can proceed for

other textbooks.

One very important piece of guideline is to keep

abreast with the current development from

Newspaper, Yojana Issues & Kurukshetra Issues,

which are going to play a cardinal role in

answering most of the questions asked by UPSC.

G.S.-III(Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity,

Environment, Security and Disaster Management)






Newly added section in Science and Tech

Achievements of Indians in science & technology;

How to approach?

Start with a basic reading of NCERT Textbooks of Std. VII-IX on Science and Technology.

If Your basics are good then refer the Spectrum’s Science and Technology book.

One thing is very important to understand at the outset i.e., what to read here –everyone must

try to analyse the nature and the question pattern of PT AND MAIN exam of UPSC- The most likely

outcome of the ANALYSIS would be that the traditional areas have become least important and

the ISSUES that are there in the CURRENT-AFFAIRS have gained the currency.

Study Reference: 1. India Year Book (Chapter on Sc. and Tech.)

2. Manorama Year Book (chapters on science ,IT, and articles on recent science and tech.

development given there)

3. Magazines such as Science Reporter of one year

4. THE HINDU – the developments in CURRENT (FROM MAY TO OCT.)

An important area of emphasis of the government around the world nowadays is to focus on society’s shared standards and values. A competent and impartial

administration is a necessary condition for the appropriate performance of its duties; the public must have confidence in the authorities’ discharge of their

duties in accordance with the rule of law and the democratic frameworks. For this reason the reliability of the government administration can be guaranteed

only when it is guided by the higher ethical values and standards of society and public life.

This Paper can be divided into three broad sections for our convenience –

1. Ethics & Integrity: Ethics concern an individual's moral judgments about right and wrong. Ethics is a requirement for human life. There would be no way to

work towards a goal because there would be no way to pick between a limitless number of goals. Even with an ethical standard, we may be unable to pursue our

goals with the possibility of success. To the degree which a rational ethical standard is taken, we are able to correctly organize our goals and actions to

accomplish our most important values. Any flaw in our ethics will reduce our ability to be successful in our endeavors. Ethics are learned throughout our lives as

we associate with others. During years of schooling, we learn ethics as we interact with teachers and classmates and learn respect and other skills. In the work

place, we learn responsibility, teamwork, punctuality, and communication skills. When we understand why these ethical values are necessary, we realize the

importance they have in our success as well as our everyday lives. We use these skills, along with our knowledge of right from wrong as we go about various

activities such as taking official decisions, driving, buying milk at the supermarket, filing out an application, etc. We know that it is unlawful to run a red light,

shop-lift, and lie under oath. Because good ethics make us honest, law-abiding citizens, we contribute to the good of society.

This section covers the topics on Ethics and Human Interface Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Services, Public/Civil Service values and Ethics in Public

Administration and Probity in Governance. The section further can be divided into two parts –

(a) Conceptual: requires the understanding of the main principles and concepts that underpin Ethics, Human value, Civil Service, etc. A conceptual frameworkmust consider the theoretical and conceptual issues surrounding Ethical behaviour of individuals, within society and Civil Services.

(b) Application: As the syllabus rightly mentions that the section is designed to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity

in public life and his/her problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him/her dealing with society. As it further mentions, questions may

utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects.

The above lines are specific i.e, the section does not intend to limit the student’s understanding to theoretical concepts rather the section focuses to find

out the students ability to comprehend a situation use natural and acquired learning into specific areas and the wisdom with which a candidate is able to handle

complex and demanding situations in administration.

2. Interpersonal Skills: The section includes the chapters on Attitude and Emotional Intelligence. There are two topics (ATTITUDE & EMOTIONAL

INTELLIGENCE) of this section those being put exclusively to test an individual's inter-personal skill/social skill: skill with which an individual successfully gets

along with others.

ATTITUDES are tendencies of individuals through which one evaluates things in certain ways. This can include evaluations of people, issues, objects or events.

Such evaluations are often positive or negative, but they can also be uncertain at times. This forms the basis for behaviour towards others. While attitude is a

feeling, belief, or opinion of approval or disapproval towards something, behaviour is an action or reaction that occurs in response to an event or internal stimuli

(i.e., thought). Behaviours usually, but not always, reflect established beliefs and values.

Advertising, political campaigns, and other persuasive media messages are all built on

the premise that behaviour follows attitude, and attitude can be influenced with the

right message delivered in the right way.

"EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE is a way of recognizing, understanding, and choosing how

we think, feel, and act. It shapes our interactions with others and our understanding of

ourselves. It defines how and what we learn; it allows us to set priorities; it drives many

of our daily actions".'Emotional Intelligence’ – a key element in management and

leadership, is critical for understanding one’s self "and the people you manage in terms

of motivation, behaviour and performance potential.

Similarly, Government being a social organisation & dealing regularly with diverse

categories of citizens require that the 21st century civil servants should possess right

type of attitude & right amount of EQ(emotional quotient) than mere IQ(intelligent

quotient)!! A portion of this section dealing with ATTITUDE & EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE intends to test this.

3. Contribution of moral philosophers: The section requires the understanding of moral philosophies and ideals developed by various great thinkers of the

world (such as Plato, Hume, Kant, etc.) and India (such as Buddha, Vivekanand, Gandhi, etc.). Understanding and internalisation of these ideas will help theindividuals to become Ethical and built a better society.

G.S.-IV(Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)

Student should be attentive towards the wordings in

the syllabus-Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude, Emotional Intelligence, etc

are not merely be understood as independent concepts

rather the syllabus requires all these to be addressed in the

context of Society, Administration or Governance i.e., mere

conceptual or philosophical understanding is going to be

inadequate. It would require students' comprehension of

these topics in the context of Administration and Society.






21st century Administration/Governance requires the Administrations or Civil Servants should be progressive, empathetic, agile, intelligent and

moreover should be individuals of integrity and honesty. The section in entirety intends to test the same. For this, as the syllabus has mentioned case study

approach would be used.

Study References: 4

th Report (II

nd ARC Report) – Ethics in Governance

William Lillie - An Introduction to Ethics

R.K.Arora – Ethical Governance in Business & Government

H. George Frederickson – Ethics and Public Administration

The Course is designed and will be taught

by M.K. Mohanty, Alok S. Jha, Amit Sinha

and a group of Experts.

(9911156808, 9868775945, 9990906888)

Date of commencement of the class – 7th

Nov., 2013.

Date of Admission: 17th

October, 2013

Students opting for combo courses would be givenpreference in the admission.

Documents

Brochure g.s. 2013_oct