A detailed description of Civil Services Main 2013 by CL experts!

1. Civil
Services
Main 2013

2. CS Main New pattern
• This year UPSC combined the prelims for Civil
Services Exam (CSE) and Indian Forest services exam
(IFoS), but their mains were kept separate
• Like IFoS Main, CS Main Exam had a combined
question paper cum answer sheet, but a separate
“take home” question paper was also attached with
this answer sheet

3. • This year, all the questions in GS were compulsory to
attempt
• In earlier years, UPSC used to have differential
marking scheme with questions of 25 marks, 20
marks, 15 marks, 10 marks, 5 marks, 2 marks and a
mark. But this time, for each of the first 3 papers of
GS, there were 25 questions of 10 marks each.
• There were some questions with subsections.
Effectively, you had only 10-markers and 5-markers
in the first 3 papers of GS.

4. 10,080
What comes to your mind?

5. • Number of choices you had in the two papers of GS last
year!!!
• Paper 1
• In the 1st question, you had to do 5 out of the 6 given
questions
• In the 2nd question, you had to do 7 out of the 8 given
questions
• This means 48 choices (6*8) in paper 1

6. • Paper 2
• 1st question, 4 out of the first 5
• 2nd question, 5 out of the first 6
• 3rd question, 6 out of the 7
• Effectively, 210 choices (5*6*7)
• Both the papers put together 10,080 (48*210)

7. • In the 4th paper you had 25-markers, 20-markers and 3markers as well
• In this paper, you had 6 Case-Studies worth 125 (20*5
and 25*1) marks which means 50% of the paper was on
Case-Studies

8. Maximum word limit of 200 words was
there for each of the questions in the first
three papers of GS. Which means 20
words per mark.

9. • Till last year, you had to write only 10 words per mark in
GS. They would expect you to write 20 words for a 2marker, 250 words for a 25-marker, etc.
• It effectively means, now you have to write 5,000 words
(250*20) in three hours in comparison with 3,000 words
(300*10) earlier, a whopping 66.67 % more!!!

10. • Get into Writing Practice right from the beginning
• 5,000 words in 3 hours!!!

11. Comparison of Main marking scheme
S.NO.
AREA
2012
2013
1
General Studies
600 (26.09%)
1000 (49.38%)
2
Essay
200 (8.70%)
250 (12.34%)
3
Optional subject I
600 (26.09%)
500 (24.69%)
4
Optional subject II
600 (26.09%)
-
5
Compulsory English
Language
Qualifying
Qualifying
6
Regional Language
Qualifying
Qualifying
Subtotal
2000
1750
Personality Test
300 (13.04%)
275 (13.58%)
Grand Total
2300
2025
7

12. Importance of GS: Various Interpretations
1. The simple one:
1000/2025 (49.38%) now, as against 600/2300
(26.09%) earlier
2. If we treat our Essay Writing Ability as being heavily
dependent on our GS ability:
1250/2025 (61.73%) now, as against 800/2300
(34.78%) earlier
3. And if we treat our performance in the Personality Test
as being heavily dependent on our GS ability:
1525/2025 (75.30%)

13. Essay Paper
• In the revised pattern, the weightage of essay paper has
increased from 200 out of 2000 (10%) to 250 out of
1750 (14.28%) with no change in the allotted time.
Effectively, Essay has become 43% more important.
• Earlier no word limit was mentioned in the essay paper
but now UPSC has specifically mentioned that the essay
should be of “not more than 2500 words”. Luckily here,
only 10 words per mark!!!
• Like last year, there were 4 topics this year too

14. Essay Topics
1. Be the change you want to see in others – Gandhiji
2. Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s success?
3. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH
(Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right
indices for judging the well-being of a country.
4. Science and Technology is the panacea for the growth
and security of the nation.

15. Compulsory English
English Paper in 2013 was lengthier than previous years’
English papers as there were two compulsory essays, 2
précis writings, one comparatively long comprehension
and questions to test one's basic grammatical concepts
based on articles and vocabulary.

16. Section-wise distribution of marks is given below:
2 Compulsory Essays (50 marks each)
100
1 Reading Comprehension of 50 marks
(comprising 5 questions)
50
2 précis writing (of 60 and 40 marks respectively)
100
Sentence Formation
10
Antonyms
5
Sentence correction
10
Re-writing the sentences as per the instructions
15
Fill in the blanks
10

17. General Studies Analysis
• After analysing this year’s GS Main Paper, it can be
concluded that UPSC wants only those candidates
who have information as well as very good writing
skills (very fast writing skills too).
• Silver Lining: it is specifically mentioned in the
question paper that ‘Content of the answer is more
important than its length’.

18. General Studies Paper 1
•
•
•
•
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of
the World and Society
Importance of Indian heritage and culture has increased
considerably in the civil services exam in both Prelims and Main
examinations. Moreover, students have to this in a more
detailed manner keeping in mind the latest trends.
Newly added topics like World History, World Geography and
Indian history after Independence constituted the major chunk
of GS paper-1 this year.
Questions asked from area of the Indian heritage and culture
were difficult in nature like Sangam literature and Tandava
dance.
In World History, questions were asked from American
revolution, Japanese imperialism, African colonialism and great
depression. The level of difficulty was moderate.

19. Section-wise distribution of marks in GS PAPER-1
Section
2013
2012
Indian heritage and culture
20
37
History of the world
40
-
Indian Geography
40
42
World Geography
30
15
Society
40
-
Indian History before
Independence
30
27
Indian History after
Independence
50
-

20. General Studies Paper 2
•
•
•
•
•
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social
Justice and International Relations
The questions in Paper 2 were designed to test a
candidate’s basic concept in polity and constitution
and their relevance with the current scenario
A few of the topics were dealt by us in our Mock Test
Series, like question number 10, 16, 17, etc.
In Paper 2, areas of governance have gained
importance
Questions asked from constitution were traditional in
nature
International Affairs and Bilateral Relations have
always been favourite topics in UPSC Mains. This
year major focus was on India’s bilateral relations
with its neighbours.

21. • In this section, basic questions of constitution were
analytical and were related with current scenario like
on role of individual MPs and anti-defection law,
section 66A of IT Act vis-a-vis Article 19 of the
Constitution, relevance of Article 371A in Nagaland
regarding the decision of Ministry of Petroleum, etc.
• And, you thought that it is all about article 370 only!!!

22. Section-wise distribution of marks in GS PAPER-2
Section
2013
2012
Polity and Governance
80
35
Constitution
40
12
Social Justice
50
20
International Relations
80
135

23. General Studies Paper 3
• In Science and Technology, the maximum number of
questions pertained to traditional areas
• However, questions were also asked from new areas
of science and technology, such as, fixed dose drug
combinations, 3D printing technology work, FRP
composite material, run-of-river hydroelectricity
project, etc.
• Indian economy in the light of inclusive growth was
given importance along with importance of CSR,
liberalization, investment model, PPP etc. Though the
most of the questions were analytical, some of them
as FRBM act was asked directly. As per expectations,
questions were also asked on food security, land
reform bill, subsidies, impact of FDI into multi brand
retail etc.

24. • There were five questions from the newly added topic
of internal security. This area, specifically described
under security section, covered almost all threats.
Varying from economic threat in the form of money
laundering to social and political threats like
naxalism were all covered.
• Two questions on IT threat and border issues were
also part of this paper.
• Questions from ecology and environment section
were broadly from sustainable energy (run-off
hydroelectric energy), disaster management and
National Water Policy of India.
• Additionally, one question from sports - the Umpire
Decision Review System in cricket and one question
from disaster management was asked.

25. Section
2013
2012
Science and
Technology/ Science
Economic Development
30
85
110
115
Environment
30
110
Security
50
-
Disaster Management
20
-
Personalities
-
5
Situation based
-
5
Sports
-
10

26. General Studies Paper 4
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
• In this paper also, all the questions were compulsory
like GS Paper 1, 2 and 3
• The questions were divided into two sections namely,
Section A and Section B
• Section A consisted of 8 theoretical questions. The
marks for each question was specified beside the
questions itself
• Section B consisted of 6 case studies questions which
tested you on the ethics in real life situations

27. • Both sections A and B were of 125 marks each
• The word limit within the paper did not follow a
specific pattern and was different for each question
• Overall 3,400 words for 250 marks, a relief for ur
hand!!!
• A significant feature of this paper was that few
questions were either exactly the same or very similar
to the questions asked in the sample paper of ‘Ethics,
Integrity and Aptitude’, issued by UPSC. Some of
these were - definitions of certain terms used in the
context of public service, case study on sexual
harassment case, and question on values and ethics.
• Overall this paper was comparatively easier than the
first three GS papers

28. Similarities between GS Main Paper IV questions and
decision making questions asked in CSAT Paper
S.No.
1
Decision making
Questions asked in CS
Prelims
CS Main 2013 Paper IV -Case
studies
You are setting up university
paper and your colleague wants
you to help his son by leaking
some questions. This colleague
gave you favours earlier in the
past (Preliminary 2013)
You work in finance ministry and
know some secret information. A
contractor wants this information
and he has done good job for the
government earlier.

29. Similarities between GS Main Paper IV questions and
decision making questions asked in CSAT Paper
S.No.
2
Decision making Questions
asked in CS Prelims
CS Main 2013 Paper IV -Case
studies
Case studies involving ‘project
deadlines’ where candidates
were asked to handle a timebound project. During the
project review meeting, it is
found that the project is likely
to get delayed due to lack of
cooperation of the team
members (2012). One of the
options was “escape by
reporting sick”.
Similar “deadline” issue type
question asked in Main. The only
difference is that you found flyover
is of defective quality but people
want it to be quickly opened, to
reduce traffic congestion. Here too
there was this option to “report
sick.”

30. Similarities between GS Main Paper IV Actual
questions and Sample questions given by UPSC
S.No.
Paper IV Sample
paper given by
UPSC
Main 2013, Actual
paper IV
1
Case study: sexual
harassment victim
lady gives you a
written complaint
Similar case but
instead of giving
written complaint,
she resigns from
the job itself.

31. S.No.
2
Paper IV Sample
paper given by UPSC
Write on the
following terms:
Main 2013, Actual
paper IV
Write on the
following terms:
•Spirit of service
•Commitment
•Perseverance
•Intellectual
integrity
•Spirit of service
•Commitment
•Perseverance
•Integrity

32. S.No.
Paper IV Sample paper
given by UPSC
Main 2013, Actual paper IV
3
Indicate two attributes
which you consider very
important
for
“public
servants”. Justify your
answer.
Indicate two attributes which
you consider very important for
“public service”. Justify your
answer.
4
What do you understand by
‘Ethical Human Conduct’?
In what way is it important
to be ethical along with
being
professionally
competent?
What do you understand by
‘values’ and ‘ethics’? In what way
is it important to be ethical along
with
being
professionally
competent?

33. Optional Papers
• In the optional paper, there were eight questions in
two sections (A and B) in each of the papers (1 and 2)
• Candidates had to attempt five questions
• Questions 1 and 5 were compulsory
• Out of the remaining, candidate had to pick any
three, but had to choose at least one from each
section
• The pattern was similar to that of previous years

34. Hindi (Compulsory Regional Language) Paper
• Like last time, the paper was of 300 marks and 3 hour
duration
• In 2012, candidates had to write on any one of the
five essays
• But, this time two compulsory essays of 300 words
each had to be tackled. Each essay was of 50 marks
• The difficulty level of Reading Comprehension was
above that of last year

35. • Like in 2012, précis was of 60 marks but more
difficult than that of 2012. Translation of English to
Hindi and vice versa was there this year too.
• Hindi grammar, vocabulary, idioms and phrases were
also asked
• Overall, the difficulty level of this paper was above
that of last year

36. Strategy to crack Main
• Until a few years back this examination was more like
a university subject paper where quantity of
information mattered more than the quality
• The new pattern has changed the mode
preparation of the candidates significantly
of
• Selective study of a few topics has given way to a
comprehensive study of every topic
• Main examination has become more challenging and
more demanding
• You cannot take your eyes off Internet as it has
become the most powerful source of information

37. Useful Websites/links
www.indiaculture.nic.in
www.bbc.co.uk
www.pib.nic.in
www.indg.in
www.rbi.in
www.cseindia.org
www.india.gov.in
www.csir.res.in
www.nature.com/nature/

38. Websites
World News, Politics, Economics, Business &
Finance
www.economist.com/
www.cnfworldfocus.org/

39. Books
• History of the World – Mastering Modern World
History by Norman Lowe, IGNOU notes
• NCERT books from Std. 6 to 12th (History,
Geography, Social Sciences and Science)
• NCERT Biology book for class XII (Unit on Ecology
and Environment)
India after Gandhi- Ramachandra Guha, Picador
India
• India Since Independence- Bipin Chandra, Mridula
Mukherjee and Aditya Mukherjee, Penguin
publishers
• Economic survey of India, officially released by Govt
of India

40. Books
• Ethics in Public Administration: A Philosophical
Approach by Patrcik J. Sheeran, Prager Publishers
• Indian heritage and culture - Living Craft Traditions
of India (NCERT class XI)
• Craft Traditions of India: Past, Present and Future
(NCERT class XII), An introduction to Indian Art
Part I (NCERT class XI)
• Manorama Year Book
• Constitution Of India: Bare Act of Any good
publication
• Introduction to the constitution of India by D D Basu
• Indian Year Book by Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting

41. Magazines
1. Frontline by The Hindu Group of publications
2. Economic and Political Weekly by Sameeksha Trust
3. World Focus
4. Down to Earth –by Environmental Communications
5. Yojana and Kurushetra- by Publications Division,
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,
Government of India
7. Science Reporter

42. Newspapers
1. The Hindu
2.Indian Express

43. Visit our site
www.careerlauncher.com/civils

44. Mussoorie
Beckons…