Hello Friends,
Given the fact that the coveted civil services attract lakhs of youngsters to appear in the examination every year, stiff competition is a given! With the experience attained through multiple interactions with thousands of students and mentoring them, we have realised that cracking this examination takes more than just plain learning and application of concepts. It requires emotional management also. In fact, we can put it first in the prerequisites of qualifying this examination. With hardly a month remaining for the preliminary examination, we thought that sharing our experiences and the ways to tackle various scenarios that you must be facing now will help you manage your anxieties and apprehensions.
One thing that we must understand is that we are all different, our problems, priorities and pains are different and therefore the ways and means to address them are also different. You might be facing the same examination as your roommate is; but for both you, the challenges and moods might be different. In the next few paragraphs, we present an exhaustive list of scenarios that you as a candidate might be facing. Please see whether you fit somewhere in this classification. We have also provided the reasons behind the feelings that you might be experiencing in different scenarios and have also tried to give solutions to address them positively. It is also possible that you find yourself in two or even more than two scenarios. We hope that this objective scenario analysis will help you overcome your anxieties and lead to your success eventually.
Scenario 1: You have not yet completed your revision. Wit each passing day, you rewrite your schedule and convince yourself that there is enough time to revise all the subjects. But deep within, you are a bit scared.
Why does it happen: It happens because your emotions are torn between your commitment to excel and reality. You are committed to clear the exam but at the same time have apprehensions that you might lose it eventually. It happens with the majority of candidates (in fact with the top rankers as well!). The major factor could be your overcommitment due to which you covered so many things in the first phase of the study that it is becoming unmanageable to revise them all. The fear of not revising the hard work already done creates even more anxiety! Another reason could, of course, be procrastination. This is a fundamental human trait in the 21st century. With the internet and social media in our hands, we tend to postpone important things in our life.
What can be done: The first and the foremost thing that you need to do is to prioritise. Believe us, it doesn’t take more than 50% of your acquired knowledge to take the form of wisdom. It is wisdom that does the rest. It simply means that an investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. You might not be able to revise everything that you have read in the past few months but still, the wisdom acquired with the help of those readings will sail you through. Therefore, make a fixed time table and stick to it. Prioritise the areas you need to focus without getting too much concerned about the portions that you are going to leave in this process. The second most important thing to do is to stop procrastinating. Do it now, sometimes later becomes never!
Scenario 2: Everything was going fine. You were scoring high marks test after tests and everyone was betting on your preparation and potential. But then, the last few tests have gone haywire. You have lost the sheen and your performance has dropped. You feel that you are losing it now!
Why does it happen: Success makes us complacent. It also makes failures hard to accept. Our mind and emotions get habitual of pride and praise. A departure from the norm makes it difficult to adapt to the new realities. It hurts the confidence and brings a further dip in performance.
What can be done: No success is permanent and no failure is fatal. The mocks that you are appearing in are meant to train you for the ultimate battle. By no stretch of the imagination, they can become the yardstick to decide your performance in the actual examination. Your failure or rather the limited success in the recent tests mean nothing more than a reminder. It simply tells you to be more careful and don’t take things for granted. You are well prepared and only need to focus harder. Don’t lose the momentum now! It will be fatal. Take your failures with a pinch of salt and move on. Neither try too hard nor be listless. Just keep doing your job.
Scenario 3: This is your last attempt and you are in severe stress. You always think about the results. What if you don’t qualify this time too? What will your parents, friends and family think? have you waited your career?
Why does it happen: It happens because we humans are insecure beings. The feeling of insecurity of any kind overpowers our thinking. We start focusing too much on the negative possibilities rather than the positive ones. We start blaming our fate and also lose faith in hard work. Moreover, having spent a considerable amount of time, the feeling of impatience and frustration starts to foster. Lack of security in terms of career makes us uneasy an under-confident.
What can be done: Understand the concept of time zones. Different parts of the world have different times because they lie in different time zones. Human beings are also in their time zones. It simply means that just like sunlight doesn’t come all at once to the entire planet, success also comes at different times for different individuals. What affects your chances however is despondency. What if this is your time right now? What if there is a guarantee of success this time? Don’t lose this opportunity. Give your 100% and hope for the best. If you sail through, nothing can be better and even if you don’t, there are millions of opportunities waiting to be explored.
Scenario 4: This is your first attempt. You know that there are so many experienced players already in competition. You have a feeling that you don’t stand a chance.
Why does it happen: Contrary to the concept of ‘beginner’s advantage’, freshers suffer from the ill-placed syndrome of ‘beginners disadvantage’. They have a feeling that cramming up concepts of UPSC for years can give an individual edge over the others. This is natural as it happens in many other fields also, most notably sports and jobs.
What can be done: How do some sportsmen have the dream debuts? Why do many first-timers crack UPSC in the very first attempt? The answer is simple. If you have the right tools, the right attitude and the right frame of mind, it doesn’t matter if you are a fresher or a veteran; you will always succeed. You have nothing to lose and no one to compete with except yourself. Just focus on improving your own performance without bothering too much about the people around you.
Scenario 5: You see highly intelligent people around yourself. They study in groups and always keep discussing new concepts, some of which just fly over your head. You have a feeling that you don’t have what it takes to become a civil servant.
Why does it happen: We always tend to put ourselves in comparison to others. Even a slight hint of inferiority bewilders us. We start feeling that we can’t compete with the more competent and the smarter lot. We start feeling excluded and that affects our confidence adversely.
What can be done: Even the smartest and the most talented players have been defeated by the consistent ones. Civil services examination requires consistency in efforts and a willingness to better ourselves. If one goes on to make others as the benchmark, he is bound to get lost in the process. The best thing to do is to stay true to your commitment, strive hard with each passing day and hour and keep improving your abilities. Believe us, success shall be yours.
Scenario 6: You are scared of numbers. Can you succeed by competing lakhs of students? You didn’t even feature in the top 20% of your class in the school/ college! How can you be there in the top 0.5% of the candidates appearing in the examination?
Why does it happen: We get overwhelmed by numbers. India is a country of millions of jobless youth competing neck to neck with each other to get their dream jobs. It is natural to be scared of such stiff competition.
What can be done: A reality check will soothe your senses. Of the lakhs that appear in the preliminary examination, the ones who are actually prepared and hold some potential might only be thousands in number. Moreover, they are all facing the same competition. They are all equally scared of the numbers. You are not alone in this fear. The more you overcome this fear, the better are your chances to succeed.
Scenario 7: Everything is going great. You are high on confidence. You have firm belief in your abilities and hard work. You are sure to crack this examination.
Why does it happen: Hard work and a high level of preparedness give confidence. But it can also lead to overconfidence which can be fatal for you. Many times, brilliant candidates peak much before the actual examination and falter on the ‘D day’.
What can be done: Don’t let your performance peak right now. Remain humble and wait for the right time to give your best performance. There are many like you who are confident of clearing the examination. You have to compete with them and the best way to do it is by not letting your confidence corrupt your senses.
Scenario 8: You are appearing this year just to measure the depth of waters. You will come stronger and better prepared next year. You simply want to have a “feel” of this examination.
Why does it happen: This again is a natural human tendency. Many a time, we don’t give the full throttle fearing failure. We keep convincing ourselves that we have the potential to succeed and we will definitely taste success one day. This escapist tendency might actually be harmful sometimes.
What can be done: Don’t appear in the examination if you aren’t fully prepared. Examination as a process seeps into your intellectual faculties and can cause irreversible harm by affecting your confidence. You won’t even realise it and it will break your spirits. So it is better to stay away from such wishful thinking. If at all, you want to have the “feel”, it would be much better if you attempt the paper at home after the examination.
So, where do you find yourself? It’s perfectly fine to be scared or anxious. We are all human beings. But at the same time, we must have the intelligence to tackle our emotions and move in the right direction.
Success is what we want and success is what we should work for!
All the Best
IASbaba Team
Are you ready? Let’s start!
0 of 30 questions completed
Questions:
The following Test is based on the syllabus of 60 Days Plan-2019 for UPSC IAS Prelims 2019.
To view Solutions, follow these instructions:
You have already completed the test before. Hence you can not start it again.
Test is loading...
You must sign in or sign up to start the test.
You have to finish following test, to start this test:
0 of 30 questions answered correctly
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have scored 0 points out of 0 points, (0)
| Average score |
|
| Your score |
|
| Pos. | Name | Entered on | Points | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table is loading | ||||
| No data available | ||||
“Liberalised remittance scheme” seen in news sometimes refers to which of the following
Explanation: Under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA), which came into force with effect from June 1, 2000, all transactions involving foreign exchange have been classified either as capital or current account transactions. Under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, all resident individuals, including minors, are allowed to freely remit up to USD 2,50,000 per financial year (April – March) for any permissible current or capital account transaction or a combination of both.
Explanation: Under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA), which came into force with effect from June 1, 2000, all transactions involving foreign exchange have been classified either as capital or current account transactions. Under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, all resident individuals, including minors, are allowed to freely remit up to USD 2,50,000 per financial year (April – March) for any permissible current or capital account transaction or a combination of both.
What does “Trade deficit” indicates?
Explanation: A trade deficit is an economic measure of international trade in which a country’s imports exceeds its exports. A trade deficit typically occurs when a country does not produce enough goods for its residents. A country’s consumers are wealthy enough to purchase more goods than the country produces.
Explanation: A trade deficit is an economic measure of international trade in which a country’s imports exceeds its exports. A trade deficit typically occurs when a country does not produce enough goods for its residents. A country’s consumers are wealthy enough to purchase more goods than the country produces.
Which of the given statements is NOT correct with reference to International Finance Corporation (IFC)?
IFC is an international Financial Institution that offers investment to encourage private sector development in less developed countries.
The IFC is owned and governed by its member countries but has its own executive leadership and staff that conduct its normal business operations.
It is a corporation whose shareholders are member governments that provide the capital and have the right to vote on its matters.
IFC is an international Financial Institution that offers investment to encourage private sector development in less developed countries.
The IFC is owned and governed by its member countries but has its own executive leadership and staff that conduct its normal business operations.
It is a corporation whose shareholders are member governments that provide the capital and have the right to vote on its matters.
Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) is related to:
BEPS is the strategy used by Multinationals to shift the profits from higher tax jurisdictions to lower tax jurisdictions. The benefit of Transfer Pricing is to erode the tax paid at higher tax jurisdictions.
BEPS is the strategy used by Multinationals to shift the profits from higher tax jurisdictions to lower tax jurisdictions. The benefit of Transfer Pricing is to erode the tax paid at higher tax jurisdictions.
Generalized System of Preferences, recently in news is associated with which of the following?
Recently United States has decided to “terminate” India’s designation as a beneficiary of its Generalised System of Preferences (GSP).
Recently United States has decided to “terminate” India’s designation as a beneficiary of its Generalised System of Preferences (GSP).
India has recently become the Vice-Chair of World Customs Organisation for Asia Pacific region. Consider the following statements:
Which of the given statements are correct?
Statement 2 is wrong: It is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
India has been elected for a tenure of two years- 2018 to 2020.
Statement 2 is wrong: It is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
India has been elected for a tenure of two years- 2018 to 2020.
Consider the following statements with reference to the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) of the WTO:
Which of the given statements is/are correct?
It came into force in 1995.
AoA fixes the market price support that countries can provide to each crop. For developing countries like India, the market price support for a crop cannot exceed 10 percent of the total value of its production.
AoA gives the freedom to the WTO members to calculate their market price support using any currency; the tacit understanding is that the data presented by a country must be consistent.
AoA does not allow India to use direct export subsidies, but subsidies for reducing the costs of marketing exports of agricultural products and for internal transport and freight charges on export shipments can be provided.
It came into force in 1995.
AoA fixes the market price support that countries can provide to each crop. For developing countries like India, the market price support for a crop cannot exceed 10 percent of the total value of its production.
AoA gives the freedom to the WTO members to calculate their market price support using any currency; the tacit understanding is that the data presented by a country must be consistent.
AoA does not allow India to use direct export subsidies, but subsidies for reducing the costs of marketing exports of agricultural products and for internal transport and freight charges on export shipments can be provided.
1991 economic reforms did not touch which of the following sectors?
Select the correct option from below:
Labor laws reform was untouched in 1991 economic reforms. Agriculture sector was also not directly touched in the 1991 economic reforms.
Labor laws reform was untouched in 1991 economic reforms. Agriculture sector was also not directly touched in the 1991 economic reforms.
Which of the following Conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has not been ratified by India?
The six core ILO conventions ratified by India are:
Two core ILO conventions which are yet to be ratified by India are:
The six core ILO conventions ratified by India are:
Two core ILO conventions which are yet to be ratified by India are:
Global Findex Database, often in news, is brought out by?
The Global Findex database is the world’s most comprehensive data set on how adults save, borrow, make payments, and manage risk. World Bank launched this initiative with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the database has been published every three years since 2011.
The Global Findex database is the world’s most comprehensive data set on how adults save, borrow, make payments, and manage risk. World Bank launched this initiative with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the database has been published every three years since 2011.
Consider the following statements with respect to BRICS organization.
Which of the given statements is/are not correct with respect to BRICS Bank?
Statement 1 is correct.
The bank will have initial subscribed capital of $50 billion—equally shared by the five nations. Hence Statement 2 is wrong.
The capital base is to be used for funding infrastructure and ‘sustainable development’ projects in the BRICS countries initially.
A Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) of $100 billion is to be also created to provide additional liquidity protection to member-nations during balance of payments problems. Statement 3 is also wrong.
Statement 1 is correct.
The bank will have initial subscribed capital of $50 billion—equally shared by the five nations. Hence Statement 2 is wrong.
The capital base is to be used for funding infrastructure and ‘sustainable development’ projects in the BRICS countries initially.
A Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) of $100 billion is to be also created to provide additional liquidity protection to member-nations during balance of payments problems. Statement 3 is also wrong.
Consider the following pairs:
Type of subsidy under WTO Stated purpose
Which of the above is/are correctly matched?
Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures under WTO classifies subsidies as follows:
Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures under WTO classifies subsidies as follows:
Consider the following statements with reference to Asian Development Bank (ADB):
Which of the statements given is/are correct?
Creativity Productivity Index is an annual report released by it.
Creativity Productivity Index is an annual report released by it.
India has a Free Trade Agreement with which of the following?
Select the correct answer from below.
Within Asia, India has signed bilateral FTAs with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Thailand, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Korea, Malaysia and Japan. There have also been two regional trade agreements, the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) and the India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Agreement.
Outside Asia, FTAs have been agreed with Chile and MERCOSUR.
India has not signed a FTA with European Union. The FTA talks have been deadlocked since 2013 after 16 rounds of negotiations
MERCOSUR: Mercosur, officially Southern Common Market is a South American trade bloc. Its full members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Venezuela is a full member but has been suspended since December 1, 2016.
Within Asia, India has signed bilateral FTAs with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Thailand, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Korea, Malaysia and Japan. There have also been two regional trade agreements, the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) and the India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Agreement.
Outside Asia, FTAs have been agreed with Chile and MERCOSUR.
India has not signed a FTA with European Union. The FTA talks have been deadlocked since 2013 after 16 rounds of negotiations
MERCOSUR: Mercosur, officially Southern Common Market is a South American trade bloc. Its full members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Venezuela is a full member but has been suspended since December 1, 2016.
With reference to the International Monetary Fund, consider the following statements:
Which of the given statements is/are correct?
The Managing Director of IMF is eligible for a second term.
The present Managing Director of IMF Christine Lagarde is presently serving her second term
The Managing Director of IMF is eligible for a second term.
The present Managing Director of IMF Christine Lagarde is presently serving her second term
G-7 includes which of the following countries?
Select the correct option from below:
The Group of Seven (G7) is a group consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The Group of Seven (G7) is a group consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Which of the following are functions of International Monetary Fund?
Select the correct option from below:
All the given statements are correct.
All the given statements are correct.
Consider the following statements with reference to the International finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group:
Which of the given statements are correct?
Statement 3 is wrong:
India is a founding member of IFC.
Statement 3 is wrong:
India is a founding member of IFC.
Which of the following organisations are included in the World Bank group but not in the World Bank?
Select the correct option from below:
World Bank Group comprises of all the 5 organisations while World Bank includes only IBRD and IDA.
World Bank Group:
International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
World Bank Group comprises of all the 5 organisations while World Bank includes only IBRD and IDA.
World Bank Group:
International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
With reference to Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), consider the following statements:
Which of the given statements is/are NOT correct?
Statement 2 is wrong: SDRs can be exchanged for national currencies and cannot be traded in forex market.
Statement 3 is wrong: Chinese Renminbi is the latest addition to the SDR basket which already includes US Dollar, British Pound, Japanese Yen and the Euro
Statement 2 is wrong: SDRs can be exchanged for national currencies and cannot be traded in forex market.
Statement 3 is wrong: Chinese Renminbi is the latest addition to the SDR basket which already includes US Dollar, British Pound, Japanese Yen and the Euro
Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC)’
Select the correct statements
Voter ID
Voter ID
‘Exercise Bold Kurukshetra’ is a joint military exercise betwee India and
Exercise Bold Kurukshetra – Joint military exercise between India and Singapore.
Exercise Bold Kurukshetra – Joint military exercise between India and Singapore.
Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Sea of Galilee’
Select the correct statements
Sea of Galilee
Sea of Galilee
‘Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) Terrorist Travel Initiative’ was launched by
United States and Morocco launched GCTF Terrorist Travel Initiative under auspices of Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF).
United States and Morocco launched GCTF Terrorist Travel Initiative under auspices of Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF).
Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Solar Charkha Mission’
Select the correct statements
The Solar Charkha Mission is a Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) initiative launched during June 2018. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) would implement the programme.
The objectives of the Scheme are as follows:
Read More – http://vikaspedia.in/social-welfare/entrepreneurship/mission-solar-charkha?content=small
The Solar Charkha Mission is a Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) initiative launched during June 2018. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) would implement the programme.
The objectives of the Scheme are as follows:
Read More – http://vikaspedia.in/social-welfare/entrepreneurship/mission-solar-charkha?content=small
‘Spike-LR’ was in news recently. It is:
The Army is in the process of procuring Spike-LR Anti-Tank Missiles from Israel and Igla-S Very Short Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORAD) from Russia through a set of new financial powers for emergency procurements sanctioned by the Defence Ministry.
The Army is in the process of procuring Spike-LR Anti-Tank Missiles from Israel and Igla-S Very Short Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORAD) from Russia through a set of new financial powers for emergency procurements sanctioned by the Defence Ministry.
Domkhar Rock Art Sanctuary is located at:
Domkhar rock art sanctuary is located at Domkhar village in Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, next to the banks of Indus River. The place is known for artwork that was made by travellers in the pre-historic times.
People in this region grow apricot and apple, which is the main source of income. This place is for those who love the historic artwork by our great ancestors. There are numerous rock-carved figures, thought to date back between 2000 and 4000 years.
https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/the-petrogylphs-of-domkhar/article26745546.ece
Domkhar rock art sanctuary is located at Domkhar village in Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, next to the banks of Indus River. The place is known for artwork that was made by travellers in the pre-historic times.
People in this region grow apricot and apple, which is the main source of income. This place is for those who love the historic artwork by our great ancestors. There are numerous rock-carved figures, thought to date back between 2000 and 4000 years.
https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/the-petrogylphs-of-domkhar/article26745546.ece
Eight (8) Degree Channel separates:
8 Degree Channel (8 degrees north latitude) separates islands of Minicoy and Maldives
8 Degree Channel (8 degrees north latitude) separates islands of Minicoy and Maldives
Consider the following statements regarding National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC)
Which of the given statements is/are correct?
A National Crisis Management Committee is a temporary committee set up by the Government of India in the wake of a natural calamity for effective coordination and implementation of relief measures and operations. It is headed by Cabinet Secretary.On the constitution of such a committee, the Agriculture Secretary shall provide all necessary information to and seek directions.
In the absence of such a Cabinet Committee, all matter relating to relief shall be reported to the Cabinet Secretary.
A National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) has been constituted in the Cabinet Secretariat. The composition of the Committee is as under:-
A National Crisis Management Committee is a temporary committee set up by the Government of India in the wake of a natural calamity for effective coordination and implementation of relief measures and operations. It is headed by Cabinet Secretary.On the constitution of such a committee, the Agriculture Secretary shall provide all necessary information to and seek directions.
In the absence of such a Cabinet Committee, all matter relating to relief shall be reported to the Cabinet Secretary.
A National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) has been constituted in the Cabinet Secretariat. The composition of the Committee is as under:-
Consider the following pairs
Passes : : Connects
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
All are correctly matched.
Banihal is a mountain pass across the Pir Panjal Range at 2,832 m (9,291 ft) maximum elevation. This mountain range connects the Kashmir Valley in the Indian state Jammu and Kashmir to the outer Himalaya and plains to the south.
Zoji La is a high mountain pass in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, located on National Highway 1 between Srinagar and Leh in the western section of the Himalayan mountain range.
Shipki La- It is located in Kinnaur district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India, and Ngari Prefecture in Tibet, China.
All are correctly matched.
Banihal is a mountain pass across the Pir Panjal Range at 2,832 m (9,291 ft) maximum elevation. This mountain range connects the Kashmir Valley in the Indian state Jammu and Kashmir to the outer Himalaya and plains to the south.
Zoji La is a high mountain pass in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, located on National Highway 1 between Srinagar and Leh in the western section of the Himalayan mountain range.
Shipki La- It is located in Kinnaur district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India, and Ngari Prefecture in Tibet, China.
