Usually, the IAS Prelims Examination is followed by a host of preposterous claims by certain coaching centres that a majority of questions came from the test papers and mock tests set by them. In some cases, in the past, there were even claims that almost 90 out of 100 questions were correctly guessed by them, implying that aspirants who joined those centres could be assured of success.
This year’s exam was conducted on June 2, and till now, no institute has come up with any such claim. On social media, there have been some mentions of correct guessing of questions, but in most cases, these claims rest on tenuous evidence — stray words such as ‘environment’ or ‘inflation’ appearing in their questions, as well as in the UPSC paper.
It would appear that UPSC has taken serious note of these claims and has changed the design and content of the questions, in order to preempt any such claims. The changes are of two types.
Four options
First, the design of the questions itself has undergone some changes. Over the last few years, the options for the multiple-choice questions would be straightforward. Candidates had to choose one of the four options. However, this year, most questions had combinations of these four options, and the candidates had to be sure of these combinations before he/she could attempt the questions.
For instance, take the following question:
Consider the following:
Carbon monoxide
Methane
Ozone
Sulphur dioxide
Which of the above are released into atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue?
1 and 2 only
2, 3 and 4 only
1 and 4 only
1, 2 3 and 4
This is obviously a current affairs question, dealing with the pollution in Delhi, caused by the burning of crop residue in Punjab. But it calls for in-depth knowledge of environmental science behind it. For instance, one should not only know that such burning causes emission of carbon monoxide, but should also be aware that it produces sulphur dioxide too.
Regarding content, it is noticed that there are two definite trends in this year’s question paper. A major departure from the past is in the strong emphasis on science and technology, particularly biotechnology and environment. However, the most striking feature is that except for questions in history, almost every other question had relevance to some contemporary development in the given field.
Basically, what it means is that current affairs is the most important area in the Prelims General Studies I paper. In many cases, the question required familiarity with developments in the respective area over a period of two years. Thus, newspapers continue to be the mainstay of a civil services aspirant.
Encouraging research
This year’s question paper also debunks the myth that ready-made notes prepared by certain coaching institutes are the salvation for the aspiring students. Our approach should be to focus on news analysis based on newspapers and journals. Students should be encouraged to research deeper into the topics that are focused on that week’s developments as reported in the newspapers, and are featured in the weekly tests.
Regarding the pattern of science and technology questions in this year’s question paper, experts have observed that the questions are mostly related to issues and developments widely discussed by the media and general public, rather than by a science specialist. This way UPSC has ensured a fair treatment to students from non-science background. Earlier, the questions also expected a keen interest in science from a civil service aspirant . Questions on merger of giant black holes, CAS9 protein, Hepatitis B and C viruses, and so on, were all widely discussed. There are, however, rare exceptions. For instance, in the question to state the correctness of “agricultural soil releases nitrogen oxides into environment”, even a specialist might debate before deciding the final answer.
Thus, what comes out clearly in this year’s paper, according to the experts, is that a close reading of the newspapers of recent years and further researching the key topics to understand the issues in-depth will be a more appropriate way of preparing for this exam, rather than rote learning.
It is useful to hark back to what the UPSC had advised prospective candidates in the notification for the exam: ‘Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects of academic study but also in the events which are happening around them both within and outside their own State or Country as well as in modern currents of thought and in new discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of well educated youth.’
It would appear that UPSC has been true to its word this time.
C Gopinathan is former principal accountant general and auditor to the United Nations.
C K Ramachandran is international consultant to United Nations and the World Bank
