PRELIMS IS ROUND THE BEND

With only a few days left for prelims on June 2, the candidates must be feeling nervous. With increasing number of candidates appearing every year , the number of posts decreasing year by year , and the summer heat increasing – the candidates BP also increases. Few suggestions are made to gain confidence:

Don't be nervous

Even after year long preparations, with D- day approaching, candidates have innumerable doubts regarding the prelims. In 2018 all the civils' pundits had gone wrong in their expectations. Following a regular schedule for studies is most important. Night outs may not help. During under graduation it might have helped you, but not for civils' preparation. Maintaining good health is necessary. You may have gathered a lot of information but confusion prevails regarding the correct answer.

Be confident

No one can induce confidence in you. It's only you, who has to get confidence by experience. Particularly when you are attempting a marathon race, be prepared to overcome the hurdles ahead. Neither the faculty in coaching centres nor your friends/parents can assure you success. Read as much as you can but assimilate them in a proper manner so that you can answer the twisted question even. For example, let us have a look at some questions:

1. With reference to normal monsoon –predictions in India, which one of the following statements is/are correct?

a) Rainfall will be 96% of the Long period Average of 89 cm , this year

b) Rainfall that is 96-104% of LPA is considered near normal in the IMD lexicon.

c) Last year, in April, the IMD had forecast normal monsoon rains but India saw below normal rain fall.

d) All the above.

The answers given above are little confusing and the candidate is in a fix. Take a minute to understand and answer.

The answer is all the above. D

2. With reference to Coast Guard, which one of the following statements is correct?

a) Coast guard was the youngest force created by the Ministry of Defense in 1978

b) They had been mandated to take up various operations to ensure round the clock surveillance on coastal and maritime security

c) The coast guard was working in close coordination with the navy and other stakeholders in serving the maritime security and coastal security

d) All the above

Answer- D

With regard to Science and Technology and geography let us look at some of the intriguing questions:

1. With reference to heavy minerals such as ilmenite, rutile, leucoxene, garnet, monatize, zircon and sillimanite found in beach sand, in which of the following is the primary ore for Thorium?

a)Monazite b) Rutile c) Garnet d) Zircon

Answer= A

2. With reference to mining activities in tribal areas which of the following statements is correct?

a) Mining activities has destroyed the environment and forests

b) There is no effective check on mining operations

c) Air, water and soil pollution problems in almost all key mining districts of India have effected people's health and the livelihood

d) All the above

Answer: all the above

3. With reference to space research, which of eh following statements is correct?

a) GSLV has enabled independent access to space for 2 tonne class of satellites to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.

b) Mastering of the highly complex cryogenic propulsion tecshnology

c) Development of high thrust Cryogenic engine and stage for the next generation launch vehicle

d) All the above

Answer: D

4. With reference to vitamins, which of eh following is correct

a) Vitamins which are soluble in fat oils but insoluble in water are kept if fat soluble vitamins

b) These are A, D, E and K

c) They are stored in liver and adipose ( fat storing)tissues

d) All the above

Answer: D

5. With reference to Hydrogen, consider the following:

a) Harold c. Urey, got Nobel prize for separating hydrogen isotope of mass number 2 by physical methods

b) Terrestrial hydrogen contains 0.0156% of deuterium mostly in the form of Hydrogen deuteride ( HD)

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 or 2

This leads to confusion unless you re thorough with the subject.

Answer: Both 1 and 2

6. With reference to green house gases emission India, consider the following:

1. There is an urgent need to reduce green house emissions in India to fulfill international commitments

2. Many costal and Himalayan areas are increasingly amplified risk of natural disasters from extreme weather events.

3. India is the most vulnerable country to climate change followed by Pakistan, Phillipines and Bangladesh

Answer: All the three are correct

Intense preparation

The frequently asked question is how to gain authority on the subject. It depends upon your skills of assimilation. Your regular practice of taking tests will help. Then the question arises whether one has to attend coaching classes from coaching centers. Three are number of candidates who got ranks with self preparation. But the drill conducted by different coaching centers gives confidence and the way to answer questions within the time frame of 2 hours.

Each mark counts

The candidate should keep in mind the cut off mark for prelims changing from year to year. Lakhs of candidates are competing with you. Negative mark is another threat. Hence, each mark counts and it gives you a chance to enter the threshold of Mains. Hurry, worry and curry are the three principles to be taken care off. Don't be in a hurry to answer. Don't get worried about the examination syndrome. Regarding your food habits avoid spicy foods at least one week in advance.

(The author is Additional Director General (Rtd),

Doordarshan)