Eligibility Criteria
Criteria Details
Nationality: Indian
Education Graduate from a recognized university
Age Limit 21 to 32 years (as of Aug 1 of exam year)
Available Number of Attempts:
General – 6, OBC – 9, SC/ST – Unlimited (till age limit)
Sunday, 12 October 2025
What is UPSC Exam, each and every detail you need to know
1. Exam Conducted by
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) — a central agency that recruits officers for All India Services and Central Civil Services.
📚 2. Stages of the Exam
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) has three stages:
Stage 1 – Preliminary Exam (Prelims)
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Type: Objective (MCQs)
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Papers:
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General Studies Paper I – 200 marks
(History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Current Affairs, etc.) -
CSAT (Paper II) – 200 marks
(Comprehension, Reasoning, Maths, Decision-making)
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Duration: 2 hours each
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Nature: Qualifying for Mains (CSAT requires 33% to qualify)
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Usually held in: May/June
Stage 2 – Main Examination (Mains)
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Type: Descriptive (written)
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Total Papers: 9
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Paper A – Indian Language (qualifying)
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Paper B – English (qualifying)
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Essay Paper
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GS Paper I – Indian Heritage, History, Geography
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GS Paper II – Polity, Governance, IR
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GS Paper III – Economy, Environment, Science & Tech
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GS Paper IV – Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
8–9. Optional Subject Paper I & II
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Total Marks (for merit): 1750
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Usually held in: September
Stage 3 – Personality Test (Interview)
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Marks: 275
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Conducted in Delhi at UPSC Office
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Purpose: To assess personality, communication, judgment, and awareness.
🧾 3. Final Merit
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Based on Mains (1750) + Interview (275) = 2025 marks
Saturday, 30 December 2023
Zero Budget Natural Farming
Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is a type of chemical-free farming where the total cost of growing and harvesting plants comes out to be zero (taking into consideration the costs incurred by the farmers are recovered through inter-cropping).
The topic, ‘Zero Budget Natural Farming,’ gained prominence when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned it in her 2019 budget speech, speaking of it as a source of doubling farmers’ income. This article will mention the important facts about Zero Budget Natural Farming to help IAS Exam aspirants for GS-III preparation.
Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZNBF) is the practice of growing crops without the use of any external inputs, such as pesticides and fertilisers. The phrase “Zero Budget” refers to all crops with zero production costs. The farmers’ revenue is increased as a result of ZBNF’s guidance towards sustainable farming methods that help to maintain soil fertility, assure chemical-free agriculture, and ensure a cheap cost of production (zero cost). Simply said, ZBNF is a farming technique that emphasises cultivating crops in harmony with the environment. Under the specific programme known as Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), the government has been encouraging organic farming. This programme supports all different types of chemical-free agricultural methods, including Zero Budget Natural Farming.
Principles of Zero Budget Natural Farming
Below are key principles of Zero Budget Natural Farming:
- Zero external inputs
- Crops to cover the soil for 365 days (Living Root)
- Soil disturbance at a minimum
- Biostimulants as essential catalysts
- Utilize native seed for mixed farming
- Mixed cropping
- The incorporation of trees onto the farm
- Conservation of moisture and water
- Bring animals into farming
- More organic debris in the soil
- Using plant extracts to control pests
- No artificial pesticides, herbicides, or fertilisers
Benefits of Zero Budget Natural Farming
Below are some of the major benefits of Zero Budget Natural Farming:
- For all crops, ZBNF methods use between 50 and 60 per cent less water and electricity compared to non-ZBNF methods.
- Through multiple aerations, ZBNF greatly lowers methane emissions.
- By using mulching, it is also possible to prevent the burning of residue.
- In ZBNF, cultivation costs are lower.
- The primary reason for debt and suicide amongst farmers is the rising expense of external inputs (seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides). Over half of all farmers are in indebtedness, and nearly 70% of households in the agricultural sector spend more than they make, according to data from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).
- The cost of production could be decreased and agriculture could be turned into a “zero budget” endeavour since under ZBNF there is no requirement of spending money or taking out loans for external inputs.
- This will enable many small farmers to escape the debt cycle and pave the way for the income of farmers to double.
- As ZBNF is a completely chemical-free technique, it is environmentally friendly and produces organic yields which fetch the farmers higher profits than from normal agricultural yields.
- Organic foods thus avoid diseases which used to be caused by non-organic foods, in a long run will not only make people healthy but also reduce the burden on the healthcare infrastructure in general.
- It suits all crops in all agro-climatic zones.
Concerns with Zero Budget Natural Farming
- Government spending is low: In 2018, the government introduced the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, a centrepiece programme for the Green Revolution, with an appropriation of Rs 3,745 crore for the fiscal year 2019–20. While just Rs 325 crore was allotted to the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, which was created to encourage organic farming and soil health.
- After observing that their ZBNF yields began to decline after a few years, many farmers switched back to conventional farming.
- While ZBNF has unquestionably contributed to maintaining soil fertility, its impact on increasing productivity and farmers’ income is still inconclusive.
- The first organic state in India, Sikkim, has noticed some yield declines since switching to organic farming.
- The long-term effect and viability of the ZBNF Model should be properly validated before it is widely pushed across the nation, according to agricultural scientists.
- ZBNF adoption on a large scale could have a negative influence on farmer income and food security. So it is necessary to conduct a proper scientific confirmation of ZBNF’s effectiveness.
Components of Zero Budget Natural Farming
There are four primary ZNBF components and models:
Bijamrita: As native cow species are more adapted to our region’s climatic circumstances and easier for small and marginal farmers to maintain, the seeds are treated with formulations made using their dung and urine. While neem leaves and pulp, tobacco, as well as green chilli extracts are used to manage insects and pests, bijamrita is utilised to treat seeds.
Benefits: Fungal and other seed- and soil-borne infections may impact the seeds sowed in the field. The seeds are shielded against illnesses by the “Bijamrita” seed treatment.
Jiwamrita/Jeevamrutha: A natural resource utilised to restore the fertility and nutritional value of soil is cow dung. A gramme of cow dung may contain 300–500 billion helpful microorganisms. These bacteria help decompose the soil’s biomass and transform it into readily usable nutrients for crops. Cow dung and cow urine are used to make Jiwamrita. It is a component of the plants’ diet. It is a fermented microbial culture made from uncontaminated soil, jaggery, cow dung, urine, and pulse flour. When applied to soil, this fermented microbial culture enriches the soil with nutrients and acts as a catalyst to encourage the activity of earthworms and microorganisms. For each hectare of land, 500 litres of jeevamrutha should be applied twice a month; following three years, the system might become self-sustaining. A single native cow is adequate 30 acres of land.
Benefits: By promoting soil microbial activity, this culture improves the availability of nutrients to plants, shields crops from soil diseases, and raises the carbon content of the soil.
Acchadana/Mulching: The process of mulching involves adding cover crops, organic debris, or agricultural residue to the topsoil.
Benefits: Decomposing the materials used for mulching results in humus, which not only improves soil nutritional status but also conserves topsoil, boosts soil water retention, reduces evaporation loss, and promotes soil fauna. It also inhibits weed growth.
Waaphasa/Moisture (Soil Aeration): For plants to grow and thrive, the soil must have adequate aeration.
Benefits: Applying Jiwamrita and mulching promotes soil aeration, humus content, availability of water, water retention capacity, and soil structure, all of which are essential for crop growth, particularly during dry spells.
Cropping Model of Zero Budget Natural Farming
The approach is based on producing polycultures, or short- and long-term (main crop) crops together, in order to recover the cost of raising the main crops from the income from the short-term crops, resulting in “zero” spending for the main crop. Accordingly, the term “Zero Budget Natural Farming” is used for this farming model.
Friday, 29 December 2023
Motivation for Clearing Indias Toughest Examination UPSC CSE
Staying motivated during UPSC exam preparation can be challenging, given its extensive nature. Here are some strategies:
1. Set Clear Goals: Define your short-term and long-term goals. Knowing what you're working towards can help you stay focused and motivated.
2. Create a Realistic Schedule: Break down your study sessions into manageable chunks. A realistic study schedule helps prevent burnout and allows for consistent progress.
3. Understand the Importance: Reflect on why you chose to pursue the UPSC exam. Recognize the impact success can have on your career and the opportunities it can provide.
4. Diversify Study Techniques: Incorporate various study methods to keep things interesting. This could include reading, note-taking, group discussions, or using online resources. Variety can prevent monotony.
5. Stay Positive: Cultivate a positive mindset. Focus on your strengths and achievements, and learn from setbacks. Positive affirmations and visualizing success can enhance motivation.
6. Connect with Peers: Join study groups or online forums to connect with others preparing for the UPSC exam. Sharing experiences, tips, and challenges can provide mutual support and motivation.
7. Take Breaks: Allow yourself breaks to avoid burnout. Short breaks can refresh your mind and prevent fatigue. Incorporate activities you enjoy during these breaks.
8. Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on current affairs and relevant topics. Understanding the real-world application of your studies can make them more engaging.
9. Health and Well-being: Prioritize your physical and mental well-being. Ensure adequate sleep, exercise, and a balanced diet. Physical health contributes significantly to mental resilience.
10. Reward Yourself: Celebrate milestones, whether they are completing a challenging topic or achieving a certain score in a practice test. Acknowledging your progress can boost motivation.
Remember that staying motivated is a gradual process, and it's okay to have ups and downs. Consistency and a positive mindset will contribute significantly to your success in preparing for the UPSC exam.
Wednesday, 1 February 2017
Upsc Ias 1st feb 2017 material
1st Feb 2017
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Crucial Material for Aspirants targrting UPSC IAS 2017.
1. Unacademy Hindu Editorial {Very Important covered in 10 mins very useful}
2. Unacademy Daily Current Affairs MCQs by Roman Saini
3. Insights current affairs daily and editorials
4. Insights secure for Mains
5. Only Ias Youtube Channel
Daily Hindu Editorial and Prelims focussed news discussion in Hindi. Very simple to understand
Other Material
Insights into yojna jan 2017
Sunday, 17 April 2016
Free SSC CGL 2016 Test papers
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Tuesday, 5 April 2016
Maharashtra Public Services Commission MPSC 2015 results declared.
Below is the link of the pdf of the final list.
MPSC results 2015
https://www.mpsc.gov.in/Site/Upload/Pdf/STATE%20SERVICES%20MAIN%20EXAMINATION-2015.pdf
Download the pdf...
Below is the link of the pdf of the final list.
MPSC results 2015
https://www.mpsc.gov.in/Site/Upload/Pdf/STATE%20SERVICES%20MAIN%20EXAMINATION-2015.pdf
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Monday, 4 April 2016
Yojana Free Magazine
Yojana February 2016 free magazine
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Yojana February 2016 free magazine
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Sunday, 3 April 2016
Yojana Free Magazine
Yojana January 2016 free magazine
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Sunday, 27 March 2016
OLD NCERT BOOKS- HISTORY
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UPSC IAS Study Material
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2. Medieval History:
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Part 2
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3. Modern History:
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Sunday, 20 March 2016
Monday, 14 March 2016
Gist of Hindu 14th March 2016
Paper 3 Topic: resource mobilization, economic growth.
SEBI bans wilful defaulters from tapping capital market
In an attempt to tighten the regulatory framework, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has barred ‘wilful defaulters’ from accessing the capital market or acquiring another listed entity.
- SEBI has decided that if a listed entity or its promoter has been declared a wilful defaulter, it will not be allowed to make a public issue of equity shares, debt or any other convertible securities.
- This decision is based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations which lay down safeguards to be exercised by banks to contain the financial activities of a wilful defaulter.
Who is a willful defaulter?
The RBI defines a wilful defaulter as “an entity that defaults on its payment obligations even if it has the capacity to pay back debts.”
Background:
The SEBI’s move has come at a time when banks have moved the Supreme Court against industrialist Vijay Mallya, who has been declared a wilful defaulter.
Sources: the hindu.
Paper 3 Topic: infrastructure airways.
Air passengers to get higher compensation for delays, baggage loss
The ‘Carriage by Air (Amendment) Bill, 2015‘, has been passed by the parliament. It was cleared by the Lok Sabha in December 2015 and Rajya Sabha recently.
Implications:
- Once this bill gets the nod of the president and becomes an act, the law would require Indian carriers to pay compensation amount that is equivalent to the rates paid by their global counterparts.
- This bill would enhance compensation for air travellers in case of death, injury, lost baggage or even inordinate delay in flights.
- The legislation would allow the government to revise the liability limits of airlines in line with the Montreal Convention, which was acceded to by India in May 2009.
Background:
The Bill amends the Carriage by Air Act, 1972. The Act regulates carriage by air and gives effect to the Warsaw Convention, 1929, the Warsaw Convention as amended by the Hague Protocol, 1955, and the Montreal Convention, 1999.
- The Act also provides for application of the international rules to domestic travel, subject to exceptions and adaptations.
Financial implications:
- The compensation in case of death in an air accident or injury will go up to around Rs. 1.05 crore, up from the present Rs. 93 lakh. This amount will be computed on the basis of SDR (Special Drawing Rights). The currency value of the SDR is based on market exchange rates of a basket of major currencies – U.S. dollar, euro, Japanese yen and pound sterling. One SDR is equivalent to Rs. 93.
- The liability for flight delays will increase to Rs. 4.36 lakh from Rs. 3.86 lakh. In case of destruction, loss or inordinate delays in case of cargo carriage, the liability amount has been raised from Rs. 1,581 to Rs. 1,767.
- For destruction, loss, damage or delay of baggage, the domestic airlines will have to pay Rs. 1.05 lakh from the present Rs. 93,000.
Montreal Convention:
The Montreal Convention establishes airline liability in the case of death, injury or delay to passengers or in cases of delay, damage or loss of baggage and cargo. The Convention also provides for reviewing the limits of liability of the air carriers every five years.India acceded to the Montreal Convention in May 2009.
Sources: the hindu.
Paper 3 Topic: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
India’s trade likely to be muted for some time, says RBI Governor Rajan
In a bid to allay fears about India’s weak exchange rate, Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan recently said that India’s exchange rate is broadly in the right place and the country’s trade is likely to be muted for some time.
- He said this while delivering the First Ramnath Goenka Memorial Lecture organised by the Indian Express recently.
What else the governor said?
He indicated that Indian trade is likely to be muted for some time. But India is not alone in this. Even, the global trade is weak.
He also noted several other reasons, apart from the exchange rate and the weak global economy, that could be leading to the decline in global trade-
- First, as countries get more developed, they begin to consume services more, which are not generally traded.
- The second reason was that the trade in capital goods has seen a decline.
- Third reason was that countries are increasingly pulling inwards. That is, their supply chains are increasingly being geared towards their own needs rather than the needs of other countries.
Sources: the hindu.
Paper 2 Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
India collaborates with Japan on Andamans project
The governments of India and Japan are in talks to collaborate in future about upgrading civilian infrastructure in the strategically located Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Details:
- The first project being discussed is a modest one — a 15-megawatt diesel power plant on South Andaman Island. However, the development signals a policy shift on the part of the Indian government, which has so far not allowed any foreign investments in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- The project is also testimony to the unfolding relationship between India and Japan, which is also funding a $744 million road building project in the northeastern Indian border regions of Mizoram, Assam and Meghalaya.
Importance of these islands:
- The Indian archipelago is seen as a critical asset to check the Chinese from expanding into the Indian Ocean.
- The islands in the Andaman islands have regularly been visited by submarines belonging to the People’s Republic of China, which caused India to step up its surveillance in the region.
- The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are northwest of the Strait of Malacca, offering control of a so-called choke point that is one of China’s greatest marine vulnerabilities.
Partnership between India and Japan has matured over the years. Japan has become a considerable source of foreign investment for major infrastructure initiatives in India. Notably, Tokyo is partly underwriting the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, which is among the largest infrastructure projects in the world. Moreover, India continues to be a major recipient of Japanese official development assistance (ODA) loans. Since 2010, Japanese ODA loan aid to India has been increasing every year.
Sources: the hindu.
Paper 2 Topic: India and neighbors.
India-Bangladesh drill in Sundarbans
A three day long joint exercise, the first of its kind, between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Border Security Force (BSF) of India is underway in the Sundarbans border area.
- The exercise is titled ‘Sundarban Moitry’ (Sundarbans Alliance). This is the first time such an exercise is taking place between the two border forces.
The exercise aimed at four aspects – to asses the problems at the risky areas of the Sunderbans, increasing patrolling in the area by both parties, raiding suspicious cargo and trawlers on the Bangladesh-India sea transportation route jointly and be aware of the forest camps of the partner country.
Significance of these exercises:
- The exercise is held with the aim of finding better border managerial mechanisms for the two countries.
- Such exercises would help the forces understand each other properly and maintain a healthy relation at the border. These joint activities, especially in the Sundarbans area would contribute to the prevention of cross-border crimes and expand border security activities more effectively.
- The decision to hold the exercise in Sunderbans is also crucial as the riverine terrain poses a challenge for patrolling the borders. There are three floating border outposts deployed by the BSF in the Sunderbans, to maintain a vigil in the channel of rivers Kalindi, Ichhamati, Raimangal and Hariabhanga.
Sources: the hindu.
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