Mock tests are not just about evaluating your level of understanding and checking your knowledge. They are also about knowing the weaknesses in your approach to attempting a paper. 

A quality mock test will cover and highlight your shortcomings in all these areas. For that, it should be designed and curated in that way.

We at Civilsdaily understand the nuances and nitty-gritty of setting a paper. Through five cases explaining five questions, we’ll try to give you an idea about the relevance of the questions.

It will also give a rough idea about the mindset of UPSC paper setters. 

These questions have been taken from the first test of Nikaalo Prelims All India Open Mock Test 2020.  It is on Government schemes and policies.   

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(First test to go live on 12th April 2020 @ 9:30 a.m.)

CASE 1 – The oldest trick in the book. 

Deliberately changing names to confuse you.

Be it for schemes or concepts. UPSC is known to flip names of similar-sounding schemes and concepts. Look at this question. 

Ques. Which of the following are the result areas of  STRIVE

1. Improved performance of ITI.
2. Improved and Broadened Apprenticeship Training.
3. India International Skill Centers 

Select the  correct answer from the  codes given below:

a. 1 and 2 only

b. 2 and 3 only

c. 1 and 3 only

d. 1 only

Correct answer- 1 and 2 only

In the above question, STRIVE has been used for SANKALP.  Both of them were announced at the same time for boosting Skill India Mission. It is very easy to get confused and mark it wrong.

CASE 2: Misleading names

A lot of times especially in match the following type of questions misleading names are used. Take this example:

Ques. Consider the following pairs:

   Schemes                          Objectives

1. NIDHI: nurturing ideas and innovations into successful startups.
2. SATYAM: rejuvenate research in yoga and meditation.
3. MANAK: to help build a critical human resource pool for strengthening and increasing the research & development base.

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

a. 1 and 2 only

b. 2 and 3 only

c. 1 and 2 only

d. 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3

Misleading yet important names of initiatives under Ministry of Science and Technology have been used here. All pairs are correctly matched here but it is very easy to get confused. 

CASE 3: Are you rooted in society?

UPSC has been playing with the expenditure figures and other such facts.

UPSC deliberately does this. It is done not for the shallow reason of checking your rote memory, but the ability to think in-depth about the issues faced by various sections. 

Ques. With reference to ‘Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) Scheme’, consider the following statements:

1. The scheme provides for the installation of grid-connected solar power plants each of capacity up to 2 MW in the rural areas.
2. The farmers will have to spend 50% of the total expenditure to acquire and install solar pumps.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Correct answer: 1 only

A very important scheme. The farmers have to tolerate only 10% of the total expenditure to acquire and install solar pumps. The Central Govt. will provide 60% cost while the remaining 30% will be taken care of by bank as credit.

One must understand the inability of Indian farmers to spend 50% on solar pumps. This would have helped in eliminating options also.

CASE 4: Going international.

International collaboration and aid in our schemes and policies are relevant. If you ever read about them, know that the issue is of critical importance for the government and society.

Ques. With reference to Atal Bhujal Yojana, consider the following statements:

1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with funding pattern of 50:50 between Government of India and states.
2. This scheme is approved by the World Bank.

Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Correct answer: 2 only

Here the Government of India’s collaboration with World Bank makes it important. Half of the financial contribution is from the World Bank in this initiative.

Students must not ignore the contribution of international institutions especially if it is of such overwhelming nature.

CASE 5: Core of the core

You should be able to remember the bare minimum. There is no other way in such questions. You either know them or you don’t.

Ques. Which of the following are the components of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)?

1. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) 
2. Annapurna.
3. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

a. 1 and 3

b. 2 and 3

c. 3 only

d. 1, 2, and 3

Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) which came into effect from 15th August 1995, represents a significant step towards the fulfilment of the Directive Principles in Article 41 of the Constitution.

It is a very important scheme under Ministry of Rural Development. Students are supposed to do flagship schemes of various ministries.

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Get ready for 12th April 2020. Register for the first Nikaalo Prelims Open Mock Test if you haven’t done yet.

We’ll also discuss all the questions on our Nikaalo Prelims telegram group(click to join)

Keep studying. Stay safe. Stay strong.