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What was it that initially made Great Britain bleed but subsequently helped it to secure a smashing victory in the second world war? Enigma it was. Alan Turing built the “Turing Machine” that helped decrypt the seemingly unbreakable German Code. Then something very astonishing followed. Great Britain exploited the loopholes of the Enigma itself and the Germans lost without having the slightest hint of Enigma being compromised.
For a UPSC Aspirant, isn’t the “unpredictable” paper setting pattern of UPSC a modern-day Enigma? But what if there was a “Turing Machine” that could break into this “Unbreakable” code of UPSC? For your amusement, there is one.
Talking about UPSC Civil Services Prelims, mock test series has become a Categorical Imperative. But which one truly breaks the “UPSC Enigma”? How about one made by Frontline Warriors themselves (Veteran Aspirants) who have successfully cleared prelims five or six times consecutively? Isn’t the collective wisdom of these “Alan Turings” the closest version of a “UPSC Turing Machine”?
Now, let us speak about the test in question. It’s the third test of the newly launched Prelims Test Series for 2021 by CivilsDaily. It’s a Basic History Test. Let’s see how it is the first step towards breaking the “UPSC Enigma”:
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CD Special Questions:
These questions are special due to their;
- Mind-Twisting Nature (Deceptive questions that fool you exactly as UPSC does in the real exam)
- Exclusiveness (These Perspectives / Themes are only available in CD tests).
Have a look –
Q.1) Which among the following acts gave the power to the Governor-General to override his Council?
- Pitts India Act 1784
- Amending Act of 1786
- Charter Act of 1793
- Charter Act of 1813
Try guessing the right answer to this seemingly simple yet tricky question.
2. Tikdams:
These are Logical Solving Techniques that help you attempt questions despite having little or no idea about the question. It’s almost like getting a master key to the prelims paper. Have a look –
Q.2) With reference to Subsidiary Alliance consider the following statements:
1. Subsidiary Alliance System was a Treaty between the company and the Indian native rulers
2. The subsidiary alliance system was originally the idea of Lord Wellesley.
3. Under this system, the Indian ruler would accept British Forces in his territory and also pay their cost of maintenance.
Which of the statements mentioned above is/are correct?
a. 2 Only
b. 2 and 3 Only
c. 1 and 3 Only
d. All of them
The test explains this basic question by using a Technique we call “Master Shifu” (assuming you don’t know the correct answer).
3. Evidence-Based Question Framing:
To keep close to the real demand of the exam. Have a look –
Q.3) Consider the following statements about Charter acts:
1. Charter Act of 1853 was the last charter act passed for the East India Company.
2. The Charter act of 1833 provided that Haileybury College of London should make quota to admit the future civil servants
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both of them
d. Neither of them
Now, UPSC has asked multiple questions on the nature of various Charters issued by the British Government. You can’t afford to err on a probable question that may be asked on similar lines.
4. Is the test really BASIC?
Framing random questions irrespective of the difficulty level of the tests is like serving the same wine in different bottles. Have a look –
Q.4) Which among the following is the best description of the term “Dikus”?
a. Tax collectors in zamindari areas
b. Law Enforcement officers appointed by the British in Sindh.
c. A term used to refer to outsiders by Tribal people such as the British people and Moneylenders etc.
d. A dance form emerged in Awadh area in the late 18th century.
The motive to incorporate such questions in the basic test is to garner a general idea of the topics before you as an aspirant are mentally ready to face the advanced tests.
5. Conceptual vs Factual Categorisation:
It lets you realize your comparative strength in different types of questions. Have a look –
Q.5) Consider the following statements about the Indian Trade Union Movement:
1. Sasipada Banerjee founded the first labour organization ‘Working Men’s Club’ in 1870
2. N.M. Lokhanday could be regarded as the first leader of the Indian workers
3. Under the Indian Trade Union Act, 1926, Legal status was given to trade unions and rights of the registered union were recognized.
Which of the statements mentioned above is/are correct?
a. 2 Only
b. 2 and 3 Only
c. 1 and 3 Only
d. All of them
this is a basic Conceptual question. If you get this wrong, you need to rework the concepts of Working Class Movement which is an important aspect of History Syllabus.
Now, look at this question –
Q.6) Consider the following statements about Prarthana samaj:
1. It was founded by M.G Ranade.
2. It focussed only on social reforms.
Which of the statements mentioned above is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Now, this is a plain factual question. If you get this wrong, you need to memorize Social Reform Movements and its leaders even more meticulously.
So come be a part of our “UPSC Enigma” Breaking Endeavour. Like Great Britain, we shall emerge VICTORIOUS.
