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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 eighth test of the newly launched Prelims Test Series for 2021 by CivilsDaily. It’s a Basic Economics Test covering dynamic topics like Agriculture, Industries, Infrastructure, International Trade and related International Bodies.. Let’s see how it is the first step towards breaking the “UPSC Enigma”:
- 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. Consider the following regarding Logistic Performance Index (LPI):
1. It is released by Word bank bi-annually.
2. LPI ranking of India has increased over the last few years.
3. The logistic sector has been given infrastructure status.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 and 3 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. All of them
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. With reference to the Zero based budgeting, consider the following statements:
1. It is a method of budgeting in which all expenses must be justified for each new period.
2. It is a faster process than traditional cost-based budgeting.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Noth of them
d. Neither of them
The test explains this basic question by using a Technique we call “Extreme Exaggeration” (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. With reference to the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), consider the following statements:
1. It is aimed at generating self-employment opportunities in the farm sector.
2. Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is the nodal agency at the national level.
3. It is being implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. All of them
Now, UPSC has asked multiple questions on the basic economic functioning and schemes of the economy. 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. Which of the following are included under Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)
1. Hedge Fund
2. Angel Fund
3. Debt Fund
4. Mutual Fund
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a. 1, 2 and 3 only
b. 2, 3 and 4 only
c. 1, 3 and 4 only
d. 1, 2 and 4 only
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 realise your comparative strength in different types of questions. Have a look –
Q. “Partial Credit Enhancement”, sometimes mentioned in the news, refers to:
a. Increasing the Credit uptake from Banks for Infrastructure companies.
b. Enhancing the credit rating of the bonds and enabling the issuer to access funds on better terms.
c. Restructuring the non-performing assets accounts to make them financially viable.
d. None of the above
This is a basic Conceptual question. If you get this wrong, you need to rework the concepts of Monetary Dynamics and Bond Market which are an important aspects of Economy Syllabus.
So come be a part of our “UPSC Enigma” Breaking Endeavour. Like Great Britain, we shall emerge VICTORIOUS.
