Sectional analysis of KAS preliminary examination (2017-18)

KPSC-KAS PYQ Analysis (2017-18) : Paper-1

### Current Affairs

Remark :

1. If we look at the trend of questions, it becomes easier to understand the larger focus areas of questions. This helps us in streamlining preparation and is helpful in last minute revision. Focus on Person & Places in news for current affairs.
2. Current affairs include both International & National news. This is in line with the syllabus mentioned. 3. Many questions have come from as far as January 2019. Remember that prelims exam was in August 2020. Therefore current affairs is very random. It is safe to cover atleast 1.5 years of current affairs prior to the date of prelims.
3. Awards are generally asked in Paper 2 but one question has been asked in Paper 1.

Therefore the general strategy would be to stick to one standard current affairs source for maximum coverage and ease of revision. Which revising keep focus areas in mind.

Central Budget, ES, Schemes

Remark :

Division made for ease of reference. These questions are largely covered in current affairs. Quick skim through central budget is advisable.

Geography

Remark :

1. Indepth reading of Geography is required. Ex: Migration theories
2. Question pattern on landforms are a repeated theme. Most concepts covered from G C Leong book.
3. Rivers and their tributary, rivers and associated waterfalls must be covered as mapping exercise.
4. Human geography also has equal focus in number of questions. Wide coverage of geography through NCERTS is helpful.

Karnataka Geography

Remark :

1. Only 3 questions have been asked from Karnataka geography. Take greater care in the amount of time spent on its preparation.
2. Karnataka Physical geography is the major focus area. Nonetheless quick coverage of Human geography part may help in other questions for option elimination.

Art and Culture, Ancient and Medival History

Remark :

1. Focus areas is from major topics such as Bhakthi movement, Guptas etc. in ancient history.
2. . Coins & Sculptures are favourite topics in A&C.
3. Some questions were easy to decode from the keywords & options Ex: Chaturvimsati- "Chaturv" means 4, "Panchaloha" concept for alloys.
4. Go through maps in Atlas for extent of empire, ancient ports etc.

Karnataka - Art and Culture, Ancient and Medival History

Remark :

1. Emphasis is seen on scholars who argued about historical events.
2. Focus on name of the King & place of war. Though its a memory game, the questions are from major events.

Modern History

Remark :

1. Questions have been asked from advent of Europeans part.
2. There is wider scope for KPSC to ask questions from many left out topics post 1857. Do not neglect Modern Indian & Karnataka History. Ex: Diwans of Mysore, British commissioners etc.

Economy

Remark :

1. Questions are mostly from basic economy and main topics.
2. Focus on economy related institutions such as RBI, SEBI, NITI etc.
3. Some questions are extremely factual. Options are confusing, same year but different months. LEMS- Difficult to remember Month & year of institution.
4. Some questions are applied in nature requiring understanding of core concepts. Ex: Trade- cost ratios.

Questions are majorly important theme based. Cover basic concepts of National income, Taxes, Monetary policy, Inflation, Money market , External sector etc. Economic theories are covered in NCERTs.

Science and Technology

Remark :

1. Questions are part of current affairs.
2. Emphasis on Space programmes and launches.

Polity

Remark :

1. Questions from traditional focus areas of constitutional bodies.
2. Understand basic concepts of types of rights- Constitutional, legal, Fundamental etc.
3. Important Supremecourt judgement & cases Ex: Gopalan, Keshavananada, Golaknath, Maneka etc.
4. Recent Constitutional amendments
5. Focus on Parliament & COM- 2 questions.
6. Peculiarity of asking facts- Person who described Quasifederal, Novel features.
7. Polity Current affairs linked to static- Nirbhaya case Mercy petition Ex: Easy question but the options make it confusing. Article 70,71,72,74

Environment

Remark :

1. Unlike the static questions asked in Paper 2, environment questions in Paper 1 are largely based on current affairs.
2. Focus on International climatechange control initiatives. Ex: ISA, COP
3. Sometimes statements look tough but options get eliminated easily. Ex: National ganga council

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KPSC-KAS PYQ Analysis (2017-18) : Paper-2

### Karnataka Current Affairs

Remark :

1. Persons in news & Places in news seem to be favourite segment of KPSC for Current affairs. Similar to Paper 1 questions.
2. There is no clear strategy to covering current affairs apart from covering main events & multiple revision.
3. We cannot predict the month from which current affairs is asked. It is advisable to cover atleast previous 1.5 Years of current affairs.
4. GI tag has been a recurrent theme. Two questions asked in the same paper. Focus on recent ODOP products from Karnataka.

Karnataka Budget

Remark :

Special emphasis on amount & percentage of allocation.

Schemes

Remark :

1. Focus is largely on Karnataka schemes only.
2. Farm, Housing, Health, Education related schemes.
3. Empahsis on facts, numbers within these schemes. Therefore multiple revision is required. Ex: Max area asked in Porakarmika Gruha Bhagya scheme, Karnataka slum free by year.

Science

Remark :

1. Only 3 questions have been asked from Karnataka geography. Take greater care in the amount of time spent on its preparation.
2. Karnataka Physical geography is the major focus area. Nonetheless quick coverage of Human geography part may help in other questions for option elimination.

Science and Technology

Remark :

Unlike the Paper 1 S&T questions, here the questions majorly focuses on static S&T and not current affairs. ex: India's 1st super computer PARAM, Missiles of India.

CSAT

Remark :

1. 30 Questions are from GMAT which comprises of huge chunk of Paper 2.
2. Most questions are in the Easy to Medium category of difficulty.
3. Time management is the key to scoring more marks in Paper 2.

Awards

Remark :

1. There is a finite list of latest state awards. Make short notes from the following link: https://www.karnataka.gov.in/page/Awards/State+Awards/en
2. National awards covered in all standard current affairs Magazine.

Environment

Remark :

1. Basic biology seem to be major focus area. This includes human & plant biology. Most of these topics can be covered from NCERTs.
2. Alternatively you can also refer to any standard science NCERT compilation.
3. Agriculture & related facts

Special thanks to Nikhil MR for taking time in developing this analysis 🙏

Author :
Nikhil MR (IRMS)
Rank-724 UPSC CSE (2024)
Rank-4 KAS (ALC) (2017-18)