1. Prologue
  2. Approaching Environment Biodiversity
  3. Ch1: Flora and Fauna
  4. Ch12: Environment
    1. What to Ignore
    2. [High priority]: Organizations: main
    3. [High priority]: Policies/Schemes/Projects
    4. [High priority]: Theory
    5. [Low priority] Miscellaneous organizations
    6. [Low priority] International treaties/Conventions
  5. 12th FYP plan: Ch4 and Ch7
    1. Vol1.Ch4: Sustainable Development
    2. Vol1: Ch 7 Environment, Forestry and Wildlife
  6. Mock MCQs: IYB Ch1 & 30
  7. Mock MCQs: IYB Ch12, 12th FYP ch4 and 7
  8. [FAQ] Do I need to buy new edition IF I already have 2013?

Prologue

  • In the last article, we saw how to handle Ch1 and Ch30 of India 2014 || Bharat 2014 (+sample MCQs)
  • In thisĀ  article, we see how to handle environment related segment from: IYB (Ch1, Ch8) and 12th FYP (ch4, Ch7).

Approaching Environment Biodiversity

Environment from India Yearbook

Total four stages

Stage I NCERT, NIOS and Mrunal.org/ENB
Stage II
  • India Yearbook ch1, 12, 23 [also ch11 on energy- but weā€™ll see that in next article]
  • 12th FYP ch4 (Sustainable Development), ch7 (environment)
stage III follow-up from books/net for whatever GA/GK/theory is left e.g. list of parks sanctuaries etc.
Stage IV Continuous notes making from newspapers, magazines. (This stage must be started ASAP, even if other stages haven’t started.)

Three prerequisites before touching IYB for Environment

  1. When it comes to international treaties/kyoto/Nagoya etc. the India Yearbook and 12th FYP only give bolbachchan type coverage= not much useful in MCQs (or even for recalling points in mains). So first read the treaties and summits given on Mrunal.org/ENB
  2. NIOS material for Environment and Biodiversity. Religiously mug it up for prelims.
  3. NCERT following chapters related to Environment Biodiversity (EnB). [yes you need to study BOTH NCERT and NIOS for UPSC prelims, as far as EnB topic is concerned]

Both NCERT and NIOS, free download available at Mrunal.org/download

CLASS SUBJECT NCERT CHAPTERS related to EnB
6 geography 8
7 geo. 1 to 6
science 7, 16 to 18
8 geo. 8
sci. 7 and 18
9 geo 5
science 14
10 Geo. 2
sci. 14 to 16
11 geo(Physical) 15 and 16
geo (India) 4 and 5
economy 9 (Sustainable development)
12 Biology 13 to 16
chemistry 14

Assuming that youā€™re done with pre-requisite #1, 2 and 3ā€¦welcome back.

Overall Chapter 12 (Environment) and 23 (planning-subtopic Environment) give following details

  1. Various organizations, bodies
  2. List of policies and laws.
  3. Terms/ schemes.

Although in all three things, youā€™ll have to do ā€œFollowupā€ by digging google. Because the data given in the book alone is not sufficient to handle MCQ/Mains. But you need to read the book, to prepare the base.

Ch1: Flora and Fauna

topic what to focus
Climate/Seasons (page 4)
  • Four official seasons
  • Six traditional seasons
  • Two seasonal winds
Flora Page 5(English) ; Page 4(Hindi)
  • Total number of plant species: 46,000
  • Vascular flora:15,000
  • 8 distinct florist regions: what trees are found in which region?
  • Definition of Ethno-botanical study-MCQ
  • Red Data book-Published by BSI.
Fauna (page6)
  • Ascending Descending order of Amphebia, Mammalia, Reptilia etc.
  • Salt water crocodile is found in __?
  • Project crocodile __(Important for chronological order of various projects)
  • This section lists names of many wild life species-You need to find out the places where they are found.

After this census related information starts. Ignore it for the moment we will get back to it during education, Health care, Welfare related chapters.

Mock MCQs related to this chapter, are given in the appendix of this article.

Ch12: Environment

What to Ignore

you may ignore following topics, because

  1. bolbachchan paragraphs, useless junk for MCQ/descriptive.
  2. outdated data from 2012ā€™s era- lot new developments have taken place
ch. topic English Hindi
12 Milestone achievement 291 261
12 Environment research 297 267
12 NNRMS 297 267
12 Education and awareness 298 268-69
12 National museum 298 269
12 Wildlife education and training 299 269
12 Centre of excellence 299 269
12 Sustainable development and international cooperation* 302 272
12 Climate change 302-03 273

*It deals with RIO+20, but same thing explains in detail in Mrunal.org/ENB

[High priority]: Organizations: main

ch. topic English Hindi
12 Ministry of environment and forest 285 255
12 National biodiversity authority NBA 288 258
12 National tiger conservation authority 290 260
12 Wildlife crime control bureau- statutory 290 261
12 Central pollution control board- CPCB 292 263
12 Central wetlands regulatory authority 295 265
12 Eco-development forces(IMP- They are under defence ministry and not under environment ministry) 296 267
12 National green tribunal* 301 272
12 National environment assessment and monitory authority- NEAMA 301 272
23 National Ganga river basin authority 682 699

*better dig net for more.

[High priority]: Policies/Schemes/Projects

12 Forest management scheme 289 260
12 Project tiger, project elephant (insufficient info given, dig NET for more) 291 261
12 Environment impact assessment- EIA, its amendment 291-92 262
12 Policy for abatement of pollution- 1992 292 262
12 National environment policy- 2006 292 262
12 E-waste rules- 2011 293 264
12 National river conservation plan 294 264
12 National wetlands conservation program 295 265
12 Biomedical waste management 294 264
12 National afforestation program 296 266
12 Awards and fellowships- only names and features 299-300 270-71
12 ENVIS- web portal 300 271
23 National costal management program 682 700
23 Biodiversity hotspots 684 702
23 National action plan for climate change- NAPCC (more details given in 12th FYP) 685 702-03
23 Green India mission 685 703

[High priority]: Theory

12 Mangroves 286 257
12 Coral reef- Four major areas 287 257
12 Clean technology 294 264
12 Ozone layer protection 303 273-74

for more on the theory, refer to NIOS and NCERTs.

Laws

12 Forest conservation Act 289 259
12 Environment protection Act 1986Ā  *
12 National green tribunal act 2010Ā  *

*Dig net

[Low priority] Miscellaneous organizations

as the name suggests- theyā€™re Miscellaneous, so donā€™t spent lot of time in them- even if an MCQ is asked, the cost:benefit is bad.

ch. topic English Hindi
12 Botanical survey of India 285 255
12 Zoological survey of India 286 256
12 Forest survey of India 286 256
12 Wildlife institute of India- WII 290 260
12 Central zoo authority 291 261
12 Animal welfare board 291 262
12 National river conservation directorate 294 264
12 National afforestation and eco-development board 296 266
12 GB pant institute 297 268
12 Four institutes given under forestry research 298 268

[Low priority] International treaties/Conventions

Topic is high priority, but from the given bookā€™s given chapter, its low priority because data is outdated, and very brief overview given.

ch. topic English Hindi
12 Biosphere reserve 287 257
12 Biodiversity conservation- its two components: Biodiversity and bio-safety 287 257
12 Convention on biodiversity CBD* 288 258
12 Cartagena biosafety protocol 289 259
12 Ramsar convention 295 266

*go through Mrunal.org/ENB

And for remaining conventions, dig NET.

12th FYP plan: Ch4 and Ch7

So far youā€™re done with Environment chapter of IYB. Now time to shift to 12th Five year plan (FYP).
To download the free PDFs of 12th FYP (English | Hindi), CLICK ME

Vol1.Ch4: Sustainable Development

Relevance Topic to focus PDF page#
MCQ/fodder 4.1 Definition of sustainable Development and who gave it? 146
fodder figure 4.1 147
fodder 4.6 definition of Eco-efficiency 147
MCQ 4.9 Green tax- meaning, utility and Indian example 147-48
fodder 4.10 why diesel-fertilizer subsidies are bad 148
fund 4.12 National clean energy fund 148
fund 4.13 Compensatory afforestation fund 148
fodder 4.15 benefit of PAT and REC 149
fodder 4.16 list of non-monetary incentives to protect environment 149
fodder 4.22 Eco Industrial hub 150
MCQ 4.26 coastal regulation zone classification 151
MCQ 4.27 fact that Swaminathan Committee is associated with coastal zoneĀ  Management 151
MCQ 4.29Ā  Ecomark -label (last two sentences) 151
fodder box 4.1: focus areas in 12th FYP 152
MCQ 4.35: why supercritical powerplants are better than sub-critical 152
fodder box 4.2: that research in advanced coal technology = better cost:Benefit than soal energy 153
MCQ 4.37: whatā€™s the benefit of coal gasification? 153
MCQ 4.39: which states have highest potential in wind energy? 153
fodder 4.41: the need for national wind energy mission? 154
MCQ 4.42: which states have off-shore wind potential? 154
MCQ 4.44: benefit of solar photovoltaic tech vs solar thermal tech 155
fodder 4.47 to 4.52: how to reform solar mission? 155
MCQ 4.52: crystalline silicon vs thin film system 155-56
MCQ 4.68: three types of cements produced in India (+ that BIS permits them to add fly ash) 158
MCQ Table 4.2: which sectors consume high amount of energy? ascending descending order 160
MCQ/fodder Table 4.3 the pro-cons of carbon tax vs. cap-n-trade schemes 162
MCQ 4.93: what are the negative consequences when freight is transported through trucks rather than via railways 164
fodder 4.94 to 96: how to improve the efficiency of rail/road/water transport 164-65
fodder 4.99: what are the benefits of using public transport? (five points) 166
fodder 4.99 (from page 167) + 4.100 + 4.101: what are the ā€œpolityā€ challenges that impede reforms in urban transport? 167
MCQ 4.102: BEE energy labelling program 167
MCQ 4.105: Bachat lamp Yojana-features 168
MCQ 4.109: SEEP program 168
MCQ fig.4.6: electricity consumption sector wise ascending-descending 169
fodder 4.118: green building code related points 170
MCQ 4.121: green building rating system (fact that its by IGBC and not BEE/government) 170
MCQ/fodder 4.128: national mission for green India 172
fodder Annex.4.2 how/why Low carbon strategy helps in inclusive growth? 175-76

This finishes ch4 of 12th FYP. Dig following topics through pib/net.

  1. national environment policy
  2. national policy for farmer
  3. national electricity policy
  4. integrated energy policy
  5. Indian alpine initiative
  6. vehicleĀ  labelling scheme

so far we are done with

IYB
  • ch1 land people
  • ch30 state UT and
  • ch12 Environment
12th FYP ch4 sustainable development.

moving on:

Vol1: Ch 7 Environment, Forestry and Wildlife

Relevance Topic to Focus PDF page#
MCQ/fodder 7.4 (Polity) why environment needs to be included in concurrent list 237
fodder 7.13: polity initiative taken in 11th FYP 239
MCQ table 7.1 list of schemes which of them are Central schemes (CS), and which one as centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) 240
MCQ box 7.3: Moniterable Targets under 12th FYP 243
Fodder box 7.4: goals of 12th FYP 244
org 7.31:National environment and forestry council (NEFC). and 7.32: similar for States. 245
org 7.33 (1)National environment protection authority (NEPA) 245
fodder figure 7.3 diagram to memorize fodder points 246
fodder 7.35: how to make Environment protection act effective? 247
org 7.38:NEAMA authority 247
fund 7.40: National environment restoration fund 247
E-gov IBIS, IBIN, and 7.43: National information grid 248
org 7.48: central board of forestry 249
e-gov 7.48: Using GIS for forest rights act 249
fund 7.51: Green fund 249
fodder 7.53: need for reforms in Project elephant 249
MCQ figure 7.4 for the schemes under 12th FYP 250
e-gov 7.65: NEMP; 7.66 forestry information system 251-52
fodder 7.67: how to protect against invasive species 252
MCQ 7.70: Environment performance index (And its table 7.2) 253
MCQ 7.73: green India mission (although mostly cutpaste from IYB) 254
fodder 7.75: climate change 255
fodder 7.82: 12th FYPā€™s three pronged strategy for climate change 257
MCQ 7.83: share of emission (ascending descending) 257
MCQ 7.84: chief contributors of agro-GHG emission 257-58
fodder 7.85: national water mission 258
MCQ/fodder 7.95 & 96: why climate change increases our vulnerability to diseases? 259-60
MCQ/fodder 7.103 to 7111: National action plan on climate change (you got the overview from IYB, here you get detailed info.) 260-62
fodder 7.113: how to make NAPCC more effective? (and followup on BOX 7.7 for suggested reorganization) 262

Dig Net/PIB/prsindia for:

  1. National ambient air quality standards (NAAQs)
  2. polysaturated fatty acids in Marine organism
  3. invasive species
  1. protection of plant varieties and farmersā€™ rights
  2. forest rights act
  3. seeds amendment bill
  4. biotech regulatory authority bill

(Because theyā€™re mentioned in FYP, but not sufficient coverage for MCQ/mains)

This concludes ā€œcoreā€ preparation of Environment related topics. (Allied topics/chapters- energy, water, sci-tech etc. weā€™ll see in future articles.)

Mock MCQs: IYB Ch1 & 30

Q1. As per the IMD classification, which of the following are the official seasons of India?

  1. Winter: December to February
  2. Pre Monsoon: April to June
  3. Post monsoon: October to December

Answer choices

  1. only 1
  2. only 1 and 2
  3. only 1 and 3
  4. only 2 and 3

Q2. Match the following seasons

  1. early autumn
  2. Late autumn
  3. winter
  4. spring
  1. Sarada
  2. Hemanta
  3. Sisira
  4. vasanta

Answer choices

code I II III IV
a 4 3 2 1
b 1 3 2 4
c 1 2 3 4
d 2 1 3 4

Q3. Consider the following trees: silver fir, silver birch, juniper, blue pine.

Which of them are found in the Western Himalayas?

  1. all except silver fir
  2. all except silver birch
  3. all except juniper
  4. all of them.

Q4. Arrange the following fauna in ascending order, according to the variety of species found in India.

  1. Mammals
  2. Reptiles
  3. Amphibians
  4. Aves

Correct ascending order is:

  1. 1234
  2. 4321
  3. 3124
  4. 1324

Q5. Consider following statements about Thamin deer?

  1. It is an endangered species as per IUCN classification.
  2. It is an endemic species of Western Ghats.
  3. It is also known as Dancing deer because of its peculiar style of walking

Find correct statement(s)

  1. only 1 and 2
  2. only 2 and 3
  3. only 1 and 3
  4. All three correct.

Q6. Consider following sanctuaries: Ichagarh, Tenughat and Chandrapura. Which of the following are correct statements about them?

  1. all of them are bird sanctuaries
  2. all of them are located in Jharkhand
  3. Both A and B
  4. Neither A nor B

Q7. In which of the following places, can we find Mangrove forest, swamp forest, moist-deciduous forest and tropical wet-evergreen forest?

  1. Tamilandu
  2. West Bengal
  3. Andra Pradesh
  4. Andaman and Nicobar islands

Q8. Which of the following statements are correct about Andaman-Nicobar islands?

  1. Their eastern coast has fringing type of coral reefs while western coast has barrier type of coral reefs.
  2. Padauk and Gurjan- two endemic species of Mangroves, are found only in Nicobar group of islands but not in Andaman group of islands.
  3. both A and B
  4. Neither A nor B.

Q9. Which of the following statements are correct about Andaman Nicobar?

  1. It receives rainfall from South East Monsoon but not from North East monsoon.
  2. These islands have Mangrove forest but no littoral forest.
  3. Both A and B
  4. Neither A nor B

Q10. Correct statements about Argali Sheep

  1. Their natural habitat is alpine grasslands.
  2. They’re found in Khangchengzonga National Park of Sikkim.
  3. They’re poached mainly for horns, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine.
  4. They’ve became extinct in China and Mongolia.

Answer choices

  1. only 1 and 2
  2. only 1, 2 and 3
  3. only 1, 2 and 4
  4. only 3 and 4

Q11. Find correct statements

  1. Black Necked Crane is a native of Siberia, but migrates to Nal-sarovar of Gujarat during Winter
  2. India has the largest population of snow leopards in the world.
  3. Military activity is one of the main causes for declining population of snow leopards in the world.

Correct statements

  1. only 1 and 2
  2. only 2 and 3
  3. only 1
  4. only 3

Correct answers

  1. Correct seasons as per IMD= only 2 and 3. Because for Winter- months are given wrong
  2. Early autumn-Sarada, Late-Hementa, Winter-sisira, Spring-Vasanta
  3. all of them found in Western Himalaya
  4. Amphi<< Mam <<Rep <<Ave
  5. C. The Answer Not given in IYB. But in IYB page6- Swamp deer mentioned, and UPSC did ask MCQ about it in CSAT 2013. So on the same logic, one should prepare all the species given in IYB, including Thamin deer. Anyways, statement #2 is wrong because Thamin deer is mainly found in Manipur, Myanmar Vietnam. So, going by elimination process, we are left with (C)
  6. C. all correct
  7. C. Andaman-Nicobar
  8. A. only 1st statement right
  9. C. both are wrong.
  10. B. This sheep mentioned in Sikkim section of Ch.30, hence PH.D becomes necessary as per unwritten rule of UPSC MCQs. As per IUCN redlist- first three statements right.
  11. D. Black necked crane lives in Sikkim, Snow leopard largest population is in China; third statement is right- military activities have led to habitat destruction, poverty=>illegal poaching for quick cash etc. hence third statement right. (Ref. iucn)

Mock MCQs: IYB Ch12, 12th FYP ch4 and 7

Q1. Consider following statements about Mangroves

  1. They can survive in Aerobic soil but not in Anaerobic soil
  2. They form a commensalist link between terrestrial and marine ecosystem.
  3. In India, maximum mangrove cover is found in West Bengal, followed by Gujarat and Andaman-Nicobar.

Choice

  1. only 1 and 2
  2. only 2 and 3
  3. only 1 and 3
  4. only 3

Q2. Which of the following are the major coral reef areas of India?

  1. Mannar
  2. Kutch
  3. Lakshadweep
  4. Andaman-Nicobar

Choice

  1. all except Mannar
  2. all except Kutch
  3. all except Lakshadweep
  4. All of them

Q3. Correct chronological order

  1. National forest policy
  2. National biodiversity authority
  3. National environment policy
  4. National Green Tribunal

Answer choices

  1. 4321
  2. 1324
  3. 2413
  4. 1234

Q4. Which of the following is a statutory body?

  1. National biodiversity authority
  2. Wildlife crime control bureau
  3. both A and B
  4. Neither A nor B

Q5. (A) Clean technology offer significant cost advantage to the producer. (R) Clean technologies are less intensive on the use of raw material and energy

  1. Both correct and R explains A
  2. Both correct but R doesnā€™t explain A
  3. A right but R wrong
  4. R right but A wrong.

Q6. Consider following statements about Eco-development forces

  1. This force consists of volunteers from high schools and colleges
  2. This force is setup by respective state governments, using the funding provided by MoEF
  3. both A and B
  4. Neither A nor B

Q7. What is the utility of ENVIS portal?

  1. It’s a vigilance portal for gathering information related to economic offenses
  2. It’s an education portal for imparting English language knowledge to the women and children in rural areas
  3. It’s a web portal for environment related information collection storage and processing.
  4. None of Above

Q8. Ultra violate radiation can cause

  1. Skin Cancer
  2. Eye Cataract
  3. Suppress body’s immune system
  4. Decrease crop yield

Answer choices

  1. All except #4
  2. Only 1, 2
  3. Only 1 and 3
  4. All of them

Q9. Which of the following is/are Ozone depleting substances

  1. Halon
  2. Methyl chloroform
  3. Methyl bromide

Answer choices

  1. only 1
  2. Only 1 and 2
  3. Only 1 and 3
  4. All of them

Q10. Correct statements about Coastal zone regulations.

  1. Category 1 deals with islands.
  2. Category 4 lists the ecological sensitive areas of India
  3. Construction activities are permitted in category 2 and 3

Answer choice

  1. only 1
  2. Only 2
  3. Only 3
  4. All of them

Q11. Consider following statements about Super-critical technology in coal power plants?

  1. It produces higher amount of electricity per kg of coal, compared to sub-critical technology.
  2. Its R&D is still in nascent stage and practical application is extremely expensive than sub-critical technology
  3. Both A and B
  4. neither A nor B

Q12. What are the potential applications of Coal gasification technology?

  1. exploitation of deep coal deposits that cannot be mined using conventional means
  2. In-situ capture of carbon
  3. Both A and B
  4. Neither A nor B

Q13. Correct statements

  1. India produces only two varieties of Cement: Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) and Ordinary Portland Cement.
  2. Given the environmental concerns, MoEF has banned cement companies from mixing fly ash into Portland Pozzolana Cement
  3. Both A and B
  4. Neither A nor B

Q14. Consider following statements about carbon tax?

  1. it doesn’t provide cost certainty to the manufacturer and consumers
  2. there is potential chance of manipulation and evasion
  3. Coal cess is an example of carbon tax

Answer choices

  1. Only 1 and 2
  2. Only 1 and 3
  3. only 2 and 3
  4. only 3

Q15. In India, if lower amount of freight is transported through railways than through trucks, what will be its consequences on the economy?

  1. fiscal deficit will increase
  2. adverse balance of payment
  3. both A and B
  4. Neither A nor B

Q16. find Wrong statements

  1. Through Bachat lamp Yojana, government sells CFL lamps to households at the same price as tubelights
  2. LED lamps are more energy efficient than CFL lamps but less than tubelights.
  3. both A and B
  4. Neither A nor B

Q17. (A) In India, only the Parliament can amend the environmental laws. (R) Environment is a residual subject in Constitution of India.

  1. Both correct and R explains A
  2. Both correct but R doesnā€™t explain A
  3. A right but R wrong
  4. R right but A wrong.

Q18. 12th Five year plan aims to

  1. Clean all the the critically polluted rivers by 2020
  2. Train veterinary professionals to treat wildlife.
  3. Setup anĀ  autonomous body named NationalĀ  EnvironmentĀ  AssessmentĀ  andĀ  Monitoring AuthorityĀ  (NEAMA) for EIA, coastal zone regulations and marine fisheries regulations.
  4. All of above

Q19. correct match

  1. National environment restoration fund: proceeds of the coal cess
  2. National clean energy fund: donations and fees collected from private sector for accessing specified natural resources.
  3. Green Fund: proceeds from tax collected on the sale of forest produce.
  4. none of above.

Q20. Agriculture contributes significant amount of GHG emission in India. Which among the following is/are responsible for it?

  1. Methane from Rice paddies
  2. fermentation in ruminant animals
  3. Nitrous oxides from and fertilisers.

choice

  1. Only 1 and 2
  2. Only 1 and 3
  3. only 2 and 3
  4. all of them

Correct Answers

  1. D. As per IYB page 287
    1. They can survive Anaerobic soil=#1Ā  wrong
    2. Commensalism= only one party benefits without damaging other. Symbiosis=both benefit. Mangrove = Symbiosis link between Marine vs Terrestrial=> #2 wrong
    3. #3 is right.
  2. D. All of them major coral reef areas
  3. D. forest-88, NBA-03,environment-06, NGT-10
  4. C. both are statutory
  5. A
  6. D. both wrong. Ref page 296
  7. C
  8. D
  9. D. All of them. Ref page 303
  10. C. only 3
  11. A only first statement right
  12. C both right
  13. D both wrong
  14. only 3 (ref. table 4.3 of 12th FYP)
  15. C. Both of them right (ref point 4.93 in 12th FYP)
  16. C. both wrong. (same price as CFL, and not tubelights)
  17. A.
  18. D all of them
  19. all wrong
  20. D. all of them

[FAQ] Do I need to buy new edition IF I already have 2013?

A question asked by many readers, ā€œI already have IYB 2013, do I need to buy 2014ā€™s edition?ā€

Answer is NO. (Observe the change list, then I elaborate)

Changes in Ch1. Land and people

  • First six pages are almost the same.
  • Census: data is updated.

Changes in Ch12. Environment

  1. Compressed forest resource and survey
  2. Compressed environment conservation
  3. Compressed CBD, Biological diversity act
  4. Removed genetic engineering approval committee
  5. Removed COP-MOP-5, AICOPTAX
  6. Removed forest policy
  7. Compressed project tiger and project elephant
  8. Removed regulatory acts under animal welfare
  9. Compressed EIA
  10. Compressed CPCB
  11. Compressed E-waste management
  12. Removed chemical safety
  13. Compressed Bio-medical waste management
  14. Compressed national river conservation directorate
  15. Compressed ramsar convention national wetland conservation program
  16. Added centralĀ  wetland regulatory authority
  17. Compressed Environmental research and NNRMS from two pages to just two paragraphs
  18. Removed statistical cell and NGO cell
  19. Compressed Climate change and removed COP-16
  20. Removed- IPCC , INCCA, UK Collaboration and many other miscellaneous topics

Changes in Ch30. State and UT

  • Updated population data as per Census 2011
  • Updated names of governor, CM, chief Secretary, + a few state schemes here and there.Ā  (It also lists Kejriwal as Delhi PM- meaning pretty latest printed book.)
  • but other than that, Most of the static content is identical to the previous edition.

[^ Iā€™m yet to compare remaining chapters in detail. But they also run on same pattern: lot of data either compressed or removed.]

Now coming back to the question

Ā ā€œI already have 2013 edition of India Yearbook, so, do I need to buy 2014ā€™s edition?ā€

My answer/advice/opinion is ā€œNOā€ because:

  1. They did ā€œCompressā€ a lot of topics, eliminated many outdated topics, but havenā€™t ā€œupdatedā€ the topics much.
  2. The way things are moving under UPSC’s Backbreaking era, you’ll have to dig net, newspaper and magazines- for almost every term, scheme, policy, act, bill, irrespective of how up-to-date your Ā IYB is. Therefore, IYB’s main use is “base” material, and as the base material- it hasn’t updated much between 2013 vs 2014’s edition.
  3. Census data updated- but you can easily get it from net. Those ten new pages alone don’t justify the need for dishing out another 250/- rupees.
  4. In almost all chapters, the IR/HRD related data is still from 2012ā€™s era one and same. Even in above COP/UNFCC/Kyoto/RIO+20 etc. summits.
  5. Whatever few things are newly added, you can dig through PIB/Net (as per the list/tables given in above article).
  6. I believe you already have used highlighter/ballpen/margin-notes on the 2013ā€™s edition for quick reading/revision. So If you get new 2014ā€™s edition again= youā€™ll have to repeat the same exercise on those 1000+ pages again = not worth the cost:benefit. (because data hardly new- only page numbers changed.)

In short, if you already have IYB-2013 then not much point in getting IYB-2014: your 250-350 rupees are better spent buying in some other books or stationary.

visit Mrunal.org/yearbook For more on Yearbook related topics/articles.