- Prologue
- Polity: Laxmikanth and Non-Laxmikanth
- Economy: Easy Questions
- Environment: NIOS+NCERT is Zindabaad, here’s why
- Geography: India and Physical as usual
- Science Tech
- Chemistry: NCERT Zindabaad, here is why
- Physics: NCERT is Zindaabad & here’s why
- Medical Qs in UPSC CAPF-2016
- History, Art and Culture
- Suggestion/Conclusions for Prelim-2016
- #1: Don’t lose sleep over current affairs for Prelim-2016
- #2: Board Exam ki bochiyapanti bandh kro
- #3: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
- #4: Prelim-2016 will be a tough paper but not an “unfair” paper
- #5: don’t get demoralized by online brigade
- #6: Doing more and more of less and less
- #7: Attempt must be given
- #8: Checklist: Theory revision
- #9: Checklist: Current Affairs Revision
- Appendix: only for future CAPF/CDS aspirants
Prologue
- Yes I’m alive, and yes remaining of the economy survey lectures will be uploaded before prelims. Coming to the topic at hand- 20 days to go before prelims: is your ship sailing on the right path of revision?
- After watching 3 movies of Suraj Barjatya, one can guestimate the nature of his fourth movie e.g. Even if Anupam Kher replaces Alok Nath- the Babuji’s character shall always be “sanskari”.
- And same goes with UPSC. By observing the recent CAPF-2016 paper and comparing it with last years’ CSAT-2015 paper, one can see how the landscape of general studies paper is forming.

This is not for “prediction” but for “suggestion” that you should focus more on theory portion from standard reference sources
Polity: Laxmikanth and beyond
As usual, good number of Polity MCQ directly from Laxmikanth in CAPF-2016. But observe that focus is gradually towards “factual” information regarding dates and articles:
Factual MCQs | Characteristic/procedural MCQs |
---|---|
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By and large factual MCQs are not difficult per se. But when you’re revising Laxmikanth, you’ve to wear googles accordingly.
Polity MCQs outside Laxmikanth
Both in CDS and CAPF, ~40% of the Polity MCQs are asked from outside Laxmikanth i.e. From academic political science / UGC NET papers. But there is no need to worry because
- It doesn’t put you at disadvantage. Because nowadays rarely anyone prepares theory beyond Laxmikanth and current-Polity beyond Hindu/PRS. So, it’s not like others can tick more polity MCQs than you can.
- Very little time left. So, no point in searching and preparing those non-Laxmikanth topics. They’ll not goĀ and stay in head.
Factual | Bol-Bachchan 3TF |
---|---|
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Economy: Easy Questions
- Sector receiving Highest FDI Ans. Service sector.
- Which of the following is not an industrial corridor? Ans. It was easy to do by elimination.
- Nairobi Package WTO statements.
- WTOās 10th Ministerial conference in Dec.2015 was held in __? (It was held in Nairobi- and in the previous question itself the examiner revealed it!)
- Paris Agreement statements (since latest Economic survey devoted an entire chapter on this, hence I count Paris under Economy, and we shall be study it in the upcoming video series BES165)
- Rail budget-2016 – new trains. (we’ll see it in BES165-Rail budget/infra lecture.)
Observations:
- Thankfully nothing asked from microeconomics. But just to be safe after the latest APFC and CDS, I shall be covering microeconomics in my lecture this time- under the upcoming BES164.
- Nothing from pillar 1 and 2 (i.e. banking and general budget).
- As such in defense / paramil. Exams, UPSC ask less from economy.
- Opposite to IAS-prelim-2015, here almost all economy is from current affairs but it’s not “RANDOM” current affairs- mostly arising from economic survey. So, you can solve them easily.
- Therefore, your preparation is on right track, IF for economy you’re doing theory + current around survey. (= my last year’s ppt + this years’)
Economy: Tough Questions- Yearbook type
- Indiaās first defense industrial park setup at ___? Ans. Ottappalam, Kerala (announced in Julyā15 & reappeared in Febā16 showing that the span of )
- KVIC: 3TF (Solved below)
- Silk production (solved below)
KVIC statements
Khadi village industries commission aims to
- providing employment in rural areas;
- producing saleable articles;
- creating self-reliance amongst people and building up a strong rural community spirit.
Ans: A)1,2,3 B) 1 and 2 C) 2,3 d) 1, 3
This is verbatim lifted from India yearbook 2016 ch.19 industries page 557. Answer is “all of them correct”. Tough because in real exam, mind can get doubtful- whether KVIC produces saleable articles? Then it becomes difficult to go through elimination.
Silk Varieties descending order
Consider 1)Muga, 2)Eri, 3)Mulberry, 4)Tasar: arrange them in decreasing order of production in India
- 3241
- 3421
- 2413
- 2143
This is also verbatim lifted from India yearbook 2016 ch.19 industries page 555. Correct order is Mulberry>> Tasar >> Eri >> Muga.
Some of you may have mugged up that Mulberry(3) is highest and Mugha (2) is lowest. But still through elimination it leaves option A and B. Hence I call it a difficult one.
Should I read Yearbook-2016 now?
It’ll be a fruitless exercise to wade through all 1000+ pages of yearbook at the moment. But atleast you must do following chapters:
1,2,3,12,Ā 19, 20, 21, 28.
For the remaining chapters, either A) I’ve covered important maal from it, if relevant from economy/infra/HRD point of view. Or B) cost:beneift less for 20 days. therefore, you may avoid.
Environment: NIOS+NCERT is Zindabaad, here’s why
2014 was a curious year, for UPSC went crazier than usual in asking technical-tough questions from environment and agriculture. But since prelim-2015, normalcy has returned and its continuing till CAPF-2016. Four easy and two tough questions asked. Observe.
Environment: Easy questions direct from NCERT & NIOS
- process of using microbes to treat land contaminated by pesticide, oil, solvent? Ans. Bioremediation, NIOS ch22
- Ramsar convention associated with ___? Ans. Ā Wetlands, NIOS Ch23
- Which of the following are Carnivorous plants?
- Sundew venus fly trap, Pitcher plant
- Cascuta, Rafflesia, Mistletoe
- Sandlewood tree, Broome rape, Pitcher plant
- Cuscuta, Bladderwort, Mistletoe
Looks tough? No it’s not. Because As per NCERT Science Class 7 Ch.1, Pitcher plant is carnivore. And Sandlewood can’t be carnivour. Hence by process of elimination the answer is A)
Easy MCQ No.4: They asked correct sequence of Taxonomy hierarchy from NCERT Class-12 Biology. I’m not writing question, just mugup this chart sequence from same book-
Species=>Genus=>Family=>Order=>Class=>Phylum(division)=>Kingdom.
Environment: tough MCQs
- Largest GHG leakage in US during Feb-2016. (Ans. Methane, California)
- State with highest e-waste recycles (Ans. Karnataka, 52 unit in 2014)
Lesson: NCERT and NIOS has to be in the priority revision for environment. While for random current affairs/yearbook type info. The cost:Benefit bad so no point scavenging around.
Geography: India and Physical as usual
Earth Basics |
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Oceanography |
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Climatology |
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India Physical |
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Observations about Geography
- Solar system theory is the microeconomics of Geography i.e. UPSC doesn’t regularly ask questions from this subject!. So, do it only after you’re done with everything else. However, Indian-space launch should be given higher priority, because they fall under science-tech.
- Observe in physical portion, they are asking ‘factors/relations’ between variables. NCERTs are littered with such information, and during revision, you should take note of it.
- As such NCERT + Rajtanil maāam’s lecture series combo is sufficient to cover most of this. And it should form the core of your revision for remaining days before prelims-2016.
- In defense/paramilitary exams, UPSC would focus more on physical portion within Indian geography. As such they did not ask world geography in latest CAPF, but when everything else is finished- you should go through it as well esp. locations of places where major summits were held/ disasters happened.
Science Tech
- I see students getting unnecessarily emotional, panicked, and devoting too much time in this topic.
- At most, you can revise major events related to defense, Indian-space launch, epidemics and environment. And here too just major-brief points rather than doing baal-ki-khaal. (hairsplitting)
- It’s easy to release compilation of 50 different bacteria/inventions from 2015- who are capable of doing xyz good things. But it’s difficult to memorize and recall it in exam. Besides UPSC is not asking such things.
- Science scene of CDS/CAPF – should be taken with a pinch of salt, because in those defense/paramilitary exams, UPSC tends to ask science MORE in terms of quantity and difficulty.
- But as was the case with last prelims (2015), the Science MCQs are just a pinch higher than NCERTs. In CAPF’s case-meaning from class11 and 12.
- Now there is little left time to wade through class11-12 science NCERTs, but atleast environmental chemistry, biotechnology and zoology type chapters should be done.
Chemistry: NCERT Zindabaad, here is why
Following are the MCQs UPSC asked in latest CAPF, and pretty much all of them from NCERTs
- Change directly from Solid to Gas is called ___?
- Cooling of water and ice at 273K
- Bleaching powder properties
- Graphite properties: non metal, electricity, tetrahedral, carbon allotrope
- Ranking of gypsum, Topaz, Feldspar, etc according toĀ hardness
- Colloid example
Letās solve the last two questions
Hardness of minerals from NCERT Geography
Q5) Arrange these according to increasing hardness: 1) Gypsum 2) Topaz 3) Fluorite 4) Feldspar
- 4321
- 1342
- 3421
- 1432
Looks random? No, it is almost verbatim from Physical geography class11, chapter 5 “Rock an minerals”. Observe following screenshot.
Point being: Every year, in every exam of UPSC- at least one question comes from Class-11 Physical Geography. But often enthusiastic students divert more of their energy in scavenging for new material/current affairs rather than revising what they already have.
Colloid from NCERT class12 chemistry ch.5
25) Which of the following is not a colloid? (UPSC CAPF-2016)
- Milk
- Mud
- Butter
- Boric Acid
Phase | Medium | Colloid Type | Example |
---|---|---|---|
Solid | Solid | Solid sol | Some coloured glasses and gem stones |
Solid | Liquid | Sol | Paints, cell fluids |
Solid | Gas | Aerosol | Smoke, dust |
Liquid | Solid | Gel | Cheese, butter, jellies |
Liquid | Liquid | Emulsion | Milk, hair cream |
Liquid | Gas | Aerosol | Fog, mist, cloud, insecticide sprays |
Gas | Solid | Solid sol | Pumice stone, foam rubber |
Gas | Liquid | Foam | Froth, whipped cream, soap lather |
In civil service prelim, they may want to ask bit more trickier e.g.
Find correct statements:
- Aerosols are examples of colloids.
- emulsions are liquid-liquid colloidal system.
- Fertile Delta is also colloid
- All of above correct. (yes that’s the answer from same chapter)
Applications of colloids- from same NCRRT chapter chem.12 Ch5.
- Medical: milk of magnesia for stomach, silver argyrol for eyes, gold for injection.
- Removing toxic elements before releasing gas from chimney. (Cottrel Precipitation)
- Water purification, tanning animal hides
- Paint, rubber and photography, leather tanning
Physics: NCERT is Zindaabad & here’s why
In CAPF-2016 they asked following topics
- centrifugal force
- factors affecting acceleration
- Barometer in elevator- effect of speed
- wrong statement abt Magnetism
- sum abt Resistance, charge
- Wrong statement abt Gravitational force
- Gravitational Waves
- Examples of vector quantities from given list
The good thing about Science (theory) MCQs= if you solve 4 old questions, you can gather enough information to solve fifth question.
Vector Quantity- CAPF-2016 MCQ
Which of the following is/are vector quantities? Energy, power, pressure, impulse, temperate, gravitational potential
- Only impulse
- Impulse and pressure
- Impulse, pressure and temperature
- Gravitational potential
This question is almost vertibm prepared from the exercise Q.4.3 given in NCERT Class-11 Physics ch4. Observe this screenshot
Anyways, I’ve created the list of scalar and vector from that chapter for your quick reference:
Scalar (have magnitude) | Vector (have magnitude + direction) |
---|---|
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Mind it: Magnetic flux is scalar while magnetic field is vector. And so many other confusing-tricky terms. So unless you can memorize fully, leave it, else high risk of ticking wrong answer
Gravitational Wave- memorize this
This topic sporadically keeps appearing both in UPSC and in Hindu. I’ll not go into the MCQ but rather, let’s just mugup the true statements.
- Gravitational waves travel at Speed of light…yes.
- Einstein predicted (1916) based on Gen. Theory of relativity…yes
- Yes both Einstein and Newton were aware of them. Einstein said its pushing force; Newton said its Pulling force.
- They’re Detected by Interferometers e.g. Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in USA
Magnetism from NCERT Class12
Let’s just mugup a few things because they asked in CAPF
- Earth Magnetism: Varies from place to place; Happens due to dynamo effect i.e. motion of iron-nickel metallic fluid
- There are three type of material, because on their love of magnet
Ferromagnetic | Paramagnetic | Diagenetic |
---|---|---|
Strong love for magnet | Weak love for magnet | theHindu Columnists in front of Modi-magnet |
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Medical Qs in UPSC CAPF-2016
Within biology portion- they ask questions from zoology and botany- but i put them under “environment” so, here we are left with medical/human health only
DNA subunit is called ___
Vaccination involves ___ principle (antibody injected / product or xyz)
Match isotope vs. Applications (verbatim given in NCERT class7)
Zika: wrong statement
Let’s check the last two
MCQ: Isotope application from NCERT
Match the following (I’ve already setup correct matches)
Isotope | Correct Application |
---|---|
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This is given verbatim in NCERT Science class-9, ch4, page 53.
You can mugup one more fact: Iodine125 = eye cancer treatment. (because BARC working on it, says India Yearbook-2016.)
MCQ: Zika Virus wrong statement
64) false statement abt Zika virus?
- It was first isolated from a Monkey in Zika forest of Uganda (Correct hindu)
- It is transmitted by daytime active aedes mosquitoes (Correct, CDC)
- It doesnāt cause mother to child infection (this has to be wrong, because others are correct)
- In pregnant women, it causes abnormal brain development of the foetus (Correct Hindu)
Yes, science-tech current affairs is asked but nothing hair-splitting micro topic. Just those loudest topics in news.
History, Art and Culture
World History |
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Ancient India | Iron is mentioned in ___ ancient text |
Medieval | Noting |
Art and culture |
|
- Although world history is not part of the official syllabus of CAPF, they did ask questions from it. but now point in preparing it for Civil services-2016, because no time left for ‘just to be safe’ type topics.
- As far as Ancient, Art and Culture is concerned: Better to revise what you already have prepared, rather than going after new material in the light of above MCQs. No need to loose sleep over art and culture anymore. Even last year IAS-prelim too they asked just 3 MCQs. The main focus had been British Indiaā¦
society |
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Economy | author vs. Economy book Match the following Permanent settlement meaning Ryotwari system |
Freedom Struggle |
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Just like last IAS-Prelims, they asked good number of questions from British India/Freedom struggle, and with a bit diluted difficult. Above MCQs can be solved easily via Spectrum / Pratik Nayak / Class-10 Tamilnadu.Ā (and hopefully similar scene should prevail on 7th August)
Suggestion/Conclusions for Prelim-2016
#1: Don’t lose sleep over current affairs for Prelim-2016
- Students (falsely) believe they’re “done” with theory hence they’ve to work on current affairs. But during lectures, when I casually show them these CAPF questions directly out of Laxmikanth/NCERT/Spectrum- many of them unable to even recognize that such thing is given on those books! let alone guessing a correct answer by elimination.
- In this article, if you couldn’t immediately recall that mineral-hardness MCQ of chemistry is from Physical geography class-11, then you’re in the same league.
- Therefore, for You’ve to get a grip over the books, you’ve to learn theory by heartā¦Before scavenging around for pirated PDFs of current affairs.
- In CAPF- it’s established they’ll ask current affairs. yet combining all- there are hardly 19/125 MCQs from current affairs. and even within that- the economy current is centre around latest economic survey only.
- Similar was the scene in last IAS-prelims- main focus on theory. UPSC examiners deliberately do it to ensure the candidates from poor families and faraway areas are not given injustice by asking only current.
- Yes you’ve to prepare current affairs, but not as a main priority.
#2: Board Exam ki bochiyapanti bandh kro
- Nowadays people are coming up with ‘studyplans’ Sunday 10AM to 11AM this chapter of polity, 11AM to 12noon this chapter of science.
- UPSC is not board exam, just identify your weakness and work out accordingly.
- In this CAPF MCQ compilation, if you couldn’t recall who founded atmiya sabha or what was the controversy between Anglicists and Orientalists?…. that means you have weak grip over freedom struggle subtopic “social/educational reforms”. Hence you’ve to do more dumbell lifting for that first, rather than doing hourly and chapterly coverage to ensure 100% syllabus completion (which is not possible anyways).
#3: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
- Theory: You already have these NCERTs, NIOS, yearbook, PPTs everything. No point in picking up some new synopsis/compilation by random magazine/publisher. For history, polity etc.
- Current: whatever you’ve done is done is right- whether Hindu/indianexpress/Vision/insight/gktoday. No point in picking up new material (there is flood already). But, just revise what you already read or already have.
- Because if you pick new material, it’ll not go and stay in head because of the stress.
#4: Prelim-2016 will be a tough paper but not an “unfair” paper
- Yes, UPSC papers are tough- be it CSAT/CAPF/CDS/APFC- because difficult to memorize and recall all information, even if everything asked from routine books only.
- But (hopefully and most certainly), just like last prelims, the next prelim-2016 will not be an ‘unfair’ paper, because
- No Information asymmetry i.e. student paying 1 lakh rupees coaching-fees in Delhi knows importance of NCERT/yearbook/Hindu but outside Delhi student doesn’t know.
But that 90s era is long gone. Thanks to numerous blogs, websites, forums- now everyone knows everything and has everything. So, whether you’re in Kashmir or Kanyakumari- you’re not handicapped by your location but by your laziness.
- No Graduation asymmetry i.e. if graduate from biotech, B.Sc Agriculture/Botany/Zoology can solve more MCQs than others. But that to has stopped since last year. Yes some non-laxmikanth political science / sociology type MCQs creep in, once in a while, but their size is too small to make a big difference in result.
#5: don’t get demoralized by online brigade
While online blogs, websites, forums are a blessing against information asymmetry of Delhi vs outside. But same online things also have negative aspects:
- Any tom-dick-harry can cut-paste thehindu lines, change a fact / number and create 3 statement true/false type MCQs. Similarly they create daily current updates.
- New players in their ‘scavenging mode’, get demoralized because of above “information overflow” and/or they change the mode of their preparation to fit into those MCQs e.g. focusing more towards trivial numbers and minutest Chartered accountant like clause-by-clause preparation of finance act, in economy (which is useless anyways).
- Same way, some “Samaritans” continue posting new updates/pirate material 24/7 in online forums/groups/telegram. And new players instantly leave what they’re doing, and pick new things. Attention-span is getting less. “NIOS is not finished but someone uploads new environment survey, I’ll pick it- only until someone else upload space-mission compilationā¦.then I’ll grab it”.
#6: Doing more and more of less and less
- NSG -membership is in news. So yes you should prepare its basic function, theory, comparison against other 3 export control group. But trying to search which of the countries apart from China, blocked our entry in NSG group?- that’s a fruitless exercise.
- Preparing list of geographical indicator (GI) tag list from each state. Hoping it’ll be asked somewhere in economy, geography or culture.
- Focusing minutes details of Census-2011 or forest survey or HDI.
- I can make a longer list but point is- these things should be last priority and should be done if only you’ve cleared prelims in past. Otherwise just stick to traditional stuff.
#7: Attempt must be given
- With stress, weaker minds easily bend- “I should skip attempt this year. Waise bhi my optional syllabus was not over, so, even if I had given prelims I would fail in mains. Besides GPSC/RBI/IBPS xyz exam is coming.”
- When you’re stressed- you can easily waste 4-5 hrs thinking like that. Besides, you don’t know what will happen next year- with exam structure or your own personal life.
- Therefore, take an oath “I shall give attempt”. Don’t let negative or escapists thought get a grip over you.
#8: Checklist: Theory revision
Topic | First get a grip over this |
Geography |
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Environment |
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Economy |
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Polity |
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History |
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Science |
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#9: Checklist: Current Affairs Revision
As Iāve rambled repeatedly throughout this article- current affairs comes as last priority, after youāve done good grip over theory.
Polity: | As such UPSC has been focusing on theory only but no harm in checkup salient features of the loudest bills / acts since last year. |
Economy: | current is centered around economic survey. So no point in taking much stress. |
Science-tech: | only loudest topics in last one year. |
History: | if there was someone’s anniversary in 5’s multiple e.g. Dr.Kalam, Dr. Amedbar, Gandhi return from S.Africa etc. (but these things should also be done AFTER main theory is done) |
Defense/IR |
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Sports/ PIN |
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Appendix: only for future CAPF/CDS aspirants
Hereās list of Defense, IR, Sports, PIN MCQs from CAPF-2016- so you may focus on similar info. in future CAPF/CDS exams.
[accordion id=”capf-2016″] [accordion_item title=”Click me to expand & see IR, Defense, PIN MCQs” parent_id=”capf-2016″]
Defense and International Relations
Here are the MCQs from CAPF-2016- so you may focus on similar info. in future
Exercise / Ops |
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PIN |
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GK | ___ is the oldest regiment in Indian army |
PIN, sports, awards
here are the type of questions asked in CAPF-2016-so, for the future CAPF/CDS/Bank exams, you can focus on similar type of details while preparing current affairs.
Books, movies, craft |
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Appointment & places |
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Sports |
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[/accordion_item] [/accordion]
Sir, UPSC assistant commandant ke essay, report air arguement ke liye konsa magazine padhana chahiye. Please mera marga darshan kare.
Hi guys. Does anyone here have test series and study material for Sociology optional? I am looking forward to connect with people to share strategy and guidance and material. Also, has anyone of you answered the questionnaire from iasaspirantnetwork.wordpress.c…. I think we can connect through that website as well and it looks like a really good platform. Does anyone know when will it go live? Please answer!
Thank You Sir.
hi sir ,i am writing behalf of my wife she was preparing for upsc 2016.this is her second attempt she had gained confidence regarding the prelims as i can observe.after completion of this she was in dialama where to join further ,till now she had made her own preparation for the second attempt .please give me guidelines
You are awesome sir, and i really like your website, but this time, thank god i didnt follow your mantra of keeping current affairs aside and concentrating more on theory. But its okay, as only the people proven to be correct in past be called upon if they are wrong.
Anyways amazing work sir! Keep it up and ill too never stop following your site.