I just watched this reel (link given in the end). It triggered a chain of thoughts. It might sound somewhat unpleasant for you but I want to express nonetheless.

There was a time when I used to go to a shop to buy music cassettes. And listen to the 12 songs (6 songs each side of tape) on my Panasonic tape recorder again and again. My eclectic possession of 70-80 cassettes was my most cherished treasure. Now, with internet, nobody cares about it.

There was a time before. When I used to go to a video parlour to rent a DVD. Entire society used to gather to watch a movie together on a weekend. Now, with torrent, nobody cares about the producers.

There was a time when books were costly and inaccessible. We used to go to libraries and take long strolls amongst the files of book laden almerahs to locate interesting books. It used to be a fun activity. Dusty bookshelves... Now all books are available online. For everyone, quick and free... Nobody cares for the authors.

There was a time, when leisurely water colour paintings of summery old city buildings used to evoke the feelings of solitude. Now, with chatgpt producing Ghibli style mass produced art, nobody cares about the artists like Miyazaki.

Then I remember... There was also a time before. When access to good quality UPSC teaching in Delhi was costly. Now, with Telegram, it is dirty cheap. It is also celebrated as democratization of knowledge, a la robinhood. Nobody cares about teachers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DHyIa0VSqkt/?img_index=1&igsh=MW1maGl1d2N4MjA4cg==

Nikhil

Alert

The second issue of History Bulletin is on its way! 📰 Get ready for in-depth analyses, fresh perspectives, and thought-provoking interviews on recently published book reviews.

This time, we have also added a new section on obituaries. In this issue, there will be total of 2 obituaries, and 35 book reviews on 25 books, mostly published in last 3-4 months. ✨

For those who missed the First Issue, here you go: https://www.levelupias.com/upsc-cse-history-optional-bulletin/

Two major articles appeared in TheHindu on Shivaji. These are written by Prathamesh Kher, an assistant editor at TheHindu.

Both the articles give quite detailed, considered and analytical view on Shivaji. Apart from that, there are a lot of interesting facts there which are important for the exam, like Rajyavyavahar Kosh.

Recommended Read.
#maratha #shivaji

Second issue of History Bulletin in out. You can download it from here:

https://www.levelupias.com/upsc-cse-history-optional-bulletin/

📢 Prelims-Samiksha Test 1 | Tomorrow – 6th April | Admit card and test link for offline and online mode.

Get ready to assess your UPSC Prelims 2025 readiness with Pre-Samiksha Slot 1 & 2 mock tests.

📍Slot 1: GS Paper – 9:30 to 11:30 AM & CSAT – 2:30 to 4:30 PM
📍Slot 2: GS Paper – 12:00 to 2:00 PM & CSAT – 5:00 to 7:00 PM


📝 Offline Mode (Delhi Centre) 🎫 Admit Card is Mandatory
👉 How to Download Admit Card?
1. Click here: https://www.levelupias.com/upsc-cse-pre-samiksha-all-india-open-mock-test/
2. Scroll to Download Admit Card section
3. Enter your registered mobile number and email
4. Download & carry a printout to the test venue

⸻

💻 Online Mode (Slot 1 & 2): Test will become available only after 9:30 am
Use the following links to attempt the test:

🔗 Web Portal: https://newlms.levelupias.com/ | 📱 Android App: LevelUp IAS App
🔑 Your Login ID & Password will be sent to your registered email (from admin@educurvelms.com) 3–4 hours before the test.

Let’s LevelUp your Prelims prep 💪
All the best!
—Team LevelUp IAS

For those preparing for 2026, we will very shortly announced a mentorship program for history optional. It will primarily assist you for one year in preparation and will start sometime around June.

https://youtu.be/j_UmoKraO7A?si=6bt0uyUt9XoDhEhG

Insightful discussion on comparison between Fa Hien v/s Huen Tsang.

How to understand them? How to compare them? How to remember them?

Must Watch.

Aundh, the first Indian state to have modern constitution. And it was a Gandhian constitution.

This is so amazing... after reading history for more than two decades, it still never stops surprising you with such interesting nuggets.

Here is the Wikipedia link for more information. It was called Aundh experiment.

Nikhil

Difference between Theory and Practice. Dr. Ambedkar..!

UPSC GS1 PYQ: "Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies, had a common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate." (2015)

A recently purchased book.

History of formation of Khalsa panth is extremely interesting. I have read it earlier in the two volume book series by Khushwant Singh.

JS Grewal is a well known academic whose writing I wanted to read for long time. I have his some other books as well, one on Ranjit Singh, one by Cambridge on entire history of Sikhs etc. But this one is a dedicated book on Guru Gobind Singh by OUP.

Eager to read now but lectures se fursat mile to na....

Nikhil

#bookreview

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/over-250-years-old-mughal-document-throws-light-on-tax-waiver-for-pilgrims-at-allahabad/article69439862.ece

They have discovered a new firman by Mughals. It was issued in 1773 by Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. It directs the officers not to charge pilgrims who come for the holy dip at Allahabad. It also says that a large number of pilgrims going to Allahabad were ‘Gujaratis’ and ‘Marathas’.

The news item discusses the details and the context of the firman very well. Only one thing is omitted. That in 1773, it was the Marathas who controlled Delhi and kept the Mughal badshah as a puppet on throne. He was first in British control. Mahadji Scindia picked him up in 1772 and took him to Delhi and installed him on throne. It was Mahadji Scindia who was ruling over large part of north India as the real power behind the Mughal throne.

I think The Hindu may have thought that it was a very minor fact. It could have slipped out of mind while writing the context of the firman. The beauty of Mughal seal, their calligraphy, shape of the emblem etc are more important things which need to be discussed.

Nikhil

#prehistory #archaeology

Hello,

Just a random reflection:

There was a massive wave of change in 2016-2020 era in the CSE coaching industry. Post internet revolution, data became cheap and Youtube came to fore. It was a time when some online institutes started to attract a lot of students. Some amount of PE capital had started to enter in this sector. Byju's soon become a unicorn. It was perhaps the first coaching institute to do so.

However that cycle went dry by 2021. Then the capital infusion suddenly went down. Then the second phase started after Covid when the whole world changed. Especially the UPSC CSE coaching industry started to experience following trends:

1. All institutes were forced to go online. There was thus addition of videography department in every institute with cameras, videographers and digital TVs.
2. Private Equity (PE) capital is coming in, leading to corporatization of the whole sector. To fulfil there sales targets, there are acquisitions of institutes now. (pehle teachers poach hote the, ab institutions kharide jate hai)
3. Beginning of sales and marketing on massive scale. Everyone now is hiring academic counsellors and sales persons.
4. Rise of social media stars, podcasters and reel teachers.
5. More number of officers resigning from service to become such social media stars and educators. More than govt job, this is a quicker way to earn crores legally for some of them.
6. Burst of Telegram.

These 6 trends have altered the whole scenario. Teachers are no more teachers, they are mostly stage performers and online motivators. Coaching industry has become a motivation industry now. There are content teams, who use AI and produce content for you. And civil service institutions are no more merely coachings, they are service providers who constitute an industry.

In this whole scenario, students are no more students, they are customers and clients. The romantic idea of creating a good officer to help the nation is a madman's talk in this gardish. Now, it is about selling dream, hope, aspirations and fears.

Nikhil

Look at this ghibli style image. It takes 2 mins to do that with ChatGPT. But remember. Quickest things are the ones that fall flat the fastest.

Technology is no more a barrier due to AI. But shat is still rare is your unique insight, aesthetic sense and creative mind. We want to do real creative work that creates value, that leaves some impression. It takes brilliant mind for that.

So, if you are social media savvy person with some background in UPSC CSE preparation, do approach us. We would love to work with you. We are sure you will also love to work with us.

Call us, write us, reach out to us. We are waiting for you.

Ambedkar as Economist

Hi Aspirants,

UPSC Civil services Personality Test (Interviews) of 2024 CS Mains exam started on 7th January 2025 has been over on 17th April today. Now the wait starts for the final results, expected anytime in next few days. This is always the most exciting time of the year.

All the best, always.
Nikhil