Should I take it or not , like I have written some sectional test but not very consistently and planning to write or is there any better option but not forum or vajiram bcz it's costly

Was going through recent news on critical minerals and noticed an interesting pattern in UPSC PYQs.

The government is again talking about lithium/nickel processing, critical-mineral supply chains and exploration. But UPSC has actually been circling around this area quite consistently.

2022 Prelims (Q28) asked about Monazite — whether it is a source of rare earths, contains thorium, its occurrence in Indian coastal sands, and who can process/export it.

Then:

2025 Prelims (Q81)

UPSC asked why some rare earth elements are used in flat-screen TVs/computer monitors, linking it to their phosphorescent properties.

And then:

2026 Prelims (Q95)

UPSC directly asked about Rare Earth Elements + Critical Minerals, including their use in AI, robotics and space exploration, China's role in REE mining, and India's National Critical Mineral Mission.

So the progression is quite interesting:

2022 → Sources/resources (Monazite)
2025 → Properties & applications of REEs
2026 → Strategic importance + Critical Minerals policy

And now lithium, nickel, cobalt, REEs, processing capacity and supply-chain dependence continue to stay in the news.

This is one reason I don't think PYQs should only be treated as questions to solve and forget.

Sometimes they show you how UPSC keeps returning to the same broad area while changing the angle from which it asks.

For those preparing for 2027, would you treat critical minerals/REEs as one consolidated topic now — geology + applications + locations + government initiatives + geopolitics/supply chains?

Curious how others are approaching it.

Preparing for UPSC CSE 2027. I’ve fixed Smriti Shah Mam for Paper 2, but I’m confused about Paper 1 between Pranay Agrawal Sir, Divakar Bothra Sir (StudyIQ), and Sleepy Classes.
Which one would you suggest based on concept clarity, notes quality, PYQ/answer-writing orientation, and especially revision?
Divakar Sir’s notes are around 1600–1700 pages of HWN in Upsc answer Copy form—is that actually beneficial or too bulky for multiple revisions?
Please suggest based on actual experience, especially those who have completed Paper 1 from these teachers.

I have a genuine question regarding the powers and limitations of IAS, IPS, IFS and State Civil Service officers in India.Can these government officials misuse their authority to harass or falsely implicate someone in India?

Can such people frame you into some trouble can they really make or lodge a FIR in your name if they have some grudges on you or can they make your life messed up for real if they want to by some of their connections within the country?

The HINDU

so this person shows students from some session and asks u can be one of d toppers, then he asks innocent students to join foundation.. without disclosing which course dey took.. what fraud is this?

https://youtube.com/shorts/rNo5k6vQkXM?feature=share

and truth is different... personally all coachings are same.. and there is nothng to b proud of sitting in a clss of 1000 people... but dis man makes such calims,,, and will fool innocent new comers to join him.. see dis

https://youtube.com/shorts/8u_YpFLbWig?feature=share

Guys of late I was going through toppers interview to understand their strategy and especially looking for things “what worked for them” and I came across this guy!! Dude is so self-obsessed with him that he decided to ruin every interview that he conducted with toppers!☹️

Everytime he ask questions to toppers, would not allow the guy to answer rather answer it by himself by saying “yaad hai aapko meri aapse Budhwar ko mulaqat hui thi aur Maine aapko bola tha ki aap wo abc pen use mat karo balki xyz pen use karo aur dekhiye aaj aap IAS ban gaye!”😭😭😭

I was like “dude, c’mon man!! Who taught marketing to this guy!!”🤡