Tips : How to prepare General studies for Prelims

Tips : How to prepare General studies for  Prelims

For UPSC civil service IAS IPS Exam

G/S is important

Most people make mistakes in thinking that in prelims

• Opt. Subject : 300M
  
• G/S : 150 M
  

So lets put more effort in 300 M of Opt. Subject at the cost of G/S.

But that's wrong way cause its really tough competition and just because you are ignoring G/S doesn't mean other serious candidates are doing the same.

So Prepare G/S very well.

Recommended BOOKLIST

first is you get all of your weapons ready.

that's buy following books or get them xerox.

don't do like you buy one book now and once you finish reading it then you go buy another book

(cause you'll waste time going to market buying every time. )

all your tools have to be on your table no matter when you want to use it.

buy them all at once and then lock yourself in the room. and start preparing

1. 
   
   NCERT- History, Geography, Economy & Science (10-12)
   
   They don't ask direct questions from it much, but you need to study it only for make your base concepts clear. (more on it written ahead.)
   
   
   I've posted Downloadable NCERT books here
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Spectrum : History of Modern India
   
3. Wizard India 2009 ( this one has everything exam oriented , including the side issues, so you don't have to see original Govt. 's India 2009)- there are many such books available from different publications but I used this one. All the famous place/ language/people/art/dance/ nuke sci/agri/industry/dams/army/ everything is covered in this book.
   
4. 
   
   Paper set of Previous Years UPSC G.S. Prelims
   
   1. You can use Arihant/ Wizard/Unique/Chronicle anyone But make sure that Its topic wise and not year wise (i.e. 2001,2002) and that it has explanation for every answer.
      
   2. I recommend Arihant's paper set.
      
   
   
5. 
   
   Wizard Indian Polity .
   
   1. Again lot books from other publications too but I use this one. And I'm not a topper – so my recommendation of books doesn't chance as per the magazine in which my interview is getting published.
      
   
   
6. 
   
   The Hindu / Indian Express.
   
   1. Don't read Times of India – its more about 'masala/spicey news' : what's imp. From G/S point of view come in above newspapers only.
      
   
   
7. 
   
   Atlas - Mapbook (Orient Longman or any other )
   
   1. They ask map question like 4 countries given and you've to identify which river is going through etc etc- you need to be familiar with world map.
      
   
   
8. 
   
   Subscription to Yojana – Kurukshetra
   
   1. Published by Government of India, about its schemes, rural Development etc
      
   
   
9. 
   
   Any one magazine
   
   1. Chronicle or
      
   2. Wizard
      
   
   

This is going to cost good money, but its like a business – you've to invest your time , energy and money to get this job.

Also this is not the ultimate list – you can use different books- what matter is you must be able to clear your concepts from the book.

Some friends asked me how about the 'material'?

In Delhi there are many good publications which cover them short and sweet,

But they're good only if you are basics are clear from NCERT.

Some examples are M'n'M series' / New Vishal booklets on History, Economy etc.

Daulat Khan's Current Affairs and many more.

Frankly speaking I don't use much 'material' cause I've never been to Delhi nor can I afford those materials. I depend on newspapers and magazines and internet for my G/S preparation.



and, Gone are the days when conventional stuff was being asked.

And you could answer almost all question from TMH G/S manual or Brilliant's Material etc

Nowadays the questions are 'out of the box', + UPSC makes sure no questions are asked from big coaching classes' material (read the 'avoid March-April Flood' topic below.)



Bottom line is

These mags or coaching classes don't write off something from sky,

Whatever they write – they've compiled from newspapers, std reference book And internet.

All they do is present it in a nice bullets and points , boxes and tables format.

You can use any of it, It doesn't make much difference. The requirement is you should be able to understand it and clear your concepts.

HOW NOT TO PREPARE?

Don't directly use PT Special Issues if you are unfamiliar with that subject.

From December 2009- all these mags will start publishing PT (prelim test) Special issues.

Most people make the mistake of directly taking the PT special issue as final solution of G/S.



e.g. when Geography special issue comes, they'll preparing nothing else but from those 15 pages of mag. Only and believe that their G/S Geography is finished.

Disadvantage is

1. 
   
   These mags give lot data and facts so you feel happy but they don't explain the basic concepts and principles
   
   1. i.e in Geography special issue – you'll hardly see any map. So whatever you read- you'll remember for a fraction of seconds only. Same way they won't explain in user friendly manner- how monsoon comes and everything.
      
   2. In Economy they always take "after LPG" (liberelisation –pvtzn-gloablisation ) disinvestment , FDI upto 100% allowed etc etc but never talk of why LPG came? for that you've read NCERT and if you don't then entire PT issue of Economy won't get down in your long term memory. So unless you're a B.Com,- DO refer NCERT to clarify the basic economic concepts 1^st.
      
   3. If you are a science graduate then you can directly use the PT special physics-chemistry,biology but you are an Arts /Comm. Grad then you won't grasp much of it unless you get some basics cleared from NCERT.
      
   
   

SO BEFORE You PREPARE FROM PT SPECIAL MAGS ISSUES –

DO CLEAR YOUR CONCEPTS FIRST FROM NCERT.