Prelims : Booklist and Some Tips

Prelims : Booklist and Some Tips        

       Just like there is no ‘Single Strategy’ to clear the Exam, similarly, there is no ‘Single Specific Booklist’ one ought to follow. I have tried to mention the detailed booklist which I referred.

        

        A cautionary note.  Please exercise due discretion while following the booklist. Your booklist should be co-terminus with your academic background. For Example, as a student from Engineering background, Science related topics were easy for me. Also, I was comfortable with  Biology, so I could manage Environment. You need to clearly identify your areas of strengths and weaknesses and either add/reduce the study material.

PRELIMINARY EXAM

l  Art and Culture : GK Today + NCERT 11^th Text book ‘Introduction to Indian Art’

l  History :

o   Ancient India : Old NCERT Text book ‘Ancient India’(by R.S.Sharma)

o   Medieval India : Lucent Publication’s ‘General Knowledge’(read only chapters related to Medieval India) + Few chapters Old NCERT ‘Medieval India(by : Satish Chandra)

o   Modern India : Old NCERT’s(by Bipin Chandra) Initial 4 chapters + Spectrum Publication 

l  Geography : NCERT 11^th and 12^th  Std Text books + G C Leong’s ‘Certificate Physical and Human Geography ‘ + Atlas + Manocha Sir’s Notes

l  Polity : Laxmikanth’s ‘Polity’ +  Ravindran Sir’s Notes

l  Environment : ShankarIAS‘ Environment ‘+ NCERT 12^th Biology Text book  Unit 9 (Bio Technology) and Unit 10(Ecology)

l  Economy : Sriram Economy Notes + Vajiram Class notes

l  Current Affairs : VisionIAS Monthly Magazine+ ShankarIAS Environment Current Affairs which is released few months before Prelims        

l  OTHERS: Online pdfs containing list of Organisations and their Reports, Indices , Govt Programmes etc.

SOME TIPS TO STUDY:

Art and Culture

l  Art and Culture is more ‘Fact loaded’ compared to other subjects. So it can’t be and should not be read at one go as we do for other subjects. It is better to read it ‘one section at a time’. For instance, read only ‘temple architecture’ one day , then cave paintings the second day etc.

l  You should make it a point to use the internet and SEE the Paintings, buildings etc for better remembrance. Try to listen to sample pieces of Carnatic music, Hindustani music and its variants(like Dhrupad, Thumri etc).

l  Try to link this section along with History, especially Medieval History.

               

History

l  ANCIENT HISTORY

n  CSE gives very less importance to Dates, years etc.  There is no use of mugging them up. Knowing the chronology of events is enough.

n  Make ‘margin notes’ for old NCERT ‘Ancient India’ so that you consume very less time during revisions.

l  MEDIEVAL HISTORY

n  It is a very tricky area. Due to many kingdoms and rulers, this part of history gets complex.

n  From OLD NCERT book, concentrate on certain areas only such as Bhakti Movement, Mughal Empire, Vijayanagara Empire, Cholas Empire etc.

n  More emphasis is to be given on Art than on the kingdoms.

n  Lucent Publication’s Medieval chapter is good and brief.

l  MODERN HISTORY

n  We generally give more emphasis on Freedom Movement per se. But, these years, Prelims paper contains more questions on changes brought in the field of Education, Administration etc during the British Rule. So concentrate on these peripheral areas. Also, Peasant revolts, Tribal revolts etc. are to be emphasized.

n  No need to make notes for ‘Spectrum’.

l  Geography

n  For better clarity in concepts, refer videos on the Internet.

l  Polity

n  Read Laxmikanth’s ‘Polity’ in the following manner as prescribed below: (courtesy : mrunal.org):

1.      First you read the chapter on President, Vice President and immediately move to the   chapter on governor. Then read on Emergency provisions.

2. Read chapter on PM and cabinet, then move to CM and state council of Ministers.
3. Chapter on “Parliamentary system” and then directly to parliament, but after budget topic      is done pause this chapter and move to on CAG. Then come back and resume the chapter on parliament.
4. Once parliament is finished, move to State legislative assembly.
5. Same way Supreme Court and then High court, tribunals.
6. Attorney Gen =>Advocate General
7. UPSC  =>State PSC
8. Finance Commission =>NITI Aayog
9.  Now Centre State and Interstate relations.
10. Election Commission=> chapter on election, Anti-defection
11. All the National Commissions on Women, SC, ST,OBC, CVC, Lokpal and so on.

n  Don’t make notes for Laxmikanth’s’Polity’ book.

l  Enviroment

n  As Prelims Exam is also an entry level exam for India Forest Service exam, ‘Environment and Ecology’ Topic is very important. It won’t be wrong to say Environment along with Economy are the 2 most important subjects to clear Prelims. Also Environment is the most neglected area of study.

n  Try to also read basics of Biology (such as difference between vertebrates and non-vertebrates, parts of flower, root/stem modifications etc). For this,NCERT (6th to 10^th Std Text books)may help

PREPARATION FOR PRELIMS

l  Paper-1 broadly has Conventional static questions and Current Affairs questions. There is a trend wherein aspirants give lot of importance to Current affairs. But if we see Prelims paper, UPSC is asking such current affairs questions which aren’t mentioned in most of Current affairs magazines. Therefore, one should give equal importance to Static questions. As we have the books from which these static question come, we should aim to make no mistakes in static questions.

l  Generally, when we write mock tests, we tend to look only at our marks and our relative performance. Mocks will be more effective if we analyze the mistakes committed and identify why we made mistake . Was the mistake committed due to carelessness in reading or was in due to lack of understanding etc.

l  Generally, we tend to read those subjects in which we are already good at :). it is here that we need to really identify our weaknesses and give more importance to them.

l  Mantra to clear Prelims: -”Concept Clarity,Limited Sources,MULTIPLE REVISIONS”.

HOW TO ATTEMPT PRELIMS PAPER

l  Do not attempt all questions in accordance to the order given in the Question paper. You need to follow ‘3 Iteration rule’.

n  During first iteration, solve such questions which are very easy and won’t require much analysis. For example,

 

n  During second iteration, answer such questions which needs some analysis, but those you are comfortable with. For example, questions such as,

n  During third Iteration, questions needing more analyses are to be attempted.If you can't identify logic to eliminate options, its better to leave the question unattempted. For example ,

l  I personally would recommend aspirants to mark in the OMR sheet as soon as you decide on the answer and not mark at the end. This is because:

n  Chances of making errors are less

n  As you have already marked your answer in OMR sheet, you won’t be bothered about that question and will be looking at next questions with a clear mind.