Strategy for General Studies
General Studies is a very important
paper in CSE both in Prelims and Mains. With the changing pattern of the CSE
especially in the last 1-2 years , it becomes imperative for each aspirant to
be very much updated with the current happenings and news apart from the
conventional portion. GS can broadly be divided into two parts-Conventional
portion(like History,geography, polity) and Current affairs. For Prelims, GS
preparation needs to be widely extensive(i.e. one needs to know something about
everything) and for Mains –GS preparation needs to be Intensive as well as
understood well ( and also supported by analysis) .
For GS I took study materials from
Smart Foundation,Guwahati, Vision IAS ,delhi,Vajiram and Ravi(Mains course materials) and Brilliant Tutorials(for my
first attempt).This helped me to bit more systematize my preparation plan.
The Comprehensive list of
books/journals/newspapers and magazines that I followed for the same:
CSAT
(Paper I) General studies
Topic
|
Source
of your preparation
|
remark,
if any
|
Current Affairs
|
Thorough
and intensive reading of newspapers like TOI,The hindu,IE(only for
editorials),ET,magazines like frontline ,CSR,Chronicle,Yojana and the
Economist.
|
Always
keep yourself updated with issues happening around you.I am a news maniac
..won’t ask you to become one but start loving and following news..i am sure
you will start enjoying it as well.
|
History Ancient/Medieval/Modern
|
Spectrum
and Vajiram Yellow book +some NCERTS
|
|
Physical Geography
|
All
the four NCERTS of 11th and 12th
|
Be
very thorough with them
|
Geography of India
|
“
|
|
Geography of World
|
||
Polity and Governance
|
DD
Basu/Laxmikant/Vajiram yellow book
|
|
Public Policy
|
Internet
and self made notes
|
|
Rights
issue
|
Same
as above
|
|
Environment and Biodiversity
|
Internet,
IGNOU materials
|
|
Economic and social Development
|
Economic
Survey/PD special issue on Economy/Internet
|
|
Science
|
Sriram
notes+internet+chronicle special issue
|
|
Economy
|
Economic
survey/India year book
|
Mains
General
Studies paper I
Syllabus Topic
|
Source of your preparation
|
History
|
Spectrum/Vajiram
yellow book
|
Culture
|
Spectrum+internet
|
Geography of India
|
Four
NCERTS of 11th and 12th Std.
|
Polity
|
DD
basu/Laxmikant/Vajiram yellow book
|
Issues of social relevance
|
Internet
+magazines like chronicle/CSR
|
Indian economy and planning
|
Economic
Survey
|
Environment chronicle
special edition+Internet
General
Studies paper 2
Syllabus Topic
|
Source of your preparation
|
India and the World
|
Prepared
self notes while reading newspapers
|
Indian diaspora
|
internet
|
India’s Economic interaction with
world
|
Extensive
reading of Business newspapers
|
International affairs and
institutions
|
Newspapers+Smart
foundation + Vision IAS materials
|
Statistics
|
Practiced
from Spectrum esp the graphs etc(but since I have economics background,did
not need much preparation for this)
|
Science & Tech.
|
Sriram
study materials+internet+smart foundation Materials+chronicle special
edition+Internet
|
For GS preparation , do keep yourself
updated with news (if possible on hourly basis)..In my case,when I was tired of
reading conventionally I used to take breaks and watch News like NDTV 24*7, DD
news or BBC news. When you are reading /listening some news try to analyze it
and relate it in proper context especially for Mains GS.
Hi Ms.Harshika,
ReplyDeleteHave got a few questions
1)Did you read both DD Basu and Laxmikanth for Polity?
2)How did you read these books(Basu,Laxmikanth)?You studied it cover to cover or just used it only for reference?(Would be helpful if you elaborate how you studied for polity with a view of GS)
3)You have mentioned NCERTs only for Geography and History. Is it not necessary to read NCERTs of other subjects(Polity,Economics,World Politics)?
4)You have mentioned as "+some NCERTS" for Prelims History. Can you please tell which NCERTs?
Hello Vivek..I read DD Basu(in fact i had Pol Science as my subsidiary paper in graduation so have been reading this book since graduation days ) and Laxmikant for some recent developments esp for panchayats etc...in any case reading either of the two would be sufficient.For Polity, i first tried to read it intensively like the Laxmikant, tried to be familiar with articles and in fact tried to understand it thoroughly ...also if in newspapers/news there was something which was in news and related to polity say for example in present context president's election etc i tried to read that comprehensively and more emphasis as well.As far as NCERT's are concerned..i just read them for geography completely...definitely if you can read the others as well ..it would be helpful..but i found i was more comfortable with the other books for the same so did not read the NCERT's fr others.As for history NCERT's i think i read the old NCERT's ..i mean something which was there taught around 2000's ..in any case for history spectrum+vajiram yellow book was sufficient for both prelims and mains and an intensive reading of Bipin chandra...i would prepare the note for CSAT paper 2.all the best for all your endeavors.
DeleteThanks a lot.Pls post it when you feel it’s ready. But,as of now,it will be very useful if you can let us know just only the books you used for the units in CSAT-Paper 2 Syllabus.
DeleteThe Syllabus:
1)Comprehension
2)Interpersonal skills including communication skills
3)Logical reasoning and analytical ability
4)Decision making and problem solving
5)General mental ability
6)Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude etc.) (Class X level)
7)Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. – Class X level)
8)English Language Comprehension skills (Class X level).
Hello Vivek.Sorry for the late reply.As far as CSAT paper 2 is concerned , i relied heavily on different manuals like Unique,arihant etc..For comprehension,Logical reasoning ,General mental ability and decision making( i practised related questions from manuals, test series and invariably any kind of comprehension practice set that i came across including the random internet searches)..for Basic numeracy any basic textbook like RS Agarwal can come in handy to refresh your formulae etc and then you can practice the questions..for data interpretation i just practised from manuals ..I felt all that CSAT needs is calm,composed handling of questions ...just browse and refresh the basics, practice as much questions as you can and manage your time well...also avoid giving too much of negative marks.all the best for all your endeavours.
DeleteAlso will be helpful if you write a blog on how you prepared for CSAT Paper-2
ReplyDeleteAs far as I learned, you had gone through a good number of institute's notes.
ReplyDeleteWill you recommend Brilliant Tutorials notes? Are they updated in your case?
One of my friend recently bought RAU's GS notes and he said that there a lot of printing mistakes. Will you recommend RAU's notes?
Can you shed some light the mistakes you commit in your first attemp so that we will avoid those in our journey to this exam.
Ofcourse I wish to thank you for your new journey. All the posts are very informative and helpful.
Thanks for sharing your startegy.
Hello Ravindra.frankly BT's GS materials are not that updated...I referred it basically for some topics related to my optionals.Again I did not get RAU's GS notes .,..only the Economics optionals study materials for supplementary reference so no idea about how the GS materials are.In my first attempt , i was not thorough in my preparation..some there was superfluous study due to lack of time at my hand.
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteCan you pls tell the approximate word limit one must stick to for writing a good essay? I know there is no word limit, but still if possible give me an idea as to how concise one should be in order to score good in essay paper..
Hello Sandeep. I feel Essay is a very subjective thing but in any case essay should be concise and comprehensive .I feel 1500-1800 words should be sufficient to pen down the content of the essay.
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Delete1> While writing the essay should i lay more emphasis to facts and info or should i just analyse a few facts in great detail?
ReplyDelete2> Pls guide me in reading the india year book. How should i approach it to convert it into a concise readable set of notes?
3> I will be giving UPSC 2014. Should i be preparing current affairs notes right frm nw?
Sandeep ,while writing essay try to use facts to substantiate your points , do pay attention to language and specially presentation. Facts will definitely add to your essay but i personally feel presentation matters a lot. As far as India Year Book is concerned , i would suggest read as much as you can...Don't be too ambitious to cover the entire thing at one go..but some chapters like one on CSO,NSSO(sorry dnt rem the exact chapter name) ,agriculture,industry, infrastructure, culture portions etc are very important. This book gives you a fair idea of the Government institutions and birds eye view of different aspects of Indian Economy and different govt institutions.If you are giving CSE in 2014 , i would suggest as of now be regular with current affairs, read newspapers/magazines etc and if you come across certain topics that you feel are important..then definitely keep a note of it...but 1 year current affairs( as in your case 2013 current affairs would be sufficient) but if your thorough with current affairs developemt from now on then definitely it will help you.
DeleteThanks a lot mam for answering all my questions...
DeleteU hav mentioned that for geo, NCERTs are sufficient. Should I go for the older NCERTs or the newer ones?
These are the new NCERTs...
Class XI : INDIA - Physical Environment Geography
Class XI : Fundamentals of Physical Geography
Class XII : Geography (Practical Work in Geography Part 2)
Class XII : Geography (Fundamentals of Human Geography)
Should I read these?
Yes Sandeep and use the Atlas nicely while studying geography.all the best.
DeleteHello mam,first of all Congratulations fpr the stupendous success.
ReplyDeleteYou referred to Vajiram Yellow books.Did you find it useful?
(I was thinking of ordering it but I have all the standard books.)
Also how was smart foundation's material?
Thank You.
Hello Vishal.Thanks for the wishes.I referred to vajiram Yellow Books and i did find them helpful .I basically used them to supplement the basic textbooks. I also referred to smart foundations E-correspondence material ..I found it helpful but again i referred to it as supplementary readings..In any case i would suggest first be thorough with the standard text books for GS and keep yourself updated with newspapers and relevant magazines and if you feel , you can refer to any of these study materials or others but only for supplementary readings .
DeleteThanks a lot mam for a comprehensive reply.It cleared all my doubts.
DeleteA.T.B.
All the best for all your endeavours.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletecongratulations mam for making Ranchi proud.
ReplyDeletemam as you are economics expert i want to know about economics book for GS both for pre and mains apart from eco. survey.
people suggest me dutta subdaram/IC dingra/uma kapila/mishra puri
i dont know which one is best with respect to current trend of questions asked
please give your valuable advice.
Hello Akash. Thanks for the wishes..I am no expert in Economics but from CSE perspective..Economic survey + any of the books mentioned by one(go through them and see for yourself which book you are comfortable with...especially for GS Indian economy any one between Dutt and sundaram & Mishra puri would be fine)+ try to follow business page of newspapers on daily basis +you can also go through PD special issue for Indian Economy..This should be sufficient.all the best.
Deletethanks you very much mam.
DeleteHi
ReplyDeletePlease suggest a mcq book for logical reasoning & mental ability portions of the prelims. Where from did you solve these questions?
Sandeep there are many CSAT manuals available like that of Unique,Arihant,TMH etc ..you can go through them...I solved questions from these as well as any source that i came across, including questions available on internet...so try to solve as many questions as you can..which will give you self confidence and help you in proper time management.
DeleteHi Harshika,
ReplyDeleteCan you throw some light on SmartFoundation E-correspondence course. Is it worth taking?
Hi Manoj. I would suggest refer to their website...they most probably have a set of sample e-correspondence materials there..and make a decision for yourself. I used the e-correspondence and other study materials just to supplement my own study notes/textbooks etc..
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteHad a question abt prelims paper 1. I am preparing for GS mains, will that be sufficient for the paper 1 in prelims? Or should i focus on any key areas specifically for the prelims?
hello mam, i m starting preparation for 2014 exam nd i m going for it individually(w/o coaching). is there any harm in it? is there any special guidance needed which i wont be able to get even from blogs??
ReplyDeleteMam i want to ask whether you made any individual notes for GS mains like Modern History,Geography etc apart from the sources you referred?
ReplyDeleteHello Harshika,
ReplyDeleteFollowing your footsteps, I am too preparing for the upcoming CSE but I need your guidance on below issues-
1. I like history as subject but then Bipan Chandra is that book by which I fell asleep while reading and I prefer some other spectrum book or just vajiram's notes..so is it fine?
2. While preparing history how would you arrange in order of imprtance ancient, medieval and modern India?
3. Did you made notes for each and every subject or only of certain portion which were difficult to remember?
4. May I know what are yellow books of vajiram coaching is it something different from the books the coaching centre provides?
Please reply.
Thanks
Hi mam ,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Bhartendu and i graduated this year .I am a commerce graduate B.com and I have opted economics as my optional, books u suggested on your blog for economics,made note of that and would try to follow .I was thinking very hard whether to write on your Blog or not ,any how i made up my mind to ask u this question. Economics I have opted because it creates my intrest when i left thinking only about economics . I am not master in economics neither i have good command in it .so 1 year from now can economics be prepared that u can face brillianties of this subject..... look forward for your reply.. thank U
Hi Ms.Harshikha,
ReplyDeleteIt would be of immense help to us if you provide any GS Mains Answer sheet(from any mock test/answers to previous year question papers that you would have tried writing during your prepration–both GS-I,GS-II),so that we can get an idea on how to write the answers for GS Mains.Also the same for Essay Mains.
Thanks,
Vivek
It was a blessing for me to have found this blog !!!
ReplyDeleteLovely informative article and also def a very nice link...
I found my course for my ias general studies preparation
http://www.wiziq.com/course/119-ias-general-studies-prelimnary-course
Am so happy :) :)
Hello Harshika Mam,
ReplyDeleteI am a beginner and am not very comfortable with the Economy part for civil service preparation. I have studied basics from N.C.E.R.T of 11th and 12th std.Can you please suggest me book for Indian economy for General studies. I would be really grateful to you mam.
looking forward for your reply.
Thanks.
Hi Ms.Harshika,
ReplyDeleteYou have mentioned "Internet, IGNOU Materials" for Environment and Bio-Diversity. It would be helpful if you be more specific about IGNOU Notes, like title/course code so that we can get the same. You have also mentioned Internet. If you can be specific about that too, it will be helpful.
Thanks.