STRATEGY TO FOLLOW FOR PRELIMS

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION

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Rajesh Nayak

STRATEGY TO FOLLOW FOR PRELIMS

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION
PRELIMS APPROACH
Some Tips and Guidelines Regarding General Studies (Prelims):
1) The first and foremost important thing is Syllabus and Previous Year Question Paper. Keep it your
aside and mug up the whole syllabus.
2) The previous year question paper will let you know what to prepare and how to prepare so from 2011
onwards (Prelims Changed from 2011) you can see and analyze what type of questions were being
asked.
3) Your preparation should be started in such a way that you should dont have a doubt about clearing the
examination.
4) The Important thing you have to keep in mind and start Preparation is think that This is My First & Last
Attempt for the Exam however I have to clear the exam this year.
5) Self Confidence is must for an aspirant tell yourself that Yes I Can
6) Dont Lose Hope at any Cost because in the middle of your preparation stage you will feel that how the
vast syllabus will be covered, you will get demotivated but my friend believe me if you are interested in
learning different things you will find this preparation much more easy.
7) The most important thing is that so many aspirants having a major doubt regarding Starting of
preparation (where to start and with what subject we have to start first). Dont Stuck Like this and waste
your time in thinking. Follow the strategy which is detailed more in section wise, make a good time table
(Weekly, Monthly) and stick to it.
8) Whatever may be the subject you wanted to start but your foundation should be strong enough to deal
with the concept. For this NCERT play a Major Role in Building up the Basics of your preparation.
9) Conceptualized Studies are Important, If you start understanding the concepts for each of the subjects,
the preparation for Prelims should be more or less be the Preparation of Mains as well.
10) The Main Plus Points in Practicing Mock Test/ Model Papers are: You can be able to manage time in
better way and can get an idea for which topic how much time you are taking to solve. Gives you a
better idea on which questions to attempt and which questions to leave. One will not feel tensed or any
sort of anxiety when you are going to attempt Prelims because you can feel like you are going to write
another mock test.
Now below you can find the detail strategy to be followed for General Studies Paper-1 & CSAT Paper.

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STRATEGY TO FOLLOW FOR PRELIMS

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GENERAL STUDIES ECONOMICS (PRELIMS)

One of the easiest section of Prelims to score a good mark is Economics, as most of the questions
were directly came from the basics.
This Subject Includes Economics & Social Development, Sustainable Development, Social Sector
Initiatives,
Poverty, and Inclusion etc.
Chances of Getting 18-20 % of Question from Economy in Preliminary Exam.
From the previous year question paper it is clearly seen that all the economic questions were related to
basics of Economics and Current Happenings.
To get a Grip over the Economic Section of Prelims your basics should be strong enough because
there is a chance of asking Questions Directly from Basics NCERT. (Like Economic Terms). So to
handle the Economic Section follow a simple strategy which is as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Start with Arthapedia Compilation (02 Parts available in www.iasabhiyan.com).

If you know the Basic terms of Economics than half of your preparation is over.
Next step Start with NCERT (VIII to XII).
Its my humble request to all of you Dont Ever Neglect NCERT In Case of Economics.

Concentrate much on Micro and Macro Economics.

Make notes while reading Newspaper of Important Economic Terms on the Daily Basis (To know about
the Current things Happening and this will be helpful for Current Affairs).
The Economic Survey of India , The Budget and Indian Year Book Plays a Prominent Role while
Preparing for Economics (Prelims and Mains too).
With reference to Standard Book you can prefer either Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh or Indian
Economy by Dutt and Sundarann.
Site to Follow: HinduBusinessline, Frontline, EPW, Arthapedia, Business Standard for latest
happenings in Economics.
Try to make short notes from the editorials, important articles. (You can find important Articles
in www.iasabhiyan.com )
CONTENTS TO BE COVERED:
Planning, Growth and Development, Inflation, Agriculture, Industry and Infrastructure, Poverty, Social
Security and Sustainable Development, Money and Banking, Insurance and Security Market in India , External
Sector of India, International Economic Organizations & India, Tax Structure & Public Finance in India, Human
Development in India.
Note-1: You can download all compilations of the above NCERT, Standard Books but these
compilations are for revision purpose only not for whole reading, so better finish as quickly as
possible the NCERT and Standard Books than you may prefer their compilations which are available at
www.iasabhiyan.com .

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Rajesh Nayak

STRATEGY TO FOLLOW FOR PRELIMS

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION

GENERAL STUDIES POLITY (PRELIMS)

Indian Polity is the Study of the Structure of the Government.
The Importance of Indian Polity lies in Understanding the Political and Administrative System of the
Country.
Polity deals with the study of Government Machinery including Union, State and Local Level
Administrative System.
Governance The Functioning of the Government and how it provides Service to the Citizens. In Brief
it is the Action of Government or the Manner of Governing a State.
Chances of Getting 15-17% of Questions in Preliminary Exam (Paper-1).
For covering Indian Polity you must have to follow Indian Polity by M.Laxmikanth (4th Edition or latest),
along with Indian Constitution at Work (NCERT).
If you have time you may prefer Constitution of India by D.D.Basu. (Optional)
The above books are available at www.iasabhiyan.com .
Now how to read these books and have a full control over the Polity Section.
To deal with the Polity Section and learn in a simple manner I have divided the whole readings into 4
Phases:
1st Phase:
1. Read chapters on President + Vice-President + Governor one after the other;
2. Read Chapters on Prime Minister + Council of Ministers + Chief Minister + State Councils of Ministers +
Cabinet Committees one after other;
3. Then Emergency Provision;
4. Move to Parliamentary Systems +Parliament + Parliamentary Comm. + Parliamentary forums.
5. Complete CAG.
___________________________
2nd Phase:
1. Complete State Legislative Assembly
2. Move on to Supreme Court +High Court+ Tribunals +Attorney Generals + Advocate Generals +UPSC+
State PSC+ Subordinate Courts
3. Finance Commission + NITI Ayog (Dont forget to read all about Planning Commission) + National
Development Council.
4. Centre State Relations+ Inter State relations+ Election Commission + Elections+ Anti Defection law
+System of Government
___________________________
3rd Phase:
1. Citizenship+ Fundamental Rights +Fundamental Duties+ Directive Principals of State Policy
2. Amendments+ Preamble
3. Union territories+ State Tribal Areas+ Panchayat Raj+ Municipalities
___________________________
4th Phase:
1. Finish rest of the chapters like NHRC, SHRC, Vigilance commission, Lokpal, National Commissions for SC,
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ST, Women, Official languages etc.
In this way you can cover the whole chapters on Indian Polity and you will find interesting while reading
Indian Polity.
Note-1:
Make extra notes on articles or amendments which are in recent news, because chances
of getting questions on these topics are more in prelims and mains. Like Presidents Rule, Governors
Appointment, Ordinance, Bills, Acts etc.
Note-2:
You can download the full M.Laxmikanth Book Compilation at www.iasabhiyan.com for
better revision.

GENERAL STUDIES HISTORY (PRELIMS)

From the previous year question paper it can be seen that in between 14-16 questions were being
asked.
It is seen that few of the aspirants will treat History as a boring subject because of remembering dates,
names and all etc.
As it is seen that modern indian history questions were mostly dominated the history section we have to
prepare put more effort in preparing Modern India History apart from Ancient & Medieval.
So to handle History in better way the subject is divided into three categories as everyone knows well:
I. Ancient History, II.Medieval History and, III. Modern History
Read NCERT (Old) for basics. Basics are the Building Blocks of your Preparation. After Starting
Preparation Make your own Running Notes (Years, Names of Battles, Major Dynasties, Literatures and Some
Rulers etc,) which will be useful at Revision Time. Running Notes Should be In such a Manner that for suppose
if you spend 1 hour for a Topic like Prehistoric Period in Ancient History then at the time of Revision the same
topic should be completed in just 10-15 Mins. Maintain Separate Notes in Order of Ancient, Medieval and
Modern History.
You should be in a Position to List out the Contents (Chronology) of History from Ancient to Modern as
According to Year Wise. It Will Be Easier if you go on with Preparation as like the Contents Listed out below in
Respective Manner.
CONTENTS TO BE COVERED:
I. ANCIENT HISTORY:
Prehistoric Period, Indus Valley Civilization, The Vedic Age, Later Vedic Age, The Sangham Age, Rise
of Mughal Kingdom, Buddhism & Jainism, The Mauryan Empire, The Age of Gupta, The Post-Gupta Period
II. MEDIEVAL INDIA:
Religious Movements of Medieval India, The Sultans of Delhi, The Mughal Empire, Later Mughals,
Vijayanagara Empire & Bahamani Kingdoms, The Advent of Europeans, The Maratha Age, Decline of
Mughals, Beginning of European Settlements
III. MODERN HISTORY:
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British Conquest of India, Economic and Commercial Policies, The Revolt of 1857, Brahmo & Arya
Samaj, Indian Freedom Struggle, Pre-Congress Nationalist Organization, Indian National Congress, Rise of
Revolutionary Terrorism, Swadeshi Movement, Muslims League, First World War and Freedom Struggle,
Gandhian Era, Rowlett Act, Non Cooperation Movement, Simon Commission, Peasant Movements and
Revolutionary Terrorism, Civil Disobedience Movement, First and Second RTC, Growth of Socialist Forces,
Muslims League and Communalism, Quit India Movement, Independence and Partition.
Books to follow:
Class VI-XIIth NCERT (Old or New for Basics)
For Ancient Indian History- You can refer R.S.Sharma or Makkhan Lal (Old version)
For Medieval- Old NCERT by Satish Chandra (Both Parts)
For Modern India History- Spectrum Publication (Must), Bipan Chandra (If you have time)
All the E-Books are available at www.iasabhiyan.com.
Note-1: You can download all compilations of the above NCERT, Standard Books but these
compilations are for revision purpose only not for whole reading, so better finish as quickly as
possible the NCERT and Standard Books than you may prefer their compilations which are available at
www.iasabhiyan.com .

GENERAL STUDIES ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (PRELIMS)

Environmental Studies is a major Section in Preliminary Exam (Paper-1), Year by Year questions from this
topic are increasing. Recently you have seen how current happenings from all section dominated, so you
should have at least note down all Environmental & Biodiversity related issues, Organisations name, recent
Acts or Amendments, Treaties, Conventions, Policies, Endangered list etc.
Environmental Studies can be mainly categorized for Prelims as:
i.
Environmental Ecology
ii.
Bio Diversity
iii.
Climate Change
For basics regarding Environmental Studies one must go through NCERT Social Studies & Science
(Class -VI to XII).
Chapters to follow for Environment from the Social Studies/Geography & Science NCERT:
Class
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
XII
Rajesh Nayak

Social Science
The Earth Our Habitat Chapter-8
Our Environment-All Chapters
Resource & Development-Chapter 2 & 4
Contemporary India-Chapter 5
Contemporary India-Chapter-2, 3, 4 & 5
1. Geography India-Physical EnvironmentChapter 5, 6 & 7
2. Geography-Fundamentals of Physical
Geography-Chapter 12, 15 & 16
Biology Unit-12, Chapter 13, 14, 15 & 16
6

Science
Chapter 7, 9 & 16
Chapter 7, 9, 16, 17 & 18
Chapter 1, 2, 7 & 18
Chapter 14 & 15
Chapter 14, 15 & 16
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Go along with Newspaper Daily and Magazines like Terra Green & Down to Earth.
Prepare for Mains too along with Prelims in Case of Environmental because only less contents
regarding this in Mains.
After reading the basics from NCERT you can prefer to Shankar IAS Environment for advanced
environmental notes (Must for Environment with detail analysis and also helps in Mains).
Note-: If the above readings were over than you can prefer my compilations of Environment of the
above chapters as well as Shankar IAS Environment for revision purpose which is available at
www.iasabhiyan.com .

GENERAL STUDIES GENERAL SCIENCE (PRELIMS)

General Science Questions will test the Candidates Awareness of the Development in the fields of
Space, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Computers and Robotics etc.,Chances of getting 20-25 % of
Questions from General Science Part in Preliminary Exam (Paper-1).
General Science mainly comprises of:
I.

Physics, II.Chemistry, III.Biology, IV.Science and Technology

The important things for General Science one Must have Indian Year Book and should go through
Hindu Newspaper (Science & Technology column on every Thursday), Science Reporter etc., and maintain
running notes according to it. NCERT is a Must.
Chapters to follow from NCERT for Physics, Chemistry, Biology:
Class

Chapter on Physics

Chapter on Chemistry

Chapter on Biology

4, 13, 14 & 15

5&6

1, 2, 10, 11 & 12

11 to 16

3 to 6

2, 8, 9 & 10

8 to 12

1 to 4

5, 6, 7 & 13

10

10, 12 & 13

1 to 5

6 to 11

11

1, 5, 8 (Optional to read)

1 & 14(Helpful for Environment)

2 to 5 (Helpful for Environment)

12

15 (Optional to read)

14 & 16 (Helpful for Environment)

4, 5 & 7 to 16 (Helpful for Environment)

After completing the above chapters from NCERT you can move on to Lucent GK for better
understanding of some important topics. You may also refer any GS Manual (Optional).
Make running notes on Medical Issues, Space, Defence, Diseases, Nutrient Issues, Nano
Technology, Energy related topics which will also be helpful for mains preparation.
Science & Technology Monthly Current Affairs will be available at www.iasabhiyan.com .
Note: You can prefer my compilations on NCERT Science (Class VI-X) of the above chapters for
revision purpose which is available at www.iasabhiyan.com .
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STRATEGY TO FOLLOW FOR PRELIMS

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION

GENERAL STUDIES ART & CULTURE (PRELIMS)

Like Environmental Studies, Art & Culture also plays a major Section in Preliminary Exam (Paper-1),
Year by Year questions from this topic are also increasing. Recently you have seen how current happenings
from all section dominated, so you should have atleast note down all issues relating to Art & Culture like
UNESCO World Heritage, Any Inscription, Script, News relating to kingdoms, Carnatic Dance, Paintings, Craft
Traditions etc.
Art & Culture can be mainly categorized for Prelims as:
Carnatic Music, Classical Dance Forms, Drama, Painting And Visual Art, Hindustani Music, Important
Institutions, Indian Architecture, Indian Fairs And Festivals, Indian Music, Languages Of India, Literature Of
India, Musical Instruments Of India, Paintings Of India, Performing Arts-Drama, Puppet Forms Of India,
Regional Folks Dances, Religious Issues Associated With Culture, Sangam Society, World Heritage Sites etc.
Before jumping into Big Books, first go through these beautiful books by NCERT- to get glimpse of the
sub-topics they are;
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

NCERT Class VI History Our Past

NCERT Class VII Our Past -I
NCERT Class VIII Our Past II and III
NCERT Class XII Themes In Indian History-I
NCERT Class-XII Themes in Indian History II
NCERT Class XII Themes In Indian History-III

You have to read only a few chapters from each book that are related to Sub-Topics.
Apart from these you should have a reference book for getting more information:
1. The Wonder that was India by A.L.Bhasam (Only relevant chapters) (Do not waste time on reading the
whole book)
2. Facets of India by Spectrum Publication.
3. CCRT Site.
4. The Hindu Friday Review for Art & Culture.
Prepare for Mains too along with Prelims in Case of Art & Culture because only less contents regarding
this in Mains.
Note: You can download all compilations of the above NCERT, Standard Books, CCRT compilations,
News Paper Compilations, but these compilations are for revision purpose only not for whole reading,
so better finish as quickly as possible from the NCERT and if possible Standard Books than you may
prefer their compilations which are available at www.iasabhiyan.com .

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STRATEGY TO FOLLOW FOR PRELIMS

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION

GENERAL STUDIES GEOGRAPHY (PRELIMS)

Geography Section in Preliminary Exam (Paper-1) is much easier to cover if we follow the basics and
as I already shared that regarding basics we have to follow NCERT which is must for building concepts clear.
Before starting the standard books, first go through these beautiful books by NCERT- to get glimpse of
the sub-topics and read accordingly to have a good control over Geography. Follow the related topics from the
reference table and stick to it.
Physical Geography

Topics
Universe
Earth Basics
Geology
Climate
Ocean
Disaster
Misc.

Subjects

Class

Chapters

Science
Geography
Geography
Geography
Geography
Geography
Geography
Geography
Indian Geography
Science
Science
Geography

8
6
11
6
11
11
11
11
11
7
8
11

17
1
2
2 to 6
1, 3 & 4
5&7
8 to 12
13 & 14
7
8
5
1 & Glossary

World Geography
Class
7

Capters
7 to 10

1, 3, 5 & 6

12 (Human Geography)

1 to 10

Indian Geography

Topics
Indian Basic

Rivers
Economic Geography
Human Geography
Rajesh Nayak

Class

Chapters

6
9
11
9
10
11
10
12
9
12
9

7
1, 2 & 4
1&2
3
3
3
1, 5, 6 & 7
7 to 12
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STRATEGY TO FOLLOW FOR PRELIMS

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION
Agriculture

Class

Subject

Chapters

Science
Geography
Science
Science
Indian Geography
Human Geography
Geography (Land & People)

3&9
4
1
15
6
5
5

8
9
11
12

Apart from these you should have a reference book, a good atlas for getting more information.

Goh Cheng Leong Certificate Physical and Human Geography.

Indian Geography by Majid Husain (Important for Soil Chapter)
A Comprehensive Geography By D.R.Khullar
Any Good Atlas Either Orient Blackswan or Oxford Student Atlas

Prepare for Mains too along with Prelims in Case of Geography. All the above NCERT, Standard books are
available at www.iasabhiyan.com .
Note: You can download all compilations of the above NCERT as well Standard Books, but these
compilations are for revision purpose only not for whole reading, so better finish as quickly as
possible the NCERT and Standard Books then you may prefer their compilations which are available in
www.iasabhiyan.com .
I think from the above approach towards handling General Studies Paper-1 for Prelims will be clear to
all of you.
Now we will move on to CSAT-Paper-II of Prelims
APPROACH TOWARDS HANDLING CSAT (PAPER-II)
From 2015, UPSC has changed a little bit in Prelims with respect to CSAT. Now CSAT is only qualifying in
nature (33% needed i.e. 66 Marks out of 200). So for this we have to follow some basic standard books and
practice test series to get glimpse over the paper.
1. Comprehension- To deal with the Comprehension part read TheHindu Editorials (More than Enough).
2. General Mental Ability & Basic Numeracy- Practice R.S.Agrawal, Quicker Maths by M.Tyra
3. Logical reasoning and Analytical Ability- Analytical Reasoning by M.K.Pandey (BSC Publication)
(Best For Reasoning)
4. Remaining topics like Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills, Decision Making,
and English Language will be easily handled with common knowledge of basic things.
After practicing the basics from the above books, you can take test series which are available at this site freely.
The above E-Books, Test Series of various Institutions are available at www.iasabhiyan.com for free download.
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STRATEGY TO FOLLOW FOR PRELIMS

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION

In Our Next Post You will find how to Approach towards Handling Mains Preparation

Thanking You and All the Best

Regards: Rajesh Nayak

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Rajesh Nayak