Updated strategy for General Studies for Preliminary and Mains examination 2013 Strategy for General Studies

(Prelims): The UPSC notification of 2011 for the Civil Services preliminary examination has made changes in the pattern of Preliminary examination. The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers of objective type (multiple-choice questions) carrying a maximum of 400 marks. The Aptitude test which uses to be in the end of the General Studies paper earlier is now made into a separate paper. The Question Papers are set in English & Hindi. There are normally 100 plus questions for the Paper I and 80 plus question for Paper II. Syllabus for Paper I: Current events of national and international importance- History of India and Indian National Movement- Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic- Geography of India and the World- Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.- Economic and Social Development-Sustainable- Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc. - General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change Paper II: Comprehension- Interpersonal skills including communication skills;- Logical reasoning and analytical ability- Decision making and problem solving- General mental ability- Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) - Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. - English Language Comprehension skills. There are certain key features in the pattern of prelim examination that is introduced since 2011. a. GS paper 1 has become more current events oriented and questions are asked on the latest development. b. GS paper 1 is not only confined to India but is linked to international events. c. All those topics on which questions were asked earlier continue to remain in contention and the new areas that are added also features in the question. d. The answer to the entire question require analytical bend of mind. e. The paper II or aptitude test may look complex at the surface but scratching it a bit it's not a difficult nut to crack. This provides avenue for scoring high marks. Some tips Looking at the pattern in which questions have been framed in General Studies (GS) from 2011 onwards, one is tempted to say that possibly the principle design of the examiners is to eliminate candidates rather than test their mental calibre. Moreover, examiners have not correctly followed the pattern of allotting specific number of marks for specified for each syllabus expect for the paper II. Such being the current trend of setting the GS paper in the Preliminary Exam, candidates have no option but to cover all the areas of the syllabus. Besides, it is wise to prepare these areas from the view-point of the Main Examination. Modern India, Polity, Indian Economy, Geography, Current Events and General Science are the areas to be prepared thoroughly. In the economic section the latest economic changes in policy and the changed economic relations, economic scenario and the perspective are favourite topics of the examiners. The new addition in the syllabus like general issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change are also being given emphasis these days. All this can be prepared from any standard high school text books. Considering the general nature of the examination the tactics must be to focus on greater rather than intensive coverage. One is expected to know history, science, polity, geography, economy and other such disciplines, all at the same time. However, only basics of each of the disciplines are needed. Hence one must concentrate on basics and acquire as much facts about basics as possible, avoiding the element of over-kill in the preparations. In the preparation for the Prelims, large coverage is the key word and by going through large source of information it is expected that an image is built in the mind which will reflect the details. So do remember that human memory skills work better when there are less emotional in-puts or anxiety about inability to recall on account of exam-related stress.

Here are a brief dos and don'ts preparing for prelim examination: a. Final preparation must start by testing self with the revision-type Model Test Papers. b. Do not get discouraged by initial low score. c. Emphasis on your weak-spots. d. Keep testing yourself at a regular interval. e. Make a mental note of areas you have covered and what remains to be covered. f. Be analytical in response. g. Do not overstretch yourself area of coverage-wise. h. Revise your stuff a number of times. i. A calm mental state is most important. j. Since there is negative marking, attempt only the answers which you are sure of. k. Do not get stuck at any question. Move on from question to question and attempt the difficult ones at the end. The changes made the UPSC in the syllabus and the pattern of examination of the Prelim examination, point towards change in the nature of questions being asked. Therefore it calls for a change in strategy and change in the tools of preparation. Strategy for General Studies Papers (Mains) under new Syllabus There are four papers for General Studies that is introduced from 2013. Each of them carry 250 marks and in total they make 1000 marks. With the gravity of Civil Services Mains examination now being shifted to General Studies, it's very important to have a sound strategy for its preparation, as now score of General Studies has become the passport of success. Students should go through current National issues and topics of social relevance, major happenings at the national level during the last one calendar year. Issues of social relevance that affect the lives of people should always be dealt in detail. National newspapers, news magazines, journals and periodicals are good source of information to prepare topics related to different papers of General Studies. Here is strategy for each paper according to its syllabus; Paper I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society: The subject is like a story and there could be linkages between two questions. Students thus need to ensure that the entire syllabus is covered. They can do so without preparing portions which appeared last year in the mains examination. The general trend is that there are no repetitions from last year's papers, but once in a while students could be in for a surprise. The part relating to Indian heritage and culture will cover all aspects from ancient to modern times. In the segment History and Geography of the world society, students should concentrate on human and economic aspects. There could be questions based on the Human Development Report prepared by United Nations Development Programme. The World Development Report of World Bank deals in different aspects of economic geography and such areas should be stressed in preparation of GS paper one. Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations: The role of government in public life and giving direction on different policy matters like social work has to be covered under governance. The other focus here could be role of the government in providing budgetary support to areas like atomic energy, manufacturing of military goods and the utility of public sector. Different aspects of the Constitution like Supreme Court judgment during the past one year are important in the constitution segment. At macro level, students need to know in detail issues that pertains to Indian political system for instance reorganization of Indian states. Significance of India's foreign policy with focus on India's interaction with rest of the world is a separate area. Indian's relations with major world powers like US, China, Russia, France, UK and European Union should be covered in detail. Immediate neighbours too play an important role in India's foreign policy. Reforms in United Nations Security Council (UNSC), India's bid for permanent seats in the Security Council are some of the areas that require attention.

Paper III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management: Scientific and technological development during the last one year, with focus on development of AIDS vaccine, stem cell research, non-renewable sources of energy and development of Indian space programme has to be given importance. Regarding economic development, how we manage our economy and issues related to taxation and spending pattern should be covered comprehensively. There should be emphasis on the social sector, issues related to Foreign Direct Investment, disinvestment policy etc. Environmental security is big issue these days and so is the disaster management. In wake of 2004 Tsunami and 2013 Utrakhand floods the issue of disaster management has gained currency. The probable question could be; Is it justified to spend heavily on space research, when we are unable to manage our natural disaster. Paper IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude: Ethics and integrity is a new section that's added from 2013. This is more of general nature and answers can be framed on the spot but some basic understanding of the concepts. The issues associated with it are like, corruption, black money, criminal tendencies, doing things that are unlawful etc. Some very good thought have to be given to ethics and integrity section. However, the aptitude section needs special attention. Statistical analysis, graphs and diagrams are the key feature of this section. This tests the candidates' ability to draw conclusions from information presented in statistical, graphical or diagrammatical form and to point out deficiencies therein. This segment has to be practiced. Finally, the General Studies preparation for mains is all about writing so students should be focussed in terms of language, and they should ensure that the answers are concise and analytical. The examiner is usually in a hurry and if provided with facts and coherent replies, his job becomes easier. The answers should be written in a precise manner. Word limit should be adhered to, wherever mentioned. Students should focus on providing their side of justification in a logical manner. Repetitive and elaborate replies should be strictly avoided. This is a broad strategy for the preparation of the civil services general studies paper. One can add and improvise this strategy in order to get better results. However, the fact that has to be underlined is, there is no short cut to success in Civil Services.

Indian History & Culture: NCERT (+ 2 level) Ancient India, Medieval India, Modern India. Publication Division: Gazetteer of India (Vol 2: History & Culture) Vaid's Study Notes. Gandhi Nehru Tagore & Ambedkar Gopal Krishna Raghavan Aiyer Mahatma Gandhi Geography: NCERT (+2 level) Sharma & Cotinho: Economic and Commercial Geography of India. Indian Economy NCERT (+1 level) Evolution of Indian Economy. Mishra & Puri (or) Dutt & Sundaram Bimal Jalan Indian Polity: NCERT (+1 level) Indian Political System N.L. Madan: Bhartiya Rajya Vyavastha D.D. Basu Indian Constitution Kashyap Constitution of India Publication Division Subhash Kashyap : Our Parliament P.M. Bakshi Indian Constitution Science: NCERT: (10 level): Science, (+2 level) : Biology. Popular Science Series (CSIR) Statistics: (NCERT +1 level) Elementary Statistics Other Books 1. India Year Book latest 2. One Competitive Magazine 3. Economic Times & The Hindu 4. Yojana/Kurukshetra.