Manuj Jindal Ias - Quora PDF

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Manuj Jindal
IAS 2017 Batch, AIR 53, Management Optional
Published author of the book 110+ in GS 2.
CREDENTIALS & HIGHLIGHTS More
IAS 2017 Batch
BSc Economics, University of Virginia
Lives in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India
1.6m answer views 634.9k this month
92 ANSWERS 0 QUESTIONS 0 POSTS 0 BLOGS ACTIVITY 11,690 FOLLOWERS 2 FOLLOWING 47 TOPICS KNOWS A
Should I wear a cardigan or a blazer for a UPSC CSE interview?

Manuj Jindal, IAS 2017 Batch
Answered Jan 13, 2019 · Author has 92 answers and 1.6m answer views
The way you dress up is important for the UPSC interview. It just sends a good first impression.
However, please do note that UPSC aspirants come from various backgrounds, so simplicity is
expected... Read More
How wonderful is the journey in becoming an IAS officer in the India?

Life is a collection of stories and these stories are part of various journeys that we undertake in our
lifetimes. During this time period, many such ‘journeys’ have left an indelible impression an...
Read More
How did you prepare for the ancient history portion of the civil services
examination? Did you read all of the NCERT? What strategy did you employ?
Good question because Ancient History is one of the most time consuming and
also sometimes heavily asked portions in prelims (including Culture). I
personally really like reading History and my int... Read More
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How can I improve my writing skills for the civil service examination?
Really good question! Writing skills are absolutely KEY to cracking UPSC CSE and a top 100
rank. I will explain how I would approach writing, but before it let me tell you my personal story.
I have been always decent at writing, but since I started working in corporate sector, I lost touch
with writing as the job was mostly confined to spreadsheets and presentations.
When I got to UPSC preparation, I did not realize importance of writing and thought that I would be
able to write well as I was comfortable with the language and did decently well in test series (yes,
please don’t always believe the test series scores!).
However, I was up for a shock. My mains marks in first attempt were below average and I got low
marks in essay as well. I thought maybe this was the luck factor but my conscience didn’t agree.
Therefore, I thought about working on my writing skills over the next complete one year and it
really paid off big time with marks like:
111 in GS 2
130 in GS 3
Overall 450+ in GS subjects
158 in essay (I got 90 in last attempt and I know how unprepared I was and how poorly I wrote
then).
This is how I worked on my writing:
1. Waking up from believing I was a decent writer to knowing I was messing up big time!
a. I wrote one essay and 3 questions (from Insights on India) and send them all to 4 close
friends (one was correcting coaching institute’s copies — so I always took his advice
with caution) and also showed it to my brother. All of them (except one) did NOT like
the essay and said it seemed scattered and not well composed. Feedback helps! Ask
your friends or compare your attempts with some toppers’ copies and ‘good’ copies
from institutes.
b. My ego was hurt but I read and re-read the essay many times and realized that there
were simple structural problems and also poor flow of thought and logic in the essay.
This could be corrected with a ton of practice.
c. WRITING PRACTICE PLAN:

i. I took a personal note to write one set of essay per week (I took two test series and
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wrote them diligently — a total of over 40 essays) in the next one year. It was SO
tough, but it turned around my writing totally. I gave a lot of thought to every essay,
came up with a plan to brainstorm, do rough work, make pointers and utilize my
time etc. and finally it solidified over time.
2. Forget how tired or UNPREPARED you are, STILL go for it!
a. Like I mentioned before, this is what made the difference. I would not worry about
whether I had read enough or was prepared or whether I was feeling not like writing.
Kai baar aisa hota hai, we look at a topic and leave it and think pehle iss topic ke
baare mein padh leta hun and then I will write. This is not the way and is almost
cheating yourself. I would push myself into it and even feel like leaving the
questions/essay halfway. Eventually, I got used to it and started showing results.
b. I would go on Insights on India, see the first question and just start writing even if I knew
30%–40% about it. I wouldn’t worry much that it will come out badly. Then I would write
one where I had good knowledge. Then, I would read my answers and compare my clarity,
logic, information flow and presentation with toppers and also others there on insights.
Slowly, this way I started improving. I would use this time to also read upon topics I hadn’t
read.
c. I would just practice ...and keep at it week after week, like a mad/obsessed person. It was
very frustrating, marks fluctuated in the beginning (in test series) but eventually they
started going up and my writing became very consistent overtime.
3. Don’t worry about hand-writing quality
a. If it’s not clean and nice, don’t worry. Just keep practicing and it will improve. Use a
pencil/gel en, don’t use ball pens. Also, for writing SPEED, just a lot of practice will
improve it.
4. Revisit your answers, essays and good attempts
a. Do not forget to revisit your answers and essays multiple times. It really helps to check
your progress and see how you can make next attempts better.
5. Formulate a plan that works for you
a. Make a plan of daily writing that pushes you. I did one essay set till 3 months before
prelims and then again until 15 days before mains. Same for answer writing (at least 2
questions per day and regular test series).
6. Don’t rely on one strategy
a. Don’t rely on one way of writing for all 4 papers. Ethics paper case studies need a
slightly different approach than static portion in ethics. GS 1, 2, 3 are largely similar.
Develop a plan to do intro and conclusion. I have shared this in book in detail (110+ in
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GS 2) which is on GS 2 as well focuses much on answer writing portion which should
help in GS papers.
I have written a lot for this! Hopefully this helps. Posting some sample answers for your reference
from my book 110+ in GS 2:
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What differentiates the people who qualify the Civil Services exam and who
don't. Is it knowledge or performance in the exam? I have seen people from
IITs failing and people from Tier-3 colleges passing the exam. It confuses me
a lot.
Manuj Jindal, BSc Economics, University of Virginia
The UPSC Civil Services exam continues to bewilder me to some extent. Even
after passing it and getting the rank and service I desired, I sometimes feel why
some students who were always toppers (e... Read More
What is the lowest post an IAS would get after qualifying for IAS?
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I think by lowest you mean at what post do IAS officers start their career. Here is how it is: District
Training: * Post training at LBSNAA (Phase I), IAS OTs get posted as Assistant Collectors Unde...
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What is Manuj Jindal’s view on economics as an optional in the UPSC CSE?

Thanks for this question! I did not take the Economics optional despite having
studied Economics in University. There were a couple of reasons for this: 1.
When I read the Economics optional syllabu... Read More
Can anyone give me a description of the Foundation Course at LBSNAA? Are

all the activities compulsory or are they voluntary? Are people marked or
graded in any way? Is the trek to the Himalayas compulsory for everyone?
Manuj Jindal, lives in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India
Foundation course is one of the most exciting experiences of an officers’ life. It is a short 3 month
period where selected candidates of that years’ exam are invited to attend a basic course that ... More
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How do IAS aspirants manage their parents while preparation?

Family is one the strongest pillars of support in many ways during the journey
of UPSC CSE. It is an exercise that takes time, sometimes multiple years, so it is
important to have a good communicat... Read More
Which study material is best for UPSC civil service?

I keep getting this question again and again because there are so many reading materials out there
for UPSC, so it has become very difficult to choose. There are two ways to approach this:
1. Materials you must study
2. Online Sources
3. Practice materials Open In App Sign In
4. Additional materials you can read to really up your preparation (these will lead to a
vast base of knowledge)
Materials you MUST study:
1. Prelims
a. Environment (highly scoring)
i. Shankar IAS Green Book.
ii. NCERT Ecology book (selective topics not given in Shankar)
iii. GK Today Environment Notes (read after Shankar)
iv. Make sure you know about the main bodies in environment and main funds such as
UNFCCC, GCF etc.
v. Make a complete list of the important National Parks, Reserve Areas and Wild Life
Sanctuaries in India (I had made these as given below). Remember, you need to only
remember the main ones. No need to memorize, just use a map of India to place
them and then you will remember where each was and its main characteristics very
easily.
vi. If you want, you can refer to my notes.

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a. Polity (highly scoring)
i. Laxmikanth without any doubt is the bible — know it inside out
ii. 110+ in GS 2 written by me for clarity of polity/Laxmikanth

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i. Do a lot of mock tests in Polity
a. Geography
i. NCERT Physical Geography and as told above
ii. Oxford Atlas Maps — sit down and STUDY the map of India well. Specially the
physical map of India. Also, do a thorough study of each Continent, major cities and
physical features such as mountain ranges, plateaus etc.
iii. There is a good Vajiram document with major landforms of the world available
online. Read that for prelims.
iv. Understanding maps is a must as 2–4 questions will come directly from maps and
locations of various important features.
b. History & Culture
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i. Don’t stretch yourself with History too much. It is not easy to answer history
questions and it takes a LOT of effort. So devise your time strategically for history.
ii. Ancient: NCERT old and new
iii. Medieval: NCERT (old first and then if time permits new) is enough
iv. Modern: Spectrum History of Modern India, Bipan Chandra India’s Freedom Struggle
(blue-yellow book),
v. Culture: NCERT Fine Arts Book from class 12th, GK Today Culture Notes, CCRT
online — go through once, Archaeological Survey of India website, After doing this
read Nitin Singhania. In culture, read it in tandem with Ancient history, it will
become easier to study. Then, remember the major art forms of India.
vi. NCERT New Books on History – Themes in Indian History Part I and II, NCERT Old
History books from Class VI – XII.
vii. Remember that the weightage of ancient culture and history and freedom struggle
has been relatively more than medieval history. So devote your time accordingly.
c. Economics (highly scoring)
i. Focus on basics
ii. NCERT books from class XI and XII (not all details to be read). I personally don’t like
Ramesh Singh, too heavy! Focus on basics — use KHAN Academy videos on Youtube
to understand Econ Micro and Macro fundamentals
iii. Remember that from economics micro, UPSC asks questions based on fundamentals
and some on basic current affairs. Nothing too deep is needed.
d. Current Affairs
i. As usual, selective newspaper reading. Learn how to read a newspaper in a smart

way. I have shown in another answer.
ii. Also, use current affairs magazines. I personally prefer GK Today as it is

comprehensive for prelims.
iii. Know at least 1.5 years (max 2 years) of current affairs.
iv. To maximize on marks here, do quick background reads on important current affairs.
For example, if there is a news about ASEAN countries’ members coming to India for
Republic day, read about formation of ASEAN, it’s first meeting, India’s membership
status etc.
e. S&T
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i. Do this last. Focus on purely current (from CA magazines). Will be enough.
1. Mains
a. GS 1
i. Same as above for History and Geography but with a more analytical approach and
with a focus on how to present yourself on the paper.
ii. Unlike prelims, now focus on revision for the overall concepts (not facts) and just
remember major facts/events etc. you can quote to substantiate your point in the
answers.
iii. Focus on diagrams, flow charts (but DO NOT over do it)
iv. Socio — use NCERTs properly
b. GS 2
i. Laxmikanth for some static portion is useful however the entire book is not
necessary at all! In mains, lot of the topics are not covered hence you have to be very
careful while reading Laxmikanth for mains (to ensure you don’t waste time). I
personally read it only thrice (7–8 hours total — revision) and that too selected
chapters.
ii. You can refer to my book as well (110+ in GS 2, on amazon). My main aim to launch it
was to cover this critical gap for GS 2 in mains and also to provide a comprehensive
answer writing approach you can follow. (with over 100 solved answers). I am not
trying to sell, but I sincerely do believe it will be helpful for the aspirants as I have put
a lot of hard work into it.[1]
c. GS 3
i. Yojana magazine, selectively read Kurukshetra for rural development and agriculture
ii. NITI Aayog reports’ gist
iii. Economic Survey
iv. ARCs, 12th Five year plan (I know it ended in 2017, but there is still some really useful
content there which is even relevant till 2020).
v. Make sure you do some basic reading (conceptual from the internet) on issues like
unemployment, development policy making in India, sustainable development,
budget main features, agricultural policy and such others given in the syllabus. This
will help you to form points on major issues, solutions etc. in each of those topics.[2]
d. GS 4
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i. Here two things are important:
ii. Static Answers — good amount of reading the basics of ethics through coaching
material. Form your fundamentals on conceptual topics given in the syllabus.
Remember the main definitions of topics such as probity, integrity etc. to save time in
exam.
iii. Case Studies — a lot of case study practice available in some coachings (do at least
100 case studies)
e. Essay Writing
i. Essay writing is a GAME CHANGER. In many cases it can lead to a rank of top 50 with
an extra 5–10 marks.
ii. Subscribe to a good test series where checking is done with some effort from the
faculty. Without this, it is really difficult to evaluate yourself. I also got my copies
checked from a lot of friends who were good at writing and they provided some
critical feedback which helped me. So, keep pestering those you know can write well!
iii. Look at the toppers’ test copies to get a good idea on essay writing as well.
iv. I am writing a comprehensive e-book on essay writing, and will try to bring out an e-
book soon.
v. Write, Write, Write! (Minimum 1 set of essay per week after prelims and 1 set per 2
weeks/1 month in year prior to prelims)
f. Optional
i. I cannot suggest books for all the optionals. However, if anyone is interested in
learning about management optional, they can refer to my blog or other answers
here.
2. Practice materials
a. MOCK TESTS
b. TOPPERS’ COPIES
c. Self-writing per day (2–3 questions, timed) from Insights etc.
3. ONLINE SOURCES
a. For ANSWER WRITING: Insights on India (I preferred it over IAS Baba)
b. For Current Affairs: VISION magazine or GK Today (or any other you prefer)
c. I did not read EPW and don’t recommend it Open In App Sign In
d. YOJANA
e. Kurukshetra
f. Some specific articles from the Diplomat for IR and IDSA as well
g. ARCs
h. 12th FYP and NITI Aayog Reports
i. Law Commission Reports (selective on major issues such as Euthanasia, adoption etc.)
4. Additional materials you can read to really up your preparation (these will lead to a
vast base of knowledge)
a. History: TN course books are decent but only if you really want to, Lucent for quick
revision is good but please don’t read it as a primary source at all.
b. Polity: I don’t recommend anything except a few articles you can read from various
publications
c. Environment: A few selected chapters in NCERT bio books. Specially, chapters on

evolution, natural selection, organisms etc.
d. Geography: Majid Hussain is an additional read
e. Economics: Ramesh Singh to clarify some topics but I recommend not doing so but
googling (or youtubing) the topics you don’t understand from NCERT
Footnotes
[1] Can you tell us about your GS-2 and GS-3 Mains strategy for the UPSC?
[2] Can you tell us about your GS-2 and GS-3 Mains strategy for the UPSC?
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How is the life of an IAS officer during the probation period as an assistant
collector? What power & perks can he enjoy?
I am currently an Assistant Collector and undergoing training in a district. It

has almost been 5 months or so in this position, and this has been a rewarding
period in many ways. The learning curv... Read More
Is it mandatory to stay in LBSNAA hostel after being selected as an IAS? Can
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you stay outside and continue with training?
Interesting question, because I am not sure why anyone would like to stay
outside :) Bahar kyun rahoge jaab itne salon se LBSNAA ke liye padhai kari! It is
compulsory and also very convenient to liv... Read More
How should one cover the current affairs for the UPSC CSE if one starts
preparation from November?
Updated Jan 4, 2019 · Author has 92 answers and 1.6m answer views
Good question because many of us start preparation for UPSC CSE in Nov-Dec
period. Same was the case with me, so here is my personal opinion and
approach on this. 1. LIST/SCHEDULE: 2. 1. Make a list ... Read More
How should one prepare for Indian polity?

India polity is one of the absolute key subjects for UPSC CSE. This is because a lot of questions
appear in prelims as well as later on in GS 2 for mains and it has lot of overlap with almost all the 4
GS papers.
However, it has always remained one of the harder topics to crack for aspirants. I scored 111 in GS 2
and 120+ in prelims. My command over Indian polity was because of a systematic way to approach
this paper and also making sure that I had also the sources sorted out. Here is what other students
can do to cover it:
Static Portion of Indian Polity
START FROM THE SYLLABUS, it is the key!
Make a list of all the syllabus topics given by UPSc and then make a table of sources for
each of the syllabus points. Here is something what it could look like (use mine and also
make your own!). The below table is not from my book, however all chapters are
broken topic wise there too:
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Concepts, concepts, concepts!
Work hard on your concepts. Clear them as much as possible. You should know the
background of each of the topics. UPSC doesn’t always ask direct questions — these you
will answer anyway. However, the real test is where related background information is
tested.
It is also important from answer writing as concepts should be clear in order to

understand the questions.
Current Portion
The best sources for current affairs for prelims and mains are as follows:
Coaching Institutes:
Monthly magazines. Just pick one of these magazines and cover it properly.
Also, definitely supplement your current affairs with the background conceptual
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readings.
Example, when you read about the issue of the Aadhar ruling by Supreme court
made recently, be sure to pick up the static books and go through the relevant
Constitutional articles and old cases Supreme court rulings as well in these.
Try not to do over analysis. Go through only the benchmark rulings and major
events.
Writing Answers
PRACTICE, practice, practice. That is the key! And also go back and revise and re-look at
your answers. Were they good enough? What worked in some and how were some not good
enough?
This will help for all the four GS papers
Writing is MORE IMPORTANT than reading. I would say spend 60–70% time reading and
analyzing and also internalizing the topics and 30–40% answer writing.
Also, UPSC is looking for both quality AND quantity. So, an answer of 150–200 words is
expected.
Thought I would attach cover page of my book :) A lot of hard work and thought went into it. Hope
you like it. Please provide feedback :)
What has been your biggest obstacle while preparing for the UPSC CSE?
Answered Dec 31, 2018 · Author has 92 answers and 1.6m answer views
Itna Kaise Padhun! (How can I study so much?!) The first thing was, how the
hell am I going to study so much! So many books, such a huge syllabus and such
an absolute monster of an exam. Seriously, ... Read More
How can aspirants tackle uncertainty of UPSC CSE PRELIMS?

This is such an important question! The unpredictable nature of UPSC CSE

needs you to be thorough and clear in your approach. To tackle uncertainty, you
need to focus on increasing your productivit... Read More
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Can you tell us about your GS-2 and GS-3 Mains strategy for the UPSC?
This is a good question as these two papers are highly scoring. I scored 111 in GS 2 and 130 in GS 3.
These scores were definitely one of the highest in both these papers in my attempt.
I followed this systematic strategy to prepare myself:
Static Portion
Use the syllabus to chalk up all the sources for the static portion first. These portions would
include topics such as constitution, federal structure, governance, judiciary, RPA and IR
topics and many such others.
For each of these topics, what I had to do was to collect content through online sources and
read various Law commission reports, supreme court cases, Laxmikanth (for some static
portions) etc. You can make notes on these or use some ready made sources/books/online
sources, I refer to later here.
Make sure that your concepts are absolutely clear. Without knowing the background and
basic fundamentals, you will not be comfortable even with current affairs questions as
UPSC requires some analysis and critical approach to answer writing.
For GS 3, relatively lesser number of static topics are there as most of the syllabus is
dynamic in nature. There, here focus on current after covering some static portions, as
described below.
Current Portion
The best sources for current affairs for mains are:
Monthly magazines from one of the reliable coaching institutes that provide good
quality monthly current affairs. Just pick one of these magazines and cover it properly
for both GS 2 and 3 sections.
Be sure to supplement your current affairs with the background conceptual readings.
For example, if you read about the issue of Triple Talaq case in the Supreme court or
about Aadhar ruling by Supreme court made recently, then be sure to pick up the static
books and go through the relevant Constitutional articles and old cases Supreme court
rulings as well in these. However, don’t do over analysis. Go through only the
benchmark rulings and major events.
What to Read
GS 2:
Laxmikanth for some static portion is useful however the entire book is not necessary at
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all! In mains, lot of the topics are not covered hence you have to be very careful while
reading Laxmikanth for mains (to ensure you don’t waste time). I personally read it only
thrice (7–8 hours total) and that too selected chapters.
You can refer to my book as well (110+ in GS 2, on amazon). My main aim to launch it
was to cover this critical gap for GS 2 in mains and also to provide a comprehensive
answer writing approach you can follow. (with over 100 solved answers). I am not trying
to sell, but I sincerely do believe it will be helpful for the aspirants as I have put a lot of
hard work into it.
GS 3:
Yojana magazine, selectively read Kurukshetra for rural development and agriculture
NITI Aayog reports’ gist
Economic Survey
ARCs, 12th Five year plan (I know it ended in 2017, but there is still some really useful
content there which is even relevant till 2020).
Make sure you do some basic reading (conceptual from the internet) on issues like
unemployment, development policy making in India, sustainable development, budget
main features, agricultural policy and such others given in the syllabus. This will help
you to form points on major issues, solutions etc. in each of those topics.
Answer Writing
THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT than reading. I you read well and write even better, it will
probably end up getting you more marks than someone who read great but didn’t practice a
lot of writing.
For this, start writing at least 2 answers per day from online sources (timed) on your own
and self-evaluate or use online peer platforms to get them evaluated. Start doing this at
least 5–6 months before prelims (but stop 2–3 months before prelims).
Then, take full test series after mains. If you have taken test series before prelims itself, just
still try to write at least 1–2 questions per day. Daily practice makes a HUGE difference and
you will yourself see a considerable difference.
Remember, UPSC is looking for both quality AND quantity. So, an answer of 150–200 words
is expected.
How to Write Answers
To do this, you have to make up the mind to do a LOT of answer writing practice. This
really helps for all the 4 GS papers and is absolutely necessary in order to develop your
speed and sharpness of thought and points you present in the answers.
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Break down the question in 1–3 parts (if required) and tackle each of it. Don’t get caught up
in one part of the question and ignore the other. This is critical.
It goes without saying that diagrams/tables etc. make a huge difference but do not overdo
them. Only use them where they can enhance the quality of the answer and make it easier
for examiner to read your copy.
A lot more points follow in my book and blog :) Happy reading :)
Just wanted to attach cover page of my book :) A lot of hard work and thought went into it. Hope
you like it. Please provide feedback :)
How should I cover polity or Laxmikant for the UPSC? Is there any good video
source or should I cover it by reading Laxmikant only?
Laxmikanth is a key book and covering it smartly is not that easy!
I read it many times and zeroed down to the following strategy to get the max out of it:
First and foremost, please do not read the book starting from chapter 1 to 2 to 3 to 4…in linear
fashion and so on…Here is my list:
1. First, you can start with the chapters on:
a. President
b. Vice President
c. Governor.
d. Emergency Provisions — it is closely related to the above chapters
2. Then move to the following:
a. PM
b. Cabinet
c. CM
d. State Council of Ministers.
3. After these, do a quick revision and then:

a. Parliamentary System Open In App Sign In
b. Parliament. However, don’t read the whole chapter. Put a short pause after you have
done the budget topic as it is a very long chapter.
c. Finally, read CAG chapter.
d. Return to Parliament and finish it.
4. Then:
a. State Legislative Assembly
b. Supreme Court
c. High court
d. Tribunals
e. Attorney General and Advocate General.
f. UPSC and SPSC chapters
5. Then take another break and revise:
a. Finance Commission
b. Planning Commission
c. National Development Council etc.
6. Then, come to the Centre State and Interstate relations one and read those.
7. Left overs now:
a. Election Commission
b. Election
c. Anti-defection
8. Finally, cover these together: National Commissions on SC, ST, OBC, Women, CVC, Lokpal
etc.
Now we still have some more left! That’s the beauty of Laxmikanth, it is unending!!
Read these now:
1. Citizenship, Fundamental Rights, DPSP, Fundamental Duties.

2. Amendment of Constitution and Preamble
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3. Jammu Kashmir and Scheduled and Tribal Areas.
4. UTs, Panchayati Raj Institutions, and Municipalities
If anything else is left, finish that too.
Should I make notes from Laxmikanth?
It is already in the ‘note-format’ so there is no need at all to make notes from it.
You can make notes by using margins of the book itself to make personal notes and use
these while revising.
Revise, revise, revise!
Lot of students are having problems in understanding Laxmikanth or having a tough time
remembering it? Here are some of the tips on there:
Revise Laxmikanth a lot! Keep at it for 4–5 readings at least!
Laxmikanth is great for prelims! But perhaps not so much for GS 2 in mains.
Therefore don’t completely rely on Laxmikanth 100% only on it for mains.
For mains, just give it a quick read for mains.
Finally, here let me do some self pitch :) I felt there was some gap in GS 2 preparation for
mains and also for answer writing. Additionally, there are various fundamental concepts
that remain untouched in Laxmikanth.
To counter this, I have written ‘110+ in GS 2′ (the book is already on amazon, 323 pages,
with over 100 solved answers and approach as to how to write answers and chapters on
Governance, Social Justice, important Supreme Court Cases, Development and foundation
of IR etc.).
Also, I recommend not to read DD Basu as it is too heavy for anyone with a non-political
science background. There is really no need to read it. I tried and really did not see much
out of it! However, if you like it, you can go ahead and read it
I hope this also helps the students :)
Good luck!
Book covers for your reference ;)

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11.9k Views · View 256 Upvoters · View Sharers · Answer requested by Jai
How do I read Indian Polity by Lakshmikanth for civil services? It looks very
big and has too many facts to be remembered.
Manuj Jindal, IAS 2017 Batch, AIR 53, Management Optional
Reading Laxmikanth is one of the key aspects of clearing CSE prelims. A lot of questions are
expected from this book as it provides a comprehensive polity coverage for prelims.
I read it very seriously, trying to make all kinds of notes, but zeroed down to this strategy. (I
have learned this strategy from a mix others on the internet, so credit to all the contributors :)
Don’t study the book in linear fashion starting from chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5..and so on…You should try to
pick chapters that have similar content and are related with each other. Here is my list:
1. Start with the chapters on President, Vice President and then read the one on Governor.
Then you read the Emergency Provisions chapter as it consists of powers directly related to
the President etc.
2. Then, read chapters on PM and Cabinet, after that take up CM and State Council of
Ministers.
3. Then, read chapter on Parliamentary System and then to the chapter on Parliament.
However, don’t read the whole chapter. Put a pause after the budget topic in that chapter (it
is a very long chapter) and then read CAG chapter. Return to Parliament and finish it.
4. Read State Legislative Assembly chapter after this.
5. Read Supreme Court followed by High court and then Tribunals. Read Attorney General and
Advocate General.
6. Read UPSC and SPSC chapters
7. Read Finance Commission, Planning Commission, National Development Council

chapters.
8. Read Centre State and Interstate relations.
9. Read Election Commission, Election and then Anti-defection

10. You can cover these together in one go: National Commissions on SC, ST, OBC, Women,
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CVC, Lokpal etc.
Finally, you can come to various chapters like:
1. Citizenship, Fundamental Rights, DPSP, Fundamental Duties.
2. Amendment of Constitution
3. Preamble
4. Jammu Kashmir
5. Scheduled and Tribal Areas.
6. UTs, Panchayati Raj Institutions, and Municipalities
Finally, you might have some others, which you can finish after these above.
Making Notes from Laxmikanth (Should I or not?):
M.Laxmikanth has been written in the ‘note-format’ and I do not think there is a need to
make notes.
Just use the margins of the book itself to make personal notes.
Revise these as many times as possible
What if I am not understanding Laxmikanth or having a tough time remembering it?
Laxmikanth needs a lot of revisions. So keep at it for 4–5 readings at least. Then you will
start remembering.
Laxmikanth is more appropriate for prelims and not so much for GS 2 in mains, therefore
don’t rely only on it for mains. Just give it a quick read for mains (max. 5–8 hours over all
time to be spent for mains)
To address the problem of answer writing for mains in GS 2 and also for conceptual
background of GS 2 prelims and mains, I have written ‘110+ in GS 2′ (up on amazon, 323
pages, over 100 solved answers with approach as to how to write answers and chapters on
Governance, Social Justice, important Supreme Court Cases, Development and foundation
of IR). I hope this also helps the students :)
Good luck!
Book covers for your reference ;)

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What is the best source to study India's foreign policy/international relations

for the UPSC CSE?
This is a good question because finding sources for foreign policy and international relations was a
tough challenge for me as well. Here’s how I will tackle it.
1. Divide the IR syllabus into following segments:
a. History of India foreign relations and IR policy
i. This will cover topics right from independence till today and will include policy of
India post independence (anti-colonialism, NAM etc.), policy into the 1960s (post
war), 70s (post Bangladesh formation), 80s, 90s (Gujral doctrine etc) and such other
topics that form the backbone of Indian IR
b. Focus on Neighbours and surrounding countries/regions:
i. Follow this with reading various articles from IDSA and the Diplomat about India
and it’s relations with its neighbours. Focus on immediate neighbours and then on
surrounding regions such as middle east, Africa and make your way outwards like
this.
c. Use Youtube:
i. Youtube is a great resource for studying and understanding India’s a bit complex
issues like boundary disputes, treaties etc. Watch these videos.
d. This above approach will clear your basics and then you can start doing current affairs.
2. Books:
a. For readings you can refer to notes from various coachings. I don’t think there is one
definitive resource for studying for UPSC IR portion but coaching notes do a good job.
Specially, monthly current affairs magazines’ IR section is good.
b. I hate to do this selling pitch of any sort, but my recent book 110+ in GS 2 also has an IR
section(on amazon). It has tried to cover the above points but since IR is a huge subject,
so coverage cannot be done within 100 pages. I would say it will help you with basics
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and then you can refer to other sources as given above.
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How did UPSC-CSE rank holders who cleared this exam in their 3rd, 4th, or
subsequent attempts, deal with the weariness arising from studying the same
topics repetitively?
This is a good question. Even in first or second attempt, thousands of students

can face the problem of weariness, let alone third or subsequent ones. My two
cents on how I dealt with this: Keep a v... Read More
How do you see the NITI Aayog's recent recommendations to change the age
limit, eligibility for IAS, IPS and other civil services of the candidates by 2022-
23?
To answer this question, first let me summarise the main recommendations of NITI Aayog for
reforms in civil services: 1. Age: The upper age limit for the civil services should be brought down to
27 ... Read More
What are your views on Niti Aayog’s recommendation to cap Civil services
entry age at 27?
This is a very good question and I would like to answer it from my personal
experience, albeit only as a new OT with limited experience in the service as of
now. 1. I have not seen any considerable ... Read More
Is it compulsory for an IAS trainee in LBSNAA to go for Himalayan trekking

and other vigorous exercises even if he/she is suffering from asthma?
If you have a genuine medical condition, there is no need to undertake the trek.
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For this exemption, you will be required to produce a medical certificate from
the Academy hospital. Academy is very... Read More
Do all IAS officers become district collectors?

Updated Jan 4, 2019 · Author has 92 answers and 1.6m answer views
Thanks for asking this question. It's a good question because there is a myth
that EVERY IAS officer becomes a DC. However, there can be some exceptions.
Normally, most of the RRs (regular recruits)... Read More
Has Manuj Jindal IAS published his book UPSC CSE exam GS2?
Yes! I have finally published it and it is available for pre-order on Amazon. It will reach you after
Dec. 31st, if you order. Here’s my message to my friends and aspirants: After more than 1 year of...
Read More
Is it allowed for an officer trainee to keep a vehicle with him while undergoing
his IAS training at LBSNAA?
Officer trainees at LBSNAA cannot keep any kind of vehicle inside the academy or anywhere
nearby. There is no such provision for vehicles at the Academy either. Unless a trainee is alloted
some off... Read More
As an IAS officer, what do you hate the most about your job?
There is nothing that I particularly hate about the service. ‘Hate’, after all, is a strong word and must
be used in extreme situations. However, there are a couple of things that are desired and s...Read More
What is the best country you have ever visited?

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The best country I have ever visited is Bhutan. I have been almost all across the
globe, except for the eastern hemisphere. However, Bhutan took my breath
away for many reasons. First, the moment I ... Read More
How did you handle mood swings, failure, and demotivation during the UPSC
preparation?
This is a question that haunts a lot of us while preparing for UPSC. After
selection, it almost appears that toppers followed a plan, studied hard and
made it, as if it was just that. However, there... Read More
When is Manuj Jindal's book on UPSC preparation getting released?

Updated Dec 25, 2018 · Author has 92 answers and 1.6m answer views
Thanks for asking this! My book on GS is getting released within this or the next
week max. (maximum by December 10–12th, 2018). It got a bit delayed because I
wanted to add 2017 and 2018 fully solve... Read More
Why is it so difficult to crack the UPSC in the first attempt?

UPSC exam is not an ordinary one. There are so many variables and factors involved. I personally
didn’t make it in the first attempt, so I am biased to say that its difficult to do so. However, I Read
al... More
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Published author of the book 110+ in GS 2.

CREDENTIALS & HIGHLIGHTS More

IAS 2017 Batch

BSc Economics, University of Virginia

Lives in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India

1.6m answer views 634.9k this month

Should I wear a cardigan or a blazer for a UPSC CSE interview?

How wonderful is the journey in becoming an IAS oﬃcer in the India?

Overall 450+ in GS subjects

This is how I worked on my writing:

c. WRITING PRACTICE PLAN:

2. Forget how tired or UNPREPARED you are, STILL go for it!

3. Don’t worry about hand-writing quality

4. Revisit your answers, essays and good attempts

5. Formulate a plan that works for you

6. Don’t rely on one strategy

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What is Manuj Jindal’s view on economics as an optional in the UPSC CSE?

Can anyone give me a description of the Foundation Course at LBSNAA? Are

How do IAS aspirants manage their parents while preparation?

Which study material is best for UPSC civil service?

1. Materials you must study

Materials you MUST study:

a. Environment (highly scoring)

i. Shankar IAS Green Book.

ii. NCERT Ecology book (selective topics not given in Shankar)

iii. GK Today Environment Notes (read after Shankar)

vi. If you want, you can refer to my notes.

a. Polity (highly scoring)

i. Laxmikanth without any doubt is the bible — know it inside out

ii. 110+ in GS 2 written by me for clarity of polity/Laxmikanth

i. Do a lot of mock tests in Polity

i. NCERT Physical Geography and as told above

ii. Ancient: NCERT old and new

c. Economics (highly scoring)

i. As usual, selective newspaper reading. Learn how to read a newspaper in a smart

ii. Also, use current aﬀairs magazines. I personally prefer GK Today as it is

iii. Know at least 1.5 years (max 2 years) of current aﬀairs.

i. Do this last. Focus on purely current (from CA magazines). Will be enough.

iii. Focus on diagrams, ﬂow charts (but DO NOT over do it)

iv. Socio — use NCERTs properly

ii. NITI Aayog reports’ gist

iii. Economic Survey

i. Here two things are important:

c. Self-writing per day (2–3 questions, timed) from Insights etc.

a. For ANSWER WRITING: Insights on India (I preferred it over IAS Baba)

h. 12th FYP and NITI Aayog Reports

c. Environment: A few selected chapters in NCERT bio books. Specially, chapters on

d. Geography: Majid Hussain is an additional read

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I am currently an Assistant Collector and undergoing training in a district. It

How should one prepare for Indian polity?

Static Portion of Indian Polity

START FROM THE SYLLABUS, it is the key!

Concepts, concepts, concepts!

It is also important from answer writing as concepts should be clear in order to

This will help for all the four GS papers

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How can aspirants tackle uncertainty of UPSC CSE PRELIMS?

This is such an important question! The unpredictable nature of UPSC CSE

I followed this systematic strategy to prepare myself:

The best sources for current aﬀairs for mains are: