In the November Issue 2008 of Civil Services Chronicle (CSC), there is a long article titled Wnna be an IAS Topper, success sutra, step-by-step. Many of its section are sincerely written. They are practical advices. One of the section has dealt exclusively with General Studies preparation. Their main argument is that there should be an integrated approach for General Studies. I believe that they suggest that preparation for General Studies should fulfill the requirement of Prelims as well as Mains. Secondly, they have stressed upon the need of keeping the target of getting 350+ in the General Studies. Thirdly, they are fair in telling that there can not be any fixed game plan for preparing the General Studies paper because anything below sun can be asked and even beyond that also. However, even then, they have suggested some good points. They are as follows.
It is very difficult to fix a syllabus for General Studies. The commission itself has not given a fixed syllabus. Therefore, the best method is to watch the last years papers analytically. Then, it is suggested that one should learn the area of his or her interest and then develop the reading around that field of knowledge. A good approach is to read fundamental basis of major subjects with the help of NCERT books. For Current affairs the best method is suggested as follows.
1. India Year Book of Publication Division. Pick chapters and then develop or gather extra material around them.
2. Adopt one or two newspaper for daily reading. It is universally accepted that The Hindu and The Times of India are the two best newspapers. One can watch on his own that they cover more issues of national interest.
3. Books published by NBT and Publication Bureau on Indian history and Culture. I am regular reader of Yojana. Each month, there is one selective theme. In November, it was the child problem and in December, it is North East states.
Then, The CSC has further suggested other books. I have not consulted them, therefore, I do not feel confident in suggesting them here. In case of foreign news, I believe apart from Frontline, the internet is a better option.
After taking up Current Affairs as one major subject of General Studies, the CSC magazine has taken Indian Polity. I accept that to whichever field you belong, you have to read DD Basu and P N Baskshi. You must understand that there are 100 marks questions in General Studies Mains and on an average there are 15 questions in Prelims. There is no other way out. In addition to that a leisure reading of NCERT books of IX, X, XI and XII is equally essential. Notes preparation is better way then to adopt some guide book.
In case of Indian Economy, there is no answer to Dutt and Sundharam or Mishra and Puri. I may add some more at a later stage but books by NCERT for class XI and XII are must. I will suggest that one should adopt Business Today or Business Standard also along with one Competition Magazine. One can develop liking for capital market in order to understand their contents but beware you may not give your self away to share market. You must remember that you are preparing for civil services and for full 18 months you have to save money only for that. The investments can be carried on with some detachments but they can be postponed for one year. It does not matter much.
Now take up the case of History. Modern History by B.L. Grover is a good approach. I believe, for that any history, which helps you to develop understanding of political history from 1707/1757 to 1947, is must. It may be a simple text book of graduation level and even that can be good. There is a book by same title by K. L. Khurana or by L. Prasad. The main idea is to develop the political history understanding before taking up the book by A. R. Desai. I think that, that will be a good way to tackle the subject. I am a history teacher and saying all this with some understanding. Finally, it goes without repetition, you have to read NCERT books from eighth to twelfth. It is must. You may not read Bipin Chandra, or other books which are being discussed, but, you have to go through them.
Now Geography is a fascinating field. The trend is not presently in its favour. In 1990s, it was Geography and Animal husbandry, which had attracted the attention. However, you have to read about it. Here, I will go with CSC suggestions.
Principles of Geography (NCERT)
Geography of India.
Land and the People NCERT. Even the books suggested for ICSE boards schools are quite helpful. I remember reading a book of ninth class for ICSE school which was publisher of Delhi, the contents were perfect material for present day trends.
Let me suggest an approach here. Make topics of NCERT books from VI to XII as the topics of preparation. Get material from the books and substantiate with the help of Wikipedia and CIA Facts books website.
Science and Technology: It is very difficult to suggest one set for it. However, as CSC has remarked, the main thrust is on basic Human anatomy, hygiene, circulatory system, human diseases, Nutrition and plus Agricultural sciences. Question of Physics, Chemistry, Technology are there but if you are not a student from science background, then it is better to adopt the established Refreshers. The CSC has given its list but I doubt, apart from reading NCERT books, one can read the whole list without the help of a person who has some understanding of science. You should have liking for the field of science. Then you can make the list of the contents of NCERT books and continue to prepare the notes. The questions are really typical. They may ask you the Light temperature of a fluorescent tube and other year may ask you about the resistance of the human body to the flow of the current. The candidates were expecting 3D technology but the commission remained satisfied with asking only about IPTV. You may prepare for CFL light buld, but it may ask about newer mode of lightening. You may prepare for 4D telecommunication, it may ask about WiMax. It is better to remain fixed with the fundamentals of the physics and chemistry than to prepare the list of the books.
I hope that those who have approached my blog with this query, and visited to one of my older list, may find the above write up useful.
