Which books should I read?

Civil services are perhaps the toughest exams conducted in India. The key to reading is quality and not quantity.

While reading keep in mind the syllabus. However, the syllabus for both Prelims and Mains is very broad and vague. It does not give you an idea of the type of questions you can be actually asked. Therefore it is mandatory to keep an eye on the type of questions that are to be expected. Previous years' question papers, and other sample papers are a must. For Geography, refer to our suggested book list.

How much of newspapers and magazines should I read?

Read as much and as many newspapers and magazines as you can. It will help you with preparations for General Studies, and will help you in the interview stage also. However, keep a balance between the time you spend on your optional and selected papers.

Read the daily headlines. Keep track of new laws and amendments to the Constitution. Keep abreast with the newsmakers in sports and politics. Read editorials regularly and concentrate on your Optional(s). The Hindu is the best newspaper. Read it if it is available in your city or town or village. If you have time in your hand, read Frontline.

Monthly magazines with a roundup of the monthly events can act as a fine supplement for daily newspapers.

When are the Prelims exams held? What is the purpose of the Prelims?

Prelims are usually held by mid of May, however, with introduction of CSAT it is being conducted in June this year.

Prelims are basically screening test. Its marks are not added in the final test. This objective test has two papers:

Paper I – GS 200 marks
Paper II – CSAT 200 marks

There is the continuation of negative marking for wrong answer.

Where are the exams held?

The Prelims exam is held in a large number of important towns and cities across India. The actual list of cities are published along with the notification every year, but you will know your actual center (school, college, etc) only in your admit card.

The Mains exam is held at fewer places, in the bigger cities. The list of centers is posted to you along with other relevant documents once you clear the Preliminary stage.

Which optional subject should I choose?

Many students opt for the scoring subjects. But before you choose a subject, keep in mind your interest and aptitude for the subject. Do not choose an entirely new subject in which you will have to work very hard.

If you prepare the optional well for the Prelims and you choose the same subject in the Mains, it will prove to be useful and also save a lot of labour and time.

How much importance does General Studies have in an overall score?

General Studies is important constituent for all the three levels. Though at Prelims it is just qualifying in nature, in the subsequent stages, that are, Main and Interview it has significant role.

The preparation of General Studies should thus be consistent.

Have questions that are not answered here?

Post your queries to Neetu Singh, Director, DirectionIAS, who will reply personally.
Please ask specific questions to get in-depth reply.
You can also meet us at our Institute for personal guidance.

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TEST RELATED REFERENCE & TEXT

TOPIC- GEOGRAPHY• Physical Geography - Goh-Cheng Leong , NCERT (11 std) New Version• Economic Geography- Made simple part - 1 ( 11 Std Old Version)• Social Geography/ India - 11th class N.C.E.R.T (11 & 12 Std ) 4 NCERT• Indian Agriculture & National Resources- 12th class (N.C.E.R.T.) & INDIA 2012,Hindu Survey

TOPIC- HISTORY Ancient India- (Old N.C.E.R.T.) Medival India- (Old N.C.E.R.T.)General Trend :- • Harappan Culture, (chapter 7) • Aryans and Age of Rig Veda (chapter 8) Late Vedic (chapter 9) • Jainism & Buddhism (chapter 10) • Magadhan Empire (chapter 11)Buddha (chapter 13) • Maurya (chapter 14, 15 & 16) • Satavahans (chapter 17)Cultural development in India (chapter 11) • Mughals & Afgans (chapter 12) Deccan (chapter 14) Mughals Empire (chapter 15) Economic and social life Mughal (chapter 16, 17, 18 & 19)Indian National Movement:- (Old N.C.E.R.T. XII) Nature and Character of the 19th century growth of Nationalism and Independence and National Movement. Book VIIIth class N.C.E.R.T. (All chapter) & XII Class N.C.E.R.T.

TOPIC - INDIAN POLITY AND GOVERNANCE•Political System & Constitution of India- Panchayati Raj, Current Polity (election, Article and Act, Center and State Relation, Parliamentary terms) Book Our Constitution- Subhas Kashyap or D.D. Basu & A.R. Desai• Our Parliament- Subhas Kashyap • 11th class N.C.E.R.T.• Hindu Editorial (News Paper Special Issue ) & India Year Book 2012(Publication Division) Democratic Politics - II (NCERT ,Class - X) Indian Constitution at Work (Class XI, New)

TOPIC- ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTSustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographic, social sector initiatives, Economic development in India.Book Indian Ecomonic development (NCERT, Class xi),Understanding Development (NCERT , Class X) Resources and Development (NCERT, Class VIII)• Economy Survey 2012 (Government of India) • India 2012 (Year Book) Ch. 1, 4, 7, 11, 12, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25 & 30• Budget (Union Budget /Rail Budget) Special Issue YOJANA (March Issue 2012)

TOPIC- GENERAL SCIENCE • Physics, Chemistry & Biology Required Book:- • 8 to 10th Std. N.C.E.R.T. and What, Why, How.(Series)

TOPIC- ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND BIO-DIVERSITY Fundamental of environmental realms, Principle of ecology ,Conservation and preservation approaches, Causes and Consequences of climate change.Book : Environment & Development (NCERT ) India Environment (NCERT, Class XI)Environmental( Botkin &Killer) Hindu Environment Survey 2011, IGNOU ( An Introduction the Environment – NEV - 001

TOPIC - CURRENT EVENTS Daily updating change, Sports, National & International Boundary dispute, Resources - discovery, Science & Technology, Nuclear Space Research, Computer, Disasters, WTO, WHO, Persons in News. Reference : Hindu News Paper , Manorama Year Book , India Year Book , Monthly Magazine (Yojana) Periodicals & Civil Services Times Magazine

Test Details Test for Gs + CSAT are 19. * These are framed on New UPSC pattern * Test enrolment can be taken without class enrolment * Details of answer will be provided after the test along with key * Result of the test will be displayed within 10 days * Test Discussion for the conducted tests will be held as per schedule. * Fee : 5100 /- Concession Ex students : 2550/-

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