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UPSC Prelims exam is the first hurdleto leap in your journey of securing the IAS tag. The competition is the mostintense in the first round as only a fraction of those who take the prelimswill qualify for the IAS mains exam.
Here we have talk with the team of UPSC coaching in Indoreand come up with topic-wise preparation strategy for Civil Services PreliminaryExam which candidates can refer and if they think they have missed then it isnot too late and they are eligible to include in their preparation.
A well-organized preparation strategyalong with favourable time management will surely give aspirants an edge overothers. Given below are some topic-wise tips that will guide the candidates inmaking their UPSC Exam preparation strategy.
Planningfor Current Events
CurrentAffairs questions are asked from the core disciplines or say subjects, forexample, science and technology, Polity, History, Geography, Economics, andenvironment. So we must give importance to current affairs from allperspectives, i.e. subjects, Prelim, Main and Personality Test.
These questions can be asked based on Government Initiatives/Policies, Policiesof India which have international importance- Look East Policy, InternationalInstitutions- IMF, WB, UNSC, etc. International Agreements- Non-ProliferationTreaty (NPT), etc. Human Rights Issues, Social Sector Initiatives, SustainableDevelopment, etc.
To bring in more clarity on this aspect, we would illustrate ate with a fewexamples.
Forexample:
Current Events – Geography
Q.1 With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)’sometimes mentioned in the news while forecasting Indian monsoon, which of thefollowing statements is/are correct?
1. IOD phenomenon is characterized by a difference in sea surfacetemperature between tropical Western Indian Ocean and tropical Eastern PacificOcean.
2. An IOD phenomenon can influence an El Nino’ s impact on the monsoon.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1. (a)1 only
2. (b)2 only
3. (c)Both 1 and 2
4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
5. Solution: (b)
Canaverage student clear the UPSC exam and become IAS or IPS officer
ART and CULTURE
Over a period, this subject has gained its own placein the UPSC Exam and has become important both for prelims and mainsexam. Areas to focus on this subject would be architecture, dance forms, folkcultures, paintings, martial arts etc.
Books to refer
- 11th standard NCERT- Introduction to Indian Arts
- NIOS book on art and culture
- CCRT website to prepare this subject thoroughly
Of course, not to forget the current affairs, make anote of the art and culture that were in the news and if possible, make as manyquestions as possible compared with the previousyear UPSC Questions Papers.
It is also advised to candidates not to spend toomuch time on this subject to get a fair idea about the questions asked in thissubject it is advised to candidates to go through the previous year questionpapers.
HISTORY
History has not seen much change until now as the UPSCexam pattern as seen.
Focus should be on
Ancient and Medieval History
- Indus Valley Civilization, Jainism, Buddhism, Mughals, and southern kingdoms are important from ancient and medieval history
Modern History
- Main Congress sessions with the year, president, and important resolutions
- Significant viceroys and their period with important decisions
- The government of India acts 1909, 1919, 1935 and charter acts
GEOGRAPHY
Focus areas for prelims should be on
- Indian geography
- Map reading is more than enough under world geography
- Focus should be on areas which were in news recently in map reading
For example, Kaveri Dispute
South China Sea due to Island issue - Map reading is also important in Indian Geography, as at least 1 question is asked in Geography paper based on the Indian map.
Sources to refer
- NCERTs of 8th to 12th standard
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong
Also read: Preparationplan for UPSC prelims exam for new aspirants
POLITY
Specialemphasis should be on the Constitution while preparing for polity
Under Indian Constitution areas to give importanceis:
- Fundamental Rights
- Directive Principles on State Policy
- Fundamental Duties
- President and Parliament are the most important
Focus on
- Issues in news and should relate them to the provisions in the constitution
- Government schemes and policies
Books to refer
- Laxmikant Indian Polity
- Subhash Kashyap
- PM Bakshi
ECONOMY
Focus must be on basic concepts, international organization, current affairsetc.
The most effective way to cover the economicssubject would be to links the recent issues in news with the basic concepts ofeconomics.
Books to refer
- 11th and 12th standard NCERTs
- Major newspapers, RBI and Government initiatives
ENVIRONMENT and ECOLOGY
This subject became prominent since 2013, when Indian Forest Service prelimsexam was merged with Civil Services Prelims Exam.
- Must be aware of basic concepts related to ecology and environment
- This section mostly covers the recent issues in the news
Focus should be on
- location of national parks
- wildlife
- sanctuaries
- endangered species in India and their habitat
- various international conventions on climate change
Books to refer
- Class 9th and 10th ICSE board books on Environmental Education
- Major Newspaper for current events
SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY
Focus on basic concepts
current events – issues in news related to-
- Space-related news
- India’s achievements
- Revolutionary innovations and Nobel prizes
Sources to refer
- NCERT books of 11th and 12th standard of Physics, Chemistry and Biology
- Major News papers