Economy The core syllabus of economy consists of the following things Theoretical economy Basic Concepts and terminologies,

GDP,GNP,PPP,IIP, inflation etc. Indian economy (static portion) LPG reforms. Budget making process. RBI monetary policy: Repo, Reverse Repo, CRR, SLR etc. Source: Static portion of the economy 1. NCERT Class 10, 11, 12 2. NOS Study material for Economy 3. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh (Tata Macgrawill Publication) You have to move to the next level = current affairs related to Indian and world economy. 1. DTC, GST,WTO, IMF, World bank etc. 2. Various for committees formed by government and their recommendations: Kelkar, shunglu, Parekh etc. 3. Economic Survey and Budget 2013. 4. Eurozone crisis, American recession, dollar-rupee exchange etc. Source: Current affairs on economy 1. Newspaper (The Hindu / Indianexpress / Economic Times) 2. Anyone competitive magazine. Investopedia, Wikipedia, internet What is Economic Survey? And why is it important? It is a report published on the official website of Finance Ministry (before General budget is announced). This report contains information on the present situation of Indian economy, various schemes of Government and future approach required for the next year. It has lot of boring and unimportant data tables but also contains good fodder material and exam-worthy information. If youre subscribed to any competitive Magazine, you would usually find the highlights of economic survey in the subsequent issues of the magazine. Yet I would recommend you to go through the original economic survey report because magazines or newspapers only tend to cover the dramatic items. Whatever important details you find, make a note out of it. Economy : Prelims/ MCQs 1.You are given a term and 4 explanations for that term. You have to identify the correct definition 2.You are given a problem (inflation or low IIP or currency depreciation) and 2-4 possible solutions, you have identify the correct solution to fix the problem. (This can also be framed as assertion reasoning type question) 4.Match the following: you are given name of some organizations on one side and functions performed by organizations on the other side. You have to match them 5.Your given name of an organization SEBI/NABARD/CCI/RBI etc and four statements associated with them you have to find correct statements. 1.You are given name of some government scheme or policy or act related to economy and four statements associated with them. You have to find the correct statements 2.The trivial GK based questions e.g. names of businessmen/company, repo rate in particular month, establishment of particular organization etc. BUT theyre are generally not appearing under back breakingTM move In short, whenever you are preparing anything related to economy, think on those lines and try to frame the questions by yourself. Also solve the mock questions given in your GS Manual. International relations Prelims: not part of syllabus. (ofcourse one or two random questions can come on world geography, Summits, Current Affairs) But for mains, international relations/ diplomacy =extremely important. In Mains examination, The General Studies Paper II rests on four pillars 1. International relations 2. Economy 3. science tech 4. statistics Notes making = extremely important for international relations because usually you will not find direct answers in any single chapter or article. Youve to keep following news for months. The question is how to effectively use Laxmikanth? For that, dont study the book in linear fashion (chapter 1,2,3,4) Instead I suggest you move in following direction 1. First you read the chapter on President, Vice President and immediately move to the chapter on governor. Then read on Emergency provisions. 2. Read chapter on PM and cabinet, then move to CM and state council of Ministers. 3. Chpater on Parliamentary system and then directly to parliament, but after budget topic is done pause this chapter and move to on CAG. Then come back and resume the chapter on parliament.

4. Once parliament is finished, move to State legislative assembly. 1. Same way Supreme Court and then High court, tribunals. 2. Attorney Gen =>Advocate General 4. Finance Commission =>Planning Commission=>Nat.Development council 5. Now Centre State and Interstate relations. 6. Election Commission=> chapter on election, Anti-defection All the National Commissions on Women, SC, ST,OBC, CVC, Lokpal and so on.. Move to 1. Citizenship, Fundamental rights, DPSP, duties. 2. Amendment of Constitution=> preamble 3. Jammu Kashmir => Scheduled and Tribal Areas. 4. UT, Panchayati Raj, municipalities After ^this is done. Read whatever chapters are remaining.Note: the short explanations given in appendix of every chapter= should be read. Q. Should I make notes out of Laxmikanth? M.Laxmikanth has the skill of writing book in a note-format. So whether it is his book on polity or on Public Administration, there is no need to maintain a special note out of his books. Just highlight/underline important lines. Note down keywords on the margin. And keep revising it as many times as you can. When youve done enough revision, solve mock questions given at the end of his book (around 300). Then solve another 400 Mock Qs given in the GS manual. So total 700 questions practiced. Then UPSC MCQs on polity will not give you much trouble. Anyways ^this is only the static polity. What about the current affairs on Polity? Womens reservation bill = explicitly polity topic. But at times polity related current affairs and possible questions are subtly hidden in the current affairs. So be vigilant. For example, Nuke power plant issue would superficially appear as environment/yearbook but can be well asked from Centre-State relations point of view. Supreme courts order on Ganga/Yamuna clearing would appear as environment topic but can be asked under Centre-States responsibilities in water Management also. Same goes for 2G scam, mining scams and so on. (Judicial Activism, Seperation of power, CAG Activism and so on) History (GS/CSAT) For prelims (CSAT General Studies Paper I), History is subdivided into three segments Ancient Harappa, Vedic Age, Buddha, Mahavir, Gupta,Maurya Kingdoms etc. Medieval Delhi Sultanate, Vijaynagar, Mughals etc. Modern British Raj. 1857 Mutiny onwards. Freedom struggle. In last three years, questions are mostly based on religion, culture, art and features/cause/reason type. Although UPSC hasnot asked map based question lately but if youve time, it doesnt hurt preparing the maps (because UPSC is the baddest thug in this part of South East Asia.) youll find the Ancient/Medieval maps in NCERTs and in GS Manual. Essential Booklist for History (GS/CSAT) 1. NCERT class 7 to 10 Social Science 2. NCERT class 11, 12 on History 3. NOS Studymaterial on Indian Culture and Heritage. ^all of these free, download links @bottom of this article Selective Study of History portion in Tata Macgrawill General Studies Manual (to fill up vacuum of whatever details are missing in the NCERTs). But again skip very tiny details such as Middle Palaeolithic tools were found at Nevasa, Maharashtra by HD 4.Sankalia. Because it wont go in long term memory. Your time and energy can be better utilized in other topics. Once this is done, solve all the Mock MCQs given in the General Studies Manual. In The NCERT Class 9 and 10, youll also find information on World History (WW1, WW2, French Revolution, Russian Revolution etc) While theyre not specifically mentioned in the syllabus, you should read it because indirectly important for Essay and interview. History (Mains/GS) 1. Indias Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra 2. Selective Study of IGNOU BA/MA History (only related to freedom Struggle) 3. Selective Study of IGNOU Tourism Course (for culture) 4. NOS material on Indian culture 5. Spectrum Book on Indian Culture Optional reference

Because of the backbreakingTM move of UPSC, following books have lost their former glory. So Im putting them under Secondary. If youve time, read else dont bother. There are many other areas where you can utilize your energy. 1. Spectrum Book on Brief History of Modern India 2. Spectrum Book on Freedom Fighters However, for State PSC exams, whore still in the 90s mood, these books would come handy. In that case, mug them up How to Approach Geography for CSAT-Prelims? First of all complete 1.NCERT class 7 to 10 social science 2.NCERT class 11, 12: Geography (except that practical book on mapping and survey methods) 3.NOSStudymaterial on Geography (if the time and eyes permit you!) Free download links for above PDF files, have been given in previous Act II. When this is done, move to general studies manual to fill up the missing gaps if any. Now lets check how to effectively utilise T Hill General studies manual for Geography portion. 1. branches of geography= important 2. origin of Earth= important 3. ignore the geological history of Earth 4. ignore the facts about earth (weight, volumne and stuff like that) 5. understand the concepts related to longitudes, latitudes, meridians, inclination of Earths axis and its effect, standard time, cycles of the moon, atmosphere, Aurora -magnetism, insulation and heat budget, templated, 6. mecanism of winds, monsoon 7. ignore table of Beufort Scale 8. ignore types of clouds 9. understand the difference between dew, frost, fog, smog, mist and haze. 10. types of climate, water table = important, also from environment and biodiversity Angle 11. Understand the mechanism of cold and warm currents = because they are also related with climate change 12. From lakes, only important and famous ones : Caspian Sea, Lake Superior, Superior, Victoria, Baikal, Aral Sea, Wulur, Vostock 13. Same for rivers 14. Marine resources= important for environment topic also 15. Classification of rocks: prepare a small note on features and example of each type 16. Theories of Plate tectonics, continental drift etc - just get overview 17. Volcanos, Earthquakes important but no need to get in minute stuff. Just supplement NCERT 18. Weathering, Erosion, landforms = important from environment topic angle. 19. ignore table on major water falls, except famous ones : Angel, Victoria, Niagara, 20. Soil is important but from agriculture point of view only. 21. ignore the table containing classification of soil 22. ignore US Taxonomy classification World geography 1. Go through entire human geography but ignore trivial details like Lapps= people of Eurasian trunda. (But famous tribes are important e.g.Bushman=Kalahari Desert.) 2. Migration, resource classification, farming system, types of cultivation, agricultural typology= extremely important 3. Chief agro products (tea, wheat etc) : the land/climate conditions required = important. 4. Forest products= important from environment and biodiversity angle. 5. Mineral producers= only the major ones (coal, iron ore, gold, nuclear, oil etc). Otherwies Mercury producers = Spain and Italy= ignore. 6. industrial products= just get an overview 7. important boundary lines= as the name suggests, it is important 8. important cities= not that important for UPSC , but may help you in GK based questions in SSC/Bank. 9. old name and new name for various countries and cities= indirectly important for the interviews. Indian geography In last two years, very few questions are coming from world geography. but at the same time, it is not a good idea to completely ignore world geography especially when you have time. because a something really straightforward asked Tropical Savannah climate, then you should not miss the opportunity. In the 90s, they would give you some map based questions. ( location of rivers, mountains, nations etc). but they have not asked map-based questions in last two years. but it does not hurt much preparing the Atlas because it indirectly helps you understand the internationalrelations and diplomacy topics in better manner. More emphasis should be given on the Indian geography because it is common for both prelims and mains. While Indian geography is important for prelims, the nature of question has changed.

earlier it used to be mapped based or location-based Indian geography but nowadays it is mostly related with agriculture, environment angles. 1. first start with NCERTs and them move to TMH GS Manual. 2. keep an Atlas Ready while reading everyline, otherwise things will not go long-term memory. 3. for the lakes, rivers, waterfalls, irrigation projects, wildlife parks and sanctuaries etc. only prepare the famous ones and those related with odd animals such as Wild Ass. and prepare the trivial ones only if they are from your home state (for profile based interview questions and for State PSC) 4. Indias industrial towns/tourist places: famous ones + those from your home state and surrounding neighbour states. No need to go in trivial. These things are for indirectly understanding the issues of socio-economic Development and for profile based interview questions. Otherwise direct MCQs are very unlikely. 5. seasons, soil types, wildlife= important. 6. ignore places connected by national highways. 90s era is over. 7. sex ratio, literacy rate :top 3, bottom 3, and your home state. 8. Tribal groups = important from culture angle. 9. India maps on political, physical, wildlife and biosphere, seaports, soil-vegetation, = important for indirect MCQs. Once this is done. (Physical, World and Indian Geography.) Again restart process and then solve MCQs from GS Manual. Geography for GS-Mains The way things have started taking shape, the conventional and clichd questions are unlikely to appear anymore (for example monsoon mechanism.)But still prepare Indian Geography from Economic, sustainable Development, Disaster and Environment angles. Books: 1. NCERTs, NOS, GS Manual. 2. India Yearbook (Wastelands, Drough Managementetc) and follow up on respective Government websites. 3. 2nd ARC report on Disaster Management. http://arc.gov.in/ 4. Traditional books on Indian Geography are not likely to help directly like they used to in 90s (for example Spectrum/ MajidHussain/ Khullar) But still you may go through any one of them, if youve the time. That concluded talk on Geography. Moving to next topic of syllabus Environment and biodiversity When we talk of history or polity, there are already decent standard books available because those topics have been in syllabus since the beginning of UPSC exams. But this Biodiversity is newly introduced syllabus topic since CSAT 2011. Most of the ready-made books (and magazines special issues) on this topic provide you too much data, above what is necessary. For example in case of biodiversity, theyd give you a huge list of endangered species and their Latin names and how many animals are left. The establishment year of every wildlife park and their surface area with accuracy upto two decimal points like 48.25 kms! Booklist/Preparation sources for Environment and Biodiversity Static (theory) Current based

1. NCERT Social science (7-10): because Geography, Forest etc given in it. 2. NCERT Geography Class 11, 12 3. NOS Study material on Biodiversity. Free download link @bottom 4. India Yearbook, chapter on Environment 5. Website of Ministry of Environment and Forest 6. Yojana, Kurukshetra magazine issues involving those particular themes 7. The Hindu: Energy and Environment segmenthttp://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/ 8. Climate Change section of IndianExpress:http://www.indianexpress.com/section/climate-change/912/ Why is India Yearbook important? Prelims (CSAT) Mains 1. The give you two for four statements related to a particular scheme or Government organization (e.g. Haj Committee). You have to find out the correct/incorrect statements 2. Name of some schemes are given, youve to match them with their objectives. Basically Two types of questions can appear 1. you are given name of a government scheme or project and you have to write its salient features (12-15 marks) 2. you are given some socio-economic problem and you have to analyze it, list the steps taken by government, or suggest about the future steps that should be taken. Therefore You should have strong command over the salient features of every scheme, otherwise you will get confused in the MCQs. Besides the same salient features will also help you in descriptive answers during the mains exam. So prepare the topic on that line without wasting energy in useless stuff. Example.

1. Kasturba Gandhi BalikaVidyalaya Scheme provides for setting up of residential upper primary schools for girls of SC, ST, OBC and Muslim communities. = important. 2. In 11th five year plan, government of India allotted 8,000 crores under Kasturba Gandhi BalikaVidyalaya Scheme= NOT IMPortant. Good governance, law and order nd 1. 2 ARC reports. http://arc.gov.in/ 2. Yojana issues related to the themes 3. any current affairs (Lokpal, Citizen carter, Whistleblower, SC judgementsetc) but youd be preparing that already under [Polity] You can also dig egyankosh.ac.in for good governance and law and order, but if Public administration is not your optional then then itll give you diminishing rate of returns. Yes there are some small time topics left. For example prelims syllabus has Public Policy ,Rights issue, Panchayati Raj Governance in India by M.Laxmikanth, The Sociology and Political Science textbooks of NCERT (Class 11,12) Public health and first aid it is a mixture of Yearbook+Sci-Tech Basics of nutrition, disease, vaccination = NCERTs, GS Manual Government schemes and projects related to public health= India Yearbook Chapter on health and family welfare + and Government websites for new updates Chemistry From TMH GS manual. 1. Symbols of elements= ignore. 2. Chemical equations =ignore. because youve already ignored the symbols hahaha 3. Use of chemical compound = important but their chemical formula is not important 4. Ignore Thomsons atomic model 5. Ignore Rutherfords Atomic model 6. Ignore theories of chemical bonding 7. Ignore periodic table 8. Ignore molality, mole fraction and their equations 9. Concept of solubility =important 10. Oxidation reduction mechanism and examples = important 11. Carbon, its compounds and allotropes, carbon cycle=important 12. Ignore Acid-base, hydrocarbon. Whatever you prepared in NCERT is sufficient. THM is going into Ph.D mode 13. Table on natural occurrence of selected metals=important for big elements only. E.g.Dolomite =Magnesium and Magnetite= iron. 14. Location of mineral wealth= important. You should idea on overall which mineral is found in which state. 15. Basics of metal extraction, petroleum, steel, rusting, cement, glass =important 16. Colloids= only basic definition and table of types of colloidal system, emulsion and gels =important 17. Ignore Micelles topic. 18. Biotech Nanotech and their applications =important both for prelims and mains 19. Polysaccharides = use and sources =important. But chem formula=ignore, same for proteins and glycosides 20. Ignore the equations govering gases, liquids and solutions. 21. Understand the three laws of thermodynamics 22. Ignore themodynamic potentials. 23. The readymade Question answers given on important concents and topics= important to understand principle. Once youre done (physics, chemistry and biology) from GS Manual. Restart the whole process one more time (once again read NCERTs and once again read GS Manual) and then solve the Mock MCQs given at the end of each chapter. This finishes the theory portion of Science. Now coming to the current affairs portion =Sci-Tech Agriculture Type of plants = important Masticatory, medicinal plants and bio insecticides: only use/function. ideal soil type, harvesting season, states

Biology Branches of biology important difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is important Parts of typical cell, and their functions= important Basics of cell division mitosis and meiosis =important but no need to do Ph.D from GS Manual. Classification of living organism= you should have overall idea but no need to go in minute details like the difference between Deuteromycetes and Basiondiomycetes. 6. Tissue system : same as above 7. Nutrition and digestion system important but no need to go in details like 8 hours of work = 972 calories. 8. respiration and photosynthesis: no need for Ph.D or chemical reaction 9. Heart, kidney: just functions, no need to go diagram 10. ignore diagram of conduction of nerve impulse 11. Basic functions of Endocrine glands and diseases asscociated with them = important. But Cacitonin raises blood calcium level =not important. 12. skeletal system: simply ignore. THM has given Ph.D on this. 13. reproduction : concepts important. diagrams are not important. 14. artificial methods of vegatative reproduction =extremely important. 15. Plant hormor diagram= ignore 16. sex determination in humans, birds and bees= important 17. Table and Diagram on ABO blood group, Rh factor = very important. 18. List of genetic disease = important but no need to mugup all, only big dieases like Sickle cell, Thalassemia. 19. Basics of Gene Expression, m-RNA, t-RNA important else other topics stem cell, cancer, genetic engineering, cloning etc will be hard to understand. 20. Tables for Disease, types, mode of transmission and symptoms= important (including for mains). But no need to mugup Latin names of those bactaria etc. 21. Table on Vitamin function and disease = important 22. monoclonal antibodies=important for mains also. 23. Basics of antigen-antibody=important because vaccination works on that principle ^This is the basic biology. Now in the TMH GS Manual, theyve given environment related stuff= important. Well discuss what to do with that, in separate topic environment and Biodiversity: for the moment skip it move on to the topic of drug abuse and alcoholism. No need to mugup tables but you should have idea the origin of various narcotic drugs .e.g. LSD from fungi, Marijuana from hemp, Morphine, heroine = opium derivaties. Cocaine from coca leaves. +Basic idea on alcoholism e.g. Hooch / ZehriliSharaabis basically methanol and it causes blindness. Alcohol is not stimulant but depressant. Alcohol causes cirrhosis of liver Physics Chapter on Science 1. difference between scaler and vector quantity=important 2. Newtons laws and their practical application=important 3. the working principles behind artificial satellites, geostationary satellites etc. =important, but no need to mugup equations. 4. The concept of densities important but you dont need to mugup absolute density value of various substances. Same goes for surface tension, viscosity etc. 5. Concepts and principles behind heat, electronic thermometer, refrigeration, radiation, solar cooker, thermos flask, carengine radiator, air-conditioners, pressure cookers, DTH TV, nightvision goggles, radar, oven, CAT Scan etc. 6. Optics: convex and concave glasses: differences applications, refractions, 7. Principle behind rainbow, LCD, camera microscope, LASER, compact disc etc. but no need to get bored with those complex diagrams. 8. Sound: echo, resonsnace, doplar effect, sonic boom, dolby etc. : again you need to have idea on basics. No need for going into minute details. 9. Same for Magnetism and electricity, Nuclear physics. 10. In short, you should be aware of the concepts and principles but You dont need to mugup equations of Velocity, acceleration, pendulum, sound etc. Important Chapters in India Yearbook 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

India Year Book has data, which can overwhelm anyone. So, how to deal with it. Moreover, it has some chapters, which are not relevant, some are relevant for Prelims and Mains, some only for Mains, some only for Prelims, some are for relevant for Interview and some are relevant for Essay. I will try to put in details which chapter to be used for which part of examination and what to read from it Table 1: Code A B C D E Table 2: Ch. Chapter Name 1 Land and the People 2 National Symbols 3 The Polity 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Agriculture Art and Culture Basic Economic Data Commerce Communications Defence Education Energy Environment Finance Corporate Affairs Food and Civil Supplies Health and Family Welfare Housing Indian and the World

Definition Most Important Lesser Important than A Not important (If I mention only C, then it is not important for both Mains and Prelims). Otherwise I will provide details with the code) Eliminate/Selective Reading Essay Code A, E A C A for Prelims C for Mains A, E B C for PrelimsA for Mains A for PrelimsC for Mains A A A, E A D A B for PrelimsD for Mains A C B for PrelimsA for Mains A for Prelims C for Mains A D for Prelims for Mains E A A A, E A C C A A+ A D B for Prelims D for Mains With Atlas, Focus on Railways, Freight Corridors, etc -DoBe cautious while reading (Mrunal Note: Your own state is important for profile based Qs in Interview) (Mrunal Note: wont be of much use if you use an older edition like 2010 or 11) Comments

Traditional details, eliminate current data, facts and figures. Refer ES and Budget for current data Important from Essay point of view Just go through the trends

Have an Atlas handy

Focus on current, eliminate traditional details Only current relevance and government programs Traditional aspects Focus on traditional, eliminate current details Cover along with Indian Polity part of syllabus

19 Industry 20 Justice and Law 21 Labour 22 Mass Communication 23 Planning 24 Rural Development Scientific and Technological 25 Developments 26 Transport 27 Water Resources 28 Welfare 29 Youth Affairs and Sports 30 States and Union Territories 31 Diary of National Events 32 General Information

Only interesting info