[Nethra K Putti]

can anybody tell me which books to read for mains g.s.?
from were to start, with which topic to start?
how to practice g.s. for mains?
is there any statastics in mains paper?
any text book is necessary to read? if in case which & what?

thanzxs..

[ganeshvs71]

General Studies - Compulsory of Part B - Main Examination of Civil Services Exam

The nature and standard of questions in these papers will be such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study. The questions will be such as to test a candidate's general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services.

Paper-I

(a) History of Modern India and Indian Culture
The History of Modern India will cover history of the Country from about the middle of nineteenth century and would also include questions on important personalities who shaped the Freedom Movement and Social reforms. The part relating to Indian Culture will cover all aspects of Indian Culture from the ancient to modern times.
(b) Geogrphy of India
In this part, questions will be on the physical, economic and social geography of India.
(c) Indian Polity
This part will include questions on the Constitution of India, Political system and related matters.
(d) Current National issues and topics of social relevance
This part is intended to test the Candidate's awareness of current national issues and topics of social relevance in the present-day India, such as the following.
Demography & Human Resource & related issues. Behavioural & Social issues & Social Welfare problems, such as child labour, gender equality, adult literacy, rehabilitation of the handicapped and other deprived segments of the society, drug abuse, public health etc.
Law enforcement issues, human rights, corruption in public life, communal harmony etc.
Internal Security and related issues.
Environmental issues, ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources and national heritage.
The role of national institutions, their relevance and need for change.

Paper-II

(a) India and the World
This part is intended to test candidate's awareness of India's relationship with the world in various spheres, such as the following:-
Foreign Affairs
External Security and related matters
Nuclear Policy
Indians abroad
(b) Indian Economy
In this part, questions will be on the planning and economic development in India, economic & trade issues, Foreign Trade, the role and functions of I.M.F., World Bank, W.T.O. etc.
(c) International Affairs & Institutions
This part will include questions on important events in world affairs and on international institutions.
(d) Developments in the field of science & technology, communications and space
In this part, questions will test the candidate's awareness of the developments in the field of science & technology, communications and space and also basic ideas of computers.
(e) Statistical analysis, graphs and diagrams
This part will include exercises to test the candidate's ability to draw common sense conclusions from information presented in statistical, graphical or diagrammatical form and to point out deficiencies, limitations or inconsistencies therein.

***

It is seen that stats is a topic. I think about 50 marks worth of questions are based on stats. PLease refer to last few years q/papers to ascertain the general break up on the marks for each of the above topics.

For India after independence a book wit same name by Bipin Chandra would be of help. For modern Indian History, Bipin CHandra, Ncert would be enough. On Indian COnsitution - D D Basu/ Subhash Kashyap, Indian Parliament books by Publication division (avaliable at Pub Divs book stores in all major cities). For current affairs, new papers (TOI, Hindu, Hindustan Times, Statesman, economic times) Magazines (Frontline, Outlook, Economic and political weekly, Science Reporter, Yojana, and other govt. Publications) It is found that topics that appear in GS Science sections are mostly from science reporter. PLus standard guides of spectrum, Unique, Francis etc. should be helpful. I personally was very impressed by Competition Master for its quality of articles, and CS Chronicle for its scope of coverage. For stats, only practice will help.
One broad framework for analysing current affairs is to do so on following three parameters -
1. Economic
2. Social
3. Political.
In case of international affairs in addition to above the fourth factor whcih is important is "geo-strategic"
All issues in current affairs can be analysed on these parameters.
Relative importance to be given to the various topics in GS depends on respective interest and aptitude.
Start from the point where u feel most comfortable. Prepare notes, keep cuttings. Store them topic wise and try to under stand the basic facts of the issue. Every current affairs related issue deals with Facts and analysis. Facts needs to be correct. Analysis reasonable and objective. If you can keep this balance, then nothing can beat you.

[Nethra K Putti]

thanzxs..for the information sir.
can i buy TMH for mains?
does this book contain all the subjects you have mentioned?
how many hours to spend for g.s.? ./ this is one question which im thinking from 4 days.


thanzxs..

[Latha Ramesh]

Nethra,

I got one TMH Guide just yesterday.
It covers all the topics mentioned, except current affairs. But the book is so BIG and heavy
For Current affairs, Competition Master, Chronicle and some standard editorials in any one newspaper would do i think.
But do take the advice from officers.
All the best.

[ganeshvs71]

TMH would be a good one. Spectrum brings out one edition just 15 days before the examination, but that would be too late. Chronicle, Master, Review should suffice. More important than the Newspapers, are the magazines. Keep the newspapers/magazine cuttings and arrange them topic wise. In case of persons/places in news keep a track through papers, magazines. Notes on events will definitely help. As I said earlier, events have two parts - Facts and analysis. Try master the facts, be objective in analysis. The topics in science, polity, economy, geography will also be relevant in current news. So try to identfy these topics, based upon their relevance to current events. For stats, you dont have any choice but to practice hard. dont shy away from it. You can score cent percent in this section.
Be professional in your approach. Manage your time properly in exam.
2-3 hrs daily should be enough for GS.

[savinirs]

Originally Posted by Latha Ramesh

Nethra,

I got one TMH Guide just yesterday.
It covers all the topics mentioned, except current affairs. But the book is so BIG and heavy
For Current affairs, Competition Master, Chronicle and some standard editorials in any one newspaper would do i think.
But do take the advice from officers.
All the best.

Hi latha,
can u give me the title of the TMH book that you have bought...

[Latha Ramesh]

Savinirs,

Its the TMH General studies manual, 2007 edition.

[savinirs]

Originally Posted by Latha Ramesh

Savinirs,

Its the TMH General studies manual, 2007 edition.

Thank you, Latha

[Nethra K Putti]

can i use 7 years old TMH for history, geography, polity & science.
for current affairs im depending on chronicle monthly magazine & Chanakya civil service today, is this is enough for current affairs.

sir you said 2-3 hours to spend, rite now im spending 5 hours for G.S. & 3 hours for my optinal is this not enough sir, more than this i absolutly cant spend not even a single minute extra hour to study.

thanzxs for guiding about g.s. sir. . .

[s_murade]

hi, for mains we need extensive studies, what about writing skill. can any one suggest some stratergies to improve writing skill and presentation of answer