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How To Prepare UPSC Civil Services Mains Paper-II (GS-1)
BY INSIGHTS JULY 5, 2013
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Read this book before you begin (Review )
How to prepare GS-2 (i.e Paper III)
How to prepare GS-3 (i.e Paper IV)
How to prepare GS 4 (i.e Paper V)
UPSC has brought changes to the Civil Services Mains examination in both the pattern and the
syllabus. We know that now there are 4 General Studies Papers apart from one Essay and Optional
paper each.
This article discusses preparation strategy for General Studies -1 (i.e Paper-II, Paper-I is Essay)

Before you start reading further, please remember the following important mantra given by the
Almighty UPSC:
The questions are likely to test the candidates basic understanding of all relevant issues, and
ability to analyze, and take a view on conflicting socio economic goals, objectives and demands.
The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.
This sentence is the guiding light for your preparation. You dont have to master the topics, all
you need is BASIC UNDERSTANDING and the ability to analyze.
Basic understanding comes from reading and re-reading. Ability to analyze what you have
understood from reading comes from WRITING PRACTICE.

STRATEGY
GS-1 broadly covers Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and
Society.

Under this heading total 12 topics and around 40 sub-topics are given in the syllabus.
Two important things fundamental to your exam preparation:
Get familiar with all the topics and sub-topics by writing them many times they should be
strongly etched in your memory.
Keep a copy of the syllabus always near you no matter where you are.
Now, how to deal with GS-1?
Assuming you are now familiar with the syllabus of GS-1, we will discuss a topic by topic what to
read, from where to read and what not to read for these topics.
(Download Model Question Paper-cum-Answerbook For This GS Paper, Click this Link)
TOPIC-1
Indian Culture will cover the salient aspects of Art forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient
to modern times.
In this topic, the sub-topics are Art forms, Literature, Architecture from ancient to modern
times. Before jumping into Big Books, first go through these beautiful books by NCERT to get
a glimpse of the sub-topics they are
NCERT Class VI History Our Past
NCERT Class VII Our Past -I
NCERT Class VIII Our Past II and III
NCERT Class XII Themes In Indian History I
NCERT Class-XII Themes in Indian History II
NCERT Class XII Themes In Indian History III
Hold on. Four books for one topic? No. You have to read only a few chapters from each book that
are related to Sub-Topics. For ex, you have to read only Chapters 2 and 3 from Class-XII -Themes
In Indian History-II book.
Apart from these you should have a reference book for getting more information:
Facets of Indian Culture or
Indian Art and Culture
Download Free Material Complete Set
Graphic Book On Indian Art and Culture Free Download
TOPIC-2
Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present
significant events, personalities, issues

Read this book: Comprehensive History Of Modern India Spectrum (It covers topics from the
Advent of British to Indias Independence so covers this part of the syllabus completely.
Why this book? Why not Bipan Chandra?
Bipan Chandra is specifically for studying in depth the various dimensions and concepts of the
Freedom Struggle. But for the above topic where events, personalities and issues have to be
read that too between 1750s to 1950s, Spectrum book covers all the topics quite comprehensively.
It is bulky and factual, so it is recommended for beginners both for Prelims and Mains along with
Bipan Chandras book, but not for aspirants writing Mains this year who are running short of
time.
TOPIC-3
[The Freedom Struggle its various stages and important contributors /contributions from
different parts of the country.]
Because this topic demands specific knowledge of Freedom Struggle and its various facets, you
must, along with the above mentioned book, read Bipan Chandras Struggle For Indias
Independence.
TOPIC 4
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
For this you need to study Chapter 6 to 12 of India Since Independence Bipan Chandra
0r Chapters 8 to 14 from India After Gandhi: The History Of The Worlds Largest Democracy
(above mentioned chapters cover completely this part of the syllabus)
TOPIC-5
[History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world
wars,redrawal of national boundaries,colonization,decolonization, political philosophies like
communism, capitalism,socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.]
Except for Industrial revolution, Mastering Modern World History by Norman Lowe (Buy From
Amazon India))covers all topics of this part of the syllabus it is a very good book. Stick to only
this book. Refer above links for a glimpse of those sub-topics in Wikipedia, but dont dwell
deeply on them. (A 30 % discount from Flipkart, or Or This IMPORTED copy provided you are
rich- Rs 1700/ this classic book contains insightful chapters on the 2008 Financial Crisis, and
even Arab Spring and its aftermath!)

Above book is not available anywhere these days. Best alternative is a book by Arjun Dev
History of the World from the Late Nineteenth to the Early Twenty First Century
If both books are not available, then read this book Old NCERT World History Class-X
TOPIC-6
[Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.]
About salient features of Indian Society dont look anywhere else Just read this NCERT
Indian Society Class 12 (Complete book without watermarks)
Two indispensable books to cover this topic:
Indian Society Ram Ahuja
Social Problems in India Ram Ahuja
(above books are critically acclaimed and are taught in many universities as a text, and is written
by an acclaimed scholar)
TOPIC-7
[Role of women and womens organization, population and associated issues,poverty and
developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.]
For India specific women related issues download this beautiful report (PLATFORM FOR
ACTION-REPORT ON INDIAN WOMEN -DOWNLOAD FROM HERE) where you can find
everything you want to learn about Womens issues.
Other sub-topics are general in nature and can be found in Magazines and Newspapers. If one is
thorough with current events questions on these sub-topics can be answered very well by
consolidating their knowledge.
TOPIC-8
[Effects of Globalization on Indian society]
This is also general in nature. If you have a basic understanding of Indian Society and
Globalization, their mutual relation can be elucidated with ease. Here is a good article from a
Marxist politician about the topic. (UPSC people love the slightly leftist version of everything)
To know more about effect of Globalization on Indian Society, you need to know better about
Indian Society. This book is a must have for broad understanding of the Indian Society.
Indian Society Ram Ahuja

Social Problems in India Ram Ahuja

If you want to learn the impact of Globalization on Indian Economy, here is a book. (Purely
optional)
TOPIC-9
[Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.]
This is again generic. But you must know the basic concept of communalism, regionalism and
secularism. Wikipedia comes handy here.
BASICS:
Regionalism In India (You must read this)
Communalism
(You must read this too)
For Regionalism In India.
TOPIC-10
[Salient features of worlds physical geography.
To cover this part two books are necessary:
1. Certificate Physical and Human Geography 1st Edition
2. NCERT Class-XI Fundamentals of Physical Geography
TOPIC-11
[Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian
subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector
industries in various parts of the world (including India)]
1) NCERT Class XII Human Geography
2) NCERT Class-XII India-People and Economy
3) For reference:Geography of India 4 Edition
TOPIC-12
[Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.,
geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water
bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.]

This is a repetition actually. You can read Physical Geography book by Goh Cheng Leong which
is mentioned above (Certificate Physical and Human Geography 1st Edition)
This topic on critical changes in geographical features is broadly related to climate change and
other anthropogenic factors(such as depletion of resources, dumping of wastes etc). Geographical
features like rainforests, ice caps, rivers, corals, cyclones all get affected by climate change.
Anthropogenic factors are involved in increasing desertification, vanishing forests, biodiversity,
pollution of rivers and lakes, etc.
Your focus should be on such changes. Question may be on how monsoon is affected by global
climate change? or how a cyclone is affected by global warming? What effect has the melting ice
cap on the biodiversity in the polar regions? etc
(Download Model Question Paper-cum-Answerbook For This GS Paper, Click this Link)
Until now we saw what books to read. Now the question is how to remember most of the things
we read and how to translate them into better answers.
A common mistake most of the aspirants commit is reading so many books for a single topic.This
mistake costs both your time and ability to remember things clearly and concisely.
Stick to a single source and read it again and again. Remember The Same Source. Avoid the
temptation of doing Research on a topic.
Always Remember UPSC tests Basic Understanding. Not mastery over a topic.
Make short notes on each topic. It is while making notes that readers tend to do RESEARCH and
scout various sources. Stick to one book even if you are not 100% satisfied with it.
Remember that old saying? Jack of all trades, master of NONE. If you try to do Research, most
probably your name wont appear in the Final List. I guarantee it.
For Paper-II (i.e GS-1) being thorough with Current Events plays a crucial role in enabling you to
acquire analytical skills.
Very Important Part In The Preparation
Writing. Writing. Writing.
But what? One must practice answer writing to Previous year questions, or take a Mock Test.
Whatever, before you enter examination hall, you must have spent lot of time on answer writing.
Most Important Part In The Preparation
Revision. Revision. Re-Revision.
You do this and you appear for the Personality Test.
If you dont Revise what you read all these months you slightly miss the Personality Test, or
You narrowly miss appearing in the Final List.
Well, to sum up. To get the interview call all you need to do is: Read, Re-read the same source,
Write and Revise.

Preparation for this paper can be finished in 20 days provided you are focused and determined.
Of course. Eat well, Sleep well and Keep a good health. If you get a running nose on the day of
the exam, 2 hours out of 3 hours goes in draining it and drying it.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR GENERAL STUDIES PAPER-III

Related
How To Prepare UPSC Civil Services Mains Paper IV (GS-3)
August 12, 2013
In "DAILY ANSWER WRITING"
How To Prepare UPSC Civil Services Mains Paper-III (GS-2)
July 23, 2013
In "IAS"
How To Prepare UPSC Civil Services Mains Paper - V (GS - 4 - Ethics, Aptitude and Integrity))
September 30, 2013
In "CASE STUDIES"
Tags: how to prepare for UPSC mains new patternhow to study new pattern IAS mains
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AMIT
2 years ago
sir I am belong from rural area near nepal border. here no guidence available for IAS exam. I am
not able to go delhi bcoz economic problem. so I am totaly depend on internet for guidence. plz
suggest me some useful websites . and my English is very bad. I have listen that without English I
can not qualify this exam. plz suggest
7
Reply

INSIGHTS AMIT
2 years ago
You have mrunal.org. It is a good site. If you can search insightsonindia.com, it is also not a bad
site.
You can qualify - you need basic English only. Read elementary grammar books and also read
English newspapers regularly, your English will improve.
5
Reply

SUPERSID INSIGHTS
6 hours ago
Admin you are far too modest. Naming mrunal.org before yours.
Still good work. Keep it up.
0
Reply

KIRAN AMIT
10 days ago
just follow this site...its awesome.....stick to it and work according to it. success will be yours....all
the best
0
Reply

RAMYA AMIT
7 months ago
there are good sites like mrunal.org, insightsonindia.com, for basic ncert notes you can visit
aspirantsclass.com
0
Reply

PREETI
2 years ago
sir,i request if you could plz mention which chapters to read from the 6 NCERTs you have
mentioned for Art and History:
NCERT Class VI History Our Past
NCERT Class VII Our Past -I
NCERT Class VIII Our Past II and III
NCERT Class XII Themes In Indian History I

NCERT Class-XII Themes in Indian History II

NCERT Class XII Themes In Indian History III
4
Reply

INSIGHTS PREETI
2 years ago
Preeti,
This question was already answered at 'Doubts Corner'. Check the link below.
http://insightsonindia.com/dou...
4
Reply

STARDUST1909
2 years ago
This is Commendable effort. Thank You.!!
2
Reply

INSIGHTS STARDUST1909
2 years ago
Welcome :-)
0
Reply

AJIT INSIGHTS
9 months ago
Sir can you please please please specify the exact chapters of books for mains Art, Literature and
Architecture Part
NCERT Class VI History Our Past
NCERT Class VII Our Past -I
NCERT Class VIII Our Past II and III
NCERT Class XII Themes In Indian History I

NCERT Class-XII Themes in Indian History II

NCERT Class XII Themes In Indian History III
18
Reply

RAMYA AJIT
7 months ago
Instead of reading selected chapters I think its better to read synopsis of all the ncert books. I am
studying ncert books synopsis of chapters of history, geography and economy from
aspirantsclass.com. Later we can read selected chapters from standard text books. This is what one
of my senior advised me.
0
Reply

SHONA AJIT
9 months ago
I also want to knw but ajit I feel tht you hv to read all chapters u find much more.... knowledge
0
Reply

AMAR SHONA
8 months ago
i am agree with you Shona but atleast we should ask because we are not here for research but to
crack IAS exam.
0
Reply

SUNEETA AMAR
8 months ago
even i need dis info..:)
2
Reply

AMIT PATANKAR
8 months ago
Facets of Indian Culture or
Indian Art and Culture
Download Free Material

Graphic Book On Indian Art and Culture

do we have to read all four or either 1 of these.
1
Reply

ARPIT SHUKLA
a year ago
EXCELLENT WEBSITE RANKED NUMBER 1 AMONG ALL THOSE I SURFED TILL
TODAY THANKS FOR ALL YOUR TRUSTED VALUABLE INFORMATION
1
Reply

SHIVAJI
6 days ago
Thanks for this guidence
0
Reply

SHIVAJI
6 days ago
Shivaji
0
Reply

SUDHANSHU JAMWAL
16 days ago
Hi Insights, first of all thanks for providing guidance. I was unaware of such a beautiful work you
guys have done. I am standing on the verge of the well and want to jump for the preparation of
civil services but as you have written "Hold on. Four books for one topic? No. You have to read
only a few chapters from each book that are related to Sub-Topics." How can i find which chapters
to study? The same question is being asked by some other aspirant too & your answer was "This
question was already answered at 'Doubts Corner'. Check the link below.
http://insightsonindia.com/dou..." I clicked on the link but didnt find what I was searching for
Please help !!.
0
Reply

TEJAS SUTHAR

a month ago
certificate human geography - G C Leong download from here
https://drive.google.com/folde...
0
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