1Preliminary Exam: This is the first stage of the exam and should never be taken lightly.

The preparation should be such that you should not have any doubt about clearing the exam. The prelims should only be a passing phase. If you prepare well for the mains exam and be clear about the basics, then prelims should not be problem. The preparation for the prelims should start from January. The main focus should be on the optional subject first. t the same time the !" should be done regularly. "ince there is well defined syllabus for the optional, you should prepare thoroughly in all aspects and score as much as possible. #n the other hand, the !" preparation should be good on the basics. The prelims is a test of recognition. It is sufficient if you can recognise the correct answer from given choices. "o if you are strong in basics this should not be problem. $o not spend too much time in memorising facts. Its fine if you can recognise it. %repare some mnemonics which will help you in recognising the right answer. %ractising previous papers and the tests is very important. It will help you in time management and also in identifying the weak areas. This practise should be right from the beginning and not in the final stages.

General Studies:
The !" paper is feared by many at the prelims stage. There is an opinion that very difficult &uestions are asked from wide areas. 'hile preparing for the !" paper, the first efforts should be to analyse the previous years( papers and then start preparation. )ven while studying, you should keep looking at past &uestions. This will help in a focused preparation. In !", it is e&ually important to know what not to study. The score re&uired is around *+,-+ out of 1.+ to clear the prelims. "o here it is to be remembered that you can afford to lose /+ &uestions. If suppose, you make /. correct answers, then out of remaining *. &uestions, there is probability of another 0+1 being correct due to good guesses. To get /. really correct, it is sufficient if you can be strong in basics. The &uestions are also given in such a way that 2+,*+ &uestions are easy, .+ &uestions difficult and another 0+,3+ very difficult which none can answer. 4any aspirants orient their preparation keeping in view those 3+ very difficult &uestions. This can be counter productive since it is not possible to master all areas in !" and while trying to remember too many facts, the basic clarity will be lost. "o, preparation should be made in such a way that in every area the basic understanding is very clear. ll the basic &uestions should be answered correctly in the exam. That is sufficient to &ualify for the mains. History: The areas to be covered are the history from ancient to modern period. The basic understanding can be obtained from below 1+th 56)7T books. The focus should be on modern Indian history which is covered in the mains. The basic contours in other areas is sufficient. "ome cultural aspects should also be covered. The 56)7T books are good enough for the purpose. Polity: The 6onstitution and various related aspects should be done well. "ome articles and facts

should be memorised. It is better to prepare this area well since it will be helpful in mains and inteview. The Indian %olity by 8axmikant and 56)7T books are sufficient. lso refer, $$ 9asu. Economy: The basic concepts are being asked along with current affairs based &uestions. The basic clarity can be obtained from the standard books. The current affairs can be studied from )conomic "urvey and the newspapers. )conomic "urvey $utt : "undaram or 4ishra : %uri or I6 $hingra Sciences: "ome times the &uestions are asked very difficult that even science graduates cannot answer. 9ut the preparation should be in such a way that all the basic &uestions can be done correctly. The &uestions are also asked in applications orientation. 56)7T books 'hat, 'hy : how books by 6"I7. Mental Ability: $o lots of practise from previous years papers. The preparation can also be made from some standard guide like the T4; %[Link] speed and accuracy should be practised. Current affairs: This has become a very important component. The preparation should be continuous from the sources given in mains strategy. The notes should be focused on the factual aspects that come in the news. 4any &uestions are asked from this area, so prepare thoroughly. The efforts will be useful for all stages of the exam. It should become a part of your daily routine. General Knowledge <uite a few &uestions are asked from this area. "ome difficult &uestions are also asked. $o not spend too much time in memorising unnecessary facts. =ou should have a broad awareness about various fields. t the same time, focus more on areas which have been asked in the past. India =ear 9ook , This is important for the prelims and also for some mains two mark &uestions. 9ut do not read every thing given in the book, be logical and concentrate on the basics which can be asked in the exam. =ou should prepare notes on the various terms that are given in the book. $o not focus too much on unnecessary facts given in the book. 4anaroma =ear book , This book should also be taken as reference. >or the !" prelims, If you want a compilation of all material at one point then can refer some standard guide like T4;. 9ut do not ignore the 56)7T and other books since they give better clarity.

Public Administration:
This subject has become very popular as a prelims optional. The main reasons are? , availablity of good coaching and study material , guidance is easy since many seniors opt for it ,subject matter is easy to understand , syllabus is &uite manageable ;owever, a very good score is re&uired and the competition is tough. The main source for the prelims is the T4; guide by 8axmikanth. It is a very good compilation from various sources in exam orientation. The &uestions and tests given at the end are up to the @%"6 standards. The preparation should concentrate mainly on this book. The preparation should be such that any &uestion based on the material in this book should be answered. The study should be thorough including the various &uestions given in the book. "ince the &uestions can be factual and can be asked from anywhere, there is need for wide study. 9ut the first effort should be to study T4; thoroughly and the main standard books to gain basic clarity. fter that some time can be spent every day in scanning various material for the additional study matter. ;ere, you should not spend too much time and also should not read from end to end, but only scan for areas that you have not done before or some new facts. 9ooks? , wasthi and 4aheshwari, %ublic dministration , %rasad and %rasad , Thinkers ,7amesh rora , Indian dministration , 4ohit 9hattacharya , 5ew ;oriAons in %ublic dministration. , 4aheshwari , Indian dministration , I!5#@ books. %ractise lots of tests from anywhere you get. Identify the weak areas and focus accordingly. 5ote the following points? , make a note of the mistakes that you make in the tests and try to rectify them , if you do not understand the &uestion, look at the ;indi translation and see if you can gain clarity on whats being asked. , prepare mnemonics sheets to remember various facts. 7ead them again and again, especially before the exam date.