We @ETEN IAS work continuously to guide you through the above aspects and handhold you through the
different
phases of UPSC/IAS [Link] newspapers; preferably,
1. The Hindu and The Indian Express
Comprehension, Data Interpretation, Interpersonal Skills and Decision Making are relatively easy to prepare when
compared to mental ability and logical reasoning [Link] is no negative penalty for questions on Decision Making and
at least 5 such questions will be there in Paper 2, so you can attempt these questions without any fear. It goes without
saying that NCERTs are very much compulsory for a serious IAS aspirant. It is the basic building block that nurtures
your foundation, and clarify your concepts. Reading Bipin Chandra, for example, becomes easier after you have read
History [Link] from Laxmikant. Important sections
Indian economic development – class11 andMacroeconomics – class 12 .India constitution at work- class 11
Political theory – class 11 Politics in India since independence – class 12 Contemporary world politics –class
12CSAT CSAT Paper – 2 Manual by TMH or CSAT-II – Arihant Analytical Reasoning – M. K. Pandey..Verbal &
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Previous years question papers.
For UPSC Mains
Essays for Civil Services – Pulkit Khare (Essay Paper)
India After Gandhi – Ramchandra Guha (History – GS1)
Norman Lowe OR History of Modern World – Jain and Mathur (World History – GS1)
Social Problems in India – Ram Ahuja ( Indian Society – GS1)
IAS Mains General Studies Paper 2 ( Arihant Manual – GS2)
Governance in India for CSE (Governance – GS2)
Pax Indica – Shashi Tharoor (Foreign Policy – GS2)
India and the World by Surendra Kumar (Foreign Policy – GS2)
IAS Mains General Studies – GS3( Arihant Manual – GS3)
India’s National Security: A Reader (Internal Security – GS3)
Challenges to Internal Security of India (Internal Security – GS3)
Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude (Ethics – GS4
UPSC Civil Services Prelims exam consists of two papers:
Paper I – (GS): It is a General Studies paper of 200 marks and of 2 hours duration. It generally has
questions based on:
Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Public Policy, Right Issues, Political System, Panchayati Raj,
etc;
Indian and World Geography;
History of India and Indian National Movement;
Current events of national and international importance;
Economic and Social Development;
General issues on Environment Ecology.
Paper II – (CSAT): It is an aptitude based paper (Civil Services Aptitude Test) of 200 marks and of 2
hours duration. It tests the candidate on basic aptitude areas like:
Logical Reasoning;
General Mental Ability;
Decision Making and Problem Solving;
Reading Comprehension;
Interpersonal and Communication Skills;
Basic Numeracy.
Important things about UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2017:
CSAT is a qualifying exam and you just have to score 33% in it to secure yourself a call for next stage of
the exam. Your scores in this paper will not be carried forward to the next stage.
GS is not just a qualifying paper. You have to qualify it (along with Paper II) to secure a seat in the Main
exam, however, the marks you score in GS are also carried forward to make it to the final merit list.
Both Paper I and Paper II of the UPSC Prelims are multiple choice question papers.
Both Paper I and Paper II have a negative marking of 1/3.
With just last 2-3 days left for the examination, you should:
Practice sample paper in an exam like environment. Practicing in an exam like environment gives you an
actual idea of how panicky you will be there or how well you perform in pressure or what mistakes you may
commit under pressure.
Focus more on GS as CSAT is just a qualifying exam now. It is not that you can ignore CSAT all together
but whatever you score in CSAT over 33% is not going to help you. The minimum cut off to qualify CSAT is
33% whereas the marks you obtain in GS are carried forward to make the final merit list.
Devise a strategy according to your strengths and weaknesses. Since you must be preparing for the
Prelims exam for quite some time now, you must be aware of your strong and weak areas. Make a note of
them and strategize how you will go about the paper so that you don’t have to waste your time doing the
same there.
Keep yourself relaxed and calm while writing the paper. If you find a weak spot in the paper instead of
panicking, it is always good that you focus on your strong areas first and then think and find a way to
tackle the weak spot. Be confident of your preparations and concentrate on one thing at a time, do not let
your brain divert you to the weak spot of the paper again and again.
Keep yourself healthy a day before the exam by eating a healthy and simple diet, giving your mind and
body a proper sleep and keeping your mind fresh on the exam day.
With all these things taken care of and the preparations that you have been doing, we are sure you will
come out with flying colors and achieve success.
Stay tuned for more updates on the exam day.
Aspirants can visit here to know the UPSC Prelims 2017 answer key & exam analysis after the exam
on 18th June 2017.