Answering the queries about pen I had used in the exams:
– Prelims: Reynolds Liquiflo (Thick Ball Point)
– Mains: Hauser Fluidic Ball Point
Modern History
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1. Attracts significant number of questions in Prelims every year. Important static portion which requires good number of revisions
2. Sources I had used:
– NCERT (Bipan Chandra)
– Parmar Sir Notes (Vajiram)
– Vajiram Yellow Book for Modern History
– Crash Course Videos online
– Tables at the end of Spectrum
3. Approach:
– Tried getting an idea about the basic timeline after two initial readings of NCERT and watching a ~3hr long modern history crash course video online
– Supplemented information from the Vajiram yellow book into Parmar Sir Vajiram notes
– Created Governor/Viceroy wise event list (as shown in sample notes) to easily revise and remember them
– Used Spectrum tables as the source of factual information not yet covered
4. Test Series for Modern History
– Sectional Tests of Vision and Vajiram
– PYQs from last 5 yrs UPSC papers
Geography
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1. Relatively lesser questions asked in last few years but one must be ready for surprises
2. Sources I had used:
– NCERT XIth and XIIth
– Manocha Sir, Shivarpit Sir and Amit Sir Notes (Vajiram)
– Ratnajali Ma’am Videos (Mrunal) – Selective
– Pmfias.com to fill gaps
3. Approach:
– Covering syllabus through NCERT as well as notes
– Understanding concepts and discussion with friends for better grasp
– Focus on Prelims specific Question areas: Rivers, Mountains, Vegetation, Biomes etc.[Have added some notes above]
4. Map based Questions:
– Had a World Political, India Political and Physical Map in my room.
– Used to look at it during some break time again and again for memorising
– Mark important visits and aspects like straits, choke points, SLOC etc.
– Resources from Human Geography NCERT (used Geography Optional Map book for reference to fill gaps)
– Use of mnemonics provided by Amit Sir (Vajiram)
– Practiced StudyIQ Map based Question series
5. Test Series
– Sectional Tests of Vision and Vajiram
– PYQs from last 5 yrs UPSC papers
Ancient and Medieval + Art & Culture
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1. Low level of cost benefit/input output ratio. But as it is a competitive exam, selective and effective study is preferred.
2. Sources I had used:
– Tamil Nadu XI NCERT
– Jain Sir Notes (Vajiram)
– Fine Arts NCERT
– GK Today Notes (Selective for Literature, Music, Dance etc.)
– ExamRobot for previous year questions
– Vajiram old yellow book (only some important pages)
3. Approach:
– Multiple revisions of TN NCERT, Fine Arts NCERT and Jain Sir Notes to memorize
– Made different documents like Ancient History Timeline, Maps (uploaded above) to aid in memory
– Used to write difficult words in Devnagri Hindi for better retention
– Used PYQP to identify prominent topics – like Bhakti-Sufi, Jainism-Buddhism etc.
– Analysis of options asked in PYQs for better coverage
– Used ExamRobot to identify other questions asked in those prominent topics in other UPSC exams.
4. Test Series:
– Sectional Tests of Vajiram and Vision
5. One of the most difficult portions for me as it required lot of sequences, dates, names etc. to be memorized. Took me multiple revisions but I still wasn’t confident till the end. But these revisions did help in elimination of options in the final exam and I was able to do most of them correct.
6. As it is purely memory based topic, discussion and storytelling of timeline with friends can help in better retention.
7. Also, watched YouTube videos for dances, referred to Images of artifacts and visited National Museum in Delhi – were some of the efforts to aid my memory.
Polity and IR
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1. Very important subject – attracts many crucial and interesting questions every year
2. Sources I had used:
– Laxmikant Latest Edition
– Ravindran Sir, Gautam Sir, Abhilash Sir, Abhey Sir, Iqbal Sir, Pavneet Sir Notes (Vajiram)
– Constitution Mobile App
– Bare Constitution Book
– Vision IAS Monthly for Polity and IR Current Affairs
– IAS Parliament for International Organisations
– Prslegislature website to fill gaps
3. Approach:
– Multiple readings of Laxmikant (almost whole book is notes, was futile to make notes out of it) and Class notes
– Had made notes for Constitutional and Non-Constitutional bodies (shared above) which were at the end of Laxmikant
– For Polity, Original Constitution and SC judgements were the go to guides for any final interpretation
– For Prelims, FR, FD, DPSP and basic terms were really important. Discussion and Analysis with friends used to help
– Current Affairs were also very important for both Polity and IR .Monthly magazines and compilations used to help a lot
4. Test Series:
– Sectional Tests of Vajiram and Vision
– PYQs from last 5 yrs UPSC Papers
5. Basic conceptual understanding is crucial for polity which develops from multiple readings. Questions in prelims majorly tries to confuse on that front. Post mock test analysis and discussion with friends aids to the understanding.
Science & Technology
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1. Limited number of questions asked but topic is important as considered crucial with changing dynamics
2. Sources I had used:
– NCERT – only Applied Science chapters (generally at end of the book)
– Vinoy Sir, Rahul Sir and Bindu Mam Notes (Vajiram)
– Vision Monthly Magazine
– IAS Parliament Yearly Compilation
– Web surfing/Youtube videos for certain important topics
3. Approach:
– As trend of UPSC is to ask mostly application based and non technical questions, current affairs was priority
– Focus on areas covered in Economic Survey, Budget, Nobel Prizes, Significant Discoveries, Defense Advancement, Famous scientists – anniversary and deaths (Dr. Stephen Hawking was asked)
– Avoided the core scientific concept which are required for Science exams
4. Test Series:
– Vajiram and Vision Sectional Tests
5. S&T portion tries to check general awareness and curiosity in this area. No need to get entangled in the complex scientific concepts. Aim should be to cover current events and related details which is expected of any curious individual.
Economy
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1. Important subject – many conceptual as well as general questions asked every year
2. Sources I had used:
– XII Macroeconomics NCERT
– Vibhas Sir, Samyak Sir and Kapuria Sir Notes (Vajiram)
– Mrunal Economy lectures
– Vision Monthly Magazine
– Budget Speech and other related documents
– Economic Survey Summary
– Investopedia to understand certain concepts
– Glance through NITI Aayog India @ 75 document
3. Approach:
– Watched Mrunal Economy lecture during leisure time as the test study (dipstick) during my job
– NCERT and Class notes helped in having clear concepts
– Avoided statistical jargons and technical economics. Focused on trends and basic concepts as per the demand of the exam.
– Discussion with friends helped in improving the understanding
4. Test Series:
– Vajiram and Vision Sectional Tests
– Previous Year Question Papers
5. Questions asked in economy are from areas like BOP, Budget, Inflation, Financial Markets etc. Clarity of these basic concepts is crucial for Prelims.
6. Global bodies like WTO, AIIB, World Bank etc., their indices and India specific projects are important for Prelims.
Ecology and Environment
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1. Very important topic for Prelims – will continously fetch many questions as IFoS exam is clubbed with CSE
2. Sources I had used:
– Shankar IAS Notes
– Vaishali Ma’am Notes (Vajiram)
– Vision Monthly and Daily Hindu for Current Affairs
– Insight IAS Prelims compilation
– Govt. Websites and Wikipidea of Major National Parks
3. Approach:
– Tried covering important topics from Shankar and Vajiram notes and supplemented them with current affairs
– For Reserves, National Park etc. – tried remembering Biosphere Reserves, Ramsar Sites and Few Major National Parks through Maps – Remembered major Flora, Fauna and geographical features in the above. These can be used for option elimination during Prelims.
[Note]
I strongly believe that one should make one’s own notes. It is in itself a learning process and one imbibes a lot of information while preparing them.
I will be sharing my sample notes/particular formats from each of the subjects for your reference. I have done it for few subjects/topics above. If you feel the approach resonates with you, feel free to use them.
If any of you is unable to access full notes/material through market or online, Kanishak (AIR 1) will be sharing his full Vajiram notes. Please refer them to create your own material. I will add the link below for your convenience.
Hi,
This is the link to the folder where I’ll be uploading my notes and other relevant material.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ivy07gel26vr2yf/AAArCurla9qsE-_0wqs3GFwLa?dl=0
It will contain my Vajiram classnotes and other Self study notes which I made mainly during Mains preparation.
Self notes were referenced from classnotes, Vision Mains 365, internet and other standard books. They became the primary source for quick revision.
Other material such as organized PYQs, Map work etc will also be made available.
The notes will be added over a period of time. I will send out a message here regarding the new additions. If I have enough time, I will also try to add an index for quick access and a guide to better understand the notes.
PS: I will again urge everyone to make notes on their own and use my notes only for reference. Notes by earlier successful aspirants are also present online. If they make more sense to you, please follow them!
I have tried to cover all subjects from Prelims perspective with some sample notes. Hope they help you in some way. Will continue posting about General Studies (Mains) and Answer Writing in future.
Just few weeks more to Prelims 2019.
Best wishes and all the luck from my side to all those who are appearing this year. I hope the points I had mentioned in the Medium article will come in handy.
Keep working hard the way you have in the last year. Positivity, Calmness and Clarity are your best friends in the coming days. Enjoy the process with some healthy anxiety. Remember that all your family and friends are praying for you. Their blessings are always with you.
On your end, you have to ensure that you perform your best on the D-day! Give your 100%! You will definitely succeed.
Loads of luck and all the very best from my side! Yalgar ho!✌️
