UPSC Prelims Strategy
Hello Friends
I'm Suraj Rauta,my Prelims strategy was slightly different from others. I almost always attempted over 92questions, even though I barely knew more than 48 questions with full certainty (no blind guesses though ). My focus remained more on deducing the right option by following all kinds of thumb rules, some of which I learned from others and others I developed on my own.
Because of many variation in nuances, it would be pertinent to inform you beforehand that the strategies mentioned below are slightly risky. What worked for me, may not work for others. There is no single strategy towards success. Also, don’t let these rules interfere with your strong intuition and knowledge. They merely help in deducing answer intelligently when your core knowledge on a particular topic is insufficient. So, please continue to prepare for Prelims thoroughly, practice well and use the following thumb rules as guidelines to help you make intelligent guesses in the exam.
I. Extreme Statements are Likely to be Wrong
Wherever statements which make sweeping generalisation and use words such as every, all, only etc, they are likely to be false.
Example :
Q. With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements: (2017)
- It is a song and dance performance.
- Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance.
- It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 only
Here, because of the word “only”, option 2 could have been easily eliminated.
II. Names and Phrases Hold Clues
There is a reason behind name of any scheme/ person / body/ institution. That can be used to solve many questions
Example :
Q. The term ‘M-STrIPES’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of (2017)
(a) Captive breeding of Wild Fauna
(b) Maintenance of Tiger Reserves
(c) Indigenous Satellite Navigation System
(d) Security of National Highways
Because of the word ‘Stripes’, there is a natural connection to tiger that possibly no other options share.
This principle was useful in in another question too:
Q. Recognition of ‘Prior Learning Scheme’ is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to ( 2017)
(a) Certifying the skills acquired by construction workers through traditional channels.
(b) Enrolling the persons in Universities for distance learning programmes.
(c) Reserving some skilled jobs to rural and urban poor in some public sector undertakings.
(d) Certifying the skills acquired by trainees under the National Skill Development Programme.
“That’s one small bubble for UPSC, but one giant leap for an aspirant."
III. A Lot’s in the Language of A Name
Example :
Q. What is ‘Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)’, recently in the news? ( 2016)
(a) Electric plane tested by NASA
(b) Solar-powered two-seater aircraft designed by Japan
(c) Space observatory launched by China
(d) Reusable rocket designed by ISRO
Only an English speaking country would name its plane in English.
Q. Consider the following pairs: ( 2017)
Traditions Communities
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) None of the above
Sahib is a name that is commonly used in Urdu language, common to Sindhis. Using this, we could have eliminated 2 options.
Sometimes, when you breakup the root terms of a name, it can give valuable leads. Consider the following questions:
Q. Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty? ( 2016 )
(a) Swapnavasavadatta
(b) Malavikagnimitra
(c) Meghadoota
(d) Ratnavali
Here Malvikangnimitra is clearly made up of 2 terms Malvika + Agnimitra, possibly the name of 1 female and 1 male person, indicative of a love story.
Q. What is/are unique about ‘Kharai Camel’, a breed found in India? ( 2016)
It is capable of swimming up to three kilometers in seawater.
It survives by grazing on mangroves.
It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Here, Kharai seems to be made up of Khara + I and Khara refers to Salty in Hindi which correlates to sea water and this could have been used to find out that options 1 and 2 are possibly correct. Meanwhile, option 3 can be eliminated by using the rule of Extreme.
Similarly, question on Araghatta ( 2016) could have been solved by realising that root term Arag is similar to Irig, that which makes up Irrigation
Q. With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term Araghatta’ refers to
(a) bonded labour
(b) land grants made to military officers
(c) waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
(d) wasteland and converted to cultivated land
IV. Common Sense is Your Friend
There is no substitute to common sense, and common sense can be utilised to solve many more questions. Consider the following question:
Q. The Global Infrastructure Facility is a/an ( 2017 )
(a) ASEAN initiative to upgrade infrastructure in Asia and financed by credit from the Asian Development Bank.
(b) World Bank collaboration that facilitates the preparation and structuring of complex infrastructure Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to enable mobilization of private sector and institutional investor capital.
(c) Collaboration among the major banks of the world working with the OECD and focused on expanding the set of infrastructure projects that have the potential to mobilize private investment.
(d) UNCTAD funded initiative that seeks to finance and facilitate infrastructure development in the world.
Here, a global body can’t be centered to ASEAN or OECD. Plus since, it talks about Infrastructure, it shouldn’t related to UNCTAD which is a trade centered body.
The summary of the entire discussion above is to practise and think logically. It will help you to solve four to five questions correctly. Almost all my friends, who I have told this strategy have seen improvement in their marks by 5- 10 marks.
At the same time, these strategies are not a substitute hard work because for the majority of other questions, you needs to get the fundamentals right. Without those basics, all strategies— no matter how so appealing— backfire. I realised the importance of hard work a year too late. I don’t want you to repeat it.
My best wishes,
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Booklist for Prelims
In this article, we will go through my booklist for Civil Services Exam (Prelims). I’ve written this post keeping in mind an absolute beginner aspirant who is starting from level zero.
As you start your Prelims preparation and read these books, please keep the following points in mind:
1.Along with these books, get a printout of the syllabus and read it carefully.
2.And when you start, I recommend that you begin with NCERT books. Read and revise them methodically to gain absolute conceptual clarity. They form the foundation of your knowledge which will help you immensely through all stages of the exam.
3.Do not be scared at the long list of books. For a beginner, one year is more than enough to cover the complete syllabus of GS (prelims and mains) and optional.
4.In the book list, wherever I had mentioned selective reading, it means there’s no need to read the book cover to cover. Go through the past five years’ question papers to understand the kind of questions UPSC usually asks. It’ll give you a good perspective of what’s important and what’s not.
5.For the same topic, do not refer to more than one material. For example, take India’s freedom struggle (1857-1947). If you read that portion from the Spectrum publications, there’s no need to do the same again from Bipan Chandra’s book. Read the latter to cover those parts not covered in the former.
6.Use internet extensively. Let me give a few examples. Youtube’s PMFIAS channel is an excellent resource for understanding complex Geography topics. Similarly, for Art & Culture, I used to watch videos of classical dances, folk dances, puppetry shows on Youtube so that I could memorise their features better. In Science & Tech, if you come across a term, say, Blockchain Technology, go to Youtube and see explainer videos. Even for Environment, suppose you read about endangered species such as the Red Panda and Malabar Hornbill, Google them and see how they look. Visuals stick in your mind far longer. Your target must be to gain knowledge, be it through books or through internet.
7.If you are taking coaching, by all means read their notes. But please keep in mind that you cannot just read those coaching notes and neglect these standard books. For example, take Polity topic. A coaching institute’s notes will never cover the complete subject, only Laxmikanth does. So even if you refer to your coaching notes, you still have to read Laxmikanth and know it like the back of your hand. This principle applies for all subjects.
8.For all subjects, you have to superimpose current affairs over it. To illustrate, in Polity topic, apart from reading the static theory portion, you need to keep an eye on current happenings. For example, if the Govt brings in Constitutional amendment for GST, you must read both about the major provisions of the amendment and the Constitutional amendment procedure itself. Do this for all subjects.
9.To perform well in Prelims, revision is crucial. Without it, you will not be able to recollect whatever you may have read. So please dedicate adequate time for revision before the actual exam.
10.If you have been studying some other material, that’s fine, too. To succeed in this exam, the source of material is not important. What’s important is you to understand the concepts, memorise the facts well and have a firm grip over the entire syllabus.
The Complete Booklist for UPSC Civil Services – Prelims Exam (Paper I)
Polity
1.Indian Polity by Laxmikanth
Economic
1.Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
2.Mrunal.org articles
3.Macroeconomics – NCERT Class XII
4.Indian Economic Development – NCERT Class XI
5.Economic Survey (Selective reading from Prelims perspective)
6.The Hindu
7.Internet for understanding concepts (Arthapedia, Google, Youtube)
Ancient History Of India
1.Old NCERT by RS Sharma
Mediaeval History Of India
1.Old NCERT by Satish Chandra (Selective Reading)
Modern History
1.A Brief history of Modern India- Spectrum Publications
2.India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra (Selective Reading)
3.NCERT by Bipan Chandra (For the period 1700s to 1857)
Indian Art and Culture
- An Introduction to Indian Art – Class XI NCERT
- Chapters related to culture in Ancient and Medieval India NCERTs
- Centre for Cultural Resource and Training (CCRT) material
- Heritage Crafts: Living Craft Traditions of India -NCERT
Environment and Biodiversity
1.Shankar IAS books
General Science
1. General Science books – IX and X standard
2.The Hindu (Note down and read about the latest scientific terms, discoveries and inventions frequently mentioned in news)
3.Google and YouTube
Geography
1.Fundamentals of Physical Geography XI NCERT
2.India: Physical Environment XI NCERT
3.Fundamentals of Human Geography XII NCERT
4.India: People and Economy XII NCERT
5.Certificate Physical and Human Geography: GC Leong
6.PMFIAS (Excellent resource for understanding complex topics)
7.Google and YouTube
Govt Schemes
1.Govt schemes compilation by the website Civils Daily
General Trivia (Eg: Global groupings, Reports, Institutions, Rankings etc)
1.Any coaching material
2.Google
Current Affairs
1.The Hindu
2.Civils Daily
3.ForumIAS
Mindset to tackle the UPSC Prelims Exam
Ten days before the Prelims is usually the time when your mind is rather restless and clouded in self-doubt. Even though you must have prepared thoroughly for the exam, covering all the sources, Some of you are worried that you haven’t yet finished a particular topic, some others are stressed whether they will make the final cut for Mains. Remember that it’s okay to be a little nervous at this point and that it happens to everyone. I was no different, too.
From my experience, I have distilled a few suggestions to help you perform well in the exam.
1.In the final days preceding the exam, if you start reading entirely new material which you haven’t read before, you’ll only stress yourself out. Just refer to whatever you had already read. Revision is the absolute key. How effectively you perform in the actual exam depends on the quality of revision you do in these 10 days.
2.Stay calm. While revising, do not get bogged down in one subject. Your target should be to revise all the topics methodically before the final day.
3.Questions are going to be balanced and will be asked from across the syllabus. So if you are poor in one topic, that’s alright. You can offset it through performing well in your stronger areas. For example, if you are worried about Indian Art and Culture, do not freak out. You might lose out on some questions, but you will still have many others to solve.
4.Just the day before the exam, ensure that you get 7-8 hours of quality sleep. A good night’s rest will rejuvenate your senses and ensures that your brain is alert and memory is on point.
5.While solving the paper, in the first iteration, go through all 100 questions sequentially and do three things: mark those answers you are confident about, round those questions that you are unsure or vaguely aware of (for guesswork later), and cross those questions which you have absolutely no idea about. In the second iteration, you come back again and try to answer those questions you are vaguely aware of through educated guesswork or elimination method.
6.Don’t get mired in one question and waste your time. If you are unable to recall, make a side mark on the question paper and move on. Once you come back after solving remaining questions, chances are you’ll recollect.
7.If we assume a moderately difficult paper, then you will confidently know answers to around 50-60 questions. But you must aim to attempt around 85-90 questions. That’s why educated guesswork is necessary and important.
8.As you enter the exam hall, it doesn’t matter what books you may have read, or how many times you may have revised. What matters are those 100 questions. Put your emotions aside and solve those 100 questions with a laser like focus. Erase your fears, doubts and insecurities and stay positive and confident.
9.Always believe and keep telling yourself that you have worked hard and prepared well so far and that you’ll do well. On the final day, summon your best self and you will absolutely ace the test.
So that was my Booklist for UPSC Prelims. Hope it’ll be useful to you.
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