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As candidates make up mind to appear in Civil Services Examination, there are lots of queries in minds and almost all aspirants lay siege to various issues like Exam-Plan, Preparation-Plan, books and study-material to choose, picking optional subject, choice of coaching institutes and so many other issues that matters a lot in success.
Instead of keeping it up to you, toss these to experts and throw it open to get it resolved.
You will find that you are not alone; there are many facing similar problems/issues that need to be resolved at the earliest so that these don’t impact your preparation.
Come out and discuss openly about all the questions that surround your mind so that you can get a piece of advice and what other candidates like you feel and what their opinion is about the same.

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General Studies  Plan of Examination  IAS Toppers  Coaching Institute  Optional Subject  Books & Study Material  Preparation Tips 

Sir, I have just started my preparation for CSE. Please suggest me some good and valuable books and study guidance for the prelims as well as for mains exam.

For Civil Services examination, you need a wide range of books and study-material that help in an effective preparation. Besides, you need to read at least 2 newspapers daily to keep abreast with the latest. The suggested Book-Lists for preparation are given below: Suggested Book-List Preliminary Examination Main Examination... Read More


Is Sociology or Political Science limited syllabus or wide?

Assessing any optional subject with length of syllabus is not the right criterion for optional subject selection for Civil Services (Main) Examination. You should pick that optional subject that matches with your aptitude. Your liking and interest in the subject would help you in any optional subject even if it has a lengthy syllabus size. By the way, both the optional subjects shortlisted b...... Read More


Sir, my qualification is B.Tech (Computer Science). Can you tell me which subjects are better to choose as optional and tell me how to prepare it?

Optional subject selection is little tricky for Computer Science graduates as there is no subject in the list of available optional subject that helps in preparation. The following article would help you in making an informed choice about optional subject selection: Choosing optional Subject For preparation, you should depend upon the authentic source and should rely upon related standard text-books to have complete understanding of the topics and conceptual clarity.... Read More


My 12 science is complete I will be IAS after graduation than which type of preparation I have to do???

There is a long way to go and the extent of syllabus is vast and wide. There is a long gap by when you will be eligible to appear in Civil Services Examination. Don’t take too much of pressure as chances are while preparing, your interest may fizzle out by the time you are to face examination in reality. Adopt a slow but, consistent approach for preparation and break the syllabus in sm...... Read More


Sir, I am B.Tech third year student. I want to prepare for Civil Services Exams. As a beginner how can I give strength to my fundamentals? Please tell me sir which books should I read first like NCERT or other books.

For a beginner, NCERT Books are the best resource for Civil Services Examination preparation as these lay a solid foundation and gives you conceptual clarity that this examination needs. These would give you basic knowledge that acts as foundation and as you advance, this knowledge would help you in better understanding about interrelation between topics and across disciplines.   Also read: NCERT Books are a must for Civil Services Examination preparation... Read More


Sir, taking MECHANICAL Engineering in Mains Exam as an optional subject is beneficial? Because I want to do Engineering in Mechanical. So, if it is beneficial then I study very seriously.

The new format for Civil Services (Main) Examination has only ‘One’ optional subject and it is strategic to pick your own subject provided you are able to do justice with it. For prior planning, you should aim to cover the domain of General Knowledge and optional subject selection can be done at a later stage. ... Read More


What are the subjects involved in Main Exams apart from optional. Can you please explain what are the papers involved?

Have a look at the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2014 scheme that will give you a complete picture about the question papers in Main (Written) Examination. Scheme for Civil Services (Main) Examination 2014... Read More


I am a BA LLB graduate. Can you please suggest me suitable optional subject having adequate study material resources.

You are a Law graduate so, Law as optional subject is a natural choice. It has books and study-material in abundance. At the same time, we have some well-known coaching institutes as well impacting coaching for Law (optional subject). In recent years, a lot of candidates have shown brilliant performance with Law...... Read More


Sir, now I passed 12th exam, and I started preparation for CIVIL SERVECES EXAM, so tell me the systematic approach to strong my GENERAL AWARENESS....

Being abreast with the latest is the key to success in Civil services Examination and it is really heartening to know that at such early stage you have understood the intricacies involved in preparation. Daily Newspaper reading and having interest in the things around will help you in gaining knowledge and awareness in different spheres of life. Make a beginning with reading news items relating to the areas of your interest and gradually move to other important domains that influence our day-to-day life.... Read More


Dear Sir, I am Satish from Kolkata. Working as a Networking Engineer in Kolkata. My childhood aim is to become an IAS Officer. My date of birth is 17/07/1987. I am planning to give exam in 2015. Please suggest me how to prepare. As I have less time for preparation. Please suggest me any good institute in Kolkata.

As you wish to appear in CSE 2015, you have enough time to prepare for Civil Services Examination. Being in job makes preparation little tricky as you get limited time for study; but, the end result is such that keeps you motivated and inspire to put in the best efforts. Right now, we suggest you to understand the complete exam-plan and related requirements at each stage. This will help in better planning and self-analysis would help you in prioritizing your study-plan as per your nee...... Read More


I am currently in B.Tech 6th semester. I want to know whether History and Political Science would be ok for me... also about Law as optional. Can an engineering background student can crack with law...

First, be clear that in new format for Civil Services (Main) Examination, you need to pick only one optional subject. so, your task is a bit easier. As has been observed, engineering background candidates generally make cross-domain shift and pick a new subject from different streams. The subjects you have short-listed – History, Political Science and even Law are interesting choice and in past, a lot of engineering background candidates have opted for these and have pro...... Read More


Is average performance in graduation create any bad impression on interview board. Are they selecting only toppers for IAS post?

Not at all. It is an open competitive examination and you should focus on effective preparation as only relative performance matters in determining your fate. All such delusions are groundless and your past academic performances in no way affect your chance in Civil Services examination. You should understand it clearly that you reach interview stage after clearing Preliminary as well as Main Examination and your knowledge and intellect is evaluated that is enough to satisfy the experienced Interview Board members. On previous occasions, numerous candidates with an average performance at graduation level have produced outstanding results and their academic performance nowhere came in their way.... Read More


I have completed BA (H) mass communication from HNB Garhwal University. So i want to know with this academic qualification whether i am eligible for civil services exam or nor .please answer my query as soon as possible for you.

Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna (Garhwal) University, (a Central University) runs a three year Degree course - B.A. (Honours) Mass Communication in pursuance of the U.G.C. directions. The eligibility conditions for appearing in Civil Services Examination says, “The candidate must hold a degree of any of Universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University Under Section-3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification.”... Read More


Whether Mechanical Engineering is suitable for optional subject?

Each and every optional subject is suitable for candidate provided you have adequate knowledge and aptitude for it so that you can perform in Main Examination. Mechanical Engineering is a specialized study and if you have studied and have control over the subject, you can consider keeping it as optional subject. Although, Mechanical Engineering is not a very popular optional subject; still, in pa...... Read More


I am a inter (MPC) completed student willing to prepare for Civil Services form the first year of my post-graduation. Please guide me as i am confused in selecting optional subjects.

Optional Subject selection is easier now as you have to opt for only ‘One’ optional subject now. Still, you need to be careful in selection as 500 marks attached to it plays a significant role in your final selection. The following article will help you in getting some insights about making the right choice: Optional Subject selection... Read More



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