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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 want to ask that how to go test series for Prelims -2014 as I am confused between Crack IAS & Vajiram for test series?

We hope that you understand the complete exam-plan and need of 'integrated approach' for an effective preparation. Only focusing on Preliminary Examination is not going to help you much. Before you join any test series, you should attempt to complete your preparation (Main Examination oriented) and then take decision to enrol with any coaching institute. Moreover, this sort of evaluation wou...... Read More


Sir there are many coaching institutes and this is one of the most well-known and hyped exams in the country. Therefore why don't we have books or study material available which have all the necessary information from all the required sources including NCERTS i.e. one book per subject and you have completed the entire syllabus for that subject. You don't have to pick up anything else. Is such type of study material available? The GS material of Vajiram, Shriram etc are they of such a nature?

You have raised a query that surrounds the mind of a common candidate as one gets serious about the Civil Services Examination preparation. We have answered this query with the following two articles which will help you in getting answer and should satisfy you. Can we have a single source with which General Studies preparation can be done? Should one go for General Studies study-material from coaching institutes?... Read More


Sir my attempt will be in 2017. College doesn’t give me more than 3 hours for UPSC prep. I don't have time to read magazines and newspaper right now. If I start proper current affairs from mid 2015 i.e. 2 years prior to my attempt will it be enough. In the mean time I wish to cover GS.

As you wish to appear in CSE 2017, you have enough time in hand and at present, 3-hours a day is adequate for laying a strong foundation for Civil Services Examination preparation. It is okay if you commence serious preparation from 2015 but, start reading newspapers at least two straightaway. It would keep you in touch with the latest and enhance information level as well as general awareness. ... Read More


Sir, in General Studies subjects where self notes are essential like History, Geography etc how long should one take. I just started my UPSC preparation with Bipin Chandra History. I make very concise notes mostly 1 liners covering all the points given in the book. Currently I take 3 hours for 10 sides i.e. 5 pages. Am I too slow or Is this how long such subjects take. Also my attempt will be in 2017. Should I purchase the study material of Vajiram GS if it is given in points to save me the trouble of making notes.

As you are planning to appear in CSE 2017, you have a long period of time; you need to prepare a strategy only after self-analysis. This will help you in ascertaining your strengths and weaknesses. After that, you commence preparation from some basic books so that your concepts get clear and a strong foundation is laid. This will help you as you advance with your study-plan and even in newspaper reading. About making notes and reading speed It all depe...... Read More


while going through csp2013 syllabus of optional subjects there are paper1 and paper 2 for each optional subjects.Please give me a clarification on that.

Let us clarify again; in Preliminary Examination there is no optional subject. There are two compulsory papers only. Prelims Paper I is General Studies and Paper II is Aptitude Test. In Main Examination, you need to pick only ‘ONE’ optional subject for which there are two papers Paper I and Paper II and even the syllabus for each optional subject is given in that style. Also read: Civil Services Examination 2013: Plan of Examination... Read More


I want to prepare for IAS. Where to start?

When you aim for career in ‘Indian Administrative Service’ you are eyeing top ranks in Civil Services Examination and let us tell you - this is no child’s play. You will have to indulge in some serious preparation and have to understand the intricacies involved in handling the complete exam-plan and related requirements at each stage of the examination. Following articles would help you in gaining some insights about the IAS preparation: ... Read More


Sir, I will appear in civil services in 2016, and I have been preparing sing Aug-Sept 2013 and till now I seem to have quite good hold on the concepts of Traditional topics (History, Polity, Economics, Geography) from the basic books like Bipin Chandra, Laxmikant, Ramesh Singh etc. Now I think I should order General studies notes for mains through postal course...I have to still decide b/w Crack IAS or Vajiram. So, I would like you to suggest would it be worth buying or would u like to recommend something else.

As you wish to appear in Civil Services Examination 2016, you maintain a slow but, steady preparation-plan. This is a big examination involving long preparation and requires focused approach. Don’t stretch too much and just keep your interest alive. You are really on the right track and we suggest you to keep moving on these lines as preparation based on standard text-books get you the grip you require to face the examination confidently. Besides, keep reading newspapers...... Read More


I want to know about the new coaching institute NIGS in which Manikant Singh , Abhay Kumar and other reputed teachers came together. Is it good for English medium ?

NIGS has just been formed and it would be too early to say anything about it. Agreed, all teacher involved are of repute but, all of them has individually tried their hands with General Studies coaching in past; but, not much to write about their performance with General Studies coaching. The balance is also missing as there is no star teacher for Geography which is an important constituent and presence of three teachers from Public Administration and Politica...... Read More


Sir, how can i prepare csat papers?

Commence preparation with some basic books and read at least two newspapers daily. The following articles would get you some insights about the preparation: Also read: IAS Preparation strategy CSE 2014 – Integrated Approach is the need of the hour ... Read More


Confused between Pub Ad & Pol Sc& IR.Which should be better for a working professional preparing with self study?

Among Public Administration and Political Science & International Relations, the later would be easy to manage with self-study. Public Administration is a highly dynamic subject and requires special effort to keep abreast with the latest. Even, the success-rate of Political Science & International Relations is much better in CSE 2011 in comparison to Public Administration. Performance of Public Administration in CSE 2012 result has also dented the sentiments in short-term. Also read: Public Administration v/s Political Science & International Relations... Read More


Give me a complete detail about optional subjects.....how to choose....what about new pattern and ab literature is compulsory or what??.....

It is nice to clear all doubts before you seriously indulge in Civil Services Examination preparation. Now, you can pick any ‘ONE’ optional subject from the list of optional subjects available. For your benefit, we are suggesting you to have a look at the following links to get clarity about the query you have raised. Plan of Examination ... Read More


Is weekend coaching effective as regular coaching ?

Yes, Week-end coaching can be effective. It is all about your seriousness and how strategically it fits in your preparation-plan. For working candidates, it helps in catching up with preparation on fast-track on week-ends. For some, it is better utilization of time as on daily basis, a lot of time in consumed in commuting. Moreover, it can give opportunity to assess your short-term goals you set for preparation and can take stock of groundwork you have done in the week...... Read More


being a computer science background is it good to take public administration as a optional subject???

You can take any subject that you can do justice with. Have a look at the syllabus and past years' papers to understand therequirements and current trends. If you feel you can manage with Public Administration and fulfil the specific demands it has, you can choose it as optional subject.... Read More


I am a final year B-Tech student. I plan to appear for the CSAT in 2015. the optional subjects I plan to take is Anthropology and Psychology. My first question is- Is 15 months enough for the preparation. and i would also appreciate if anyone can recommend good books on these subjects.

First of all, be informed about you have to look at the complete exam-plan not alone Preliminary Examination. Also, the new pattern for Main Examination that has come with CSE 2013; now, you need to choose only ‘One’ optional subject; so, choose which one among these two you wish to keep as optional subject. New pattern – Main Examination Yes, 15-mont...... Read More


How is Chronicle IAS academy for GS prelims program in Delhi? There are not many institute which have this program at this moment of time...

There are lots of coaching institute offerings coaching specifically for Preliminary Examination. Chronicle IAS is relatively a new entrant and is consolidating its position gradually. While preparing for Civil Services Examination, you need to understand the complete exam-plan and preparation-plan should be sure that cover the syllabus effectively. The following article would help you in getting some insights about the effectiveness of Prelims only coaching: Is guidance from coaching institutes must at the Prelims level?... Read More



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