1. Read the latest notification to get the hang of the current examination process
1.1. Download the notification from UPSC website (www.upsc.gov.in)
1.2. go to ‘EXAMINATIONS'
1.3. go to 'NOTIFICATION'
1.4. go to ‘ARCHIVAL'
1.5. go to 'CIVIL SERVICES (P) 2013’ (latest as on date 18.11.2013)
1.6. download the attached pdf file and corrigendum as well to find more
about the UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAM process
2. Go through the syllabus in the exam notification, try to select probable
optional subject s
3. Check last 3 years question papers of prelims and 5 years of mains
examination, this will help one to get the feel of the exam / focus areas and try
and develop a sense to judge what is relevant or not from the ocean of
information
3.1. Download previous years’ question papers from UPSC website
(www.upsc.gov.in)
3.2. go to ‘PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTION PAPERS’
…Once you are comfortable and acquainted enough with 1, 2, 3 then you can
move on to...
4. Start reading daily newspaper, try to develop a balanced perspective on
relevant issues
5. Start with basic NCERT / NIOS books / IGNOU notes
…once you are in the groove for 4, 5 then you can move on …
6. Move on to subject/topic specific material for in-depth understanding from
IGNOU notes / Standard books / various websites / coaching material
etc. (check the documents / files section of the UPSC CIVIL SERVICES
ASPIRANTS group for starters)
… While one is consistently following / revising 4,5,6, one should also spare a
thought on selecting an optional subject from the list of probable optional
subjects…
7. Read basic text books/previous years question papers to select the best
among the probable optional subjects. Decision parameters may be interest,
extent of syllabus, availability of material etc.
NOTE FOR BEGINNERS: Target CSE 2014 and beyond...
8. Once the optional is selected, one should follow steps 5 and 6 for the subject
specific study as well.
9. List of Useful websites
1. National portal of India http://india.gov.in/
2. For IGNOU material www.egyankosh.ac.in
3. For environment www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in
4. Frontline magazine http://www.frontlineonnet.com/archives.htm
5. Times of India - Edit page http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/editpage/
articlelist/-2128669051.cms
6. Current Affairs
http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs
http://www.currentaffairsmanual.com
http://www.gktoday.in/category/current-affairs/
7. NCERT books
http://ncert.nic.in/NCERTS/textbook/textbook.htm
http://www.iasexams.com/NCERT-Books/NCERTBooks.php
http://www.ncert.nic.in/textbooks/testing/Index.htm - To download all NCERT
8. Country comparison charts http://chartsbin.com/graph
9. http://www.upscportal.com/ - For tips, Book list, suggestions, coaching
information
10. http://www.pib.nic.in/ - For government current press notes
11. http://www.upsc.gov.in/ - For all official information regarding the exam at any
stage.
12. http://www.persmin.nic.in/ - Useful after selection
13. www.goidirectory.nic.in - It connects to official websites of all Ministries and
departments.
14. www.meaindia.nic.in - External Affairs Ministry website useful for India-World
relations
15. www.indiacode.nic.in - Constitution of India, Central Acts, Supreme Court, etc.
16. www.indiabudget.nic.in - For latest budget and Economic Survey
17. http://publicationsdivision.nic.in/ - For India Year Book
18. Institute of peace and conflict studies: deals with geo-politics, foreign affairs
www.ipcs.org
19. NIOS Books
http://www.nios.ac.in/online-course-material/secondary-courses.aspx
http://www.nios.ac.in/online-course-material/secondary-courses.aspx
20. http://mrunal.org/ - For tips, Book list, suggestions, coaching information, study
material
