Prologue There are lot of tips scattered in various articles, but for a new person it is sometimes hard to follow what is going on here. So this is my attempt to combine and consolidate everything onto five part series onprelims cum mains cum interviewapproach forGeneral Studiesfor UPSC Civil Service Exam. If youre following this site for many months, you will find repetition of ideas and tips in this article, so apologies in advance for any boredom caused.War onTerrorismUPSC, consists of three battles1. Prelims (CSAT)Multi choice questions (MCQs)

2. MainsDescriptive-essay type questions

3. interview

This strategy is divided into five articles, click on the appropriate links:Topics discussedArticle link

1. In Act I, We shall try to understand the mindset of our Blood Enemy (UPSC)Discussed in this article itself.

1. In Act II:The weapons required to defeat him. (Booklist, art of Note making, How to use Yojana,Kurukshetra etc)Click ME

1. In Act III: We shall see how to effectively use those weapons and wage the war(Topicwise strategy for General Studies Prelims, Mains)Click ME

1. In Act IV: How to conquer your own brain, before conquering UPSC (cleansing the doubts of coaching classes, working professionals, Hindi Medium etc)Click ME

1. In Act V: We shall see how to retreat from the war,ifvictory is not achieved. (Career Backup plans)Click ME

1. 6th PArt (updated on March 2013): This is latest update in the strategy, with respect to, new modification introduced in UPSC 2013.Click ME

Act I: Mindset of the EnemyWe can classify Bollywood movies into eras- tragedy ridden 50, musical 70s and so on.Similarly UPSC question papers too have gone through evolution.To keep it simple, I would classify this into two phases90s eraBack breakingTMera

TimelineEverything upto 20092010, 2011, 2012continued

PrelimsMain areas1. History2. Geography3. Current Affairs1. Environment2. Science3. History/Polity

Weapons Older NCERTs Std.Ref Books Competitive Magazines New NCERT Std.Ref Books Newspapers

MainsMain areas History Geography Polity Diplomacy Diplomacy Yearbook Environment Sci-Tech

Weapons1. Standard Reference books2. Coaching class notesMostly Newspapers, your own notes.

So how was the 90s era? Most people did not have internet or computer. Internet was prohibitively expensive. Even cybercafs were hard to find. There was hardly any information on internet, about how to prepare for this exam. And whether information/booklist was available was mostly jingoistic and impractical in nature. (will be discussed inAct II List of Not recommended Books) Those who could afford to goto Delhi for coaching, had distinct advantage over others. Because they knew what to prepare, from where to prepare and what to skip. (Nowadays situation has drastically changed).in those days, Prelims had two papersa. General Studies (150 marks)b. Optional Subject (300 marks)There existed a proportional representation system rule. Crudely speaking it means Suppose 2 lakh students appeared in prelims and 20,000 had History optional. (10%) And UPSC wanted only pass 10,000 students for next stage mains exam. In that case, UPSC would need to reserve 1000 seats for candidates with history optional. (10%)Prelims GSBy and large the structure for prelims was like following1. There would be about 20 questions on History. You had to Mugup old NCERT + any coaching notes regarding location of Harappa sites and other boring trivial things.2. There would be 30-40 questions on Geography (including places in news): so you had to prepare old NCERTs + competitive magazines + TheHindu accordingly.3. About 40 questions on science: NCERT + GS manual.4. Prelims GS questions used to be current affairs heavy : Almost 40 questions on persons/places in news, books-authors, sports, awards, science-tech etc. so competitive magazines (chronicle wizard etc) and coaching class material on current affairs compilation were precious.5. Remaining was filled up with polity, aptitude etc questions to make a paper with total 150 questions.Prelims OptionalLets consider the case of Public Administration. The topicwise breakup was pretty much identical every year. Basically you had to mugup following books religiously and you would clear the prelims (even without coaching or great command over GS).a. M.Laxmikanths book on Public Administrationb. Prasad and Prasadc. Mohit Bhattacharyad. Sharma n Sadana (or Avasthi or Fadia)But in those years, if you lived in a small town, there was no internet and nobody to tell you those books were important. So you had to join a coaching class in Delhi, just to figure out the damn booklist (or worst- fail in first attempt and learn from mistakes). Overall, The nature of prelims questions was such that youd need to mugup lot of data on solar planets, PSLV missions, metal-alloys, location of Harappan sites, winners of lawn tennis, Shanti-Swaroop Bhatnagar awardees and other boring things like that. Same for your optional subjects. (for Public Administration you had to mugup quotes-who said what, books and authors, timelines etc. Because of the proportional representation rule, in the preliminary exam you were only competing with the people from your optional subject group. And thus Senior player had distinct advantage over first timers.Because optionals were worth 300 mark, and he had rock solid command over facts because of revision. The victory rule was straight arithmetic: If Someone revised above cited Public Administration books for 15-20 times (Im not kidding) then he was riding a Tata Sumo @90 kmph. If a newguy had barely read them 5 times, so he was riding a desi Atlas bicycle (used by postmen,). Now imagine what would happen if these two clashed? Same was the situation in Generalstudies paper.And as I told earlier, there was no internet or awareness outside Delhi. So most of the small-town, self-preparation-no coaching and no relative in civil service type candidates would fail in their first attempt, becausea. they did not have idea on what to prepare, what to skip.b. They could not memorize as much as a senior player did, because of timelimit.So theyd fail in first attempt, learn from their mistakes, and clear prelims in second attempt (i.e.when they too become senior players). But then they might fail in mains exam for the same reason (lack of right direction), so theyd again rectify mistakes in third attempt and with God and goodluck willing, theyd get selected. Ofcourse there were exceptional cases, but by and large, this was the situation and hence there exists a perception in the society that1. You cannot clear IAS exam on first trial.2. You cannot clear IAS exam without going to Delhi for Coaching.But that was the 90s. Things have changed now. Many toppers have defied above rules. Cleared the UPSC on first attempt: Shah Faisal, Karthik Iyer, Neeraj Singh, Mohd.Safi to name a few.Anyways let us continue discussion on 90s era- moving to the MainsMains: 90s EraGeneral studies (mains) of 90s EraQuestions often rephrased and repeated, so if a coaching class sir dictated the answers for previous papers / or provided notes, then all you had to do was religiously mug it up and reproduce the same in your answer sheets.Historya. 3 books of Spectrum: Modern History, Freedom fighters and Cultureb. Bipin ChandraIn those years, UPSC would ask 2 markers on freedom fighters (total 10-12 marks) every year.So you had to mupup 150+freedom fighters from Spectrums book + coaching material if any.Again, senior player had distinct advantage because he would have gone through the same data atleast 5 times. He can easily recall freedom fighters compared to a new guy.Indian Geography Again questions were repeated and rephrased for example explain monsoon mechanism in India and why xyz part receives less monsoon etc. So a coaching class sir would just need to consolidate good stuff given in Spectrum book/Majid Hussain /Dr.Khullars book and provide question answers for old papers. Thatd be his coaching class readymade material and you did not even need a book, just mugup those class notes, and youd get full marks.Polity1. Sometimes directly lifted statements on DD Basu, other times merely rephrasing old question.2. Again same as above, coaching notes would save the time and effort.International affairs, Economy1. You had to just mugup V******s material and whatever was dictated in the class.2. Statistics was also pretty easy and conventional.3. There were clichd questions on computers every year like write a note on RAM or email.4. Same for science-tech.5. And whatever Misc. current affairs was left, you could rely on Wizards special book on mains current affairs + Hindu.Optional papers: 90s eraIve already talked about that in the Public Administration strategy article. Anyways the success formula was Re-mugup the same books you used for prelims. Get some fodder material from Yojana Kurukshetra. (or Readymade notes of H******** S**** etc.) and use it elaborate or spice up the answers with so called case studies. Questions were static, direct from the SRBs, repeated, rephrased. coaching sir would dictate the answers, Class notes would save the day. Similar things for History, geography, psychology etc.Literature optionals: 90s era In the GS and Public Administration, UPSC atleast showed the decency to rephrase the question while repeating it next year. but for literature was so totally clichd, even Saas Bahu serials look genuine. If you just studied the last 10 years paper, you could set your own guess-paper for the fourth year and upscs actual paper would 90% similar to your guess paper! For Pali or Maithali litt. All you had to do was join a coaching class or get some Arts professor to dictate you the answers of last 10 years papers. Thats all, mug it up and youd get more that 300/600 marks (+ scaling system favored litt.optionals)In short, first timer/no-coaching type player had almost 0% chance of getting decent marks in mains.And among the senior players, if Senior Player A and Senior player B. Both had revised notes for 20 times. Who would be successful?Well, questions like I said rephrased repeated every year. Mains Questions are of two types: analytical or direct.1. For analytical questions (Critically analyse Indias policy towards Afghanistan), you had ready-made notes dictated by coaching class sir, you just needed to recall and write the points. And Suppose Mr.A solely relied on that note while Mr.B upgraded his note further with fodder material from library book or retired professor or newspapers, then Mr.B would get more marks. Thereforequality of notes =important.2. For direct questions (like powers of the Pres of India or explain the budget making process).in that case whoever could write more points (Mr.A or B) would get more marks. Thereforememorization skill=important.The Back-breakingTMera (2010 onwards) So far we saw that in 90s era, A small town candidate without coaching or tips from seniors/toppers/IAS relatives, could rarely succeed. And By small town I mean every place except Delhi. (Same way for IIT entrance exam, everyplace except Kota, Rajsthan, is a small town.) Anyways, suddenly UPSC wakes up and realizes the problems faced by first timers and small towners. So UPSC starts taking certainreformativemeasures in the exam process to prevent coaching classes and senior players for gaining much advantage. This is phenomenon is referred as BackbreakingTMmove of UPSC. The exams conducted in 2010, 2011, and 2012 are examples of that move. Now lets try to understand what was changed during this era?BackbreakingTM era: Prelims1. UPSC removed Optional subjects were from preliminary exam (2011 and onwards) it introduced a new thing called Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT). It had two papers GS+Aptitude. Both papers have same marks. So there goes the advantages associated with proportional representation, 300 marks of optional subject MCQ paper.2. Even in Aptitude, from 2012 It reduced questions from conventional Maths: to prevent Engineers/IIT/MBA types from gaining advantage.3. UPSC introduced new topics in the syllabus such as environment and biodiversity, rights issue.4. In GS prelims, it stopped asking trivial current affairs stuff (person/places in news, awards etc.) for example Im copy pasting certain questions from 90s eraWhich of the following organization won the CSIR award for S&T innovation for rural Development, 2006?a. CLRIb. NDDBc. IARId. NDRIWhich city has been the venue of Asian Games for maximum number of times from 1951 to 2006?a. Delhib. Tokyoc. Bangkokd. BeijingMatch the following1. Bhanu Bharti2. Mike Pandey3. Mohd.Zahur Khyyam4. Vinda Karandikar1. Music composer2. Poet3. Theatre director4. Wildlife film maker

To solve such questions you had to constantly follow current affairs magazines (or the readymade current affairs notes of coaching class). But Nowadays such questions dont appear much in prelims exam.1. UPSC changed the nature of questions from History and Science. For example here are few from 1999s paperQ1. Match Following1. 17752. 17803. 18244. 1838a. 1stAnglo-Burmese warb. 1stAnglo-Afghan warc. 1stAnglo-Maratha ward. 2ndAnglo-Mysore

Q2. Volcanic eruptions donot occur ina. Baltic Seab. Black Seac. Caspian Sead. Caribbean SeaThankfully UPSC stopped asking such questions nowadays. So you dont have to mugup a lot of data like in the 90s.For Prelims, Nowadays most of the questions are 4 Statement True or False (4TF) type. So youre given one term/phenomenon and 2 or 3 or 4 statements. Your task is to identify the correct statements. Ofcourse it does require memorization, but they more aimed at checking your basic understanding of a topic rather than your mugup skills (like in above questions from the 90s) for example here are some questions from 2012s paperQ1. Mahatma Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 1932, mainly because :a. Round table conference failed to satisfy Indian political aspirationsb. Congress and muslims league had differences of opinionc. Ramsay macdonald announced the communal awardd. None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context.Q2. Consider these factors1. Rotation of the earth2. Air pressure of wind3. Density of ocean water4. Revolution of the earthWhich of the above factors influence the ocean currents?1. 1 & 2 only2. 1, 2 & 33. 1 & 44. 2, 3 & 4To get more idea on this, read following analysis of 2012s CSAT (preliminary) paperCLICK MEBackbreakingTMera: Mains (General Studies)For mains exan, UPSC stopped asking conventional direct stuff from History,Geography Instead emphasis was given to public health, environment, sci-tech, yearbook and current affairs from newspapers.To get more idea on this, read following analysis of 2012s General Studies (Mains) paperclick MEAdaptationAnd while writing all ^this, I donot mean even an ounce of disrespect to any senior player or hissuccess. No one becomes senior player by his conscious choice, everyone wants to clear UPSC in first attempt- But things dont turn out that way for many, So, he is a victim of circumstances created by the (supervillain) UPSC. And life and society is very cruel to him, as youll see in Act IV and V.Initially UPSC had the upper hand in this war. WhenUPSC significantly changed the question style in 2010s preliminary paper, most senior players were shocked and caught unguarded. But UPSC cant trick them everytime. Theyre fighting for their life and career. In 2011, 2012 they changed their preparation strategy accordingly and adapted to this uncertain environment. So question papers are not asshockerfor them as UPSC expects.Similarly coaching classes have been trying to adapt. UPSC keeps an eye on all the study material released by prominent coaching classes of delhi, to make sure no questions are asked from such material. So coaching classes too have came up with new ideas, for example1. Nowadays good stuff/ ultra-important topics are not given in their printed study material but mostly dictated during the lecture. (Because printed material usually get pirated by Xerox centres of Delhi hahaha)2. They intentionally released their current affairs material very late (just 15-20 days before the exam) to prevent UPSC from changing the papers.This is like a game of chess, you have to constantly keep moving your pawns and adapt to the moves made by the enemy, same wayUPSC too keeps coming up with new ideas and new back breakingTMmoves every year. In the end, competition is tough and exam is not friendly to anyside, anymore, whether youre a coaching/no-coaching/first timer/senior playeryou too should adapt and study hard else youll get massacred like an innocent bystander in the action movies.Act II: Weapons of Mass DestructionYou need five set of weapons1. Standard Reference books (SRB)2. Newspaper (The Hindu/Indianexpress only)3. Magazines4. Internet5. Your own notes (assembled using the parts of above four weapons)These weapons provide fire two types of ammunition1. Facts: features of Government scheme, powers of President, reasons for the spread of disease, some physics concept responsible for mechanism of xyz instrument.2. Fodder: if UPSC examiner was a buffalo, how would you please him? Ofcourse by throwing some grass fodder at him. Fodder is required mostly @Mains, Essay and interview. Pros and cons of a Government scheme / policy, reasons suggestions-analysis of xyz socio-economic-environmental problem= these are some examples of fodder.Postal study material and readymade coaching notes = Desi country made weapons (katta and Tamanchaa), most of the time they misfire or dont fire when you pull the trigger.So you should not over-rely on such Desi-weapons.Now lets see how to effectively utilize these weapons. In reverse orderWeapon#5: Your Own notesQ. Why notes making = important?Well the same reason why practicing math sums is important for CAT exam= To succeed.1. Syllabus of UPSC exam is extremely large. Even if youre done with the core/static theory portion, the new current affairs keep piling every day.2. Today, if you understand a topic from xyz book, magazine, newspaper or website but cannot recall it in the exam hall after five months, then whole exercise is useless.3. If youre not processing and consolidating information in compact notes form, then on the night before exam youll have so many heaps of books, newspapers and magazines that could fill up a small loading rickshaw! Youll be under extreme stress and frustration on what to read and what to skip?Types of Notes#1: Notes on Margin Basically you highlight important lines in a book and then write some important summery/keywords/phrases on the margins of every book page. Works well for NCERTs, GS Manuals, M.Laxmikanth, Bipin Chandra and so on. doesnt work well, if youre supposed to prepare a topic after consolidating information from multiple sources. (Indo-US relations for example) Doesnt work well, if it is a secondary reference book. (i.e. some xyz book from library, wasnt written for IAS exam but got some good facts/fodder in one or two chapters). In that case, ideal way was to write a separate handwritten summery note.#2: Handwritten NotesMade from Newspapers, standard reference books, magazines, websites.How to make notes out of newspapers, is already explained in a separate articleCLICK ME1. When you make notes, please be conscious that youre not doing it with a 90s mindset: i.e. too much dates, names and numbers.2. If you can remember something as such then no need to incorporate such data in your note. For example India got independence on 15thAugust 1947=dont write.3. You dont have to copy the sentences verbatim. Because that is identical to making a photocopy! Just write keywords and phrases, avoid writing full sentences. Write full sentence, only if it some extremely important quote / fodder statement.4. Notes need not be grammatically correct or pure chaste politically correct diplomatic language. You can mix up Hindi with English, proverbs, slangs, profanity, filmy dialogues even to the point of obscenity . whatever makes it easy to revise and recall the information. Keep in mind youre not making notes to impress someone, youre making notes for quick revision.#3: Computer Notes and MindmapsIf youre reading papercopy of a book, newspaper or magazine, it is easy to make handwritten notes simultaneously.But if youre reading something on internet or PDF file, it may not be convenient.Example softwares:To organize notes/dataTo create mindmaps

1. Evernote2. Microsoft Onenote 2007/2010/20133. Traditional Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel.1. Freemind2. Mindjet Mindmanager

There is no one size fits for all. In certain topics, Mindmapping would be useful, but in some topics a simple Excel datasheet would work just fine (for example list of persons in news or Science tech 2 markers.) I had created an Auto-notemaker computer script, basically it helps you copy phrases from pdf files and websites.CLICK ME(works perfect on WinXP, not so well on Win7) In the mains exam, question papers are quite lengthy. Handwriting speed matters. Therefore donot maintain only computer notes. Also make handwritten notes as and where required. Thatd indirectly help you improve writing speed.#4: Readymade NotesA) Notes of ToppersYou can find notes of previous years toppers (Om Kasera, Neeraj Singh, Kshitij Tyagi) in the download section ofwww.Mrunal.org/downloadSuch notes give you inspiration and indirect hints on the Art of notes making.You will find some good facts and fodder in such notes.However, Notes of toppers should not be your first line of defense or primary weapons because,1. if he could memorize xyz thing without notes, he wouldnt have incorporated such data in his notes.2. In many places hed have written sentences, that would make limited sense to you (but theyd help him connect point x with y)after all he wrote the notes for his easy revision and not yours.3. He may have skipped some topics or chapters because he did not find them exam-worthy.B) Readymade Coaching class notes and MaterialIt can be of two types1. Static = dealing with theoretical part of GS or optionals (History, Geography, literature etc.)2. Current affairsAs we saw in Act I, the Static notes of coaching classes, lost their significance under UPSCs BackbreakingTMMove.Regarding the current affairs notes= nowadays the famous classes intentionally delay the release of current affairs books/notes- to prevent UPSC spies from changing the question paper.So, in the coming years, youll find such material flooding in streets, just 15-20 days before the exam.Consider this situation1. Suppose Ajay Devgan exercised for 2 hours per day for 90 days continuously and transformed into a muscle man for his movie Singham.2. Therefore if you exercise 12 hours a day for 15 days, youll get the same muscular body. Is it possible?Why not? 902=180 and 1215 is also 180!Even If you take steroids, this is not possible. Same goes with the short cuts and quick fix solutions. It doesnt require an Einstein to release readymade current affair notes. Just hire a retired player of UPSC, ask him to follow Hindu for year, copy paste data, produce a booklet and charge anything between Rs.3000 to Rs.10000 depending on your coaching classs name and reputation in the masses. If a sincere player is doing his own notes since many months, he may quickly scan through such notes to fillup any missing data to upgrade his own personal notes. But then again, sincere players would usually find their own notes more adequate and well organized than such garbage that floods the street 15 days before the exam. But if a candidate had not been preparing current affairs on his own, then hed end up spending last 15 days just reading, digesting and processing the data, There will be no time left to revise any other topics.Therefore,1. Maintain your current affairs notes, Dont look for shortcuts.2. If you get some good coaching note, use it to upgrade your own notes.3. If you donot have coaching notes- dont feel guilty or inferior. There are plenty of toppers who made it without using such material.Now lets move to inspect the next weapon.Weapon #4: Internet Internet is required for Follow up Action on particular topic of current affairs. For example there is some climate change summit going on. Newspaper only mentions the highlight but not enough content to write 120 words answer then youd need to use google. Similarly, to find out the timeline/background of a topic, youll need to google. Youll need to visit official sites of various ministry Youll need to keep an eye on pib.nic.in Youll need to download IGNOU pdfs from egyankosh.ac.in as per your requirements. Youll need it to access TheHindu. And so onBut as usual, you should digest, process and make note out of it. Otherwise merely saving 10 articles per day in your harddisk = wont help you.Over-reliance on internet= Bad You use internet for accessing Hindu/other newspapers and gather current affairs = well and good. But dont just keep random surfing internet for your preparation (especially prelims). Because likelihood of getting question from some random internet article of Wikipedia or newspaper in UPSC = very less. Why? Because UPSC has to keep in mind the candidates from small towns and villages, who may not have 24/7 internet access. So many questions come from static theory part- NCERTs, other Standard reference books, to give them level playing field-particularly @the preliminary level. Initially youll feel enthusiastic about doing google-research, but after 15-20 days, youll lose the tempo and start feeling nervous thinking I can never complete the syllabus Ofcourse you can search internet for further explanation of a topic. But UPSC exam is not made up of one particular topic alone. It is a mixture of everything. So dont overdo anything. for example digging Sci-Tech, folk dances etc. day and night.Weapons #3: MagazinesA) Yojana and KurukshetraThey are released by the Government.Yojana deals with socio-economic issues, poverty, water sanitation, women empowerment etc.Kurukshetra deals mainly with rural Development.Both are important for UPSC, because they provide fodder material.Every article in those two magazines, follows more or less the same structure that is1. Initially itll describe an issue or problem, give you some data.2. Itll list the Government scheme / project and their salient features3. Thant itll give you data and charts on State wise money allotment and achievements.4. Sometimes itll give reasons why targets are not achieved.5. Ultimately, some over-glorified success story of xyz NGO or Self Help group.For us, point number 1,2 and 4 are important.If Yojana magazine issue has 75 pages, you can summarize the fodder material in less than 5 page note, just containing keywords and phrases. So do it, highly recommended, will help you particularly for descriptive question (mains and essay).It is said that Kurukshetra is important for candidates with Public Administration optional only. My opinion is Kurukshetra is important for everyone irrespective of optional subject given the current trend of UPSC asking yearbook, socio-economic Development type questions.How to subscribe to Yojana and Kurukshetra?Although you can download the free PDF files from their official website, here is the linkhttp://yojana.gov.in/CMS/Default.aspxbut I would suggest subscribe for paper-copy.Reason: Each magazine cost Rs.100 subscription per year = not very expensive.+ Reading on computer screen for long time= not good for eyes.Goto post office, buy following things1. Buy two IPO (indian postal orders) worth Rs.100 each2. One envelop worth Rs.5 (it already has postal stamp.)On Each IPO, write Director, Publication Division, Ministry of Info. & Broadcasting, New DelhiNow prepare two paper chits/letters: One for Yojana and One for Kurukshetra.1. Your Name and Address:2. Subscription: Yojana/Kurukshetra for 1 year3. Language of magazine: English/Hindi/Gujarati/ whatever language.4. IPO number:Now staple each letter with each IPO.Slip it into that Envelop.On the Envelop, write following address and mail it.Business Manager,Publication Division, East Block, Level-VII,RK Puram, New Delhi-110066B) CST, PD, Chronicle, WizardCST = Civil Service TimesPD= Pratiyogita DarpanThese magazines provide you information on current affairs, truckload of coaching class advertisements on every second page and useless clichd topper interviews.In the 90s era, magazines were important because preliminary exam used to be current affairs heavy (sports, awards, places and persons in news etc). Nowadays not so much.Besides, the level of current affairs questions in the mains examination, requires that you follow the newspapers rather these magazines. However magazines still have some utilities because1. Helps you fill up the gap in your notes. e.g. if some topic was not covered in newspaper, or in case you missed noticing some important development.2. Saves you the trouble of following sports related News everyday.But keep in mind the magazine publishers cover the news-item is still from the 90s mindset. They throw just way too much names,dates and numbers at you. So itd be better if you just noted down keywords in separate diary (especially for science-tech part) e.g. We are not interested in knowing the exact height and weigh of satellite, we only need to know its function or use.Each magazine has following structure1. National affairs2. International affairs3. Science-tech4. Economy5. Persons and Places in news6. Some filler articles for the sake of filling pages, because they couldnot find more coaching class ad sponsers..7. Usually doctored and ghost written topper interviewsFor you section 1 to 4 are important. Rest depending on your time and mood. Dont pay much attention on what topper is saying (or recommending) in the magazine interviews, because mostly theyre doctored and ghostwritten interviews. Read following blogs by IAS officers and youll understand what Im saying:1. Supreet Singh Gulati (IAS, AIR-2/CSE-2007, Punjab Cadre):click ME2. Gokul GR (IAS, AIR-19/CSE-2010, Kerala Cadre):Click MEMarketing PropagandaFrom January to May= Diwali time for competitive magazines.They come up with issues with attractive covers for example1. Complete geography in 15 days2. Entire coverage of Biodiversity3. 1000 questions on current affairs!The new player would ditch his books and start mugging up data given in such magazines. Nothing really comes in the exam and he suffers. So dont make that mistake. Your Primary weapons = Standard Reference Books+newspapers+your own notes.All these readymade things are secondary. These are only the supplements, not the substitutes.Which competitive magazine to use?Useany oneof following.Civil Service Times (CST): Recommended, if you sole aim is UPSC exam alone. Wizard, Chronicle= well I feel they lost the shine. Their target audience is only UPSC aspirants and in that genre, Civil Service Times is doing better job- coverage of International relations and Science-tech is good. It doesnt mean, Wizard and Chronicle are bad. Use whatever tools you can find / afford.

Pratiyogita Darpan Recommended, if youre simultaneously preparing for UPSC as well as Bank PO, SSC, State PSC type of jobs. Because PD also provides you with material and question papers of those exams. Pratiyogita Darpan can be read online for free, using their official website.Click ME

If money is the problem, then no need to buy, visit local Government library.Timeframe for current affairs?Question: From which month to which month, should I cover current affairs?If youre appearing in the year 2013, you should prepare current affairs from minimum Jan 2012. (it doesnt mean UPSC wont ask you some topic that happened in 2011 or from 2007, because UPSC is the baddest thug youll find in this part of South East Asia.)Anyways, the ideal and plausible current affairs time frame = start from one year i.e. Jan 2012. Finish upto that part, then worry about 2011.If youve started preparation from Nov 2012, then I hope from November onwards youd religiously follow newspapers and maintain notes (if you dont want to dig up your grave) but what about the stuff that already happened? i.e. what to do for the current affairs from Jan 2012 to Nov 2012?Go through the competitive magazine issues of those monthYa but Where to find the old magazines?A. local libraryB. For Pratiyogita Darpan their official website.Same advice for Yojana, Kurukshetra.Okay now assuming that you have covered up to January 2012. But about few years back?For Jan 2011 to Dec 2011 =www.competitionmaster.comFor 2001 to Dec 2010 =http://www.hindu.com/revents/events.htmYes it 2001 and no I did not make typing mistake. Just give a cursory reading to (National and International) section of that Hindu diary of events.Reason: there have been some landmark events for example Bt-Brinjal, Iraq and Afghanistan war, 9/11, 26/11, sub-prime crisis, Indo US nuclear deal, Tsunami, Right to education Act, women reservation bill, Law Commission, Justice Sacchar Committee, controversy regarding office of profit... And so on.Many such topics would continue haunting you indirectly and implicitly in the mains, essay and interview. So better have some idea about them.Do I need to follow more than one Competitive Magazine? Any One magazine is sufficient. More than one magazine = overlapping and overkill. Ofcourse there would be some xyz science-tech term which was given in PD but not in CST, then What to do? Well in war, there is always some casualty. If you start worrying so much, you cannot prepare. One competitive magazine (combined with one newspaper) should do the trick. If after youre done with core syllabus, notes making and everythingyou may visit local library to upgrade your notes. But now is not the right time. All those things are secondary.Frontline, EPW, The Economist, Outlook etcThey provide fodder material for essay, interview. These are all secondary reference. Frontline can also be downloaded for free (gotoMrunal.org/download)Who should refer secondary reference?1. Player with decent command over core GS, Yearbook, Polity, current affairs and hes already done with the syllabus and notes on opt. subject (if optional subjects are kept in UPSC exam)2. Someone who has appeared in mains and right now waiting for the interview call. He should visit local library, go through as many issues as he can- to build up his knowledge for interviews.In short, these secondary things are made for Level 3 player. Who is this level 3 player?click ME for the answer But If youre yet to become master of level2, then there is no point in indulge in these things at the moment. First finish your core syllabus, revise it multiple times and get good grip over the conventional General Studies. Often the Ideal strategy is not the plausible strategy. Use your head, know your strengths, limits, time available to you and proceed accordingly. Besides in UPSC lot of questions come from standard reference books and newspapers so they should be your primary weapons.So far we discussed weapon #5- notes, Weapon #4- internet, Weapon #3- magazines. Now time to examineWeapon #2: The Newspapers1. Why newspapers are important,2. How to read them effectively without wasting 3-4 hours a day?3. How to make notes out of newspapers?all that already explained in a previous article:click MEHow to read The Hindu online, using Google Reader, already explained=Click MEWeapon #1: Standard reference booksWhat is NCERTs?In India we have three school boards1. CBSE2. ICSE3. State Education boardsNCERT= the textbooks used by CBSE students. Theyre are available in both Hindi and English They can be downloaded for free, download links are given at the bottom of this article. But if you can afford, then go ahead and buy them from market. NCERTs are important because many questions in the preliminary exam, are directly or indirectly asked from them History, geography, science, economics. ICSE text-books are also good for preparation (particularly for Geography segment), but theyre expensive and not readily available in market. So just go for NCERTs. If youre appearing for State PSC exams, then use NCERTs and also Use State Education Board textbooks (History, Geography, Social Science) to get the GS/GK specific to that xyz State.What is this Older NCERTs?1. They are old black-and-white editions, contain truckload of facts, names, dates and numbers on history, science and geography were important during 90s eraquestion on this alloy and that chemical, world geography, ancient history etc. But now The nature of questions has changed.Newer/Younger NCERTs The colourful new editions, theyre not bloated with names, dates, numbers and other boring stuff. They are designed with main objective of explaining the underlying concept/principle of topic without boring the hell out of a reader. So, they are quite good for preparing under the BackbreakingTMregime of UPSC. some topics were better covered in the older NCERTs for example World geography and History- particularly the Colonization and economic angles to it. For that reason- some coaching sirs and senior players advice older NCERT. Personally i feel, one is not going to suffer from any competitive disadvantage, if he has not read the older NCERT books. because the question style has changed. + whatever facts were present in older NCERTs and absent in New NCERT= theyre usually covered in GS Manual. Besides, UPSC too understands that older NCERTs are rarely available outside Delhi and some guy from small town or village cannot easily access them. (recall BackbreakingTMprinciple) So if you can get your hands on older NCERT, read them, else there is no need to lose your sleep or burn your blood over this issue.In either case, if youre going to read NCERT just one or two times very lightly for namesake formality, then it wont help you.Revise often, and take NCERTs seriously.List of *NOT* recommended booklistTaking inspiration from Mrinalini Sarabhai (again), I give you a list of *Not recommended books*,Not recommended bookWhy?

1. Physical Geography by Goh Che Leong90s are over. Nature of question changed. NCERT+GS Manual =sufficient for physical geography.

1. Anatomy & Physiology for Nurses Courses, Evelyn PearceNCERT+GS Manual = more than sufficient to cover human body/biology.For First Aid, there is better PDF on IGNOU. (click ME)

1. Know your body: Readers Digest

1. General Principles of World Geography: Charles FarroLolz. Hardly any question on World geography, in last three years. NCERT+GS Manual will do the trick.

1. Monsoon Asia: Charles FarroNo need for Ph.DMonsoon question is so clichd, 90s and repeated, unlikely to reappear even in mains under the BackbreakingTMera.

1. A Brief History of Nearly Everything: Bill BrysonGood read for time pass,ifyouve free time.Problem is- there is no free time.

1. Fundamentals of Statistics by SC GuptaThis is used for M.Sc courses.NCERT +Spectrums Book on Statistics=good enogh.Besides Spectrum also contains solved Stat sums from GS papers from 1979 upto 2011.

1. Mishra PuriThese are meant for Economics (Optional subject) paper II.NCERT+NOS+Ramesh Singh (TMH)= less boring, less pages, more exam oriented.

1. Dutt Sundaram

1. Uma Kapila

1. DD BasuLaxmikanthis better organized and exam oriented.

1. MV Paylee

1. Subhash Kashyap

Yes youd find some fact/fodder from all ^such books, but time is a luxury you cannot afford, at best these all could come under Secondary, you may refer to them if and when youve the time, but now is not the right time- first get a decent grip over core GS, yearbook and current affairs.In case you wonder, if these books are not useful, then why would someone recommend them over internet?Ans.1. They may have had their (limited) utility in 90s era. So the old sites recommended them and theyre still on top of google search engine.2. Such huge list assures that a new player feels frustrated during self-study and decides to join coaching.General Studies (GS) Manual When it comes to Science, Geography or History: your first choice of Weapon= NCERTs. But at times some important concepts and principles are not covered fully in NCERTs. GS Manual bridges that gap + provides you truckload of mock questions to practice at home. You can download the blank answersheets byclicking me, and use it to practice those mock questions. Yes you must practice mock question, because they train you against negative marking. (just like a Circus lion is trained by whipping). Negative marking is a huge factor for success and failure @CSAT prelims. General Studies Manuals also contain lot of useless stuff for example chemical equations of respiration/ATP cycles and truckload of breeds and species of cows and buffalos and names of States where theyre found.Therefore, Not everything given in GS manual, is important from exam point of view (+it wont go in memory anyways). Youll see tips on how to effectively utilize GS Manual, inAct III. There are many publications involved in General Studies Manual.Tatamacgrawhill,Unique, Spectrum,Pearsonto name a few. If you already have one, then no need to purchase new GS Manual. But If you are yet to purchase a GS Manual, then I would suggest go forTata Machgrawhill General Studies Manual, particularly for its good coverage of Geography and Science segment and truckload of Mock Questions. You can also buy a second hand/used GS Manual, there is no harm in it.Other standard reference books will be discussed in appropriate sections of nextAct III.So, These are your weapons, but what about weapons of your enemy?Weapons of UPSCIt got 3 weapons1. BackbreakingTM: already discussed.2. R.T.I stonewalling (i.e. not divulging information via R.T.I or doing It only after the whole exam is over=1 year late) Hopefully CIC will resolve it.3. Negative Marking (in prelims/CSAT)Negative marking Plays huge factor in preliminary stage. The answer choices are designed in such way that applying common sense or smart guessing or smart elimination= many a times you end up ticking wrong answer. Youve to train your mind not to fall in that trap. Thats why practice all questions from GS Manual using blank answersheets and then check answers =your mind will be trained like a circus lion not to touch doubtful questions. Every year nature and difficulty of questions are different so donot force yourself into ticking more answers merely to cross animaginarycutoff based on previous RTIs. For example youve ticked 60 questions accurately and there are 10 questions where you feel 50:50 between two answer choices. But someone or something has brainwashed you into believing that one must tick 70 questions to clear prelims. So your mind starts playing tricks, makes you think that your smart guesses are correct and you get seduced into ticking those 10 questions. This usually leads into #Epicfail. Dont push your luck in prelims. Cutoffs are not decided by the eminent sirs of Delhi, cutoffs are not decided by internet forums, cutoffs are decided by UPSC. So once prelims or mains are over, dont raise your blood-pressure by what theyre predicting. Besides, your fate was already sealed the moment you submitted answersheet to the hall supervisor. Burning blood over cutoffs is not going to change your result.Q. Should I join some (Expensive) mock test series of coaching class?If you can afford go ahead join, if you cant (or dont want to), then no need to lose sleep or burn your blood over this issue. Following toppers cleared UPSC Civil Service examwithoutjoining such mock tests. (list is not exhaustive.)All India Rank (2011)

Harshika Singh8

Om Kasera17

Appendix: Download LinksThese Zip files contain PDF files. All of them important for concept/fact based Multi choice questions on Science, History, Geography, Polity, Culture.NCERTs (English)Science Class 7Download

Our Pasts Part 2 Class 7Download

Social and Political Life Part 2 Class 7Download

Our Environment Class 7Download

Science Class 8Download

Our Pasts Part 3 Class 8Download

Resource and Development Class 8Download

Social and Political Life Class 8Download

Science Class 9Download

Contemporary India Social Science for Class 9Download

Economics for Class 9Download

India and Contemporary World 1 for Class 9Download

Science Class XDownload

India and the Contemporary World 2 Class X Social ScienceDownload

Democratic Politics Part 2 for Class X Social ScienceDownload

Contemporary India Part 2 for Class X Social ScienceDownload

Understanding Economic Development Class X Social ScienceDownload

Fundamentals of Physical Geography Class 11Download

India Physical Environment Geography Class 11Download

Indian Economic Development Economics Class 11Download

Themes in World History Class 11Download

India People and Economy Class 12Download

Introductory Microeconomics Class 12Download

Macroeconomics Class 12Download

Fundamentals of Human Geography Class 12Download

Themes in India History 1 Class 12Download

Themes in India History 2 Class 12Download

Themes in India History 3 Class 12Download

If it doesnt work visit (or you want Hindi version):http://www.ncert.nic.in/ncerts/textbook/textbook.htmYoull also find sociology and other ^subjects in this official NCERT link.NOS/NIOS: Economy, Polity etc.DescriptionDownload Link

NIOS study MaterialEconomy, Environment n Biodiversity, Polity etc.Many zip files on various subjects. Download as per your requirements.click ME

Blank AnswersheetsFor practicing mock questions @homeclick ME

If it doesnt work visit (or forHindiversion) :http://www.nios.ac.in/online-course-material.aspxAct III: Waging the WarLoading Doze and Maintenance Doze You fall sick and doctor gives you medicine. The initial doze is high : 2 tablets a day. (this is loading doze) Take tablets, they kill some bactaria and get eliminated through urine.= symptoms are decreased. But if you stop taking drug, then ultimately bacteria population will rise again. So doctor doesnt completely stop the medicine but reduces the doze, e.g. just 1 tablet a day. (this is maintenance doze)Ya but how is ^this relevant for UPSC exam?If youre already finished with the loading doze phase (e.g. core syllabus) then all you need is maintenance doze (revision). It leads to many positive effects1. Now your vision expands. You can clearly see connections between topics and how theyre important for exam or not.2. Now you can allot more time for upgrading your notes with current affairs.3. Now you can digup Government sites and internet for follow up action on various topics.4. Now you can practice mock MCQs (prelims) or answer writing (mains)Besides, finishing the core syllabus is also important for another reason:= career backup plan. In case you fail in the IAS exam and If youre not a CA, Doctor or IITian, what will you do? Well, the backup plans would usually involve Bank PO, State PSC, SSC type jobs or doing PG/MBA. Such exams are conducted throughout the year. Whatever you prepare general studies, will directly or indirectly help you in those exams. But Here is the problem: most of them require some specific side preparation as well for example Bank, SSC, CAT would require Aptitude. Similarly for State PSC, youd have to learn the history and geography of Punjab, Maharashtra etc. So, If your core syllabus of UPSC is not complete, then you will always be under stress on how to manage time between preparation of these exam and it will be like choosing between devil and the deep sea.Therefore, sooner you finish loading doze, better itll be for you.First of all complete the core/basic syllabus of following topicsTopicWhy?

1. EconomyOtherwise, you will not be able to fully digest the newspaper columns.

1. International relations

1. Polity

1. StatisticsYou will have to spend less time before the mains on this topic. So that many days or weeks could be utilized for preparing other topics of general studies/opt subjects (if opt.subjects are kept)

Statistics UPDATE(March-08-2013): statistics no longer relevent as UPSC removed it from 2013.EconomyThe core syllabus of economy consists of the following thingsTheoretical economyBasic Concepts and terminologies, GDP,GNP,PPP,IIP, inflation etc.Indian economy (static portion) LPG reforms. Budget making process. RBI monetary policy: Repo, Reverse Repo, CRR, SLR etc.Source: Static portion of the economy

1. NCERT Class 10, 11, 12 (links @bottom of this article)2. NOS Study material for Economy (links @bottom of this article)3. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh (Tata Macgrawill Publication)You have to move to the next level = current affairs related to Indian and world economy.1. DTC, GST,WTO, IMF, World bank etc.2. Various for committees formed by government and their recommendations: Kelkar, shunglu, Parekh etc.3. Economic Survey and Budget 2013.4. Eurozone crisis, American recession, dollar-rupee exchange etc.Source: Current affairs on economy1. Newspaper (The Hindu / Indianexpress / Economic Times)2. Anyone competitive magazine.3. Investopedia, Wikipedia, internet4. Mrunal.org/economy

What is Economic Survey? And why is it important? It is a report published on the official website of Finance Ministry (before General budget is announced). This report contains information on the present situation of Indian economy, various schemes of Government and future approach required for the next year. It has lot of boring and unimportant data tables but also contains good fodder material and exam-worthy information. If youre subscribed to any competitive Magazine, you would usually find the highlights of economic survey in the subsequent issues of the magazine. Yet I would recommend you to go through the original economic survey report because magazines or newspapers only tend to cover the dramatic items. Whatever important details you find, make a note out of it.Economy : Prelims/ MCQs1. You are given a term and 4 explanations for that term. You have to identify the correct definition2. You are given a problem (inflation or low IIP or currency depreciation) and 2-4 possible solutions, you have identify the correct solution to fix the problem. (This can also be framed as assertion reasoning type question)3. You are given name of a committee and 2-4 recommendations. You to tick the correct recommendations.4. Match the following: you are given name of some organizations on one side and functions performed by organizations on the other side. You have to match them5. Your given name of an organization SEBI/NABARD/CCI/RBI etc and four statements associated with them you have to find correct statements.6. You are given name of some government scheme or policy or act related to economy and four statements associated with them. You have to find the correct statements7. The trivial GK based questions e.g. names of businessmen/company, repo rate in particular month, establishment of particular organization etc. BUT theyre are generally not appearing under back breakingTMmoveIn short, whenever you are preparing anything related to economy, think on those lines and try to frame the questions by yourself. Also solve the mock questions given in yourGS Manual.Economy : MainsIn the 90s era, you could expect direct questions example1. Difference between the functions of IMF and World Bank =10 marks2. Explain the functions performed by RBI = 12 marks3. Explain the budget making process=20 marks.Such direct questions are very unlikely to appear in future mains. At most they may ask such things on two markers or five marker question. The 12, 15, 20 marker economy-questions seems to be reserved for critically examine/ Analysis this and that type of questions. You have to keep gathering fodder material from newspaper columns. For example Critically examine the issues involved in implementation of goods and services tax or Direct Tax code. These topics will again gain momentum before and after the budget-2013. Keep an eye on the newspaper columns, TV reports during that time and maintain notes. Same advice for each and every topic. For example SEBI- e-IPO issue was in news few weeks back. So if you prepare the notes when the issue is still hot= best. Sometimes issues are very complicated and require you to do research on Internet. If you cant do It immediately, then note down the title of topic in your To-Do list/diary. Otherwise after two three weeks youll forget it and get busy with some new important topic. Then same question would appear in Mains/ Prelims and you will curse yourselfdamn I should have done that topic, when I had the time.You may also visitwww.egyankosh.ac.inand download the relevant PDF files from Economics section for selective study and fodder material.International relations Prelims: not part of syllabus. (ofcourse one or two random questions can come on world geography, Summits, Current Affairs) But for mains, international relations/ diplomacy =extremely important.In Mains examination, The General Studies Paper II rests on four pillars1. International relations2. Economy3. science tech4. statisticsIf any one pillar is weak, your building will collapse.How to approach International Relations =Already explained in a separate article.Click MEYou also keep an eye on websites ministry of external affairs and ministry of overseas affairs.Notes making = extremely important for international relations because usually you will not find direct answers in any single chapter or article. Youve to keep following news for months.For example1. In Xyz Month, suppose there is big protest / PIL regarding POSCO. Newspapers will cover it and you get say 3 fodder points. Note it down2. After a few months, either S.Korea President comes to India or Mohan makes a trip there (Mohan usually makes foreign trips when there a new scandal at home, because then he is saved from answering the media or lets the high command cover up the problem hehehe.)3. Anyways back to the topicso when leaders make trip to each others nation, they release a joint press statement. Youll usually find 5 fodder points in it. Note down.4. After some months, China and S.Korea start fighting over some sea/land/island. Again newspaper columns start covering it and you get 3 more points.Total youve 3+5+3=11 points.When they ask you about India-S.Korea relations, you can use those points to write a decent answer.PolityJust one wordLaxmikanth

The question is how to effectively use Laxmikanth? For that, dont study the book in linear fashion (chapter 1,2,3,4) Instead I suggest you move in following direction1. First you read the chapter on President, Vice President and immediately move to the chapter on governor. Then read on Emergency provisions.2. Read chapter on PM and cabinet, then move to CM and state council of Ministers.3. Chpater on Parliamentary system and then directly to parliament, but after budget topic is done pause this chapter and move to on CAG. Then come back and resume the chapter on parliament.4. Once parliament is finished, move to State legislative assembly.5. Same way Supreme Court and then High court, tribunals.6. Attorney Gen =>Advocate General7. UPSC =>State PSC8. Finance Commission =>Planning Commission=>Nat.Development council9. Now Centre State and Interstate relations.10. Election Commission=> chapter on election, Anti-defection11. All the National Commissions on Women, SC, ST,OBC, CVC, Lokpal and so on.

Once ^this is done. Move to1. Citizenship, Fundamental rights, DPSP, duties.2. Amendment of Constitution=> preamble3. Jammu Kashmir => Scheduled and Tribal Areas.4. UT, Panchayati Raj, municipalitiesAfter ^this is done. Read whatever chapters are remaining.Note: the short explanations given in appendix of every chapter= should be read.Q. Should I make notes out of Laxmikanth? M.Laxmikanth has the skill of writing book in a note-format. So whether it is his book on polity or on Public Administration, there is no need to maintain a special note out of his books. Just highlight/underline important lines. Note down keywords on the margin. And keep revising it as many times as you can. When youve done enough revision, solve mock questions given at the end of his book (around 300). Then solve another 400 Mock Qs given in the GS manual. So total 700 questions practiced. Then UPSC MCQs on polity will not give you much trouble.Anyways ^this is only the static polity.What about the current affairs on Polity? Womens reservation bill = explicitly polity topic. But at times polity related current affairs and possible questions are subtly hidden in the current affairs. So be vigilant. For example, Nuke power plant issue would superficially appear as environment/yearbook but can be well asked from Centre-State relations point of view. Supreme courts order on Ganga/Yamuna clearing would appear as environment topic but can be asked under Centre-States responsibilities in water Management also. Same goes for 2G scam, mining scams and so on. (Judicial Activism, Seperation of power, CAG Activism and so on)Sources for current affairs1. Newspaper2. Prsindia.org3. Mrunal.org/politySo far we have seen how to approach International affairs, Economy and Polity. You should finish their core syllabus first, in order to fully digest the newspaper items.Now moving to the other topics of syllabus.History (GS/CSAT)For prelims (CSAT General Studies Paper I), History is subdivided into three segmentsAncientHarappa, Vedic Age, Buddha, Mahavir, Gupta,Maurya Kingdoms etc.

MedievalDelhi Sultanate, Vijaynagar, Mughals etc.

ModernBritish Raj. 1857 Mutiny onwards. Freedom struggle.

In the 90s, questions used to be based on1. Timelines: wars, kings,2. Locations: of Harappa Sites where xyz type of pottery was found, or Asokas pillars3. Match the following4. Maps: theyd give you a blank map, you had to locate xyz state or kingdom.In last three years, questions are mostly based on religion, culture, art and features/cause/reason type.Although UPSC hasnot asked map based question lately but if youve time, it doesnt hurt preparing the maps (because UPSC is the baddest thug in this part of South East Asia.) youll find the Ancient/Medieval maps in NCERTs and in GS Manual.Essential Booklist for History (GS/CSAT)1. NCERT class 7 to 10 Social Science2. NCERT class 11, 12 on History3. NOS Studymaterial on Indian Culture and Heritage.^all of these free, download links @bottom of this article1. Selective Study of History portion inTata Macgrawill General Studies Manual(to fill up vacuum of whatever details are missing in the NCERTs). But again skip very tiny details such asMiddle Palaeolithic tools were found at Nevasa, Maharashtra by HD Sankalia. Because it wont go in long term memory. Your time and energy can be better utilized in other topics.Once this is done, solve all the Mock MCQs given in the General Studies Manual.In The NCERT Class 9 and 10, youll also find information on World History (WW1, WW2, French Revolution, Russian Revolution etc) While theyre not specifically mentioned in the syllabus, you should read it because indirectly important for Essay and interview.History (Mains/GS)In the 90s, the General Studies paper used to have following structure, in History section1. 3-5 descriptive question (60 marks)2. Freedom fighter 2 markers (10 marks)3. Culture related 2 markers (10 marks)Ofcourse there would be fluctuation each year, but this was the usual makeup. Success formula in 90s era= basically mugup Spectrums three books + Bipin Chandra. That doesnt hold true anymore, as we saw in GS Mains-2012 Analysis (click MEif you didnt) Nowadays weightage given to History in GS mains paper = declined and emphasis has been shifted to Culture.So how to proceed in this new era?1. Indias Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra2. Selective Study of IGNOU BA/MA History (only related to freedom Struggle)Click ME3. Selective Study of IGNOU Tourism Course (for culture)CLICK ME4. NOS material on Indian cultureCLICK ME5. Spectrum Book on Indian CultureOptional referenceBecause of the backbreakingTMmove of UPSC, following books have lost their former glory. So Im putting them under Secondary. If youve time, read else dont bother. There are many other areas where you can utilize your energy.1. Spectrum Book on Brief History of Modern India2. Spectrum Book on Freedom FightersHowever, for State PSC exams, whore still in the 90s mood, these books would come handy. In that case, mug them up :)GeographyGeographyclassified into three parts1. Physical geography2. World geography3. Indian Geographythe first two topics come in prelims syllabus. but they are not included in the main syllabus.for Mains syllabus of General Studies, youve to prepare Indian Geography only.How to Approach Geography for CSAT-Prelims?First of all complete1. NCERT class 7 to 10 social science2. NCERT class 11, 12: Geography (except that practical book on mapping and survey methods)3. NOS Studymaterial on Geography (if the time and eyes permit you!)Free download links for above PDF files, have been given in previous Act II.Click MEWhen this is done, move to general studies manual to fill up the missing gaps if any.Now lets check how to effectively utiliseTata McGraw-Hill General studies manualfor Geography portion.1. branches of geography= important2. origin of Earth= important3. ignore the geological history of Earth4. ignore the facts about earth (weight, volumne and stuff like that)5. understand the concepts related to longitudes, latitudes, meridians, inclination of Earths axis and its effect, standard time, cycles of the moon, atmosphere, Aurora -magnetism, insulation and heat budget, templated,6. mecanism of winds, monsoon7. ignore table of Beufort Scale8. ignore types of clouds9. understand the difference between dew, frost, fog, smog, mist and haze.10. types of climate, water table = important, also from environment and biodiversity Angle11. Understand the mechanism of cold and warm currents = because they are also related with climate change12. From lakes, only important and famous ones : Caspian Sea, Lake Superior, Superior, Victoria, Baikal, Aral Sea, Wulur, Vostock13. Same for rivers14. Marine resources= important for environment topic also15. Classification of rocks: prepare a small note on features and example of each type16. Theories of Plate tectonics, continental drift etc - just get overview17. Volcanos, Earthquakes important but no need to get in minute stuff. Just supplement NCERT18. Weathering, Erosion, landforms = important from environment topic angle.19. ignore table on major water falls, except famous ones : Angel, Victoria, Niagara,20. Soil is important but from agriculture point of view only.21. ignore the table containing classification of soil22. ignore US Taxonomy classificationWorld geography1. Go through entire human geography but ignore trivial details like Lapps= people of Eurasian trunda. (But famous tribes are important e.g.Bushman=Kalahari Desert.)2. Migration, resource classification, farming system, types of cultivation, agricultural typology= extremely important3. Chief agro products (tea, wheat etc) : the land/climate conditions required = important.4. Forest products= important from environment and biodiversity angle.5. Mineral producers= only the major ones (coal, iron ore, gold, nuclear, oil etc). Otherwies Mercury producers = Spain and Italy= ignore.6. industrial products= just get an overview7. important boundary lines= as the name suggests, it is important8. important cities= not that important for UPSC , but may help you in GK based questions in SSC/Bank.9. old name and new name for various countries and cities= indirectly important for the interviews.Indian geographyIn last two years, very few questions are coming from world geography. but at the same time, it is not a good idea to completely ignore world geography especially when you have time. because a something really straightforward asked Tropical Savannah climate, then you should not miss the opportunity. In the 90s, they would give you some map based questions. ( location of rivers, mountains, nations etc). but they have not asked map-based questions in last two years. but it does not hurt much preparing the Atlas because it indirectly helps you understand the international-relations and diplomacy topics in better manner. More emphasis should be given on the Indian geography because it is common for both prelims and mains. While Indian geography is important for prelims, the nature of question has changed.earlier it used to be mapped based or location-based Indian geography but nowadays it is mostly related with agriculture, environment angles.1. first start with NCERTs and them move to TMH GS Manual.2. keep an Atlas Ready while reading everyline, otherwise things will not go long-term memory.3. for the lakes, rivers, waterfalls, irrigation projects, wildlife parks and sanctuaries etc. only prepare the famous ones and those related with odd animals such as Wild Ass. and prepare the trivial ones only if they are from your home state (for profile based interview questions and for State PSC)4. Indias industrial towns/tourist places: famous ones + those from your home state and surrounding neighbour states. No need to go in trivial. These things are for indirectly understanding the issues of socio-economic Development and for profile based interview questions. Otherwise direct MCQs are very unlikely.5. seasons, soil types, wildlife= important.6. ignore places connected by national highways. 90s era is over.7. sex ratio, literacy rate :top 3, bottom 3, and your home state.8. Tribal groups = important from culture angle.9. India maps on political, physical, wildlife and biosphere, seaports, soil-vegetation, = important for indirect MCQs.Once this is done. (Physical, World and Indian Geography.) Again restart process and then solve MCQs from GS Manual.Geography for GS-MainsThe way things have started taking shape, the conventional and clichd questions are unlikely to appear anymore (for example monsoon mechanism.)But still prepare Indian Geography from Economic, sustainable Development, Disaster and Environment angles.Books:1. NCERTs, NOS, GS Manual.2. India Yearbook (Wastelands, Drough Management etc) and follow up on respective Government websites.3. 2ndARC report on Disaster Management.http://arc.gov.in/4. Traditional books on Indian Geography are not likely to help directly like they used to in 90s (for example Spectrum/ Majid Hussain/ Khullar) But still you may go through any one of them, if youve the time.That concluded talk on Geography. Moving to next topic of syllabus.Environment and biodiversity When we talk of history or polity, there are already decent standard books available because those topics have been in syllabus since the beginning of UPSC exams. But this Biodiversity is newly introduced syllabus topic since CSAT 2011. Most of the ready-made books (and magazines special issues) on this topic provide you too much data, above what is necessary. For example in case of biodiversity, theyd give you a huge list of endangered species and their Latin names and how many animals are left. The establishment year of every wildlife park and their surface area with accuracy upto two decimal points like 48.25 kms! Environment biodiversity is not about becoming master of trivial GK, UPSC MCQs are not same like Kaun Bangegaa Crorepati.Like every other topic in UPSC (except History and Statistics), we can classify EnB under two headsStaticCurrent Based

basic theoretical and static stuff such as biomes, bios, in-situ, ex-situ modes of wildlife conservation, keystone species, umbrella species, project tiger, elephant, biosphere reserves and things like that.Issues involving various protocols or world conventions. IPCC reports, Kyoto etc.Supreme court orders on xyz issue: Clearing of Yamuna, Ban on Mining, Tiger tourism etc.

Booklist/Preparation sources for Environment and BiodiversityStatic (theory)Current based

1. NCERT Social science (7-10): because Geography, Forest etc given in it.2. NCERT Geography Class 11, 123. NOS Study material on Biodiversity. Free download link @bottom4. India Yearbook, chapter on Environment1. Website of Ministry of Environment and Forest1. Yojana, Kurukshetra magazine issues involving those particular themes1. The Hindu: Energy and Environment segmenthttp://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/1. Climate Change section of IndianExpress:http://www.indianexpress.com/section/climate-change/912/1. Economic Times section on Environmenthttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/planetsos/2647163.cms1. http://mrunal.org/enb1. Magazine (just to make sure we did not miss anything!)1. Google: incase follow up action is necessary for a particular topic.

^Prelims questions: mostly theory based= multiple revision must. (+ a few on current affairs) ^Mains questions: mostly current based. You must maintain notes. The source list may lookintimidatingbut it is not! Because environment news doesnt happen everyday (unlike Economy), so every week there will be no more than 2-3 news items.Moving to the next topicYearbook: prelims and mains[Yearbook] is the collective term used to describe following1. Organization of various ministry and offices and their functions2. Various schemes and projects of Government3. Issues of socio-economic Development, five year plansIn a way, Yearbook is a mixture of Economy + Polity.What is India Yearbook (2013)?

A book released by Publication division under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. In common parlance we refer this as Yearbook but otherwise technically name of the book isIndia 2011, India 2012, and India 2013 and so on (according to year of publication). Earlier, government used to provide free PDF file of this book. But they started doing it since 2012. This book also helps in rights issue, environment, public health topics. My advice: if you dont have this book then wait and watch, buy the new edition 2013, when it comes in the market. If you already have a India 2012, no need to buy new, just update any new Government schemes using Government websites/newspaper/magazines. If you have a very old edition (something like India 2007) then dump it andbuy the latest edition,because many schemes are consolidated / their salient features have been changed.Why is India Yearbook important? Many publication houses, provide their own version ofyearbooksfor example Chronicle, wizard. They have the same content of India yearbook, but in bulleted form, some details are omitted, some side current affairs GK is added. While superficially, they may feel more easier to read and prepare but my advice go directly to the original source because many times 4TF type MCQs are directly lifted from the statements and paragraphs given in India yearbook (i.e. India 2013)From Yearbook topic, usually following type questions appear in the examPrelims (CSAT)Mains

1. The give you two for four statements related to a particular scheme or Government organization (e.g. Haj Committee). You have to find out the correct/incorrect statements2. Name of some schemes are given, youve to match them with their objectives.Basically Two types of questions can appear1. you are given name of a government scheme or project and you have to write its salient features (12-15 marks)2. you are given some socio-economic problem and you have to analyze it, list the steps taken by government, or suggest about the future steps that should be taken.

Therefore You should have strong command over the salient features of every scheme, otherwise you will get confused in the MCQs. Besides the same salient features will also help you in descriptive answers during the mains exam. So prepare the topic on that line without wasting energy in useless stuff.Example.1. Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme provides for setting up of residential upper primary schools for girls of SC, ST, OBC and Muslim communities. = important.2. In 11th five year plan, government of India allotted 8,000 crores under Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme= NOT IMPortant.How to read India yearbook efficiently?Already explained in previous article.Click MEBut this is only the static (theory/basic) part. What about the current affairs?BecauseIndia yearbook 2013is printed in Dec 2012, but many new events will take place between December 2012 to May 2013 (Prelims) and November 2013 (mains). How to prepare them?Sources for Yearbook Current affairs:1. The Hindu2. Press releases from pib.nic.in (subscribe to them via Google reader)3. Economic Survey (will be uploaded on Finance Ministrys website)4. Yojana and Kurukshetra5. Mrunal.org/yearbook6. Competitive Magazine (just to make sure we did not miss anything.)Prepare a keywords note and revise it often else, youll mixup with salient features of various schemes and projects.Moving to the next topicScience-TechScience can be classified into following partsTheory (Static)Current Affairs

1. Physics2. Chemistry3. biology-subtopics:4. plant and animals5. humansIt is known as science-tech.

Science for PrelimsThe static (theory based) science has declined in importance. In the 90s you could expect 10-10-10 questions on physics, chemistry, biology each (theory based).Nowadays barely 8-10 question and that too mixture of both theory + current affairs.But it doesnt mean you should skip the static (theory based) science becausea. competition is damn highb. UPSC =unpredictable.Therefore certain minimum level preparation is necessary for every topic. Beside there is lot of time still left before the exam.Start with NCERT Science textbooks class 7 to 10. Even if youre already an M.Sc, engineer or Doctor, still you should read these textbooks. because even if you have good command over your field, still you would have forgotten many important basic concepts from the school. So always start with NCERTs. And please dont read NCERTS lightly or just for namesake formality because UPSC will usually give you four statements and all of them would sound equally plausible. You should be thoroughly clear on principles/concepts. Once you have finished reading these textbooks, it is time for selective study of GS manual.How to efficiently use GS Manual for Science segment?Physics Chapter on Science1. difference between scaler and vector quantity=important2. Newtons laws and their practical application=important3. the working principles behind artificial satellites, geostationary satellites etc. =important, but no need to mugup equations.4. The concept of densities important but you dont need to mugup absolute density value of various substances. Same goes for surface tension, viscosity etc.5. Concepts and principles behind heat, electronic thermometer, refrigeration, radiation, solar cooker, thermos flask, carengine radiator, air-conditioners, pressure cookers, DTH TV, nightvision goggles, radar, oven, CAT Scan etc.6. Optics: convex and concave glasses: differences applications, refractions,7. Principle behind rainbow, LCD, camera microscope, LASER, compact disc etc. but no need to get bored with those complex diagrams.8. Sound: echo, resonsnace, doplar effect, sonic boom, dolby etc. : again you need to have idea on basics. No need for going into minute details.9. Same for Magnetism and electricity, Nuclear physics.10. In short, you should be aware of the concepts and principles but You dont need to mugup equations of Velocity, acceleration, pendulum, sound etc.Biology1. Branches of biology important2. difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is important3. Parts of typical cell, and their functions= important4. Basics of cell division mitosis and meiosis =important but no need to do Ph.D from GS Manual.5. Classification of living organism= you should have overall idea but no need to go in minute details like the difference between Deuteromycetes and Basiondiomycetes.6. Tissue system : same as above7. Nutrition and digestion system important but no need to go in details like 8 hours of work = 972 calories.8. respiration and photosynthesis: no need for Ph.D or chemical reaction9. Heart, kidney: just functions, no need to go diagram10. ignore diagram of conduction of nerve impulse11. Basic functions of Endocrine glands and diseases asscociated with them = important. But Cacitonin raises blood calcium level =not important.12. skeletal system: simply ignore. THM has given Ph.D on this.13. reproduction : concepts important. diagrams are not important.14. artificial methods of vegatative reproduction =extremely important.15. Plant hormor diagram= ignore16. sex determination in humans, birds and bees= important17. Table and Diagram on ABO blood group, Rh factor = very important.18. List of genetic disease = important but no need to mugup all, only big dieases like Sickle cell, Thalassemia.19. Basics of Gene Expression, m-RNA, t-RNA important else other topics stem cell, cancer, genetic engineering, cloning etc will be hard to understand.20. Tables for Disease, types, mode of transmission and symptoms= important (including for mains). But no need to mugup Latin names of those bactaria etc.21. Table on Vitamin function and disease = important22. monoclonal antibodies=important for mains also.23. Basics of antigen-antibody=important because vaccination works on that principle^This is the basic biology. Now in the TMH GS Manual, theyve given environment related stuff= important. Well discuss what to do with that, in separate topic environment and Biodiversity: for the moment skip it move on to the topic of drug abuse and alcoholism. No need to mugup tables but you should have idea the origin of various narcotic drugs .e.g. LSD from fungi, Marijuana from hemp, Morphine, heroine = opium derivaties. Cocaine from coca leaves.+Basic idea on alcoholism e.g. Hooch / Zehrili Sharaab is basically methanol and it causes blindness. Alcohol is not stimulant but depressant. Alcohol causes cirrhosis of liverAnimal Husbandry Now comes the topic of Animal husbandary. Very brief overview, no need to mugup Latin names, Ignore animal disease table. Artificial insemination importantAgriculture Youd already have covered this topic through NCERTs, so use GS manual only to fill up any missing details such as ideal soil type, harvesting season, states because usually 4TF MCQs are prepared from that. No need to mugup every hybrid variety or latin name Type of plants = important Masticatory, medicinal plants and bio insecticides: only use/function.ChemistryFrom TMH GS manual.1. Symbols of elements= ignore.2. Chemical equations =ignore. because youve already ignored the symbols hahaha3. Use of chemical compound = important but their chemical formula is not important4. Ignore Thomsons atomic model5. Ignore Rutherfords Atomic model6. Ignore theories of chemical bonding7. Ignore periodic table8. Ignore molality, mole fraction and their equations9. Concept of solubility =important10. Oxidation reduction mechanism and examples = important11. Carbon, its compounds and allotropes, carbon cycle=important12. Ignore Acid-base, hydrocarbon. Whatever you prepared in NCERT is sufficient. THM is going into Ph.D mode13. Table on natural occurrence of selected metals=important for big elements only. E.g.Dolomite =Magnesium and Magnetite= iron.14. Location of mineral wealth= important. You should idea on overall which mineral is found in which state.15. Basics of metal extraction, petroleum, steel, rusting, cement, glass =important16. Colloids= only basic definition and table of types of colloidal system, emulsion and gels =important17. Ignore Micelles topic.18. Biotech Nanotech and their applications =important both for prelims and mains19. Polysaccharides = use and sources =important. But chem formula=ignore, same for proteins and glycosides20. Ignore the equations govering gases, liquids and solutions.21. Understand the three laws of thermodynamics22. Ignore themodynamic potentials.23. The readymade Question answers given on important concents and topics= important to understand principle.Once youre done (physics, chemistry and biology) from GS Manual.Restart the whole process one more time (once again read NCERTs and once again read GS Manual) and then solve the Mock MCQs given at the end of each chapter.This finishes the theory portion of Science. Now coming to the current affairs portion =Sci-Tech.Science-Tech for prelims and MainsSources1. The Hindu (particularly Thursday edition)2. Mrunal.org/sntIve uploaded some ready revision notes from The Hindus article. That should give you the hints on how to approach a science related news articles from exam point of view, what to skip and what to note down.3. Magazine (any one CST or PD): just to make sure we did not miss anything from Hindu / current affairs.4. Internet, incase you need to do follow up question for a particular topic e.g. Human Genome project because such things can also come under 10 marks in Mains. But dont do Ph.D on it. Like I said in previous Act- Application of Nanotechnology. This is meant for 12-15 marks, theyre not going to ask a 30 marks or 200 marks essay on it. So keep the size of notes accordingly.5. And dont too much sci-tech. If you start digging google, there is so much Science-tech going on around the world throughout the year. But Beyond a level, this has diminishing rate of returns.For the Science-Tech, Frequent revision is essential. Otherwise, itd remain in your notes but you wont be able to recall it in the exam hall.Public health and first aid This topic is gaining quite some importance since last two mains (2011 and 2012) it is a mixture of Yearbook+Sci-Tech For prelims, this topic is not directly mentioned in the CSAT (Preliminary) syllabus yet 4TF MCQ questions based on diseases can come under the General Science. For Mains, the syllabus explicitly mentions Public Health.Preparation sources/booklist for Public Health1. Basics of nutrition, disease, vaccination = NCERTs, GS Manual2. Government schemes and projects related to public health= India Yearbook Chapter on health and family welfare + and Government websites for new updates3. Newspaper4. Press release of pib.nic.in5. Mrunal.org/sntFirst Aid Since last two years they have been asking role-playing question on First Aid treatment in the mains examination. Now that Doesnt necessarily mean that they will definitely ask a question on first aid, in the next exam but you should be prepared. Go through the following PDF file (taken from IGNOU):Click ME.Good governance, law and orderThese are given in General Studies Mains syllabus1. Law enforcement, internal security and related issues such as the preservation of communal harmony.2. Issues relating to good governance and accountability to the citizens including the maintenance of human rights, and of pro-bity in public lifeBest source:1. 2ndARC reports.http://arc.gov.in/2. Yojana issues related to the themes3. Besides itll also help you in essay and interview.4. + any current affairs (Lokpal, Citizen carter, Whistleblower, SC judgements etc) but youd be preparing that already under [Polity]You can also dig egyankosh.ac.in for good governance and law and order, but if Public Administration is not your optional then then itll give you diminishing rate of returns.I think ^this should be sufficient for General Studies.Yes there are some small time topics left. For example prelims syllabus has1. Public Policy,2. Rights issue,3. Panchayati RajBut given the way UPSC conducted last two prelims, whatever you prepare under yearbook, polity (static + current), will help you in these questions. There is no need to prepare them separately using a book/coaching material. At most go forGovernance in India by M.Laxmikanth,ifyouve time- otherwise no need. You can also use the Sociology and Political Science textbooks of NCERT (Class 11,12).Preparation TimetableThese are no rock-solid time frames. Just suggestionsNov-DecemberFinish core syllabus of Economy, Polity and International relations. (to digest newspapers better)Prepare topics that are present in mains but absent in prelims viz1. Statistics2. First Aid3. Good governance, Accountability and Law n order (2ndARC)Go through the Yojana, Kurukshetra from Jan 2012 (incase you missed them)Finish Bipin Chandra right here if you can.

Jan/Feb onwardsMarch1. Yearbook2. History + Culture3. Geography4. Environment + Biodiversity5. Science and Science TechEconomy (current affairs)+ lots of revision+ MCQ practice+ daily newspaper+Aptitude paper.

April-May1. Readymade garbage will start flooding the streets (from Delhi). Ignore it.2. Have faith in your books and notes revise them as much as you can.3. Reduce/stop digging internet for more current affairs!4. Read newspaper till last day but If editorials are taking too much time, just cut and file them but finish them once the prelims are over.

June-July-August Assuming that from 20thMay to 1stJune youd be in vacation/relief mood. Dont raise your blood pressure with cutoffs debate on orkut, better watch some movies or just go rob a bank. Once your mind is clear, fresh and relaxed (and pockets are full-if you robbed a bank), Make a list of national and international events/topics that are important from mains point of view. Review your notes, upgrade them in the light of above events via internet/ frontline whatever necessary.

Aug/Sept/OctPrelims result is announced.A) If you fail= Dont become Devdas. Review your mistakes and fix them in next attempt. But daily newspaper reading = essential till you retire from this field. Use your energy as per this articleClick ME.B) If youve passed, thank the almighty God and proceed ahead.After UPSCs #epic BackbreakingTMMoves shown in Mains-2012, there are hardly any Standard Reference books left to revise for mains, but still do it!Otherwise Daily reading of newspaper- notes making. (+follow up action, google digging for whatever new events are taking place) Yojana, Kurukshetra/ any Committee reports etc- notes making. Most important: Take care of health. Dont eat street-food.

NovGive mains.

DecVacation,Again dont raise blood pressure in cut-offs debates, either watch some movies or rob a few more banks. (but do read newspapers daily and make notes out of it.)

Jan-Feb-March Fill up form for next prelims. Continue the maintenance doze for next prelims. Prepare for interview (profile based questions (location, graduation..), national and international events, including background, historic details, pros, cons etc.) More explained later

March-AprilResult of Mains + interviews starts.1. If you pass, thank the almighty God once again. (and return the money you had robbed from those banks)2. If you fail, dont become Devdas just prepare for next prelims.3. If you fail and it was your last attempt still dont become Devdas, dont regret anything, dont feel guilty about anything, dont let anyone else make you feel guilty about anything. Execute backup plans and move on in your life and career- money, power and status will come, with time.

InterviewThe interview preparation approach remains one and same for all Government and private sector jobs.But the type and depth of questions differ.Interviews usually start with You and end with World,YouQuestions from your profile1. Your graduation2. Your hobbies3. Extra-curricular activities (if any)4. From Your work experience (if any)5. Your city and State: Socio-economic-political-cultural-geography6. Role playing questions (your Collector/Senior Executive and xyz problem happens what will you do?)7. Why do you want to join IAS/MBA/Bank?

WorldEverything else that doesnt involve you.National and international issues, your understanding and opinion on them.

Throughout the Year, you should maintain a note related to current affairs of your city, state, graduation and hobbies (wherever applicable). Because you cant gather such information in a month- even with all google searching. And youre already preparing current affairs part of GS. When mains examination is over, You may also consult books from library Kalam, Nilekani, Guha etc gain more understanding of socio-economic-developmental issues related with India. (and or truckload of IGNOU material on their website).What should you do next? Your semester/year end marksheets contain the list of subjects you studied in college. When he browses through your file, suddenly asks What is this subject xyz? You should have the answer ready.Just the basics, you dont have to prepare minute details as if it is a GATE or PMT exam.In every interview (IAS and career backups-State PSC, Bank, MBA etc), youll have to prepare questions on graduation. But It is very tiresome to go through the same thick books over and over again every time for interviews. So, Ideally make a very short note on the basics. Save you the trouble forever.Then second portion is current affairs related to your graduationDoctor, pharmaPublic health, AIDS,Cancer research etc. (already discussed under GS preparation)

EngineerIT: outsourcing, hacking, privacy and social networking, online shopping, IT act, amendments etc.EC :2G, 3G etc.

CommerceCompany act and amendments, DTC, GST etc.

Arts (litt.)Booker prize, any other famous books, litt and freedom of speech, controversies of Tasleema Nasrin / Salman Rushdie etc.

^list is not exhaustive. You cant come up w