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[IAS Exam Resources for Prelims] Books to read for clearing UPSC CSE in the first attempt!

Writer: The Layman WayThe Layman Way

We have divided the resources according to the syllabus we discussed in our previous blog. These are reference books one must-read for clearing UPSC CSE in the first attempt. Clearing UPSC CSE in the first attempt requires limiting your resources and revising it multiple times to get a hold of subjects. Here are limited resources that you need to follow for clearing UPSC CSE :


1. Current events of national and international importance a. The Hindu Newspaper daily b. You can also listen to any coaching current affairs show or monthly revision series of The Layman Way link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm8X8MN1S9Cd8ecQc6w0Rc8Bb36CQ-N7L

c. Rajya Sabha TV can also assist you to understand important issues. The big picture debates can help you understand important issues. India's world, science monitor are few shows that can be helpful but don't spend too much time on it d. Any coaching monthly compilation for revision purpose.

2. History of India and the Indian National Movement

A. Ancient & Medieval History: 1. Ancient and Medieval India For UPSC and State Civil Services Examination by Poonam Dalal Dahiya. Salient Features of the book : Covers the complete UPSC and State service examinations syllabus Written in an easy-to-grasp and extremely lucid and eloquent manner Key points highlighted in boxes Updated questions, facts, pictures, flowcharts and new maps for better clarity A detachable chart for an easy and instant Pre-Examination revision Numerous Chapter-wise practice questions for both Prelims and Mains. 2. You can refer to short notes by The Layman Way. LInk :https://www.thelaymanway.com/upsc-materials-google-drive Notes are of Tamil Nadu Text Books.

B. Modern History 1. A Brief History of Modern India by Spectrum Salient Features : Crisp and to the point 2. Modern Indian History: For Civil Services Preliminary and Main Examinations by Sonali Bansal & Snehil Tripathi.

Salient features : 1. Meant for UPSC as well as State Services Exam 2. Chronological narrative to help readers understand the development of historical events. 3. the only book with a primer on Post Independence India 4. Multi-dimensional coverage and analysis 5. Modern Indian History is divided into 7 Units

3. Indian and World Geography- Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World


A. Indian Geography :


1. NCERT Class 11th

1.1 Part 1 Fundamentals of physical Geography

1.2 Part 2 India: Physical Environment


2. NCERT Class 12th

2.1 Part 1 Fundamentals of Human Geography

2.2 Part 2 Indian People and Economy


B. World Geography – Gc Leong Part 1+ Chapters 13 & 14 of Part 2


C. Watch Fundamentals of Physical Geography course of The Layman Way.

1. Combined Gc Leong and NCERT Class 11th Part 1 Physical geography

2 It will reduce the overlapping of content

3 Included a lot of animations to help you understand concepts Link: https://bit.ly/39Xm7RH

D. Maps :

1. ATLAS ( Black Swan or Oxford )

2. National parks, Tiger reserves, Mountain ranges , Mountain passes, Natural vegetation,

Soil distribution, Biosphere reserves, Mike sites, Ramsar Sites, Wetlands, Glaciers.

3.National Parks should be studied with Rivers, Flora, Fauna etc.

4. Important Places, Species and all above in news should be studies ( V.IMP)

You can find all these maps on our telegram channel: https://t.me/thelaymanway


E. Maps Made Easy :

1. We have made all this easy by covering all of the above static topics in our Maps revision series.

2. Enrol for it and start learning

3. Watch Demo lectures on YouTube

4. UPSC Prelims 2021 Rivers question was from the series so its IMP

5. Demo lectures Link: https://bit.ly/3kUpuhQ


4. Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

  1. Indian constitution at work NCERT class 11th

  2. Indian Polity by M. Lakmikantha Online Resources

  3. PRS India

  4. NITI Ayog Agenda

  5. ARC report summary

5. Economic and Social Development Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.

A. Macro Economics

1. NCERT Class 12th Macroeconomics

2. The Layman Way Playlist on Economics (Link: https://bit.ly/3kgEohO )

3. Extensive coverage of each concept in the macroeconomics series

4. Participate in the Economics challenge on our website (Link: https://bit.ly/3NNX7iQ )



B. Indian Economic Development Class 11th NCERT

C. Reference Books / Notes :

1. Indian Economy for Civil Services by Nitin Singhania ( Prelims + Mains)

(Read after NCERT) ( 600 Pages)

2. Indian Economy Key Concepts by Sankarganesh Karuppiah

( For conceptual clarity)

D. Budget and Economic Survey

1. Budget Summary by PIB ( Covered by The Layman Way)

2. Economic Survey Summary by PIB ( The Layman Way)

3. If time read full two volumes of Economic Survey


6. General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization


A. Environment & Ecology 1. Environment & Ecology Playlist by The Layman Way ( NCERT ) Link: https://bit.ly/3xhslFW 2. Current Affairs 3. Special Focus on Species, Rivers, National Parks etc. in news B. Reference Books 1. Environment by Shankar IAS publications 2. Make Short notes. The book is bulky

7. General Science A. Current Affairs B. Science monitor by RSTV C. Basic NCERT’s ( Chemistry and Biology ) 8. Art and Culture A. NCERT Class 11th Introduction to Fine Arts B. Refer to CCRT Website ( Summary ) C. The Layman Way notes 9. Civil Services Aptitude Test (Paper 2)

A. The UPSC Syllabus (IAS) for Prelims – CSAT is tabulated below:

1. Comprehension.

2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills.

3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability.

4. Decision-making and problem-solving.

5. General mental ability.

6. Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class Xlevel), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. – Class X level).


B. The Layman Way Course is enough Link to foundation batch: https://www.thelaymanway.com/paidcourses


C. If you are descent in aptitude then register for CSAT with PYQ course

1. 2016- 2021 PYQ’s are covered

2. Practice Sheets


D. If you want to start from scratch register for CSAT -2022 course.

In CSAT -2022 we will cover extensively all the topics :


1. Number Systems

2. Ratio and Proportions

3. Averages

4. Progressions

5. Profit and Loss

6. Linear Equations

7. Simple and Compound Interest

8. Permutations and Combinations

9. Probability

10. Reasoning – Coding , Seating Arrangements, Alphanumeric Series, Puzzle,Symbols and Directions, Blood Relations, DataSufficiency,Syllogism, Linear Arrangements,

11. Comprehensions


Link to demo lectures for CSAT : https://bit.ly/3BKFRWj

How to solve Prelims Questions? A. Mock Test B. Daily MCQ Series of The Layman Way C. How to score 120+ in UPSC prelims series. Link to playlist: https://bit.ly/3mE3qIL


Solve at least 30-40 Mocks before Prelims


A. Analyse the mocks

B. Nothing is going to come from mocks

C. Experiment with techniques

D. Its okay if techniques don’t work.

E. Do not just start reading lengthy solutions at the back

F. Why you did wrong ? How could you have done it right ?

G. How can you score above 100-110 in paper ?

H. Do not cheat.

I. Give mock in time limits and test like environment


Analyse PYQ’s


A. Do previous year Questions of at-least past 20 years

B. Analyse the options from the questions and revise the theory around it

C. Download the Past years questions PYQ’s from the Layman Way Website –Free Material Section.

 

My friends, we at The Layman Way strive harder each day to make a difference in your life. What we need is just a little push to make us work even harder and impact more lives positively. This push comes to us from you all, who are our ambassadors. If at all we are adding any value to your preparation or your life, I have a favour to ask you. Spread the word for us so that we can reach out to more aspirants and leave us a review on Google https://g.co/kgs/2YyKFL. Reviews help other aspirants to know that this is the place they need to be for learning more and enhancing their UPSC preparation. Help us make a difference and we shall together strive to help you ACE UPSC.


Have a wonderful day and make your goal to make someone else life better. I will see you in our next blog.



 

We have launched new courses on : Indian polity: https://www.thelaymanway.com/paidcourses Master CSAT: https://www.thelaymanway.com/paidcourses Sign up for guidance: https://forms.gle/7mt68KmVUvYfgsbv8 Join our telegram channel: https://t.me/thelaymanway Subscribe: https://bit.ly/2Y8hsa3 More Course for You: Fundamentals of Physical Geography full playlist: https://bit.ly/39Xm7RH Economic survey and budget 2022 full playlist for: https://bit.ly/3Jr5iOO How to clear UPSC prelims in5 months Playlist: https://bit.ly/3cef5L8 Government Schemes for UPSC playlist: https://bit.ly/36A2pKU Economics for UPSC Prelims Playlist: https://bit.ly/3kgEohO How to score 120+ In UPSC Prelims: https://bit.ly/3mE3qIL Yearly Current Affairs Revision: https://bit.ly/3s8TckD British Acts and Policies Playlist: https://bit.ly/3vvARQY Environment and Ecology Series: https://bit.ly/3xhslFW CSAT Preparation Demo Lectures: https://bit.ly/2WVg651 Maps Revision Series Demo Lectures: https://bit.ly/3kUpuhQ Indian Constitution at Work Playlist : https://bit.ly/3lMMscg Direct hits in UPSC Prelims 2021 : https://bit.ly/3GopdxF

 
 
 

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