My strategy of Preparation for MAINS

Mains in the part of CSE, which is most crucial for your success. Because 2000/2300 marks are allocated to the different MAINS papers. So you should go will full preparation in the MAINS. Also within it, since GS is very difficult in scoring, as its syllabus is so vast, the two optionals become most important. Though Essay and GS also play a very crucial role. The simple funda is that try to give your best shot, with highest attention to two optionals, then GS, then Essay. Whether you should take coaching or not, that is your personal matter depending on your capacity and requirement.

FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION:-

One of the most important subject for CSE aspirants..not just from the examination point of view, but also later on. There is a lot of material available for this subject, but don't follow too many books. First you might not having that much time and second, their revision will become difficult. So study one topic from a maximum of two books to gain comprehensive knowledge about that topic. Then note making in long or point form is also essential as it will help in quick revision. Conceptual clarity in this subject is very important to write good quality answers. I did coaching from Mohanty sir, and made notes simultaneously. Some books for Pub Adm are:-
Paper I:-
New Horizons in Public Administration by Mohit Bhattacharya (good one to start with though I didn't couldn't read it)
Administrative Thinkers by Parsad and Parsad
Public Administration by Phadia and Phadia
Public Administration by Polinaidu (selective reading)
Public Administration by Sharma and Sadana(i didn't read it)
Public Administration by Awasthi and Maheshwari(i didn't read it)
Coaching notes of any good teacher in Public Admns
+others

Paper II:-
Indian Administration by Phadia and Phadia(selective reading)
Indian Public Administration by Arora and Goyal (selective reading)
Indian Polity by Laxmikant
Indian Constitution by D.D.Basu (or Subash Kashyap)
Coaching notes of any good teacher in Public Admns
+others

Questions in Paper II are more from current issues like for 2010-2011 the CAG, Civil Society, CVC, etc. Hence you should always be very updated with the current political development in India. This will also improve your score in GS. For this the importance of Newspaper reading is highlighted. Editorials of The Hindu are are quite good for the same purpose.

FOR GEOGRAPHY:-

It is also a huge subject, and if taken with Pub Admn it may substantially increasing the burden. But still a very good one and forms a natural combination with Pub Adm. One thing the new comers should keep in mind is that their papers in the MAINS falls back to back. Hence there is no time for revision and it may affect your output. So think before you chose this combination. Then few books for geog are
Paper I:-
G.C.Liong (good one to start with though I didn't couldn't read it)
Physical Geography by Savindra Singh
Physical Geography by Rupa Made Simple Series
Economic and Social Geography by Rupa Made Simple Series
Human Geography by Majid Hussain(selective reading)
Coaching notes are then must to complete the syllabus.

Paper II:-
Indian Geography by Khullar (this was the only book i read for paper II)
Coaching notes are then must to complete the syllabus.

Atlas:-
Oxford Student Atlas (for India)
Oxfor School Atlas (for world)
Orient Longmann/Blackswann
TTK School Atlas
Keep 3-4 Atlas as any atlas is not perfect and u will for sure seek the guidance of more than one of them.


There are many other books which people follow which are listed below. But i followed none, hence I have no idea about them. This was because just to read any particular section i was determined not to go through an entire book. Rather I followed my coaching notes. U should also take classnotes from any coaching, rather then going through so many books for different parts of Geography. But then many people who prepare self, may be they should see some depending on their needs. The books are (Paper I and Paper II combined):-

P. Dayal for Geomorphology
D.S.Lal for Climatology
Savindra Singh for Environmental Geography
Ramchandran for Settlement Geography
Chang and Puri for RDP(Regional Development and Planning)
Sudipta Adhikari for Cultural Geography
Chandana for Population Geography
Majid Hussain for Geographical thought
C.B.Mamaria for commercial geog of india
Keith Stow (not sure about the name ) for oceanography and another for economic geog
etc.

FOR GENERAL STUDIES (GS):-

For Mains GS very deep knowledge is required in different areas. Hence try to read the books very thoughtfully and after that their revision is also required. You can also make your notes for the last minute cramming. But the syllabus of GS is very vast, hence it is very difficult to cover all the areas. As a result we are not able to attempt many questions asked in the MAINS paper. Also in comparison to the two optional papers its weight is quite less and keeping in mind that subjects have a specified syllabus, it is always advisable not to spend too much time in GS preparation. Though newspaper reading should always be done with utmost devotion throughout the year.

Modern India:-

Our Freedom Struggle by Bipin Chandra + others

Indian Culture:-

Spectrum Series book on Indian Culture

Indian Geography:-

Follow the books specified for PRELIMS

Indian Polity and Constitution:-

Follow the books specified for PRELIMS

Statistical Analysis:-

Spectrum series book on Statistical Analysis

Current National Issues:-

India and the World:-

India's Economic Interaction with the world:-

Science and Technology:-

International Affairs and Institutions:-

For the above 5 topics, newspapers, magazine and internet are the most important sources. Follow the list of newspapers and magazines which I have specified for PRELIMS. Read the editorial and op-ed pages of THE HINDU thoroughly. Selective study of India Year Book should also be done for the above mentioned topics.

General Tips:-

1. Test series of GS is a must for those who are appearing for the mains for the first time, and that too with full preparation and sincerity.

2. Writing skills play a great role in enhancing your score, so pay due attention to it.
3. Note making will help a lot in the last time for revision.