An IAS Officer's Blog_ GS Resources

T U E S D A Y , M A Y 2 6 , 2 0 0 9

GS ResourcesHistory NCERTs, Bipin Chandra and Spectrum Modern India

Polity D D basu constitution, bare act p m bakshi, our parliamentsubhash kashyap

Geog Physical and Human geog NCERTs and Goh Cheng leongPhysical Geography, one Atlas

Economics Dutt Sundaram, PDeconomics, Penguin dictionary,newspaper, NCERT macroeconomics

GMA last ten years questionsStats NCERTCurrent affairs Hindu, TOI, yojana, frontline, kurukshetra, anycurrent affairs magazine.S&T Spectrum and M&M

If you have time, you can supplement this with any good notes.

Thanks.Shubhra.

Posted by Shubhra at 12:38 PM

132 comments:

About Me

Shubhra

Hi I am Shubhra Saxena. I am anengineer from IIT Roorkee 2002batch of Paper Technology. I aman IAS Officer of 2009 Batch, U.P.Cadre. I am currently posted asDistrict Magistrate, Shravasti,Uttar Pradesh

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An IAS Officer's Blog

vandna May 26, 2009 at 2:07 PM

This comment has been removed by the author.

Reply

vandna May 26, 2009 at 2:11 PM

hi shubhra...first of all hearty congratulations...well..all these books listed from the pre cum mains point of view iguess....did u actually read those?? :)

would really like to know your own strategy which ufollowed...timings...and im also starting my preparation for 2010exam from now on...so plz tel me how to plan it...my optionals

2011 (3)

2010 (2)

2009 (31)December (1)

September (1)

August (6)

July (5)

June (9)

May (9)Pub Ad sources

GS Resources

Psychology Tips

Some tips for preparation

My Marksheet

Pub Ad coaching institutes

Choosing coaching institute

Choosing optionals

Introduction

botany and zoology since im a life sciences student and mostcomfortable with these to carry on for the year ahead...

i forgot to mention i took coaching at vajiram (precummains)...except polity and history it wasnt very useful...so for theyear ahead im goin to jus rely upon myself...self study and goodbooks...plus an idea of wat to read and 'wat not to read'...plz helpme with d strategy...

regards,Vandana

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Shubhra May 27, 2009 at 1:54 AM

@vandana

well....I can't understand the logic of your question. Why would I beputting the book names if I didn't "ACTUALLY" read them? It's upto youif you wanna accept my suggestions. No one is forcing you.

All the best.Shubhra

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And please appreciate the fact that I am trying to take out some timefor you ppl only. And if you do not agree with something, it's fine. Butplease do not cast doubts on my intentions.

Thanks.

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vishwa May 27, 2009 at 1:58 AM

shubhra perhaps Vandana and many like her, including me would liketo know how you went about dealing with the tome that togetherthese books make . what were the timelines .what were the majorgoals and timestamps in the whole prep

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@vishwa

timelines are personal. You need to make them on your own. Youneed to delineate areas and then go about preparing them separatelywith specific deadlines.

For eg. in GS you separate the static area from the current area.

Static: Polity, History, Geography, Stats, S&T etc.

Dynamic: Eco, Current national and intl issues.

Master the static part first.The dynamic part mastery is relatively diff as that keeps changing. Soyou need to plan your timelines accordingly.

Thanks

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vishwa May 27, 2009 at 2:09 AM

Thnaks Shubra for your help . Sitting here in Bangalore , the guidancethrough your blog is nothing sort of blessing . what about Vajicoaching on GS.

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vishwa,

I would request you to kindly go through all my posts and comments.You will get answers to your queries.

Thanks.

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WWW May 27, 2009 at 4:03 AM

My grand dad went to Sachdeva. my dad went to rau and my aunt tovajiram! They are spent. today's guys are going elsewhere.last year topper spoke for vaji. what guys found in the class room wasentirely diffferent. sad.vajiram deteriorated beyond description in the last 1 2 years got gs.Shubraji agrees, if i remember right.

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Niketan June 10, 2009 at 8:42 AM

thank you mam for such important guideline about GS. We will happyif u remain in touch thorugh this blog. we would be happy if u shareur interview exprience.......

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VIJAY ASHOK REDDY June 11, 2009 at 6:13 AM

Mam,First thanx for starting this blog,for it is very helpful foraspirants.Regarding 2 mark qes,the scope of them in GS(mains) isvast.Is it possible to answer all of them,if not how many of them areusually attempted by successful candidates.we usually have 30 qes inpaper1 and 2,beg ur pardon how many have u actually attempted

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Shubhra June 11, 2009 at 8:00 AM

I attempted the ones that I knew except for 4 or 5 that I didnt know.The effort shud be towards answering all of them

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Amu June 15, 2009 at 10:24 AM

Hello Madam,

Please mention some resource material for social issues. Is there anyspecial book for preparation of this area?

Also guide me whether coaching for GS is indespensible or it can becompensated by the class room notes of Vajiram? Actually I will notget much time for self study if I go coaching as I am also doing my jobbesides preparing for civil services exam.Also guide me Vajiram'swhich subject classroom are good.

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Shubhra June 15, 2009 at 1:01 PM

class noets will suffice. you don't have to do classes for GS anywhere.Just buy notes of any good coaching that you like. vajiram or als orany other that you like.

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raja June 16, 2009 at 1:21 AM

Hi Shubhra,Is it possible to have a look on any of your written material in G.S.(as a sample), like your notes, or practise answers.

This will help us all, as we will have an idea of an ideal answerformat (especially the language of the answer).

Everbody suggest that one should write the answer in their own simplelanguage, but a model answer like d one u must have written in dmains would give us a practical example.

If not possible to provide d same here (space constraint) can u pleasemail one such sample to my mail i.d. "[email protected]"

i may forward d same to other interested candidates.

Reply


I really dont have these answers with me. Sorry

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coolblue June 25, 2009 at 2:05 PM

Hi shubra

congratulations!

S&T Spectrum and M&M

what is M&M?

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it's a series by jawahar publications

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rishu June 29, 2009 at 8:38 AM

maam can u tell me what is S&T,if i have 2 guess...then is it scienceand technology?

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rishu June 29, 2009 at 8:39 AM

n one more thng,i have just started preparin,so i dont knw,the abbv. ?

what is GMA

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yes, it is science and technology. Please get the syllabus of upsc andsee what all you have to study.

General Mental Ability.

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Vikas July 2, 2009 at 12:53 AM

maam..what does PD stands for in PDeconomics

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Cyclodextrin materials July 2, 2009 at 8:50 AM

Hi Shubra

Congratulations shubra.I read you interview. Your answers were really straight forward.I am preparing from Dublin, decided not to rely on the magazines orcoaching materials. Before coming to your blog I am confused aboutGS study material, but after reading your post on GS, cleared alldoubts. I am very thankful to you; the purpose of this blog is reallyappreciating.

Many thanksReena.

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Shubhra July 2, 2009 at 8:59 AM

Pratiyogita Darpan economics

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rishu July 2, 2009 at 9:33 AM

maam CAN U PLZ SPECIFY,"NCERT" BOOKS OF WHICH STANDARD(CLASS)?FOR HISTORY,GEOGAPHY AND ECONOMICS AND STATS.

SO THAT I WILL PURCHASE THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE...

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I just bought 12th class books. Others suggest buying from 6th to 10th.

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ya maam,i have seen that,most of the websites recommend studentsto study NCERT books right frm class 6th to class 12th.and it ll b a vry tirin job,to go thru all the books of all d subjects,sostudyin only d books of class 12 will suffice,as you had done durin urpreparation.MAAM i have found true mentor in from of you,when it comes to thepreparation of GS and PUB ADMN,coz i have to start preparing boththe papers right frm scratch,n i dont find a better resource othr thanthis BLOG,as i m frm steel city jamshedpur,where there is no guidance

available for the preparation of CSE,n i cant go to delhi.so the only thing m relyin upon is ur advice.thank you

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I meant 11th and 12th books.

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so maam is it sufficient for a beginner?hope m nt irritatin u?

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Shubhra July 4, 2009 at 11:02 PM

I have given sources for GS in detail. Kindly go thru the post.

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coolblue July 7, 2009 at 12:59 PM

hello shubra

can u throw more light on general studies from prelims point of viewregarding current affairs.how many questions can we expect on this removing the static partlike history polity geography i love reading editorials and i keep them daily in my folder. but i hatejotting down daily headlines.is current affairs not covered in editorials

thank u very much

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you dont have to jot down editorials. get a good CA magazine. Thatwill help you.

I can't predict the no of questions after removing the statis part.Every year the pattern changes.

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coolblue July 8, 2009 at 4:44 AM

hi shubra.

also can u let me know from which month i have to keep note/eye of current affairs if iam appearing in prelims 2010.also let me know from which month to which month i have to keep eyeon for mains.

thank u

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There is no fixed time but this is the range:

for prefrom june 20009 to march 2010

for mains from october 2009 to sept 2010

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CreativeKing July 13, 2009 at 9:18 PM

Hello Subhra,

What about the India Year Book and Manorama Year Book? Can weavoid those safely? pls let us know your stand on these biggggggbooks...

Thanks...

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I never read manorama year book. But I can't say that you shouldn'tread it as I have heard that GK is a substantial component of GSprelims.

I read only 4 5 chapters of IYB. spply related to finance, commerce,dev schemes etc.

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akhil July 16, 2009 at 4:47 PM

Hi Ma'am,

I am doing fine with my self study, studying GS from notes for prelims2010 only. Should i be studying from comprehensive notes and bookslike DD Basu, Bipan Chandra etc for relevent constituents of GS fromnow itself ?

Secondly Ma'am,

What according to you is the importance of the coaching institute inregards to the preperation. If one feels the need then is Vaji Ram asuitable institute for preperation. If not what were its flaws that youfelt during you 1.5 months there..??

I have read you earlier posts but i still felt that this subject needs tobe discussed in a bit more detail due to its popularity amongst allaspirants.

Sincerly,Akhil Rana.

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coolblue July 17, 2009 at 1:33 PM

hello shubra

when u say bipin chandra for mains (history)can u say the complete book name

is it india's struggle for independence by bipin chandra?

Reply


India's struggle for independence.

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Vikas July 22, 2009 at 7:57 AM

maam after watching the trend of last few years of GS prelims, iobserved that other than GMA,the most important part isgeography(there are always 2530 questions) ...and also in othersubjects like economy,polity more stress is on GK type questionsrather than core topics.....so for PRELIMS in which vast factualknowledge and names and all has to be acquired ..are these booksenough or one has to read more..as i don't have geography as myoptional i feel that 'geography people' are at advantage and i reallywant to score in that area.. did you read extra books other then theones you mentioned above(especially geography)..in short pleaseshare your strategy for prelims and the books you followed..thank you so very much

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For geography these sources will help you answer most of thequestions. But not all. Your attempt should never be to answer all thequestions. The Q paper of GS is not designed in that manner that youshould be able to answer all questions. You can also read the

supplement for geography in a current affairs magazine. the facts aregiven well in that.

For economics, study the facts in economic survey and budget. Thatwill help.

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Ramesh July 28, 2009 at 3:38 AM

Hello Madam,Can we use Wikipedia(as a credible source)to add some points(or evenarticles)to our preparation of Science&Tech.,Geography,G.K. etc.Alsoyou have mentioned two books on S&T(Spectrum and M&M).Are bothof them necessary?

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Yes, you can use wikipedia.no, both are not necessary. you can choose either.

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Ramesh July 28, 2009 at 9:35 PM

Thank you madam for your response.

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Raman Kumar July 30, 2009 at 9:53 AM

Dear Shubhra Mam,

I needed some clarification regarding Indian Economy by DattSundharam. It's a huge book with a lot of information in it. Are thereany specific topics to be focussed upon? Or can you please suggest mesome strategy on how to make it's best use?

Thank You.

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akhil July 30, 2009 at 4:13 PM

Hi Ma'am,

DD Basu is quite a bit difficult to understand at certain instances....did u face similar issues..?

i also think on switching to laxmikant's polity.. what would usuggest..?

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Laxmikanth is ok but you need smthg substantive to back it.

Get subhash kashyap if you find DD basu difficult

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@Raman

The best idea would be to get any good GS coaching's notes. You cantake a xerox from your frnds or buy from the institute.

Then supplement it with dutt sundaram

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akhil July 31, 2009 at 10:44 AM

thanks ma'am...

I would have gone by laxmikants exclusive book for polity, but then ithought of asking you first.

thankyou for the consistent support and guidance ma'am.

and i sincerly mean it Ma'am.

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sashi August 1, 2009 at 8:14 AM

Hi mam,

Congadulation mam for this wonderful blog,My optionals or also Pubad,Psychology.Then a queryI have got Bakshi Book for Constitution of india.Is that ok ,r only DDbasu will be good.Then i found Bipin Chandra Modern India bookunder Ncert public.Is there any separate book,or its only that Ncertbook of bipin chandra XII,is which u have suugested

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sashi August 1, 2009 at 8:41 AM

Mam ,One more thing,These books wat u have recommended or prefered forGS is for prelims or mains.Pls clarify.

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Shubhra August 1, 2009 at 9:12 AM

@saship m bakshi isn't a book.It IS the constituion.

Bipin Chandra India's struggle for independednce.

Prelims and Mains both

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sashi August 1, 2009 at 8:50 PM

Oh ok mam.Really thanks for your reply.Pls continue this ggod work,sothat most of the aspirants would get a good guidance.Thanks again.

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Sashi August 3, 2009 at 6:53 AM

Mam,Under geography,haven't u used any book for indian geography,cozlast time 50% of questions were asked from Indian geography books ofauhorKhullar,india year book and authormanoma book.In the aboverefernced books u haven't mentioned anything about Indaingeography.Thts y asking mam.

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No, I didn't consult any of these books.

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Sashi August 3, 2009 at 9:11 PM

Oh,ok mam.Thanks

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vinodh kumar August 6, 2009 at 7:46 PM

Hi Shubra,

Pratiyogita Darpan economics is a magazine or its a book publicationfrom Pratiyogita Darpan for economics.

~Vinodh Kumar

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Shubhra August 6, 2009 at 8:24 PM

It is a spl edition of Pratiyogita Darpan. It's not a book.

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N August 8, 2009 at 12:37 AM

hello mam.i have heard about spectrum. wats this?thanks.

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varoon August 8, 2009 at 2:14 AM

Hi shubhra

Regarding polity, dd basu though a wonderful book is not an easy readalso I happen to get a glance of bare act and was overwhelmed by theamt of data and the fine print.

Could you please elaborate on how to go about these books for someone beginning with gs polity ?

Tips on how you structured ur time for it might be helpful.

Thanks again for doing the wonderful job.

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@NIt's a publicaton house.

@VaroonGo for Subhash Kashyap then.Time management is something you will have to decide yourself.

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Thanks for the response

any input on bareact as to what to read, how to make notes from itas I feel it has much more than what is required ??

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Ankit August 8, 2009 at 11:36 AM

Mam i am going to buy coaching notes for GS as supplement usuggested to buy als and vajirammam should i purchase these both and i followed

this blog but cant make out wheher to buy printed coaching materialor class room notes?

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Class room notes.

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@Varoondont make notes from bare act. just keep it for reference andclarifications.

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N August 12, 2009 at 12:49 AM

hello mam.should i purchase the spectrum?how can i get itmeans wats the full name of this spectrum?

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Modern India by spectrum publishers

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Mam,

What books should i use for general science(physics,chemistry,biology)for prelims.then for history(GS)is it necessary to take notes .,becausein each para we do have a lots of kings & years.So what i can i domam.Please give your suggestion

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You should use NCERTs for gen sc. I didn't do anything for gen sc.

I used to leave medieval history mostly as it is too lengthy and doesn'tgive substantial returns.

Years are imp, specially for modern India.

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Thanks mam.But how about taking notes in history.Did u do have anyspecial method to remember those years and names or will revision ofrepeated times would be enough!!

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revision

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N August 15, 2009 at 10:51 PM

hello mam.thanks.mam, modern indiaby spectrum publishersis it for only modernhistory?mam, for gen.sc.should i read ncert buks upto 10th only or should irefer the 11 and 12th buks which we read up at school time?

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For general sc, I can't advise much as I didn't study anything for that.

The spectrum bookis for modern India only.

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varoon August 20, 2009 at 9:46 PM

Hi shubhra,

Mam could you please sight some examples where referring to bareact for clarification helps while preparing polity.

Thx

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when what's given in book doesn't clarify it totally, only then

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Akhil August 23, 2009 at 2:34 PM

Hi Ma'am,

Could you please suggest any resources for mains solved /Unsolved

question papers for GS.

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coolblue August 24, 2009 at 1:02 AM

hi shubra

is class room notes from coaching centres necessary? for gs. if theabove sources u mentioned isnt more than enough.please let me know becuase after reading different post it looks like "even these are also necessary to clear prelims/mains" psychologicalfeeling!:)

thankssrikanth

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Hi shubra

in paper 2 gs there are questions on international affairs, socialissues , indian external affairs. so if iam appearing in mains 2010 , ifmy concentration on magazines and news papers for ( the aboveareas) from september 2009to september 2010 , it is sufficent?

thank u srikanth

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vipul August 24, 2009 at 12:21 PM

hello mam.....I ve just starting mine preparation for cse....i was confussed aboutwhether it is necessary to read ancient and medieval history as partof mine GS prep. as I was going through previous yrs papers I didntfind any questions frm them apart from 1 or 2 2 marks questions... soplease tell me what should i do .....

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tushar August 25, 2009 at 7:22 AM

Hi Shubhra,

There are 2 books by Author Goh Cheng Leong :

1) Human And Economic Geography (Paperback 2002) onflipkart.comby Gillian C Morgan Goh Cheng Leong (446 rs)

2)Certificate Physical and Human Geography on nbcindia.com (215 rs)by Goh Cheng Leong

Kindly advise which book to refer/buy ?

Thanks & Regards,Tushar NikharePune.

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@Tushar2nd one

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@Vipulnot necessaryprelims doesn't have many questions on ancient and medieval

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@coolblueyeah that should suffice

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@coolblueif you can get these notes, they exepdite the process. But they arenot indispensable.

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@AkhilI haven't come across good solved papers.for 2 markers you can consult magical 2 markers

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hi

u answered my two simultaneous queries . iam unable to get thecorrect order ,for the two questions asked because both questions are"isit necessary" type

also can u eloborate this answer

"@coolblueif u can get these notes, they expedite process.But they are notindinspensable"

what is "they expedite process"

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tushar August 26, 2009 at 3:42 AM

Hi Shubhra,

Do we have to make notes from NCERT's ( for any subject)? Imean,does UPSC asks questions pertaining to factual data directlyfrom NCERT's ?

I will be making notes from standard textbooks (other than NCERT's)as prescribed by you but not sure whether i need to make notes fromNCERT's or not?

Awaiting your reply.

Thanks in advance?

Tushar NikharePune.

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KARTHIK August 26, 2009 at 9:40 AM

hello ma'am.....ma'am what does magical 2 markers?.is it a book or any other materail

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Hi shubhra,

Could you please advice the sequence of the books in order to finishthe static portion of gs economics. So we r better able to follow ecoof newspapers etc.

Thanks

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@coolblueif you can get notes, it's a good idea but they are not indispensable.

for curr affairs, reading this much would suffice

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@varoonncert macroecnomicsdutt sundarampratiyogita darpan+newapaper

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@karthikit's a book

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Lavanya September 4, 2009 at 10:43 PM

Hello Shubraji

I have a doubt in history. There is one question asked in the previousyr Trace the growth of the Indian Home Rule Movement in Britain.HOw should i write the answer for this ? as after referring books,icould only find two Home rule league est. one by B.G.Tilak at poonain April 1916 and the other by Mrs.Annie Besant at Madras, in sep1916.

Thank uwith regardsM.Lavanya

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Shubhra September 5, 2009 at 12:06 PM

these questions aare usually unsolvable by most ppl. That's why theyare sometimes given to limit the choice of questions. I am not awareof the answer.

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Vaibhav September 13, 2009 at 2:10 PM

hello m'amin one of your post u hav mentioned that u had joined vajiram for GS

but attended only Polity and eco as rest was not been taught wellthere..m'am as i will b appearing for CSE2010, i was planning to joinVajiRam's oct'09 batch.but now m confused... is it not fruitful to join vajiram?.how to prep for GSpaper 2, if one has to do it self? (the India andworld,india interaction with the world where authentic source may beneeded to write on various current issues eco./political)?are the printed materials/class notes xerox enough to prep. for thesame?

thank uregardsvaibhav

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crusader September 15, 2009 at 6:49 AM

Thank you for takin time out to create a blog.i was very worriedwhether i was studying the right way.Your blog has totally helped mefix a schedule.Thanks again

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Ravs September 19, 2009 at 6:20 AM

hello,Mam 1.for polity DD basu and subhash kashyap has to be used or one ofthem. same doubt for Bipin chandra and spectrum modern india Bare Act is only for reference na2.What about JO Jo mathew? Is a good books to use for Polity?3.Madam Books like bipid chandra,Spectrum modern india, Dutta andsundaram,Goh Cheng Leong has to be done page to page. or we haveto be selective. Please give details.Thankyou

And I really appreciate your efforts. but I would like to give onesuggestion please dont use too many abbreviations. Related tosubjects its ok, but otherwise its sometimes difficult to understandwhat you have written. (please dont feel offended)

...gaurav shrivastava

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Shubhra September 20, 2009 at 10:56 AM

@Gaurav1.for polity DD basu and subhash kashyap has to be used or one ofthem. same doubt for Bipin chandra and spectrum modern india

Bare Act is only for reference na

A. either of them for constitution. Then for parliament you can buysubhash kashyap's our parliament.bare act is for reference.2.What about JO Jo mathew? Is a good books to use for Polity?A. No idea.3.Madam Books like bipid chandra,Spectrum modern india, Dutta andsundaram,Goh Cheng Leong has to be done page to page. or we haveto be selective. Please give details.A. Look at Q paper pattern of the last 10 yrs. You will get an idea.

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Shubhra September 20, 2009 at 10:57 AM

@Vaibhavclassnotes, magazines, newspaper are sufficient

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rajan October 2, 2009 at 11:57 AM

hi mam what is TOI in ca

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coolblue October 3, 2009 at 12:50 PM

shubra

in GS paper 2 , how did u handle the section "india & the world" i.e indias external affairs.can u tell me in detail how u went about it.this section is nearly 100 marks.

thank usri

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Shubhra October 4, 2009 at 6:23 AM

Times of India

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@coolbluenewspaper, curr affair magazine and CA notes of a good coaching.

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Ashish October 4, 2009 at 11:54 AM

hi!! mam as i am not using any classnotes for GS(so i cannot supplement themwith dutt & sundaram)So from last year papers , can i figure out what has to be read fromdutt & sundaram,that would be sufficient or not? because readingwhole of the book is infeasible and i am using only dutt & sundaram +PD + macro

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yes...also buy the solved 2 markers of the last 10 yrs for eco...

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coolblue October 12, 2009 at 3:52 AM

shubra

is constitution of india DD basu and our parliament subash kashyap is required to handle the indian polity sections ofboth prelims and mains?

or for mains DD basu is sufficient

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rsk October 12, 2009 at 10:39 AM

hi shubra,

i have a query reg geography books.U have mentioned the list is GeogPhysical and human geogNcerts and Physical GeogGoh chengleong and one atlas...

Do we have to refer to Physical geog By Goh Cheng leong for prelimsor is it only for MAins.....

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Soni October 13, 2009 at 11:46 AM

mamfor modern india we have to buy the book spectrum book a briefhistory of modern india by Rajiv ahir or some other plz tell

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@soni

same one ur talking about.

@rskfor prelims mainly

@coolbluefor both pre n mains

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NEW HORIZON October 18, 2009 at 12:47 PM

By the way , BELATED HAPPY DEEPAWALI...

:)

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Chetan October 26, 2009 at 9:30 AM

Hi Mam, I have some queries:1. U have given a very exhaustive list of GS resources. Except this dowe need to go through Coaching institutes notes of GS.

For eg I have gone through POLITY 4m the resources u have mentionedand made my own synoptic notes 4m it.

Now will reading it from coaching notes give me some additionalinformation.

in short i want to ask will GS notes of Vajiram or ALS will give some additional benefit or not.

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Chetan October 26, 2009 at 9:30 AM

2. I am working in Chandigarh thus cannot attend GS classroomclasses. I called vajiram and ALS,they provide correspondence notes for GSonly which are different 4m the classroom one's.But I have heard only classroom notes of GS are good not thecorrespondence ones.can i get classroom notes of GS (ALS or vajiram) from somewhere as ido not have any friends in Delhi.

please advise

ThanksChetan

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@chetanconsult jawahar book depot at bersarai new delhi. having the noteswill help

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Chetan October 29, 2009 at 12:56 PM

Thanks Mam.

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Raman November 3, 2009 at 11:44 AM

Dear Mam,

A query regarding GS prelims. How much attempt should be consideredas good. How many questions di you attempt? How many were correctand how many guesses? Please tell if you can remember. It will behelpful in giving an idea.

Reply

varun November 5, 2009 at 3:33 PM

hello shubhra

there are two books of spectrum on modern indiabrief history of modern india and comprehensive history of modernindia. which one did you read

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Shubhra November 7, 2009 at 5:30 AM

@varunbrief history of modern india

@ramanwell...I attempted all questions except 2 3 questions in which I hadno information whatsoever. I also left a couple of 2 markers.

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varoon November 8, 2009 at 5:04 AM

hi Shubhra,

Last GS Prelims had many questions straight from India Year Book, thebook seems to be quite popular amondg aspirants.

Just wanted to know is it important, a concise version of the same isavailable in the market of 200 pages. (original is 1200pg)

Thanks

Varoon

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rishu November 8, 2009 at 11:44 AM

maam

is it really important to remember all the names of people who havereceived awards rite form the beginning...for example Nobel prize,or Oscar or nyothr award...its really difficultto keep a track of all the names.

Reply

varun November 8, 2009 at 9:21 PM

hello shubhra madam

didn't you read ncert 11std economics and ncert microeconomics book

why do u prefer classnotes to printed material

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Vikas November 11, 2009 at 8:34 PM

maam it is repeatedly said that one should practice writing answers..now for GS as well as optionals how should one check that his/heranswers are up to mark..

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Shubhra November 14, 2009 at 5:18 AM

Last GS Prelims had many questions straight from India Year Book, thebook seems to be quite popular amondg aspirants.

Just wanted to know is it important, a concise version of the same isavailable in the market of 200 pages. (original is 1200pg)

A:I refereed the concise version, and that too only for a few impchapters.

is it really important to remember all the names of people who havereceived awards rite form the beginning...for example Nobel prize,or Oscar or nyothr award...its really difficult

to keep a track of all the names.

A: I never did that. It will take very long and Returns are very low.

didn't you read ncert 11std economics and ncert microeconomics book

A. I read the NCERT Macroeconomics and India's econ devt .

maam it is repeatedly said that one should practice writing answers..now for GS as well as optionals how should one check that his/heranswers are up to mark..

A. Get them evaluated by someone experienced, or your teacher

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rishu November 15, 2009 at 4:57 AM

maam den wat sud b done,with facts ,figures,names...sud we leavethem?Or just emphasize on the happenings of current year.

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Chetan November 16, 2009 at 8:21 AM

Hello Mam

i have one query regarding Current affirs magazine.I am confused in chronicle and Wizard

1. I found Wizard quite indepth and covers a lot of currentaffairs(wide coverage) , wheras chronicle is not that wide incoverage.

so should i do wizard thoroughly and then do chronicle selectively orjus stick to one. Is it a wise strategy or if not please advise what to do

2. Do we get any questions in Mains from these magazines.. Are thesemagazines useful for mains pt of view also.

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Shubhra December 5, 2009 at 5:59 AM

maam den wat sud b done,with facts ,figures,names...sud we leavethem?Or just emphasize on the happenings of current year.

A. There are some questions you will inevitably have to leave in theexam. So don't try to cover each aspect of GS with equal gusto.***************************************

i have one query regarding Current affirs magazine.

I am confused in chronicle and Wizard

1. I found Wizard quite indepth and covers a lot of currentaffairs(wide coverage) , wheras chronicle is not that wide incoverage.

so should i do wizard thoroughly and then do chronicle selectively orjus stick to one. Is it a wise strategy or if not please advise what to do

A. Please make this decision yourself.

2. Do we get any questions in Mains from these magazines.. Are thesemagazines useful for mains pt of view also.

A. Yes.

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Pranay December 5, 2009 at 10:44 AM

Pranay,

Hello Mam,

I am an first year Computer science student and an serious aspirantfor IPS/IAS... Will u please guide me with books and magazines andthe process to complete my preparations till 2012. I have selectedone of my subject as Geography as I have lots of interest in it. Asmany magazines which were consulted to me were only published insouthern india so I must say that I am from Mumbai.

Thank you..

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amit December 8, 2009 at 6:16 AM

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Shubhra December 28, 2009 at 10:12 PM

@amittpic wise prep and revision is always better

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Joseph December 29, 2009 at 1:25 AM

Hello Deedi, You are simply amazing.... I have seen people who havegot service helping aspirants like me. But never have I seen anyonewho'd spend so much of their precious personal time, bothering tohelp us to such an extent and that too so actively. Indian

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administrative service has earned a 'gem'. Please don't ever changeand continue your good work of instilling confidence and hope in theminds of the people... I'll definitely get into service and come andmeet you one day :D cause people like you are one in a million... I pray that God'll be there with you throughout and makes all of yourbeautiful dreams big or small come to pass... Thank you...

(Sorry if in case I have posted something irrelevant. It's just that I hada constant urge and surge to sincerely thank you while I was readingthrough your blog)

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amit August 6, 2010 at 7:07 AM

dear sampada,

M CA n finding prob with s&t(m&m)n not spectrum ,, the book u hadmentioned has been bought by me,,pl advice me that is that book sufficient or i have to constantlyupdate it from magzine,, as reading science is going hectic for me .

Thanks

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Anil arora October 12, 2011 at 9:56 AM

These comments should be Reposted as FAQ's :P.

Reply

rockstar November 25, 2011 at 9:54 AM

hi,congrtulation mam..

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