Monday, Jan 05, 2009

• The General Studies paper demands a well chalked-out strategy in order to clear the exam easily.

If you are a graduate and the global recession makes it harder to find a job in the private sector, try the civil services examination.

The Union Public Service Commission has made the notification for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2009. If you apply now, you can aspire to become an IAS officer in 2010. With a determination to serve the people by joining the All-India Ser vices or Group A services, any aspirant can crack the exam. The prelims will have an optional paper. The syllabus is provided in the notification on the UPSC website. The General Studies paper demands a well chalked-out strategy in order to clear the exam easily.

For tackling questions from the general science, it is enough to revise the basics of science taught to you by your teacher in school.

As the notification says "questions on general science will cover general appreciation and understanding of science including matters of everyday observation and experience, as may be expected of a well educated person who has not made a special study of any particular scientific discipline," it is not advisable to read specialised books in science.

It is advisable to start reading any good broadsheet newspaper or a current affairs magazine consistently. This is necessary to answer the questions on current events of national and international importance.

IGNOU material and NCERT books on the history of India and Indian national movement is a good choice.

The notification reads: "In History of India, emphasis will be on broad general understanding of the subject in its social, economic and political aspects. Questions on the Indian National Movement will relate to the nature and character of the nineteenth century resurgence, growth of nationalism and attainment of Independence."

For Indian and World Geography it is better to read the NCERT books.

The India Year Book 2009 is important. According to the notification, emphasis will be on Geography of India.

"Questions on the Geography of India will relate to physical, social and economic geography of the country, including the main features of Indian agricultural and natural resources."

For Indian Polity, Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu can be a good reference and NCERT books on Indian Polity are sufficient.

Questions on Indian Polity will test the knowledge of the country's political system and Constitution of India, Panchayati Raj, and social systems.

The Economic Survey and the NCERT books on Indian economy can be read to answer questions on economic developments in India.

For questions on general mental ability it is enough to read any good book on quantitative aptitude. R.S. Aggarwal may be a good pick.