यूपीएससी वाला इश्क नहीं आसान बस इतना समझ लीजिए

Someone asked me, what constitute a good answer. According to me any answer should address what is being asked in the question.

The difference in checking between any coaching evaluators and UPSC evaluators is that they don’t focused much on facts, figures, committees, intro, conclusion or whether you have written a particular value addition point or not. Rather they focus more on whether you have addressed the demand of the question or not. Whether it presents a complete picture to the question being asked or not.

After analysing many answers, a good answer should have:

1) Time Management and Space allocation based upon the degree of importance to the different part of the question. Some part of question has more weightage than other parts. Space should be allocated accordingly

2) Presentation and format: the handwriting should be legible and good. Underline, Making Boxes, Flow charts and diagrams enhances this.

3) Context: Hitting the nail directly- answer the question directly and address the demand. Initial one may get the feeling that if one answers the question directly then he/she may not write the entire page. But with practice, one can fill the space at the same time write contextually.

Putting forward valid argument first and then substantiating with facts is very important

4) Coherency: the answer should have the logical flow. Sub heading should be made from the question itself. If the question has been asked about the challenges then after writing all the challenges, the answer should contain some way forward.

Example of Logical flow format is Prospects-Issues/Challenges-Way forward (+-+). Ending should be in optimistic/positive direction. Generally question is asked in a logical flow.

5) Value addition: Now facts/figures/committees/diagrams/flow charts should be added in support of the arguments put forward and shouldn’t replace it.

Finally a good conclusion helps in giving a sense of completion. Apart from broad aspects, it is important to include the language of question in concluding your answer !!

Best Wishes !!

Credit Shubham Kumar AIR 1, UPSC CSE 2020

1. Prelims Booklist (General Studies Paper I)
History:
Ancient & Medieval – Old NCERT by R.S. Sharma (Ancient), Satish Chandra (Medieval)

Modern History – Spectrum by Rajiv Ahir
M
Art & Culture – Nitin Singhania
Geography:

NCERTs (6th to 12th) – Must for basics

Certificate Physical Geography by G.C. Leong

Atlas (Oxford or Orient BlackSwan)
Polity:

Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
Economy:

NCERT (11th, 12th)

Indian Economy by Nitin Singhania or Ramesh Singh

Follow Economic Survey and Budget Summary
Environment:

Shankar IAS Environment Book

NCERT Biology Class 12 (chapters related to Ecology)

Science & Technology:

NCERTs (6th–10th) + Current Affairs

Current Affairs:

Monthly Magazines – Vision IAS/PT365/Drishti Current Affairs

Newspaper – The Hindu or Indian Express

2. Prelims CSAT (Paper II)

CSAT by Arihant or TMH (Tata McGraw Hill)

Practice with PYQs and mock tests

3. Mains Booklist

General Studies Paper I:

History – Same as Prelims + Bipin Chandra (for freedom struggle)

World History – Arjun Dev (Old NCERT) + Vision IAS Notes

Society – NCERT Sociology 11th, 12th + Vision Notes

Geography – G.C. Leong + NCERTs + Maps practice
General Studies Paper II:

Polity & Governance – M. Laxmikanth + ARC Reports + 2nd ARC Summary

Schemes, Acts, and Policies – Current Affairs + PRSIndia

General Studies Paper III:

Economy – Nitin Singhania + Budget + Economic Survey

Science & Tech, Environment – Same as Prelims

Disaster Management & Internal Security – 2nd ARC + Current Affairs

General Studies Paper IV (Ethics):

Lexicon for Ethics, S***arao, or G. S***a Rao’s Ethics Book

Case studies practice (Vision/ForumIAS booklets)

4. Essay Paper:

No fixed book – Practice writing essays weekly

Book: “151 Essays” by Arihant (optional)

Read Yojana and Kurukshetra for content
5. Optional Subject:
Apne optional subject ke according specific books choose karein. (Batao agar tumhara optional decide ho gaya hai)
Extra: Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs) – Very Important

Download from UPSC official site or books like Arihant/Next IAS PYQ compilations

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