The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts one of the most prestigious exams in India – the Civil Services Examination. The exam is conducted in three stages – Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The Prelims stage is the first hurdle that an aspirant needs to clear in order to move on to the Mains stage. The UPSC Prelims exam is a screening test that tests an aspirant’s knowledge of current affairs, general awareness, and aptitude. To clear the Prelims exam, it is important for an aspirant to have a good understanding of the subjects that are covered in the exam. In this article, we will discuss the five best books that can help an aspirant prepare for UPSC Prelims 2024.
1. India’s Struggle for Independence” by Bipan Chandra
“India’s Struggle for Independence” is an authoritative book on the Indian freedom struggle, written by the renowned historian Bipan Chandra. The book covers the key events, leaders, and movements that led to India’s independence. The book is comprehensive and covers the period from the mid-19th century to 1947. It provides an in-depth analysis of the Indian freedom struggle and the factors that contributed to its success. The book covers important topics such as the Revolt of 1857, the Indian National Congress, the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Quit India Movement, and the Partition of India.
The book is written in a lucid style and is easy to understand. It is recommended for aspirants who are looking for an in-depth understanding of the Indian freedom struggle. The book is also helpful for aspirants who are preparing for the History section of the UPSC Prelims exam.
2. “Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth
“Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth is a comprehensive guide to understanding the Indian political system. The book covers topics such as the Constitution, Parliament, the judiciary, and the executive. The book is written in a simple and easy-to-understand language and is considered to be one of the best books on Indian Polity.
The book is divided into chapters that cover different aspects of the Indian political system. Each chapter is followed by a set of questions that test the reader’s understanding of the topic. The book is also helpful for aspirants who are preparing for the Polity section of the UPSC Prelims exam.
3. “Certificate Physical and Human Geography” by Goh Cheng Leong
“Certificate Physical and Human Geography” is a comprehensive guide to physical and human geography. The book covers important topics such as climate, landforms, and population. The book is written in a simple and easy-to-understand language and is considered to be one of the best books on Geography.
The book is divided into chapters that cover different aspects of physical and human geography. Each chapter is followed by a set of questions that test the reader’s understanding of the topic. The book is also helpful for aspirants who are preparing for the Geography section of the UPSC Prelims exam.
4. “A Brief History of Modern India” by Spectrum Publications
“A Brief History of Modern India” by Spectrum Publications is a concise overview of modern Indian history. The book covers important events and movements from the mid-18th century to the present day. The book is written in a simple and easy-to-understand language and is considered to be one of the best books on Indian History.
The book is divided into chapters that cover different aspects of modern Indian history. Each chapter is followed by a set of questions that test the reader’s understanding of the topic. The book is also helpful for aspirants who are preparing for the History section of the UPSC Prelims exam.
5. “General Science for Civil Services Preliminary Examination” by S.A.M. Abbas and Sushil Kumar
“General Science for Civil Services Preliminary Examination” is a comprehensive guide to the science topics that are covered in the UPSC Prelims exam. The book covers important topics such as physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental science. The book is written in a simple and easy-to-understand language and is considered to be one of the best books on General Science for the UPSC Prelims exam.
The book is divided into chapters that cover different aspects of science. Each chapter is followed by a set of questions that test the reader’s understanding of the topic. The book is also helpful for aspirants who are preparing for the Science section of the UPSC Prelims exam.
Clearing the UPSC Prelims exam requires a lot of hard work and dedication. Along with studying the recommended books, it is important to stay updated with current affairs and practice mock tests regularly. The books mentioned above are some of the best books available in the market that can help aspirants prepare for UPSC Prelims 2024. Aspirants should choose the books that suit their learning style and preferences. With the right guidance and effort, aspirants can clear the UPSC Prelims exam and move on to the next stage of the exam.
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2023 preparation guide from an expert
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Prelims exam is one of the most prestigious exams in India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants apply for the exam, but only a few thousand are selected. The UPSC Civil Services Prelims exam is the first stage of the exam and tests the candidates on their general knowledge and aptitude.
Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Prelims exam can be a daunting task, but with the right guidance and effort, aspirants can clear the exam. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to prepare for UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2024.
Understanding the Exam Pattern
The first step in preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Prelims exam is to understand the exam pattern. The exam consists of two papers – General Studies (GS) Paper-I and CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) Paper-II. The GS Paper-I consists of 100 objective type questions, while the CSAT Paper-II consists of 80 objective type questions.
The GS Paper-I tests the candidates on their knowledge of current affairs, history, geography, economics, polity, and environmental ecology. The CSAT Paper-II tests the candidates on their comprehension, interpersonal skills, logical reasoning, and analytical ability.
It is important to note that the marks scored in the CSAT Paper-II are not considered for determining the eligibility of the candidate for the Mains exam. However, the candidates need to score a minimum of 33% marks in the CSAT Paper-II to qualify for the Mains exam.
Preparing for General Studies Paper-I
The General Studies Paper-I is the most important paper in the UPSC Civil Services Prelims exam. The paper tests the candidates on their knowledge of current affairs, history, geography, economics, polity, and environmental ecology. Here are some tips on how to prepare for the General Studies Paper-I:
- Read newspapers and magazines regularly – Aspirants should read newspapers and magazines regularly to stay updated with current affairs. Some of the recommended newspapers and magazines are The Hindu, Indian Express, Yojana, and Kurukshetra.
- Study NCERT textbooks – The NCERT textbooks are the foundation for the UPSC Civil Services exam. Aspirants should study the NCERT textbooks of Class VI to XII to get a good understanding of the subjects.
- Refer to standard books – Apart from the NCERT textbooks, aspirants should refer to standard books to get an in-depth understanding of the subjects. Some of the recommended books are “Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth, “Indian Economy” by Ramesh Singh, “Certificate Physical and Human Geography” by Goh Cheng Leong, and “Modern India” by Bipin Chandra.
- Practice mock tests – Practicing mock tests is important to improve speed and accuracy. Aspirants should practice at least one mock test every week to get a good understanding of the exam pattern and to identify their weak areas.
Preparing for CSAT Paper-II
The CSAT Paper-II tests the candidates on their comprehension, interpersonal skills, logical reasoning, and analytical ability. Here are some tips on how to prepare for the CSAT Paper-II:
- Improve reading comprehension – The reading comprehension section is an important part of the CSAT Paper-II. Aspirants should improve their reading comprehension skills by reading newspapers, magazines, and novels.
- Practice basic mathematics – The CSAT Paper-II tests the candidates on their basic mathematics skills. Aspirants should practice basic mathematics such as percentage, ratio and proportion, and averages to improve their skills.
- Practice logical reasoning and analytical ability – Aspirants should practice logical reasoning and analytical ability to improve their skills. Some of the recommended books for logical reasoning and analytical ability are “Analytical Reasoning” by M. K. Pandey and “Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT” by Nishit K. Sinha.
- Improve interpersonal skills – The CSAT Paper-II also tests the candidates on their interpersonal skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, and communication skills. Aspirants should practice these skills by participating in group discussions, debates, and mock interviews.
Additional Tips
Apart from the above-mentioned tips, here are some additional tips to help aspirants prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2024 exam:
- Time management – Time management is important while preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Prelims exam. Aspirants should allocate their time wisely and prioritize their subjects accordingly.
- Revision – Revision is important to retain what has been learned. Aspirants should revise the subjects regularly to avoid forgetting them.
- Stay positive – Staying positive and motivated is important while preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Prelims exam. Aspirants should avoid negative thoughts and stay focused on their goals.
- Take breaks – Taking breaks is important to avoid burnout. Aspirants should take short breaks between their study sessions to refresh their minds.
Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Prelims exam requires dedication, effort, and smart work. Aspirants should focus on their strengths and weaknesses and prepare accordingly. Reading newspapers, studying NCERT textbooks, referring to standard books, practicing mock tests, improving reading comprehension, practicing basic mathematics, improving interpersonal skills, and staying positive are some of the tips that can help aspirants prepare for the exam. With the right guidance and effort, aspirants can clear the UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2024 exam and achieve their dreams of becoming a civil servant.
