How to prepare General Studies?

 Read newspapers and magazines like The Hindu, Times of India, Indian Express, The Economic Times, Frontline, India Today carefully, which will expand your knowledge base and give good command and writing skill.

 Preparation for General studies should be done hand in hand while preparing for optional subject.

 Basic books like NCERT books should be studied carefully.

 Trend nowadays has shifted more towards current issues, hence a thorough awareness of it is required.

 In the Prelims, though the General Studies carries only 150 marks, all the candidates are required to solve the same questions, hence, this paper assumes enormous importance, as anyone spoiling this paper cannot have any chance of qualifying for the Mains stage of the examination.

 Other than the syllabus given, questions on planning, budgeting, developmental programmes, latest issues of political and constitutional importance, Panchayati Raj, electoral reforms, natural resources, culture, growth of nationalism, committees, commissions etc can be expected almost every year.

 Emphasis is normally placed on the general aspects of the subjects, which every educated person aspiring to join the civil services is expected to know.

 The General Studies paper needs special and thorough preparations and does not need to be over-emphasised.

 Quality notes/study material like 'Career Quest IAS study kit' is very useful along with some basic book.

 Online journals like www.iasarticles.blogspot.com and www.gsnewsfile.blogspot.com are also very helpful.

 In General Studies, apart from current affairs, many things asked from the school syllabus upto Class XII. The appllied part is very much important.

 Exhaustive study of each subject and every aspect of the General Studies is essential in negative marking system. Clarity of concept is required.

 Efficient time management and proper planning are key to success. The time available with the candidates for preparations is limited and hence has to be intelligently utilised.