NOTE FOR BEGINNERS: Target CSE 2015 and beyond...

1. Read the latest notification to get the hang of the current examination process
1.1. Download the notification from UPSC website (www.upsc.gov.in)
1.2. Go to EXAMINATIONS'
1.3. Go to 'NOTIFICATION'
1.4. Go to ARCHIVAL'
1.5. Go to 'CIVIL SERVICES EXAM 2014 (latest as on date 06.09.2014)
2. Go through the pattern and syllabus of the exam given in the notification to acquaint
oneself of the exam and process (also, try to select probable optional subject/s)
3. Check last 4 years question papers of prelims and 5 years of mains examination, this
will help one to get the feel of the exam / focus areas and try and develop a sense to
judge what is relevant or not from the ocean of information. (For quick acquaintance
and to get a feeler of whats in store, one may take Civil Services (Preliminary)
Examination 2012 and Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2013 question
papers in exam-like setting, like mock tests, and check the score from official answer
keys.)
3.1. Download previous years question papers from UPSC website
(www.upsc.gov.in)
3.2. Go to PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTION PAPERS
3.3. Download available previous years answer keys from UPSC website
(www.upsc.gov.in)
3.4. Go to EXAMINATIONS
3.5. Go to ANSWER KEYS
Once you are comfortable and acquainted enough with 1, 2, 3 then you can move
on to...
4. Start reading daily newspaper, try to develop a balanced perspective on relevant
issues
5. Start with basic NCERT / NIOS books / IGNOU notes
once you are in the groove for 4, 5 then you can move on

6. Move on to subject/topic specific material for in-depth understanding from IGNOU

notes / Standard books / various websites / coaching material etc. (check the
documents / files section of the UPSC CIVIL SERVICES ASPIRANTS group for
starters)
While one is consistently following / revising 4,5,6, one should also spare a
thought on selecting an optional subject from the list of probable optional subjects
7. Read basic text books/previous years question papers to select the best among the
probable optional subjects. Decision parameters may be interest, extent of syllabus,
availability of material etc.

Saurabh Gautam

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NOTE FOR BEGINNERS: Target CSE 2015 and beyond...

8. Once the optional is selected, one should follow steps 5 and 6 for the subject specific
study as well.
9.

List of Useful websites

1. National portal of India http://india.gov.in/
2. For IGNOU material www.egyankosh.ac.in
3. For environment www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in
4. Frontline magazine http://www.frontlineonnet.com/archives.htm
5. Times of India - Edit page http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/editpage/articlelist/-2128669051.cms
6. Current Affairs
http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs
http://www.currentaffairsmanual.com
http://www.gktoday.in/category/current-affairs/
7. NCERT books
http://ncert.nic.in/NCERTS/textbook/textbook.htm
http://www.iasexams.com/NCERT-Books/NCERTBooks.php
http://www.ncert.nic.in/textbooks/testing/Index.htm - To download all NCERT
8. Country comparison charts http://chartsbin.com/graph
9. http://www.upscportal.com/ - For tips, Book list, suggestions, coaching
information
10. http://www.pib.nic.in/ - For government current press notes
11. http://www.upsc.gov.in/ - For all official information regarding the exam at any
stage.
12. http://www.persmin.nic.in/ - Useful after selection
13. www.goidirectory.nic.in - It connects to official websites of all Ministries and
departments.
14. www.meaindia.nic.in - External Affairs Ministry website useful for India-World
relations
15. www.indiacode.nic.in - Constitution of India, Central Acts, Supreme Court, etc.
16. www.indiabudget.nic.in - For latest budget and Economic Survey
17. http://publicationsdivision.nic.in/ - For India Year Book
18. Institute of peace and conflict studies: deals with geo-politics, foreign affairs
www.ipcs.org
19. NIOS Books
http://www.nios.ac.in/online-course-material/secondary-courses.aspx
http://www.nios.ac.in/online-course-material/secondary-courses.aspx
20. http://mrunal.org/ - For tips, Book list, suggestions, coaching information, study
material

Saurabh Gautam

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