UPSC Civil Services Examination – Topic-wise Study Plan &
Booklist
1. Prelims Study Plan
General Studies Paper I
- **Current Affairs**: Read *The Hindu*, *Indian Express*, and monthly current affairs magazines
(Vision IAS, Insights, etc.). Revise PIB and Yojana.
- **History**: NCERTs (Class 6–12), Spectrum (Modern India), RS Sharma (Ancient), Satish
Chandra (Medieval).
- **Geography**: NCERTs (Class 6–12), GC Leong (Physical Geography), Oxford School Atlas.
- **Polity**: Laxmikanth (Indian Polity), Bare Act of Constitution (selectively).
- **Economy**: NCERT (Class 11–12), Ramesh Singh, Economic Survey, Budget Highlights.
- **Environment**: Shankar IAS Environment book, Current Affairs, Government reports.
- **Science & Tech**: NCERT basics + focus on current developments.
CSAT Paper II
- Practice comprehension daily (previous years' papers).
- Logical reasoning & analytical ability: RS Aggarwal or TMH CSAT Manual.
- Basic numeracy: NCERT Maths (Class 6–10).
- Solve at least 10 years of past CSAT papers.
2. Mains Study Plan
Essay Paper
- Practice one essay per week.
- Use examples, quotes, data, and case studies.
- Recommended: *Lexicon for Essays* or Vajiram notes.
General Studies I
- Indian Heritage & Culture: Nitin Singhania (Art & Culture).
- History: Same as prelims + Bipan Chandra.
- World History: Norman Lowe.
- Society: Ram Ahuja (Indian Society), current examples.
General Studies II
- Polity & Constitution: Laxmikanth + ARC Reports.
- Governance & Social Justice: 2nd ARC Reports, schemes from PIB.
- International Relations: Current Affairs + Rajiv Sikri.
General Studies III
- Economy: Ramesh Singh, Economic Survey, Budget.
- Science & Tech: Newspapers, ISRO/DRDO updates.
- Environment: Shankar IAS + UN/World Bank reports.
- Disaster Management: NDMA Guidelines.
- Security: IDSA website, Current Affairs.
General Studies IV
- Ethics: Lexicon, Subbarao.
- Case Studies: Practice past year questions.
- Read examples from newspapers (civil servants, leaders).
Optional Subject
- Choose based on background, interest, material availability.
- Popular choices: Geography, Public Administration, Sociology, Political Science, History.
- Standard coaching notes + previous year questions.
3. Personality Test (Interview)
- Revise DAF thoroughly (educational background, hobbies, service preference).
- Stay updated on current affairs & issues related to your state.
- Practice mock interviews with peers or institutes.
- Focus on honesty, clarity of thought, balanced opinion.
