If we look at the scores of the successful candidates, anywhere around 55%

will ensure the top service. That means it is a ‘second-class’ exam. This is
inevitable due to the huge syllabus and the complicated exam process. So,
the most important aspect in preparation is to remember that the objective of
studying a topic is to get around 55-60%. To get such a score, its enough to
have clarity on the basics. The answers need not be a scholarly, but sufficient
if all the basic points are covered. With the same basic points, the scores can
be improved by being innovative –for example, good introduction and
conclusion, application and contemporary relevance, using maps, flow
diagrams, graphs, figures etc.

Choose the optionals based on interest, scoring nature, availability of good

guidance and time gap between optional exams

A thorough analysis of the previous years’

question will help the candidate in making a very focused preparation. In
General studies, concentrate on those areas which are also asked in main
examination

Keep the last two months for revision and writing practice.

Keep the last two months for revision and writing practice. The
answers should be legible and try to make it attractive by using diagrams,
graphs etc using different colours. The objective is to catch the attention of
the examiner. The introduction and the conclusion should be written well. In
the remaining part, its enough to have basic points. Also, try to incorporate
practical application and contemporary relevance. Regarding essay, make a
list of topics and then focus your preparation on those areas. Also practice
writing essays, so that there is flow of thought and time management. In
examination hall, first select the topic carefully, then prepare structure and
finally write the essay. The essay should have good introduction and proceed
in a logical and smooth manner.

The nature of the exam can be analysed through the following ways:
- A thorough analysis of the previous year’s papers and the recent
trends.
- Discussing elaborately with teachers, successful candidates and
seniors.
- Carefully understanding the requirements of the exam as given in the
notification.

The preparation should start only after having the basic idea about the
exam. Later on, as you study, there should be a continuous analysis and
comparison between your preparation and the requirements of the
exam. This kind of assessment will help in being very focused and all the
Downloaded From: http://www.upscportal.com
efforts can be channelised in the right direction.

The exam can be written well when the preparation is simple and the aspirant
is very strong in basics with clarity.
Basics with clarity will come when there is lot of questioning while studying .

The focus should be on gaining basic clarity in each topic, which will come
only through lot of logical questioning .
More time should be spent on thinking about the topic and making
innovations, rather than on reading too many study material.
The previous papers should be thoroughly analyzed to understand the
expectations of the examiner.
The preparation should be focused and all the hard work should be
channelised in the right direction.

your answers in the examination should not only be

correct but also different with a touch of creativity.

The following points should be kept in mind while doing preparation:

• The focus should be on gaining basic clarity in each topic, which will come
only through lot of logical questioning.
More time should be spent on thinking about the topic and making
innovations, rather than on reading too many study material.
The previous papers should be thoroughly analyzed to understand the
expectations of the examiner.
The preparation should be focused and all the h ard work should be
channelised in the right direction.

Suubulaxmi
➢ Notification is the bible. Look into the syllabus very thorughly as in what kind of questions
have been arised and can be arised commensurate to every single word in the notification.
➢ Previous Year Question papers.
➢ Write tests regularly atleast once in a fortnight.
➢ Introspection. Smart Work.
➢ Once set of notes..revise...six..seven..times..imrove

Magazines for Preparation:

• Civil Serices Chronicle
• Cmpetition Success Review.
• Frontline.
• Yojana

Newspapers
➢ The Hindu
➢ The Times of India.

But remember one thing; never sacrifice the time of optional for General Studies. Because each
question in optional carries 2.5 marks and in total it carries 300 marks. More importantly, input-
output ratio in optional is much better than that in General Studies.
Always go in for a planned and systematic study. Work out your own study schedules in a manner
suited to your style and stick to it.
One should read a leading daily regularly and also a magazine that will give an insight into the
writing skills and observe how facts are presented clearly and succinctly. Also watch news &
current affairs programmes on a good TV channel. The latest trend has been a shift towards the
current issues; hence a thorough awareness of recent happenings is mandatory. In-depth knowledge
of such events is most important, as the questions will test the knowledge of details of any given
event/happening.

Public Administration Books

Supreet Gulati

Paper-I
Chapter-I: Introduction Mohit Bhattacharya: New Horizons of Public AdministrationNicholas
Henry : Public Administration and Public AffairsSpecial Issues of Indian Journal of Public
Administration
Chapter-II: Theories of Administration D. Ravindra Prasad, V.S. Prasad and P. Satyanarayana :
Administrative ThinkersD. Gvishiani Organisation and Management: A Critique of Western
Theories.
Chapter-III: Structure of Public Organisations : R.K. Jain : Public Sector Undertakings; andMohit
Bhattacharya : New Horizons of Public Administration
Chapter-IV: Administrative BehaviourPaul Hersey : Organisational BehaviourORStephen P. Robbin
: Organisational Behaviour
Chapter-V: Accountability and Control: Mohit Bhattacharya : New Horizons of Public
AdministrationSpecial Issues of Indian Journal of Public Administration on Accountability
Chapter-VI: Administrative Law:Massey :Administrative Law ORM.P. Jain :Administrative Law
Chapter-VII: Administrative Reforms:P.R. Dubbashi : Administrative ReformsG.E. Gaiden
:Administrative Reforms
Chapter-VIII: Comparative Public Administration:Ferrel Heady : Public Administration-A
Comparative PerspectiveORR.K. Arora : Comparative Public Administration
Chapter-IX: Development Administration:Ferrel Heady : Public Administration - A Comparative
PerspectiveORR.K. Arora : Comparative Public Administration
Chapter-X: Public Policy :IGNOU Lessons on Public PolicyR. K. Sapra : Public Policy
Chapter-XI: Personnel Administration:O Glenn :Stahl : Public Personnel AdministrationS. L. Goel :
Personnel Administration in India.
Chapter-XII: Financial AdministrationM. J. K. Thavaraj :Public Financial AdministrationORG.S.
Lal :Financial Administration in IndiaIGNOU Lessons on Financial Administration

PAPER II
Indian Administration
Chapter-I: Evolution of Indian AdministrationB.N. Puri Administrative History of India (Vol. I, II
and III)
Chapter-II: Constitutional Framework D. D. Basu An Introduction to the Constitution of India
Chapter-III: Union Government and AdministrationA. Avasthi Central Administration
Chapter-IV: State Government and AdministrationJ.D. Shukla State Administration
Chapter-V: District AdministrationT.N. Chaturvedi District Administration; andSpecial Issue of
Indian Journal of Public Administration on District Administration
Chapter-VI: Local GovernmentS.R. Maheswari Local Government in India
Chapter-VII: Public Sector in IndiaR. K. Jain Public Sector UndertakingsAnnual Survey on Public
Sector of Department of Public Enterprises
Chapter-VIII: Public ServicesS.L. Goel Personnel Administration in India
Chapter-IX: Control of Public ExpenditureM. J. K. Thavaraj Financial AdministrationIGNOU
Lessons on Financial Administration
Chapter-X: Administrative ReformsP.R. Dubbashi Administrative ReformsS. R. Maheswari
Administrative ReformsSpecial Issue of Indian Journal of Public Administration on Administrative
Reforms
Chapter-XI: Machinery for PlanningA. Avasthi Central Administration
Chapter-XII: Administration of Law and OrderK. K. Sharma Law and Order Administration in
IndiaK. J. Guha Roy, District Policing
Chapter-XIII: Welfare AdministrationAnnual Reports of Department of Social Welfare
Chapter-XIV: Major Issues in Indian AdministrationSpecial Issue of Indian Journal Public
Administration on Indian Administration, Retrospect and Prospect and on Good Governance.