GENERAL STUDIES - UPSC Preparation Made Easy

Himachal Pradesh Administrative Exam (HPAS) strategy for Prelims:-

Syllabus and Strategy:-

The Prelims will consist of two objective type papers (multiple choice questions) and carry a maximum of 400 marks( 200 marks each)
The duration of Papers 1 and 2 (General Studies and CSAT) will be two hours each.
There will be penalty (Negative Marking) for wrong answers that 1/3^rd.
CSAT is just a qualifying paper.

Books and Strategy (GS PAPER 1):- 100 Questions.

Topic 1:-History of India (Ancient, Medieval and Modern History of India)….do go into the in-depth study(only take overview)

Sub Topics:-

Ancient:- Prehistory(different ages example stone age etc ), Historic, Indus Valley, Vedic period(Age of Rig Veda and later Vedic), Magadha, Maurya Period, Gupta, Jainism and Buddhism

Medieval:-

Arabs and Ghaznavids.
Cultural and Religious Circumstances from 750-1200 CE: Rise of Islam and Sufism
The Rise of Delhi Sultanate(13th and 14th): Invasion by Muhammad Ghori, the rise of Slave Dynasty, Invasion by Alauddin Khilji and initiative taken by him in economic, agrarian, and administrative, the decline of Delhi Sultanate.
The rise of Spiritualism sects in both Hinduism and Islam.
The 15th and early 16th Century: Key Provincial dynasties; Vijayanagara Empire. The Lodhis, First stage of the Mughal Empire: The Sur Empire and administration. Monotheistic movements: Kabir; Guru Nanak and Sikhism; Bhakti. The spread of regional literature. Art and Culture.
The Mughal Empire
The decline of the Mughal Empire, Reason behind the decline. Maratha power under the Peshwas. The Afghans.
Books:-Class 6 to 12th NCERT
Standard Books:- R S Sharma and Satish Chandra

MODERN HISTORY:-

Indian states and society in the 18^th Century:-
The advent of British Colonial Rule: British expansion, Battle of Plassey, the Carnatic Wars and Mysore’s resistance against the British, The Anglo-Maratha wars, India Act, the foundation of British Raj.
European Penetration and British Conquest of India(Anglo-French War till era after Independence.

Books:-Class 6 to 12th NCERT
Standard Books:- Bipin Chandra
Art and Culture:- Government website for ART or Nitin Singhania Book.
Now only read that which is in the syllabus, don’t go out of syllabus.

Topic 2:- History of India and Indian national movement

Books:- Class 6 to 12th NCERT
Standard Books:– Bipin Chandra (more than sufficient).
First, complete all NCERTs and then start with Bipin Chandra.

Topic 3:- Indian and World Geography-physical, social, economic geography of India and the world.

Books:- Class 6 to 12th NCERTs, Certificate Physical and Human Geography (Goh Cheng Leong)
Standard Books:- Majid Hussain or D R Khullar or Savinder Singh(Follow anyone)

Topic 4:- Indian polity and governance –Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights

Issues, etc.

Books:- Class 6 to 12^th NCERTs(Only choose topics as per syllabus).
NCERTs of Polity is a must.
Standard Book:- M Laxmikanth (Read and Revise, again and again)

Topic 5:- Economic and social development – sustainable development poverty, inclusion, demographics,

social sector initiatives, etc.

Books:- Class 11^th and 12^th NCERT
Standard Books:- Ramesh Singh or if you are looking for a thin book of 150-180 pages than go for Sanjeev Verma (Both books are good).

Topic 6:- General issues on environmental ecology, bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization

Books:- Class 9^th an 10^th ICSE Book on Environment, Class 12^th Biology(Chapter on Environment)
Standard Books:- Shankar IAS book

Topic 7:- General science.

Books:- Class 8^th,9^th & 10^th NCERTs
Standard Books:- Lucent General Science

Topic 8:- History, geography, political, art & culture and socio-economic development of Himachal Pradesh.

Books:- Jag Mohan Balokhra or Mian Goverdhan (Follow anyone).
Now only read that which is in the syllabus, don’t go out of syllabus.
For example:- Geography, take one Political and One Physical map of Himachal Pradesh, study geography while keeping the map in front of you.

Topic 9:- Currents events of national and international importance.

Source:- The Hindu or Indian Express(For National or International)
Amar Ujjala or Divya Himachal for HP
Follow all government websites of HP and India
Example:- PIB etc
Follow www.examlife.info (Current affairs sections) and it’s Editorial part.