Strategy for GS

Many aspirants are asking , how to tackle the most dreaded subject called General Studies(GS) at home on their own. This is how you can do it.

For Prelims GS -

Start reading NCERT 8th to 12th in all subjects except English, Hindi, Accountancy and Business Studies. Make notes in less than two months.. and keep reading newspaper(The Hindu only)... for Magazines you can look upto Yojana and kurukshetra- to update your notes with the latest figures. Remember, for world geography in the prelims section read the old ncert from class 6th to 12th. While reading geography always carry an atlas with you. Now which atlas to read? well, read the article. it is given below!

This will be all for the prelim examination.. Prelims, in the new pattern of UPSC is not very tough. it could be cleared easily through NCERT and reading newspapers only.

GS for Main Examination-

For main you need to make up a mindset suitable for an IAS. You have to think like an IAS Officer. Not to criticize but to find solutions to the problems.. for that you need to enlarge your knowledge base and study a bit deeply... you need to know the real India. What I did personally recommend You to start by getting yourself along with the Gandhi's Talisman.

The book list goes as

1- Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

2- Constitution of India (Bare-act) by P M Bakshi(Languagewill be different that is why Laxmikanth's Indian Polity should be read along with it)
[{Introduction to the Constitution of India by D D Basu has come up with its 20th edition that includes upto 97th amendment. This has made it a too good book. Still the hard language might trouble some of you. So, if you do get troubles with its language then you can blindly go with Laxmkanth's book mentioned above. If however anyone wants to read it then they should do in free time. leaving it alone will not trouble you at all!}]

3- Indian Economy by Dutt and Sundaram (Not full. Just go through the concepts and how it is affecting us now. After reading you need to think over it a bit!)

4- Economic Survey by M/o Finance D/o Economic Affairs that can be downloaded online

5- Approach Paper to 12th Plan by Planning Commission can be downloaded online

6- India's Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra (Pearson Publication)

7- A Brief History of Modern India by Spectrum Publication

8- Science and Technology by Spectrum Publication or Tata McGraw Hill. (any one which suits you)

9- Oxford School Atlas - Indian Edition(should be used while reading Geography NCERT)

10- Cover up Budget from all the Magazines you come across during the Budget time.

11- India's Foreign Policy Since Independence by V P Dutt

12- India and the World Dynamics by Pearson Publication

13- India After Gandhi- The History of World's Largest Democracy by Ramachandra Guha

How to prepare Newspapers?

I would suggest you to go with the Hindu newspaper 
Newspaper Reading Tips:
▪Selective reading
▪Practice Reading Within one hour.
▪ Focus National, International, India and Neighbourhood relations,Business, Science and technology, Environment and Ecology, Government Schemes and policies, Art and Culture.
▪ Avoid Regional, Politics issues.
▪ Read Editorial. Its give whole idea of a relevant issue/Matter and Useful for comprehension practice for csat paper. 
▪ Better try to avoid Newspaper cuttings and keeping, its feel gud to write News in paragraph Notes or Bullet points for easy reading when ever u need.