IAS Training Centres play a big role in preparing for the civil service examination

The civil service examination or the Union public service commission examination is a national examination to select candidates for the postings of civil servants ranging from various departments. These examination are conducted in two stages. One is the entrance or the preliminary where the examination is objective while the next is the main examination which involves essay type questions. Once the candidate qualifies these two stages, there is the final personal interview test. Once a candidate is successful in all the three, he becomes a civil servant. The postings of Civil servants range from the Indian administrative service, Indian police service, Indian Foreign Service and so on. The Union public service commission examination is considered as one of the most challenging exams of India. The preparation of Union public service examination is not very easy. It requires a lot of hard work apart from focus and planning. The UPSC study materials used in the preparation of the examination are not just one, It has to be referred from many materials. There are many good IAS Coaching Centers in Chennai who suggest materials for each of the examination.

Preliminary UPSC Study material suggested from IAS coaching centers in Chennai

The preliminary examination consists of two papers carrying two hundred marks each. It is called as the general studies paper one and two. The questions are objective in nature where multiple options of answers will be given for selection of the correct answer. The Score in the preliminary examination is just a qualifying examination, and the score Is not considered for the final rank. The UPSC will select the candidates who are qualified to the main examination based on the minimum qualification criteria of thirty three percent in Paper two and total qualifying marks for paper one is subject to the discretion of the commission. The syllabus for Paper one are:

History of India and INC ( Indian National Moment)

Geography- India and world

Indian governance and Policy

Current events of National and International Importance

General Science

Economic and social development, sustainable development, social development, demographics, social sector etc.,

General issues which does not need specialization

The syllabus for paper two are:

Comprehension,  Logical reasoning, decision making, analytical reasoning, problem-solving, general mental ability, Basic numeracy, Interpersonal skills inclusive of communication skills.

The books suggested for preparation are Indian Economy, Indian Year Book, UPSC Prelims General Studies, Indian Geography Author: Majid Husain, Previous years solved papers. Lakshmikanth Indian Policy, ICSE class nine and ten environmental books, Indian Budget, Economic survey, GS mentor.  Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh, Indian Struggle for Independence, Indian Art and culture, Indian after Independence, Ghanshyams revision notes CSAT fundamentals, CSAT previous papers, CSAT comprehensive study materials CSAT Manuals, etc.,

UPSC Study Materials For Mains Suggested by IAS Training Centers

Student from IAS Coaching centre preparing for civil service examsA student’s position in the civil service examinations depends entirely on the score secured in the main examination and personal interview. The main exam has a total of one thousand seven hundred and fifty marks while interview consists of two hundred and seventy-five marks. The main examination consists of total nine papers where the two papers are to be written by the candidate and the score to qualify is again decided by the union public service commission.

The qualifying papers are Indian Language which can be selected by the candidate according to his preference and comfort and English language for about three hundred marks each.

The other papers are :

Essay for two hundred and fifty marks, General Studies One, two three and four for two hundred and fifty marks each, Paper six and seven are optional subjects of two hundred and fifty marks each.

The general studies comprise of topics from Indian heritage, history, geography, governance, constitution, policy, social justice, international relations, ethics, aptitude, and integrity.

Some Reference Books recommended by Best IAS Academy in Chennai

GS Score Mains, India after Gandhi, Various materials for Indian society, Pax Indica by Shashi Tharoor, Handbook on India’s International relations, Governance in India, world focus, Ignou Ethics, Vajiram Ethics Materials, Ethics class notes, GK Today, Shankar IAS Environment , UPSC Civil Services Mains, GP Score UPSC Mains, Indian economy handwritten notes by topper, World focus March 2017, challenge and strategy rethinking  etc.,

These books are also available online, therefore you can easily get them when you search them in civil service coaching centers websites.

Also Read: ADVICE FROM TOP ALL INDIA CIVIL SERVICE COACHING CENTRE

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any open examination wherein the subject-wise/paper-wise marks are not accessible or available?

Yes, in the UPSC Preliminary (Civil Services) examination, the subject-wise/paper wise marks are not accessible or available to the candidate. This is because the Preliminary examination (Civil Services) is purely a shortlist/elimination exercise to select the candidates for the Mains examination. The marks obtained in the examination by the candidate are not communicated to the candidates. However, an individual candidate who is desirous of knowing his/her marks can seek information from the Commission according to RTI Act 2005. By getting to know the individual marks, serious candidates can get an insight into their performance in the UPSC CSE examination.

Is it true that the IAS examination is only for the strong-hearted candidates?

Well, this is just a misconception related to the IAS examination. Don’t worry even if you are not strong and faint-hearted. Don’t waste time, prepare from now onwards. The competition will be very tough. Start to prepare for the UPSC Prelims with great confidence and will-power. Ideally, 12-18 months is sufficient for the preparation of the Civil Services Exam. It is better to join any institute, private coaching center or civil aspirant group for your support. You can also have guidance from quality video lectures and mock tests. Start with NCERT books and follow good websites like Roman Saini’s sir and IASbaba videos on YouTube.

Can a candidate write the answers in different languages in different papers of Mains examination?

No, UPSC does not allow the candidate to write the answers in two different languages in Mains examination. You have to mention your language initially in the eighth schedule. Only then, the candidate can write the answers in English or any one of the languages mentioned before in the application form. The candidate should select the language based on their comfort zone. The candidate must have very good command on the selected language either Hindi or English as merit is depended on written examination. So, if a candidate prefers any regional language, then it is important to stick to the same for all papers.

After the written examination of UPSC, what is the criterion for evaluation of the answer books?

After the UPSC written examination, all the answer books are collected from the various examination centers and taken to the UPSC office in New Delhi. The evaluation of answer books is not done based on roll numbers or examination centers. At the UPSC office, the answer books are mixed and reshuffled before the evaluation. Later, a computer-based fictitious code number generated randomly is allotted to each answer book. Only after this process, the answer books are sent for evaluation to the examiners. The board has strict rules set for the evaluation of the UPSC answer books.

Is a candidate with a foreign degree qualified for UPSC examination?

Yes, the candidate’s graduation degree is valid for the UPSC exam, but you need to apply for an equivalent certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). When you get your graduation degree from the US or any foreign country, get a photocopy of the US/foreign degree attested by the High Commission of India of that particular country. Send photocopies of degree, transcripts, matriculation and 10+2 certificates to the Foreign Degrees Evaluation Section at the AIU. Within a week, you will be receiving an equivalence certificate from AIU.