MUST READ BOOKLIST & RESOURCES for UPSC by AIR 165 Saima Khan, Topper Strategy | Educrat IAS Kolkata

Summary

The speaker, a Rank 165 All India Civil Services Exam aspirant, shares insights on preparing for the 2025 examination. Emphasizing the importance of limited resources, they discuss their fourth attempt's strategy, focusing on quality over quantity. They stress the significance of continuous revision, understanding the syllabus, and selecting the right resources. The speaker recommends specific books for subjects like History, Geography, and Environment, and advises against changing resources frequently. They also highlight the importance of current affairs, suggesting newspapers like The Hindu and Indian Express for a comprehensive understanding.

Takeaways

• 📚 The speaker emphasizes the importance of selecting and following the right resources for the Civil Services Examination, as they can greatly aid in clearing the exam.
• 🔄 The speaker suggests that having a limited number of resources is beneficial, as it prevents information overload and allows for focused revision.
• 📈 The speaker highlights the significance of continuous revision, especially for subjects like History, where a deep understanding of concepts is crucial.
• 🎯 The speaker advises focusing on certain keywords and concepts in the syllabus, as attempting to cover every single detail is not necessary and can lead to missing out on important topics.
• 🚫 The speaker warns against the common mistake of accumulating too many resources, which can lead to difficulty in revising and retaining information effectively.
• 🌟 The speaker recommends starting with NCERT books for subjects that are new or unfamiliar, as they provide a clear foundational understanding.
• 📅 The speaker stresses the importance of staying updated with current affairs, as questions in the prelims are often based on recent events and issues.
• 📝 The speaker suggests that for optional subjects, one should choose resources based on their comfort and understanding, as this can significantly impact the ability to score well.
• 💡 The speaker shares personal strategies and experiences, such as not making notes from newspapers but instead reading daily to understand context and current affairs.
• ⏰ The speaker advises on the importance of time management, suggesting that aspirants should start early, focus on the basics, and gradually move to more advanced resources.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video script?

The main theme of the video script is guiding students on how to prepare for competitive exams like the Civil Services Examination, specifically focusing on the resources and strategies to clear the exam.

Why is it important to have a limited number of resources for exam preparation according to the speaker?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of having a limited number of resources because it prevents information overload and makes revision more manageable, which is crucial for retaining information and performing well in the examination.

What is the speaker's advice on how to approach the UPSC syllabus?

The speaker advises focusing on the keywords in the UPSC syllabus and suggests that understanding the concepts is more important than memorizing every word. They also recommend continuous revision of the limited resources rather than trying to read many books.

What does the speaker suggest about the importance of NCERT books for UPSC preparation?

The speaker suggests that NCERT books are very important for building a strong foundation and for clearing basic concepts, which is beneficial for both preliminary and mains exams.

Why does the speaker recommend starting with NCERT for new subjects or those not familiar to the student?

Starting with NCERT for new subjects provides a clear and concise understanding of the fundamental concepts, which is essential for beginners and helps in building a strong base to tackle more advanced resources later on.

What strategy does the speaker suggest for subjects that have a lot of terms and authors like Medieval India?

For subjects like Medieval India, which have many terms and authors, the speaker suggests using resources like Satish Chandra's book to get a good clarity of the entire process and to cover the vast syllabus effectively.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of current affairs for the UPSC exam?

The speaker views current affairs as very important for the UPSC exam, especially for the mains section, and suggests that students should regularly read newspapers like The Hindu and Indian Express to stay updated.

What is the speaker's advice regarding the revision of resources during exam preparation?

The speaker advises continuous revision of the chosen resources and emphasizes not to keep changing books or resources. They suggest sticking to a few selected books and revising them multiple times for better retention.

Why does the speaker suggest not to start with too many resources at the beginning of the preparation?

Starting with too many resources can lead to confusion and difficulty in revision. The speaker suggests starting with a few core resources and then gradually adding more as the student becomes comfortable with the basics.

What does the speaker recommend for students who are not from an economics background and find it difficult to understand the subject?

For students who find economics difficult, the speaker recommends using resources like Sriram's notes which provide a good understanding and explanation of concepts in a simple language, making it easier for students to grasp the subject.

How does the speaker suggest students stay updated with current affairs for the UPSC exam?

The speaker suggests that students should read newspapers daily, specifically The Hindu and Indian Express, to stay updated with current affairs. They also mention that reading newspapers helps in understanding the context and is more beneficial than making notes from monthly magazines.