Strategy for Pub Ad & Law

Siddharth Malik (AIR-71) has shared the tips & approach mentioned below. Since Public Administration is a popular optional & a lot of queries were related to it, I requested Siddharth to share a small write up on this issue. He has shared his broad strategy in the paragraphs below.

For GS prelims it is important to do an extensive study of the entire course especially current affairs part and with changing trend focus should also be on general knowledge. Newspaper reading is a must if possible even two newspapers I read hindu and the Indian express, reading a current affairs magazine For traditional topics like history geography etc. focus on class 9 to 12 level N.C.E.R.T.’s. For the optional my advice will be to read one good book several times rather reading several books one time. Manage time by making a monthly schedule that helps in keeping track of time and syllabus. Write mock exams which improve writing skills. The best time to start preparing is at the graduation level. Minimum of one year before the prelims one should seriously start preparing for the exam.

The toughest part of the CSM is the mains for it you need to do an extensive as well as intensive study. It is very important to finish the paper in time especially the general studies so practice it. Do a study of the syllabus and the previous year’s papers this helps in preparing a strategy. Try to cover as much syllabus as possible.

LIST OF BOOKS

List of Magazines, News papers, Books etc. for 'General Studies’ preparation.

Prelims. Vajiram Notes.

Magzines. P.D., CHRONICLE

Newspapers THE HINDU, THE INDIAN EXPRESS

Books Ncert class 9 to 12 for history geography science economics

Mains…… Vajiram Notes.

Magzines. P.D. CHRONICLE FRONTLINE YOJANA KURUKSHETRA

Newspapers THE HINDU THE INDIAN EXPRESS

Books spectrum for GMA and history, economics Mishra and Purie,

For LAW rahul’s ias is the best coaching institute. To prepare for law especially constitution focus on all the areas as people generally tend to focus only on areas like fundamental rights and also read the complete cases of certain recent judgements for example Ashok kumar thakur case . For international law you can afford to touch only 60 to 70% of the syllabus read the important treaties and case laws. For merchantile law and I.P.C. focus on the section its ingredients and case laws. For torts focus should be on case law and the ingredients of a tort for specific torts. For current legal development search internet and read newspaper for important articles.

OPTIONAL 1 LAW

CONTRACT AVTAR SINGH

CONSTITUTION M.P. JAIN

INTERNATIONAL LAW KAPOOR AND ALSO SHAW

INDIAN PENAL CODE K.D. GAUR AND ALO PILLAI

TORTS RATANLAL AND DHIRAJLAL AND AVTAR SINGH

OPTIONAL II: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

For public administration take notes of both Sunil Gupta’s Inspiration and NIAs because syllabus is such that it will be difficult to locate the topics especially current from the books. Do write mock tests as you need to have very good writing skills if you want to score well in pub ad and try to innovate the answer in accordance with the question.

Paper 1 IGNOU Study Materials

Public administration - Mohit Bhattacharya

Nigro and Nigro

Public Administration Theory and concepts - Rumki Basu

Administrative thinkers - Prasad & Prasad

Managing organizational behavior - Paul Hersey & Kenneth Blanchard

Public Administration and Public Affairs - Nicholas Henry.

Paper 2 Journal of IIPA , IGNOU Study Materials

Avasthi & Maheswari

Indian Constitution - D.D. Basu

Laxmikant

Indian Administration - Ramesh K. Arora & Rajni Goyal.

Indian Administration S.R. Maheswari.

Avasti & Avasti

For essay: It is important to have a strong GS to score well in essay. I used to cut editorial columns from the newspapers and underlined the important parts that helped in GS also. I wrote on “Are we a soft state?” The reason for choosing the topic was that I thought that it was a mix of opinion and factual data.

For Interview: Read the current affairs thoroughly. Prepare question on biodata. Give mock interviews. I got Ms. Shashi Uban Tripathi board. My interview lasted for about half an hour. The question were regarding WTO agriculture issues, TRIPS, Geographical Indicators, Global Warming Kyoto Protocol, Copenhagen, Euro IV Norms, child abuse, adultery, corporate social responsibility, Is this world a post America World ?

One suggestion would be keeping in mind the changing trend of UPSC is to formulate your own opinions and should not go just by wrought memory. The secret of success is to always believe in yourself and work hard with dedication and sincerity, proper planning, time management and being motivated throughout the journey one day you will definitely reach you goal. It very important to consider this exam as a journey and one should try to enjoy every moment and one should not give up till the goal is reached.

All thanks to Siddharth Malik for sharing this through this blog. Comments/Queries invited.