GS-1
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Art and Culture
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Book(s)
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1. R S Sharma - Ancient India old NCERT
2. Satish Chandra - Medieval India old NCERT
3. Fine Arts 11th standard NCERT
4. Tamil Nadu NCERT - Buddhism and Jainism chapters
5. Vajiram and Ravi Art and Culture Book - quick reading
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Strategy
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Notes made out of the above-mentioned sources were my only material for Art and Culture. I did not find the time-utility ratio of this subject to my advantage and hence did not do the often recommended Nitin Singhania. However, if a candidate finds the subject interesting, more time can be devoted. However, limiting the sources will be imperative.
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Diagrams of prominent objects can be practiced. For eg. in a 2019 Mains question on Buddha Stupa Architecture, I had drawn the Stupa itself and marked its important features.
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I am attaching my notes of Ancient and Medieval India which were also my material for Art and Culture.
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Modern Indian History​
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Book(s)
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1. Spectrum by Rajiv Ahir
2. Bipin Chandra old NCERT (one quick reading)
3. Pradhanmantri Series - ABP News
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Strategy
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Reading Spectrum and having multiple revisions of the same was my answer to Modern Indian History. It is quite a comprehensive book and given the analytical nature of the questions asked in Mains, it provides adequate facts to base one's analysis on. Liberal usage of sticky notes on the book itself helped me in analysing key events without feeling the need to make notes out of the complete book.
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The old Bipin Chandra NCERT can be given a look. India's Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra was not used beyond a single read and no subsequent revision. Hence, I shall not count that as a source for my preparation of the subject.
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Regarding Post-Independence History, I followed the Pradhanmantri Television Series by ABP News on YouTube. It was a relaxing way to learn about the important events of our Post-Independence History.
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World History​
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Book(s)
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1. Vision IAS notes
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Strategy
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No other subject demands more attention to its Previous Year Questions than does World History. The vastness of the topics mentioned in the Syllabus under World History tends to create a sense of disproportionate importance in the minds of the candidates. Analysing PYQs reveals that generally, only one question is asked from this topic. Hence, limiting the time spent on it is imperative.
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I selectively studied Vision IAS World History Notes as per the analysis of the trend of PYQs. A topic like this should not take more than 2-3 days of preparation time.
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Indian Society and other Topics
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Book(s)
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1. Websites like Civils Daily, GK Today, etc.
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Strategy
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In my quest of limiting resources, I did not go for a book to study the features of the Indian Society and other miscellaneous topics. I analysed the PYQs of 6-8 years and noted down the probable areas to be asked.
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I focussed on some reputed websites like Civils Daily, GK Today, etc. and made handwritten notes (link below) on all the probable topics.
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Adding facts and figures and the latest developments help in making the answers comprehensive in nature.
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Geography​
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Book(s)
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1. Certificate Physical and Human Geography - GC Leong
2. Principles of Geography - Class 11 old NCERT
3. India: Physical Environment - Class 11 NCERT
4. India People and Economy - Class 12 NCERT
5. Fundamentals of Human Geography - Class 12 NCERT
6. PMFIAS Website
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Strategy
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Geography has a good weightage in GS-1 and hence demands adequate attention. Understanding the topics of Physical Geography and various Geophysical Phenomena is imperative to diligently answer the 3-4 questions generally asked. Liberal usage of diagrams and maps is always recommended to showcase conceptual clarity. Sources 1 and 2 mentioned above are more than sufficient for covering these topics. PMFIAS Website is a good addition to understand parts that lack clarity in the books.
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For the topics of distribution of natural resources, sources 3 to 5 of the above-mentioned list can be followed. Understanding the features of various geographical areas is a much more efficient way to answer questions from this topic than rote-learning what natural resource is found in which area.
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GS-2
Constitution and Polity​
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Book(s)
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1. Indian Polity - M Laxmikanth
2. Monthly Insights Current Affairs Magazine
3. Vision IAS Mains 365
4. PRS Website
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Strategy
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Mains Questions from Polity are of both, Current and Static nature. A good hold over Laxmikanth is key to ensure conceptual clarity which is the basis for both types of questions. Sources 2-4 mentioned above along with regular newspaper reading are sufficient for the current affairs and their analysis.
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While answering questions of polity, some additions can be made to enrich one's answers. These include quoting Constitutional Articles, making recommendations from Law Commission Reports, and other committees including the 2nd Administrative Reforms Committee (2nd ARC).
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I also followed a session of Parliament on RSTV to get a first-hand experience on the bill making process.
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Separate notes should be made on the topics given in the Syllabus which are not covered in Laxmikanth. For eg. Pressure Groups, Statutory, Regulatory and various Quasi-Judicial Bodies, etc.
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Social Development and Vulnerable Section​
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Book(s)
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1. Websites like Civils Daily, GK Today, etc.
2. Monthly Insights Current Affairs Magazine
3. Vision IAS Mains 365
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Strategy
Given the unstructured pattern of topics under this heading, I made handwritten notes (attached below) covering every word of the Syllabus. Using data, facts, and figures in such notes help in keeping one's answers up to date.
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Sources 2 and 3 were important material for this topic owning to its high current nature.
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Governance​
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Book(s)
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1. Websites like Civils Daily, GK Today, etc.
2. Paper-IV notes
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Strategy
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A careful analysis of the PYQs reveals the areas of importance under this topic. I had made notes (attached below) from sources mentioned above to serve as the static material and added recommendations from 2nd ARC and other Committee Reports.
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International Relations
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Book(s)
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1. Monthly Insights Current Affairs Magazine
2. Vision IAS Mains 365
3. International Papers like The Economist, The Foreign Policy, etc.
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Strategy
Given the high current nature of this topic, I did not refer to any book for the static portion. However, being enthusiastic about the subject led me to read some of the books on India's Foreign Policy over the years of graduation. That helped in developing a historical perspective on current relationships with different countries.
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Map-making is a very important art in answering questions on International Relations to show conceptual clarity.
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GS-3
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Economy, Inclusive Growth and Budgeting​
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Book(s)
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1. Websites like Civils Daily, GK Today, Mrunal.org, etc.
2. Monthly Insights Current Affairs Magazine
3. Vision IAS Mains 365
4. The Union Budget
5. The Economic Survey
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Strategy
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Economics being one of my strong suits, I did not have to worry about the basics of it. A candidate who is not comfortable in the subject should definitely try and understand the basics from Class 11/12 NCERTs.
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Given the current nature of the questions under this heading, efficient preparation can be done by following sources 2 and 3. Regular Newspaper reading is also a must.
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For static topics like Mobilisation of Resources, Inclusive Growth Concepts, etc., notes should be made out of any good online material. I used the websites mentioned in point 1 above.
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A thorough reading of the Union Budget and the Economic Survey is important to answer some of the direct questions. Moreover, quoting ideas from the Budget and Economic Survey in other answers also helps as good conclusions.
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Agriculture, Land Reforms and Infrastructure
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Book(s)
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1. Websites like Civils Daily, GK Today, Mrunal.org, etc.
2. Monthly Insights Current Affairs Magazine
3. Vision IAS Mains 365
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Strategy
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Topics under these headings are highly unstructured. Hence, I did not go for different books rather made my own notes on every word of the syllabus from the websites mentioned above.
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The addition of current affairs in such answers provides a sense of comprehensiveness.
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Science and Technology
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Book(s)
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1. Monthly Insights Current Affairs Magazine
2. Vision IAS Mains 365
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Strategy
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I did not find the time-value ratio of this subject to my advantage and hence decided to focus only on the current affairs material. Usually, only 1 odd question is asked from this domain which did not encourage me to make notes. However, knowing definitions and National Plans on some of the topics mentioned in the syllabus like Nanotechnology, Bio-Technology, etc. can help in bringing legitimacy to one's answer. These can be done via Vision IAS Mains 365 material.
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Environment and Disaster Management
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Book(s)
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1. Shankar IAS - Environment
2. Monthly Insights Current Affairs Magazine
3. Vision IAS Mains 365
4. NDMA Guidelines
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Strategy
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The static portion of Environment can be covered from Shankar IAS. A dedicated effort should be made to memorize the important International Bodies relating to environmental conservation and global warming and their consequential sessions and declarations over the years.
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Recent happenings in this field form the chunk of questions and hence, current affairs are a must from sources 2 and 3 mentioned above.
Regarding the topic of Disaster Management, a careful analysis of PYQs should be done to gauge the scope of the subject. I had made notes on all major disasters India faced or potentially could face and readied a framework to answer such questions. With Covid-19 Pandemic upon us, a new disaster has been added to the list which otherwise did not receive much attention.
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Internal Security​
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Book(s)
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1. Websites like Civils Daily, GK Today, Mrunal.org, etc.
2. Monthly Insights Current Affairs Magazine
3. Vision IAS Mains 365
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Strategy
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The focus in tackling this subject was to have notes ready on every word of the syllabus. Websites mentioned above were the prime source for such note-making.
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The current happenings in the field should be kept track of. Closing the answers with recommendations of various reports and committees brings the required legitimacy to one's answers.