IAS Exam (CSAT) 2012: Syllabus, Suggested Books, and Tips

When UPSC changed the pattern of IAS Preliminary examination there were lots of confusion about the exact nature of questions that will be asked. Some coaching institutes used this confusion among aspirants in their advantage. They charged huge amount of money for specialized CSAT preparation even though, as seen in the CSAT question paper, the preparation demanded something different.

First step in the direction of becoming an IAS, or for that matter becoming a Civil Servant, is to clear the CSAT – the Preliminary examination. And, one needs to understand the syllabus of CSAT to get rid of any possible apprehensions and misdirections.

Aspirants need to keep this in mind that they should try to understand the demand of UPSC. How does UPSC weigh aspirants? Nothing can give an answer to this poser than a simple look up of recent question papers. That is what you all should do. The baptism MUST start with a cursory look on previous years question papers. It will not only help you to ignite the YOU within you, but it will also make you a sort of aspirant who understand the difference between relevant stuffs and irrelevant materials. Giving a look on previous years question papers will give you the mental advantage of reading a newspaper - reading a newspaper means, preparing with the help of newspaper. Newspapers are full of news, you need to tackle it efficiently. You should have the capability to ween out irrelevant news within seconds by just seeing the headline. And, you can only be endowed with this capability by reading previous years question papers.

1. Current Events of National and International Importance: This section retains its importance in the changed pattern. However, one should always try to figure out the exact nature of question being asked from this section. After the first CSAT examination, everyone was abruptly saying that UPSC has done away with giving importance to Current Affairs related questions. But, in reality, UPSC had only increased the better, albeit changed the direction. Remember, you have to keep yourself hooked with current events of national and international importance, but you will have to do something more. SCRATCH A LITTLE. That should be your motto. Try to see things a bit deeper than what the general mass is seeing. Anti Corruption movement led by Anna Hazare should compel you to read the history of all institutions and laws related to corruption in India. Question setters didn’t ask about Libya in the 2011 CSAT paper, but they asked about Brent Crude Oil. You have to go a bit deeper in a logical way and try to figure out related issues. And, you will be done. This section has the potential to make or break your chances. So, study logically, deeply, and conceptually. And, you must remain capable of weeding out non-relevant issues from relevant one.

2. History of India and Indian National Movement: The weight of this section has recently been nose-dived. Aspirants need to give more importance to modern India than other sections. Read NCERT History 12^th, and if you have time then you may also go for Bipan Chandra’s Struggle for Indian Independence.

3. Indian and World Geography: Read NCERT Geography books.

4. Indian Polity and Governance: This part is heavily loaded with Current Affairs. Even direct questions of Indian Constitution are asked with a relevance to Current Affairs. As stated above, try to go deeper to any relevant current issues and this section will be completed. If you are reading the editorials and relevant lead articles of The Hindu then you are not required to refer much other than Our Constitution by Subhash Kashyap.

5. Economic and Social Development: This section has also something to do with Current Affairs. The editorial of The Economic Times will be sufficient to handle almost all questions of this section. Remember, the editorial of The Economic Times is the most important source of reference for Mains Examination (Current Affairs, and Indian Economy). So, if you are giving half an hour daily for this then you are certainly going to get huge dividend in Mains. Additionally, you should also refer the latest extra issue of Indian Economy by Pratiyogita Darpan. Salient points of the latest Budget documents, Economic Survey, and Finance Commission Reports should be on your tongue.

6. Ecology: This is the latest addition in the syllabus. And, in the first CSAT this section ruled. Questions related to ecology also surprised students and coaching institutes and many unsuccessful aspirants blamed this section for their tough luck. However, one should never forget that during the age of Jairam Ramesh the environment issues have always remained on the front page of national newspapers. Reading material for this section includes NCERT, Frontline, and The Hindu. You should also see whether Seminar has published an issue related to environment in the last six months. If yes, get the issue and be prepared for direct questions in prelims and Mains.

7. General Science: Relevant article from Frontline will come handy for this. Read The Human Machine from the house of NBT. Always go through important articles of Science and Technology special from The Hindu – published on every Thursday – and be aware of all latest developments of ISRO, and DRDO.

Paper II is something different. This paper is what's new for preliminary. It tests administrative aptitude, decision making prowess, problem solving ability, interpersonal communication skills of aspirants. Due to the introduction of this paper, the Preliminary examination has become a mat where every aspirant will be tested with the same ball of the same speed. Keep this in mind that your administrative skills will be checked not managerial skills like in CAT. One may ask is there any difference between an Administrator and a manager? Well, there IS difference and you need to understand that.

First of all, get yourself a good guide book to practice daily. The CSAT Guide from TMH is a good one. Look for others recommended by your seniors or teachers. This section will require heavy dose of practice. Only consistent practice can give stunning result in this section.

1. Comprehension: Make a habit of reading two editorials daily preferably of The Hindu and The Economic Times. Try to read those editorials as quickly as possible and then summarize what you understand. The Hindu’s editorials always cover variety of subjects which is good. The habit of reading editorials will help you in GS and/or optional papers and summarizing will make you a strong contender for Mains papers.

2. Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills: This is a vague section. The question setters have the liberty to try anything for this section. This section also makes CSAT papers different from CAT. One thing that you can try is to see any controversial issue in a different manner. Try to see yourself the administrator and think about that ‘constitutional’ way in which you will handle that controversial situation. See the keyword. You should make a habit of thinking everything according to what the Indian Constitution says.

3. Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability: R S Aggarwal will suffice your needs for this section. After understanding concepts you should dive deeply into this and start practicing. Practice as much as you can. You should also try to make your presence of mind a better one. Give five minutes daily to solve a Su-Do-Ku puzzle – it’s a bit addictive, never give more than five minutes. Giving a little bit of food to your mind in terms of solving puzzle will enhance the response time of your mind.

4. Basic Numeracy: Nothing serious here if you understand charts, graphs and other related stuffs. CSAT guide will help you out. Remember table and percentage table to solve questions from this section in short time.

5. English Language Comprehension Skills: Same as the first section. Try to make strong vocabulary. A mirror of Common Errors in English Grammar by Ashok Kumar Singh is a MUST.

Remember, the cut-off for CSAT has always been low. Don’t worry if you are practicing daily. The exam is to weed out non-serious candidates. If you are practicing daily then you will certainly clear the exam. There is nothing special about this.