GS-3 Strategy , Score , Resources , Approach and Notes and Tips to score high:

GS-3 Strategy

GS-3 is favourite subject of mine. It's the most diverse and vast subject. Of late, there is so much of trim down of scores. Scoring in the 90's considered very good and above 100's are becoming exceptions. But this marking system trend can chat anytime.

My scores:

2022: 89

2023: 93

Resources:

1. Indian Economy: Vision VAM, Prelims knowledge , Mains 365

2. Agriculture: Vision VAM, Mains 365

3. Internal security: Vision VAM, Mains 365

4. Env & DM: vision VAM, Mains 365

5. S& T: Mains 365

6. For 2023 attempt, I have referred Only IAS Prahaar also for value addition content.

7. Prelims knowledge can help in Economy and S&T too.

My approach:

1. Economy: There are 4-5 sub-topics in economy. I have made small, concise notes for each topic from Vision VAM. Added the value addition from current affairs wrt each topic. Questions can be either static ( like in 2021) or either dynamic and analytical as in last 2 Mains. So, need to be ready for any kind of questions. Add more data, examples, analytical depth to stand out from others.

2. Agriculture: questions are mostly static oriented. So, I have used both Vision VAM and PYq content for making my notes. Questions often get repeated from the same topics with different orientation. So content remains same, just need to be presented ana analysed differently. Easy compared to economy part to score marks.

3. Internal security: same as agriculture, questions get repeated often and limited syllabus. Vision VAM & PYQ content are useful. Focus on Mains 365 also for latest developments ( like money laundering etc).

4. Environment & DM: vision VAM, have frameworks for DM related questions and question can be analysed through that framework. The weightage for env& DM increasing recently. Focus on this trend.

5. Science & Tech: most unconventional and you can't expect which area a question can come from. Be thorough with syllabus topics mentioned in upsc and focus on current affairs. Prelims knowledge helps most here, so revise your prelims content.

Tips to score high:

Often people are scoring in 70's even after completing the paper. Few of things I did for my 2 Mains which can help you:

1. Quoting data is non- negotiable: do it as much you can, economics, agriculture,internal security has more scope to quote data and don't miss a chance.

2. Examples: for Internal security, DM, Environment, agriculture, economics topics.

3. Maps: for Internal security, DM and wherever there is scope.

4. More analytical depth: analyse your points rather than just writing them. Develop the skill of argumentative writing. This gives completion.

5. Answer through frameworks and structures: Each topic has some core frameworks. Answer through them to not to miss on any dimensions and add that diversity in your answers.

6. GS-3 is not just economy: only 4 questions come from the core economy part. others are equally important, like 4 from agriculture, 4 from internal security, 4 from S&T, 4 from Env & DM. So devote equal time for them. More often, questions from agriculture, internal security, DM remain static and get repeated, so return on investment is very high in these compared to others.

My GS-3 Notes,

Take this as reference on how to make concise notes so it's easier for revision.

These may not be comprehensive notes, but these coupled with some current affaids and prelims knowledge helped me to score good marks..

next :GS3 mock test I have written, note that I wrote this on 5th aug (40 days before Mains), so my final answers would have some what improved over these.

further -

GS-3 value addition note:

Sample on how to write all value addition points for a particular subject at one place to revise it multiple times so that it can be actively recalled during examination.

The more you revise the more you remember!!

I didn't write any other mock for GS-3 after this to show my final style of answering for GS-3, but I used to brainstorm a lot which fine tuned my answers.