Sharing my prelims strategy and resource list for your reference.

Hi all,

Sharing my prelims strategy and resource list for your reference.

I followed a mixed strategy wherein I did self study extensively from these sources as well as supplemented my knowledge via a crash course (4 months) from Target UPSC. This dual approach helped me in 2 ways - self study helped in better retention while crash course helped me revise in video format / identify any points I didn’t know.

Sharing the resource list:

History:

1. Spectrum for modern history

2. Lucent for ancient and medieval history (50 pages). The RoI for this portion is limited but increasing. Lucent helps in limiting cramming in high return areas. For better understanding, you can start by reading the Tamil Nadu NCERT like a storybook to understand chronology, but learn from Lucent.

Geography:

1. NCERT class 11 and class 12 - I used to watch Rajtanil ma’am’s videos on 1.5x to understand the subject and then read NCERT. I used to actively use YouTube to clarify my concept whenever something was unclear.

2. Sudarshan sir’s world and India mapping videos - must watch

Polity

1. Basic source was Laxmikant but would suggest reading it with Constitution bare act on the side. Some topics in Laxmikant are misleading and constitution helps prevent such confusion (eg money bill in 2024 pre)

2. PT365 for CA

Economy

1. I already had a strong foundation here given my graduation, but I used to read from Mrunal sir’s book. In case you have a similar foundation, Vivek sir’s 400 pager is a good read too.

2. Agri - videos of Sudarshan sir and Rahul sir (UP PCS Pathshala) were very helpful

3. PT365 for CA

Environment

Relied only on 2 sources here - the content from Target UPSC and PT365. This subject is v dynamic but highly important, so please don’t de prioritise it but also don’t spend disproportionate time.

Science and Tech

Undoubtedly the most scoring segment of the exam - just focus on PT365 and common sense.

IR

IR is also a very high return segment, even though dynamic. Used the following sources

1. PT365 - the base source

2. UP PCS Pathshala - Rahul sir’s IR video was short and very useful.

3. Places in news - used to do YT search every now and then

Mock Tests - Target UPSC, Understand UPSC only. I attempted few tests from other institutes but found limited return. Instead, I used to practice PYQ as mocks because they are closest to real Prelims.