GS 2 Mains

GS 2 Mains

2023 Mains -- 102

2024 Mains -- 105

I haven't used too much resources for GS 2.

In 2023 Mains I used my own notes which I made from the following sources

1) Laxmikant

2) Vision IAS value added material

3) newspaper editorials, which I covered on daily basis. I used to note down the quality points from the editorials in my digital notes (made using onenote).

But I scored just 102 in 2023 Mains. So, in 2024 I enrolled in Sarrthi IAS crash course for mains 2024 (as I have already mentioned earlier in my associations with coaching institutes). The course is good and the content is really nice. It covers all the topics of the syllabus in a structured manner. The only thing that it was running way behind its schedule which caused some challenges to me during the preparation. You can get the access of those notes on Atish Mathur sir's official channel and use it for 2025 Mains. The issues in polity are more or less the same for years. For instance, centre state relations is a recurring topic over so many years. Take those notes and keep yourself updated with the current affairs especially for IR and court cases for latest references in your answers.

Add ons: The editorials have classic one liners for the introduction and conclusion. So have a repository of them topic wise. It saves your time on thinking about the conclusion and introduction in the exam hall.

For example--- Former Vice President Hamid Ansari said--"The test of a functioning democracy is its ability to face crisis and seek correctives premised on institutions of democracy."

Also, watch debates on Sansad TV. It will help you build perspective on various issues related to the Indian Polity and IR. It will make your answers more analytical and also give depth to it.

By doing all this, you call easily pull off 110 in GS 2.

I will share the relevant articles (important for mains) in this grp, so that all of you can get a fair idea about how to make the best use of the newspaper for GS 2.

Last but not the least, do give examples, data, quotes, judgements (even if not asked specifically) to prove your point. I know it's not possible to add example in all the points but try to give backing to at least 6/10 points. Also, I am again reiterating the significance of PYQs. Please have a theme wise handwritten PYQs ready for your own practice and analysis.