wat is d 1st step 2 start preparation

i'm b.com final yr student..hv'nt started preparations as yet..can
any1 plz tel me from ver should i start my ias preparation..wat is d
first step..

- sonia

hi sonia ..........first of all choosing optionals is a very sensitive
matter and it should be done carefully ...keeping in mind ..ur natural
likeness ,interests and previous academic career.
First try to choose an optional which u have already studied in graduation
or post graduation.
But in case u do not get a suitable optional then search for an optional
which is very close to the subjects which u have studied previously .....ok
now for ex ..u selected an optional which u have to start from zero .......i
will suggest u to take a very good caoching (vaji ram ravi ) and start
preparing accordingly .with good reading materials and books .
well preparing for GS ..u need to have a gradual development everyday
...rome was not built in a day ..and there no short cut .
i m suggesting a book list ..
for general studies ......
S.No. Name Author / Publisher
1 An Introduction to the Constitution of India D.D.Basu
2 Perspectives on Indian Constitution Edited by Subash Kashyap
3 Biology for VIII-X Std NCERT
4 Physics for VIII-X Std NCERT
5 Chemistry for VIII-X Std NCERT
6 Anatomy & Physiology for Nurses Courses Evelyn Pearce
7 Know your body Reader's Digest
8 An Evolution of Indian Economy I.C.Dhingra
(Sultan Chand & Co)
9 Indian Economy Dutt & Sundaram
10 Economic Survey of India Government of India
11 General Principles of World Geography Charles Farro
12 Monsoon Asia Charles Farro
13 Physical Geography of India for VII - XII Std NCERT
14 Any Good School Atlas
15 Ancient India for VII-XII Std NCERT
16 Medieval India for VII-XII Std NCERT
17 Modern India Bipin Chandra
18 History of Modern India A.C.Banerjee
19 The Hindu & Times of India Newspapers
20 Frontline and Political & Economic weekly Periodicals
21 Yojana & World Focus Periodicals
22 Statistical Methods S.C.Gupta
make foot notes , keep a diary of everyday happenings at national and
international level ,read a national newspaper (the hindu ) and a regional
one .......in any case ,,, prepare ur state very well ..its
physiography,culture ,fairs ,customs ,festivals ..everything ..political
.......

study modern history very very well .(1767-1947).
indian geography, practise maps .....
good magazines are a must (but not much )only one or two .
prepare economy ,polity and constituition .(of india ) .
gradually u will feel a difference ..and practise lots of questions ........

-- Ujjwal Das

Source: http://groups.google.com/group/upscportal/

Hi ujjwal, Your feedback to Sonia's mail was amazing. I am planning to appear for UPSC exams next year (2010), but my date of birth is 16th Dec' 1980. Will i be eligible for appearing the exam? I am working in the Corporate sector and have a fulltime job, but i am very keen to make it in UPSC..please give some views on the eligibility status so as to help me start preparing. Regards, Subhankar

Hi, My sincere apologies for such a long mail. But I trust that this note would not go vain and I worth your inputs. I've completed my 3 Year Diploma (regular) in Electronics. Then during my 7Yrs of IT Job, I had parallelly completed MBA (IT) from Sikkim Manipal University (Distance Education), which I believe is recognized by UGC. I've not done any Bachelor's Degree. I read in some portals that, a Bachelor's Degree is mandatory to appear for ICS (IAS/IPS) exam, despite of me having an MBA. I also read that UPSC considers some as exceptional cases. I tried reachig the UPSC Facilitation Counter through 011-23381125/23385271/23098543, but had no response. My DOB is 05/05/1982 and hence 2011 exam would be of my first and last chance if I don't get chance in 2010, as I'm doing my BSc IT from Kuvempu University. My queries are a below. 1. Is Distance Education MBA (2Yrs) from Sikkim Manipal University recognized by UGC ? Below link has some details which I'm not sure on. http://dde.smuhmts.edu/Faq1.asp 2. If I get an assurance that with my direct MBA (without Bachelor's Degree) I'm eligible to appear for ICS 2010, I'm planning to take 6 months leave from my current organization. I agree that you also will not be in a real position to comment on this. But I'm seeking your advice/guidance on this. If I get shortlisted in the 2010 Prelims and apply for Mains, and if they approve my eligibility, I would not get enough time to prepare as I can't take leave, and that chance may go vain. Have you ever come across this situation or you know anybody who has faced this, please let me know the contact. Or please guide me on how to get this accent from UPSC directly. Thanks a Ton on advance, Sandeep M Kumar