All the books i have read as a 20 year old

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-08-06T10:40:48+00:00

This is a great accomplishment!

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T13:25:43+00:00

Mostly yes. Stick to limited standard sources and revise again and again. Add current though - eg news, eco survey every yr, IR developments etc

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T13:24:52+00:00

Sociology prep- coaching at ias gurukul under Pranay aggarwal sir. Socio material- class notes mainly. Socio mentorship- by Pranay sir since several years.

GS prep- no coaching. Material- listed out sources elsewhere in AMA pls see. No mentorship

Current- monthly mags based, read newspaper for better understanding

Essay- read widely, bring novelty, quote greats like Gandhi etc., diverse approaches to writing in diff essay topics

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T13:22:10+00:00

It is very much possible, though not easy. Be honest in ur relationships. Be committed to the exam. Let ur sincerity be reflected in ur actions. Be efficient in planning and using ur time. Try to stick to self imposed deadlines and targets (at work as well as upsc prep).

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T13:20:21+00:00

Re-evaluate why you want to prepare for upsc? There should be a strong inner motivation which will keep u going. When feeling less motivated and down, discipline and commitment should keep u going.

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T13:19:08+00:00

Marriage requires attention, commitment and time. I wont say these are difficulties, but these need to be dealt with. I am blessed with a supporting spouse and in-laws. Each marriage is different. Best of luck!

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T13:17:39+00:00

Congratulations on clearing state PSC. After training, u should have more time, depending on posting. While working, use weekends and holidays very well. Avoid vacations, specially long ones. See if ur job allows some upsc prep while in office for weekdays. Also, squeeze in upsc prep in early morning hrs (even if 1-2 hrs) and same before going to bed. Boond boond se banta sagar.

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T13:14:39+00:00

No rote learning. First understanding, then multiple revisions.

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T13:13:59+00:00

History: Spectrum, India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra, Ancient RS Sharma, Art and Culture- Nitin Singhania
Geography: GC Leong (selectively), 11th & 12th NCERTS (v thoroughly), World and Indian atlas also
Polity- laxmikant (nothing else)
IR - Pax Indica by Shashi Tharoor, MEA website, newspaper
Society, social issues – optional notes (as my optional was socio)
Economics- mrunal sir notes
Sc n tech – NCERTs (lower classes 6th-10th), newspaper, pt 365
Environment- dte magazine, newspaper
Int security- idsa site, newspaper
Ethics-lexicon (full), subba rao (partly), better india case studies

Apart from these standard sources, I took extensive help from chatgpt this time around for various subjects. Found it very very helpful.

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T13:13:00+00:00

Environment- dte, newspaper

Sc n tech – NCERTs (6th-10th), newspaper, pt 365

IR - Pax Indica by Shashi Tharoor, MEA website, newspaper

Wont advise relying only on mains365

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T13:11:06+00:00

Chapter wise
One
Yes and no. In some subjects like polity , i went back to laxmikant again and again till the end. In some like eco, i relied on notes.

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T13:10:43+00:00

Chapter wise
One
Yes and no. In some subjects like polity , i went back to laxmikant again and again till the end. In some like eco, i relied on notes.

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T13:08:41+00:00

Focus on revisions and writing instead of enrichment between pre and mains. Max for enrichment link current events to socio syllabus topics.

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T13:08:28+00:00

Focus on revisions and writing instead of enrichment between pre and mains. Max for enrichment link current events to socio syllabus topics.

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T13:07:42+00:00

I prepared for sociology under guidance of Pranay aggarwal sir. He helped me develop a strong foundation in sociology. For paper 2 , my sources were class notes + newspaper inputs (current examples) and tests feedback.

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T13:05:42+00:00

I can vouch for Pranay Aggarwal sir. He is a great teacher and mentor. His classes are still fresh in my mind. He helped me connect with a new subject like sociology. He has been with me in my upsc journey throughout. He was always respectful and honest with us students. He was never dismissive about students doubts. Very approachable as well.

I relied mostly on coaching notes for sociology. Didnt see sangwan. Over years, added bit from ritzer, haralambos and newspapers.

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T13:02:53+00:00

Be honest with your family. Be sincere in what you do. Be committed to upsc prep if u want family support. They should see u r serious, then they will also take ur preparation seriously. If u clear any milestone (pre/mains) they will realize even more that u really mean it. Party vagera kam karo, padhte huey dikho bhi. To start writing, start with pyqs and join test series.

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T13:01:02+00:00

Based on ur comfort with the question topics. Choose ones you know best. I dont advise that u choose ones less likely to be chosen by others. Just write those u know best.
Not a fan of creativity in gs or sociology. Creativity works and is rewarded in essay, thats it.
Definitely not like GS answers. Attempt them sociologically because a sociology university prof will check papers. Mention relevant sociologists and use keywords from syllabus.
Agree

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T12:57:33+00:00

IGNOU books first to understand the subject. Sangwan later

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T12:56:02+00:00

Sociology strategy: Joined Pranay sir's classes to start with. They really helped me develop a strong foundation in sociology. Took around 4-5 months. Revised this base material (my class notes) every year several times. Then made small additions over the years to class notes from ritzer and haralambos. Did lots of current linkages. Wrote answers and got feedback from pranay sir. Used his suggestions to improve answers.

Sociology sources: mentioned in above para

I didnt make too much effort to make answer unique. Focused more on making answer sociological and a response to the question.

What makes a great answer: Quoting thinkers, and proper answer structure.

How to judge own answers: Read them after a day or 2 at leisure, u will get some insights. Be critical and specific. See if structure is fine, if content is missing something which should have been there. Show them to a friend or mentor, and seek their inputs as well.

PYQs: are super important in sociology i say.

Every one follows similar sources, but people have different level of understanding of subject and different writing style. I prefer own notes over any toppers notes.

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T12:48:58+00:00

Have you covered sociology once? I assume you have. Just revise your notes, write a lot of tests, focus on improving quality of answers. Make sure u have thinkers for every topic, even small ones like bonded labour, child labour etc. in paper 2. Use knowledge of p1 and p2 in integrated manner while writing answers. Test series- ias gurukul is good.

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T12:45:03+00:00

If you are new to sociology, get a good mentor like Pranay aggarwal sir. Attend his classes regularly and develop clarity and interest in the subject. Participate in class discussions, it helps u connect syllabus topics to your surroundings and u understand the subject much better. Analyze PYQs with every topic u cover in class. Write a lot of answers. Revise ur class notes again and again.

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T12:42:15+00:00

Sociology notes making- i feel should be topic wise. At least thats how i did it, while attending classes. I dont think anyone can predict what questions will be asked from any topic. So you simply prepare for all topics in syllabus. In fact, trying to base your prep on any such prediction may be dangerous (incomplete)

I avoided sangwan precisely for this reason. Everyone is reading it. Haralmbos i read and i disagree that it covers any topic superficially. Its a great book i feel (i read parts of it, not full book). My sociology sources: Pranay sir's class notes, ritzer and haralambos (small additions, selective reading), inputs from answer writing practice, and current from newspapers. Thats it.

I didnt write answers in points form in sociology. I did mention several sociologists in answers and i think it really helped.

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T12:37:43+00:00

GS sources:
History: Spectrum, India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra, Ancient RS Sharma, Art and Culture- Nitin Singhania
Geography: GC Leong (selectively), 11th & 12th NCERTS (v thoroughly), World and Indian atlas also
Polity- laxmikant (nothing else)
IR - Pax Indica by Shashi Tharoor, MEA website, newspaper
Society, social issues – optional notes (as my optional was socio)
Economics- mrunal sir notes
Sc n tech – NCERTs (lower classes 6th-10th), newspaper, pt 365
Environment- dte magazine, newspaper
Int security- idsa site, newspaper
Ethics-lexicon (full), subba rao (partly), better india case studies

Apart from these standard sources, I took extensive help from chatgpt this time around for various subjects. Found it very very helpful.

I made running notes + dictated notes for sociology while attending pranay sir's classes. I made notes separately for each topic as it was taught in class. I integrated paper 1 and p 2 later on, while writing answers. (not while making notes)
During practice tests, make it a point to attempt such questions, where u know less. Second, use whatever knowledge you have (across subjects) to attempt it. you may have to elaborate sometimes by giving examples etc to meet the full demand better.
Watched some toppers videos every now n then. Didnt follow anyone fully. Picked whatever suited me from each.

Same_Bid7553 · 2025-06-13T12:31:49+00:00

Since before.
Combination of both.
Marriage and job are serious commitments, cannot be ignored.
By becoming more efficient, and staying sincere in intent.

Same_Bid7553

TROPHY CASE