1. KAS Prelims 2012: Brief analysis for result
2. KAS Mains 2012 :Introduction
3. KAS General Studies Paper 1
   1. Modern History of India and Indian Culture
   2. Current Events of National Importance
   3. Current Events of International Importance
   4. Statistics
4. KAS General Studies (GS) Paper 2
   1. Indian Polity
   2. Geography of Jammu and Kashmir
   3. Indian Economy
   4. Geography of India
   5. Science and Technology
5. Additional Tips for KAS
6. About the Author

KAS Prelims 2012: Brief analysis for result

• KAS Prelims 2012 that was held on 5^th August 2012
• On 28^th August 2012, Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission declared the Result of this exam.
• Out of 17696 Candidates who had enrolled for KAS Prelims 2012, 14464 candidates appeared in the exam.
• 1625 aspirants were declared successful.
• The Cutoff was 306.933 Marks which was much higher than the Previous Year.
• The Following Subject wise list of successful candidates again shows the skewed nature of KAS results and the need for Moderation and scaling in KAS Results from Preliminary to Mains Exam is the need of the hour.

KAS Mains 2012 :Introduction

• It is tentatively scheduled 15^th February 2013. Before you start your Journey towards your Cherished Goal, Plan. Remember If You Fail to Plan, you Plan to fail. Your Plan should be based on a clear Understanding of what is required of you. As JKPSC mentions in its Syllabus “The Mains examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory.”
• The General studies (G.S) paper for KAS Mains exam requires very in-depth knowledge of wide ranging topics from Indian National Movement, Indian Polity to Statistics. Unlike Prelims, where just one or two time reading of a fact can work, here you have to not only have comprehend and remember the facts but you should be able to write whatever is asked of you. So one needs to understand whatever he is reading rather than cramming the facts.
• A good base in General studies is important for clearing the civil services exam as well as for a Better rank. As far as the exam is considered, 600 marks in the GS papers, 150 marks in essay and 250 marks in interview depend on your General knowledge base.
• Thus around 1000-1200 marks depends directly on your General studies.

Here first of all, I will give a list of reading materials which are must and need to be covered comprehensively.

1. NCERT Books (New NCERT can be legally downloaded free. Available in English, Hindi and Urdu : CLICK ME)
2. A brief history of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum Publication) [Hindi title : Adhunik Bharat Kaa itihas]
3. Statistical Analysis (Spectrum Publication) [Hindi Title: Sakhiyaki Vishlasan, Graph Avum Aaraikh]
4. Indian Polity by M.Laxmikanth [Hindi Title: Bharat Ki Rajya Vyavstha]
5. Our Constitution by Subhash Kashyap 
6. Geography of Jammu and Kashmir by Majid Hussain or G.N. Yatoo.
7. India Yearbook (Mrunal Edit: 2012’s edition hard to find, but 2011’s edition legally free download, Click me)
8. Economic survey (Legally free Download,Click ME)
9. old psc papers can be downloaded from jkpsc.nic.in or jkpsc.org

KAS General Studies Paper 1

Modern History of India and Indian Culture

The History of Modern India will cover history of the Country from about the middle of nineteenth century and would also include questions on important personalities who shaped the freedom movement and social reforms. The part relating to Indian culture will cover all aspects of Indian culture from the ancient to modern times as well as principal features of literature, arts and architecture. This Section is one of the Core areas of Paper-I.  The total number of marks allocated to this topic ranges from 140-160 marks. I.e. more than 50% of the total marks of Paper I.  For its complete understanding following books should be refered,

NCERT’s Modern India by Bipin Chandra or SC Mittal of Class XII (Old Version). Please note: In Kashmir, the old ncert text books can be purchased from Ali muhammad and sons, Lal chowk and S.N. Das college, Iqbal park Rajiv Ahir’s A brief history of Modern India (Spectrum Publication) These books are Sufficient. The latter one is also helpful for specific topics such as Evolution of press, History of Western education in India etc.

Current Events of National Importance

• For Current National Events, the need is to read National Newspaper ‘The Hindu’ regularly. Issues such as Naxalism, Corruption, Nuclear Energy, Land Acquisition, Gender inequality, Poverty, etc. should be focused on.
• Yojana and Kurukshetra are also a good source of covering this section. Civil Service times or Chronicle Should be consulted to keep oneself aware of the National Happenings.
• India Year Book and Economic Survey should be selectively consulted .
• [Mrunal Edit:
  • How to read India Yearbook, is given in separate article CLICK ME]
  • How to read The Hindu, given in earlier article CLICK ME]
• The Following chapters of India Year Book should be read: Agriculture, Education, Health and Family Welfare, Planning, Rural and Urban Development, Welfare; Along with the following chapter of Economic Survey: Human Development Equity.
• [Mrunal Edit: to download Economic Survey for free, CLICK ME]

Current Events of International Importance

Civil Service Times and the International page of ‘The Hindu’ Newspaper and would be handy for updating yourself with International happenings.

Manorama Year Book is very important for understanding of International Organizations such as UN and Regional Organizations and Blocs.

For Historical Background, one can read

1. NCERT’s Political Science of XII class (Old Version) or
2. International Affairs by V.K. Khanna.

Chapters related to India’s Foreign Policy should be focused on. Try to have a Deep Understanding of Important sections rather than a superficial viewpoint.

[Mrunal Edit: Some good PDF files from IGNOU for this topic were given in earlier an article: CLICK ME]

Statistics

Statistics is the last section of Paper I but should be the first one to be attempted in exam. This section carries fifty marks and one can score cent percent in this section. For this section, NCERT XIth class ‘Statistics for Economics’ is essential for Understanding the basics of statistics. . Statistical Analysis (Spectrum Publication) is a good book for practicing statistical problems. Time management is the most important thing in Statistics. This section should not be allocated take more than 40 minutes in the exam and as such Practicing of previous year’s paper is essential.

[Mrunal Edit:

• some free study material uploaded earlier, CLICK ME to view lectures on statistics for GS
• +  Mrunal’s youtube videos on statistics]

KAS General Studies (GS) Paper 2

Indian Polity

This part will include questions on the Constitution of India as well as all constitutional, legal, administrative and other issues emerging from the politico-administrative system prevalent in the country. For Indian Polity, Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity is a must read. Subash Kashyap’s Our Constitution  should be read for applied questions like Role of Governor, centre state relations, Review of Constitution etc.

Geography of Jammu and Kashmir

Though this section is not a part of written syllabus, yet, 40-60 marks have been asked from the last two years in this section. One should consult

1. Geography of Jammu and Kashmir by Majid Hussain or G.N. Yatoo.

Indian Economy

• NCERT’s XIth class India’s Economic Development is essential for understanding the basics of economics along with the Structure and problems of Indian economy.
• For an in-depth analysis of Indian Economy, one could rely on Uma Kapila’s Indian Economy.
• For two markers Pratiyogta Darpan special issues are important.
• The current happenings in Indian economy can be studied through Economic survey (2011) and the Business page of ‘The Hindu’. The Following chapters of India Year Book should be Read: Basic Economic data, Commerce, Finance, Corporate Affairs and Industry.

[Mrunal Edit: Mrunal’s article on Economy : https://mrunal.org/economy Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh, Tata Macgrawhill Publication is also quite good alternative to Uma Kapila in terms of language and latest topics.]

Geography of India

Questions can be asked from Physical, Economic and social Geography of India.

1. NCERT India’s Physical Geography of class XI and India’s People and Economy of class XII are enough for covering this section.
2. Non- geography optional students don’t have to go in-depth as not more than forty marks are asked from this section.
3. The Following Chapters of India Year Book should be Read: Land and the People, Energy, Industry, Transport, Water Resource From the Economic Survey, Read the chapters of Industry and Energy Infrastructure and Communications.

Science and Technology

• Nearly Eighty marks can be asked from both Conventional and applied topics. One should concentrate more on Nanotechnology, Environment, Bio technology. Sci-tech column from The Hindu, Yojana and Chronicle’s Science and Technology would be sufficient.
• Following chapter of Indian Year Book should be Read: Communication and Information Technology, Defense, Environment, Mass Communication, S&T Development.

Overall One Must also give more emphasis to these following topics:-

1. Indian National Movement
2. Indian Polity
3. Science & Technology
4. Statistics

Additional Tips for KAS

• One should first read the basic books (NCERT) rather than going for journals and Reference books, what is required as a first step is the mastering of the basics of the subject.
• While reading, your focus should be on the conceptual understanding rather than simply memorizing the facts.
• The Facts are easier to memorize if the concepts are clear. The facts can be memorized by Using Mnemonics or other methods .The ultimate success depends on not ‘what all you have read’ but ‘how’ much you retain it’ Solve as many questions as possible.
• One should solve all the previous year’s questions of KAS and solve them again and again. There should be no ambiguity in the answers. Writing skill comes through practice.
• Writing skill is also based on your knowledge base and conceptual understanding. This only can give flow and lucidity to your answers.
• The conceptual understanding will make your answer well organized and well integrated. Thus, writing skill and content both should complement and supplement each other.

Fi amaanillah

About the Author

Mr.Shoaib Noor

Mr.Shoaib Noor is a Researcher, Administrator and Teacher. He can be mailed for civil services related queries at “shuaybnur[at]gmail[dot]com”