Topper's Strategy

Ms. Shreelekha Shrotriya has shared her preparation strategy for the benefit of future aspirants. We thank her for the kind gesture shown by her and wish her a bright and successful career ahead.

Hello All,

I am Shreelekha Shrotriya, with God’s grace, blessings of parents and love and support from family and relatives helped me in securing UPSC (2015) Rank 307, MPPSC (2013) Rank 17 and MPPSC 2012 Post: DSP.

As I promised earlier to share my strategy for MPPSC exam, finally I have come up with the write up which will reflect the account of my strategy and the way I prepared for the exams.

I have never attended any coaching and whatever I will share is my personal experience and you can choose the things which suit you and accordingly plan your own strategy.
Disclaimer: This methodology is solely for MPPSC and not to be confused with the approach for UPSC.

For MPPSC Prelims:

Now the importance of GS 1 paper has significantly increased and thus one need to hone the skill of remembering as much as possible as MPPSC is notorious for asking weird and factual questions.

I would suggest multiple reading of a single source instead of switching to different resources.

Sources for Prelims: Though it appears that static part questions are picked and framed from Lucent, still I would suggest not much to rely on single source. You can read Lucent and complement it with TMH Manual for GS as per the syllabus.

Other essential books for static part:

·         Laxmikanth Indian Polity

·         Rajiv Ahir Spectrum for Modern India

·         Geography Goh Cheng Leong + NCERTS 11^th and 12^th

·         Science NCERTS for basics 6 to 10

Keep right track of past one year current affairs like which event took place where and what were the recommendations of the committees. Keep a track of national and international events and happenings.

Most of the preparation these days is backed on the internet. Most of my preparation is also from Internet. Read from right sources and follow one good Newspaper- The Indian Express or The Hindu.

For MP specific information I have read three different books over a span of 2 years of preparation Maheshwari, Punekar and Mahaveer. You can choose any all three are good, but my personal favorite is Maheshwari’s MP Gk.

Acts related questions: You can prepare a gist/ notes from the acts directly as I did. Three acts 1. HR act 2. POA Act 3. PCR Act are significantly asked each year. Also the level of question appears to be tough. So prepare these topics well.  This can help to maximize score. Now small booklets are also available in market if you can find them then purchase and read from booklets these are also good and help in tackling the acts related questions well.

Try to maximize score as competition as getting fierce day by day. Revise single source as much as possible.

Also solve past year papers to get an understanding of the questions and level of the paper.

MPPSC Mains:

For MPPSC Mains answer writing is a real challenge. It is difficult to maintain the quality and the right quantity.  I would stress here that please stick to the word limit else you may end up losing the important questions. Due to paucity of time we need to maintain right speed and word limit, really within the limit.

Never try to cross word limit. Also, please try to attempt full paper, it will enhance your chance and will fetch you those extra marks which can help in securing a decent rank. 

PAPER I:

GS 1 Source:

History	Sources
1.1 World History	·         I will share the PDF which I referred to with the mppscacademy.blogspot.in ·         These are wonderful PDF and refereed to prepare World History part of UPSC as well. ·         Read selectively and pick the right content. ·         You can try to make one or two page notes for each of the topics from the internet also. I did this also
1.2 Indian History	·         Read relevant content from TMH/ Lucent and Google the topics. ·         Try to make a mind map or sketch starting from Harappa to 10th century. This will save time in the end.
1.3 Mughal……….. Central India from 11 to 18 century	·         Mughals part can be covered from the above mentioned sources. ·         For Central India History part Maheshwari’s MP GK
1.4 Impact of British Rule Peasants and Tribal revolt First struggle for Independence	·         I prepared this part from Rajiv Ahir Spectrum for Modern India. No need to make notes from this book, read directly. You can Google and prepare the gaps if any.
1.5 Indian Renaissance	·         National Freedom leaders list mentioned in various books you may choose your favorite book. You may also Google and find. ·         But MP Specific part you need to prepare from Maheshwari, my favorite book. J
1.6 and 1.7	·         Cumulatively from resources mentioned above+ Google
Geography	Source
For Indian geography	TMH + Lucent+ NCERT
For MP specific geography	Maheshwari
2.4 to 4.3	Google and make short crisp notes not more than a page or two.

PAPER II:

GS II Sources:

Part 1 The constitution, the political and administrative structure of Govt.	Indian Polity By Laxmikanth + Google random topics
2. Security Issues	Google
3. Public Services	Laxmikanth
5. Public Account and Expenditure	Laxmikanth + Google
6. Internal Organization	Google this part + Lucent+ TMH
PART B
6. Legislations and laws	Google and try to make short notes on salient features and provisions of the acts. Don’t get into too much of technicality. Just have a broad idea.
Part 7 to 10	Google and try to prepare crisp notes for end time revision.

PAPER III:

GS III Sources:

1.      Science	Lucent + TMH don’t give too much time and  waste energy on this topic. We are expected to prepare to the point. NCERTS are also helpful.
2.      Reasoning and DI	You can prepare this from any source
3.      Technology	Google is the best resort.
4.      Emerging Technologies	Google the topics directly and prepare on HOT current topics like DNA profiling GM crops, Mars Mission, Solar Mission Aditya, Astrostat, IRNSS etc.
5.      Energy	Any standard source will work
6.      Environment and Sustainable development.	Google and prepare + Standard books as it is Science portion
7.      Economics	I didn’t prepare exclusively for this part as Economics was my optional from both MPPSC and UPSC and I was familiar with this part. Still, you may choose Lucent+ TMH+ Google+ 11th NCERT selective part only. In addition to the above prepare key features of MP Budget and India Budget. Also, prepare the economic survey and important schemes.

Paper IV:

GS Source IV:

I prepared this paper from one book only G. SubbaRao Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude + Google.

Give as many as example possible in answer to make it different.

Approach for Case study: Be rationale and suggest possible way out within the legal purview. Refrain from quoting the extreme cases and solutions. Provide a balanced solution. In the book suggested above there were good no. of case study. You can read from there and get an idea.

Paper V:

Hindi:

Source: I have notes of one senior player, I don’t know who he/she is, but notes circulated and somehow I got it. They are simply the best! I relied on it.

Hindi book by Mahaveer Publication Authored by MS. Chanchal Jain, this is precise and to the point for the examination. It is a very good book for MPPSC Hindi portion.

Paper VI:

Essay: You can read a few essays from any book and get an idea. You may choose any book of your choice.Practice writing at least 3 essays before the final exam and get it peer reviewed to know the feedback and then improve accordingly.

I know this has already been a long and boring write up for strategy. I must tell you no strategy is foolproof and no single strategy exists which can the pave path to success. The only way we can get nearer to our goals is by Keep On Going!

In order to succeed, we must first believe we can...

I wish that you may achieve whatever you aspire for your career. I will be enormously happy if my strategy is able to motivate or help even a single sincere aspirant out there.Wishing you all the best, wishes and good luck for future.