jvs-upsc-2021-strategy

Success in UPSC Civil Services Examination = 50% Knowledge + 50% Strategy. So both knowledge and strategy are important to clear this exam.

                                                    (How to Read Nitin Singhania for Upsc Prelims | Civil Services 2021 Economy Strategy)

JV’s UPSC 2021 Strategy is a free initiative designed to keep you focused for the next 365 Days. The Program is starting from 20th July 2020. The strategy consists of four stages which are equal to 365 days i.e 1 year. 

At the initial stages, reading some of the basic books is one of the necessities to create an understanding, required to crack the examination and also fulfil the responsibilities of a civil servant effectively. 

Thus, to create the understanding mentioned-above, we have created a plan that will cover all essential books comprehensively. Following are the books, it will be including:

  • Laxmikanth (Polity)
  • All important NCERTs
  • Tamil Board book for Ancient Indian history
  • Jatin Verma IAS study material (Environment)
  • Tata Mcgrawhill (Science and tech)
  • Indian art and culture (Nitin Singhania)
  • Spectrum for Modern Indian History

Do's and don’ts

  • Always remember- Strategy is always from Mains perspective. Be Mains ready before Prelims. Try to finish the maximum syllabus before Prelims.(At Least 70%)
  • Make short notes on each and every topic of General Studies.
  • Complete the optional at least once before Prelims.
  • Have a good answer writing practice before Prelims.
  • Sunday is a holiday which can be used for revising the week’s work.

Always keep reviewing your progress. Read the above mentioned essential NCERTs and books and attempt the quiz based on them which are provided in the respective links. Keep the focus and do not deviate until you start getting results. 

Stage 1

July to October

  • First priority: Optional subjects (complete the syllabus at least once)
  • Daily answer writing on questions based on The Hindu editorials 
  • Don't wait for finishing syllabus first, start answer writing immediately. At Least you can do this for current affairs based questions.
  • Firstly cover NCERTs for GS preparation.

Date

Syllabus

20th July to 23rd July

Ancient History: Cover Old NCERT,(Class XIth, RS Sharma)

  • NCERT Chapter-7, 8,9 Quiz
  • NCERT Chapter 10,11 and 12 Quiz  
  • NCERT Chapter-13,14 and 15 Quiz
  • NCERT Chapter: 17,18,19,20 Quiz 

24th July to 27th July

Ancient History

  • Old NCERT; Class XI R.S. Sharma Quiz 
  • Tamil Board, (Class: 8,10,11,12,13,14 (Ancient India) Quiz 

28th July to 31st July

Geography: Cover Class 6th NCERT

1st August to 4th August

Geography: Cover Class 8th NCERT

  • Geography "Class 8th NCERT (Resources and developments) Class 10th NCERT (Contemporary India -2)" "Chapter 1,2 and 3 Chapter 1,2 and 5" Quiz 
  • Geography "Class 8th NCERT (Resources and developments) Class 10th NCERT (Contemporary India -2)" "Chapter 4, 5 and 6 Chapter 3, 4 and 6" Quiz 

5th August to 8th August

Modern Indian History: Cover Spectrum

  • Modern Indian History Spectrum (2017) edition Chapter: 5, and 6 Quiz 
  • Modern Indian History Spectrum (2017) edition Chapter: 7 and 8 Quiz 
  • Modern Indian History Spectrum(2017) edition Chapter: 9 and 10 Quiz 
  • Modern Indian History Spectrum(2017) edition Chapter: 11, 12 and 13 Quiz 

9th August to 12th August

Art & Culture: Cover Class 12th NCERT

  • Art and Culture An Introduction to India art (NCERT) Class XIth Chapter 1, 2 and 3 Quiz 
  • Art and Culture An Introduction to India art (NCERT) Class XIth Chapter 4,5 and 6 Quiz 
  • Art and Culture An Introduction to India art (NCERT) Class XIth Chapter 7 and 8 Quiz 

13th August to 16th August

Indian Polity And Constitution: Cover Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

  • Polity "India Polity by M. Laxmikanth ( 5th edition) Indian Constitution at Work (NCERT, Class XIth)" "Chapter 1, 2, and 3 Chapter: 1, 9, 10" Quiz 
  • Polity India Polity by M. Laxmikanth ( 5th edition) Chapter 4, 5 and 6 Quiz 
  • Polity "India Polity by M. Laxmikanth ( 5th edition) Indian Constitution at Work (NCERT, Class XIth)" "CHapter 7 and 8 Chapter 2" Quiz 

17th August to 20th August

Indian Polity And Constitution: Cover Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

  • Polity India Polity by M. Laxmikanth ( 5th edition) Chapter 9, 10 and 11 Quiz 
  • Polity "India Polity by M. Laxmikanth ( 5th edition) Indian Constitution at Work (NCERT, Class XIth)" "Chapter 12, 13, 14 and 15 Chapter 7" Quiz 
  • Polity "India Polity by M. Laxmikanth ( 5th edition) Indian Constitution at Work (NCERT, Class XIth)" "Chapter 16, 17 and 18 Chapter 4" Quiz 

21st August to 24th August

Art & Culture : Cover Nitin Singhania’s notes

  • Art and Culture Indian Art and culture (Nitin Singhania) Chapter 1 Quiz 
  • Art and Culture Indian Art and culture (Nitin Singhania) Chapter 2, 3 and 4 Quiz 
  • Art and Culture Indian Art and culture (Nitin Singhania) Chapter 11 and 12 Quiz 
  • Art and Culture Indian Art and culture (Nitin Singhania) Chapter 5, 6 and 7 Quiz 

25th August to 28th August

Modern Indian History: Cover Spectrum’s Modern India

  • Modern Indian History Spectrum(2017) edition Chapter: 14, 15 and 16 Quiz 
  • Modern Indian History Spectrum(2017) edition Chapter: 17, 18 and 19 Quiz 
  • Modern Indian History Spectrum(2017) edition Chapter: 20, 21 and 22 Quiz 
  • Modern Indian History Spectrum(2017) edition Chapter: 23 and 24 Quiz 

29th August to 1st September

Ethics

  • Fundamentals of Ethics, Morality & Legality
  • Determinants of Ethics & Ethics in Public Life 
  • Dimensions/Branches of Ethics
  • Human Values: Values & Skills
  • Fundamental Values Vs. Instrumental Values

2nd September to 5th September

Medieval History: Cover Old NCERT (Satish Chandra)

  • Old NCERT,(Class XIth), Satish Chandra Chapter 5, 6, and 7 Quiz 
  • Old NCERT,(Class XIth), Satish Chandra (Chapter 8, 9, and 10) Quiz 
  • Old NCERT,(Class XIth), Satish Chandra (Chapter 12, 13, and 14) Quiz 
  • Old NCERT,(Class XIth), Satish Chandra (Chapter 17 and 19) Quiz 

5th September to 8th September

Art & Culture : Cover Nitin Singhania’s notes

Ancient History: Cover Tamil Nadu Board History books

  • Tamil Board, (Class XIth : chapter 12,13 and 15 (Ancient India) Quiz 
  • Old NCERT,(Class XIth), Satish Chandra Chapter 1, 2, 3 and 4 Quiz 

8th September to 11th September

Indian Economy: Cover Class 12th Economy NCERT

  • Economy Introductory macroeconomics (Class xiith ) NCERT Chapter 2, 3 and 4 Quiz 
  • Economy Introductory macroeconomics (Class xiith ) NCERT Chapter 5 and 6 Quiz 

12th September to 15th September

Indian Economy : Cover Economic Survey and Budget

  • Economy Economic Survey and budget (Current year) Chapter 3 Quiz 
  • Economy: Economic Survey and budget (Current year) Chapter 4 Quiz 
  • Economy: Economic Survey and budget (Current year) Chapter 5 Quiz 

16th September to 19th September

Indian Economy: Cover Economic Survey and Budget

  • Economy: Economic Survey and budget (Current year) Chapter 6 Quiz 
  • Economy:Economic Survey and budget (Current year) Chapter 7 Quiz 
  • Economy:Economic Survey and budget (Current year) Chapter 8 Quiz 
  • Economy:Economic Survey and budget (Current year) Chapter 9 Quiz 
  • Economy :Economic Survey and budget (Current year) Chapter 10 Quiz 

20th September to 23rd September

Modern Indian History: Cover remaining chapters from Spectrum

  • Modern Indian History Spectrum(2017) edition Chapter: 25 and 26 Quiz 
  • Modern Indian History Spectrum(2017) edition Chapter: 29 and 30 Quiz 

24th September to 27th September

Ethics

  • Aptitude & Foundational Values of Civil Services
  • Concepts of Neutrality, Anonymity and Commitment; Morality of Civil Servants
  • Contributions of Western Moral Thinkers
  • Contributions of Western Moral Thinkers
  • Contributions of Indian Thinkers
  • Contributions of Indian Religious Philosophy

28th September to 1st October

Essay writing

2nd October to 5th October

Science and Technology: Cover Science and Technology Tata Mcgrawhill book (Ravi. P. Agnihotri)

  • Science and Technology Tata Mcgrawhill book (Ravi. P. Agnihotri) and related current Affairs Chapter 3 and 4 Quiz 
  • Science and Technology Tata Mcgrawhill book (Ravi. P. Agrahari) and related current Affairs Chapter 6 and 7 Quiz 
  • Science and Technology Tata Mcgrawhill book (Ravi. P. Agrahari) and related current Affairs Chapter 9 and 10 Quiz 
  • Science and Technology Tata Mcgrawhill book (Ravi. P. Agrahari) and related current Affairs Chapter 12 and 13 Quiz 

6th October to 9th October

Indian Economy 

  • Agriculture- Recent Trends & Problems, Schemes, initiatives & programmes

10th October to 13th October

Society 

  • Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. 

14th October to 17th October

Society

  • Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues.Poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

18th October to 21st October

Environment: Cover Jatin Verma’s IAS Study Material

  • Environment Jatin Verma's IAS study material Ecosystem Quiz 
  • Environment Jatin Verma's IAS study material Pollution 1 Quiz 
  • Environment Jatin Verma's IAS study material Pollution 2 Quiz 
  • Environment Jatin Verma's IAS study material Bio-diversity Quiz 

22nd October to 25th October

Society

  • Effects of globalization on Indian society. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism 

26th October to 29th October

Ethics

  • Attitude: Types & Functions of Attitude
  • Ethics & Law: Enforcement of Ethics through Civil Services Conduct Rules & Code of Ethics
  • Ethics & the Law: RTI Act, Citizens’ Charters 

30th October to 2nd November

Indian Polity And Constitution: Cover Indian Polity by M.Laxmikanth

  • Polity India Polity by M. Laxmikanth ( 5th edition) Chapter 19, 10 and 21 Quiz 
  • Polity "India Polity by M. Laxmikanth ( 5th edition) Indian Constitution at Work (NCERT, Class XIth)" "Chapter 22, 23, 24 and 25 Chapter 5" Quiz 
  • Polity "India Polity by M. Laxmikanth ( 5th edition) Indian Constitution at Work (NCERT, Class XIth)" "Chapter 26, 27, 28 and 19 Chapter 6"Quiz 

Stage 2

November to February

  • Priority to: GS 1, 2, 3 & 4 (Mains perspective)
  • Start writing Mains format mock tests.
  • Revise optionals (daily 2-3 hours) along with tests.
  • Start writing essays (once a week), try to write at least 5-6 essays before Prelims.

3rd November to 6th November

Ethics

  • The challenge of Corruption: Laws and Regulations 
  • Probity in Governance 
  • Emotional Intelligence

7th November to 10th November

Indian Polity And Constitution: Cover Indian Polity by M.Laxmikanth

  • Polity India Polity by M. Laxmikanth ( 5th edition) Chapter 30, 31 and 32 Quiz 
  • Polity India Polity by M. Laxmikanth ( 5th edition) Chapter 33, 34 and 35 Quiz 
  • Polity "India Polity by M. Laxmikanth ( 5th edition) Indian Constitution at Work (NCERT, Class XIth)" "Chapter 36, 37, 38 and 39 Chapter 8" Quiz 

11th November

Test 1- Polity

11th November to 14th November

Indian Polity And Constitution: Cover Indian Polity by M.Laxmikanth

15th November to 18th November

Environment

  • Introduction to Environment & Ecology 
  • Ecological Hierarchy: Habitat & Niche 
  • Ecological Principles
  • Ecological Succession 
  • Ecosystems Definition & Concept
  • Ecosystem Dynamics: Pyramids, Food web

19th November to 22nd November

Ethics

  • Components of Emotional competencies
  • Corporate Governance: Ethics and Probity
  • Case Studies Session
  • Ethics: Paper related Terms & Glossary

23rd November to 26th November

Essay writing

27th November

Test 2 - Geography

27th November to 30th November

Agriculture & Allied Sectors

  • Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers 

1st December to 4th December

Agriculture & Allied Sectors

  • Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping

5th December to 8th December

Agriculture & Allied Sectors

  • Issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing. 

8th December to 11th December

Developmental Sector 

  • Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders 

12th December

Test 3 - Modern History 

12th December to 15th December

Disaster and Disaster Management

  • Introduction to Disaster Management
  • Types of Disasters: Classification
  • Occurrence of Disasters worldwide

16th December to 19th December

Agriculture & Allied Sectors 

  • Food processing and related industries in India-scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management. Land reforms in India. 

20th December to 23rd December

Ethics

  • Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service; associated case studies 

24th December to 27th December

Environment

  • Biomagnification and Biochemical cycles 
  • Biomes: Forests, Grasslands, Mountain & Desert Ecosystem 
  • Aquatic Life: Zones of the Ocean, Coral Reefs & Mangroves 
  • Aquatic Life: Conventions-Montreux, Ramsar Convention
  • Biodiversity: Basics and Concepts 
  • Biodiversity: Keystone, Indicator and Invasive species
  • Biodiversity Hotspots, Eco-regions & Megadiverse Regions

28th December

Test 4 - Environment

28th December to 31st December

Ethics

  • Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; associated case studies 

1st January to 4th January, 2021

Geography: Cover Class 9th and 11th NCERT

5th January to 8th January

Geography: Cover Class 11h NCERT and G.C Leong (Certificate physical and human geography)

  • Geography "Class 11th NCERT ( Fundamentals of physical geography) G.C. Leong (Certificate physical and human geography)" "Chapter: 5, 6 and 7 Chapter: 5, 6, 7 and 8" Quiz 
  • Geography "Class 11th NCERT ( Fundamentals of physical geography) G.C. Leong (Certificate physical and human geography)" "Chapter 8, 9 and 10 Chapter: 13 and 14" Quiz 

9th January to 12th January

Revision/answer writing

12th January

Test 5 - Economy

13th January to 16th January

Geography: Cover Class 11h NCERT and G.C Leong (Certificate physical and human geography)

  • Geography "Class 11th NCERT ( Fundamentals of physical geography) G.C. Leong (Certificate physical and human geography)" "Chapter: 11, 13 and 14 Chapter: 9, 11, and 12" Quiz 
  • Geography G.C. Leong (Certificate physical and human geography) Chapter: 15, 16, 17 and 18 Quiz 

17th January to 20th January

Ethics, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service; associated case studies 

21st January to 24th January

Environment

  • Biodiversity: Uses & Values
  • Biodiversity: Biogeographic Classification of India
  • Biodiversity: IUCN Classification & Red List
  • Biodiversity: Ex-situ & In-situ Conservation
  • Biodiversity: UNESCO, CBD & Cartagena Protocol
  • Biodiversity: Nagoya Protocol; Aichi Targets

25th January to 28th January

Polity & Governance

  • Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

29th January

Test 6 - Art ,Culture and History (Ancient & Medieval)

29th January to 1st February

Social Issues

  • Vulnerable Sections: Basic meaning & Indexes
  • Role of Women, NGOs and associations 
  • Women:  Laws and their analysis 
  • Women: Schemes & Policies 
  • Children: Laws & analysis 
  • SCs/STs: Constitutional Safeguards and laws

2nd February to 5th February

Governance 

  • Governance: Meaning & Concepts
  • Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability
  • Ministries & Departments of Government
  • E-Governance-applications & models
  • E-Governance: Successes, limitations, and potential
  • Role of Civil Services in a Democracy 

6th February to 9th February

Governance 

  • Transparency & Accountability: Meaning & Concepts
  • Citizens charters, RTI, institutional and other measures
  • Transparency & Accountability: Public Services Delivery Act, SEVOTTAM Model

10th February to 13th February

Infrastructure

  • Infra-deficit-Extent of problem & its impact on Ease of Doing 
  • Railways, Airways, Shipping, Roadways 
  • Rakesh Mohan Committee 
  • Govt’s efforts-Sovereign Wealth Funds etc.

13th February

Test 7 - Science and Technology

14th February to 17th February

Geography: Cover Class 11h NCERT and G.C Leong (Certificate physical and human geography)

  • Geography G.C. Leong (Certificate physical and human geography) Chapter: 23, 24 and 25 Quiz 
  • Geography Class 12th NCERT ( India, people and Economy) Chapter 5, 6 and 7 Quiz 

18th February to 21st February

Disaster and Disaster management

  • Disaster Management Act & Apparatus [Evolution & Future]
  • National Disaster Management Plan-2016

22nd February to 25th February

Science & Technology: Cover Science and Technology Tata Mcgrawhill book (Ravi. P. Agrahari)

26th February to 1st March

Disaster and Disaster Management

  • Government Initiatives to reduce vulnerabilities

1st March

Test 8 - Full syllabus 

Stage 3 

March to Prelims

  • Only priority is Prelims now.
  • Revise the notes from Prelims perspective.
  • Maximum number of mock tests (sectional and full).
  • Learn paper solving approach just before Prelims.
  • You may stop reading newspapers 1 month before Prelims.

2nd March to 5th March

Environment

  • Environment: Pollution-Air, Water; carcinogens
  • Environment Impact Assessment: Recent issues
  • Environmental Laws & Institutions
  • Environment: Schemes & Policies 
  • International Environmental Governance

6th March to 9th March

Disaster Management 

  • Application of ICT & Space Technology in Disaster Mitigation

10th March to 13th March

Environment

  • Climate Change: Basics & Concepts: GHG emissions
  • Climate Change: UNFCCC & Targets
  • Climate Change: Ozone Layer Depletion

14th March

Test 9 - Full Syllabus 

14th March to 17th March

Ethics

  • Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance; associated case studies 

18th March to 21st March

Essay writing

22nd March to 25th March

Disaster management

  • International Organisations & Associations dealing with Disasters
  • Economic & Social impact of Disasters

26th March to 29th March

Ethics

  • Empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections; associated case studies

30th March to 2nd April

Social issues

  • Schemes & Policies related to SCs/STs 
  • Senior Citizens-Constitutional Provisions & Schemes
  • Judiciary and Vulnerable sections 
  • LGBT: Legal status; jurisprudence and challenges 
  • Discussion on Mains Answer writing 
  • Disability and Disabled: Legal provisions & Challenges

2nd April

Test 10 - Full syllabus

3rd April to 6th April

Governance

  • Vulnerable sections: Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections
  • Schemes & Programmes: performance and evaluation

7th April to 10th April

Governance

  • Issues relating to poverty and hunger
  • Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
  • Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States

11th April to 14th April

Ethics

  • Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world; associated case studies 

15th April

Test 11 - Full syllabus

15th April to 18th April

Essay writing

19th April to 22nd April

International Relations

India and its neighbourhood-relations. 

23rd April to 26th April

International Relations 

  • Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests 

27th April to 30th April

International Relations  

  • Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests 

1st May

Test 12 - Full syllabus

1st May to 4th May

International Relations 

  • Indian diaspora, Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate. 

5th May to 8th May

Social issues

  • Role of NGOs, SHGs, Donor agencies
  • Effects of Globalisation on Indian Society
  • Urbanisation: Problems & Solutions 
  • Communalism, Regionalism & Secularism 
  • Caste & Religion 
  • Population issues: Decoding Census-2011

9th May to 12th May

Science & Technology 

  • General Biology

13th May to 16th May

Science & Technology 

  • General Chemistry

17th May to 20th May

Environment: Cover Jatin Verma’s IAS study material

21st May to 23rd May

Indian Economy 

  • Changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

24th May to 27th May

Infrastructure

  • Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways e

28th May to 30th May

Infrastructure

  • Investment models. 

1st June to 4th June

Environment: Cover Jatin Verma’s IAS study material

Stage 4

Prelims to Mains

  • Only priority is Mains now.
  • Start with optional and learn topics not covered well in early stages.
  • Before the result of Prelims, learn left out GS topics.
  • Keep revising the complete set of notes.
  • Write full length tests-  Essay, GS and Optional

5th June to 8th June

Ethics

  • Strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance; Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government; associated case studies.

9th June to 12th June

Internal security

  • Role of External State and Non-state Actors in creating challenges to Internal Security.

13th June to 16th June

Internal security

  • Challenges to Internal Security through Communication Networks, Role of Media and Social Networking Sites in Internal Security Challenges, Basics of Cyber Security; Money-Laundering and its prevention.

17th June to 20th June

Internal Security

  • Insurgency in North East
  • Naxalism in India: Causes & Solutions

21st June to 24th June

Internal Security

  • Militancy in North East
  • Internal Security & International Relations Affairs linkage

25th June to 28th June

Internal Security

  • Linkages between Development and Spread of Extremism.

29th June to 1st July

Disaster and Disaster Management

  • Current affairs

2nd July to 10th July

Governance

  • Representation of Peoples’ Act: ECI and Law Commission
  • Electoral Reforms; Political Parties and S.C. Judgements

10th July onwards till Mains

Focus on your weak topics (GS & Optional), essay writing, revision and answer writing practice.