Recommended Books for APSC Mains ExamBooks for General Studies and History, Pol Science, Education & other Optional subjects
In APSC CCE Exam preparation, choosing the right study materials is very much important and necessary. Based on experience and recommendation of toppers of the exam, we provides an exhaustive list of standard and important books which are needed for the preparation of APSC Mains Exam.
To perform better in APSC CC (Mains) Exam, we recommend sincere self-study of standard books and join some APSC Mains Test Series to help you regularly practice Answer Writing.
Recommended Books for General Studies (GS) Paper
India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra
Indian Polity for Civil Services – Laxmikanth
Indian Economy: For Civil Services Examinations – Ramesh Singh
The History of Assam – Priyam Goswami
History of the World – Arjun Dev
India After Gandhi – Ramachandra Guha
Geography of India – Majid Hussain
Certificate Physical and Human Geography – Goh Cheng Leong
India Year Book (released by PIB)
Economic Survey – Latest release
Recommended Books for Political Science Paper
PAPER – I
A History Of Political Thought: Plato To Marx – Mukherjee and Susheela Ramaswamy
Introduction to Political Theory – O P Gauba
Politial Theory – Rajeev Bhargava
Internet/Wikipedia – for concept clarification/ further details
PAPER – II
Indian Polity – Laxmikant (must for basic coverage)
Our Constitution – Subhash Kashyap
Politics in India – Rajni Kothari
Wikipedia.org -for International Organisations
Recommended Books for History Paper
India’s Ancient Past by R.S. Sharma
Ancient India by R.C Majumdar
A History of Medieval India by Chandra Satish
India’s Struggle for Independence: 1857-1947 by Bipan Chandra
India After Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha
History of the World by Arjun Dev
Wikipedia.org ( for Concept Clearance )
IGNOU/NIOS PDF Books
Recommended Books for Education Paper
A Textbook of Educationby Lakya Hira Das
Educational Psychologyby Dr. Sunita Agarwalla
Essentials of Educational Psychologyby Dr. Marami Goswami
How to prepare for Political Science optional for APSC Mains Exam
Either you are waiting for Prelims result or starting for the first time, you have the big challenge of APSC Mains (Written) Exam. Either you are taking optional subjects from your academic subjects or any new subject, and irrespective of how good knowledgeable we already have about the subjects, there is always a certain level of uncertainty regarding the preparation of the optional subjects.
1. Political Science as an APSC Mains optional
Political Science is a very popular optional in APSC Mains 2018 Exam and very high proportion of aspirants takes it in both Prelims and Mains Exam. This subject can fetch you very good marks if written appropriately and the additional advantage of this subject is that Paper II syllabus of this subject is widely covered in General Studies paper as well.
Here, we will try to help you prepare for Political Science optional for APSC Mains 2018 Exam.
Positives of Political Science as an optional subject in APSC Mains
Many topics overlap with GS Paper, so good preparation in Political Science will also help in GS Paper.
All standard books & preparation materials are readily available in market.
Good Scoring subject and easy to comprehend.
2. What to study? The Syllabus
Paper I
Paper I of Political Science optional basically covers THEORY part of the subject. Those who have studies the subject in graduation or masters will be at comfort but others with no academic background in this subject, have to go through the syllabus thoroughly be referring to standard books of Political Theory/Thought available in the marker.
Paper I syllabus can split into various sections
Political Science as a subject – Nature, Scope, study approach, relationship with other social science etc.
Theory about State – Origin, Functions and various types of states
Various concepts – Justice, Liberty, Equality, Power, Authority, Law, Sovereignty, Separation of powers etc.
Political Philosophers – Plato, Aristotle, Gandhi, Marx etc.
Governance – Various forms of Government, Organs of Government
This section is totally STATIC and THEORETICAL and we have to prepare from various books available in the markets and other online different sources. Try to prepare notes which will be very useful for revision. It’s very important to understand the basic concepts thoroughly and logically, especially for Political Science newbies.
Do the hardest part also – Answer writing practice! Very much recommended for this part as it is the harder part to master and presenting in paper.
Paper II
In Paper II, though Political Science students are still at little advantage but for polity first timers also it is easy to master. Its syllabus covers application part of the subject, i.e. the political system prevailing in India, and some sections covering Constitution of US and UK. It also covers important international organizations. For Indian Polity part, without having a second thought, just read ‘Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth’, which is more than enough at least for APSC Mains exam.
Paper II syllabus can split into various sections
Constitution of India – it’s formation, important provisions like FR, FD and DPSP, Citizenship etc.
Govt of India – Union & state, Legislature, Executive, Judicial and their inter-relationship, bureaucracy
Local Government in India and Assam
International Topics – Constitutions of the U.S.A. and the U.K. United Nations, ILO, UNESCO, IMF.
This section is interesting to all and has STATIC and DYNAMIC parts as application of the static parts. Current political, governance and judiciary issues will somehow be connected to these topics. We have to prepare from standard books and some current event sources also.
Notes-making is not very essential if reading from books like ‘Indian Polity – Laxmikant, marking/ underlining is enough but for current events, note making will be very useful for revising them later.
Here main Funda is Revision. The more you revise a topic, the longer it stays in your mind.
3. Recommended Books & reference study materials
We have provided a list reference books and study material to help cover the subject comprehensively.
Paper I – Recommended Books
A History Of Political Thought: Plato To Marx – Mukherjee and Susheela Ramaswamy
Introduction to Political Theory – O P Gauba
Politial Theory – Rajeev Bhargava
IGNOU material on political thought.
Paper II – Recommended Books
Indian Polity – Laxmikant (must for basic coverage)
Either you start your preparation six month before the exam or two year before the exam, you will still find yourself wanting for more time. So, whatever time you are left with, use it judiciously and distribute among all the papers of the APSC Mains, so that you perform nicely not only in one or two paper, but perform fairly in all the papers.
If Mains Exam is going to be in conducted in July 2019, you still have around Four monthstosharpen your axe.
If you see the Mark allotment in various subjects, it looks like:
GS Paper = 300 Marks = 21.5% of Mains (Written) Exam Marks
English Paper = 300 Marks = 21.5% of Mains (Written) Exam Marks
Optional Subject 1 = 400 Marks= 28.5% of Mains (Written) Exam Marks
Optional Subject 2 = 400 Marks= 28.5% of Mains (Written) Exam Marks
So, you can allot your precious limited time in the following proportion:
GS Paper = 30%of preparation time
English Paper = 10% of preparation time [ Less! Most aspirants gives much lesser time to it.]
Optional Subject 1 = 30% of preparation time
Optional Subject 2 = 30% of preparation time
NB: If you any optional subject is Political Science, History, Education, etc, then this subject will also help in preparation of GS Paper.
5. Overview of the Preparation Strategy
Complete whole syllabusonce – Complete the whole syllabus with the limited books/sources as soon as possible.
Before exam, you should have completed the syllabus at least 3-4 times and have done enough Answer writing practice. See a Sample Schedule
Do not leave any part untouched during preparation – As there is always chances that the topic you left out comes in compulsory part of questions. Then in exam if you have options then write only the Questions you know better.
6. Analyse previous years Questions ( It’s MUST ! )
Collect previous years Questions of as many years as possible.
Analyse previous years questionsfor:
Pattern of the Questions.
Finding common topics on which APSC ask questions frequently.
Some Questions may get repeated also
These will give a very good idea of the important topics to be focused upon which preparing for the exam.
7. Answer Writing Practice
No matter how much you prepare for political science optional, your result will always depend on the answers you write. Practicing Answer writing is must in Political Science, mainly because of it’s theoretical part.
To be able to write a good answer with good content and under the exam constrains of time and space, it requires a lot of practice and skills. The more you practice for Political Science the better answers you will be able to write.
You can also practice by answering last year questions or by joining some test series. Joining APSC Mains Test Series is a good option to have a self-check of your evaluation.
You can also participate in APSC Mains Answer Writing Practice, where we provide regular questions and aspirants write answers and upload in the Question page of our website assamexam.com.
8. Answer Writing Tips
To help you prepare for writing better answers in political science, some writing tips are provided below:
Put most important and most popular points first and the least in the end. Evaluators always search for these most important points.
Time schedule is very important so that you can distribute your allotted time among all the questions and be able to attempt every question. Attempting all questions well always will fetch more marks than writing some questions very nicely and leaving some other questions.
Use Political Science key-terms in the answers, whenever possible.
We hope this article provides you with useful information on how to prepare for Political Science Optional for APSC Mains Exam 2018. Stay connected for more information regarding APSC Assam Civil Services Exam 2018.
If you have any doubts or queries, post them in the comment section below.
165 Marks from Adhikary Education Mains Test Series
Definitely, one of the best strategy to score good marks in APSC Mains Exam Political Science Paper is to join our APSC Mains 2018 Test Series – Political Science.
Answer any eight questions from the following within 250 words each: 20 x 8 = 160
Q1. Discuss the framing of the Constitution of India with special reference to the role of the Constituent Assembly. Trace the sources of the Constitution.
Q2. Discuss the ideals enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution. To what extent have these ideals and principles succeeded in establishing socio-economic and political justice in India?
Q3. Critically evaluate the Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution. Discuss the relevance and importance of the Right to Constitutional Remedies.
Q4. What are the reasons for incorporation of the Directive Principles in the Constitution? Examine the relevance and importance of these principles in the functioning of the State. Question from our APSC Mains Political Science Test SeriesTest 3: PART B (a) (8 Marks)
Q5. Discuss the role of the President of India in the law-making process, with special reference to the President’s power to promulgate ordinances. Examine the relationship between the President and the Parliament. Question from our APSC Mains Political Science Test SeriesTest 3: Q8 (8 Marks) (Similar Q)
Q6. Discuss the process of formation of the Union Council of Ministers. Examine the differences between the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers. Discuss the relationship between the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers in the Indian context.
Q7. Discuss the powers and functions of the Indian Parliament. In what respects is the Lok Sabha more powerful than the Rajya Sabha? Discuss the special powers of Rajya Sabha.
Q8. Discuss the functioning of local self-government in Assam. What are the problems faced by the Panchayat system in the State? Examine the remedies for these problems.
Q10. “The Crown is a bundle of sovereign powers, prerogatives and rights – a legal ideas.” Discuss the powers and functions of the British Crown in the light of this statement. How is the existence of monarchy justified in the present times? Question from our APSC Mains Political Science Test SeriesTest 4: Q8 (15 Marks) (Similar Q)
Q11. What is a budget? Discuss the principles of budgeting in India. Examine the role of the Finance Ministry in budget preparation in India.
Q12. Discuss the role of the United Nations in peace-keeping operations in the post-Cold War era. Critically evaluate the extent to which the UN has succeeded in conflict-resolution in recent times.
Answer any five questions from the following (each within 150 words):
Q13. Discuss the role of the Governor as the constitutional head of a State. Do you think that the Governor acts as an agent of the Central Government?
Q14. Examine the role of the Supreme Court in India as a protector of the Constitution, with special reference to the court’s power of judicial review.
Q19. Discuss the recommendations of the Singhvi Committee regarding Panchayati Raj.
Q20. Examine the role of the International Court of Justice in solving international disputes.
A total questions worth 165 Marks in APSC CC(Mains) Exam 2016 – Polity Paper 2, were matched with the questions of our APSC Mains Political Science Test Series.
122 Marks from Adhikary Education Mains Test Series
Definitely, one of the best strategy to score good marks in APSC Mains Exam Political Science Paper is to join our APSC Mains 2018 Test Series – Political Science.
A total questions worth 122 Marks in APSC CC(Mains) Exam 2016 – Polity Paper 1, were matched with the questions of our APSC Mains Political Science Test Series.
Details of APSC Mains 2018 Test Series - Political Science Paper
Total 8 Tests full length of Paper I & II (Four Section-wise Test + Four Full Syllabus Test)
Tests will be conducted over the span of five months (late-February 2019 to early-July 2019)
Question Papers will be mailed on schedule date and Answer Boosters will be mailed after seven days/schedule date.
Topics to study and limited study materials will be uploaded in our website (http://www.assamexam.com/), before every test.
Test solutions discussion session can be arranged on online forum (on request).
Enrollment Package
Enrollment to the Test Series will entail Tests Question Papers and Answer Booster only.
8 Tests (Question Papers + Answer Boosters)
Fee: Rs. 625/-
ProgramObjective
Political Science Optional Papers, which contribute a total of 400 marks is among the very popular optionals in the APSC CC (Mains) Exam of previous years and it will continue to be taken be a substantial number of aspirants as an optional in APSC CC (Mains) Exam APSC 2018 too.
In this Test Series, we will provide a practical and focused approach that will help you to understand the demand of APSC exam and effectively improve your performance in the Mains exam.
The Test series will fine tune your answer writing skills to ensure that you make the maximum utilization of 3 hours of each History optional Paper in APSC CCE (Mains) 2018.
TEST SCHEDULE & SYLLABUS SPLIT-UP
Test No.
Syllabus Coverage
Test Date
Answer Booster Date
Test 1
Paper I:
Nature and Scope of Political Science, Its relationship with other social science. Approaches to the study of Political Science.
Origin of the State – Functions of the State, Laissez Faire and Socialistic Theories, Concept of welfare state.
Justice – Liberty – Equality, Power Authority Law.
Political Philosophy of Plato – Aristotle, Gandhi, Marx.
18-02-2019
22-02-2019
Test 2
Paper I:
Forms of Government – Democracy, Dictatorship, Presidential and Parliamentary Forms – Unitary and Federal Forms.
Organs of Government – Legislature, Executive and Judiciary – Separation of powers.
Sovereignty – Monistic and pluralistic, Analysis of Sovereignty.
09-03-2019
12-03-2019
Test 3
Paper II:
Constitution of India : Framing of the constitution of India — Fundamental Rights and Duties- Directive Principles of the State Policy, Citizenship.
Union Government, Legislature, Executive, Judicial.
State Government, Legislature, Executive, Judiciary.
Centre-State Relations.
21-03-2019
27-03-2019
Test 4
Paper II:
Value of Local Government in a Democracy, Local Self Government in Assam.
Bureaucracy and role of the Civil Service in India.
Constitutions of the U.S.A. and the U.K.
United Nations – Objective and Principles, Organs Specialised Agencies – ILO, UNESCO, IMF.
16-04-2019
22-04-2019
Test 5
Mock Test (Paper I Full Syllabus)
07-05-2019
12-06-2019
Test 6
Mock Test (Paper II Full Syllabus)
21-05-2019
26-06-2019
Test 7
Mock Test (Paper I Full Syllabus)
13-06-2019
24-06-2019
Test 8
Mock Test (Paper II Full Syllabus)
03-07-2019
08-07-2019
Adhikary Education reserves all rights to make any change/modify/cancel exam(s) schedule without any prior information, if need so arises.
To cover the topics of each exam thoroughly, there will be on an average 20 days gap between subsequent tests.
The last test is placed in 03 July 2019 to ensure that it is close to APSC CC (Mains) Exam, so that you continue the habit of answer writing till the actual exam.
Program Approach
The Test Series will cover all the areas/topics of Political Science Paper 1 in Test 1, 2, 5 and 7 and all the areas/topics of Political Science Paper 2 in Test 3, 4, 6 and 8.
PDF Question Papers & Answer Boosters will be mailed to enrolled aspirants on schedule dates.
Terms& Condition
Adhikary Education’s materials/services are for individuals use only. In case any person is found involved in any violation of copyrights of Adhikary Education materials, the admission to the test series will be cancelled and legal actions may be taken.
Adhikary Education reserves all rights related to Enrollment to the Test Series.
Adhikary Education reserves all rights to make any change/modify/cancel the exam schedule/date without any prior information, if need so arises.
The candidates enrolling in the test series, needs to provide APSC Roll No. and other details, as and when asked to do so. This information will not be shared with any other party, without your consent.
Fee once paid, is non-refundable and non-transferable in all circumstances. Provision(s) of ‘Payment Terms and Conditions’ of http://www.assamexam.com/terms-conditions/ will be applicable for payment in regard to this test series also.
Registration/Enrollment
Registrations for this test series open from 8th January 2019 at Assamexam.com
NOTE:Answer Booster will be provided, NOT Ready-made paragraph form of answers.
FAQs
Q1. What is 'Answer Booster'?
Answer Booster will contain must-have contents and points/facts/gist of the answer, so that using information of Answer Booster, candidate can write better answers in your own language and style.
Q2. Why 'Answer Booster', instead of Complete Answers to the questions
Civil Service Mains Exams are pattered subjective, to test the candidate’s ability to formulate arguments supported with reasoning and evidence, application of knowledge, writing skills, language proficiency and most importantly unique individual approachesof different candidates to the same set of questions. So, for the all the tests of this Test Series, we will provide Answer Booster, containing the core must-have points/facts of Question's Answer.
"We don't believe in Spoon feeding, instead, we will provide you all necessary resources/information, and you present the answers in your own unique ways. After all, you are the future Civil Servant, Not Just Anybody."
- Give Your Best in Preparation, Reap the Best in Result -
APSC Prelims 2020 GS Paper – Suggest Topics for Polity Section
Members of Parliament
Members in Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha from Assam, NE states
State-wise members nos distribution – Maximum & Minimum in LS & RS, Power of MPs
Total LS members across states, Lok Sabha constituency/ RS constituency – criteria, Delimitation Commission
Assam State assembly size, constituency
Legislative Council – States with LC, Legislative Assembly to Legislative Council size ratio
Parliamentary powers
Chairman of RS, Vice President, Protem Speaker, L.o.Opp, Speaker/Dy.speaker of LS – Powers, Provisions & Resignation
Speaker of Lok Sabha– conducts business in the house – decides whether a bill is a money bill or not- maintain discipline and decorum in the house – punish unruly member – answerable to the house – permit moving of motion
various motions – motion of no confidence, motion of adjournment, motion of censure and calling attention notice- decides on the agenda for discussion – presides over the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.
Parliamentary Terms
Adjournment, Adjournment sine die, Calling Attention, Casting Vote,
Crossing the floor, Demand for Grants, Expunction, Motion,
Motion of Thanks, Prorogation, Question Hour, Question of Privilege, Whips, Qourum
Parliamentary Terms, Adjournment, Adjournment sine die, Calling Attention, Casting Vote,
Crossing the floor, Demand for Grants, Expunction, Motion, Motion of Thanks, Prorogation, Question Hour, Question of Privilege, Whips
Terms & Procedures of state legislative assembly
Indian Polity – Federal structure
NITI Aayog, Interstate Council, North East Council, Finance Commission
Jurisdictions – types of SC/HC, Original Jurisdictions of SC, Powers of SC/HC
Constitution
Constitution of India – Important Articles – FR,DPSP, FD
Constitutional remedy – Writ Petitions – HC, SC
Judiciary – Executive- Legislative –independence
Panchyat Raj in India & Assam
Fifth Schedule – administration and control of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes in other states.,
Sixth Schedule – Tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
PESA act, Tribal Councils
AFSPA, Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir 1951, 1974 Indira-Sheikh accord
Special cases for various states – Article 371 A Nagaland, 371 B Assam, 371 C Manipur, 371– D Andhra Pradesh, 371 – E Sikkim, 371 G Mizoram, 371 H Arunachal Pradesh, 371 – I Goa
In Part XXI of the Constitution: Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions
