Civils Prelims Current Affairs Online Tests

SOME SUGGESTED READINGS FOR YOU : 

1. Our Constitution

2. Our Parliament

3. Perspective on Constitution (ED) by P.M Bakshi
4.Constitution by D.D. Basu
5. Introduction to the Constitution Others IIPA Journal The Hindu Frontline

Reference Book List topic wise:

Political Theory and Indian Politics

• George H. Sabine ( Western political theory)

• Eddy Ashrivatham (Political theory)

• C.L. Wayper (Political thought)

• O.P. Gauba (An introduction to political thought)

• R.M. Bhagat (Western political thought)

• Amal Roy and Mohit Bhattacharya (political theory, ideas and institutions)

• S.P. Varma (Modern political theory)

• J.C. Jauhary (Comparative politics)

• A.S. Sandhu (Political theory)

• Pukharaj Jain (Political thought)

Indian Constitution And Politics

• M.V. Paylee (Indian Constitution)

• D.D Basu (An introduction to Indian constitution)

• V.N. Shukla (Constitution of India, couple of chapters are really relevant)

• A.C. Kapoor (Comparative Governments)

• V.P. Varma (Indian political theory)

• K.R. Bombwal (Comparative constitutions)

• Bipin Chandra (Freedom struggle)

• Simit Sarkar (Modern India)

• A.R. Desai (Social background of Indian Nationalism)

• Paul Brass (Politics in India since independence)

• Independent India : First Fifty Years - Hiranyamay Kelkar

•  Indian foreign policy agenda for 21st century (1998 Foreign service institute) -Lalit Mansingh

•  India's foreign policy in a changing world (1999) - V.P. Dutt

•  People's right and the state in the third world - Manjooran Mohanty & Partha Mukherjee

•  World politics in the twentieth century - Paul Kenedy

•  Nuclear India (1998) Jasjit Singh

Suggested Readings For Prelims 
Section A:
Political Theory —Eddy Ashirvatham 

Political Theory —O.P. Gauba
Political Theory —Amal Ray, Mohit Bhattacharya.
Comparative Politics —R. Chilkote

Section B:

Political Theory —Amal Ray & Mohit Bhattachary.
Introduction to Indian Constitution —D.D. Basu
India's Struggle for Independence —Bipan Chandra.
Introduction to Indian constitution —D.D. Basu.
Our Parliament —S.C. Kashyap
Our Constitution —S.C. Kashyap
Comparative Govt. & Politics — V.N. Khanna
Comparative Govt. & Politics —K.R. Bombwal

Suggested Readings For Mains Paper I Section A

A History of Political thought—Subrata Mukherjee, Susheela Ramaswamy
A History of Political thought —J.P. Suda For Manu & Kautilya : Foundations of Indian Political thought — V.R. Mehta Modern Political Theory —S.P. Verma Modern Political Theory —Madan Gandhi Political Theory —Eddy Ashirvatham Political Theory —J.C. Johri Political Theory —Ray & Bhattacharya Political Theory —O.P. Gauba

Paper I Section B

Comparative Govt. & Politics —J.C. Johri
Comparative Govt. & Politics —Ronald Chilkote
Modern Indian Political Thinkers —V.P. Verma
Foundations of Indian Political Thought —V.R. Mehta
 Indian Govt. and Politics —A.S. Narang
Indian Govt. and Politics —J.R. Siwach
Indian Govt and Politics —M.P. Singh,
Himanshu Roy Politics in India —Rajani Kothari
Govt. and Politics of India —W.H. Morris Jones

Paper II Section A

Theoretical aspects of International Politics —Mahendra Kumar
Politics among Nations —Morganthu
International Politics —Schuman

Paper II Section B

International Politics —Bookhives

Regular subscription of Frontline & World Focus (magazine)

Political Science is a dynamic and ever-changing subject. Candidates aspiring to opt

for it should be more aware of the shift in focus than the skeletal changes in the

revised syllabus. Opting for Aristotle's Master science, the aspirant should master the

techniques to make best use of these changes like a crafty politician. The advantages

of picking political science as a favourite optional are manifold. It helps candidates in

updating their knowledge of the current events and provides a fresh perspective on

the burning domestic and foreign policy issues. About half of the general studies

paper is vitally related to the two papers of political science for the main examination.

Besides, that is the best subject to ensure a sound sleep during the interview days

simply because you have readymade answer for virtually all the question being asked

by the board members.

The recent years' trend also reveals that the candidates with political science as an

optional have fared better in many respects. The rate of success is going higher and

higher. The purpose of this write- up, however, is to make you w armed about the

subject in the context of revised syllabus.

A cursory view of the changed syllabus indicates towards the modification at two

levels: (a) new addition, and (b) shift in focus. Interestingly, what appear to be

additions are really the extended and focused parts of the existing topics. This means

that students will have to prepare for the same old themes but in a changed context.

This sounds appropriate as much water has flown down the Gangas since the

previous paper was set up. More so in the context of political science where changes

start reflecting realities, both at the domestic and external planes. The centralised

polity of India has finally given way to coalition politics, and now it seems the

coalition culture is here to stay in one way or the other. The rehearsing of

International relations paper was highly imperative in the context of Collapse of

Soviet Union, the end of cold war, and the emergence of a new world order shaped

and designed by the United States-led Unipolar World.

We have seen a lot of face lifting and reading, real changes are not drastic and

metamorphic. The topics that were included as subtopics in the old syllabus have

been given a separate and independent status in the revised course. Yet, a few

substantial changes are the additions like Nationalism and Internationalism and the

theories of international relations, primarily corresponding with the international

relations paper in the Mains. So far freshers opting for political science used to get

abruptly exposed to the strangers zone called international politics. Now, they will

have some idea about the world political scenario with the help of the new topics.

A brief survey of the significant additions in the section (A) of the political science

paper reveals that a couple of unexplored areas have been taken in. The meaning,

nature and scope of political science and its relations with other subjects; concepts of

nationalism and internationalism, major theories of International Relations; .Social movements; and the bureaucracy are the major themes brought under focus in the revised syllabus.

Section (B) of the prelims has also registered a few additions signifying both structural and spiritual shift. Approaches to the study of governments; classification of political systems; the constituent assembly, the party system in India, the interaction of government and the local-self governments; bureaucracy and development, and the challenges to the Indian Democracy are major additions. The students should specifically focus on the themes like 73rd constitutional amendment, the political parties and the bureaucracy. It would be advisable to tell about the clarity of concepts and the grasp of knowledge both in vertical and horizontal dimensions to qualify the prelims. More you have read, more facts will strike your memory while searching for the right answer through the process of examination. That is why, a serious and hard working student proves better in answering the objective type test questions than an ill-organised and poor in knowledge candidate.