Srushti Jayant Deshmukh bagged AIR 5 in the UPSC CSE in 2018.Here are some tips she shares:
Identify your habits: Srushti says it will help aspirants make a schedule and follow the same to maximise their time.
Do not overexert yourself: Do not indulge in activities that physically and mentally tire you out.
Build a strong foundation: Always begin with the standard NCERT textbooks.
Strategise your time: While it is good to focus on reading and revising, now aspirants must also start actively solving mock tests.
Check your internal body clock: Attempt mock exams in the same time frame that the actual examination will be held and create a similar ambience to help you get into that zone.
Srushti recommends the following books:NCERT Textbooks – Use the Social Studies textbooks of classes 6 to 12 as your base books.
HistoryAncient India – Tamil Nadu textbook (class 11)Medieval India – Tamil Nadu textbook (class 11)Modern India – Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum)World History – Norman Lowe (World War I and II)
Culture – Nitin SinghaniaGeography – GC LeongPolity – Lakshmikanth M and DD Basu
Economy – Ramesh SinghEthics – Lexicon for terms and R Rajagopalan book for case studies