Ask & Answer: India's Largest Education Community

Hi Anshul,
Even though the exam to be undertaken is popularly known as IAS exam, it is officially called UPSC civil services exam. The UPSC CSE consists of 3 stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Getting into Indian Administrative Service is not easy considering the competition involved, but not impossible for a candidate with right attitude and approach.
This exam is widely considered as the toughest exam in the world, considering the exam duration (extends 1 year), depth of the syllabus and the competition involved. The first stage of the exam Preliminary (objective) is usually conducted around June, while the second stage, Mains (written), is conducted around October. Those who clear Mains will have to face interview/personality test in the March-May period. The final result usually comes in June.
A disciplined and focused mind with a passion for learning and reading is the basic trait of all successful candidates. The UPSC Civil Services exam is more a test of the analytics and presentation skills along with knowledge gained by the candidate rather than a test which checks candidates mathematical or verbal skills.
If you start as early as class 12th, then you should concentrate more on the static syllabus and complete it comprehensively and in depth. Plus, pick up the habit of reading the newspaper regularly, which help you in understanding current affairs and various socio-political affairs.
Some of the important books are:
History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra (History)
Indias Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra (History)
History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra (History)
Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania (Culture)
Geography of India by Majid Husain (Geography)
Oxford School Atlas Oxford (Geography)
Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations by M. Laxmikanth (Polity)
Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh (Economy) or Mrunal Video Lectures
Economic Survey (Economy)
Science and Technology: Follow current affairs
Environmental: Shankar IAS Environment Book
India Year Book (Current Affairs)
Manorama Yearbook (Current Affairs)
For CSAT:
CSAT Paper 2 Manual by TMH or CSAT-II Arihant (CSAT Paper 2)
Analytical Reasoning M. K. Pandey (CSAT Paper 2: Analytical Reasoning)
Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning RS Aggarwal (CSAT Paper 2: Reasoning

Hi Akash, M.Sc. Is a good stream for pursuing areas of research. The entrance exam details are always given on the website of good colleges. I know the website of LPU which would inform you about the eligibility for a course, admission criteria as well as the scholarship for which you would be eligible including the scholarships it offers to aid education in such grim conditions of covid. The entrance test syllabus and paper pattern too is given. The website also clearly mentions the placement status for which it has received many accolades too. You can also check the entrance exam paper pattern as well as the syllabus from the website of LPU. LPU also offers aids regarding research in various fields. It is for this reason that many patents have been introduced from the campus of LPU. The various scales of scholarships make education affordable. The covid scholarships too aid education. LPU offers a complete package of quality teaching, intuitive learning aided with hands on practical training. It also offers good scholarship slabs based on various categories. It has also started the covid scholarship to aid education at such grim times. The updated labs and the expertise of the faculty have given good results that today LPU is a name to reckon. So you can browse some good college web sites and check the academic excellence also for an all round development of your career. Decide and select wisely. The online admissions are on so better be fast in deciding.