How should I start preparation for Haryana Civil Services Examination?

The key to beginning the preparation of the Haryana Civil Services Examination is creating a belief in yourself that you can crack it. Once you are self-driven, half the battle is won there only. Whether you decide to do self-study or join a coaching institute, there are some common guidelines you need to incorporate in your daily routine. These practices can not only provide you with the focus but also discipline your routine in managing your task within the allotted time. It is suggested that one should do a smart study rather than an exhaustive study. The exam covers a plethora of topics and if one has a vast understanding, he stands a better chance of being successful. Time and Again newspaper reading have been stressed for a simple reason that it gives you a review of current affairs. One should make notes as you go along, which become handy at the time of the examination. Another important strategy to build the foundation is to revise NCERT books from 6th – 12th. Monitor your progress keeping the syllabus by your side and most importantly follow strict time management included some spare time for breaks. Practice by solving previous years papers. Once you have decided on optional subjects, strengthen concepts by making notes through referrals from newspaper and textbooks. Here are the step by step process to start the preparation of the HCS exam.

STEP 1: Understand the Selection Process. The HCS exam, Haryana Civil services is a three-stage selection process:

1)Prelims – 2 papers (General Studies and Aptitude Test of 100 marks each),
2)Mains – 5 papers (English, Hindi, General Studies, Subject 1 and Subject 2)
3)Personality Test
As mentioned in the case of state-based civil services examination the prime focus is on Haryana state. The rest of the process is almost similar to the UPSC. For the preparation of the HCS follow the similar textbooks as in the case of UPSC. Ideal books for preparation of the exam are as follows:

Right now I am providing booklist only for prelims, In coming days I will upload detailed booklist for mains.

BOOK LIST FOR PRELIMS

YOGESH PATIL (AIR 231- CSE18 )

ECONOMICS

Sri Ram IAS book( along with Mrunal Videos if possible)
11th NCERT- Indian Economic Development
12th – Macroeconomics
ENVIRONMENT

Shankar IAS ( prefer new edition)
Insights PT of Environment
Important National parks, Wild Life Sanctuary, Biodiversity Reserves
Topic No. 13-16 ( very important basic concepts)
GEOGRAPHY

NCERT 11th-
Fundamentals of Physical Geography
Indian: Physical Environment
NCERT 12th- Indian People and Economy
G C Leong selected topics
Mapping ( India and world- should be related with current affairs) Atlas can be helpful here( Orient Blackswan, Oxford)
MODERN HISTORY

Spectrum By Rajiv Ahir
12th Old Ncert of Bipan Chandra
Organisation ( social and political) , newspapers and their editors should be covered ( as 1 or 2 question every year)
Go through new NCERTs…Pick if any new information other than spectrum and Bipan Chandra
ART AND CULTURE and ANCIENT

Nitin Singhania ( though it seems bulky, can be covered in few days, i strongly recommend this as there were 6 que from this book last year)
11th Fine Arts NCERT
R S sharma selectively
MEDIEVAL

NCERT- Satish Chandra
Yellow Book Vajiram ( best source)
POLITY

M Laxmikant
11th NCERT – Indian Constitution at work and Political Theory
SCIENCE AND TECH

Go through NCERTs if you can
Mostly questions come from current affairs
Vajiram Yellow Book and class notes ( they have covered holistically)

CURRENT AFFAIRS

Should be covered holistically, one can’t read everything but efforts should be made to cover maximum.