· Preparing for civil services exam can prove to be a tough and unachievable task for all aspirants, but it is just the same as preparing for any other qualifying entrance which is held across the country today.

· For preparation, it is important to know the IAS syllabus of the optional subjects that you have opted; also you must have arranged the books for the same and must surely have made notes that may help u in long run to revise the IAS syllabus.

· The notes you prepare must be written clearly as well as in a perfect order, so that you can refer to them in future. There are different methods of making notes and one should decide which method suits you the best. There are three types of making notes; they are LINEAR NOTES, PATTERN NOTES and VOICE NOTES.

Linear Notes

Let us start with Linear notes first…

1. Talking of preparing linear notes, in this method, the study material is condensed in the form of headings and sub headings under which the most important points are jotted down.

2. These kinds of notes can prove to be really helpful and making them is quite easy as while preparing linear notes from book, the material is already arranged properly in the book.

3. However, there is one disadvantage of this method that while making notes, the students end up in copying the bookish language that proves to be fatal sometimes and defeats the purpose of condensing the matter at a single place.

4. The correct way to make use of this way is by using loose sheets in place of exercise book as it is easier to keep adding information.

5. Leaving space in between of notes may help to integrate your notes with additional information in future. In order to make these notes look attractive you can utilize different colors, Fonts, capital letters, boxes and highlighting whenever necessary. This can draw your attention at certain content while preparing.

Example of LINEAR Method (Abstract Notation)

· Governors-General and Viceroys

1. Charles John Canning, Viscount Canning 1858-1862

2. James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin 1862-1863

3. Sir Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala (acting) November-December 1863

4. Sir William Denison (acting) December 1863-January 1864

5. John Laird Lawrence, 1st Baron Lawrence 1864-1869

6. Robert Southwell Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo 1869-1872

Pattern Notes

We now come to Pattern Notes…

1. These kinds of notes are made as a pattern with the beginning of the topic written at the centre of the page. Just like the rays of sun, each line radiating out of the main idea is written in a brief way with the use of phrase or a keyword.

2. This method can prove to be better than the linear approach as one can add more information without any hurdle of space. Also, the entire pattern can be seen at one go, without turning pages.

3. Additionally, you can indicate links between different topics easily than the linear notes method. It is a better method to adopt because it is more flexible than making Linear notes.

4. One more plus-point of pattern notes is that it makes outstanding utilization of memory for revision as the aspirants keep jotting down points as they appear. And this makes it easier to remember as only phrases are used for making notes.

5. Each point is written as briefly as possible using a key word or a phrase.

6. One can add extra information to it at any point without any problem.

7. This method makes it easier to revise for exams and writing out essays as only brief key words are used. Lastly, it is easier to remember as notes are made in a shape format.

Example of PATTERN Method (Brief & Concrete Notation)

1. Lord Canning (1856 – 1862):

• The last Governor General and the first Viceroy.

• Mutiny took place in his time.

• On Nov, 1858, the rule passed on to the crown.

• Withdrew Doctrine of Lapse.

• The Universities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras were established in 1857.

• Indian Councils Act was passed in 1861.

2. Lord Lawrence (1864 – 1869):

• Telegraphic communication was opened with Europe.

• High Courts were established at Calcutta, Bombay and Madras in 1865.

• Expanded canal works and railways.

• Created the Indian Forest department.

3. Lord Mayo (1869 – 1872):

• Started the process of financial decentralization in India.

• Established the Rajkot College at Kathiarwar and Mayo College at Ajmer for the Indian princes.

• For the first time in Indian history, a census was held in 1871.

• Organised the Statistical Survey of India.

• Was the only Viceroy to be murdered in office by a Pathan convict in the Andamans in 1872.

Voice Notes

We now come to Voice Notes…

1. Finally, talking of voice notes, this is a new method of preparing notes, as it requires a computer and internet connection.

2. There are websites that offer clippings of classroom preparation for Indian Administrative Service, this way; you will be using your sensory organs which will help u remember this for a long time.

Example of VOICE Method (Self-Explanatory)