General Science topics constitute an important component of the General Studies subject preparation for various types of competitive examinations. The questions based on general awareness of the candidates related to day to day happenings in the surroundings and the socio-politico-economical milieu of the candidates are asked in various types of competitive examinations. The vastness of General Science topics and a lack of proper examination preparation strategy make it difficult for the candidates to prepare for this section of the syllabus. In this article, we will try to focus on the approach to be adopted for the preparation of General Science subject in view of UPSC and MPSC Civil services examination.

General Science topics preparation for competitive examination is a bit complicated and a time consuming process and poses various challenges to the competitive examination aspirants. The preparation strategy adopted by the candidates for General Science topics is varied. The preparation strategy of the aspirants varies from a candidate to candidate, based on their depth of understanding of scientific concepts as well as their stream of graduation. The candidates with Humanities subjects in their 10+2 examination as well as graduation course, find General Science questions slightly difficult as compared to Science stream graduates. UPSC civil services prelims examination papers analysis of last few years indicates that approximately 10-15 MCQs are asked every year from the General Science related topics. The Mains Examination also includes questions on Science and Technology section in paper III of General Studies subject. The best strategy to score maximum marks from General Science topics in both the stages of Civil Services examination is to focus on basic conceptual clarity, correlation of the basic knowledge to day to day scientific phenomena and the special emphasis on current affairs issues related to Science and Technology section.

The candidates should thoroughly read std VI to XII General Science books on Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The basic understanding of concepts related to various scientific terms and phenomena could be mastered through thorough reading of NCERT books as well as relevant topics on Science and Technology section from India Year Book 2017. Many of the times, questions related to basic concepts in science are asked in various examinations conducted by MPSC as well as SSC and IBPS examination. Secondly, the candidates should also specifically sort out a few of the important topics related to Science and Technology section, in view of the Mains examination syllabus. These important topics include issues related to Medical science and diseases of public health importance like Ebola, HIV-AIDS, TB, Bird Flu, etc; Space technology, Defence research and latest developments in terms of recent launch of 104 satellites in space by India; nanotechnology and latest developments in Biotechnology; energy sector with a special emphasis on renewable energy resources; nuclear energy, Information Technology sector, Cyber security issues and so on.

The issue based preparation of these important science and technology topics and its uses for the public welfare would be helpful for the candidates in building quality answers in Civil Services Mains examination and Essay topics. Thirdly, the candidates must try to focus on current affairs issues related to Science and Technology section. Rather than wasting a lot of time on reading of number of General Science related books, it would be always cost-effective for the candidates to concentrate their energy on current affairs issues. The candidates should try to understand the basic principles behind those issues and try to find out the answers to the questions-‘what’, ‘why’ and ‘how’ of that particular scientific development. Science and Technology related issues awarded for Nobel Prize inventions; recent significant developments on environment front; important interventions by NASA and ISRO, DRDO; LIGO and gravitational waves concept; invention of new vaccines or emergence of any new public health issue, etc- are some of the important areas to be concentrated by the candidates. In order to prepare for latest issues in Science and Technology section, regular reading of Science supplements of good newspapers, watching science bulletins from News channels and reading the magazines like ‘Down to Earth’, ‘The Science Reporter’ could prove to be of great help to the candidates.

It’s true that the vagueness of the syllabus of Science and Technology section for competitive examinations and a vast scope of this subject create dilemma in the minds of aspirants regarding deciding a correct preparation strategy. Majority of the candidates get trapped in referring bulky study material and reference books on General Science preparation. The correct strategy for the aspirants would be to focus on current affairs issues related to Science & Technology section with its basic conceptual understanding. Remember the inquisitive mind with the zeal to learn new things is an important trait of a progressive mind and the same scientific approach is expected from a competitive examination aspirant who is going to become the future civil servant of India.

(The author of this article ,Lt Col (Dr) Satish Dhage, is an ex Army officer and has been qualified for IPS (Indian Police Services) through IPS LCE 2012. Presently, he is Director, MGM Institute of Competitive Exams Aurangabad. For any queries or feedback, he can be contacted on email id : drsatishdhage@gmail.com)