Rachit Kumar SaxenaManager-Editorial
HPAS Exam (prelims) had been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic across the country and the consequent lockdown in the state. The HPAS prelims exam will be conducted across the state once the commission decides the new exam date for the HPAS prelims exam. Books can play a big role in this lockdown and the candidates can strengthen their HPAS preparation with the best books.
There are lots of books on each subject and the candidates get confused. We arrived at the best books through the inputs from the IAS toppers, IAS mentors, HPAS toppers, university teachers and the exam experts. The subject-wise best books for the HPAS exam based on the HPAS syllabus are as follows.
Best Books for HPAS - Current Affairs
Current affairs play a major role in the HPAS exam as all the other topics revolve around the current affairs. The candidates need to understand that the current affairs section is the key to other subjects. The candidates need to prepare the current affairs comprehensively so they can cover the basic and the current happenings related to that topic. The current affairs can be prepared from the sources given below.
- Newspapers –Indian Express, One local newspaper
- Press Information Bureau (PIB) website
- Anyone Current Affairs monthly magazine
Best Books for HPAS - Geography
Geography is a very important part of the HPAS syllabus because a good number of questions have been asked from the Geography section in the HPAS exam. It is one of the most important sections for prelims main exam. Some of the best books for geography are as follows.
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G C Leong
- Fundamentals of Physical Geography NCERT Class 11
- Concise Geography by ALS
Besides the above, the candidates should also prepare the notes for the Geographical features of Himachal Pradesh (from any book).
See Here: HPAS Exam Pattern
Best Books for HPAS - Indian and Himachal Economy
The economy is also one of the most important subjects in the HPAS exam. The question in the main exam is asked from the structure of Himachal economy, the component of Himachal economy and the revenue generation by the people of Himachal, what are the difficulties faced by the hill state and the likes. Besides the Indian Economy, the candidates need to prepare all the above and related issues.
- Indian Economic Development NCERT
- Introduction to Macroeconomics NCERT
- Himachal Government Year Book
- Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
- Niti Aayog Reports(Specific to Himachal Pradesh)
Best Books for HPAS - History
History of India comprises three sections. Ancient, Medieval and Modern History. The HPAS asked the questions related to the History of Himachal Pradesh. There are lots of questions asked from Modern History, including India’s Freedom Struggle. The candidates should study the local deities of Himachal Pradesh from the local sources so they can answer the questions about the local deities. The best books for History can include the following.
- Ancient History NCERT Class 11th by R.S. Sharma
- India’s Ancient Past by R.S. Sharma
- Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania
- Medieval History NCERT Class XI-XII
- NCERT XII (Modern Indian History)
- A brief history of Modern India - Spectrum
Best Books for HPAS - Indian Polity
Indian polity questions in the HPAS exam are more oriented towards the state political and administrative structure and the Indian and State Government functionaries. The questions in the HPAS exam ask about the details of Appointments, retirements, eligibility for the Union Executive and State executive positions. The best way to prepare the Indian polity section for the HPAS exam will from the following books.
- Constitution of India Bare Act
- Indian polity by Laxmikant
Best Books for HPAS - Science and Technology
The candidates can cover half of this topic while preparing the current affairs section. HPAS exam asks the questions from the latest technology and the fundamentals of the General Science. This is a very dynamic topic and requires constant up-gradation from newspapers and journals. The candidates can prepare basic topics with the following books.
- Science and technology by Ashok Singh
- Newspaper columns dedicated to technology
Best Books for HPAS - Environment & Ecology
Environment and ecology topic is relatively new in the General Studies syllabus because earlier it was covered with the current affairs only. The candidates need to prepare the local environmental problems of Himachal Pradesh such as the fundamental of landslides and how it can be reduced to a minimum. The candidates should know the basic structure of the subject because this topic is relatively unstructured. The environment and ecology can be prepared from the following books.
- Environmental Studies Books of IGNOU and NOS
- Environment Book by DS Khullar
Previous year question papers play a key role in HPAS preparation. The candidates should analyse and practice with the previous year question papers so that they can expect the important topic and prepare a preparation plan accordingly.
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