MPPSC: Preparation Guide

Comparison: UPSC & MPPSC

Both have four papers of General Studies (GS) with almost similar division of topics. The scheme of Mains examination can be find out here.
In most of the cases, only M.P. related topics are included in papers of GS.
For example, Indian culture and Heritage is similar to UPSC but with special reference to Culture and Heritage of M.P., same is the case with geography and other topics.
In MPPSC, there is separate paper for General Hindi with significant weightage of 200 marks unlike UPPSC where it is just qualifying.
No optional subject in MPPSC while UPSC have one.
Essay paper in MPPSC have different scheme than UPSC. In MPPSC there would be a long essay of 50 marks and one short essay of 30 marks in addition to 20 marks unseen passage.
In conclusion, though weightage of papers in UPSC and MPPSC is different but overall preparation overlap in different quadrants with an exception of provision of optional subject in MPPSC.

Before moving forward to start preparation, we should analyse the question type and trend of previous year questions of MPPSC Mains GS papers. You may be thinking that now syllabus is completely changed than what is the need to look back. But it is not true. Now MPPSC made attempt to define syllabus properly which earlier was not precisely defined with special focus on some topics. Though there are topics, completely new like world history but still major portion is the same. Therefore, it is good to analyse previous year papers to get an idea about future question papers.

Analysis

Question with marks 3, 10, 15 and 20.
All questions were not compulsory. We had attempt less number of questions than the total given in exam paper.

History and Culture

There were very few question about culture of India excluding MP. Most of the questions belong to culture of MP like Bhim Bethka and Maurya (Ujjain-Ashoka).
Most of the time only prominent freedom fighter were asked like Gandhiji, Subash Chandra Bose, Laxmibai etc.
From freedom struggle topics only major events were asked directly with no analysis. For example, Civil Disobedience Movement, Simon commission, 1857 mutiny, Partition of Benal of 1905 etc.
From socio-religious reforms also major personality like Vivekananda, Dayananda Saraswati were asked. Since MP is ruled by BJP government there are major chances that question in this topic would be concentrated on Hindu centered leader like Dayananda saraswati, Mandan Mohan Malviya. In MPPSC prelims 2014, there was direct question about BJP!

Geography

In recent year papers, core geography topics were sidelined. Other related topics like Environment and Ecology, Biodiversity, Climate change, Soil erosion, Agriculture, Census and Disaster Management were frequently asked.
In Human geography, mostly tribes were asked, In geography events, mostly current topics like El-Nino and Tornodos found place in papers.
There were 3 marks questions about places and events like seven sisters, Gandhi Sagar Reservoir etc.

Polity

It was one of most important topic.
Questions were mixed in this part, some were traditional and some related to current developments.
Traditional topics were like Fundamental rights- Art 21, RTI, Citizen Charter, Anti-defection, Role of CAG and 73^rdAmendment etc.
Some topics which are in news throughout the decade like judicial activism, PIL, RTI were frequently asked.
Some questions were based on report of committees, recent bills passed by parliament etc. In this category you can find question of Lokpal, Sri Krishna Commission Report, 2^nd ARC etc.
In conclusion, wide study of polity with special focus on governance is required with an eye on current developments in Indian polity.

International

In bilateral relations, MPPSC asked India-China conflict in 2010. So, preparation should be limited to neighbor only.
International institutions: UN & its organs and other important groupings like World Bank, IMF, ASEAN, SAARC, G20, BRICS are important. Most of the time questions were limited to UN and major groupings like G20 and IMF (in 2010 paper).
Special organizations/ groupings: IAEA, NSG, EU, ADB and recently formed economic groupings are important and should be prepapred.

Science & Technology

Most of the questions limited to Biotech, Nanotech, Computer & IT and recent developments in S&T.
On several occasions, MPPSC asked about awards in S&T like Nobel and related discoveries in broad sense like it asked about genetic engineering.
Achievement of Indian S&T organization like ISRO, TIFR were asked.

Economy

Most of the questions asked in exams are from contemporary topics like financial crisis, Doha conferene and black money.
Questions related to global recession, WTO/Doha etc. are repeatedly asked by MPPSC. So, topics related to world economy also needs special attention. Now, we also have WTO like organization in GS Paper II under International Organisation.
If we talk about Indian economy, most of the questions are about discussion and remedies of current economic problems like fall of rupee, black money, PDS reforms etc.
Short notes on basic economic terms like Inflation, Currency bonds should be prepared, other than the information about Commissions like Finance Commission, NITI Aayog, Forward Market Commission (asked) etc.
Policy related questions can also be part of paper. Therefore, notes on policies like National Manufacturing Policy, National Telecom policy etc. etc. should be compiled.
Economic Survey of India and MP should be part of preparation.

Social Issues

MPPSC asked questions on Ragging, Khap Panchayats, Cultural pollution, Honor Killing, Naxalite Movement etc.
Although, these topics are not specifically mentioned in the syllabus but can be asked as a part of GS paper II.

Disaster Management

Disaster Management earlier also asked in MPPSC like questions on Cyclone, Tsunami and National Disaster Management Policy.
Now specific topics in form of case studies are added. You can make notes using Wikipedia.
Rest question can be covered either from geography sections or from documents on disaster management website of Indian government.

Miscellaneous

Yearbook: MP related topics from Yearbook should be covered. Special focus should be on new schemes. India Yearbook 2015 some new chapters including chapter on new schemes. It has be prepared.
Census: There were census based questions like Importance of Census, Population density etc. Prepare basic definitions related to Census: MMR, IMR etc.

About New Topics

GS I

World History can be prepared from book History of the World by Arjun Dev.

GS II

Paper II has diverse topics like education, health, public services, public expeditures, International organisations etc. You are expected to make atleast a note on the given topics. Apart from this, you need to develop art of relating different topics while writing answers.
For example, question on social issues can be written using information of sections like welfare programs, Social sector, education etc. The point, I want to make here is that with limited knowledge on given topics on syllabus, you can write even a long answer but for this you need to practice answer writing.
Security Issues can be covered with articles of IDSA (http://www.idsa.in/)
Topics of International Organizations require note-making from any standard book on International relations.

GS III

Technology topics can be prepared using Wikipedia as we have Wikipedia pages for most of the technologies and emerging tech.
For Science topics, NCERTs (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) of 11^th and 12^th are sufficient.
Reasoning & Data Interpretation, though a new topic but it is already prat of prelims. Now, you are expected to know little bit about statistics and its theories.

GS IV

Most of the questions were direct from the syllabus.
It would be good if you prepare as per the syllabus and can go deeper if feel necessary.