Top 5 Tips for Preparation of Himachal GK for HPAS & Other Exams
Himachal GK plays a vital role in the various exams conducted by HPPSC. Preparation of Himachal GK is one of the Key area Aspirants should focus in order to get Good Rank in HPAS & other Exams. In the HAS/HPAS exam, there are around 20-25 questions asked every year related to Himachal GK, while the NAIB TEHSILDAR exam includes 30 questions on Himachal GK. Additionally, the HP ALLIED exam consists of 60 questions focusing on Himachal GK.
Every year, the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission holds exams to fill various positions in the State's Administrative and Allied services, including roles like Naib Tehsildar ,Tehsil welfare officer , Excecutive Officer , Medical Officer , TGT , Sub Inspector and many more . All these Exams have in common is HIMACHAL GK . It's important for aspirants of Himachal to have an advantage in these exams and to know about their culture, geography, history, and economy. That's why a portion of every exam is dedicated to Himachal General Knowledge (GK).
How to Prepare Himachal GK for HPAS , Allied & NT Exams
Himachal GK can be a key factor in passing these exams, but figuring out how to prepare for it can be a challenge. Let's explore the different aspects of Himachal GK that need to be studied for the exams.
The first thing to do is to look at the percentage of Himachal GK included in the specific exam you're preparing for. It's not only crucial just for prelims exam but also for the next stage, known as the mains, in various exams.
Exploring Himachal GK: Three Essential Parts
Himachal GK can be divided into three main parts. The first part covers the fixed topics like the geography, history, and culture of Himachal. The second part is current affairs of Himachal Pradesh. The third part is about the economy, including surveys and budgets of Himachal Pradesh. Different methods can be used to study each of these sections. Here are some tips to improve your performance in Himachal GK:-
Tip#1 Best Books for Himachal GK
à Let's talk about the first part of Himachal GK, which includes the state's history, geography, culture, and economy. A good starting point for this is the book called 'The Wonderland' by Jagmohan Balokhra. It's like an encyclopedia about Himachal Pradesh. If you're preparing for the first time and have plenty of time, it's a good idea to read through it. But if the exam is coming up soon, keep in mind that this book is very long (1600 pages) and might be hard to finish in a short time.
Another helpful book is 'Himachal Darpan' by Akash Publication. It covers the important parts of Himachal GK that you need to know for the exam.
Also, O2 IAS Academy has put together a compilation of books that have been studied over the past few years, along with maps designed specifically for this exam
Here is List of Best Books for Himachal GK
- 'The Wonderland' by Jagmohan Balokhra Click here to buy the book
- Himachal Darpan (Akash publication) Click here to buy the book
- Himachal Economic Survey
- Notes by O2 IAS ACADEMY
- Himachal Current Affairs from Newspaper or Youtube
- Official Documents published by Govt
Tip 2 #Make your own Notes
It's important to remember that making your own notes while reading any book can help you remember things for a long time. Even though you might read many books and add current events to your notes, the basic parts stay the same and should be written by hand. This helps you remember them better compared to just reading them from a book.
Tip #3 MUST READ GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS
Next up is the third component of Himachal GK, encompassing the economic survey and the annual budget. This section is a focal point of many exam questions, covering aspects like policy steps and the introduction of new government schemes. Its significance extends to both prelims and mains examinations.
Tip #4 Revision Strategies for Mastering Himachal GK in Exam
Cracking the Himachal GK may seem daunting, but there's a simple secret to success: Repetition. In Himachal, there's a plethora of facts to memorize across various subjects like geography and culture. For instance, in geography, you'll encounter names of passes, valleys, peaks, and river tributaries. Similarly, culture encompasses diverse customs, rituals, and types of marriages. Practicing numerous questions on specific topics is crucial for solidifying your understanding.
Visualization is another effective technique. Creating maps depicting the course of rivers, mountain passes, and valleys aids in retention. History can be approached differently too; rather than rote memorization, storytelling makes it engaging and easier to remember.
Himachal's richness in geography and culture makes learning enjoyable. You can even create a wish list of places to visit and cultures to experience. Remember, Himachal GK isn't just a subject; it's a journey through the enchanting Himalayan state that will guide you towards exam success
Tip #5 Cover Himachal GK for Mains
In Himachal Pradesh, the syllabus for exams is very detailed and covers a wide range of topics. For the Himachal Administrative Services (HAS) exam, specific topics are mentioned along with subtopics for different levels of the exam.
For example, in the General Studies Paper 1 (GS1), topics like society and culture of Himachal Pradesh are included. In GS2, subjects like cyber crime and drug menace are covered. Additionally, in GS3, topics such as tourism policy, potential, and initiatives are part of the syllabus.
Since there isn't a single source that covers all the topics in the mains syllabus for Himachal GK, the first step is to print out the syllabus and identify the topics already covered while preparing for the preliminary examination. The next step is to find reliable sources, which should include the official Himachal Pradesh website and various government publications and policies. You can also refer to Himachal GK lessons taught by Kritika Mam on the YouTube channel or access the notes provided by her.
