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Carrying up a decision to crack the UPSC examination defines an individual’s ambitions and goals. An individual must have wondered that one year is enough for IAS preparation. The answer is yes. One year is sufficient to crack the IAS exam no matter how difficult the UPSC exam is, only if it is prepared with complete devotion. 

An aspirant must be conscious of all details and important dates related to the exam. One can crack the IAS exam in one year by planning their preparation through an IAS planner. Try to form an accurate timetable that covers all the syllabus and leaves a scope of revision. A candidate can take up to six attempts, and clearing the exam in a go is a step towards a brighter future. One needs to plan every detail according to the weightage of questions and a time limit. One should also keep in mind the syllabus to help create a successful study plan. It’s better to know that no shortcuts are there for you.

Civilsdaily doesn’t believe in luck or in hard work without the so-called “work smart”. It’s not all about how you work hard but it’s about how you manage your time, resources, and mind to work together for a better output. Now explore what are the ways UPSC dreams start.

Important Links:

UPSC IAS Syllabus

IAS Exam Pattern

The traditional way to start UPSC preparation from the ‘0’ level:

• Read UPSC syllabus carefully.
• Make time table
• Read newspaper & collect CA magazines
• Start with NCERT books.
• Make notes
• Collect PYQ papers & toppers’ copies
• Attempt test series
• Etc.

Aspirants crowd follow it blindly. And so the ultimate success rate is 0.0053%.

But a would-be topper’s insight doesn’t follow what crowd chase for.

How to start UPSC preparation like a topper & acquire a day ‘0’ advantages:

A topper always..

• devises his/her own strategy & doesn’t follow toppers’ advice blindly.
• Steps in the UPSC world by holding a senior IAS mentor’s hand.
• Focuses on ‘minimum resource but maximum output’ concept.
• Neither reads all NCERTs nor starts with random one.
• Doesn’t learn all PYQs but some selectives.
• Joins the most effective test-series to get his performance evaluated by a personalized mentor
• Doesn’t read every chapters of a text book
• Learn not only making note but also how to update it
• Learns how to write a ‘Rule-of-thumb’ answer
• Spends time & energy judiciously.
• ETC.

The more you think, the more it daunts. let your best foot forward.(CLICK) FILL UP ‘SAMANVAY’ FORM & GET YOUR MENTOR | START YOUR UPSC PREPARATION FROM ‘0’ LEVEL LIKE A TOPPER

The UPSC preparation takes years of hard work, dedication and patience. It’s not only challenging in terms of lengthy syllabus, but it is also highly unpredictable in nature. It can’t be cracked by just being a bookworm. So, only mere act of beginning is not enough. Beginning to a right direction will decide you’re not going to stay where you are. In this case, the two most important warriors are your own mindset & a mentor’s tips that will lead you from ‘Zero’ to ‘Hero’.

(CLICK) FILL UP ‘SAMANVAY’ FORM & GET YOUR MENTOR | START YOUR UPSC PREPARATION FROM ‘0’ LEVEL LIKE A TOPPER

Wish you all the best. 

2-3 Years in hand: A proven game-changer for undergraduate UPSC aspirants

There isn’t a more opportune time to invest your rapt attention in UPSC preparation if you have a couple of years in hand. Preparing for the UPSC exam is not a whimsical fancy. Many toppers even started their UPSC preparation in their penultimate year in school. Because winners start early.

It will be a game-changer if any undergraduate, with only 2 to 3 years in hand, inculcates the brainchild formulas of toppers’ mentors to crack UPSC.

When time is short and the way is long, every step must be more on-target.

So, why tax your brain! Let’s know those formulas right away.

Syllabus & PYQs

When the destination is IAS or IPS, the UPSC syllabus and previous year’s question papers go hand in hand. So, don’t wander off, you may lose track. 

• Bring the syllabus to your fingertip. Because you have to complete the syllabus and not the books.
• Hook at least 5 years of previous years’ MCQs (Prelims + Mains + Optional)

According to mentor heads, there are 2 types of syllabus patterns

• Raw static syllabus
• and Dynamic syllabus

In incipient stage, finish the static syllabus at least once. Because static parts boost aspirants’ confidence, besides, it’s the very foundation of grip on current affairs. To finish the static parts, an aspirant may need around 6 months and not more than that.

Now, start investing time in the dynamic syllabus.

• Take PYQs, revise chapters accordingly
• Learn Current affairs and tangle with static questions.

It’s worth remembering that balancing study is the key to excellence for either the MCQs or writing for mains.

Another key point to be noted here is ‘Evaluation of preparation’. It’s also an indirect and inseparable part of your UPSC syllabus.

Civilsdaily’s centralized mentorship is recommended here. 

Time Management

Minimum 2 years and maximum 3 years will run short unless and until you become sincere about time management. 

Have you heard the traditional proverb “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”? 

Similarly, remember ‘A chapter a day unblocks UPSC doorway’.

Learn from mentors and act on how to divide time for newspaper reading, answer writing, practice MCQs, etc. every day.

Running free webinars, and mentorship programs in community-managed platforms of Civilsdaily will help you immensely to learn how to utilize maximum time.

Resources

The less the resource, the more your efficiency. Buying multiple books is an obsolete and abandoned path to UPSC preparation.

Don’t forget you have fresh and solid 2-3 years in hand.

• Get 2 to 3 sets of essential books for every static subject.
• To keep pace with CA, Civilsdaily’s Samachar manthan program is beyond praise. 
• IAS foundation course is even better to choose.
• Mock Tests series for prelims as well as for mains
• From the very beginning, get mentors’ advice for optional papers.

Get acquainted with the booklist over here on CivilsDaily youtube channel

Self Study vs Mentors’ Guide

If there is a guide on the unknown path, even the crooked path becomes simpler. When you have 2-3 years in your hand and want to make a gigantic syllabus familiar firsthand, taking a risk may be proven as a fool’s errand.  Let’s understand the difference.

Self-study, though isn’t an empty vessel always, is very time and energy-consuming. Following self-study, almost 75% of aspirants looking for a needle in a haystack.	Mentors’ guide means saving time and energy and not getting baffled.
Most of the time, the daily target dies.	2. Daily target lives because of guidance.
Self-study lacks self-assessment.	3. Assessment of leaders

So, how would you like to react to mentors’ guidance now? Let’s know.

Final Lines:

Nothing is more important than the limit of time. From circling the OMR sheet to answer writing and optional interviews, all these won’t be tediously threatening if done under proper guidance especially when there is a bound on time. 

It’s the aspirants’ choice whether they embrace the very 1st attempt or love to get into a labyrinth of futile attempts.

Formally-dressed. Self-disciplined. An empowered confident personality with a strong will to serve India. Such degrees of excellence sum up the purpose of an IAS officer. Yes, CSE is used to be the dream of millions of Indian youths. But, achieved by some. Every year millions of aspirants start from zero. But only a few can sit on a DM’s chair & rests are stuck in the labyrinth of the gigantic syllabus. So, a seamless beginning matters.

Guys, there is a saying, “Well begun is half done.” so, don’t start just for being part of the rate race.  Instead, start in such a way that the passage of your UPSC preparation always leads to LBSNAA, the dreamland of every UPSC aspirant.

Civilsdaily doesn’t believe in luck or in hard work without the so-called “work smart”. It’s not all about how you work hard but it’s about how you manage your time, resources, and mind to work together for a better output. Now explore what are the ways UPSC dreams start.

The traditional way to start UPSC preparation from the ‘0’ level:

• Read UPSC syllabus carefully.
• Make time table
• Read newspaper & collect CA magazines
• Start with NCERT books.
• Make notes
• Collect PYQ papers & toppers’ copies
• Attempt test series
• Etc.

Aspirants crowd follow it blindly. And so the ultimate success rate is 0.0053%.

But a would-be topper’s insight doesn’t follow what crowd chase for.

How to start UPSC preparation like a topper & acquire a day ‘0’ advantages:

A topper always..

• devises his/her own strategy & doesn’t follow toppers’ advice blindly.
• Steps in the UPSC world by holding a senior IAS mentor’s hand.
• Focuses on ‘minimum resource but maximum output’ concept.
• Neither reads all NCERTs nor starts with random one.
• Doesn’t learn all PYQs but some selectives.
• Joins the most effective test-series to get his performance evaluated by a personalized mentor
• Doesn’t read every chapters of a text book
• Learn not only making note but also how to update it
• Learns how to write a ‘Rule-of-thumb’ answer
• Spends time & energy judiciously.
• ETC.

The more you think, the more it daunts. let your best foot forward.

The UPSC preparation takes years of hard work, dedication and patience. It’s not only challenging in terms of lengthy syllabus, but it is also highly unpredictable in nature. It can’t be cracked by just being a bookworm. So, only mere act of beginning is not enough. Beginning to a right direction will decide you’re not going to stay where you are. In this case, the two most important warriors are your own mindset & a mentor’s tips that will lead you from ‘Zero’ to ‘Hero’.

Wish you all the best. 

UPSC CIVIL SERVICE EXAM IS INDEED A HIGH BAR TO CROSS N IMPOSSIBLE ONE. BUT NEVER ASO IT IS ADVISABLE TO START RIGHT FROM THE COLLEGE DAYS . Clearing UPSC in the very first attempt needs some basic requirements. Here are some quick notes.

1. Understanding the syllabus lucidly
2. HAVING OWN ALL ROUND STRATEGY
3. Being firm about choosing optional
4. CHOOSING THE RIGHT STUDY MATERIAL FROM THE PLETHORA OF AVAILABLE CONTENTS.
5. UNDERSTANDING CONCEPTS
6. Practicing writing answers right from the beginning

At your very first attempt, the above mentioned points, added with consistency and perseverance, will surely lead you through the journey.

Important Links:

UPSC exam Pattern

UPSC Syllabus

The UPSC Civil Services exam has three basic stages: 

• The first stage is Prelims which is objective 
• The second stage is Mains which is a written examination
• And the third stage is the interview which is a verbal evaluation process

A candidate has to clear all these 3 stages one by one.

Out of these, to clear the prelims an aspirant requires the quality of ‘Recognition the Info’. For Mains, every aspirant irrespective of his level of preparation appears for this stage, your preparation should be open-ended and it requires much analysis and an understanding of the underlying trends and ideas. 

And to perform satisfactorily in the interview, you have to take your communication skill to the next level. Failure, in any of these stages, can threaten the entire selection process.

Based on our mentoring of 5000+ successful aspirants over the past so many years, we recommend the following strategies for all the 3 rounds:

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1. Cover the whole syllabus at least 2 times:

The syllabus should be covered exhaustively. No portion should be left for granted, whatever the past trends. UPSC can tilt towards any part of the huge syllabus and hence it’s advisable to be on the safer side. 

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2. Be consistence:

Consistency of performance is essential. You don’t have to be exceptional every day but as a minimum, you need to be at a level that even on a bad day you get points on the board. So, chart out your own strategy, Formulate your fitting time table, and go ahead.

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3. Analyze PYQs diligently:

After coverage of a substantial portion of the syllabus, the first attempt of the static part (Prelims & Mains) PYQs must be attempted. That will be your first small step & giant leap for concrete preparation. Past year papers should be like a radar of preparation that provides direction and orientation to your preparation. Apart from enhancing your knowledge base, last year’s papers help in forming your mental outlook. This increases your common sense and helps you in eliminating options in prelims.

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4. Attempt 1 mock test per month:

After coverage of a substantial portion of the syllabus, a decent number of mock tests must be attempted. The number of mocks should be reasonable. Too many tests would precious energy and too few numbers would go you unprepared. Mocks should be given in an exam-type environment only. Joining only one standard Test Series would be a wise idea. Post Test analysis with a mentor is a must exercise. High performance should not bring elation and poor performance should not bring frustration. Just run the race to continuously improve yourself.

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5. Understanding Prelims & Mains & Revise Properly:

The actual difference between CSE Prelims and Mains is that while the Prelims focus on recognition (of information) and requires a comprehensive study covering a wide variety of topics, Mains need the ability to recall, analyze and express (ideas and information, including one’s own thoughts) properly which can only be done through an intensive study of the topic. Therefore it is very important to stay focussed and cover in-depth, the topics that you have picked for Mains and in doing so you have to match your skills with the subject at hand. Using the right approach and picking the right parts of the syllabus for the intensive study will not only help manage time but also garner more marks in the end.

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6. Make your own effective notes:

No syllabus of UPSC can be covered with quality without making proper notes. Besides, you can develop a healthy habit of writing by self-note making. Notes should be made in an appropriate structure so that it becomes easier for the aspirants to memorize and recollect. Notes should neither be too bulky nor extremely short. Hence, the purpose of notes should always be tied in mind. Also never forget to update from time to time.

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7. Avoid exploring new topics before one month:

Before 30 days of prelims should not be given to cover any new stuff unless it’s excessively and quite important. The month should be kept exclusively for revision. Mains can be taken along with Prelims but a proportion of time should be justified.

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8. CSAT must be taken very seriously:

Taking it lightly can cost a big toll. The people who are all-out novices to CSAT should maintain it at par with GS. But even the aspirants who are at a comparatively advanced stage should take it seriously. At Least past years’ papers should not be missed anyway.

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9. Prepare Current affairs from Civilsdaily

However, non-orientation preparation can destroy the entire purpose of Current Affairs. So, it’s important to carve and specify the boundaries. One standard Newspaper, one monthly magazine, the gist of Indian Year Book, Economic Survey, Budget, PIB, and Yojna should be on your platter of Current affairs. Joining an exclusive current affairs course is a good exercise.

Too much diversity in study materials will mess up your entire preparation and will bring anxiety and stress during the last leg of preparation.

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10. Smart Study under the guidance of an experienced IAS mentor

Even with numerous things pending, you still have a great chance to crack the UPSC exam. Nobody goes for this exam with the best preparation. It depends on how you put it on that paper. 

Some aspirants spend an indefinite amount of time researching the “best website” and the ‘best coaching material’, websites for current affairs, etc. as a result, they invest less time actually reading it.  Others have this perfectionist mindset that forces them to make copious notes and compilations from tons of material available in the market. Desist from this. Do your research for a day, but don’t decide on your sources, get a mentor and stick with it. You’ll do just fine.

Guys, If anything the most pivotal round in the UPSC exam exists, it’s nothing but the prelims. Because it is such an elimination attack on your confidence, where the dream of many IAS aspirants comes to an end unexpectedly. 90% of candidates encounter failure in UPSC Prelims in their first or second or even the fifth attempt. 

Important Links:

IAS Syllabus

UPSC exam Pattern

The prelims are the first phase of the Civil Services exam but are not necessarily the easiest. In addition, there is no fixed, deterministic path to success in this highly subjective, uncertain exam. 

So, the foremost weapon to smash prelims is your confidence. So, don’t forget to enjoy your Preparation. 

After mentoring 5000+ aspirants, and a thorough analysis of the previous year’s papers, their nature, and the way it keeps on mutating/evolving, Civilsdaily faculties have devised the 7 most effective steps to Start preparing for UPSC Prelims Step by step.

Step 1: Mock Tests, Mock Tests and Mock Tests

There are no shortcuts. Only smart work with the most probable questions works for you. And for it one or more than one mock test series for UPSC prelims is the need of time. To clear prelims is not only a challenge but also a mind game, a game to recognize the right. Let’s know how mock tests will help you:

• Solving tests or mock papers is with the intent to find out the gaps in our preparation
• How to deal with unfamiliar MCQs by using TIKDAM (Intelligent Guessing)
• Coming to know about subjective gap.
• When to start coding on OMR sheet.
• Remembering topics as per questions
• The solution of a good test series is always provided with short notes. (Highly effective for quick revision)
• Tests series give you a chance to gauge your accuracy

So, for prelims, reading only books, magazines, practicing free All India Mock test, compilation, Etc. is not enough.

Step 2: Prioritize the basics of the conventional subjects like History, Polity, Economy, Geography.

Instead of rigorous studies, studying smartly is the ideal way. What does studying smartly mean? It means understanding the nerve of the exams and adjusting to it accordingly. Around 60% questions comes from the basics of social science subjects. So, please don’t touch-and-go with these subjects.

Step 3: Gauge your first step preparation with the previous years’ questions for static subjects.

UPSC prelims is not a game of luck. To boost your Prelims preparation, Start doing from the 1st day:

• Invest 60 days to analyze PYQs for static topics. And whenever you open book, read with those questions perspectives.
• Don’t forget to prepare previous 7 years’ CSAT papers with multiple time to time revision.
• Count & take a note of how many questions are coming from a particular chapter of a subjects.

Step 4: Maintain firm consistency

Whether it’s UPSC prelims or mains, it’s an exam of consistency & improvement. So, continue your journey with firm consistency. Okay, you got some simple steps to follow:

• First 60 days, invest time in PYQs, and mark chapters accordingly.
• Second 60 days, Read those chapters vigorously and make short notes as per PYQs trends.
• Now you are fully prepared to join test series. Attempt a test and revise from your books and notes.
• Don’t start new chapters before 1 month of prelims, if it’s not extremely important from exam point of view.

Step 5: Take Mock Tests with 1-1 personalized mentor’s support.

If you cover all the points we discuss above, now get in touch with a mentor. Because, only a mentor can point out what you mightn’t even thought before.

If it happens that you have completed your 12th standard. And now the dream of becoming a dynamic IAS or IPS officer does not let you sleep. Trust me, you are made for UPSC.

Each day, Civilsdaily gets bombarded with queries related to these careers. It’s witnessed that UPSC is dreamed more from the penultimate year of school life. So, if the fire of becoming an IAS or IPS officer started burning inside you, let’s explore those allies which lead you to LBSNAA. 

IS IT POSSIBLE TO BECOME AN IAS OFFICER AFTER 12TH?

Dear, It is not possible to become an IAS officer after 12th standard qualification! To become an IAS officer, you must have Graduate Degree from a recognized University/Institute! But, you can apply for the CSE exam conducted by the UPSC while in your final year of graduation.

So, the essential eligibility criteria required to sit for the exam is – the candidate must possess Graduate Degree from a recognized University/Institute!

So technically, 12th passed students can’t appear for this exam right after 12th. They must complete Graduation first. After completing the Graduation program successfully, they may take a shot and CSE and become an IAS officer thereafter!

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YOU CAN PREPARE FOR UPSC AFTER 12TH THOUGH!

Guys, you have to remember a simple saying- “Winners start early”. To become an IAS officer you have to dream first and that dream transforms into beliefs and beliefs result in action. You cannot change your future, but, you can change your habits, and surely your habits will transform you into an IAS/IPS officer. UPSC is a vast ocean to cross & one can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water. It’s seen that 90% of toppers start their UPSC preparation in from the very beginning of their college life. They had to focus on 7 components:

• Direction
• Discipline
• Consistency
• Value addition
• Evaluation
• Motivation
• Mentor

You mustn’t wait for the opportunity, you should create it. Start cultivating the qualities as soon as you can.

Acknowledging the need to choose subjects in graduation, to ensure clearing UPSC with your graduation degree, many young IAS and IPS officer advised to start just at the ending of school life. Because, bigger things always start with small steps.

So, the determined budding aspirants may start UPSC CSE preparation after the 12th though. Well, preparation can be started well before reaching the 12th standard too! You may start off UPSC CSE preparation by focusing on current affairs, making notes (related to current affairs), and reading newspapers daily.

How to Start Preparation for UPSC after 12th?

• Adequate time to prepare for civil services. Find out about the life of a civil servant or a diplomat. If possible, talk to an IAS officer and get to know about ground realities straight from the horse’s mouth. Ask yourself, is this what you truly want? If your answer is ‘yes’, go ahead…
• You are already in the habit of learning, evaluating.
• Take up a graduation course that involves history and polity. These subjects are of immense importance to the UPSC syllabus.
• During your graduation, study these subjects well keeping in mind the UPSC syllabus.
• If you would acquire a level of mastery in these subjects, you can also opt one of them as your optional subject.
• Also, start reading public administration, economics, etc. You can even study these subjects as your main subject, all depending on your interests and aptitude.
• Don’t lose touch with basic maths that you learned in school. This is needed for the CSAT paper in the IAS Prelims. Read more about IAS exam pattern.
• Remember to study like an IAS aspirant and not a bunking college student. 
• Make use of your college library. Read as many relevant books as possible.
• Inculcate the habit of reading the daily newspaper and keep abreast of the latest happenings in the country and the world.
• Work on your interpersonal skills and communication skills. Try to develop a good personality that would help you in the IAS interview later. 
• Don’t throw away your school NCERT textbooks. These are the basic books to study for the UPSC exam.
• Learn how to make notes and start doing the same. 
• Practice previous years IAS question papers.

That means you won’t lack required time, energy, dedication, devotion, zeal and confidence

CSE ELIGIBILITY

IAS EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• All candidates must have as a minimum one of the following educational qualifications:
• A degree from a Central, State, or a Deemed university.
• A degree received through correspondence or distance education.
• A degree from an open university.
• A qualification recognized by the Government of India as being equivalent to one of the above

The following candidates are also eligible, but must submit proof of their eligibility from a competent authority at their institute/university at the time of the main examination, failing which they will not be allowed to attend the exam:

• Candidates who have appeared in an examination, the passing of which would render them educationally qualified enough to satisfy one of the above points.
• Candidates who have passed the final exam of the MBBS degree but have not yet completed an internship.
• Candidates who have passed the final exam of ICAI, ICSI, and ICWAI.
• A degree from a private university.
• A degree from any foreign university recognized by the Association of Indian Universities

AGE LIMIT for IAS Exam

• The candidate must be between the age of 21-32 years (for the General category candidate) on August 1 of the year of examination. However, age relaxations die to exist for SC, ST, OBC, and Physically Handicapped candidates.
• For Other Backward Castes (OBC) the upper age limit is 35.
• For Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), the limit is 37 years.
• The upper age limit is relaxed for certain candidates who are backward with respect to other factors and physically handicapped (PH) people.

Still Confused about IAS Exam after 12th?

‘Every-rose-has-its-thorn’

Going to college and prepping for UPSC is not an easy task, Because UPSC is no doubt a higher bar to cross. But it can be achieved in the very 1st attempt if the direction of your dream is true.

Whenever you pick to start their preparation for the UPSC exam, you must be ready to devote ample amount of time towards IAS current affairs. Staying updated with the events of importance across the globe can keep candidates up to date with the developments in nations across the world.

When an aspirant decides to kickstart their preparation immediately after class 12th exams, they get good amount of time to understand and analyse the paper pattern and its standard. They get to apprehend the details not just of the two written papers but also of the IAS Interview, which is an critical part of the recruitment process.

Preparing for the UPSC exam is not a whimsical fancy. There isn’t a more opportune time to invest your rapt attention in UPSC preparation if you have a couple of years in hand.

UPSC IS NEVER EVER A TOUGH NUT TO CRACK. And for it need a goal-centric strategy.

A goal without proper planning remains a mere dream. AND THESE STATEMENT STANDS VERY TRUE IN CASE OF CIVIL SERVICES. IT IS NEVER ONLY LUCK THAT LEADS ONE THROUGH BUT HIS/HER DEDICATION , STRATEGY , PERSEVERANCE. The UPSC exam, being the toughest one in the country, requires more than just preparation. It requires what is called “strategic added preparation”. A ROUND 360 STRATEGY DRAWS A THIN LINE OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ASPIRANTS AND SMART ASPIRANTS. The latter becomes more productive with fewer inputs.

Important Links:

UPSC Syllabus

IAS Exam Pattern

Understand the UPSC’s requirements

UPSC civil service exam is neither like a board exam like CBSE or ICSE, nor a degree exam like PhD, etc. UPSC demands those talents who can serve the country, and do something for society. You have to be a ‘jack of all trades’ personality. Aside from academic knowledge, this necessitates an individual’s overall development. Even in academics, the emphasis should be on constantly acquiring information and insight into the latest happenings/current affairs in the country and beyond, rather than simply finishing the syllabus.

The syllabus is the king

Understanding the actual difference between CSE Prelims and Mains is that while the Prelims focus on recognition (of information) and require a comprehensive study covering a wide variety of topics, Mains need the ability to recall, analyze and express (ideas and information, including one’s own thoughts) properly which can only be done through an intensive study of the topic. Therefore it is very important to stay focussed and cover in-depth, the topics that you have picked for Mains and in doing so you have to match your skills with the subject at hand. Using the right approach and picking the right parts of the syllabus for the intensive study will not only help manage time but also garner more marks in the end.

Don’t read 10 books 1 time, instead revise 1 book for 10 times

The UPSC exam cannot be passed simply by being a bookworm.

A basic funda to have a grip on UPSC preparation is not to read multiple books on the same subject. Instead, read a book multiple times. Besides, limit your other resources also.

Solve PYQ papers as many times as you can

After coverage of a substantial portion of the syllabus, the first attempt of the static part (Prelims & Mains) PYQs must be attempted. That will be your first small step & giant leap for concrete preparation. Past year papers should be like a radar of preparation that provides direction and orientation to your preparation. Apart from enhancing your knowledge base, last year’s papers help in forming your mental outlook. This increases your common sense and helps you in eliminating options in prelims.

Attempt 1 mock test per month

To find your preparation gaps, one mock test in an interval of 30 days is essential. After coverage of a substantial portion of the syllabus, a decent number of mock tests must be attempted. The number of mocks should be reasonable. Too many tests would precious energy and too few numbers would go you unprepared. Mocks should be given in an exam-type environment only. Joining only one standard Test Series would be a wise idea. Post Test analysis with a mentor is a must exercise. High performance should not bring elation and poor performance should not bring frustration. Just run the race to continuously improve yourself.

Focus on the 4 pillars: strategy, consistency, Confidence, and Time Management.

Success does not lie in Results but in Efforts, Being the best is not so important, Doing the best is all that matters. 

Strategy: don’t follow toppers blindly. Listen to them, understand the ‘pain & aggitate’, and devise your own flexible strategy that actually works for you. 

Time Management: It’s not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy about? Poor time management frequently leads you to stress and frustation. 

Consistency: The more you remain consistent, the more you can manage your time and energy effectively. It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It’s what we do consistently.

Confidenc: BORROW THE ‘CONFIDENCE OF THE STUPID’

I once heard the famous quote “….the intelligent people are full of doubts while the stupid one is full of confidence” by Charles Bukowski.

It can be proven to be great advice.

• Avoid acting like an intelligent one. It’s not good becoming intelligent and reading with confusion and doubts.
• Have confidence in what you can learn in your strategies.

Remember, doubt begets more doubts and confidence begets more confidence.

Grow the habit of  ‘critical thinking, ‘mark-leaving writing’

The personality test round is the final stage of the UPSC exam process. The UPSC board interviews the candidate to assess their personality and suitability for a service career. 

Divideyour answer writing into three sections – Basic, Intermediate and Advanced. 

Remember: millions of aspirants read the same book, materials. So, developing only a mark-leaving answer writing skill with relevant information can help you to beat cut throat competition.

Keep a safe distance from social media.

Yes, there is not restriction on using social media for a UPSC aspirant. But, you should use them and don’t let them use you anyway. All the toppers, in their candid interview, mentioned this.

Finally, becoming a UPSC hero is not an easy task. Right direction, determination, and the guidance are the warriors for such unpredictable journey. Don’t deprive yourself from the right guidance of experienced IAS mentors.