Without enough planning, a goal is little more than a fantasy. In the case of civil service, this is also true. The Civil Service Exam, as the country’s most difficult exam, demands not only just mere preparation but something more than that. It necessitates what is known as “strategy plus preparation.” Aspirants and clever aspirants are separated by a thin line drawn by a sound plan. The latter does not need a lot of inputs to be productive, whereas the former, even with more inputs, isn’t that much productive.

There are three stages in the UPSC Civil Services Exam:

  • An objective-type preliminary exam
  • A written main exam
  • An interview or personality test

Numerous candidates put in a lot of effort every year to pass the exam, but only a handful is successful. Those who are unsure where to begin their UPSC preparations might consider the following:

Knowing the syllabus is the key:

A thorough understanding of the syllabus’s nature, scope, and clarity are required for adequate preparation. In addition, it aids in determining what should be read and what should be avoided. Because the exam questions are always from the syllabus, keeping a constant check on the syllabus is essential.

Make a preparation strategy: 

Before you begin your preparation, you must develop a clever strategy that considers the specifics of each phase you must complete. A proper approach is a detailed plan that outlines what you’ll do, how you’ll do it, and what resources you’ll need.

  • Choosing an optional subject:

As the experts of UPSC Coaching in Delhi would tell you, the optional selection is an essential aspect of the preparation process. Instead of looking at others, you should choose based on your preferences. You must understand the subject you have selected as an optional.

The subject’s success is primarily determined by the students who opted for it. There is nothing like an easy or difficult subject; it all depends on how comfortable you are with it.

So choose wisely and choose a subject in which you can excel and justify your choices with comfort and ease.

What study material should I choose?

Choosing study materials is a difficult undertaking that necessitates expert advice. Therefore, it’s always better to start your preparation by learning the fundamentals of the subject. The NCERT books are the best source for gaining clarity and a firm grasp on many subjects (from class VI-XII).

Concentrate on key concepts:

Instead of arduous studies, a smart study is the way to go. What does it mean to study wisely? It entails being aware of the exam’s nerves and adjusting accordingly. The critical principle of smart study is to read the material that is relevant to the exam.

Current events: 

Keep up to date with what’s going on in the world. In truth, current events and current challenges are the most dynamic regions. So go through one national newspaper every day and incorporate current events into all of the topics covered in the syllabus. You must also read some specialized periodicals, such as World Focus for International Relations, to cover some specific aspects of the syllabus.

Examine the pattern: 

Aspirants should review the prior year’s question papers. It aids in deciding the type of questions to be asked and locating the finest reading material. A review of the previous year’s papers aids in gaining a better knowledge of the syllabus. It also helps in identifying areas where additional questions have been asked. Candidates can benefit from practice tests. These tests assist all candidates in not just studying for the mains, but also in learning how to manage their time. Daily writing practice is essential. Take a newspaper editorial or a topic from the syllabus, create a question, and write an answer.

Make the most of your resources: 

In UPSC preparation, the utility of material obtained from newspapers or books is critical. You must be astute enough to fit a fact or piece of information into the best possible context—the Internet aids in keeping up with what is going on in the world. On the other hand, the Internet’s usability is something that candidates should take advantage of to add value to their preparation.

Concentrate on the keywords: 

After going through a topic numerous times, take small notes to function as an oxygen canister during exam days. Look for keywords when preparing for the exam and while taking it. Every question, for example, would have a question tag like “critically analyze” or “comment,” or “elaborate,” “discuss” and so on.

Most importantly, take care of your health: 

Last but not least, you must take excellent care of your health. It has to be part of your IAS/IPS plan. To stay healthy and retain stronger focus during study hours, one must go to the gym or exercise.

Conclusion:

Smart work is the key to success, no matter whatever field you want to go to. As a result, you must have a smart strategy to succeed in your UPSC exams. You can study your own or if you think you need expert assistance, look for the best IAS Coaching in Delhi available.

There is no hard and fast rule that you must get to a coaching institute to pass this exam. It’s all about your self-confidence. All the best!