Considered one of the most prestigious exams in India, lakhs of people attempt the UPSC exams every year. However, only a handful are able to top UPSC in the first attempt.
The UPSC exams are tough and cannot be completed by only finishing the syllabus as the last round involves a personality test round and therefore the preparation of UPSC exams involves an all-round preparation.
To ease the process, we have prepared a concise list containing the essential tips and tricks for UPSC. We are sure that these tips from IAS toppers and #1 rank holders of UPSC examinees would help you to crack IAS exams easily.
1. Do your homework
It is essential to start your journey by preparing yourself. It is essential to develop a timetable that will help you to devote your time to studies and other miscellaneous chores effectively. Next, understand the UPSC exam pattern and the syllabus you need to cover in the following months. Making the timetable will help in streamlining your work and helps in achieving the deadlines faster.
2. Current affairs, NCERTs and choosing optionals
UPSC exams have a vast syllabus but are definitive. However, you have to keep abreast with the latest current affairs. It is important to develop the habit of reading the newspapers daily as questions asked in the exams are majorly related to current affairs.
As you start preparing for UPSC, studying for NCERT exams plays an important role. NCERT books from standard six to twelve help in clearing the basic concepts and theories. As the source of information is the government itself, NCERTs are reliable and present the information coherently. Statistics have revealed that often questions have been directly asked from NCERT.
Now coming to choosing optional, it is important to acknowledge that optional subjects account for 500 marks, therefore, it is important to choose the optionals carefully. When choosing optional, you can consider factors like your interest in that particular subject, prior knowledge of the subject and availability of the study materials both online and offline.
3. Polish your skills
UPSC main exam papers are descriptive and emphasize on your writing skills. The questions are developed to gauge your analytical, communication and critical abilities. The answers help in conveying your clarity and your ability to organize your thought processes flawlessly within the stipulated time.
You will have to produce quality answers in minimum words within the given time constraint. The key to writing a good answer lies in practice. You can start preparing the answers by making notes. Making notes will not only help in building your writing skills but also acts as an important study tool. Since the syllabus is vast, making notes tracks your progress and serves as a guide for revision.
You can also solve previous year's question papers to get an overall gist. Solving the questions within a stipulated time will act as a valuable tool for self-assessment.
As mentioned earlier, the final stage for UPSC exams is a personality assessment interview. It is therefore, important to improve your communication, diplomatic skills, presence of mind and analytical skills. You can watch videos of interview rounds online or read their stories to understand what you should prepare for the round.
4. Study Resources
Apart from NCERTs and solving previous year question papers, writing mock tests, utilizing government resources for UPSC and revising can help in cracking UPSC in the first attempt.
Mock tests help in self-assessing and also guides your approach to the exams. If you are preparing from home, it is recommended to join a mock test series from any institute near you.
You can also take help from government resources like government websites (national television programmes, PRS, PIB) and relevant magazines like Kurukshetra, Yojana can provide important information on current affairs. Revision in regular intervals can also help in retaining information effectively.
Preparing for UPSC exams can be draining and exhausting. Candidates often isolate themselves to prepare for the exams, taxing their physical and mental well being. Therefore, it is extremely important to take breaks continuously and talk with your close ones when the going becomes tough. A mentor can also help you through these times. You can build a network of peers whom you can fall back upon. The key is to remain positive even during overwhelming conditions. Staying consistent and inputting your hard work constantly will help you ace the exams with flying colors.