Many people believe that the UPSC CSE Exam is incredibly difficult to pass, requiring years of preparation and immense perseverance. But is it really that challenging to succeed in the IAS Exams? The truth is, clearing this exam is indeed a tough challenge, but the satisfaction of achieving it becomes even greater when you overcome the obstacles.

Now, let's understand what UPSC CSE is. It stands for Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Exams, which is a national-level competitive examination. The exam is conducted in three stages: UPSC Prelims, UPSC Mains, and UPSC Board Interview. As you progress through each stage, the difficulty level increases.

The UPSC Exams have a vast syllabus that requires extensive study across various disciplines. With a success rate of less than 1%, it's demoralizing to know that only the top applicant from the entire nation is selected due to the way the IAS Exam selection procedure is designed.

However, while the exam is undoubtedly challenging, it is not impossible to crack. With dedication, the right plan, and guidance, you can pass the exam easily. It's essential to establish specific routines and stick to them during the preparation process.

So, how can you crack the UPSC CSE on your first attempt? Let's take a look at the strategies:

Understand the Syllabus: The key to successful preparation is having a strong grasp of the syllabus. The UPSC Civil Services Exam has an extensive and detailed syllabus, which can overwhelm many aspirants. But if you understand the nature, simplicity, and breadth of the curriculum, it becomes easier to know what to focus on and what to skip. Keep a copy of the syllabus handy throughout your preparation to ensure you don't miss any sections or topics.

Review Previous Year's Question Papers: Analyzing previous years' question papers can help you identify the ideal reading sources and understand the types of questions asked. It also provides insights into the areas that receive more emphasis in the exams. By breaking down the topics into subtopics and revisiting the exam questions, you can gain a better understanding of the question patterns and trends. Additionally, some questions from previous years might be repeated, so it's beneficial to be familiar with them.

Focus on Current Affairs: Stay updated with current affairs as it is a mandatory topic in the UPSC exams. Current affairs and contemporary issues are crucial aspects of the syllabus. Read a newspaper and a magazine daily to keep yourself informed. "Focus" magazine from Rau's IAS is highly recommended for its quality coverage of current affairs.

Take Notes: Make it a habit to take notes of whatever you read, be it news articles, current events, or topics covered in coaching. Note-taking aids in learning and retaining information effectively. Create structured and theme-based notes for efficient revision of the extensive syllabus. Mind maps, flow charts, and shortcuts can also enhance your understanding and memory. You can refer to NCERT notes for concise and precise information.

Coaching for the Civils: Choosing the right coaching partner is crucial for building a strong foundation for your Civil Services dream. Pay attention to the lectures and take notes during coaching sessions. Many coaching facilities also conduct mock exams that help assess your preparation level.

Start with NCERT: Begin your preparation by mastering the basics of each topic. NCERT books are excellent resources for gaining a comprehensive understanding of various subjects. UPSC primarily evaluates general knowledge and analytical abilities, so focus on building a strong foundation. Instead of referring to multiple books simultaneously, concentrate on a few recommended ones, including NCERTs. Quality matters more than the quantity of books.

Introspect: Develop the habit of connecting different aspects of a subject or topic with other related issues. Cross-questioning helps prepare you for interviews and enhances your overall knowledge. When you come across a news story, try to relate it to the topics covered in textbooks. This approach strengthens your memory and facilitates recall during exams and interviews.

Talk Out Loud: Engage in discussions with family, friends, or anyone around you. Ask questions and discuss solutions to problems. This activity boosts your creative thinking skills and helps you solidify your understanding of the subject matter.

Choose the Right Optional Subject: Many candidates struggle with selecting the optional subject. Instead of relying solely on others' recommendations, choose an optional subject that you feel confident and comfortable with. Consider your interest, availability of reading material, and prior knowledge or training in the subject.

Harness the Power of the Internet: The Internet is a valuable tool to stay updated with current events and gather information. Choose reliable sources and focus on a single source rather than multiple ones. Consistency is more important than excessive information from various sources.

Make your 1st attempt the final attempt: Instead of going through the process multiple times, why not give your best in your first attempt? Dedicate yourself to thorough preparation and hard work. Put in all your efforts to achieve the required score, ensuring that your endeavours for that year don't go in vain.

Give it Your Best: Integrate, supplement, and complete everything necessary to pass the exam on your first attempt. Prepare for the Prelims based on the Mains syllabus since the Prelims syllabus is a subset of the Mains. Cover the entire curriculum before the Prelims and focus on revision during the last two months before the exam.

Avoid Overdoing: To excel in one test, you don't need to attend multiple coaching facilities or study numerous books on a single topic. Good preparation requires a maximum of two reliable sources. If one source lacks any information, the other can compensate for it.

Revise: Regularly revise what you have learned. For the Prelims, go through the current affairs of recent years thoroughly. Take comprehensive notes, emphasize key elements, and rewrite them. More reading isn't necessary, but reviewing what you have already studied is crucial.

Connect the Dots:

Current affairs play a vital role in the Civil Services Examination. Try to link the various topics and ideas you encounter in your daily newspaper readings.  Make connections between theoretical knowledge and real-world events.

In conclusion, the UPSC exam is undoubtedly tough, but it is not impossible to crack. By following the strategies mentioned above with determination and perseverance, you can clear the exam on your very first attempt.