How can one maintain consistency while preparing for the UPSC Civil Services examination? It's intriguing to explore the factors that contribute to success in this challenging endeavour. Interestingly, it has been observed that an aspirant with an average academic track record can excel in this exam through consistent effort, while highly intelligent individuals with a remarkable memory and academic achievements can fail if they lack consistency.

Paradoxically, a certain degree of inconsistency is necessary to comprehend and appreciate life better, particularly during normal circumstances. However, when it comes to the UPSC Civil Services examination (which is far from ordinary), or any competitive exam for that matter, consistency in how, what, and where you prepare becomes crucial. These exams are competitions where individuals must maximize their chances of achieving the highest scores in all stages, be it the prelims, mains, or personality test, in order to secure a position in civil services. To increase their chances, candidates must improve their knowledge and skills to meet the demands of the exam and surpass the level of competition they face. Improvement can only occur through making mistakes, understanding them, and avoiding repetition.

The individual who makes the most mistakes early in their preparation and demonstrates the most progress by the time of the exam stands the greatest chance of succeeding. Consistency plays a significant role in this journey. The more consistent you are in following and executing a plan, regardless of its perfection or imperfection, the better your chances of making more mistakes and learning from them.

Unfortunately, many aspirants are afraid of making mistakes. They yearn to produce perfect answers from day one, write flawless essays, and score the highest in preliminary mock tests. Any score that falls significantly below their expectations becomes a roadblock. This mentality often leads to failure and inhibits improvement.

To attain a level of competence, one must consistently work hard. Now, let's delve into the question of how to maintain consistency. It's relatively simple when you have a clear understanding of why you aspire to compete in this field. To remain consistent, it is essential to let go of worries about the future and focus on doing your best each day. Take it one hour at a time, one day at a time. Avoid contemplating the outcome without giving sincere efforts today. Many individuals are plagued by apprehensions about the prelims papers, interview boards, and the final results. Self-doubt hampers consistency, and fear of failure hinders both consistency and chances of success.

To avoid procrastination and quitting, which is common among individuals who fear underperformance, you must prepare your mind to face uncertainties daily and be ready to confront the worst. Not every day will be smooth sailing. Some days you will study exceptionally well, while on others, you may waste the entire day. It's alright. Regardless of past setbacks, never give up, and work harder until to achieve grand success. Stay focused and best of luck.