Standing at the base of this mountain, looking up at its peak with an admixture of excitement and anxiety, will remind you that climbing this peak could lead one to one of the most dignified careers in India—as an IAS, IPS, or IFS officer. You know the peak is long, steep, and full of challenges. Where do you start? Here’s a beginner’s guide to help you take the first steps in your UPSC preparation.
- Understanding the Exam Structure
Though the preparation part is yet not begun, understanding what the UPSC Civil Services Examination has in store will be of extreme importance. The examination consists of three successive stages:
- Prelims: This is an objective-type exam with two papers—General Studies Paper I and Civil Services Aptitude Test. It is a qualifying stage, and only those who clear it go to the Mains.
- Mains: It is a descriptive written test with nine papers, and the marks from seven of them will count for your final rank.
- Interview: Your personality, knowledge, and communication skills analyzed in front of the panel.
Knowing this structure will again help in planning of the preparation accordingly and most importantly knowing what is relevant and where.
- Begin with Basics: NCERTs
The first step would be the NCERT books which stand for National Council of Educational Research and Training. The books from class 6 to 12 provide the basics covering various aspects like History, Geography, Polity, Economy, and Science. They are lucidly written and sometimes called the very base of UPSC preparation. The initial months should be book-driven. Read these books till you know them by heart. They will not only give a rock-solid base but also help you understand higher-level materials with relative ease in the future.
- Keep Yourself Updated With Current Affairs
Current affairs constitute the backbone of the UPSC examination process. From the Prelims to the Interview, you are going to face questions on this front on national and international happenings. Keep yourself abreast of the latest news by developing a daily habit of reading newspapers. The most popular reads among students are The Hindu and The Indian Express. Apart from newspapers, go through monthly current affairs from magazines like Yojana, Kurukshetra, and EPW. Make notes of the most important happenings in the form of events, policies, issues, and keep revising them.
- Choosing the Right Optional
The optional subject is the game changer in Mains. It consists of 500 marks out of the total 1750, so choosing the right one is important. The decision will have to be based on interest in the subject and how far it shares topics with the GS papers, material, and guidelines available in the subject. Subjects like Public Administration, Sociology and Geography prove popular, for the very reason that they are relatively easier to grasp, and have good study materials available. However, it is important to take up a subject that you will enjoy studying, for it shall be with you for a long time.
- Make a Study Schedule
An effective study plan is the essence of good preparation. First, break down the syllabus into manageable chunks. Divide time for each subject accordingly, based on its importance and time requirements, and adhere to your routine. She says, “‘It’s about balance, not paying more attention to one thing more than another.’ It is not about how many hours you study but about the regularity. Even if you study for less number of hours, stick to it and remain focused.
- Practice Answer Writing
The main exam is all about how you express your knowledge through writing. Even if you know everything, poor answer writing can pull you back. Start practising answer writing as quickly as you can. You might find it hard at first, but practice will teach you how to express your thoughts clearly and precisely. If possible, do join a test series. That will help you develop the habit of writing answers in time and getting feedback on your performance.
- Keeping Motivated and Looking After Yourself
The UPSC journey is long, and there can be times when one’s experiences are all too overwhelming. Keep motivation levels high; always remember the goal in the end. Do have positive influences around you: a study group, mentors, and even books or videos that are motivational. At the same time, look after your physical and mental health. Regular physical exercise, a balanced diet, and good sleep are necessary to be energized and focused during your entire preparation.
- Use the Right Resources
And finally, have the right study material. Apart from NCERTs and newspapers, you must have standard reference books such as Laxmikant for Polity, Spectrum for Modern History, GC Leong for Geography, and Ramesh Singh for Economy. For current affairs, websites like PIB, and PRS India can be useful.
