A goal without proper planning remains a mere dream. This is also true in the case of civil services. The Civil Service Exam, being the toughest exam in the country, requires more than just preparation. It requires what is called ‘strategy plus preparation.’ A good strategy for UPSC Preparation draws a thin line of separation between aspirants and smart aspirants. The latter becomes more productive with fewer inputs, whereas the former is less productive with more inputs.
UPSC Civil Services Exam consists of 3 stages: preliminary exam (objective), main exam (written), and interview (personality test). Every year, thousands of candidates work hard to clear the exam, but only a few lucky ones get through. Starting your UPSC preparation early is very important. Aspirants who are confused about when to start preparations for the UPSC should follow these points:
When preparing for the UPSC exam, it’s important to consider the following strategies based on your current situation:
1. Early Start (College Years):
- Pros: Starting early gives you more time to cover the extensive syllabus and allows you to balance your studies and exam preparation effectively.
- Activities: During this time, it’s beneficial to engage in activities such as reading newspapers, staying updated with current affairs, and establishing a strong foundation in subjects like history, geography, and polity.
2. After Graduation:
- Pros: Post-graduation, you can dedicate your full focus to UPSC preparation without the distraction of college exams. In case one is able to devote his complete time and energy in this phase one can complete UPSC syllabus in one year.
- Activities: It’s advisable to consider joining a coaching course, creating a solid study plan, and commencing intensive preparation for the exam. Intensive preparation would include daily coverage of the Hindu newspaper, coverage of standard books, coverage of optional subjects, and answer writing practice.
3. Working Professionals:
- Pros: As a working professional, you have the security of a job and can manage your expenses effectively. There shall be less stress in comparison with someone who is preparing full time.
- Challenges: Time management becomes crucial in this scenario. You may need to allocate your weekends and evenings for dedicated study sessions. On some days, you will be tied but still, keep up with the consistency and try to achieve your daily, weekly, and monthly targets.
Tips for All Aspirants:
- Start with NCERT Books: These books help build your basic knowledge base. Launchpad IAS has a special NCERT batch for students
- Make a Timetable: A good timetable helps in managing your time effectively. In UPSC preparation, time management is the most important tool. Try to make daily, weekly and monthly targets and keep one day in a week for revision purposes.
- Regular Revision: Keep revising what you learn to remember it better. The more you revise the better you will understand.
- Stay Updated: Read newspapers daily for current affairs, or join Launchpad IAS’s free newspaper classes to cover the whole newspaper effectively. These classes explain all-important articles extensively.
Starting early and being consistent is key to cracking the UPSC exam. Decide your starting point based on your current stage in life and plan accordingly. The sooner, the better. Good luck!
