Early Stage of UPSC Preparation
A common query among IAS aspirants is, “When should I commence my civil services exam preparation?” A general guideline is to initiate your UPSC exam preparation at least a year prior.
Here are few tasks to undertake in the early stage:
- Familiarize yourself with the UPSC syllabus .
- Study NCERT textbooks.
- Develop the habit of daily newspaper reading.
Reviewing the UPSC syllabus will give you an understanding of the breadth of the topics you need to master. Based on this, you should formulate a study plan and adhere to it.
Start with the basics. The best way to do so is to study NCERT books . They are an invaluable resource for the UPSC civil services exam.
At this stage, you should also begin reading a daily newspaper. 'The Hindu' is highly recommended for IAS preparation. Reading the newspaper is crucial as current affairs constitute a significant portion of the UPSC exam. Each year, numerous questions are directly sourced from current affairs. Additionally, many subject-related questions are linked to current events.
CSAT Preparation
The CSAT paper in the prelims exam is a qualifying paper. You need to score at least 33% in this paper. You can complete CSAT preparation 2 months before the exam. Most of the sections, such as comprehension, logical reasoning, numerical ability, etc., would have been covered in school. However, you should evaluate your own abilities and prepare accordingly.
Candidates can refer to the relevant links given below to prepare for the UPSC exam-
Intermediate Stage of UPSC Preparation
In this phase, you should gear up for the prelims, mains (including the optional subject). This stage entails extensive writing practice. The prelims exam would be scheduled towards the beginning of this phase. Subsequent to this, you should continue reading the daily newspaper and making notes of current affairs. Additionally, don't neglect revision. This phase will be more intense, hence, you must exhibit sincere dedication towards your goal.
Final Stage of UPSC Preparations
The concluding phase of your UPSC preparation commences once you have covered the UPSC syllabus. This is also a time for self-reflection. You should attempt mock test papers to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Focus on improving your weak areas and maintain the momentum till the actual exam. Also, continue with your revisions till the last few days.
It's crucial to stay motivated and focused throughout the UPSC civil services exam preparation process. Although the journey is long and arduous, the reward is certainly worth the effort.
For the convenience of candidates, UPSC exam related links are provided below.
