Which Medium is Best for UPSC| Tips To Choose the Best Medium For UPSC IAS

Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, one of India's most challenging exams, requires meticulous planning and strategy. Among the myriad of decisions an aspirant has to make, a crucial one is selecting the medium of instruction. The question, "which medium is best for UPSC," often perplexes candidates. This can significantly impact their preparation journey and performance.

This article on which medium is best for UPSC delves into the factors that should be considered when choosing the medium for UPSC Exam preparation. It aims to guide aspirants towards making an informed decision that aligns with their strengths and comfort.

Also, read How To Become An IAS Officer Here!

What do the Numbers from LBSNAA Reveal About Which Medium is Best for UPSC?

The numbers from LBSNAA reveal a trend that English remains the dominant medium for successful UPSC candidates, with a significant percentage of toppers opting for it. However, regional languages also see a fair share of success, indicating diverse possibilities. This data does not merely follow trends. It underscores the importance of comfort and proficiency when choosing a medium for UPSC preparation.

• As per the LBSNAA Statistics, 15 of the 350 trainees passed the exam in Hindi and 329 in English in 2015.
• In 2016, 13 out of 377 officer trainees passed the Hindi examination, while 350 passed the English exam.
• Only eight of the 370 officer trainees took the Civil Service Examination in Hindi in 2018, compared to 357 who took the exam in English.
• Total 326 Civil Officials joined the Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in 2019. 315 of them passed the IAS exam in English, while only eight of them had taken their Civil Services Examination in Hindi.
• English is the most popular language among UPSC aspirants for both written examinations and personality test interviews.

Check out Which is the best pen for UPSC here.

Which Medium is Best for UPSC IAS Preparation?

The numbers from LBSNAA suggest that the maximum number of UPSC aspirants choose the English language as a medium for the UPSC IAS exam. It is true that the number of candidates who choose English as their medium of instruction for the IAS examination is increasing.

Here are the reasons why English medium is best for UPSC IAS Examination:

• The medium of the IAS exam should be chosen on the basis of the availability of resources. There is optimum availability of English books for subjects like Public Administration, Geography and Economy etc.
• Most coaching centres, online learning materials, and even books are accessible in English, but this is not the case for regional languages.
• The selection of English as the medium will also be useful in the Mains Essay and Compulsory English papers.
• Clearing UPSC requires a lot of work, and if you spend half of your time looking for or translating study material, it will have an influence on your preparation. Thus, choosing English as a medium will save a lot of time.
• The Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) was added to the CSE 2011 to assess candidates’ understanding, communication, and decision-making skills. However, it also evaluates aspirants’ English Language skills.
• If the aspirants have always studied in an English-medium school, it will naturally be the aspirant's first choice. It builds their mental capacity to think, write and talk in English.
• To prepare for interviews, aspirants need to read only a few publications, including English newspapers daily such as The Indian Express and The Hindu.
• Because students are studying for the written examination in English, they should not incur translation costs by opting a regional language in interviews. As a result, English becomes a safe choice for them.

Read the article on How to Improve English for the UPSC Exam!

How Does Testbook Help Aspirants Enhance Their Preparation for UPSC Exam?

Testbook provides comprehensive study material in the English Language for UPSC IAS Examination. General Studies have never been easier. Following are the Courses & Coaching provided by Testbook in English Medium: