The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams are considered as one of the toughest and most competitive exams in India. The exams are conducted every year to select the best candidates for the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others. To crack the UPSC exams, you need to have a strong foundation in general knowledge and a clear understanding of the pattern of the exams. In this post, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to prepare for the UPSC exams.
Step 1:
Know the Syllabus and Exam Pattern
The first step in preparing for the UPSC exams is to know the syllabus and exam pattern. The syllabus is divided into two parts – the preliminary exam and the mains exam. The preliminary exam is an objective-type test, while the mains exam is a subjective-type test.
Preliminary Exam: The preliminary exam consists of two papers – Paper I (General Studies I) and Paper II (CSAT). The questions in General Studies I are designed to test your general awareness and knowledge about current events, history, geography, economics, and politics. The CSAT paper tests your aptitude and skills in areas like comprehension, reasoning, decision-making, and problem-solving.
Mains Exam: The mains exam is a subjective-type test that consists of nine papers – two qualifying papers (Language papers), four general studies papers, one essay paper, and two optional papers. The optional papers are chosen by the candidates from the list of prescribed optional subjects.
Step 2:
Build a Strong Foundation in General Knowledge
The UPSC exams are not just about knowing the facts, but also about understanding the context and inter-linkages between various topics. Hence, it is crucial to build a strong foundation in general knowledge. Start by reading newspapers, magazines, and books on various topics. Focus on current events, political developments, and economic trends. Keep yourself updated with the latest developments in science and technology.
Step 3:
Choose the Right Books and Study Materials
Choosing the right books and study materials is critical to your success in the UPSC exams. There are many books available in the market, but not all of them are relevant or useful. Go through the syllabus and exam pattern, and select the books and study materials accordingly. Some of the recommended books for the preliminary exams are:
- General Studies I: NCERT books (from class 6th to 12th) for History, Geography, Economics, and Political Science. Lucent’s General Knowledge Manorama Yearbook
- CSAT: A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.Gupta
For the mains exam, it is recommended to use the following books:
- General Studies: NCERT books (from class 6th to 12th) for History, Geography, Economics, and Political Science. India Yearbook Economic Survey Yojana Kurukshetra Frontline The Hindu newspaper
- Essay Writing: The Art of Writing English Literature by K.P. Thakur Writing Effective Essays by S.C. Gupta
Step 4:
Follow a Time-table and Stick to a Schedule
Creating a time-table and sticking to a schedule is important to stay on track. It is recommended to allocate a sufficient amount of time for your preparations