UPSC is considered the most challenging exam in India. Millions of aspirants give this exam, and those with dedication who work hard. Success not only roots from hard work; multiple factors decide how you will perform in the exam.
The level of preparation you need to have is sometimes beyond limits. To ace your exam, you need to choose the best UPSC study material online accordingly. And here are the best tips that you can do at your end for cracking UPSC
How to Prepare for UPSC?
The Union Public Service Commission is an exceptional recruiting body that conducts recruitment examinations for All India services and group A & group B of Central services.
They select the best candidates for the posts under Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), etc. UPSC exams are executed in three main successive stages, i.e., Preliminary, Mains, as well as Interview
The first and foremost success mantra you should remember for UPSC exams is persistence and determination. With these in mind, it’ll become a lot easier to get your preparations done.
- Meticulous Research
Gearing up for one of the trickiest competitive exams is a challenging task. To begin imparting the mantra on how to prepare for UPSC, the most vital tip is that you must carry out extensive research on its pattern, syllabus as well as practice guides.
Further, inspect the insights from UPSC toppers which will assist you in discovering the right track for your preparation. Once you have finished your research, the next step is to develop a study plan and timeline and stick to it throughout your preparatory phase.
- Choose Optional Subjects Wisely
Another prominent piece of advice recommended by many IAS toppers on how to prepare for UPSC is the meticulous selection of optional subjects. There are optional subjects available for these exams, which candidates can select as per their area of interest. While opting for these topics, make sure that you are familiarized with the domain you are selecting. Generally, it is urged to select those subjects in which you have done the graduation or have expertise.
- Read a Newspaper Every Day
Staying updated with current affairs is also prime preparation advice. If you are analyzing the best preparation strategies on how to prepare for UPSC, reading one newspaper daily is a typical one you will find. The most famous one for government exams is the Hindu newspaper which is renowned for its commendable wording and writing style as well as analytical editorials.
You can find its digital edition as well as a hard copy. Some of the other newspapers are Indian Express, Navbharat Times, and Dainik Bhaskar, amongst others. Not only will these help you comprehend the major current events, but they will also enhance your writing style and vocabulary. The significant competitive exam magazines you can subscribe to include India Yearbook, Yojna, Kurukshetra, Civil Service Times, etc.
- Practice Mock Test Series
You can find a surfeit of previous year’s question papers and mock test series online curated, especially for government exam candidates. These mock test series will aid you in understanding how self-assessment is an important factor you need to instill in your study routine to prepare for UPSC effectively.
Practice mock tests will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and comprehend which subjects you are good at and the ones you need to work on.
- Familiarize Yourself With the Basics of History, Political Science & Geography
NCERT books for UPSC are amongst the best study material for UPSC. Make sure to go through the NCERT history books of 11th and 12th to accustom yourself to the notional basics, as these are the best exam manuals on how to prepare for UPSC.
Moreover, you can select from various books to learn the basics of different topics covered in classes 6th to 12th. Since Political Science, Geography, and History shape an important facet of the UPSC syllabus, there are many other preparation handbooks you can opt for.
- Timely Revision
Don’t leave your preparation for tomorrow. Until the final exam day, you must follow a persistent strategy towards integrating timely revision of your notes. Make sure to go through all the significant topics and books while readying yourself for UPSC, and remember to take efficient breaks on a regular basis to let your mind preserve all you have memorized.
- Develop Answer Writing Skills
In an exam like the civil service mains, studying the syllabus is not the only crucial thing to do; how you pen the exam is what makes the most difference. No matter how much you study and prepare before the exam, how skillfully you are putting down the answers within three hours is what makes one topper.
Hence having a regular practice of essay/answer writing is highly essential. Assess yourself before UPSC evaluates you and compose proper analytical answers.
- Start Framing your Questions
Develop a habit of asking yourself questions and anticipating the questions that can be asked in the examinations. Keep a different notebook for your Current Affairs section and regularly update it with recent growths in the fields of Art, Polity, Economy, and Social Sector Initiatives.
This notebook will be your handbook for revision of current affairs which is now the most important aspect of your preparation.
- Maintain a Healthy Diet and Regular Sleep
Retaining good health during the course is an important requirement to excel in these exams. Late-night studies can hinder one’s circadian rhythm. But late-night studies are also unavoidable.
Therefore, following a healthy, regular diet must count among the topmost preferences for a CSE aspirant. If it is your first attempt, don’t let the apprehensions bring you down.
Conclusion
With the above-mentioned tips, it’ll become easier for an aspirant to prepare methodically and crack the UPSC with quite an ease. One should begin preparing months before the actual exam so that they would have enough time to learn and revise what they have learned.
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