Learning the Ins and Outs of UPSC Exam Prep

Let's take a look at a foolproof five-step plan for passing the Civil Service Exam.  

First, make sure you are familiar with the test.

Second, fortify your base.

Third, improve your understanding

Fourth, try writing out some answers.

Five: Practice Exams and March Towards Finals

Now, let's take a close look at each of these stages individually:

The first step is to study thoroughly for the test.

It is essential to have a thorough understanding of the exam's specifics before beginning study.  

• To learn more about the UPSC test's content, format, timing, and eligibility requirements, read the UPSC test notification.  

• After that, grab some old exam papers and skim through them to get a feel for the types of questions that typically come up.  

• Spending some time on this activity now will save you a lot of time in the long run as you get ready.  

• Alternately, you can read the articles on our site to learn more about the exam's contents. You should also start perusing the newspaper around now. Read this article if you need help preparing for the UPSC newspaper reading exam.

In the second phase, you'll fortify your base.

No matter who you are or where you come from, you must have a firm grasp on the fundamentals of the subjects that make up the bulk of the UPSC curriculum.  

• In light of this, you should consult the NCERTs, which are available for free download from the NCERT website.  

• Have a look at them twice before taking notes, and then check out our NCERT collections.  

• On our Telegram Forum (cl_civils), you can obtain free copies of the NCERT collections we've compiled. Using these collections as a guide, prepare your notes concurrently. Find out from this list which NCERTs you should be using.

Third, bolster your existing body of knowledge with some tried-and-true tomes

After catching up on your NCERTs, it's time to broaden your education with the classics.  

• The linked article contains the complete booklist required for UPSC preparation.  

• Read each book at least twice, and then take notes by hand to use as a reference when it comes time to practice writing your answers.  

• To round out your education, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch video lectures on crucial topics.

In the fourth stage, you will revise your written responses.

For the UPSC Mains Exam in particular, it is crucial to practice writing answers and review old ones.

• Answer-writing practice comes after finishing a topic in the NCERT and other required texts.

• Before then, it's pointless because you'll have to rely on books to find the information you need.  

• Constantly revising is also crucial at this stage. The weekend is the perfect time to review all of the material you've covered during the week.  

Fifth, practice with simulated exams

Incorporate a mock test-based learning strategy two months before the preliminary exam. It's meant to simulate the pressure of taking a test. When you've adjusted to the environment, you won't feel as anxious about tests.

• Simulating a real exam by taking one online at the same time and reflecting on your results is a great way to prepare for it.  

• Locate your blind spots and review any material you may have forgotten.  

• As a bonus, it will help you relax on test day and perform at your best.

Strategies for Mastering Each Exam Section

Here is a comprehensive plan for passing the IAS exam that covers every topic. If you want to increase your chances of getting into this highly competitive program, you need to follow the recommended study methods.

Guide to Cracking UPSC: Politics and Government

• Recent years have seen a dramatic rise in the weight given to government policies in both the preliminary and final exam. The pattern is likely to persist. The questions are, for the most part, simple and can be easily answered with diligence.

• Questions are typically posed with reference to specific chapters in Polity. These include the Union Government, the Judiciary, Amendments, Local Governments, Federalism, and the Election Process, as well as FRs, FDs, and the DPSP, which all pertain to the Constitution.

• Few of the books on the market address recent constitutional changes. In order to acquire a thorough understanding of the Constitution's provisions (for instance, one should be familiar with the historical judgments of the Supreme Court of India, such as Triple Talaq, Right to privacy, Right to be forgotten, Adultery repealed, Aadhaar verdict, etc.), a regular practice of reading newspapers and magazines is recommended. )

Look at this page for the Polity microtopics and study guide.

How to Study for the UPSC Exams in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology

• There are four distinct subtopics here: technology and science; biology; chemistry; and physics.

• This part is notoriously difficult for students with a history in the arts. However, a thorough knowledge of Science, especially the NCERTs, can be of great help in answering the majority of the questions. Over the past 15 years, science and technology have risen to prominence as an integral part of general studies. Questions mostly pertain to events in India, reflecting the increased emphasis on current affairs.

• Recent research indicates that General Science questions assess students' overarching scientific knowledge and curiosity in

• This suggests that it might be useful to observe and participate in the science of everyday life. In the 2018 Preliminaries, for instance, there was a question pertaining to NAVIC. Thus, ISRO's future endeavors, such as Gaganyaan and other missions, assume a greater significance. As a result, one needs to develop a plan for setting priorities.

• Animal life is the main focus of Life Science. Botany is rarely questioned, especially in regards to agriculture, biological diversity, and plant system. Most of the time, zoologists are asked questions about the human body and various diseases. As important as other issues may be, communicable diseases and nutrition will always be at the forefront.

Have a look at the linked article to learn more about the specific topics and study methods for Science and Technology.

Third Steps to Take Before Taking the UPSC Exam: Economic and Social Progress

• Topics like population growth, poverty alleviation, social and economic inclusion, and other initiatives in the social sector are included.

• Questions in this field typically pertain to India's economy, but students also need to be aware of developments in international economics that have implications for the Indian market (like the impact of the recent trade war).

• Recent analysis of question volumes shows that inquiries are most frequently received in the areas of Industry, Agricultural Production, Exim Policy, Money and Banking, Public Finance, and Reforms. About a third to a quarter of the questions concern initiatives from the prior and current fiscal years. Additionally, there are areas such as economic reforms (government initiative in ease of doing business), infrastructure, and reform policies (e. g , RERA), which need to be attended to

• If you're concerned about your money and banking, it's important to keep an eye on financial and banking reforms(e). g , The Twin Balance Deficit Problem, Nonperforming Assets (NPAs), Bankruptcy Law, Bank Mergers, etc. )

• The landscape of this part of the language has changed dramatically over the past few years. The majority of the questions are of a contemporary nature, but they call for knowledge of more established areas of the Indian economy.

• The economic survey and spending plan must be strictly adhered to. Reading the Indian Economy textbook for Class XI by the National Council of Educational Research and Training is a good first step toward learning more about the topic.

If you want to learn more about the Economy and how to best prepare for it, check out the linked article.

Tip No. 4: Environment and Geography Exam Preparation for UPSC

• For the Preliminary exam, this is a crucial section that includes a substantial number of questions.

• In Indian Geography, the bare minimum is a familiarity with India's physical features and a firm grasp on the country's various geographic regions. It's useful for understanding the human and economic geography of India.

• The focus of General Geography is on abstract ideas. One resource that could prove useful is Goh Cheng Leong's "A Certificate Course in Physical and Human Geography."

• Modern events have greater bearing on world geography. Reading the daily paper while using an atlas to find your way around is more efficient.

• Included for the first time in the Preliminary exam is a section dedicated to environmental topics. It is important to keep up with the latest news and events in the fields of ecology and environment, as well as the initiatives and conferences that have been held, especially those that focus on protecting the country's and the world's biodiversity and ecosystem.

• Reading the appropriate NCERT Geography textbooks (from grades 6–12), supplementing with Goh Cheng Leong and making regular use of an atlas should be more than enough to satisfy most people's curiosity about the world's physical features.

Visit the links for more information on specific areas of Geography and the Environment.

#5 Tips for Studying History and Culture for the UPSC Exam

• It has been found through an examination of question trends over the past few years that while the total number of questions has been going down, the difficulty level has been going up. In recent years, questions have been posed that have never been asked before.

• The period between 1857 and 1947, which includes the uprising of 1857, social reform movements, Governor Generals, and national movements, is the focus of most of the questions asked in Modern History.

• Questions about the Vedic Era, the Mauryan Era, and the Gupta Era predominate in discussions of ancient India. The Sultanate and the Mughal Empires are the two most significant time periods in Medieval History.

• Increased focus in recent times has been on the Marathas, Vijaynagar, Bahmani kingdom, and South dynasties.

• The Indian cultural sphere has become increasingly significant. To do well on the Preliminary Exam, you must have an in-depth understanding of the historical progression of Indian culture, beginning in antiquity.

Examine the aforementioned links for more information on the specific areas of History and Culture.

Tip #6: How to Study for the UPSC Exam in Current Events

• The importance of current events in preparation for civil service exams has recently reached a peak. This factor's significance has grown steadily over the years.

• Events of national and international significance, multilateral developments, sports, and personalities from a variety of fields, along with awards, honors, and prizes, all fall under the umbrella term "current affairs," which is itself a vast subject area.

• Some of the questions on the current affairs section can also be classified as general knowledge questions.

• Consequently, it is a mistake to think that keeping up with the news and reading periodicals is all that's needed to answer such concerns.

• Finally, it's easy to draw the conclusion that GS is manageable if one takes the time to organize their approach.

Learn more about the relevance of the news and how to get ready for it here.

Number Seven: Tips for Studying for the UPSC CSAT Exam

• The second section of the exam will test candidates' general mental ability and reasoning skills.

• There has been a varying pattern in the total number of questions required for General Mental Ability, correlating with an increase in the level of difficulty. Additionally, questions are being asked from previously unanticipated areas, making preparation more challenging.

• Take note that a passing score of 33% is required to qualify for this paper. A candidate will not be considered for selection if their score is below 33 percent.

• The paper also contains comprehension and reasoning questions. For a high grade, all you need to do is study past exam papers and sample questions.

To help you get ready for the UPSC exam, we’ve put together this quick guide. Read the linked article for a CSAT study plan. In addition, by clicking the link, you can learn how much each UPSC subject is worth. Here, we'll discuss the benefits of using UPSC Online coaching to study for the IAS exam.

The benefits of UPSC online coaching

When it comes to getting ready for the UPSC, Career Launcher's online UPSC coaching is where it's at. The UPSC Online Coaching offers a number of advantages, including but not limited to:

• You can save time by not having to leave your house to study for the UPSC exam, which will allow you to focus on your studies rather than wasting time commuting.
• Skilled instructors: We can always benefit from having someone shine a light ahead of us. With the assistance of Career Launcher's UPSC Online Coaching, you can gain access to qualified instructors whose knowledge will aid you in passing the UPSC examinations.
• All of your live sessions will be recorded, so you never have to miss a lecture again.
• Test Series: One of the most important aspects of UPSC Preparation is taking mock exams, and with Career Launcher's UPSC Online Coaching, you will have access to the All India Mocks so that you can compare your results to those of students all over the country.

Check out the aforementioned article for further details regarding UPSC Online Coaching.

Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam: Where to Begin

Join our expert mentor for a free session on how to get started preparing for the UPSC's Civil Service Exam.