Whatsapp 77039-67596 For Details
The UPSC Civil Services examination is one of the most prestigious and toughest exams in the world. Every year more than 8 lakh aspirants apply for this exam but only a few hundred of them can clear it. Its vast syllabus and dynamic approach make it even more challenging. In this article, we will discuss everything that you need to know on how to prepare for the UPSC exam and achieve your dream of becoming a civil servant.
Get Free IAS Topper Session
Get Free IAS Topper Session
"If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail." - Benjamin Franklin
The UPSC/ IAS Civil Services Exam (CSE) is a long journey that requires around 1-2 years of dedication during the preparation and around another year of the exam process which begins in May/ June and lasts till February/ March of the next year. Following are the steps you require to give a solid foundation to your exam preparation.
| Stage | Exam Type | Time | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | 2 Objective Type Papers | 2 hours for each paper | Qualifying Only |
| Mains | 9 Subjective Type Papers | 3 hours for each paper | 1750 |
| Personality Test | Interview | 20-30 minutes | 275 |
The UPSC Civil Services exam is conducted inthree stages. The first stage, the Preliminary Exam -is a qualifying exam with two objective-type papers.
Based on the total marks of the Mains Exam and the Personality Test, a merit list is prepared for selection in the Civil Services of India including IAS/IPS/IFS/IRS posts. The details are available in our Article ‘IAS Exam Pattern| UPSC Exam Pattern’.
| Stage | Paper | Syllabus | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | General Studies I | Current Affairs and General Studies | 200 |
| General Studies I | Aptitude & Reasoning | Qualifying | |
| Mains | Paper-I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper-II | General Studies – I (Indian Heritage & Culture, History & Geography of the World & Society) | 250 | |
| Paper-III | General Studies – II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations) | 250 | |
| Paper-IV | General Studies – III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Security & Disaster Management) | 250 | |
| Paper-V | General Studies – IV (Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude) | 250 | |
| Paper-VI | Optional Subject – Paper I | 250 | |
| Paper-VII | Optional Subject – Paper II | 250 | |
| Paper A | Indian Language from Schedule 8 | Qualifying | |
| Paper B | English | Qualifying |
The detailed syllabus for both the Preliminary and Mains stages is given in the UPSC notification and is also explained in our Articles ‘How to prepare for UPSC/IAS Prelims Exam?’,‘How to prepare for UPSC/IAS Mains Exam?’ and ‘Strategy to Crack UPSC Interview’.
By solving previous year's question papers of 5-10 years, you can develop a better understanding of the UPSC exam pattern and the types of questions that are asked. You can also identify the important topics that are frequently tested in the exam. This will help you focus your preparation on the most important areas.
The IAS/ UPSC Exam preparation requires extensive study in diverse subjects. The Prelims Exam is conducted in May/ June every year. Accordingly, one can estimate when to give their attempt keeping in mind the eligibility requirement (maximum age of the candidate) and the time they have to prepare. Detailed eligibility criteria for the exam are provided in our Article ‘IAS, IPS Exam Eligibility’.
‘If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend six hours sharpening my axe.’ – Abraham Lincoln
There is no one-size-fits-all plan that will suit all aspirants. Based on the needs, educational background and abilities of a student, they need to prepare their plan. Inspiration can be taken from how previous toppers from your field/ or of your temperament have prepared. These topper’s preparation strategies are available on our ‘Topper’s Journey’ tab.
The plan will also depend on the time available for preparation. Some candidates are working professionals, some are college students, and some others take a drop year to focus completely on preparation. Choice of self-study or going for coaching/ test series should also be made at this stage. There are many affordable and accessible Study Courses available at Chahal IAS Academy to meet the needs of all kinds of candidates.
| Month | UPSC Prelims Exam | UPSC Mains |
|---|---|---|
| June- Aug |
|
Start preparing for your Optional Subject. |
| Sep- Dec |
|
|
| Jan- March |
|
|
| April-May |
|
|
If you only have one year to prepare then you will have to complete current affairs, standard books and answer writing practice all simultaneously. You should start with foundational subjects common for both prelims and mains. Also, it is crucial that you cover the newspaper daily and stay abreast with current affairs. In the next phase, it is important to revise the previous material as well as complete your optional along with other mains-specific topics. At this point, you should start taking tests for the material you have already covered to check conceptual clarity. Answer writing is also a crucial skill which you need to work on. As the Prelims exam comes close, for three months it is advised to test yourself regularly in exam conditions (i.e. from 9am to 11am) and also focus on the CSAT paper which has been very challenging.
| Year | Syllabus to be Covered |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Complete a study of standard books and optional subjects. Start reading the newspaper. |
| Year 2 | Focus on regular tests and answer writing. Systematically cover current affairs. Mock test practice and regular revisions. |
If you have two years to prepare for this exam, then you should start by focusing on the basics. Starting with NCERT books from classes 6-12 of subjects like History, Economy, Polity and Geography will provide you with a good foundation. In the first year, your goal should be to clear your fundamentals and pick up the habit of reading the newspaper. You can also get started with your optional.
In the second year, it is important to focus on the current affairs systematically. You should also start practising mock tests, do regular revisions and answer writing. You can complete and consolidate notes on all subjects so that you can ensure quick revisions. You can refer to the one-year plan given above for a more detailed course of action.
| Year | Syllabus to be Covered |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Familiarise yourself with the exam Begin reading NCERTs Starting with reading the newspaper. |
| Year 2 | Study Standard books Decide optional subject and start preparing it Keep abreast with the newspaper |
| Year 3 | Focus on regular tests and answer writing. Systematically cover current affairs. Mock test practice and regular revisions. |
‘Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.’– Jim Rohn
While having three years for preparation is ideal, it is necessary to have a plan to keep yourself on track in this long journey. You can start by understanding the requirements of the exam. At this stage, reading the newspaper is important from the perspective of creating a habit of newspaper reading as the content may not be as relevant for exams three years later. So, in the first year focus on basics by reading the NCERTs.
In the next year, you should systematically take up standard books and remember to revise the content you have covered. The art of notemaking will be essential to consolidate the information which you will read over three years. It is also valuable to identify the optional subject you will be going forward it.
In the third year, you should focus on finishing the study material and then doing rigorous tests and practice. A detailed year long plan has been provided above.
This is a big decision to take as you will invest around 2-4 months in optional preparation and you can find more details about this in our article‘How to choose an optional subject for IAS-UPSC Exam?’.
It is important for students to identify good resources and revise them repeatedly so that you get conceptual clarity. Basic books like NCERTS form the backbone of the preparation. Our article on ‘Comprehensive Reference Materials for UPSC- CSE Exam’ will give you a ready book list, curated by experts, to get started immediately.
Covering current affairs smartly is important to crack the Prelims Exam. Reading a newspaper and other current affairs material regularly is very important. ‘How to Start Current Affairs Preparation for IAS/IPS/UPSC Civil Services Exam’ will equip you to tackle this challenge.
Timelines and schedules are necessary to keep yourself on track in this very long journey. A daily study plan will help you manage your time effectively and avoid feeling overwhelmed. This plan should incorporate regular revisions and also focus on mock tests to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, regular answer-writing practice is essential for improving your skills.
‘How To Make Notes For Civil Services, UPSC/IAS/IPS Exam Preparation?’ is a quick guide to notemaking which is an essential skill for this exam.
It is important to take care of your mental and physical health during this challenging journey. The internet provides access to a vast amount of information, but it is important to be selective and avoid getting bogged down in unnecessary content.
The Civil Services Examination is conducted in three stages; Prelims, Mains, and Personal Interview. The minimum educational qualification required is graduation from the any recognized university in India. The age limit is 21-32 years (relaxation as per government norms) and the maximum number of attempts allowed is 6 for general category students
"The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do." — Michael E. Porter
Success in this examination depends on making the right decisions at the right times. Right Strategy and guidance play a very important role in the selection. A strategy is like a make or break factor that will determine your chances of selection in the IAS examination.
Book your Free Class
Book your Free Class
At last, I would say that "your limitation is only your imagination” and success doesn't come by remaining there in your comfort zone. So, go and grab this opportunity that you have got and make your parents, teachers proud of you, go and get the success as the world is yours. Like in the words of Swami Vivekananda "Arise awake and stop not till the goal is reached". Good luck……
If you have joined CHAHAL ACADEMY, just follow the curriculum of the batch, you will reach the destination. If you are starting on your own, begin by following the initial steps.
Impossible is nothing and neither is the Civil Services Examination
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN IN THIS ARTICLE?
SOME OF THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE WORKING PROFESSIONALS
IAS WITH JOB: MYTH VS REALITY
UPSC Civil Services Examination is considered an extraordinarily "arduous" task that can be cracked by people who are born toppers, those who study day and night (24x7 hours), and have no social life. For a working professional who is believed to have very little time to study, UPSC CSE is considered nearly impossible.
However, in reality, there lie several plus points for a working professional if he is preparing for the Civil Services Examination.
Dr. Shena Aggarwal, a former UPSC topper was working while preparing for UPSC, so it is neither new nor unbelievable for a working professional to understand that s/he can prepare well and better than others for the Civil Services Examination.
NO TIME FOR DEMOTIVATION:
A UPSC aspirant who is also a working professional would have a lot to do both professionally and academically. He would have no time to feel dull, lazy, pathetic, unpleasant, and other bad vibes which a full-time UPSC aspirant has to go through.
She/he would always be in work mode, filled with confidence, and always stay motivated. This way s/he can counter the most powerful factor which leads to several failures in the UPSC examination.
UPSC IS NOT A COMPETITION FOR THEM
A working professional would always see Civil Services Examination as a board exam rather than a tough competitive one. S/he would have no time to be afraid of the enormous numbers that sit for the CSE exam every year.
UPSC would always be a platform for them to unlock their hidden potential and study for the examination in a comprehensive manner. Their ultimate aim is to give their best to harness the best results. Therefore, they would give their least attention to unnecessary apprehensions.
THEIR HEART AND SOUL BELONGS TO THE CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION
Work is Worship. For a working professional who is also preparing for UPSC, study, and work, both are his/her topmost priority. He would always be very clear on why he wanted to clear the UPSC examination. S/he would always study with utmost dedication with no second thoughts or plans in mind. A working professional would always have a laser-like focus which is crucial to clear this examination.
NO WORRIES FOR A WORKING PROFESSIONAL
A working professional would be financially secure and independent. He would not have to worry about his future and does not have to be dependent on others for his daily bread. He has several backup plans in his lot so he can freely focus on his UPSC preparation with a positive attitude.
THEY CAN COMPLETE THEIR TARGETS IN TIME
Working professionals are skilled in meeting their targets on time. They can make use of this skill of theirs in meeting daily study targets in UPSC preparation and thus never feel left behind and burdened. This will keep away the unnecessary stress from him.
THEY HAVE A WELL-PLANNED STRATEGY
A unique strategy is a must-have to clear the UPSC examination. Working professionals excel in planning and organizing and thus finishing the task in time. They can apply the same in their UPSC preparation and devise a strategy suitable to their time constraints.
THEY VALUE TIME
Working professionals understand that they have a very limited amount of time for completing the entire syllabus. So, they try to utilize every minute they get for studying the most in the minimum amount of time.
NO DAYDREAMING
Working professionals are not unnecessarily concerned about the ranks, cadres, or services they will be allotted. So, their complete focus is on the preparation part.
A JOB BREAKS THE MONOTONY
Studying 24x7 becomes monotonous after a while. Efficiency keeps on decreasing year after year. Generally, 2 good attempts are given with full energy. It becomes difficult after it. If you are working you meet new people outside the UPSC universe and it helps in breaking the monotony and freshens up your mind. this way you can restart your UPSC journey with the same level of confidence.
UPSC CSE TIMETABLE/STUDY PLAN FOR WORKING PROFESSIONALS :
Everything above will work ONLY if one can spend at least 3–4 hours daily and 20–24 hours during weekends (Sat/Sun). The whole effort is to strike a balance between work and study.
Working and preparing at the same time can be a great fulfilling experience in life.