Many doubts must be revolving around fresh aspirant’s head regarding IAS exam preparation. There will be a lot of questions like how to become an IAS officer, how to prepare for IAS etc. The aspirants often find Civil Services IAS Exam a hard nut to crack. To crack the IAS Exam in the first attempt, the aspirant needs the right strategy and hard work.
In this article, we are clearing the common doubts regarding the UPSC IAS Exam and giving the success strategy as well as answers for IAS Prelims examination.
| Learn from the IAS Toppers to know what to do or what not to during your exam preparation!!
Complement your preparation for the upcoming exam by checking the following links: |
Busting common doubts about the IAS Exam
The best way to crack civil services prelims exam is practical strategies and a positive mindset. The aspirants need not know everything under the sun to clear UPSC prelims, but most important is knowing the pattern and nature of questions asked by UPSC to crack this exam.
The IAS Notification contains all the information related to the recruitment process on a yearly basis. It is advisable to always refer to the latest notification, which is given in the linked article.
How will I divide my day?
Starting from the initial announcements of the exam date, candidates will only have a few months to begin preparation. So, each day is important each second is essential. Aspirants should divide their day like:
Time Slot Allotted for
| Early morning | Reading the newspaper and current affairs |
| Morning- Afternoon | General Studies Paper I |
| Afternoon -Evening | General Studies Paper-II |
| Evening – Night | Solving UPSC Â Previous year question paper |
| 2 hours before sleeping | Revision |
* Aspirants should include time for short breaks and leisure time accordingly. Study plan without break will put you under stress.
Read more |Â How to Make Time Table for UPSC Preparation
How many hours should I study?
It is ideal to study 8-10 hours. Aspirants should effectively utilize the time. For IAS Prelims, one should study up to 8-10 hours, including solving previous year question paper etc. aspirants should know in which subject they are weak and should allow more time accordingly. If they are good at CSAT, then they can spend only 2 hours on it and can allow remaining time for another subject which they are weak. Â
How can I beat boredom?
The diversity and wide UPSC syllabus for IAS Exam scare the aspirants. It generates a feel that candidates should know everything. But if you are thorough with the syllabus and approaching the exam with a proper study plan, then the process becomes interesting.
While preparing, the candidate should not force them to study. The desire for learning should come from your mind. Aspirants should not try to study the same subject for a long period. Mix the subjects and make the process innovative and interesting.
Candidates can also engage in watching useful programs like Rajya Sabha TV debates, news to rejuvenate their knowledge and mind. In between, they are supposed to take a short break and highly recommended to act physically to stay active throughout the preparation.
Stop procrastination
The UPSC aspirants might be postponing many things like reading the newspaper, reading NCERTs, solving question papers, answer writing etc. due to different reasons. Every time when you procrastinate something that can be done today, you are harming your chances towards success. When you feel like procrastinating a task, push yourself to do. Without shedding sweat one cannot get into a prestigious position like IAS. It is easy to procrastinate, but hard to achieve. So never create a backlog, especially while preparing for UPSC IAS exams.
How can I stay active?
Aspirants should understand, a fact that there is no substitute for hard work. UPSC IAS exam is considered the toughest examination in the country. The decision to become an IAS Officer is yours. The aspirants should have a burning desire inside them. This desire will lead you further. To crack this exam aspirants need consistency. It is the key because momentum cannot be sustained for more than one year.
Along with preparation aspirants should find time to engage themselves in physical activities, yoga, meditation, family etc., this will help you to cope up with the mood swings and create a positive mindset. The UPSC IAS Exam is more about mental strength. Â Aspirants should not get demotivated and disheartened while preparing for this exam. Be open to learning new things.
For more UPSC-related preparation materials, visit the articles given in the table below:
Related Links
Sir my birtdate is 20 March 2000 so I want to know can I apply for upsc 2021 according to my birth date????
Hi,
Yes, you are eligible for UPSC 2020 and onwards as per your birth date.
For educational qualifications and other UPSC Eligibility Criteria, please check the linked article.
Warm regards.
Sir i am a graduate and have keen interest in cracking this exam But i am not sure how to start my preparation due to the pandemic i have financial constraints too I feel really confused about my preparation Please guide me sir
Hi Jisha
Start reading NCERTs books for UPSC. Daily read a newspaper. Get help from BYJU’S Daily News Analysis. Then, you can start using UPSC books for each subject mentioned in the linked article.
Sir myself Atmadeep , this year i have passed 12 board from CBSE and i have failed in maths which was 6 th optional but i have passed overall with 80% . Failed in the 6th optional subject but passed in other 5 subjects . So can i appear UPSC examination or i will face any problem while appeariy UPSC examination ?
If you have a passing certificate from CBSE for 12th, you will not face any issues. Rest, check UPSC eligibility criteria in the linked article.
Hi, sir myself Christina. I am a 2020 passed out graduate. I am preparing for the UPSC examination but I was confused about the books and I just need a clear view about it. I gone through many youtube videos and articles but still, I was in a bit confused state.
Hi
Start with NCERTs of those subjects where you need more work. You can take Geography and History NCERTs at first. Gradually, you can start with Political Science & Economics NCERTs of Class 11th and 12th. Important UPSC books are mentioned here. Complement your preparation will daily current affairs and revise your notes periodically.
Sir , I want to prepare for upsc examination, I am ready to choose my mode of writing exam will be “English”, and I want to choose
“Marathi Literature ” as optional so in which mode of writing I need to write it , will it be in Marathi or English?
Hi,
The answers are to be written in the Marathi language.
Hello Sir/ M’am,
can you help me to know that in UPSC Mains Language and Literature – Can I choose English as my subject or it is not there in the option ?
Hi,
1. There are two compulsory language papers in UPSC Mains – a) Indian Language (You have to choose one language from the list of official languages) b)English Language
2. In optional papers – UPSC has given 48 optional subjects to select from. Here, you can opt for English Literature as your optional subject if you have an interest in it.
hi ,
i am in my final year , and planning to appear for the upsc exam this year . i will most probably get my result before the mains , but it will be just provisional mark sheet of the final semester that to in online form. Can i attach that with my DAF ?
Hi, yes the provisional certificate can be uploaded.
Good afternoon mentor. I have a doubt regarding the preparation for UPSC examination. I’m preparing for 2023 examination. And also I’m doing my MSc course in mathematics. Is it possible for me to complete my preparation side by side ? Or else first should I complete my MSc and then i should start my preparation?
Hi,
IAS Exam needs serious preparation, but there is no right or wrong way to it. A candidate has to analyse his strengths/weaknesses. If you are able to manage 4-5 hours daily to prepare for UPSC; you surely should start your preparation. For more, reach out to us at +919243500460