How should I start my preparation for the IAS exam?

UPSC
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This section lists important UPSC preparation tips for beginners. These tips aim at helping aspirant devise a well-planned preparation strategy for the upcoming UPSC 2022 exam.

Prepare Yourself

  • Before trying to understand how to start preparing for UPSC at home, you should prepare yourself for the journey.
  • Before starting your preparation, prepare mentally and physically for the examination. Set goals and devote time effectively.
  • Understand the UPSC exam pattern thoroughly, and pace your IAS preparation accordingly.
  1. The UPSC exam has three stages — prelims mains and the interview.
  2. To know more about the UPSC Prelims exam,
  3. To know more about the UPSC Mains exam,
  • If you are working and have decided not to quit your job, analyse how you would devote time for studies and chart a plan.
  • Today, with technology like the internet, it is possible to balance both preparation and a job with ease

Make a Time Table

  • To become an IAS officer, it is necessary to be like an officer with a well-organized daily routine.
  • You should set a comfortable timetable before your preparation and stick to it.
  • Making a timetable will ease your preparation and make it more streamlined. With deadlines, you would work better and complete the syllabus faster.
  • Analyse the IAS Subjects included in the syllabus and comprehend your strengths and weaknesses

Know the UPSC Syllabus

  • The syllabus is the soul of any exam. Knowing the syllabus is the foremost thing to do before you go through the books.
  • The UPSC has provided the syllabus for the Civil Services Preliminary and Main examination in an elaborate manner.
  • Aspirants should understand and follow the syllabus for UPSC civil service examination. Knowing the syllabus will help you to choose relevant study materials, prioritize the subjects, etc.

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Newspaper Reading/Current Affairs for IAS

  • The newspapers are the most important aspect of the IAS exam.
  • If you do not read the daily newspaper or follow the daily news for the IAS exam, you cannot hope to clear this exam.
  • The questions asked in the civil services exam are directly or indirectly connected with current affairs. Hence, it is very important to follow the relevant news items in your daily newspaper. You can go through the Vimarsha IAS Comprehensive News Analysis that gives the exam-relevant news items in a concise manner.
  • You can also visit our YouTube Channel for a detailed video analysis of the daily news. Watch the news analysis videos

Choosing Optional

  • The optional subject accounts for 500 marks in the UPSC final tally.
  • Hence, you should choose an optional subject wisely and after a thorough think-through of the pros and cons of the subjects, you have in mind.
  • Some of the factors to keep in mind before selecting an optional are:Interest in the subjectPrior knowledge in it/academic backgroundOverlap with the GS papersAvailability of coachingAvailability of study material

NCERTs

  • The NCERT textbooks from classes six to twelve play a very significant role in IAS exam preparation.
  • Aspirants can get basic concepts and theories from NCERT textbooks.
  • These books provide the information very coherently. Moreover, they are reliable too as the source is the government itself.
  • In previous years UPSC has asked questions directly from NCERT textbooks.
  • So, NCERTs are undoubtedly the best books to begin your IAS preparation with. Get a complete list of NCERTs needed for the UPSC exam.
  • Apart from the NCERTs, you should also follow a few other advanced textbooks.

Making Notes

  • It is helpful to make short notes during UPSC preparation.
  • Since the UPSC syllabus is very vast, it helps to keep track of the portions covered and also serves as a ready-reckoner for revision.
  • You can have separate files or notebooks for separate subjects. Files are preferred by many since they help adding notes to a topic easier. This is especially helpful in the case of adding current affairs-related news to a particular topic.

Answer Writing Practice

  • The IAS main exam papers are descriptive in nature.
  • It is mainly about testing your analytical, critical, and communicative abilities.
  • It demands you to think with conceptual clarity and organize your views, perceptions, and thoughts in a flawless manner.
  • Another thing to be kept in mind is the time and space constraints in the answer booklet.
  • Therefore, candidates have to answer the questions quickly and effectively and in minimum words.
  • This is not possible without adequate answer writing practice.

Solving Previous Years’ UPSC Question Papers

  • Previous question papers are the most reliable sources of UPSC pattern, difficulty level and question type.
  • You can judge the trends in the UPSC exam paper easily.
  • It will also help you understand which areas are the most important in a particular subject.
  • Lastly, it is a good source of self-assessment in your IAS preparation.

Mock Test Series

  • Self-assessment is an essential part of UPSC preparation.
  • It can help civil service aspirant in realizing and learning from mistakes, shaping what approach they need to follow in continuing the preparation and identifying strengths and weaknesses.
  • It is highly recommended to join mock test series, especially if you are preparing from home. This will help you to assess yourself and help you further.
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Starting your preparation for the IAS exam can seem daunting, but with a structured plan, you can begin your preparation with confidence. Here are some steps to help you start your preparation for the IAS exam:

  1. Understand the exam pattern and syllabus: The IAS exam is a three-stage exam that consists of the Preliminary exam, Main exam, and the Interview. It is important to understand the exam pattern and syllabus for each stage of the exam.
  2. Create a study plan: Develop a study plan that is tailored to your strengths and weaknesses. Allocate your study time according to the weightage of topics in the syllabus. Start with the basics and then move on to more complex topics.
  3. Read the newspaper regularly: Start reading newspapers such as The Hindu or The Indian Express to keep yourself up-to-date with current affairs and help you develop a good understanding of India’s socio-political environment.
  4. Begin with NCERT books: Begin your preparation with NCERT books for Class 6 to Class 12 to get a good foundation in subjects like History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics.
  5. Refer to standard books: Once you have a basic understanding of the subjects, start referring to standard books for in-depth knowledge and practice.
  6. Join a coaching institute (optional): If you need additional guidance and support, you can consider joining a coaching institute that offers IAS coaching.
  7. Take mock tests: Practice previous year question papers and take mock tests to get a feel of the exam’s pattern and structure. This will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and work on them.

Remember, the key to starting your preparation for the IAS exam is to begin with the basics and gradually build on your knowledge. Stay focused and dedicated, and with hard work, you can achieve success in the exam.