How to get ready for UPSC civil services prelims examination 2019

The UPSC has notified 980 vacancies for Civil Services 2017 (rated as one of the toughest

 exams in the country).The Exam consists of three stages: Prelims

(qualifying exam), Mains and Interview(Score of both Mains and Interview are taken

for final selection).Prelims consists of two papers : General studies (GS) and

CSAT(Aptitude) each of 200 marks though only marks obtained in General studies

are accounted for the merit list while CSAT is a qualifying exam as one need to get

only 33% passing marks. i.e. 66 passing marks in CSAT to clear prelims.

The qualified candidates then appear for Mains exam which consists of papers on

English, Indian language paper (Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi etc. depending on one’s

choice,300 Marks each although they are just qualifying exam as only 25% passing

marks are required), Essay paper of 250 marks, GS (mains) Paper 1, 2, 3, 4 (250

Marks each), one Optional subject having two papers(250 Marks each) and out of this

grand total of 1750, the merit list is prepared and the top ones are called for

Interview(275 Marks) and the final recommended list of candidates is made out of

the marks obtained in Mains and Interview(i.e. out of 2025 Marks).

The examination takes almost one year to complete and it is rather an interesting

journey for the aspirants since each stage poses a different challenge and thus

different strategy must be applied at each stage to attain success. This article attempts

to provide some insight for the Civils Services Exam and specifically Prelims

Preparation.

a) Plan systematically and get yourself acquainted with the different aspects

related to the Exam: Somebody has rightly said that “If you fail to plan, you

are planning to fail” and this holds perfectly true for this examination too. It is

crucial that one should do extensive planning for the exam right from the

choice of optional to the careful scrutiny of UPSC Syllabus , previous year exam

pattern, time available at one’s disposal, sources to be read etc. Draw up a

monthly, weekly and daily plan based on well-defined targets and try to

achieve the targets well on time.

b) Cover your basics right and don’t juggle between books: The questions

asked in UPSC Exam are mostly based on fundamentals and it is thus, very

important to cover the basics properly. The choice of the sources to study such

as standard books, e learning resources is very important as there is so much exhaustive reading material available in the market and without proper

guidance one can get lost. The key is to go through last 10 years GS papers and

interview of last year toppers and one can carefully delineate the common

sources which are recommended by all, such as for Indian Polity almost all.

c) toppers recommend M. Laxmikanth. Once you have carefully chosen the

source, then try to master it fully rather than getting anxious about covering the

topic from n other sources.

d) Prepare a time schedule and stick to it: Remember regularity and

consistency matter more than anything. It is far better to invest 6-7 hours daily

than studying one day for 18 hours and not studying for next day at all. Stick to

your schedule according to the topics to be covered and also according to time

available at your disposal and try to follow the schedule religiously and update

it on daily basis. Every morning, set a target about the syllabus you intend to

cover in the day and then in the night, audit your output. This will keep you on

track.

e) Practice last year exam papers and as many mock tests as possible along

with a detailed self-analysis: It is utmost important that one should practice as

many mock tests and last year exam papers to attain clarity and comfort level

for the Prelims but more than mere practicing the papers, one should focus a

lot on analysis of each test. Try to view these tests as not mere evaluating tools

but also learning tools and try to learn from the mistakes with focus on

avoiding to repeat the same mistakes in the Prelims Exam. Also, try to take

mock tests of institutes or websites whose questions you find on same

toughness parameter with UPSC. There are certain mock tests available in the

market which is nothing but encyclopedia of information. Don’t fall to their

trap. Remember, you don’t have to be the storehouse of all the information so

focus on mock tests which are relatively on same level as UPSC.

f) Maintain a positive attitude all through the Preparation: Considering the

longtime of one year for the entire exam, the preparation can be frustrating and

depressing at times but one should not let negativity come in. Adopt a positive

attitude and have perseverance along with patience to reap the fruits of hard

work. Believe in yourself and your hard work, leaving the rest to Almighty.

Hope this article provides some insight and wish you all the very best.