Regular studies, following a set routine, making notes and strategies for the Prelims, Mains and interview are all important aspects when it comes to cracking the UPSC exam. AK Mishra lists some important points that aspirants need to keep in mind for a thorough preparation
It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get through Civil Services Exam which is the toughest exam of the country. In August 2015, about 4.65 lakh candidates appeared for preliminary examination. It saw increase in the number of students participation by 14,280 as compared to 4,51,602 examinees last year. The exam, which tests the candidate on the academic and administrative skills, requires strict discipline towards studies, daily routine and strong strategy for preparation. Though the students are awaiting their result for preliminary examination which is expected to be out in October 2015, they should not take a break from their routine but keep preparing for the Mains which happens in December. Here is some important advise for the candidates to develop a strong preparation strategy for the Mains.
Regularity
In daily routine there isn’t any ideal time to study because it has to be suited with the needs and requirement of the student. But regularity must be there. Even if you are studying for six hours which are the bare minimum, then you’ve to be very regular till you are finally selected into the service. Because there are long breaks between the exams (PT-mains, mains-interview, and interview-PT). That is time where most of the students are very casual and they don’t devote time to studies. The key is that one should be regular in studies until one gets service of their choice.
Daily routine
The exam being a long process and since at every stage the focus is different, the routine varies. One should get up early and sit down to study from 7am. The candidates can divide their day in three slots each of three hours between 7am to 12 pm, 12pm to 6pm and then 6pm to 12am. On an average six hours study is must. They can give three hours every day to optional and one subject of general studies. They should take out two to three hours twice a month to practice essays. They should study optional subject daily. History shouldn’t be left for too long. Tests are very important so one should take them every week. The candidate should complete the syllabus six days ahead of the test. This will improve his capacity to recall things and they’ll feel at ease during the exam because during that time you can’t revise everything.
Objective of study
The core objective is not to get a degree in that subject but to clear and get a good rank in the exam. For that you will have to understand the nature of the question paper — what they are expecting and what will get you marks. The pattern of questions asked by UPSC has changed from what they asked five years back. Now they are very specific. They demand analysis of specific areas so you need to have a broad understanding of all the topics. But, in few areas that are given in the syllabus, you need to have an in-depth knowledge of the subject. The clarity of concept is very important; your thinking and reasoning abilities need to be developed. So that when a question is asked, you are not confused on the topic and you can address what is being asked.
You can’t afford to be vague and generalist while writing the answers. Because now they are asking you to answer a ten marks question within 150-200 words. You have to be very specific in what the question is and how well you understand it. You need to have a very clear concept of what the things are. You have to breakdown various complex concepts into simple ones and correlate with various other factors. This will help you enrich the answers.
Notes
You need to revise the entire syllabus at least three to four times before exams. One can’t go through the books again and again. When you are reading for the first or the second time, you should make notes. It shouldn’t be very superfluous or made in a ritualistic manner. And when you are covering the topic for the third time, one should make mini notes. In this way you might be able to revise the entire paper in a week. By November, you should have the notes of every subject specially the tougher ones, so that before exams you are able to revise it. Note-making should be a very personalised and based on your needs and requirements. Borrowed notes might not be very helpful.
Writing pattern
Candidates often have doubts whether they should write answers in point or paragraph form. There is no fixed pattern because UPSC isn’t asking you to write in any of the forms. You should write in a manner in which you are most comfortable with. If you’ve enough facts then obviously you should write your answers in points. If the paper is very argumentative you have to develop arguments. The writing pattern depends on the demand of the question. Writing is the most important part of UPSC exams as out of 2025 mark 1750 marks are based on written exams. It has to be supplemented with clarity of thought. Roughly you get seven minutes to answer a question. The level of thinking should be such that within a minute the answer must be formed in mind and within next six minutes it should be penned down.
Essay
When one starts preparing for exams, their preparation for essays and interview also starts. You need to clear your thought process, make things simple, analyse them from different aspects. This will help you in writing essays. The structure and flow of an essay is the most important aspect and requires clarity in your concepts. In a month, one should practice at least two essays. UPSC looks for how comprehensive, concise, clear, innovative and original your essay is. Essays aren’t about facts and figures or flowery language. It’s a myth and needs to be dismantled at the very initial stage. Simple and easy to read essays fetch good marks.
Faith and confidence
Pigeonhole approach isn’t a good in this exam. Whatever you study at the initial stage, it helps you in the later stages. The nature of the exam is subjective. People generally think of cracking the exam at one go and if not then of not taking it anymore. UPSC has given you four to six attempts. So the commission itself isn’t sure that they can select the desired candidate in the first time. It’s not an objective exam. So even if you’re ready and confident there are chances that you won’t be given service of your choice or make it to the final list, don’t get disheartened. Don’t question your abilities and take the exam because they are giving you four attempts. Having faith and confidence in one’s abilities plays an important role in exam.
Stress management
Taking stress affects your creativity and restricts your thought process. Try to relax by developing some hobbies, talk to your friends on constructive events.
Interview
Interview is the grand finale of the long years you’ve prepared for the exam. So basic things that one should keep in mind while taking the interview is that you should be honest and sincere in answering questions, because the job that you are being considered for is one of the toughest jobs. Casual approach will not work. They look for sincerity and honesty. Don’t bluff, rather present your real self. It isn’t a question answer session.
Try to display positive traits of your personality. It isn’t the test of knowledge; rather they see the verb: part of communication. They test your confidence while you speak. They will check your grasping power, your understanding on the subject. The candidate gets prepared to take the interview while preparing for the earlier stages of the exam, only fine-tuning or polishing is required. Interview is just a way to check what your response is. If you’re asked vague questions it’s just to check how you respond to them. Similarly they might be testing your reaction when you are stressed.
The writer is director of Chanakya IAS Academy