Civil Services is a dream career for many in the country. It is one of the most prestigious careers and the kind of opportunity that it offers makes it even more attractive. There is no prescribed time or date as to when one should start preparing for the UPSC exam. If your goal is to get into all India services or the central services, NOW is the right time to start preparing. Stop giving yourself excuses for postponing your preparation saying it is not the right time. Aspirants start preparing for the examination as early as 10th grade. The earlier you start your preparation, earlier will be your selection for the services and better will be your career growth prospects.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you decide to start preparing for the UPSC prelims Examination:
1. Know about UPSC. Know the various examinations that UPSC conducts and understand the nature of each of the service. This makes it easier for you to visualise yourself as a civil servant as you are well aware of the requirements of the service and what suits you the best.
2. Read the UPSC notification. UPSC publishes the notification for various exams in the month of February. Make sure you make a proper note of the dates of registration, date of exams, IAS Eligibility and other important events.
3. Download the syllabus and read it several times. Civil services exam is regarded as one of the toughest exams in the country due to the vastness of its syllabus. Thereby it becomes very important to understand the syllabus so that your preparation becomes easier and well aligned with the syllabus.
4. Prepare a timetable keeping in mind your comfort level with each of the subjects. Make sure you have enough time for revisions after completing all the topics from the syllabus. Revision is indispensable for UPSC exams.
5. Make a booklist and collect/ buy those books. There are various blogs and websites online that guide you with your preparation for UPSC prelims. Refer to some of the reliable websites and customise a booklist for yourself. Stick to the same booklist throughout your preparations and do not make many changes, often.
6. Subscribe to a newspaper and read it thoroughly every day. Being up to date with current affairs is necessary for you to crack the examination. You can also make short notes from the Newspaper which will come handy during revisions.
7. Make use of online platforms. There are various websites and blogs that assist in UPSC preparations by posting daily news analysis, issues in news, topper’s talks etc. Use the internet judiciously!
8. Be consistent. UPSC preparation can get tiring at times. Make sure you give enough time for activities that help you rejuvenate and relax. Follow your time table religiously and make sure you complete your targets well on time so that you are left with ample time for revisions before exam.
9. Do not believe in every rumour on the internet. There will be many websites which post wrong information about the examination dates, change in syllabus , IAS eligibility etc. make sure you verify the authenticity of the source and do your researches before you believe in any of them.
10. Believe in yourself. UPSC exam is a very long process and is a test of your patience, determination and hard work. Every aspirant begins preparation with fear and faith. It is very important to be patient and also believe in your capabilities. A positive attitude is essential to crack this exam.
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About The Author
Anita Sharma
Anita Sharma is a Master in English and European Literature currently works with many organizations as a freelance content writer. Apart from it, she has her own blogging website.
