Hi aspirants,

We are delighted that you have chosen UPSC. It’s not only a lucrative career option but an opportunity also to get empowered & to do something for our society.

But the pain is that, a beginner aspirant is usually confused ‘how to start preparing for UPSC’? After mentoring 5000+ aspirants we, the Civilsdaily team, advice you to follow the steps ahead:

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Important Links:

UPSC Syllabus

UPSC Exam Pattern

Don’t spend time, instead invest your time

It’s not an exam of school or colleges. It’s a journey of life. So, ‘the more you read, the better you perform’ concepts won’t work. You should follow 3 steps:

Give at least 60 days to Syllabus & PYQs. Because, these 2 will be the torch bearer through out the whole journey.
Never haste to choose your resources. When it’s done, stick to them.
Chart out your own strategy. Listen to toppers& get ideas but never follow them blindly. Because, you can’t succeed mere copying others.

Decide limited resource

A goal without proper planning remains a mere dream. Remember, there is a thin line between confidence and arrogance. Again follow 2 simple steps:

Read ‘The Hindu’ & ‘Indian Express’ for a week. And decide which one to read. Don’t follow both.
Stick to only 2 sets of text book. 1) Basic NCERTs 2) Advanced (Example: M.Laxmikant)

So, don’t act like an arrogant and cover as many newspaper as you can. Read only 1 consistently and build your confidence.

Start with elementary books & The subject you like most

UPSC are not taking PhD exam. Serving as an IAS/IPS means understanding the basic need of our society & resolve them. Considering this, UPSC emphasis more on the basics comprehensively. So, strengthen your basics to the next level. Simple 3 steps to follow:

Revise NCERTs for atleast 2 times & then start advanced books
Don’t try to cover entire books in a short time. Set weekly strategy & go forward.
Always start with the subject/subjects you like most.

Reading habits, understanding the needful are the key to success.

Figure out your optional subject from the very beginning

Choosing study material is not a simple task. It is always a suitable idea to begin preparation by getting subject fundamentals in place. The best source to get clarity and a good hold on various subjects are the NCERT books (from class VI to class XII). Clearing prelims and sitting for mains never lead to LBSNAA. Again some effective tips:

You have to figure out an optional subject from the 1st day of your journey. Make a list & pick maximum 3 subjects. Download PYQs. If you understand 50% questions of a paper, you can go for it.
Choose a subject whose notes are easily available in the market.
Try to get mentor’s guidance.

Improve your writing skill by making notes

UPSC doesn’t want the best answer, It checks 200 words that you write on paper. To the point, relevant and demanding answers are required. No flowery language will be awarded. Beginners. now follow:

Don’t write as you wrote in school & college.
Decide a clear structure of writing from the 1st day & stick to the same.
Make your own self made cripsy notes on every subjects. Skill of making summary, precis should be developed.

Finally, starting UPSC preparation is not a difficult task. But Getting an idea to start”, “Thinking to start” and “Making a commitment to start” is one aspect of success. Actually “Starting” what you truly want to do in life, is a completely different ball game.