How to crack the UPSC exam

I'm an IAS aspirant. I'm pursuing B. Tech second year. I have started preparing for IAS exam alongside engineering. I have two questions:

1. Is it the right time to start my preparation or will it affect my B.Tech degree in anyway?

2. I'm aware of the exam pattern and syllabus but I want you to help me in the right direction. How to prepare for it effectively while I’m pursuing B.Tech? Can you help me with some tips regarding this exam and preparation?

ICS (Indian Civil Services) is often called the steel frame of India and IAS (Indian Administrative Service) is a part of it. It is one of the most esteemed services in India and the role of an IAS officer is both multidimensional and challenging. The entrance test to this prestigious post is conducted by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) which is headquartered in New Delhi.

It consists of three stages, preliminary (prelims), mains and an interview. It is one of the toughest exams and its preparation requires persistence, patience and smart work. The smart approach here means planning ahead; planning for the prelims at least 10 months in advance. It is said that the earlier you start your preparation the smoother the path becomes when you give your first attempt.

It is good that you are focused enough and want to start the preparation right away. For it to not affect your studies you need to manage your time properly and after you choose the optional for your mains you need to start preparing detailed notes along with your graduation.

Even working professionals crack the IAS exam, it all depends on you how you manage your time. It’s not necessary that you study 10 hours or so, you can even allot 2-3 hours daily and scale up gradually according to your convenience.

A few tips to prepare for mains and prelims together:

Become familiar with the UPSC syllabus; understand the procedure and pattern before filling up the form. The preparation should be continuous, i.e. not waiting for the previous exam results to start preparing for the next. Your entire civil services syllabus covering the prelims and mains syllabus should always be kept handy during your preparation.

Keep in hand the past ten years UPSC syllabus covering the prelims and mains syllabus and the past ten years solved papers. While preparing, you should make short notes and the notes you prepare should be concise, effective and readable in a short time all at once. This should aid you in going through it before the prelims/mains.

Some topics need to be prepared on a daily basis, such as currents affairs, GK, maps using atlas and mental ability. Keep reading magazines like Frontline or Civil Services Chronicle or Pratiyogita Darpan, read a good newspaper, watch news channels and talk shows. It will help you in both written examinations and interview.

Start working on your English & Indian language paper; writing and communication skills. The subject you select in the mains should be the one you are interested in, which you have some background in and one that can be easily grasped by you. Study two or at most three subjects a day with predefined time limits so that you cover the most scoring part of the prelims syllabus within the time you allot for those subjects.

Keep solving old question papers:

Attempt mock tests and enroll in a good test series program and that should build your confidence and will give you a clear picture of your strong and weak areas. Refer site: http://iaskracker.com/ias-online-test-series/

Above all follow some active sport, spend time with friends and family and this will keep you rooted through the hard times.

Read only that which is required and not each and every book suggested by others.

Refer link: http://thriller. hubpages.com/hub/Books-for-IAS: to get the right books for IAS exams.

Refer site: http://iaskracker. com/ncerts-refer-ias-exam/ especially for the NCERT text books

Refer to the link: http://www.jeywin.com/study-material/ for free IAS study material loaded with information on subject-wise study, tips for success and strategy, awakening visuals, previous year question papers and much more.

Refer to http://vimlakshg.hubpages. com/hub/IASExams-Interview-Tips: for probable interview questions. Every year more than 900 candidates succeed in cracking this exam and therefore build a strong belief within you that this exam is very much within your capabilities. A good planning, right focus, dedication and consistent hard work with a can do attitude will definitely help you crack your IAS exams. All the best!!

I have passed 12th with PCM. I left B. Tech after 1st year. Now I am now pursuing BA final year. I want to become an IAS officer. What subjects should I choose for my mains? Sociology, geography and education are my subjects in BA. Please advise.

The ‘UPSC mains’ has only one optional subject to be chosen and this consists of two papers of 250 marks each. This has made the task easier for the candidates in choosing the best optional subject. The criterion in doing so is different for different candidates, as such for some it could be choosing a subject that is interesting and hence easy to understand; a subject with a base in their graduation/PG; a scoring subject; a popular optional; a subject wherein coaching is available easily; an optional that has helped many crack the IAS; a subject which has easy availability of books and videos.

Let’s start with the subjects you chose in BA; geography and sociology along with history, public administration, psychology and education are considered to be popular optional subjects for the mains and account for 50 per cent shares in the final mains result. It has definite syllabus and is a semi-science subject and candidates who are comfortable with laws, principles and map based questions find it easier to crack.

It has always proved to be a scoring subject with some candidates scoring as high as 400+ marks in the IAS mains If your interest lies with topics concerned with the society, then opt for sociology. It could be easy for you to understand. Regardless to the above I would suggest that you opt for a subject that interests you to the extent that you enjoy studying it, the subject which helps you be creative and lastly has books that are easily available. Scoring in a subject is primarily based on these factors, because once you master the subject, scores just flow once that is followed.

By:Shehre Banu Kagalwala