How to Prepare for UPSC Examination for Beginners
The Indian Civil Services Exam under UPSC has a long and complex history. It is associated with the evolution of the structure of governance in India. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the apex body of conducting the Civil Services Examination yearly. Lakhs of candidates appear for this extremely tough examination. This examination serves as an entry point for recruiting Civil Servants in India.
Over the years, lakhs of candidates appear in this examination. It is the question for the most of beginners how to prepare for UPSC Examination. Many factors contribute to the success for the candidates appearing in the Civil Services Examination. In this article will elaborately discuss on the tips how to prepare for UPSC Examination for beginners.
Civil Services Examinations have evolved over time and so has their demand. Many misconceptions are associated with the preparation for the UPSC Examination. Here, we will try to shed light upon some important factors about Civil Services and try to give a broader comprehensive understanding of the nature of the exam, its demand and how to prepare for UPSC Examination for Beginners.
Tips on How to Prepare for UPSC Examination for Beginners:
1. Understand the Exam Patterns:
Many beginners start their preparation for the UPSC Examination with high aspiration. But most of them start their preparation without proper understanding of the exam patterns. In this case, right guidance and proper understanding of the exam patterns are of their utmost need.
The Civil Service Examination normally goes through three stages – Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Personality Test. All these stages have different syllabus and subject-matters to test the candidates. Before you appear in the exam, you must be well aware of all these of exam.
2. Learning is the Key to Success:
As the exam is rigorous and requires the study of a lot of subjects such as History, Political Science, Economics and others encompassing a huge syllabus, aspirants often think that only the ones having a good memorizing ability can be successful in the exam. However, this exam is not just simply about memorizing facts and figures. Knowledge is important, and so is memorizing the knowledge. However, this exam is not just simply about memorizing facts and figures. Knowledge is important, and so is memorizing knowledge.
However, the exam emphasizes analytical and critical thinking skills, an understanding of contemporary issues, and the ability to express oneself cogently.
3. Regular Practice Brings Success:
All three stages of the exam have different demands – the Preliminary Examination is the testimony that mere cramming won’t be enough; it requires a lot of practice to understand the techniques to score decent marks. The Main Examination tests a candidate’s understanding of the subjects, ability to articulate ideas, and analytical powers. So, to be successful, a candidate needs rigorous practice regularly.
4. Take Help from Good Coaching Center:
Right guidance is precious in the Civil Services Examination. Coaching institutes provide structured guidance and a fixed road map for the study plan. They also provide a well-suited study environment which promotes study and keeps aspirants accountable.
However, it is also evident that aspirants get caught in the web of unending guidance, which sometimes takes them off track. It is very much advisable to understand that getting admission into coaching institutes does not guarantee success. The sole mantra of success is that aspirants push their limits depending on their capabilities. Coaching may provide material and content, but one needs to thoroughly read them, revise and repeat.
5. Careful Understanding of Syllabus:
A careful understanding of the Civil Services Examination and its syllabus is of utmost importance for the aspirants. It is only after careful and detailed research that one should decide whether coaching is required or not. Aspirants who are like to appear for the UPSC Exam should know the syllabus given below in the table –
| Stage | Paper | Syllabus | Marks |
| Preliminary Exam | General Studies – I | Current Affairs and General Studies | 200 |
| General Studies – II | Reasoning & Aptitude | Qualifying | |
| Main Exam | Paper – I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper – II | General Studies (Indian heritage & culture, History Geography, World Geography & Culture | 250 | |
| Paper – III | General Studies – II (Governance, Constitution, Political Science, International Relationship, Foreign Affairs) | 250 | |
| Paper – IV | General Studies – III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Security & Disaster Management) | 250 | |
| Paper – V | General Studies – IV (Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude) | 250 | |
| Paper – VI | Optional Subject – Paper I | 250 | |
| Paper – VII | Optional Subject – Paper – II | 250 | |
| Paper A | Indian Language from Schedule 8 | Qualifying | |
| Paper B | English | Qualifying |
6. Study Previous Years’ Question Papers:
After the carefully going through the syllabus and preparing your study plan, the next step of preparation tip is to study the previous years’ question papers. At least check the last 10 years question papers. It will help you to give an overview of the entire exam pattern and setting of the questions in the exam.
7. Choosing the Proper Books:
If you think that you are dedicated to crack the UPSC Exam, then the next tip is to choose the proper books and study materials for the success of the exam. Start your preparation with NCERT books which are most popular for the UPSC Exam. Now-a-days, many aspirants are also attending online video classes to get the notes for UPSC Exam. Note that always prefer the books or study-materials that can provide the essential points, covering the syllabus.
8. Dedication:
It is true that to succeed in this exam, one has to be in a strict, disciplined environment. Aspirants have to be disciplined enough to withhold the activities that distract them from their goal. As the exam cycle is of one year and it generally takes two years of preparation, it is very much advised to engage in extracurricular activities apart from the studies that help in personality building. It is more about discipline rather than sacrificing comfort, and this needs to be understood by the aspirants.
Conclusion: Summarize the Tips on How to Prepare for UPSC Examination for Beginners
- Start Early: As the exam cycle is of one year and it generally takes two years of preparation, it is very much advised to start your preparation as early as possible.
- Understand the Syllabus: The UPSC Examination normally goes through three stages – Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Personality Test. All these stages have different syllabus and subject-matters to test the candidates. Before you appear in the exam, you must be well aware of the syllabus of exam.
- Create Study Plan: As the exam is rigorous and requires the study of a lot of subjects such as History, Political Science, Economics and others encompassing a huge syllabus, aspirants must create effective study plan to be successful in the exam.
- Practice Regularly: The UPSC Exam requires a lot of practice to understand the techniques to score decent marks. The Main Examination tests a candidate’s understanding of the subjects, ability to articulate ideas, and analytical powers. So, to be successful, a candidate needs rigorous practice regularly.
- Always Be Updated: However, this exam is not just simply about memorizing facts and figures. Knowledge is important, and so it is very important for the aspirants to be always updated.
- Study Previous Years’ Questions: After the carefully going through the syllabus and preparing your study plan, the next step of preparation tip is to study the previous years’ question papers.
- Take Help from Coaching Center: Right guidance is important in the Civil Services Examination. Coaching institutes provide structured guidance and a fixed road map for the study plan. They also provide a well-suited study environment which promotes study and keeps aspirants accountable.
- Choose Proper Books: Note that always prefer the books or study-materials that can provide the essential points, covering the syllabus.
- Dedication: It is true that to succeed in this exam, one has to be in a strict, disciplined environment. Aspirants have to be disciplined and dedicated to his or her preparation for the exam.
You May Like To Read More: