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Top Tips for UPSC Aspirants

Feb 15, 2023

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Being a UPSC aspirant may be hard. You need to keep tabs on everything, the exam, the syllabus, your level of preparation, and the topics you're not clear with. The span of this course can get highly frustrating, so you need to work systematically.

Block out every extrusive thought and distraction - especially social media.

Don't delay your preparations by leaving them for tomorrow. Practice answer writing and watch previous year's topper and learn their tips and tricks to crack the exam.

1. Understand the UPSC Syllabus

To clear any exam, you first need to understand the requirements of the paper such as which subject is more important followed by what topics are crucial along with the weightage of each topic.

A similar thing happens in UPSC prelims. Knowing the UPSC syllabus is a guiding light for you and it'll be the foremost thing you'll do before beginning your preparation journey.

Read through the UPSC exam notifications carefully to familiarize yourself with the syllabus, exam pattern, exam timeline, and eligibility criteria. These pointers will be essential for you to plan your schedule and strategize accordingly for achieving your dream as a UPSC aspirant.

2. Time Management

Time management is the key to a successful attempt in UPSC. Prioritize subjects based on their level of difficulty.

Do not leave anything for tomorrow as you'll procrastinate in the coming future and try to mug up everything a day before the exam which will eventually lead to nothing. Fix a timetable that you can religiously follow and give time to every subject rather than leaving the easy ones out.

Have a well-organized daily routine and set proper deadlines.

Be thorough and thorough with your syllabus. Check out the previous year's UPSC question papers.

3. Take Early Advantage

The standard age for giving the UPSC exam is 21 and he/she must be a graduate in any subject for being eligible to give the exams. This means that final-year college students can apply for UPSC prelims.

Any aspirant, with the right guidance, can start preparing early for UPSC prelims without comprising the thrill and happiness of campus life. Starting and preparing early would give you many advantages.

4. Stay Updated with Latest News

To work for the country, you should know what's happening in the country. Read magazines and newspapers to stay up to date with what's happening around you, and don't compromise on reading due to time constraints.

Initially, it may seem a bit boring, but once you get a hang of it, it'll become interesting. The usually preferred newspaper for UPSC aspirants is The Hindu or Indian Express as it delivers quality content.

Give more significance to editorials and op-ed articles.

5. Stay Motivated

The ideal timeline beginning from preparation to finally giving the exam comprises at least twelve to fourteen months, give or take a month or two. This long course can be mentally as well as physically exhausting and tiring to the core. You may feel down sometimes, questioning yourself whether everything you're doing is even worth it.

Do not let this wash away your months of studying and preparation.

Having a proper strategy combined with knowledge will help you stay motivated and prepare without any extrusive thoughts.

6. Build Your Foundation With NCERT

Begin with the basics by building your foundation with NCERT before you move to higher-order books. Do not just read the books but be thorough with them. NCERTs provide you with the information very coherently and are a reliable source as the books come from the government itself.

However, do not rely on them completely and explore other books too to make your base stronger. Since, NCERTs are not building blocks of the IAS exam, read them once or twice and clear your basic concepts before moving forward.

7. Write Down Notes

Keep a track of what you've learned by jotting down notes. It is a fast as well as efficient way to memorize the syllabus. Organizing these notes is also necessary so that you can easily find important topics for your preparation at the last moment. Keep a separate notebook for each subject for easy access.

8. Attempt Practise Tests Frequently for UPSC

Practice makes a man perfect. Don't approach it like that you'll only begin with the tests once you're done with your syllabus.

This is the wrong way to approach things. Instead, give mock tests once you're done with specific topics. UPSC syllabus is vast and the chances of completing it are low, so focus on mock tests from the start.

Mock tests are of the same pattern as the regular exam and they will help you in mastering the art of elimination strategy and other hacks to do the exam well.

9. Join UPSC Coaching Institutions

For the best guidance and support, enroll in a UPSC coaching institute that suits your needs the best. Consider the factors such as faculty, fees, course duration, the study material provided, and most importantly, how well the students of that coaching performed in the exam.

The faculty members should be professional and provide you with the right guidance. These UPSC main coaching centers are also present on online platforms making it feasible for aspirants who can't travel.

10. Optional Subject Selection

Optional Subject accounts for 500 marks in the exam so choose it wisely. Keep in mind factors such as your interest in the topic, if you have any prior knowledge of it, and if you're comfortable studying it. Also, look at the availability of study material related to that subject.

Wrapping Up


Following these tips religiously will prove good for you. Make sure you manage your time efficiently and do not waste a moment that you'll regret later on. To avoid it, make a timetable and divide it accordingly for the subjects and make sure you'll follow it. Don't go overboard by including multiple things to be done in a single day as you'll not be able to complete it, leaving the work piling for tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions


1. How many months current affairs should be covered for UPSC prelims 2023?

For the UPSC Prelims exam in 2023, it is recommended to cover at least 6 to 12 months of current affairs. It is advised to cover current affairs from June 2021 to December 2022. It is also advised to keep the current affairs notes with you for quick revision.

2. Which subjects should be given preference for UPSC Prelims-2023?

For the UPSC Prelims exam in 2023, it is recommended to give equal importance to all the subjects in the syllabus. That being said, some subjects like Indian Polity and Governance, Economic and Social Development, and Current Affairs carry a higher weightage in the exam and should be given additional attention.

3. What would be the best strategy to read the newspaper for UPSC CSE 2023?

Reading the newspaper is an important part of preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE). Here is a strategy that can help you effectively read the newspaper for the UPSC CSE 2023:

  • Choose a reputed newspaper

  • Read regularly

  • Focus on news related to the UPSC syllabus

  • Take notes

  • Follow a systematic approach

  • Be critical

  • Update regularly


4. How to Select Optional Subjects For UPSC 2023?

Selecting the right optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2023 is an important decision that can greatly impact your overall performance in the exam. Hence, it is important to choose a subject that you have a genuine interest in and enjoy studying. You can also select a subject that familiarizes you with the syllabus of the optional subject you are considering and make sure it aligns with your strengths and areas of expertise.

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