Most UPSC aspirants question how to start their IAS preparation. One of the hardest and most difficult exams is the UPSC, and in order to be eligible to take the UPSC IAS exam, you must have a regular schedule, have an effective study plan, and have a strong commitment. You can prepare for the UPSC with or without UPSC coaching. Regardless of the candidate's abilities, beginning UPSC preparation requires a smart and practical strategy.

In this article, we shall discuss starting IAS preparation and other important things such as analysing the syllabus, framing a proper timetable, choosing optional subjects, attempting previous years' questions and tips regarding interview preparation.

Check out UPSC Exam Calendar 2023 on the linked article.

How Do You Start Your IAS Preparation?

Most aspirants are often uncertain on where to begin their UPSC preparation. Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test are the three stages of the UPSC examination. Being an active reader won't help an aspirant pass the UPSC exam because the UPSC personality test, which assesses a candidate's personality, must still be taken even if they pass the UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains. Hence, progress in all three stages is crucial in addition to academic knowledge. So let's look at starting IAS and UPSC preparation strategies.

Preparing yourself Physically and Mentally. 

Considering all exam stages and the candidate's pre-preparation phase, the UPSC exam procedure takes about a year to complete. This is one of the most difficult aspects of the UPSC IAS exam. Because the UPSC exam is among the most competitive in India, a candidate must mentally prepare for it. Only a candidate with a sound mind and body can overcome all difficulties and point them in the proper direction. A UPSC candidate should also be well-versed in the pattern and topics of UPSC exams.

Creating Your Time Table for IAS Preparation 

It is important for a UPSC aspirant to devise a timetable for IAS preparation.UPSC Study Time As the first step in starting UPSC preparation, the UPSC Study Timetable instils discipline among aspirants. A proper timetable will ensure that your preparation for the UPSC is progressing well. A UPSC Preparation Timetable is essential because it establishes a strategy for dealing with the planning, preparation, and issues that arise in each topic. The UPSC Time Schedule for Study aids candidates in creating a proper routine. It guarantees consistency and progress and induces a systematic working methodology in UPSC aspirants.

Learn the Syllabus and Subjects of IAS

The Union Public Service Commission publishes the UPSC Syllabus on the website. Before starting their preparation, IAS exam candidates must fully understand the syllabus. The UPSC syllabus includes the subjects and courses candidates must know to pass the IAS exam. The UPSC syllabus aims to assess candidates' knowledge, aptitude, and suitability for a specific role. Candidates must, therefore, fully understand the UPSC syllabus and study properly to perform well on the exam.

Choose Your Optional Subject 

Choosing the best optional subject for the UPSC exam is a key enhancement in IAS preparation. It also determines how good a aspirant will score in main exams. There are 9 papers in the mains exams stage. The optional subject in the UPSC mains exam is included in Papers VI and VII out of 9 papers. Each paper carries 250 marks. The final merit list is prepared by considering the Mains test results. To select an optional subject, candidates should consider their interests, skills, and how much marks weightage a specific subject has in the UPSC prelims and mains syllabus.

The list of optional subjects in UPSC mains is given below.

1. Agriculture
2. Law 
3. Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
4. Management
5. Anthropology
6. Mathematics
7. Botany
8. Mechanical Engineering
9. Chemistry
10. Medical Science
11. Civil Engineering Syllabus
12. Philosophy 
13. Commerce and Accountancy Syllabus
14. Physics 
15. Economics
16. Political Science and International Relations 
17. Electrical Engineering
18. Psychology
19. Geography
20. Public Administration
21. Geology 
22. Sociology 
23. History
24. Statistics 
25. Zoology

Literature of any one of the following languages:

1. Assamese
2. Bodo
3. Bengali
4. Dogri
5. Gujarati
6. Hindi
7. Kashmiri
8. Kannada
9. Malayalam
10. Konkani
11. Manipuri
12. Maithili
13. Marathi
14. Odia
15. Nepali
16. Sanskrit
17. Punjabi
18. Sindhi
19. Santhali
20. Tamil
21. Telugu
22. English
23. Urdu

Being Updated with Current Affairs 

A UPSC aspirant should be updated with UPSC's current affairs. The section on current affairs holds a good weightage of marks on the exam. Every year 10-15 current affairs-related questions are asked in prelims and mains examinations. According to patterns in the UPSC examinations from previous years, success in the Civil Services cannot be attained without having sufficient awareness of the current events section. Regular newspaper reading is necessary to acquire practical knowledge about the syllabus. Newspaper coverage of almost all important national and international events helps readers better understand the subject. Some of the best newspapers for UPSC preparation include The Indian Express, The Hindu, and The Economic Times.

Preparation of Notes to Crack the IAS Exam 

Preparing effective notes is important for cracking the IAS exam. Here are some tips to help you prepare notes for IAS preparation:

• Read and Understand the Content Thoroughly: Ensure you clearly understand the content before making notes. Read the material carefully and highlight important points.
• Use a Structured Format: Use a structured format for note-making that suits your learning style. This can be a mind map, flow chart, or bullet points. Make sure the format is easy to read and review.
• Keeping it Concise: Notes should be concise and to the point. Avoid lengthy paragraphs and focus on the most important information. Use abbreviations and symbols to save time for the preparation journey.
• Use keywords: Use keywords to highlight important information. This makes it easy to revise and recall information.
• Organise Your Notes: Organise your notes based on topics and subtopics. This makes it easy to review and revise information.
• Revise and Update Regularly: Regularly revising and updating notes are essential to retaining information. Make sure to revise your notes regularly and update them with new information.
• Use Multiple Sources: Use multiple sources to prepare your notes. This helps get a well-rounded perspective on the topic and ensures you have covered all the important points.
• Be Consistent: Consistency is key when it comes to note-making. Set aside a fixed time each day for note-making and stick to it.

Studying Smart and Hard 

Preparing for the UPSC exam requires a combination of studying smart and hard. To study smart, it is crucial to understand the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly. Create a comprehensive study plan that covers all the subjects in the syllabus and allocates sufficient time for revision and practice. Focus on building a strong foundation by mastering the basics of each subject and using multiple sources to get a well-rounded perspective. Practice mock tests regularly to get familiar with the exam pattern, improve your time management skills, and identify your weak areas. Taking breaks and resting is crucial to avoid burnout and improve productivity. Stay motivated and focused on your goal by surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people who encourage and motivate you. 

Attending Mock tests

UPSC Mock tests are essential to UPSC exam preparation, and attempting them can be highly beneficial for several reasons.

• Mock tests help you become familiar with the exam pattern, the type of questions asked, and the time limit for each section. This helps you manage your time effectively during the actual exam.
• Mock tests help you identify your weak areas and areas that require improvement. Analysing the mistakes made during the mock test can help you focus on those areas and improve your performance.
• Attempting mock tests regularly increases your speed and accuracy in solving questions. This can help you save time during the exam and ensure you attempt all the questions.
• Mock tests help you build confidence by simulating the exam environment. The more mock tests you attempt, the more confident you will become in your abilities to crack the exam.
• Mock tests help you evaluate your preparation level and determine how well you have understood the concepts. This helps you modify your study plan and focus on areas that need improvement.

Solving Previous Year UPSC Question papers

Solving, analysing and downloading previous years' UPSC question papers for an aspirant starting UPSC preparation is mandatory. The most reliable resource for UPSC preparations is UPSC Previous Year Question Papers. The most significant, trustworthy, and reliable source of all the materials needed for UPSC preparation is the previous year's papers. The UPSC previous year's question papers serve as a roadmap for candidates navigating the UPSC application process. The applicants will benefit from analysing the difficulty level, question types, important subject areas from which questions are drawn, and the distribution of marks. It is preferable to study the UPSC previous year's paper rather than just reading it manually to acquire a clear and accurate understanding of the exam pattern.

Preparing for the Interview

The UPSC interview is also known as the personality test. It is the final stage of the UPSC selection process. Preparing for the UPSC interview requires combining subject knowledge, confidence, and a positive attitude. By staying updated with the latest news, practising mock interviews, and being honest and humble, a UPSC aspirant can increase his chances of success in the UPSC interview. Some of the Dos and Don'ts of UPSC Interview preparation Tips are listed below.

Dos of UPSC interview preparation:

• Be honest and authentic in your responses. 
• Stay updated with the latest news and developments in your chosen subjects. Have a broad perspective on issues and develop an informed opinion.
• Believe in yourself and your abilities. Have confidence in your preparation and be prepared to defend your choices.
• Dress in formal attire that is appropriate for the occasion. Your appearance should be neat and professional.
• Practice good body language by maintaining eye contact, sitting upright, and using hand gestures appropriately.
• Speak clearly and audibly. Avoid using jargon or complicated words that may confuse the panel.
• Practice time management during the interview. Listen carefully to the questions asked, and take your time to frame a thoughtful response.

Don'ts of UPSC interview preparation

• Do not lie or exaggerate your achievements. The panel can quickly catch any dishonesty and penalise you for it.
• Do not argue or debate with the panel. Listen carefully to their questions and respond thoughtfully.
• Show respect to the panel and avoid being rude or aggressive.
• Do not get distracted by other candidates or the environment. Focus on the task at hand.
• Do not be late for the interview. Arrive at the venue well in advance to avoid any last-minute hassle.
• Avoid speaking ill of anyone or any organisation during the interview. It reflects poorly on your character.

Additional Tips

IAS Preparation can be a mentally and physically challenging process. To maintain good health and focus during the preparation phase, it is important to adopt healthy habits, including a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and good sleep habits. Here are some tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle while UPSC preparation:

• Eat a balanced diet
• Stay hydrated
• Exercise regularly
• Get enough sleep
• Take short breaks
• Limit screen time
• Stay motivated

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