How to begin preparation for UPSC CSE
In 5 simple steps with examples.
In 5 simple steps with examples.
Step 1 - Read the syllabus.
Make sure you understand what each word means.
Ex: Prelims syllabus for Paper 1 contains
Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
What does economic geography mean here?
If you're not sure - Google it.
Make sure you understand what each word means.
Ex: Prelims syllabus for Paper 1 contains
Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
What does economic geography mean here?
If you're not sure - Google it.
You can read the entire Prelims and Mains syllabus here.
Be thorough and google anything you don't understand.
upscprep.com
Be thorough and google anything you don't understand.
upscprep.com
Step 2 - Select sources.
Now that you're familiar with the syllabus it's time to select your books/online/offline courses that will help you cover those subjects.
Prefer books over all others as it's harder to cheat with books. You can always doze off in classes.
Now that you're familiar with the syllabus it's time to select your books/online/offline courses that will help you cover those subjects.
Prefer books over all others as it's harder to cheat with books. You can always doze off in classes.
Once you select your sources, stick to them.
You don't want to do a PhD. You want to remember things to clear an exam.
It's MUCH BETTER to read the same book 5 times than to read 5 different books for any particular subject. This will help optimise your recall.
You don't want to do a PhD. You want to remember things to clear an exam.
It's MUCH BETTER to read the same book 5 times than to read 5 different books for any particular subject. This will help optimise your recall.
You can find a basic booklist for UPSC beginners here:
#beginner-books" target="_blank" rel="noopener" onclick="event.stopPropagation()">upscprep.com
#beginner-books" target="_blank" rel="noopener" onclick="event.stopPropagation()">upscprep.com
Step 3 - Start reading.
This is the hard part.
A lot of people get here and hit a wall.
What you need to stop looking for:
• Shortcuts to complete polity, history etc.
• Shortcuts to answer writing
• Shortcuts to cover current affairs.
START READING. There are no shortcuts.
This is the hard part.
A lot of people get here and hit a wall.
What you need to stop looking for:
• Shortcuts to complete polity, history etc.
• Shortcuts to answer writing
• Shortcuts to cover current affairs.
START READING. There are no shortcuts.
Step 4 - Test and revise.
If you've read the basic books once, time to test what you've read.
Tests are a means to an end. Don't be fixated on getting 100 or 120 marks.
Focus on:
• Your most common mistakes
• Your strong/weak subjects
Tests will tell you what to revise.
If you've read the basic books once, time to test what you've read.
Tests are a means to an end. Don't be fixated on getting 100 or 120 marks.
Focus on:
• Your most common mistakes
• Your strong/weak subjects
Tests will tell you what to revise.
More details about how to analyse tests, read this: upscprep.com
Step 5 - Current Affairs
You need AT LEAST 1 year of CA i.e. if you're giving Prelims 2023, then from June 2022 onwards.
3 ways to cover CA:
• Newspaper + self notes
• Current affairs magazines
• Compilations (ex PT365)
Choose any one method & stick to it. Revision needed.
You need AT LEAST 1 year of CA i.e. if you're giving Prelims 2023, then from June 2022 onwards.
3 ways to cover CA:
• Newspaper + self notes
• Current affairs magazines
• Compilations (ex PT365)
Choose any one method & stick to it. Revision needed.
More details about how to cover current affairs: upscprep.com
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