Civil Services Preparation Strategy

My Dear friends, I have been receiving various queries from aspirants for preparation of Civil
services. Even though I cleared the UPSC exam long time back in 2008, however sharing few of
my insights.
Just Remember while you start your preparations, civil services examination by UPSC still remains
the toughest exam in the country & competition is very high. So give your efforts with full
dedication & commitment.

1. Why do you want to join civil services?

What is your goal in life?
Identify what drives you?

It should be clear in your mind, why you want to join Civil services . This burning purpose
will keep motivating you during your preparations. Begin with End in your mind.
MERITS CHALLENGES

● Respect ● Frequent transfers

● Charisma ● Political interventions
● Connect with society ● Unstable family life
● Opportunity to work with masses at ● Dynamic paraphernalia in which
very young age an officer has to work- Factors
● Job diversity like - media, judiciary, NGO’s,
● Job security civil society organisations,
● Work at grassroot level & bring an citizens at large .
impact in field; in life of people at large
● Always at forefront in times of any
crisis/Disaster that nation faces. For eg.
Recent Covid-19 pandemic.
Thus, the reason for you joining the civil service should be very clear in your mind as it will enable
you to sustain motivation during preparation.

2. Have a plan - B in life / Fall Back Career Option

By plan-B I mean that it should be clear to you that if you would not be able to clear the civil
services, what would you do?
This is not to demotivate you, but to make you have a realistic assessment. This exam is still the
toughest in the country.
More than 10 Lakh applicants fill the form each year for Prelims, however only a few 100’s get
final selection.

So when you are investing 2-3 prime years of youth, with all energy, resources it should be clear to
you that if you don’t qualify; what else is the career opportunity ?
In terms of higher education, professional studies or job.
It’s even more important for families I would say, so that they become financially independent in
life.

3. Best Time/ Age to Start UPSC Preparation ?

See the UPSC Website for exam notification - to be clear about eligibility criteria, age, no.of
attempts, etc.

School - some aspirants are clear during school days

that they want to join civil services. They can brush up NCERT’s & also develop basic
understanding of issues relating to society.
Read newspapers, magazines, focus on general studies.

Graduation - In addition to above, one can also choose the optional & see the basic topics in that
subject.
If it is the same as graduation, then not major issues. If it's different from graduation, then
knowledge on a subject equivalent to graduation at least is required. So start with basic.

Post Graduation/Job - It’s important to decide how you will balance your studies with post
graduation studies or job.
Try to make a schedule in which you are able to devote a few hours daily/weekly to civils
preparation.

4. Strategies To Prepare For Exam

See the recent UPSC notification to be sure about the eligibility criteria, age, number of attempts
can be given as per category, etc.
Once you are clear, decide how many years you are willing to devote to this process.
Minimum 2 years is required - 1 years before prelims & 1 years during exams.
When you start preparing - divide the time available - into months - weeks.
Know the UPSC Syllabus well - go through previous 3 years past question papers to know about
the exams pattern.
Choice of optional is Important.

12 Months Strategy - IAS : Assuming JUNE 2022 is Prelims

Phase 1 - May to October (combined studies : overall foundation laying for Prelim/ Mains)
Phase 2 - November- February (Mains Focus - Answer writing etc.)
Phase 3 - March - May (Prelims Exclusive)
Phase 4 - June 2022 (after Prelims, again focus on mains study)

5. Stage Wise Preparation -

Preliminary - MCQ - Objective Test ; CSAT

(Both subject for 200 marks each)
Extensive knowledge

A. Prelims -
Paper 1 : General studies
Paper 2 : Aptitude Test (comprehension, newspaper reading, current affairs, etc. is very important),
Logical reasoning ability ,Mental ability, Basic numeracy upto class X level

PAPER II - is the qualifying paper with minimum 33% marks

B. Mains -
Subjective Type
Paper (I-V), well educated person will be able to answer them without specialized study
Optionals - level higher than Bachelor Degree & lower than Masters Degree

MARKS - 250 x 7 = 1750

PAPER I - Essay
PAPER II - History, heritage, geography
PAPER III - Governance, constitution, Policy, Social Justice, International relations
PAPER IV -Technology, Eco- development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, Disaster
Management
PAPER V - Ethics, Integrity, aptitude
PAPER VI & VII - Optional subjects

Mains marks are most important for deciding your selection & Rank
Try to make your own notes, which you will use during revision .
Practice Answer writing - keep updates of current affairs through newspapers magazine
It’s important to reproduce what you comprehend on a topic/issue clearly in the exam
Solve previous years question papers (Last 3 years/max)
Or Mock test series - Don't become a researcher - PHD nahi karni hai, exam crack karna hai
Repeated revisions are a key .
I’m deliberately not mentioning any specific name of book here.

C. Interview
It’s an overall personality test (P.T.) (MARKS 275)
It tests communication skill, presence of mind, reaction to stress etc.
Work on your C.V. properly- your background, your education qualifications, native place, place of
education, work, hobbies, etc.
Work on personality grooming
Prepare responses why you want to join civil services
What changes in system you foresee should be clear
Don’t enter into an argument with the interview board. They are well experienced people.
If you are not confident of an answer, politely admit that you are unaware of it.
Don't get into an argument with the board.
It should be well reasoned if you put forth a particular viewpoint.
Just be natural; don’t bluff. Stay grounded
For practice appear in mock interviews/ group discussions

6. How to stay focused towards your Goal ?

This exam is a long drawn process

Count the number of months/weeks/days you have. Break the number of months & strategise.

ESSENTIAL RULES --->

Self discipline is very important
Inner motivation/drive - Positive approach to study
Know your strength & weakness well - Self awareness
Prioritize the studies as per your weak & strong areas (with target of improving score)
Time management is important
Breaking tasks/ Goals into achievable units (short term & long term)
Take adequate breaks in between
Staying calm is very important -if demotivated, spend time with your friends, family, on hobbies
Be focused - be selfish in your time - meticulous, judicious utilization of time is important.

7. Some common Concerns Pertaining To CSE (common questions)

Q. How many hours to study for exams - At Least 10-12 hours ?

Later, around the exams around 15-16 hours with dedication
Quality time is more important than quantity.

Q. How to choose optional ?

It can be the same or different.
Some deciding factors can be - from graduation
interest/academic background of candidate
Contribution of optional subject towards G.S. studies syllabus
Study material availability in subject
Performance/ score of optional in past 3 years

Q. Medium of language in UPSC -

Choose the language in which you can express your thoughts well
Can be Hindi/English - both are equality scoring

Q. Is coaching necessary for IAS?

It depends on your approach.
Some candidates feel more comfortable - some not
Also not effective coachings are available in all cities/ towns. Especially for candidate hailing from
rural background, it may not be easy for shifting to other locations for coaching.
Look out for Online study materials/ lectures available.
Group studies also can be done.
Q. Is Social media necessary ?
Those who are seriously preparing, they should refrain from social media; unnecessarily don't
waste time.
See E-learning websites/channels/apps which help you in preparation.

8. How to face failures - what if not civil services?

Success rate is less than 1% ( But remember it’s not the end of the world)
Back up career plan is important
You gain much knowledge & experience in preparation - try to put to use other avenues
You can appear for other competitive exams, including in govt, State PSC exams etc.
You can also contribute towards nation building through other options like becoming an
Entrepreneur, setting up own business venture & generating employment, form NGOs / civil
society organisations etc & contribute in implementation of flagship schemes & programmes of
government –Swachha Bharat abhiyan, Beti bachao beti Padhao, Jal shakti Abhiyaan, women
empowerment, Save environment , blood donation, respect for senior citizens, women safety, Child
abuse, Drugs trafficking, etc.
Also shoulder responsibility with govt during any kind of crisis/ disaster.

9. Message to youth/ Conclusion

Stay focussed
Remember 3C’s - courage - conviction - consistency
Love what you do & do what you love
You can be the ‘You of your Dreams’, if you show dedication & perseverance
Youth are the key agents of social change, economic development, technological innovation, etc.
harnessing it.
Contribute towards sustainable development in the nation .

I always remember proses -

तम ु समय की रे त पर छोडते चलो निशाँ

दे खती तम्
ु हे जमीं दे खता है आसमां

कौन कहता है आसमां में सरु ाख नहीं हो सकता

एक पत्थर तो तबियत से उछालो यारों

Keep telling yourself - I can, I will !

The Game is not Over, till I Win
Give your Best & Realize your Dreams !

ALL THE BEST !!

Sonal Goel IAS