How to Prepare for

UPSC Civil Service

Examination
z
Avighna
With discussion on Civil Engineering Classes
Optional

Presented by:
Harsh Mahajan
PhD Scholar IIT Bombay
 About Me
• Research Scholar at IIT Bombay
• BE and ME in Honors
• Selected in ERA construction, Infosys and JE in Central Government Job
• 4 year of teaching + research experience
 Introduction
• UPSC: Union Public Service Commission:
• It is a Central Recruiting agency
• An independent constitutional body stated in Article 315-323 Part XIV of Indian
constitution
• UPSC conducts examination for appointment:
• All India Services
• Central Services
• Public services of UTs
• The examination includes:
• Engineering Services Examination
• Geo-scientist examination
• Combined Defense Service
• National Defense Academy examination
• Civil Services Examination
• Combined medical services examination
 Civil Services Examination
• Conducted every year
• Services/post:
• Indian Administrative Services
• Indian Police Services
• Indian Foreign Services
• Indian Revenue Services
• Group A/B post in various services such as Indian Postal, Indian Railway, UTs etc.
• Conducted in Three Phase:
• Prelims
• Mains
• Interview
 Why Civil Services?
• Provides opportunity to contribute effectively in progress of country through
• Ground implementation of governments scheme/act
• Maintaining law and order PM
• Decision making process
• Post responsibility:
• IAS: Most popular, Policy maker and executor CM
• IPS: law and order, Public safety
• IFS: Diplomates, Representative culture, trade etc. in foreign
• IRS: Collecting and administration of Direct and indirect taxes DM
• Group A: Administration of various departments
• Respectful Job with all government salaries and allowances
• Direct involvement in country’s growth
• A person can be promoted to central secretariat/ director generals of various department
 Scheme
Paper I: General Paper A and Paper B PI
Studies Essay
Paper II: Aptitude GS I
(33%)
GSII

Interview
Prelims

Mains
GSIII
GSIV
Optional I
Optional II
Analysis of previous year question paper (Prelims)
2019 2018
   
Subject Subject
Subject Topic Topic mark Topic mark
mark mark
Art and culture 5 7
Ancient History 2 0
History 18 20
Medieval History 4 1
Modern Indian 7 12
Physical 2 1
Indian physical 3 6
Geography Indian economic 7 12
social 1 1
World 1 4
Analysis of previous year question paper (Prelims)
2019 2018
   
Subject Subject
Subject Topic Topic mark Topic mark
mark mark
Ecology 2 2
Biodiversity 6 2
Climate change 2 1
EEBCC 19 11
Pollution 3 1
International 1 3
Indian act 5 2
Theory 1 2
Constitution 6 4
Polity Admin+ Judicial+ 19 14
Executive 6 5
History 3 3
Act+ mission+ bill 3 0
 Analysis of previous year question paper (Prelims)
2019 2018
   
Subject Subject
Subject Topic Topic mark Topic mark
mark mark
Basic 17 26
Economy 23 32
CA 6 6
Basic 0 1
S and T 14 11
Current 14 10

Approximate marks of Subjects:

Subjects Range Ideal
History (A&C, Ancient, Medieval, Modern) 15-20 20
Geography (Physical +Indian + Social and economic+ 5-15 10
World)
EEBCC 10-20 15
Polity 15-20 20
Economy + CA (economy and pillars) 20-30 25
S and T 10-15 10
 Observation/Discussion
• On the analysis of previous year question papers, it was found that U in UPSC is for
uncertainty. But more or less, subject distribution may be considered to be same. Although,
emphasis of static or dynamic part in subject may vary
• Some topics are very important and consistent Schemes, Acts, Basic of IC, Modern
history, International and national legislation in environment, science and technology etc
• On other hand, high degree of variability can be found in some portions such as Art and
culture, ancient and medieval, geography, biodiversity etc
 Analysis of previous year question paper (Mains)
2019 2018
   
Subject Topic Topic Subject Topic Subject
mark mark mark mark
Art and Culture 25 35
Modern India 50 25
History 90 60
Post-independence 0 0
World History 15 0
Woman, weaker,
25 50
minority issues
Society 45 90
GS-I Globalisation,
20 40
communalism etc
World Physical
30 20
geography
Environment
Geography 50 115 25 100
ecology portion
Economic and
35 55
human geography
 Analysis of previous year question paper (Mains)
2019 2018
   
Topic Subject Topic Subject
Subject Topic
mark mark mark mark
Indian constitution 20 25
Admin+ Judiciary+
40 40
Executive
Polity 125 155
Legislature + local
45 15
governance
Bodies 20 75
GS-II Social Issue and
65 35
solution policies
Governance Scheme act policies 0 75 0 45
Basics of governance, e
10 10
governance
International
India relation 10 50 10 50
relation
 2019 2018
   
Subject Topic Topic Subject Topic Subject
mark mark mark mark
Budgeting and basic 35 40
Agriculture and allied 50 45
Economy
85 110
and Sectors Infrastructure and investment 0  
model
Industrial sector + energy 0 25
CA 35 15
GSIII S and T 60 25
Achievement of Indians 25 10
Environment EIA + Conservation + pollution 40 40 50 50
Disaster
Basic and Management 25 25 15 15
management
Internal Extremism 10 10
40 50
Security Challenges 30 40
GSIV Ethics Ethics 250 250 250 250
Essay 250 250
 Approach for Preparation
• The approach should be integrated for mains and prelims
• Some Subjects in prelims may not be in mains or subject scope may be altered
• Extra subjects which will be needed to be studied for Mains:
• Ethics
• Internal security
• International relation
• World History
• Governance
• Society
• Essay
• Optional
• In general, mains examination approach is combination of four parts:
• Static portion of Subject
• Current Affairs
• Society effect
• Writing skills
 Approach for Preparation

Basic Advance Test

Complete primary
source Try to give test and
Update notes with
get basic update notes on the
secondary sources
knowledge basis of test
 Approach for Preparation
• •Planning: Three type planning need to be done:
• Monthly (take one subject)
• Weekly (week by week)
• Day (daily basis work)
• Weekly Target:
• Complete fraction portion of selected Subject
• Compilation of weekly CA
• Attempt few PYQs and Quiz related to that topic
• Daily target:
• Made daily target
• Daily newspaper reading
 Subject-wise planning- POLITY
• Topics:
• Constitutional framework- History, Preamble to FD, Amendment, Basic structure
• Central government-President, PM, Parliament
• State Government- Governor, CM, Legislature
• Local Government- Panchayat, Municipalities
• Constitutional bodies
• Non-constitutional Bodies
• Other constitutional dimensions
• Judiciary
• Political dynamics
• Basic theory of Polity
• Sources:
• 11th +12th NCERT Political Science
• Polity by laxmikant
• Always read chapters with Bare Constitution on same side
• Update Current Affairs
 Subject-wise planning- ECONOMY
• Topics:
• Basics of Economy- Micro economy, macro economy indicators
• Monetary policy: RBI policies and effects
• Indian financial market: Bank, NBFC, Secondary market, insurance, PF
• Fiscal policy: Budget, Deficits, BoP, External sector
• Sectors of economy:
• Natural Resources
• Energy
• Human Resources
• Agriculture and allied industry
• Infrastructure
• Industries
• The whole and soul of any policy or scheme of government can be subsumed in few
sectors of economy. These sectors are interdisciplinary.
• Sources: 11/12th NCERT Economy + Ramesh Singh+ Mrunal sir lecture notes

Policy and Financial

Geography S and T Misc.
Scheme Angle
 Subject-wise planning- HISTORY
• Topics:
• Ancient Indian History
• Medieval Indian History
• Art and Culture
• Modern Indian History
• Post Indian history
• World history
• Sources:
• 11th/12th Old NCERT History
• Spectrum for Modern Indian History
• Tamilnadu Text book on history
 Subject-wise planning- GEOGRAPHY
• Topics:
• Physical Geography + World Geography
• Indian Geography
Sources:
• NCERT Books
• PMF notes
 Subject-wise planning- EEBCC
• Topics:
• Ecology
• Biodiversity
• Environmental Pollution
• Climate Change
• International Legislation/event/ mechanism
• National legislation
Sources:
• Shankar IAS
• PMF notes
 Subject-wise planning- Other
• S and T:
• Topic: Biology, Space, Defense, India’s contribution, recent advancement
• Source: 11th 12th Biology, any book, CA
• International Relations:
• Relation with neighboring countries, Eastern country, Russia, European, African
countries, North America, international groups + treaties
• TMH Book, CA
• Internal Security:
• Threats and laws
• Source: TMH book, CA
• Society:
• Every topic need to be related to society’s issue
• Source: 11th 12th NCERT
 Optional Subject Preparation
• Why optional is important?
• Its 500marks vs 1250 marks, but more or less it is observed that the marks in General
studies and essay remains almost same of all candidates
• Huge marks can be captured from optional as only few subject/topic fulfil the need of
these papers while GS contains huge amount of subjects and topics  Very good
Marks to weight ratio
• General studies subjected to high degree of variability due to Current affairs  you
are not supposed to be able to answer all
• Choices:
• Civil Engineering
• Geography
• History
• Philosophy
• PSIR
• Public administration
• Sociology
 Optional Subject Preparation
• Why Civil Engineering?
• No subjectivity like in humanity subjects
• No Current Affair element like in PSIR, Pub Ad, Geography
• Strong Background as compare to other subject because bachelors, masters and
doctorate degree all is in Civil engineering
• Easy to defend in interview
• Strong inclination towards this subject
• Subjects can be taken for long time  Preparing for years to come will not be
monotonous
• As per analysis of previous year, numerical were found to be medium to tough rather
lengthy - Correct numerical full marks
 Target (Prelims)
• Cutoff Details:
  Prelims (200) Mains (1750) Topper(1750)
2019      
2018 98 774 942
2017 105.34 809 950
• Prelims optimum attempt and accuracy
Target marks =120
Attempt Correct Incorrect Marks %accuracy
60 60 0 120.00 100.00%
65 62 3 122.00 95.38%
70 63 7 121.33 90.00%
75 64 11 120.67 85.33%
80 65 15 120.00 81.25%
85 67 18 122.00 78.82%
90 68 22 121.33 75.56%
95 69 26 120.67 72.63%
100 70 30 120.00 70.00%
Target Accuracy = 81.25%
Target (Prelims)
 Target (Main)
• Prelims optimum attempt and accuracy

Paper Total Mark Target mark Toppers Mark

Essay 250 130 133
GS-1 250 100 98
GS-2 250 120 117
GS-3 250 120 117
GS-4 250 100 116
Optional -1 250 200 170
Optional-2 250 200 191
 Current Affairs
• Newspaper: The Hindu or The Indian Express
• It will take daily at least 2hrs.
• Why Newspaper
• Improve language
• Increases reading habit
• One news constantly comes for at least 2 to 5 times in a month
• Builds a point of view (positive or negative)
• Current Affairs magazine:
• Vision IAS
• It will cover all points of all news in one booklet
• Do not make self notes based on newspaper because it will take huge amount of time
• But if you find some good argument in paper you can cut/snip and save it
• Every week make your own compilation of newspaper  it will revise your CA also
• Compare your notes with magazines to assess your reading
 Test Series
• Why:
• To check your progress and knowledge level
• Which one:
• Vision IAS, Insights, GS Score etc.
• Precautions:
• Do not start test series from the first day, you know nothing
• Do not focus on many test question because every coaching want to justify their fees of
the test series they may include numerous question that make no sense
• After test, do retrospective
• Give always in same environment as in paper hall (no AC, morning, little disturbance
etc.)
 Answer Writing Practice
• Why:
• To check your progress and knowledge level
• To assess writing skills
• Which one:
• Vision IAS, Insights, GS Score etc.
• Precautions:
• Do not start answer writing from the first day, you know nothing
• Do not focus on many test question because every coaching want to justify their fees of
the test series they may include numerous question that make no sense
• After test, do retrospective
• Compare your solution with coaching’s benchmark
 Conclusion

Give
exam(if not
Revise and selected
Test retrospect)
Update with
CA and
Complete Other
Basics of Sources
See every
Syllabus Subject
Check and PYQs
yourself
 Conclusion

Always have a Plan B

Thank You for Attending
Please Subscribe
Share and Comment