-Under the guidance of the eminent mentor Shrawan Sir
🔹 PART 1: Understanding the Exam
📌 What is the Civil Services Examination (CSE)?
Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), it selects candidates for prestigious services like IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, etc. It is one of the toughest exams in India but also the most rewarding.
🧩 Structure of the Exam:
- Preliminary Exam (Objective)
- General Studies Paper I
- CSAT (Paper II) – Qualifying only (33% marks required)
- Main Examination (Descriptive)
- 9 papers including Essay, GS I-IV, Optional Subject Papers I & II, and Language Papers
- Personality Test (Interview)
🔹 PART 2: Laying the Foundation
📚 Understand the Syllabus and Previous Year Papers
- Download the official UPSC syllabus
- Study last 5–10 years of question papers to recognize trends
- Map each topic in the syllabus with standard sources
🧠 Develop the Right Mindset
- Treat the exam as a marathon, not a sprint
- Be patient, consistent, and adaptable
🔹 PART 3: Building a Strong Preparation Strategy
1. Time Management
- Create a detailed 12-month study plan, broken into:
- Phase I: NCERTs + Basic Reading
- Phase II: Advanced Books + Answer Writing
- Phase III: Test Series + Revision
2. Booklist (Concise and Standard)
| Subject | Source |
|---|---|
| Polity | M. Laxmikanth |
| History | NCERTs + Spectrum Modern History |
| Geography | NCERTs + G.C. Leong + Atlas |
| Economy | NCERTs + Ramesh Singh + Budget & Survey |
| Environment | Shankar IAS Book |
| Science & Tech | NCERT + Current Affairs |
| Current Affairs | The Hindu / Indian Express + Monthly Compilations |
✨ Stick to limited resources and revise them multiple times instead of running after too many books.
3. Optional Subject Selection
- Choose based on:
- Interest
- Academic background
- Availability of resources
- Scoring trends
- Thoroughly go through toppers’ strategies for your optional
🔹 PART 4: Mastering Each Stage
🧪 A. Prelims Strategy
- Revise standard books 3–4 times
- Take 40–50 mock tests
- Master MCQ-solving techniques (elimination, smart guessing)
- Track performance, revise mistakes
📝 B. Mains Strategy
- Start answer writing practice early
- Join a good Mains Test Series
- Focus on structure, clarity, and content
- Use diagrams, maps, examples, and quotes
- Practice essays weekly
🎤 C. Interview Preparation
- Know your DAF thoroughly
- Stay updated with current national and international affairs
- Practice with mock interviews
- Work on communication and presence
🔹 PART 5: Revision, Notes, and Practice
🧾 Notes-Making Strategy
- Make concise, crisp notes for every subject
- Use bullet points, mind maps, and flowcharts
- Digital or handwritten—whichever works best for you
🔁 Revision Plan
- Revise every subject at least 3 times
- Reserve last 45–60 days for pure revision
- Use revision-friendly formats: one-page summaries, quick facts
🔹 PART 6: Maintaining Discipline and Motivation
🧘♂️ Stay Healthy & Focused
- Regular sleep, good diet, light exercise
- Meditation or mindfulness to manage stress
🧑🤝🧑 Stay Connected
- Have a support system: mentors, peers, family
- Avoid unnecessary social media distractions
🔹 PART 7: Use Smart Tools and Resources
- Telegram Channels for Notes and Updates
- Vision IAS, ForumIAS, Insights for daily practice
- AIR/PIB for government updates
- Google Docs or Notion for organizing notes
🧩 Final Thoughts:
Success in UPSC on the first attempt comes from strategic preparation, self-belief, and relentless consistency. There is no shortcut, but there is a smart path—and if you walk it with discipline, you’ll reach your goal.
“Start early. Stay consistent. Finish strong.”