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How to Prepare for Prelims In 2 Years?: Tips and Strategies

PWOnlyIAS May 06, 2024 06:40 1117 0

How to Prepare for Prelims In 2 Years? Here is the one-line answer: By following a methodical strategy and making a committed effort, you can improve your chances of passing the competitive prelims test.

How to Prepare for Prelims In 2 Years?: Tips and Strategies

How to Prepare for Prelims In 2 Years: The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) prelims is an entry to high-level positions in civil services in the Indian government. With objective-style questions, the preliminary examination serves as a screening test in the first step. 

To assist you in completing General Studies Paper 1 (GS Paper 1), General Studies Paper 2 (GS Paper 2), or  the Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT) paper in the UPSC Prelims, this blog provides a structured two-year preparation plan. Read more to learn How to Prepare for Prelims In 2 Years.

An Overview of UPSC Preliminary Exam 

The UPSC Prelims last for two hours and have two papers, each worth 200 marks. To move on to the Mains exam, you must receive the qualifying marks.

The below table gives a brief description of UPSC Exam Pattern

UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2024

Paper Subjects Number of Questions Marks Duration
I General Studies (GS) 100 200 2 hours
II CSAT 80 200 2 hours 

GS Paper 1: Indian Heritage and Culture, History, Geography, Environment, Ecology, Biodiversity & Disaster Management, and National and Internationally Significant Current Affairs are the main topics of this paper.

GS Paper 2: This test evaluates your ability to comprehend, reason, communicate, and make decisions. It is intended to assess abilities such as written communication, analytical thinking, and problem-solving.

How to Prepare for Prelims In 2 Years: It is essential to comprehend the syllabus and format of questions for every paper to prepare effectively. You can download the official syllabus here.

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How to Prepare for Prelims In 2 Years – Two Year Preparation Strategy 

The secret to success is a well-defined plan that combines fundamental learning, revision, and practice. 

The below table gives an overview of your two-year study plan for prelims:

2-Year Study Plan
Year 1 Study Plan
1st Month 
  • GS I Syllabus
  • GS II Syllabus
  • Resourcing the books
  • Previous Year Question Analysis
  • Make a study plan
2nd Month 
  • GS I – Indian History
  • GS II – Decision-making and Problem-solving
  • Current affairs
3rd Month
  • GS I – Art and Culture
  • GS II – CSAT Topics Revision
  • Current affairs
4th Month
  • GS I – Geography
  • GS II – Basic Numeracy
  • Revision
  • Current affairs
5th Month
  • GS I – Polity and Governance
  • GS II – Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills
  • Current affairs
6th Month
  • GS I – Economics
  • GS II –  General Mental Ability
  • Current affairs
7th Month 
  • GS I – General Science
  • GS II – Data Interpretation
  • Current affairs
8th Month
  • GS I – Environment and Biodiversity
  • GS II – Reading Comprehension
  • Revision
  • Current affairs
9th Month
  • GS I – Ecology
  • GS II – Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability
  • Current affairs
10th Month
  • GS I and II Revision
  • Mock Tests
  • Current Affairs
11th Month
  • Books Reading
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Current Affairs
12th Month
  • Notes Revision
  • Previous Year Question Practice
  • Mock Exams
Year 2 Study Plan
Practice and Consolidation
  • Following Year 1 Plan
  • Revisions
  • Mock exams
  • Result Analysis
  • Working on weak areas
  • CSAT and current affairs practice

How to Prepare for Prelims In 2 Years –  Covering the Syllabus

How to Prepare for Prelims In 2 Years? During the first year of 2-year Prelims preparation, you should cover the complete syllabus of GS1 and GS2. Below is the detailed structure of the 1st year study plan. 

Month 1: Establishing the Foundation

Knowing the UPSC Prelims Syllabus: To obtain a thorough understanding of the topics you must study, go over the syllabus for each paper (GS 1, GS 2, and CSAT) in detail.

General Studies Paper-I
  1. Current events of National & International importance.
  2. History of India & Indian National Movement.
  3. Indian & World Geography (Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India & the World)
  4. Indian Polity & Governance (Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.)
  5. Economic & Social Development (Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.)
  6. General issues on Environmental ecology, Biodiversity & climate change.
  7. General Science.
General Studies Paper-II (CSAT)
  1. Comprehension.
  2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
  3. Logical reasoning & analytical ability.
  4. Decision making & problem solving.
  5. General mental ability.
  6. Basic numeracy (numbers & their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. – Class X level)

Choosing Resources: Depending on your preferred method of learning, pick top-notch study guides. For GS subjects like General Science, History, Polity, Geography, Economics, and Environment, NCERT textbooks provide a solid basis. 

Reference Books: For in-depth learning, check out online resources and standard reference books written by subject matter specialists. If a coaching institute is a good fit for you, think about enrolling.

Making a Study Schedule: To prevent burnout, make a realistic, balanced study schedule that includes all of the subjects, current events, and breaks. Set aside specific times to work on each subject so that your studies are consistent.

Months 2 to 6: Emphasis on Basic Subjects

GS Paper I: History, Culture, Geography, Politics and Governance, Economic

Month 2: History: Begin with the study of Ancient and Medieval Indian history, emphasizing the rise of great empires, social institutions, and artistic advancements. gradually moved on to Modern Indian History, which covers the Indian National Movement and the establishment of post-independence states.

Month 3: Culture: Examine the Vedic Era, the Indus Valley Civilization, and the Development of Buddhism and Jainism. Explore the ideologies of the main faiths, Indian art and architecture, and a variety of languages and literatures.

Month 4: Geography: Start by learning about the physical geography of India, including the drainage system, climate, monsoon patterns, and physiographic divisions. Proceed to Economic Geography and concentrate on mineral resources, industry, and agriculture. To create a solid foundation, make use of NCERT textbooks (VI to XII) and reference materials.

Month 5: Politics and Governance: Pay close attention to the composition, characteristics, and tenets of the Indian Constitution. Recognize how municipalities, panchayat, and other governmental tiers operate. For basic understanding, read NCERT’s (IX to XII), For in-depth knowledge, use reference materials such as Laxmikant’s Indian Polity.

Month 6: Economics: Finish the Basic Concepts of Economics, as well as the Indian Economy Before and After Independence. For foundation, begin with NCERT textbooks (IX to XII), then transition to reference books like “Indian Economy” by Ramesh Singh for a deeper understanding.

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Focus on current based topics such as the budget, government schemes, banking, the role of agriculture in the Indian economy, and the economic survey while taking notes for last-minute revisions. 

Regular Revision: Set aside time regularly to go over previously discussed material again. To reinforce important ideas, use strategies like mind maps, flashcards, and summary notes. Put more emphasis on comprehension than mere memorization. 

Mock Tests: Complete mock exams frequently to evaluate your level of readiness and pinpoint areas in which you need to improve. Examine your performance, note any patterns, and take steps to address them. To boost self-esteem and enhance time management, replicate exam settings. 

GS Paper II: Decision -making, Reading Comprehension, Maths 

Begin your CSAT preparation by allocating two hours each day to go over the CSAT curriculum and the GS 1 paper, since the CSAT paper is a qualifying one. Establish fundamental abilities in communication, logic, comprehension, and decision-making. Gain proficiency in fundamental mathematics and improve your ability to analyze and solve problems. 

Make use of CSAT-specific practice materials and online resources. Allocate at least 2 hours every day to cope with covering the CSAT Syllabus. As the GS Paper 2 (CSAT) is a qualifying exam, covering the CSAT syllabus along with the GS Paper 1 is crucial.

Months 7-9: Practice and a Deep Dive

Proceed to study the remaining subjects in GS Paper 1. Refer to NCERT books, reference books, and internet resources like Physics Wallah on topics like ecology, biodiversity, and the environment.

General Science: You should take into consideration studying courses like Physics from Class 9–10 NCERT, Chemistry from Class 9–10 NCERT, and Biology from Class 9–10 NCERT because General Science plays a significant part in covering the GS 1 Syllabus. Examine science-related current affairs concurrently. 

Current Affairs: Remember to cover topics like issues of social justice for women, children, and people from OBCs, SCs, and STs categories. Examine current events, significant international institutions, and India’s foreign policy. To stay up to date, use standard textbooks and current affairs resources.

Previous Year Questions: Start getting comfortable with the GS papers by working through past years’ question papers and mock exams. To better understand question trends, pinpoint regions that are tested frequently, and increase response accuracy, analyze solution sets.

Months 10–12: Consolidation and Revision

Set aside time to carefully go over every subject that was presented in GS Papers 1 and 2. Concentrate on the areas where UPSC previous year questions and mock exams were revealed as weak points. To quickly review important ideas and details, think about making brief notes or mind maps.

Continue to Read About Current Issues Consistently: Create a plan to keep abreast of local, national, and global events. Make use of current affairs periodicals, reliable news websites, and newspapers such as The Hindu or The Indian Express.

Develop Your Time Management Abilities: Attempt as many mock exams as possible to see where you spend too much time. Create plans to increase your accuracy and speed while responding to questions in the allotted time.

Second Year of Preparation: Practice and Consolidation

Consolidating your information, practicing a lot, and keeping up with current events are the main goals of the second year.

Adhere to the First Year’s Plan: Continue going over every subject covered in GS Papers 1 and 2. Strive for thorough comprehension as well as the capacity to evaluate and apply ideas to practical contexts.

Practice Both of the GS Papers and Mock Exams Regularly: After every test, evaluate your performance to determine what has to be improved. Improve your weak points and your ability to write responses. With every mock exam, strive to get a higher score.

Combine Current Events with Every GS Subject: Examine the connections between current events and the concepts covered in the syllabus. This adds personality to your responses and shows that you have a comprehensive grasp.

Continue to Practice CSAT Consistently: Practice answering practice questions and taking mock exams regularly to improve your time management and problem-solving skills. Concentrate on the areas that prior attempts indicated were weak points.

General Tips To Prepare For Prelims in 2 Years

  • Retain discipline and consistency in your study. Establish a daily or weekly routine, and try your best to follow it. A consistent study schedule is essential for long-term success.
  • Plan pauses to prevent stress. Take little breaks to clear your head so that you may return to your studies with fresh determination. To keep a healthy balance, schedule time for leisure and relaxation.
  • Participate in study groups or online forums to learn from and with peers. Talk about concerns, exchange tactics, and maintain motivation with other candidates. Talking with others might help you understand concepts and see things from a different angle.
  • Remain inspired and concentrate on the result. During difficult moments, keep in mind why you began this journey and try not to lose sight of the greater picture. To stay motivated, utilize positive affirmations and visualize yourself succeeding.

UPSC Website: https://upsc.gov.in/ 

NCERT Standard Textbooks: https://ncert.nic.in/ 

Reference Books: Examine books that subject area experts recommend reading to prepare for the GS and CSAT.

History: 

  • NCERT books for Class VI-XII
  • India’s Struggle for Independence, by Bipin Chandra
  • A brief History of Modern India by Spectrum
  • Indian Art, and Culture by Nitin Singhania

Geography: 

  • NCERT Books (VI to XII)
  • GC Leong
  • Atlas

Environment

  • Science: Class XII-Biology: last four Chapters (13 to 16)
  • NCERT Geograpy (VI to XII)-Last Chapters on Environment
  • Environment by Shankar IAS 

Polity:

  • NCERT books (IX to XII)
  • Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth

General Science

  • NCERT books (IX to X)
  • Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth
  • Curreent Affairs

Economics:

  • Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
  • Economic Development & Policies in India by Jain and Ohri
  • NCERT books (IX to XII)
  • Current Affairs, including Budget and economic surveys

UPSC Current Affairs:

  • Magazines – Yojana
  • News-papers – The Hindu, The Indian Express, etc.

Web-Based Resources: Physics Wallah provides Free resources, online courses, practice exams, UPSC preparation advice, and current event updates.

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In summary 

Success in the UPSC Prelims is mostly dependent on efficient preparation. We hope this comprehensive study plan gave you an answer to How to Prepare for Prelims In 2 Years. Recall that the keys to success are discipline, consistency, and a calculated approach. Make good use of the resources at your disposal, keep up with current events, and have a positive outlook while you prepare. You can fulfill your desire to pass this tough exam and start a rewarding career in the civil service by working hard and being dedicated to your work.

Join the exclusive test series from Physics Wallah to be ready for UPSC Prelims 2024!

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

How to Prepare for Prelims In 2 Years FAQs

Start by carefully reading the exam syllabus. Make a study schedule, concentrate on fundamental ideas, and go progressively to more complex subjects.

Consistency is more important than duration. Start each day with six to eight hours, and as you get better and feel more at ease, you can extend it.

The key is balance. Set aside time for each. While studying static topics requires knowledge and refinement over time, studying current affairs should be done frequently.

It is dependent on your resources and learning style. Coaching centers can offer organized instruction and independent study with excellent material references, which is also beneficial.

Concentrate on practice exams, past year's papers, and brief review notes. Determine your weak points and make extensive revisions. Remain composed and refrain from studying too close to the test day.
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AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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