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How to Prepare for UPSC Mains is no longer a daunting question in aspirants’ minds. We are dedicated to guiding aspirants through the intricacies of UPSC exam preparation. Read more in this blog to know How to Prepare for UPSC Mains with strategic plans.
How to Prepare for UPSC Mains is no longer a daunting question in aspirants’ minds. We are dedicated to guiding aspirants through the intricacies of UPSC mains preparation. Read more in this blog to know How to Prepare for UPSC Mains with strategic plans.
High scoring part in the IAS exam is the UPSC mains examination, the second stage of UPSC exams. UPSC mains exam is important because they establish a candidate’s scores for the final examination phase.Â
Let’s Explore a comprehensive guide to How to Prepare for UPSC Mains. We cover an in-depth plan for understanding the syllabus, creating a study plan, effective study techniques, practicing with previous papers, managing stress, and preparing for the exam day.
For applicants hoping to join the Indian Civil Services, such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS), the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination and UPSC mains are essential steps. Through a demanding examination procedure, the UPSC mains exam is intended to evaluate a candidate’s ability to answer and comprehend the situation. For proper UPSC mains preparation, it is vital to comprehend the UPSC mains exam format.
The below table represents the overall exam pattern for the 9 papers of UPSC mains:
| Exam Name | UPSC Mains Exam |
| Eligibility | Qualify Prelims |
| UPSC Mains 2024 Exam Date | 20th to 28th September 2024 |
| Exam Format | Descriptive format |
| Number of Papers | 9 |
| Duration | 3 hours each |
| Qualifying Papers | Paper A (Indian Language)
Paper B (English) |
| Qualifying Marks | 75 Marks |
| Merit Papers | Essay
General Studies 1 General Studies 2 General Studies 3 General Studies 4 Optional Paper 1 Optional Paper 2 |
| Total Marks | 250 X 7 = 1750 |
How to Prepare for UPSC Mains? Here are detailed steps to follow. The UPSC mains exam acts as an important turning point in civil services. A methodical and planned approach is necessary for UPSC mains preparation that works:
A solid grasp of the syllabus material serves as the cornerstone of effective UPSC mains preparation technique. The UPSC mains Syllabus helps determine the main subjects and topics that must be covered in the exam as well as outlining its scope.
Getting the official mains syllabus is the first step. The UPSC Mains syllabus is often made available by the organization that administers the exam and is available on their official website. After obtaining the syllabus, divide it into digestible portions. If you’re studying for the civil services test, for example, break up the syllabus into topics like geography, history, polity, economics, and so forth. Subtopics should be used to further classify topics inside each subject.
It’s important to know how important each topic is. Certain subjects might be tested more frequently or have higher grade weights than others. Give these high-yield topics top priority in your study schedule. Furthermore, examining previous years’ exam questions can reveal which subjects are more crucial and often addressed.
For instance, you might find parts of ancient, medieval, and modern history in a history syllabus. Divide them even further into noteworthy figures, occasions, and events. Give sections that have come up more often on previous tests more time.
The below table is a detailed analysis of the UPSC mains syllabus for GS papers:
| Paper | UPSC Mains Subjects | Syllabus |
| Paper A | Indian Language | Compulsory Indian Language of 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution |
| Paper B | English Language | – |
| Paper I | Essay | Medium of Choice |
| Paper II | General Studies I |
|
| Paper III | General Studies II |
|
| Paper IV | General Studies III |
|
| Paper V | General Studies IV | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude |
The table below is the optional subjects syllabus for UPSC mains exam:
| Agriculture | Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science | Anthropology |
| Botany | Chemistry | Civil Engineering |
| Commerce and Accountancy | Economics | Electrical Engineering |
| Geography | Geology | History |
| Law | Management | Mathematics |
| Mechanical Engineering | Medical Science | Philosophy |
| Physics | Political Science and International Relations | Psychology |
| Public Administration | Sociology | Statistics |
| Literature of any one of the available languages: Assamese, Bodo, Bengali, Dogri, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kashmiri, Konkani, Kannada, Manipuri, Marathi, Santhali, Sanskrit, Maithili, Malayalam, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu | Zoology | |
Utilize textbooks: Selecting the appropriate study materials is essential. The suggestions of qualified applicants and subject matter specialists should be taken into consideration while selecting standard textbooks, reference books, online courses, and other study tools. For instance, established textbooks such as NCERT books for basics and advanced books by reputable authors can be highly helpful for a competitive exam like the civil services exam.
Online courses: Courses on websites such as Physics Wallah can be used in addition to your study materials. As your main resources, be sure to consult the official curriculum and the previous year’s exam questions. These papers aid in both recognizing often-asked questions and comprehending the format of the exam.
Online forums: Participating in internet forums and discussion groups can also give you access to other candidates’ study techniques and resource materials. These sites frequently feature discussion threads where candidates post extremely helpful notes, summaries, and advice.
To efficiently and methodically cover the extensive UPSC Syllabus, a well-structured study schedule is necessary.
Establish attainable, well-defined goals first. These objectives must be long-term as well as short-term. Long-term objectives can be finishing the syllabus material as a whole by a particular date or achieving a particular percentage on practice exams. Daily or weekly objectives, such as completing a chapter or clearing a particular number of practice questions, might be considered short-term goals.
Establishing goals gives direction and aids with attention retention. Setting attainable goals will help you stay motivated during the planning phase and prevent burnout.
A long-term objective could be, for instance, to complete the first reading of every subject in three months. One could set short-term objectives such as finishing a history chapter every two days or completing current affairs topics every week.
One of the most important parts of UPSC mains preparation is time management. Make a thorough study plan that allows time for every topic. Make sure your timetable is well-balanced, allowing enough time for study, editing, and downtime. A daily plan could have designated times for breaks, leisure activities, and various disciplines.
Think about applying methods such as the Pomodoro Technique, which calls for a 25-minute study session followed by a 5-minute break. Productivity can be increased and focus maintained with the aid of this technique. Another tactic is time blocking, which involves setting aside specified time slots for certain tasks to guarantee uninterrupted and concentrated study periods.
Not every subject is equally significant. Sort topics according to their importance and degree of difficulty. Begin with the fundamentals and work your way up to more complex subjects. Give subjects or topics that you find difficult additional time. Review and modify your study plan frequently in light of your academic progress and comprehension.
For example, if you find economics difficult, spend more study time comprehending and working through the fundamental ideas in that topic. To help you grasp complex concepts better, use visual aids like charts and graphs.
Effective study involves not only putting in a lot of hours but also making the most of those hours. Using active learning strategies can greatly improve comprehension and recall.
Active learning: This method involves interacting with the information in a way that encourages in-depth comprehension. Effective strategies include taking notes, summarizing, and mentoring others. For example, take notes in your own words while you read a chapter. Condense the main ideas and make mind maps to see how the ideas relate to one another.
Teaching: Teaching is another effective strategy. You strengthen your grasp of a concept when you clarify it to another person. Find a study partner or join a study group so you can ask questions and discuss subjects.
Furthermore, there are advantages to applying techniques such as the Feynman Technique. This helps identify holes in your understanding by breaking down a concept into basic terms as if you were teaching it to someone else.
To become proficient in any subject, you must practice frequently. Complete as many of the practice questions and tasks as you can. Finding one’s skills and shortcomings is facilitated by routine self-evaluation via quizzes and mock exams. Once you have finished a topic, you can assess your understanding by taking a quiz or answering questions about it.
Make a revision schedule that enables you to go over previously covered content frequently. This guarantees that you retain information for extended periods and aids in memory reinforcement. Long-term retention can be greatly aided by spaced repetition, which involves reviewing content at progressively larger intervals.
Make use of technology to help with your planning. Flashcards, Trello for task organization, and Evernote for note-taking are a few examples of useful educational apps. Resources and insights can be gained from online study groups and forums on websites devoted to UPSC mains preparation, such as Physics Wallah, Quora, or other similar platforms.
Furthermore, listening to podcasts and watching video lectures can be a great approach to learning difficult subjects. High-quality materials may be found on many educational podcasts and YouTube channels, such as Physics Wallah, which can supplement your reading material.
How to Prepare for UPSC Mains: UPSC mains preparation must include using mock exams and answer writing practices for question papers from previous years UPSC exams.
Understanding the format, nature, and degree of difficulty of the exam can be achieved by working through the prior year’s toppers answer sheets. It also acquaints you with the questions’ structure and time limits. Develop the habit of completing these papers in an exam-like setting to enhance time management abilities and lessen test anxiety.
After completing mock exams, take some time to evaluate your performance. Determine which questions you answered poorly and why, and take note of your errors. This examination offers a chance to get better and assists in identifying areas of weakness. Make changes to your study schedule based on these suggestions, giving weak areas greater attention.
Consider the kinds of mistakes you make, such as conceptual errors, calculation errors, or misinterpretations of questions, if you routinely receive lower scores in essay papers. To increase your performance, concentrate your research on these particular topics.
Sustaining motivation and stress reduction are essential elements of successful UPSC preparation.
Having a solid support network can have a big impact on your UPSC preparation process. Identify mentors, take part in online communities, and join study groups. You can improve your UPSC preparation by talking about subjects with colleagues, exchanging materials, and encouraging one another.
Emotional support can also be obtained from friends and family. Communicate your objectives and advancements to them, and ask for support when things get tough.
It might be stressful to prepare for an exam at the last minute. Developing stress-reduction strategies is crucial for keeping the body and mind in good condition. Engaging in hobbies, meditation, and regular physical activity can all aid in stress relief. Additionally, highly useful are methods like gradual muscular relaxation, mindfulness, and deep breathing techniques.
Keeping up a nutritious diet and getting enough sleep are equally crucial. Stay away from junk food and excessive caffeine, as these can impair your energy and ability to concentrate.
Taking part in hobbies and leisure pursuits will assist you in mentally refreshing and provide you with a much-needed break from your studies. Make sure to schedule some time each day for relaxing, whether it’s through reading, painting, or engaging in physical activity.
Maintaining an optimistic outlook is essential for conquering obstacles throughout the planning phase. Use visualization and constructive self-talk tactics. Remind yourself of your objectives and the motivations behind them. Remain strong in the face of failures, and see errors as chances to grow and learn.
Visualization strategies can help lower anxiety and increase confidence. One such strategy is to see yourself passing the exam. Gratitude exercises and positive affirmations can also support the upkeep of an optimistic mindset.
Exam day is just as essential as the days preceding it. Reducing anxiety and enhancing performance can be achieved through strategic UPSC Mains preparation.
During the last few days before the test, concentrate on reviewing important ideas and equations. At this point, don’t start any new discussions. For fast reviews, refer to your summaries, mental maps, and notes. Use flashcards to review significant numbers and facts.
Make the most of the time by testing your knowledge of the subject matter without consulting the notes, or active recall. This method works quite well for long-term memory retention.
Make a list of everything you’ll need to bring to the testing location, including your ID, identification, stationery, and any additional supplies that may be needed. Make sure you get a decent night’s sleep the night before the exam and eat a nutritious breakfast the next morning.
To minimize anxiety at the last minute, schedule your trip to the testing location and try to arrive early. Before the exam, become familiar with the location and amenities of the testing center.
On the day of the exam, maintain composure. To avoid any last-minute rush, get to the exam location plenty of time in advance. Make sure you read the instructions thoroughly and use your time wisely during the test. Do not become alarmed if you come across challenging questions. Go on to the next query and, if time allows, return to it later.
To combat exam anxiety, engage in deep breathing techniques both before and during the test. Recall that maintaining composure and concentration can greatly enhance your output.
A methodical and planned approach is needed to understand How to Prepare for UPSC Mains in the UPSC exam. Successful UPSC mains preparation requires comprehending the material, making an organized study plan, using efficient study strategies, rehearsing with past papers, and controlling stress. Sustaining your motivation and having an optimistic outlook will greatly improve your performance. As you set out on this preparatory path, don’t forget to maintain your composure, resilience, and focus. You can succeed in the UPSC Mains exams and meet your career objectives if you put in the necessary effort and use the appropriate study techniques.
Join Physics Wallah’s UPSC courses today and take the first step towards a successful career in the Indian Civil Services.Â
| 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 |
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