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How to Prepare for UPSC Prelims Exam 2024

PWOnlyIAS April 27, 2024 05:06 195 0

Prepare for the UPSC Prelims with our detailed article. Exam patterns, study plans, syllabus insights, and expert tips can help you prepare better and ace the exam with confidence.

How to Prepare for UPSC Prelims? Well, Lots of perseverance, commitment, and effort are needed to prepare for the UPSC Preliminary Exam. The first stage in the difficult process of becoming a public servant is the UPSC Prelim exam. This critical stage assesses your knowledge, critical thinking abilities, and subject-matter flexibility. Let’s look at a detailed plan for successfully preparing for the UPSC Prelims.

Prepare for UPSC Prelims Exam

The UPSC administers the Civil Services Examination each year to select officers for several prestigious government positions. It is undoubtedly among the hardest exams in the nation. The IAS test consists of three stages: the preliminary, the main, and the interview. A methodical and well-structured approach is necessary to successfully traverse and pass each of the three UPSC exam phases. 

Tips to prepare for UPSC Prelims

To get great scores, you’ll need a solid plan and a focused mind. There’s no doubt that the competition will be worthwhile. As a result, it is crucial to fully understand each concept. The majority of candidates think that they cannot pass the UPSC preliminary exam without assistance. For beginners, we have created a comprehensive UPSC prelims preparation method that will help you navigate the material:

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1. Plan your study days:

It takes around a year to get ready for the UPSC preliminary exams. You should begin by studying the subjects that are covered in both the main and preliminary syllabuses. At least five months before the preliminary exams, serious preparation for the preliminary exams should begin.

2. Understand the syllabus:

Spend some time carefully reviewing the UPSC Prelims syllabus. You must comprehend the material in its entirety if you intend to take the UPSC test. Recognize the particular subjects as well as their subtopics. This will provide you with a well-defined plan for your preparation. The UPSC Prelims syllabus is available for download on the official website. Recall that although the UPSC syllabus is extensive, it may not be as complicated as it first appears.

Paper Syllabus
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)

3. Recognize the subject-wise weightage:

You should also practice using the subject-wise weighted curriculum from the previous year’s UPSC Prelims. Since it is evident that the subjects listed below are crucial for preparing for the UPSC Prelims, you should always focus on improving your fundamental understanding of them first. Additionally, this can strengthen your comprehension of current events and make it easier for you to incorporate them into the static portion.

Year History Geography Polity Economy Science & Technology Environment Current Affairs
2023 14 16 15 14 12 14 15
2022 14 16 15 14 12 14 15
2021 10 10 11 16 14 17 17
2020 20 10 17 15 10 10 18
2019 17 14 15 14 7 11 22
2018 22 10 13 18 10 13 14
2017 14 9 22 16 9 15 15
2016 15 7 7 18 8 18 27
2015 17 16 13 13 8 11 22
2014 20 14 14 10 16 18 8
2013 16 18 16 19 14 17 0
2012 19 17 20 17 9 17 1
2011 11 11 12 19 19 15 13

4. Know about the UPSC Exam Pattern:

Become familiar with the UPSC preliminary exam’s format. This will assist you in comprehending the subjects you must study and the kinds of questions you should anticipate on the test. Those who are planning to take the UPSC preliminary test should review this summary of the exam’s format:

Exam Total Marks Number of Questions Exam Duration Negative Marks Nature
GS I 200 100 2 hours Yes (-0.66) Merit Ranking
GS II (CSAT) 200 80 2 hours Yes (-0.83) Qualifying (66.67 Marks)

5. Make a Comprehensive Study Plan:

How to study for the exam without coaching would be crucial after you have a firm understanding of the UPSC exam format and syllabus. Candidates need to realize that coaching centers only assist with exam preparation; hard effort and perseverance are the only ways to succeed. 

Like any other exam, the UPSC preliminary exam tests your ability to read, write, and communicate. It can be advantageous for those who are studying for the exam without coaching to make plans based on their areas of strength and weakness. 

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6. Include Current Events in Your Planning:

It is imperative to prepare for current affairs when preparing for the UPSC Prelims. To properly cover the newspaper, read it every day and watch the daily Newspaper Analysis video. 

At the end of each month, read a monthly current affairs magazine such as Yojana, Indian Express, PIB, or The Hindu. This will assist you in compiling your current affairs notes from these and other sources. Thus, dedicate a few hours each day going forward to current events and remember to edit frequently.

7. Prioritize NCERT books: 

NCERT books can be downloaded from the official website or are readily accessible in stores. The NCERT books ought to be your first port of call and should be perused anytime a challenging question from the previous year’s or practice question papers comes up. Go through the NCERT books; they will explain the fundamental ideas. 

Other than NCERT books, Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity and Ramesh Singh’s Indian Economy are required reading for preliminary exams. A good atlas is also required; the most recent one is preferred. If you have any questions about geography, refer to this atlas when necessary.

8. Other Book Lists for UPSC Prelims Preparation:

To increase your chances of success on the UPSC Prelims test, you should understand how to respond to objective types of questions in addition to studying everything you can. You have to keep in mind that the objective is to earn the most points and pass the cutoff. 

Try not to waste time reading the same topic from several sources. Other than NCERT books, you can discover the following books to help you prepare for the UPSC Prelims:

  1. Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations by M. Laxmikanth
  2. Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania (Culture)
  3. Oxford School Atlas by Oxford Publishers (Geography)
  4. Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong (Geography)
  5. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh (Economy)
  6. Economic Survey and Union Budget by the Ministry of Finance (Economy)
  7. Science and Technology by Ravi P. Agrahari
  8. Environment by Shankar IAS
  9. India Year Book (Current Affairs)
  10. A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir (Modern India)
  11. Ancient and Medieval Old NCERT’s
  12. General Studies Paper 2 Manual by MHE (CSAT)
  13. Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal
  14. Reading Comprehension 6th Edition by Ashok Kumar Singh & Nagendra Pratap

9. Getting Familiar with Test Series:

As there is a negative marking in the UPSC Prelims, practice decreasing the number of wrong responses. Candidates either don’t try very many questions because they fear receiving a low score or they haphazardly try questions without knowing the answers. If you think you’d benefit from IAS tutoring, sign up for the Prelims Test series. 

The primary approach is to make mistakes during revision, improve, and then during the actual Prelims exam, make fewer mistakes. Enrolling in a Prelims Test Series can assist you in completing the gaps in your knowledge. Your confidence in your UPSC Prelims preparation increases as you practice more Prelims Test papers. Examine your performance to find your areas of weakness and address them.

10. Practice Previous Years’ Papers:

To gain an understanding of the exam pattern, question structure, and difficulty level, solve prior years’ question papers. You’ll be able to assess your readiness and sharpen your time-management abilities with this exercise. Examine the articles to find patterns and rank the issues in order of importance.

Not every subject covered in the syllabus is tested each year. Upon closely examining the Previous Year’s Questions, you will discover that certain topics are covered in all IAS/UPSC exams

You can better manage the time you have by focusing on the most crucial subjects when you have a firm grasp of these crucial subjects. Having stated that, the syllabus must include every subject and you cannot omit any.

11. Take Practice and Mock Exams: 

The goal of the preliminary exam is to accurately answer as many questions as possible in the allotted time. This will enable you to focus on your areas of strength and weakness identification. You’ll need a lot of practice for this. You can only become more familiar with the format of the question paper and increase your speed via practice. 

You want to start completing practice exams offered by different online universities and tutoring facilities. It assists you in identifying your areas of weakness so you can strengthen them. To gain a sense of the real exam, take as many practice exams as you can. You may better measure your progress, manage your time effectively, and become accustomed to the exam environment by taking mock examinations regularly. 

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12. Complete a Successful Revision:

Make brief, well-organized notes so you can review them quickly. Pay attention to important facts, formulas, and concepts. Review these notes often to help you remember them. Set aside time to revise subjects or areas in which you are less confident, and make use of memory aids such as flashcards.

13. Make Use of Online Resources:

Look into websites that offer tips, video lessons, and free study tools. Numerous websites, such as Physics Wallah, provide an abundance of information. Participate in online communities and forums where candidates discuss study aids, tactics, and experiences. Interaction with people can yield insightful information and inspiration.

Not less of an art is UPSC Civil Services Exam preparation. To pass this exam, one must have patience, diligence, and self-control for several months. To dedicate oneself entirely to a single aim requires bravery and strength as well.

Preparing for the UPSC prelims opens the door to a world of top civil services of Indian Government. It’s not just about passing an exam; it’s about shaping your future. With dedication and hard work, you can pave your way towards serving your country and making a positive impact on society. So, keep pushing forward, because every step you take brings you closer to your dreams.

UPSC Related Links
UPSC Full Form Daily Prelims Questions
IPS Full Form IRS Full Form
IFS Full Form UPSC Syllabus
UPSC Mains GS 1 Syllabus UPSC Mains GS 2 Syllabus

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Make sure you fully comprehend the material before beginning your UPSC Prelims preparation. Start by giving simple concepts a lot of attention and work your way up to more advanced subjects. To prepare for the exam, make sure you complete mock papers, practice exams, and current affairs updates regularly.

When preparing for the IAS, several instructors and toppers advise studying for about fifteen hours a day. Several quick learners, on the other hand, study for six to seven hours every day and pass the test.

General Studies Paper-1 and General Studies Paper-2 (CSAT Paper) are the two papers that makeup UPSC Prelims. Each of the two exams lasts for two hours and is worth 200 points.

The UPSC Prelims curriculum consists of two papers: the General Studies Paper I and the General Studies Paper II (CSAT) curriculum. A wide range of topics are covered in GS Paper I, including current affairs, science, geography, politics, economy, and history. The CSAT Paper assesses the analytical, reasoning, and comprehension skills of applicants. Both tests evaluate the candidates' mastery of core ideas and their capacity for efficient knowledge application.

With 90 days to go before the UPSC Prelims, Create a personalized 90-day plan, refer to the same library of books, respond to previous years' exam questions, and stay up to date on current events. Additionally, to get better, finish more and more practice exams.

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

Quick Revise Now !
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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