Tips & Tricks from IAS Officers for your IAS Preparation

Ritesh Kumar April 25, 2023 12:36 6456 0

Tips & Tricks from IAS Officers for your IAS Preparation

Tips & Tricks from IAS Officers for your IAS Preparation

IAS officers like Shruti Sharma, Srushti Deshmukh, Tina Dabi, Abhishek Singh, Pradeep Gawande, Tanu Jain, etc., cleared all the three stages of the IAS exam with flying colours and are currently living the life they dreamt of.

In various interviews and podcasts, these IAS officers have shared their ‘success mantra’, which led them to be at one of the highest positions in the country. Below we have compiled all their advice and devised an IAS Preparation strategy for the IAS aspirants.

So, if you are looking for an effective guide to ace your IAS exam, this blog is for you.

“I am very happy with my result. My strategy was sticking to the basic book NCERT and making my own notes from newspapers or coaching material and focus on answer writing practice for better presentation. I’ve used social media in a balanced way”; says Shruti Sharma, IAS Rank – 1 of UPSC Civil Services, 2021.

“UPSC is a long journey where you are committed for 1-1.5 years. I had decided that my first attempt is my last attempt and I was determined to clear it in one attempt”; says Srushti Deshmukh, AIR Rank 5 of UPSC Civil Services, 2018-19.

“I think if you put in the requisite amount of hard work and dedication, then it doesn’t matter if you are from a science or and arts background. I am from an arts background and I have proved that hard work pays off”; says Tina Dabi, IAS Topper, IAS Topper of UPSC Civil Services, 2015.

“Never forget the fact that the fear and stress of failing, losing your job, family and financial issues, lacking motivation for a few days are some of the challenges every single one of us face while preparing, even the toppers, you are not alone and so just like the toppers, you can handle them too. Never let that instinctive voice say to you that you can not clear this examination, and if your inner voice believes in your potential you will keep going”; says Abhishek Kumar Singh, Rank 244 UPSC CSE 2018.

“I believe that you have to do a lot of hard work, have extreme focus and discipline yourself if you wish to achieve this target. Preparation is a difficult time for each candidate. It tests your every ability. Anything worth having has never been easy and will never be easy, so enjoy your struggles. Hard work and integrity will never go out of fashion. Be patient and stay motivated; things will happen at their own pace and time”; says Dr. Tanu Jain, UPSC CSE Topper 2014.

Tips to Make the Most of Your Time

  1. Divide Your Time: Divide your time so that you can give more time to the more important topics while also ensuring that you don’t neglect the other topics.
  1. Prioritise Your Preparation: When it comes to preparing for IAS, prioritise your preparation so that you can start from the most important topics and gradually move on to the less important ones.
  1. Set Time Limits: Set time limits for each of the topics you are studying so that you can give your best without feeling overwhelmed by the vast syllabus.
  1. Practice: The more you practise, the less you need to worry about the result, as you would have already got your concepts clear because of regular practising.
  1. Take Breaks: Take short breaks between your studying sessions to de-stress and free your mind from the strain of constant studying.
  1. Pay Attention to Your Health: Maintaining your physical and mental health to sustain good performance is important. Make sure that you are getting good sleep and eating a healthy diet.

Tips to Structure Your IAS Study Plan

  1. Set Clear Goals and Objectives: Before beginning your IAS preparation, it is important to identify what you want to achieve and set specific goals. This will help you define and structure your study plan.
  1. Choose the Right Resources: Make sure you choose the right resources and materials for your IAS preparation. Use the internet’s help to choose the most reliable sources to avoid any confusion.
  1. Create a Study Plan: Design a realistic and achievable plan to help you achieve your goals. Establish daily, weekly and monthly objectives and stick to them.
  1. Time Management: Make sure you manage your time efficiently and allocate specific time for each subject and topic. Ensure you stick to the plan and allot enough time for revision and practice tests.
  1. Utilise Online Resources: Take advantage of online resources to supplement and supplement your study. With the help of various websites and apps, you can easily revise any topic at any time.
  1. Stay Updated: Keep yourself updated with the latest news and developments related to the civil services exam. This will help you stay on top of current affairs and revise important topics.
  1. Take Mock Tests: Mock tests are essential to assess your progress and prepare yourself for the real exam. Take as many tests as you can to identify and eliminate your weaknesses.

Stress Managing Tips for IAS Preparation

  • Prioritise your tasks: IAS officers suggest that prioritising your tasks is the best way to manage stress. Break down your preparations into manageable chunks and focus on one task at a time.
  • Exercise: Exercise not only relieves stress but also helps to stay healthy and fit. Allocate 30 minutes daily for a physical activity like walking or running, and incorporate other activities such as yoga or swimming into the routine.
  • Make a To-Do List: Making a to-do list can help reduce stress and make it easier to break down and prioritise tasks. Make a list of the tasks you must complete and the order in which they must be done. This way, you can keep track of your progress and ensure you don’t miss out on any tasks.
  • Take Breaks: Studies show that taking regular breaks can help reduce stress levels. Give yourself some time in between tasks to take a breather and relax. Take a break for a few minutes to refresh and stay focused on your studies.
  • Eat Healthy: Eating a balanced diet is essential for staying healthy and keeping stress levels at bay. Make sure to include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet and reduce your intake of processed foods.
  • Get Plenty of Sleep: Get a sound sleep of 8 hours to ensure a healthy and clear mind. It will help you in focusing more and stress out less.

Mental Preparation for IAS

  • Mental preparation plays a crucial role in the IAS exam process. Staying motivated and focused on your goals to succeed in the exam is important.
  • Develop a Positive Mindset. IAS aspirants must know their abilities and potential and believe in themselves to be successful. They must think that failure is not an option and be confident to take on the challenge.
  • Break up your study sessions into smaller chunks with frequent breaks. This will help you absorb the material better and provide mental relief.
  • Get enough rest and keep a healthy lifestyle. A healthy body and mind help you better retain the material you learn. Ensure you sleep well and take days off to relax and rejuvenate.
  • Have realistic expectations. Remember that many others have gone through this process and made it. Stay focused and work diligently, and the results will follow.

Utilising Technology for IAS Preparation

It is no secret that an increasing number of IAS aspirants are turning to technology to make their preparations more efficient and effective.

  • Online Resources: Most IAS Officers suggest using online resources as they are the most up-to-date sources available and are often well-organised. Use these resources to stay current on the latest information related to the IAS exam.
  • Self-Analysis: Technology can also be used for self-analysis. Many online tools allow for analysing and evaluating one’s performance on mock tests and practice exams.
  • Technology for Time Management: Technology can also track time and activities allocated to preparation, including research and revisions. Take note of topics taught and applicable methods and techniques and use these to build a tailored study plan.
  • Technology for Personal Development: Technology can also be used to engage in personal development activities such as reading news articles, listening to podcasts and taking online courses. All these activities contribute towards developing the skills essential for a civil servant.

Strategies for Cracking the IAS Prelims

  • Firstly, aspirants should understand the UPSC syllabus and pattern thoroughly. Knowing the topics and types of questions that can appear in the exam will help in better planning during preparation. Spending time understanding the UPSC syllabus is essential.
  • Secondly, candidates should develop a rigorous and disciplined study schedule considering the exam pattern. As the exam syllabus is vast, prioritising the topics becomes a must. It’s important to be realistic while preparing a study plan. Being mindful of one’s capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses is important in designing a preparation strategy.
  • Thirdly, revision is essential to ensure better recall. When time is limited, revising the topics rather than just reading them can be beneficial. Breaking the topics into smaller chunks and studying them repeatedly can increase the level of recall. Making notes, flashcards, or summaries can help revise the topics better.
  • Fourthly, attempting mock tests and practice tests is useful for gaining insight into the difficulty level of the exam. Regular practice will not only help in time management but also help in boosting confidence.
  • Lastly, aspirants should focus on physically and mentally staying healthy during their exam preparation. Adequate sleep and a nutritious diet are vital for overall well-being. Spending a few minutes in meditation can help to manage stress. Refraining from overthinking during preparation can lead to better focus and improved results.

Conclusion

IAS Officers have gone through the same journey of preparing for their IAS exams and have benefited from their experiences. With the tips and tricks shared here, you can learn from their mistakes and gain some insight into how you can better prepare for the IAS exam. With the right attitude and dedication, you will surely reach your goal of becoming an IAS Officer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):-

Q1. How can I prepare for IAS on my own?

Ans: Preparing for the IAS exam on your own requires discipline and dedication. If you are planning to prepare without assistance, there are a few steps you can take to increase your chances of success.

First, you should create a realistic IAS preparation plan that covers all exam topics and allocate deadlines per topic. Secondly, budget your time wisely and set daily goals to keep yourself on track. Thirdly, focus on learning the concepts instead of just memorising the materials.

Finally, practice in mock tests and debates to get a feel for the exam and test your preparedness level.

Q2. How to become an IAS in the first attempt?

Ans: To become an IAS officer in the first attempt, you must have a good study plan and practice. A good plan should include the following:

  • Plenty of preparation time.
  • A comprehensive approach to the syllabus.
  • An understanding of important topics based on the IAS exam pattern.

Make sure you have plenty of time to revise the material and take practice tests to be better equipped. Forming a study group to focus on and discuss topics that might be hard to understand is also helpful. With a well-prepared mindset, commitment and hard work, you can achieve a successful IAS career on your first attempt.

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
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