When to Start For IAS Preparation

After 12th

Can I Start in 11th 12th standard ? 

Many parents and students are very enthusiastic about starting early.  Well No harm in doing so !!

But the priorities of preparation should be clear. Doing things ahead of time sometimes harm. Putting too much stress on student at such age and with exam 4-5 years away sometime leads to fatigue. Well here are few priorities and take them very seriously.

1. Read and understand the syllbus and pattern properly to have clear and distinct idea about it. Forexqample few important areas include
   1. Geography: both Indian and World Geography are important areas.
   2. History: knowledge of key events and social movements is required.
   3. Polity: the structure of the Indian Constitution, judicial processes, and international relations are all included.
   4. Economics: micro and macro aspects of the Indian economy should be understood.
   5. Environmental Science: Climate, agricultural issues, and pollution should be studied in depth.
   6. Arts and Culture: historical and contemporary study of Indian music, dance, literature, architecture, and painting are all covered during the exam.
2. NCERTS are basic foundations and the whole preparation starts with your school NCERT’s.  who have cleared this exam acknowledged that NCERT is the best source to build your fundamental knowledge for this examination.But donot read advance level books recommended in prepapration.
3. Stay informed about current events from the local to the international level. Focus on the economic and political sections without worrying about the entertainment news as much. But donot read advance level editorials etc.
4. Make friends in your school those who are also aspiring to become an IAS Officer after the graduation. You can even team up as a community and share some valuable thoughts with each other.
5. Develop notes making skill. Yours notes of NCERTs should be crisp and concise
6. Improve your language , and communication skills
7. Read some general books which motivate you or pursue some hobby which intersts you.

During Graduation

Starting preparation during graduation is best decision because of so many reasons like career, job, age and other factors. Candidate's mind is uncluttered unlike people who have done their graduation and are undergoing some coaching. It’s a fresh canvas and flaws in the students can be easily identified and plugged. Lets discuss a strategy stepwise, which a cadidate can use :-

First Year

Firstly Build a strong foundation

• Read all basic NCERTs before reading reference books
• Improve their language and observation.
• Develop in them a balance of perception.
• Communication & Body Language Improvement.
• Start Reading Newspapers.
• Practice basic math and aptitude

Second Year

Secondly build a knowledge base.

• Understanding of Syllabus
• Read a good newspaper daily preferably The Hindu or Indian Express
• Reading of basic study material/reference books
• Mastery of World Geography, Science and Technology, Geography, Indian and International Economy, International Relations, Indian Polity, Governance, History, Heritage, Culture and Society
• Weekly exchange of news and community education.
• Background of events and World problems

Third and Final Year

Thirdly Relate Things.

Having gone through the two stages, all the students will be prepared to take to study certain degree of correlation ship between the topics. Elevate the level by adding extra information and analysis. Develop an analytical ability as well and keep expressing it.

In this stage, the candidate must go deep into prelims preparation that should comprise of practice and practice and practice and perfecting Newspaper studies.

In this stage, go for preparation of Mains and focus has to be on appearing in tests and developing analytical abilities. It has to be Revision, analysis and Tests. This is what should become the norm till the mains Examination.

During this process, you have build a strong foundation and give performace. Becuase at the end, result matters. So few important things:

After Education

Starting preparation during graduation is best decision because of so many reasons like career, job, age and other factors. Candidate's mind is uncluttered unlike people who have done their graduation and are undergoing some coaching. It’s a fresh canvas and flaws in the students can be easily identified and plugged. Lets discuss a strategy stepwise, which a cadidate can use :-

Firstly A strong foundation

• Understanding of Syllabus
• Read all basic NCERTs before reading reference books
• Start Reading Newspapers.

If you are Totally devoted to preparation and studying for 8-10 hours initially, this step should be covered in less than 2 months.

Secondly develop content base.

• Reading of basic study material/reference books
• Mastery of World Geography, Science and Technology, Geography, Indian and International Economy, International Relations, Indian Polity, Governance, History, Heritage, Culture and Society throuh coaching or seolf study
• Background of events and World problems

This stage should take 8-10 months of time

Thirdly Relate Things and be exam ready

• Having gone through the two stages, all the students will be prepared to take to study certain degree of correlation ship between the topics. Elevate the level by adding extra information and analysis. Develop an analytical ability as well and keep expressing it.
• In this stage, the candidate must go deep into prelims preparation that should comprise of practice and practice and practice
• In this stage, go for preparation of Mains and focus has to be on appearing in tests and developing analytical abilities. It has to be Revision, analysis and Tests. This is what should become the norm till the mains Examination.

During this process, you have build a strong foundation and give performace. Becuase at the end, result matters. So few important things:

While Working

Many UPSC aspirants are working professionals who prepare for the exam along with working. These candidates need proper guidance to manage their time well as they have less time on a daily basis. Time management for studying and taking care of health simultaneously while working is the greatest difficulty faced by the working examines. So in this article we are focusing on working individuals.

Benefits of Preparing while working

• Financial independence: It might be a concern for some people, if not all. Some money crediting in your account provides stability. You won’t have to think twice before buying any coaching material.
• Break from packed plan: Studying 24x7 becomes monotonous after a while. Efficiency keeps on decreasing year after year. I believe 2 good attempts are given with full energy. It becomes difficult after it. If you are working you meet new people outside the UPSC universe and it helps in breaking the monotony.
• Vicious Cycle: It breaks the vicious cycle of preparation. It gives confidence as there are back up options as you have work experience.
• Chance Factor: UPSC does have an element of luck. Full time preparation does not guarantee selection. After 2 full time good attempts one does not have enough material to study full time.

Two situations

Two category of people in the arena:-

For those with less preparation time

You can spare 3-4 hours daily and you can add 8-10 hours during Sunday depending on your capacity and dedication. It is usually recommended for examinees to spare around  2-3 years time for preparation of the civil service exams..This amount of time is quite suitable for cracking the exam if followed religiously.

For those with proper preparation time

You can spare 5-6 hours daily and you can add 10-12 hours during Sunday depending on your capacity and dedication. It is usually recommended for examinees to spare around  1- 2 years time for preparation of the civil service exams..This amount of time is quite suitable for cracking the exam if followed religiously.

Plan details

Time Management

• It is the most important factor for preparation. A working candidate has very limited time in their hand for preparation of IAS exam after a long day of work. Utilizing the time to its maximum, by that we mean making a smart timetable of preparation and keeping an Atlas, newspaper handy and reading through it while traveling, during lunch hours and as and when you have time.

Do Selective Study

• As a working professional, you will have limited time for preparation, so you mustn’t spend time reading and cramming something that isn’t in the course for the exam. Therefore, you must be very familiar with the pattern of the exam. You should study only what is important and required. Don’t spend too much time on the things that are of lesser relevance.

Develop a Routine and Abide by it

• It is highly recommended that you plan out your everyday schedule for yourself. And above that, you should abide by that schedule. A routine can be like to study for 2-3 hours in the night or the calm and serene environment in the morning. A routine will enable you to focus and prepare the syllabus in time. Not only planning but following the routine and timetable is equally important.

Everyday Study

• There is no short-cut key for the preparations of the IAS as it is a very demanding and most prestigious post of the nation, the competition level is equally tough and high. The best and the simple way to prepare well for this competition is regularly focused study. Prepare different subjects of General Stdueis and optional in a planned manner and regularity

Careful Selection of Subjects

• Be judicious in the selection of subjects as there are many subjects to choose from. Pick only that subject which you are confident that it is easy to prepare and the subject in which you can score a better grade.

Upgrade and Update your General Studies

• The preliminary exam for Civil services is majorly based on General knowledge and your aptitude. The total ideology behind this exam is to test every individual’s overall knowledge. Therefore, you must keep yourself updated with current affairs, history, geography science, sports, economy and other aspects of general studies so that you have a fair chance to clear the exam. The smartest way is to get regularized with newspaper, happenings, etc.

Prepare Personal Notes

• Preparing one’s notes while studying is considered to be the best way to retain something in memory for a long time. No matter you are working professional or from non-working profession, it is advised to make notes of what he/she reads or observes. These personal notes will help you in last minute revision when recollecting what you have studied is very important.

Examine Yourself

• Before sitting for the exam, it is important to test your knowledge to gain confidence. For this, you should be solving previous year question papers and other sample test papers available on the internet and in the books.

Have Confidence

• As it is a most demanding exam, but it isn’t that difficult for full-time preparing individuals who study for 18-20 hours a day. Continuous and wise preparation is what it takes to clear the exam. Focus is very important, though. Focus, dedication and determination, and have backed it with good preparation, then you don’t have to fear anything. Have confidence in yourself that you can do it. Along with confidence, patience is another demand for clearing this exam. Do not be confusing in your mind, let your mind rest to have a wise and clear thought.

Continue with your job

• Don’t leave the job as it is the Blessing in disguise. Stick to your job or any other business that you were doing. If you have a job at your hand so thus you have a fallback option. You won’t be insecure. With the back support of the job, you won’t feel the brunt of unsuccessfulness so much.