IAS

Before starting the preparation, it is very important to have a complete
understanding about the exam process, its structure and the various aspects related
to the preparation.
UPSC generally issues notification in the first week of December (of the year
preceding the exam year) in The Employment News. The complete notification should
be studied carefully to understand the structure of the exam and related information.
This notification can also be obtained from the UPSC website. Go to www.upsc.gov.in,
link to examination sections. Then link to the archives, there click on Civil Services
(Prel) Exam to view the notification

>Nature of the Exam (there are some changes in cse pre-2011)




Before anyone starts playing a game, he would like to know the rules of the game and
that is sportsmanship. Similarly in any competitive exam, understanding the nature
of the exam is very critical. The preparation will be more focused when you know
exactly what the Examination expects rather demands from you. Remember at every
stage of your preparation that this examination is relative. You only need to be better
than the other aspirants to get a final place in the merit list.
The nature of the exam can be analysed through the following ways:
• A thorough perusal of Notification and carefully understanding the
requirements from it.
• A thorough analysis of the previous year’s papers and the recent trends.
• Discussing elaborately with teachers, successful candidates and seniors.
There is lot of hype around the IAS exam. A fresh aspirant comes with the idea that
he has to do some hi-funda preparation and be like a scholar in the subjects. He
starts his preparation on a high note and works hard in the beginning. For each topic
he tries to do maximum and best preparation. In the process, he reads all the
textbooks and the coaching material available in the market. Some spend 2-3 days
on each topic and prepare 10-15 pages of notes. Gradually, he feels exhausted and
the momentum slows down. Due to this approach, he is not able to complete the
syllabus. So, he goes for a selective study as the exam nears. Now the pressure
becomes unbearable, as on one hand he has not completed the syllabus and on the
other hand he prepared so much notes for each topic that revision becomes
impossible within a short time. People have a funny idea that Civil Services can be
cleared only in multiple attempts. So, the aspirant starts succumbing to pressure
and convinces himself that it is only his first attempt and, therefore he can prepare
better next time.
Though the exam demands hardwork from the aspirant, it should be “intelligent
hardwork” and not just hardwork. This exam is all about the basics with lot of
clarity. The exam can be written well when the preparation is simple and the aspirant
is very strong in basics with clarity.
Since the competition is relative, your answers in the examination should not only be
correct but also different with a touch of creativity. The creativity and innovation is
not something that you will get in the textbooks. They have to be developed on your
own. It requires lot of thinking and observation. By innovation in answers what is
meant is –
• Catchy introduction
• Diagrams
• Graphs
• Flow charts
• Maps
• Case studies
• Contemporary touch and applicability
• Catchy conclusion.
Basics with clarity will come when there is lot of questioning while studying. The
topic has to be studied in a logical manner. Suppose you are studying a topic on
Inflation. Think logically as a layman, then you should get the following sequence of
questions
• What is inflation
• Why should there be inflation, i.e., causes
• So what if there is inflation, i.e., impact
• If impact is negative, then naturally we should be doing something to reduce
it, so what steps were taken and what happened
• If still inflation is there, then what’s wrong with the steps taken
• How to control inflation, any suggestions by experts and recent
developments.
You can add innovations like a simple graph showing how the inflation has been in
recent times and also a flow diagram about the impact of inflation.
In this manner, the basics in the topic can be covered with clarity. And the topic
should be remembered in this logical structured way for the exam. It should be
understood that once you have done the topic in this comprehensive method through
logical questioning, the preparation is over for that topic. You need not go through
any journals or hi-funda textbooks for becoming an expert in the topic. This much of
basics with clarity are sufficient for the exam. And, this is what humanly possible in
view of the huge syllabus.
The following points should be kept in mind while doing preparation:
• The focus should be on gaining basic clarity in each topic, which will come
only through lot of logical questioning• More time should be spent on thinking about the topic and making
innovations, rather than on reading too many study material.
• The previous papers should be thoroughly analyzed to understand the
expectations of the examiner.
• The preparation should be focused and all the hard work should be
channelised in the right direction.
Choosing the Optional Subjects
This is the first and most important stage of your journey and should be
accomplished most carefully as coming things hinge on it and a wrong decision may
prove to be disastrous. Careful analysis of syllabus, previous years' papers, your
caliber, requirement of subject (Visionary, Numerical, Theoretical), comfort level with
the subject and past trends should be done. Advice from seniors and fellow
candidates should also be sought. To avoid dithering in choice at later stage, initial
deep thinking and consultations are a must. Having decided the subject, it is
advisable to stick to your choice even if the perception of others about it is not
favourable.
Major criteria, which should guide you in choosing optionals, are:
1. Interest in the subject. This is quite important for sustaining the momentum in
studies and completing the huge syllabus.
2. Availability of guidance – in the form of seniors who cleared with the optional,
coaching, material, etc.
3. Performance of the optional in the last few years.
4. Time gap between the two optionals. Some people try to choose the optionals
combination so that there is some time gap between them.
Please note that there is no subject that can be said to be scoring. UPSC is
maintaining utmost balance between the subjects. It has brought all the optional
subjects onto the same platform as far as scoring is concerned.
Some of the optionals which a majority take are: Anthropology, Geography, History,
Political Science and International Relations, Psychology, Public Administration,
Sociology and Literature.
The main advantages with these optionals are:
1. Availability of guidance, which reduces the efforts to a large extent
2. The knowledge also helps in GS, Essay and interview.
3. They are also relevant for an administrative career.
If a person is from professional education background (i.e. Engineering /Medicine),
which optionals should he choose? This is a basic question for many. There is a
tendency to opt for the graduating subject. Lets understand the problems associated
with these subjects.• Previously, science and Engineering Optionals used to do very well. In top 20,
there used to be 15-16 from IIT and engineering background. But after 2000,
UPSC has modified the syllabus. It became a very huge syllabus and even the
exam questions are made tough. That’s the reason why, very few are writing
the exam from IITs now. Many engineers are taking arts optionals instead of
sciences. Just observe the background of the toppers and their optionals.
• There will be no guidance available for engineering/medical/science subjects.
So, lots of time will have to be spent in understanding the requirements of the
exam. Then, searching for the material. It becomes a trial and error process. All
the energies will be spent on this, while you get exhausted when really
studying. At the same time, you will also have to complete the huge syllabus of
another optional and GS.
• Because of the above problem, it will take more time and more attempts. While,
your friends in other fields go far ahead. So, both peer and social pressure
starts. The exam is anyhow psychologically demanding, if other pressures add
to it, then it becomes unbearable. Finally, your goal of cracking the exam
becomes impossible.
• You will have to do every thing on your own. Initially it might be fine. But the
exam is of long duration. It becomes difficult to sustain the momentum on your
own.
A person might be University topper, but we have to understand the difference
between an academic exam and a competitive exam. So it is very important to be
careful, while choosing optionals, even though you might feel you are really good in a
particular subject.
Still, if you are confident about your subject, then do take that optional. There are
some people who cleared with optionals that others don’t take generally. But take
into consideration the following points
• Whether you have a senior who has cleared with this optional and who can
guide you well
• Whether you have close association with professors who have good
understanding about this exam.
• Are you clear about the requirements of the exam? Study the previous papers
thoroughly and assess yourself
• Be clear about the books to follow. Don’t do trial and error process. Do a
focused exam oriented preparation.
• Do not neglect other optional and GS. Give equal importance.
• Form a group of aspirants with same optional. If you prepare in isolation, then
there will be no flow of information.
Do not be in a hurry to decide about the optional. Be very cautious and consult the
right people about the information. Analyse carefully all the pros and cons, and then
take a decision purely based on your assessment.Coaching
Due to the complex exam procedure, the coaching assumes a crucial role.
Unfortunately, it is a costly affair.
But the coaching has the following advantages:
• Helps in understanding the requirements of the exam quickly, so that the
preparation is focused.
• Reduces the efforts in preparation, as subject experts teach the topics in exam
orientation. Anyhow, the candidate has to prepare for at least one new
optional.
• Helps in getting many contacts with co-aspirants, which is useful for exam
related information. Never prepare for this exam in complete isolation. In any
complex situation, information plays the key role.
Please take into account the following points while joining any institute:
• Do not merely go by the advertisements, nor the claims made in magazines or
the interviews supposedly given by the toppers.
• Meet the successful candidates and the seniors who have taken coaching from
that institute.
• Do not go by the advise of only one person. It is better to contact as many as
possible and get a general opinion.
• Meet the teacher personally, ask for their programme details, results, etc, and
assess yourself if it is worth joining there.
If you are working somewhere or economically under privileged, and therefore, cannot
go for coaching, please do not get discouraged. There are many people who cleared
the exam without coaching. You can device ways of getting the required information
about the exam. But you should always be aware that you would have to work harder
than others to clear the exam. So be prepared for that and believe that hard work will
always be paid back in the end.
Check out the competition magazines to get the addresses of various coaching
institutes.
General Trend of Marks
The following data about the marks and the ranks will give a general idea about the
efforts that are required. The marks and the ranks keep varying every year depending
on the vacancies and the standard of the question papers.
Looking at the trend, it is believed by majority that a same proportion of students are
taken from each optional. So, in any case, you should to be in the top segment in
your optional to get selected for the mains. The qualifying scores vary from optional
to optional.Coaching
Due to the complex exam procedure, the coaching assumes a crucial role.
Unfortunately, it is a costly affair.
But the coaching has the following advantages:
• Helps in understanding the requirements of the exam quickly, so that the
preparation is focused.
• Reduces the efforts in preparation, as subject experts teach the topics in exam
orientation. Anyhow, the candidate has to prepare for at least one new
optional.
• Helps in getting many contacts with co-aspirants, which is useful for exam
related information. Never prepare for this exam in complete isolation. In any
complex situation, information plays the key role.
Please take into account the following points while joining any institute:
• Do not merely go by the advertisements, nor the claims made in magazines or
the interviews supposedly given by the toppers.
• Meet the successful candidates and the seniors who have taken coaching from
that institute.
• Do not go by the advise of only one person. It is better to contact as many as
possible and get a general opinion.
• Meet the teacher personally, ask for their programme details, results, etc, and
assess yourself if it is worth joining there.
If you are working somewhere or economically under privileged, and therefore, cannot
go for coaching, please do not get discouraged. There are many people who cleared
the exam without coaching. You can device ways of getting the required information
about the exam. But you should always be aware that you would have to work harder
than others to clear the exam. So be prepared for that and believe that hard work will
always be paid back in the end.
Check out the competition magazines to get the addresses of various coaching
institutes.
General Trend of Marks
The following data about the marks and the ranks will give a general idea about the
efforts that are required. The marks and the ranks keep varying every year depending
on the vacancies and the standard of the question papers.
Looking at the trend, it is believed by majority that a same proportion of students are
taken from each optional. So, in any case, you should to be in the top segment in
your optional to get selected for the mains. The qualifying scores vary from optional
to optional.Coaching
Due to the complex exam procedure, the coaching assumes a crucial role.
Unfortunately, it is a costly affair.
But the coaching has the following advantages:
• Helps in understanding the requirements of the exam quickly, so that the
preparation is focused.
• Reduces the efforts in preparation, as subject experts teach the topics in exam
orientation. Anyhow, the candidate has to prepare for at least one new
optional.
• Helps in getting many contacts with co-aspirants, which is useful for exam
related information. Never prepare for this exam in complete isolation. In any
complex situation, information plays the key role.
Please take into account the following points while joining any institute:
• Do not merely go by the advertisements, nor the claims made in magazines or
the interviews supposedly given by the toppers.
• Meet the successful candidates and the seniors who have taken coaching from
that institute.
• Do not go by the advise of only one person. It is better to contact as many as
possible and get a general opinion.
• Meet the teacher personally, ask for their programme details, results, etc, and
assess yourself if it is worth joining there.
If you are working somewhere or economically under privileged, and therefore, cannot
go for coaching, please do not get discouraged. There are many people who cleared
the exam without coaching. You can device ways of getting the required information
about the exam. But you should always be aware that you would have to work harder
than others to clear the exam. So be prepared for that and believe that hard work will
always be paid back in the end.
Check out the competition magazines to get the addresses of various coaching
institutes.
General Trend of Marks
The following data about the marks and the ranks will give a general idea about the
efforts that are required. The marks and the ranks keep varying every year depending
on the vacancies and the standard of the question papers.
Looking at the trend, it is believed by majority that a same proportion of students are
taken from each optional. So, in any case, you should to be in the top segment in
your optional to get selected for the mains. The qualifying scores vary from optional
to optional.