How-to-Prepare-IAS-Exams

How to prepare for IAS Exam?

How to prepare for IAS Exam?

Before starting the process for IAS preparations. Its very important for one to know the exact syllabus and hierarchy of the exam. Because 95% don’t have complete knowledge about the exam when they plan to start preparing for the IAS exams.

IAS ( INDIAN ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE) one of the premier civil post of the country. The exam conducted for the selection of this post is known as Civil services exams or UPSC (Union Public Service Commission). This exam is considered to be one of the most difficult exams just because the syllabus for the exam is quite vast. As a UPSC aspirant are checked and tested in all aspects of knowledge, aptitude, personality and much more qualities needed to be present in a leader.

After a brief about IAS exam. Let’s come to exam pattern and syllabus for better knowledge:-

Basically there are three stages in this exam

  1. Prelims

Prelims are basically screening test. Whose marks are not count for merit. It is divided into two parts:

  • GS paper-1 which includes 100 questions and 200 total marks
  • CSAT which included 80 questions and 200 total marks

Both the prelims papers are conducted on same day itself in two different time lap.

First CSAT paper is check for screening. And then GS paper-1 is checked.

So, one need to qualify CSAT paper first, if that person wants their GS paper-1 to be checked because if one fails to qualify CSAT paper which requires minimum 33% his/her GS paper-1 will be disqualified that moment itself and it will not be checked. But if a person qualify for CSAT he/she needs to cross cutoff list decided by the ministry which is generally between (85-120 marks). But the negative aspect of GS paper-1 prelims exam is that there is negative marking for each incorrect answer which 1/3 of the marks gained for every correct answer. It is a MCQ type paper.

  1. Mains

Mains are written exams or objective type paper. Whose marks will be counted for merit purpose. It is divided into two basic types:

  1. Qualifying Papers:
  1. Paper A : In this paper an aspirant is required choose one of the languages provided under 8th schedule of the constitution of India. This paper is of total 300 marks.
  2. Paper B: It is a basic English test in which the command on the language will be checked. Which is taught till 10th standard.
    1. Merit based paper/ Paper counted for merit marks

It includes 7 papers in it:

  1. Paper-I

Essay. There will be 2 questions for 125 marks each which makes Total 250

  1. Paper-II

General Stuidies-1

This includes questions from History, Geography and Social Issues. Total Marks- 250

  1. Paper-III

General Studies-2

This includes questions from Indian Polity, Governance, International Relations And social justice. Total Marks- 250

  1. Paper-IV

General Studies-3

This includes questions from Economy basically Indian Economy, Basics of Science and technology, Environment and Ecology, Disaster management and Internal security. Total Marks- 250

  1. Paper-V

General Studies-4

This included questions from Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude. Total Marks- 250

  1. Paper-VI

Optional Subject-1

This included questions from one of the subject choosen by an aspirants from the list of subjects provided to them. Total Marks-250

  1. Paper-VII

Optional Subject-1

This includes questions from another subject chosen by an aspirants from the list of subjects provided to them. Total Marks-250

Now as the syllabus might be clear to all.

Lets refer some key points to be kept in mind while preparation for the exam.

  • Since Prelims is just a screening test but on other hand very important one as well. We keep the last four months before appearing for the exam for brushing up of concepts for prelims
  • Current affairs are of major importance while preparing for this exam. So, one need to read a standard news paper such as The Hindu, Economic Times, Indian Express.
  • Notes to be maintained on daily bases from news papers, keeping in reference of the syllabus provided for UPSC exam in dynamic part. The handmade notes from newspaper will be of great help during the last four month before prelims exam for blushing up of concepts
  • The dynamic syllabus must also be covered with reference to current affairs as well.
  • One should make an habit of attempting at least 5-10 question from both previous year prelims and mains exams for adapting continuous habit of writing answer and maintaining a discipline of studying on regular basis.
  • A daily schedule or timetable must be set during the entire process of preparation and every day schedule must include questions from previous years, note making from newspapers and the dynamic part which is a general syllabus given
  • Initially before going or jumping on higher level books one must complete the NCERT book from 6th-12th standard. Specially for politics, economics, history and geography. To create a strong foundation of concepts and knowledge
  • One should not miss any test series conducted by the respective institutes of your choice. It helps to check once weak and strong areas of concepts
  • The self made notes can also include diagrams, flow charts, statistic data etc, to make answers presentable in examples as well. Since, during the time of exam it will be quite difficult to adopt this practice of beautifying your answer. One is recommended do initiate it during time of note making itself
  • And at least the most important elements needed by a UPSC aspirants are:-
  • Discipline
  • Dedication
  • Consistency
  • Hard work with reference to smart work
  • Obedience