Preparation
strategy for
UPSC
Kirori Mal College, University of
Delhi
Jyoti Meena, IRS
What is civil services?
Civil Services is a collective term for a part of
govt. comprising of career public servant hired on
merit bases rather than being appointed or elected
Selected by UPSC for eg. IAS, IFS, Central
Services, Revenue, Audit etc.
State Services eg, deputy collector/revenue officer
Why civil services?
Unparalleled exposure- institutional learning
Service not a job
Diversity and day to day challenges
Recognition and social security
Opportunity to live and work in different locations
Why civil services ?
You all should have a clear answer to this question
every single day
Your motivation should be clear and strong
When to start the preparation
Right now, right away
Study mode, right ecosystem, least responsibility
Say conscious no to distractions
Start with basics
Time and discipline, all it takes
Start looking at your subject from a Civil Servant’s
perspective
You should start PESTEL analysis of all the events
happening around you
Civil Services Examination
Test of attitude and aptitude
Mental Preparation- train your brains
Attitude- focus, discipline and perseverance
Aptitude-
Curiosity of well-educated youth
Administrative aptitude of understanding the big picture
Width matters more than the depth
Ability to zoom-in, as and when required
Ability to summarize an issue in simple and precise language
Being simple doesn’t mean being vague
Steps of preparation
Syllabus is your best guide
Helps to filter the content and cut the clutter
Previous year papers
Input : receptiveness- engage all the senses
Filter resources : toppers blogs, syallbus
Read govt documents, meaningful content; learn the
content and presentation both
Listen to AIR
Watch videos to grasp concept
Steps of preparation
Process
Internalize/Deep learning – Make your own notes
Precise writing after reading every article- 60
seconds speaking and 5 minutes writing
Revisions and practice- limited resources
Output or art of expression
Demand of the question, read it wisely, interpret it
rightly, get to the crux
Feedback
Choosing an optional
UPSC is a long journey, so choose your
companion (optional) cautiously
First try to understand your interest
Availability of study material and guidance are
also a factor
Prelims
Integratedapproach – Facts plus understanding
Mock tests/quizzes
Elimination method
Smart guessing with the help of known facts
Healthy mix of easy, medium and difficult
Attempt maximum questions
Relevance of CSAT
Mains
Answer writing
Be precise and to the point, no beating around the bush
Intro and conclusion- lasting impression
Make short notes: Helps in revision as well as hones
your answer writing skills
Get into examiner’s shoes
Structured writing- clarity in thoughts
Multi-dimensional answers
GS-IV- Attempt with Gandhian Talisman in head
Mains
Essay
Frame a structure first
Spread the horizon, as wide as possible
PESTLE + P analysis of the topic, the extra P stands
for Philosophical
Quotations/ anecdote based: there is already
someone who supported your thought
Personality test
Group discussion
Clarity on thoughts
60 seconds rule before the mirror
Cardinal rules
Disciplined &consistent approach
Thinking fast and slow- thinking and writing
should be in the auto programming mode
Time management- macro, mini and micro plans-
6-8 hours consistently
Be practical about backup plans after 2 yr
Devise your own strategy
There is no shortcut
Inner Demons
Failure
Insecurity- enormity of the situation
Derailment
Comfort zone
Stress- inaction
Resources
Newspapers-The Hindu/ Indian Express
NCERT/ Standard books
https://www.insightsonindia.com/wp-content/
uploads/2021/07/BOOK-LIST-MISSION-2022.pdf
Government resources- FYP to understand the
vision of the administration
Rajya sabha TV
AIR summaries
Time and pressure that’s all it takes.
