How should you start preparing for UPSC?
People would tell you UPSC preparation starts by reading NCERTs, but that definitely comes later.
Before doing anything, even before reading UPSC’s syllabus, start by fixing a number of hours that you would, every day, dedicate towards your preparation. Followed by, framing a time-table by dividing your entire UPSC syllabus in realistic daily chores.
Done?
Now follow the standard suggestions:
• Get a newspaper subscription, preferably – ‘The Hindu’.
• Firstly, start by reading all the basic books, including NCERTs for History, Geography, Economics and Polity.
• Switch to standard book, a little detailed set of books and revise them at least twice before going to the next set. Some example of standard books is; Indian and World Geography by GC Leong, Indian Polity by Laxmikant, and so on.
• Be a regular to Rajya Sabha TV and watch all the major discussions to get an update on Indian Policies and issues.
• Refer to Previous Year Question Papers and try to grasp the pattern of the UPSC’s question paper. Also, analyze it to understand the type of questions UPSC prefers.
• After analyzation of papers, Practice them.
• Join a test series and get a second reality check, majorly to evaluate your preparation. Figure out your weak subjects from the analogy.
• Work on your weak subjects and then attempt a new test series.
• Repeat the last two steps until you have a considerable score.
Extra Tip:
• Keep yourself updated with different online sources. Insights on India, Daily News, IAS Educator.
• Follow successful candidates on Quora and read their strategies and suggestions.
• Write 200 words every day and, gradually increase the number of words with time to work on your expression and vocabulary.
• Make Notes of whatever you read, including Newspapers.
• Revise everything you read, consistently.