IAS Preparation for Undergraduate & CBSE Students

Civil Services examination is one of the most reputed examinations in India. It is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) every year, to recruit the future civil servants of India. No wonder there is craze among the youth for the civil services. The degree of power and status linked with the civil services/IAS needs no explanation. Every year, 5,00,000+ candidates take the civil services examination, to prove their metal. However, taking the IAS exam is no child's play. The preparations need a good amount of time and dedication. Thus, a large number of students dedicate themselves wholeheartedly for the civil services preparation, since their schooling age. However, without proper guidance and support, it becomes hard to crack IAS exam.

Thus, UPSCPORTAL dedicates this article to those committed and passionate students, who prepare themselves for the civil services exam, since their schooling days.

But one thing must be acknowledged before moving forward:

1. If your passion and commitment for Civil services is true, nothing can stop you from getting success. Given the wide scope of the IAS exam, it is the best strategy to dedicate oneself for the civil services as early in life as possible.

2. Realise the potential of a Student. Being a student you have the ability to cover any size of book in a short span of time. You must have done this many-a-times. however, this might not be possible while preparing for civil services. Thus you need to lay your foundations now, and continue to construct the tower of your knowledge.

Click here to see the list of articles on How to prepare for Civil Services

Student Life: The Preparatory Stage

It has been rightly said that:
'the mind of a child is like clay, it can be moulded in any shape'.

In your school life, you get the opportunity to learn and study a whole lot of subjects. If you are really serious towards your goal of civil services, you must study what is taught in the school curriculum with dedication.
Why?? because, when you come to the college and start preparing for the civil services examination afresh, you would have to re-study the whole school stuff again. Thus, instead of going to the college without a solid base, you must start developing a comprehensive knowledge base from your school days itself.

You might find this task as tiresome, but remember, it is better to put some effort at the early stages, than to stress your mind later. NCERT books are great source of knowledge. You must utilize them.

Instead of taking a duel with the heavy and complicated books, you must focus on the basics first.

What Strategy should be followed?

If you are still in school, but want to prepare for the civil services examination, you must study whatever you are taught in the school curriculum seriously. First, have a good look at the Civil Services syllabus, as it would give you a good idea about the nature and trends of the examination. Once you have gained a good idea of the exam syllabus and scope, you should start preparing at your own speed.

Do not rush through the topics. Since there are still 3+ years for you to be eligible for the exam, you must internalize whatever you read. Thus, take your time, and learn about the various subjects and topics. Do not jump directly to the high-level books. Rather, focus on the NCERT first, and then move gradually to the other study material.

An added advantage can be, if you keep preparing the notes from the various books you read. By maintaining the notes of the things you study, you will be better able to remember and understand the topics. Another advantage would be that it would help you in the long run. click here to see how to read

Coming over to the issue of reading Newspapers, you must have received a whole series of lectures from your near and dear ones, on how important are newspapers for preparing for civil services examination. However, what the elders miss to lecture is- How to read a Newspaper. Newspaper reading is not every person's forte. You need to be selective while reading a newspaper.

Do not read everything that comes before you. Rather, prepare what is relevant. Click here to see how to read a newspaper.

Or, if you find it difficult to read a newspaper everyday, you might also choose to read a good magazine that covers the current affairs. You might also choose to read monthly issues like- THE GIST, which provides you with the important editorials and articles from IAS exam perspective. Or to keep yourself up-to-date, you might subscribe the Weekly Current Affairs.

Also, it is important that you develop a good writing habit. So, you must practice on your writing skills. This would help you to fare well in the Mains. If you decide to take coaching to improve your writing skills, keep in point that it is the content that matters, not the appearance.

UPSCPORTAL is soon coming up with a course on writing skills. you may evaluate the course as per your needs and join the same, if you so desire.

Since you have sufficient time available, you must be able to reach the levels required to crack the IAS exam.

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