UPSC Success Strategy

· Think every stage in UPSC civil services exam as your immediate goal. Do not think of Mains preparation when you haven’t yet written your Prelims. Do not think of Interview preparation when you haven’t yet written your Mains. Take one step at a time and do it with full concentration.

· An objective-type question examination is never tough, as long as we are clear in our concepts and basics of various subjects, because both the question and answer are provided to us, we only have to choose the right answer. However, it is not so in Mains. Only the question is given. We have to find the answer, frame it in sentences within the prescribed word limits and write it fast in order to complete the paper on time.

· For prelims, speed tests are very important. Try to finish answering (finding answer and shading the OMR) within 3/4th of the allowed time. Since there is negative marking for prelims, it is important not to touch areas you are fully ignorant about.

· Read the question carefully (usually they ask- which is not false, and we forget to see the word NOT). Elimination strategy and logic can help answer a difficult question. For many questions on general mental ability (GMA), answers can be found by seeing the choices itself, instead of solving the full problem. GMA can be a success-determining factor because nearly 15-20 questions will be asked; we can also be sure of our answer at exam hall itself and that improves your spirits for ensuing questions.

· It is worthwhile watching TV news for a selected time period everyday (NDTV, TIMES NOW, HEADLINES TODAY along with one Tamilnews channel). During preparation for mains and interview, I resorted to listening News on AIR FM Gold and then watch news on some main issues alone.

· The radio channel airs world news at 8.30 p.m. in English, India news at 8.45 p.m. in Hindi and 9.00 p.m. in English. Following that is a news analysis where experts discuss burning topics. After that there are day-specific news items and talk shows for half an hour, both in Hindi and English.

· Newspapers- I suggest Hindu and Dinamani though Times of India and Dinamalar would give extra coverage. Take notes of issues and events separately. Keep cuttings of center-page articles by eminent personalities for future reference.

· Magazines – civil services chronicle, competition wizard, civil service times, competition success review

· India Year book of the year you are writing preliminary exam.

· Adequate rest is essential for active learning. I never compromised on my sleep time except 2-3 days before exam. I sleep for a minimum of 8 hours everyday.

· Everyday I studied for at least 6 hours. We have to learn something new each day and add it to our knowledge treasury (brain). The quality of study is more important than how long we study. Breaks of 15-20 minutes for every 2 hours of intense study can help relax the mind.

· For mains, it is important to write model tests. It helps improve speed, accuracy, presentation, word limit precision and confidence. I wrote model tests in G.S. and Tamil. Unfortunately, I could not write a single model test for Mains-Botany as I was too much engrossed in studying, but somehow managed to write satisfactorily.

· Giving answer in points is advisable for questions like – list out the advantages, what were the effects, causes, etc. Try to give subheadings to all questions except the 2 mark questions. Write legibly. Do not overwrite. Think a minute before writing so that you avoid repetition of facts that might irritate the evaluating person.

· In prel and main exam, we have a lot of time to think the answer, frame it suitably and present it neatly. In an interview this is not possible. The answers have to fired immediately. So to have an edge over other candidates, we must form opinions on important subjects, burning topics.

· Discuss a lot and come to conclusions that could be substantiated with reasons. A simple yes or no will not be sufficient to impress the interview panel. Enter into arguments with friends on issues by taking opposite sides. No one can conduct a better stress interview than our friends.

· Think at least two seconds before answering a question. The panel will be very cordial and would wait for up to five to ten seconds for your answer, provided the wait is worthy. · Otherwise it might reflect in their next question. Please do not take wild guesses immediately. Ask their permission to guess or inform them that you are not sure about that answer.

· It is not necessary to answer every question they ask correctly. There would be one question that would determine whether you enter into service or not. Grab that question and answer honestly. If you have no knowledge in some field, accepting ignorance is a welcome move.