If you are a meritorious student, it is quite obvious that you will appear for the UPSC Examination. The UPSC holds the examination for the services like IAS and IFS examinations. It is one of the most top-ranking competitive examinations that are held in India.
Cracking the UPSC Exam, you can get a job that most Indian students’ dream of. The reason being the toughest competitive exam there are various means by which you can prepare for the examination.
Always remember to put sufficient effort and devotion when you make UPSC Exam preparation. It is vital for you to remember the steps which you need to ponder upon.
Keep a clear track on the important dates
If you are aspiring to appear for the UPSC 2018 Examination, the primary job for you will be to keep track on the important dates. These dates are vital because if you miss any of them, your dream of appearing for the UPSC might be at stake.
Always look for the best available sources from where you can find these dates. Timely execution of filling the application form, giving the payment, printing the admit cards when available can reduce your stress. You will never be in any kind of anxiety regarding any dates.
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The notification details are given below:
| UPSC Examination 2018 | Dates |
| Notifications to be Issued | February 7th, 2018 |
| Application portal released | February 7th, 2018 |
| Last day of submission of application | March 6th, 2108 |
| UPSC Prelims Admit card | June 2018 |
| UPSC Prelim Exam | June 3rd, 2018 |
| Prelims Result | August 2018 |
| Mains – Admit Card | September 2018 |
| UPSE Main Exam | October 1st, 2018 |
| UPSC Final Result | January 2109 |
Make a study plan
It will be very important for you to make a study plan. It always helps you to make a balance of what studies you do in a day. Always remember not to only study the whole day. This is because; if you keep on studying the whole day your efficiency might get reduced. Balance your routine according to your own perspective of studying.
You should have enough amount of rest every day to ensure total mental refreshment each day when you study. You need to catch up with every minute detail with the UPSC prelims syllabus.
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Get the best books
For UPSE Exam preparation, you should get all the relevant books that cover the vast syllabus. Remember that while giving the exam you may face questions that range from whatever you have learned since the elementary level of studying in the school to your graduation. An in-depth study is also required because questions can also come from the post-graduation level.
The books you should have with you for the preparation of the UPSC prelims should contain study materials of current affairs of national and global importance, History of India and the movements, world geography, socio-political geography, civics of India, Indian polity, environment, and biodiversity.
Any terms of general knowledge are also important for the UPSC. NCERT books right from class 6 up to the 12th grade can help you cover up most of the syllabus of history and geography.
The UPSC prelims syllabus also includes the English and Mathematics books from class 6 to 12. You should always try to connect well with the media for gaining knowledge about current affairs and daily events.
Aptitude also is a major subject that will comprise the second paper of the examination. You should seek the best books which are available in the market.
Read More: Is Coaching Mandatory to Clear IAS?
Coaching for UPSC
Though a hypothetical aspect of whether you would need coaching to crack the UPSC exam or not it is always better to have one. Proper coaching always gives you the right track about the syllabus. You have very little chance of getting lost while covering up the vast syllabus. On the other hand, a vital aspect of getting a proper coach is, he can help you with your special papers. You rarely can be strong in each aspect of the exam. Guidance can always help you to track the question papers of the previous years. Proper analysis of each question can be done by your trainer. Furthermore, in case you have any confusion with any answer you can clarify it from the expert. You should always seek the best coaching for IAS preparation to ensure your success i9n the examination.
Read More: IAS Exam Preparation Tips
Know the Exam Pattern
As per the examination pattern of the preliminary UPSC examination, there will be two papers each of 2 hours of time duration. The 1st paper will consist of the general studies and the second paper will consist of the aptitude. Once you qualify to gain the desired marks in the paper, you can sit for the mains examination.
There will be a total number of 100 questions carrying 200 marks. For the second paper, a total number of 80 questions will be there carrying 200 marks. So the total marks for the examination are 400. You must acquire at least 33% marks in the 2nd paper to qualify for the mains.
Read More: General Study Coaching- reading and writing goes simultaneously
Salient features of the examination
The preliminary UPSC Examination will consist of MCQs which are objective type. A question will come with 4 choices of answers out of which one will be correct.
Negative marking is present in the UPSC Preliminary Examination. 0.83 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer. Negative Marking is however not present in case of the problem-solving and decision-making section.
The inception of the system of combining the IFS exam with the ICS exam has happened in the year 2013. If you are an aspirant of cracking the IFS exam and qualify for the prelims of UPSC, you can straightaway appear for the IFS main exam.
If a candidate is blind, he/she will be given 20 minutes of extra time to complete the paper.
Read More: Checklist to find the right way to achieve success in the IAS exam
Important Tips
There are a number of important tips which can help you to easily crack the UPSC prelims.
It will always be better for you to acquire knowledge of nearly anything and everything which is happening around you. It should not be ever ignored by you that you are going to appear for the toughest and the most elite competitive exam.
Always recapitulate the job profile that you might get if you crack this exam. This will give you the best motivation that you probably will need while your preparations are on.
Don’t just rely on books; get in touch with the media more often. Remember that it is the storehouse of information. You may know in-depth about something related to history, geography, literature or science which may help you to develop a concept regarding that matter.
Get a balanced life for yourself while you are preparing for an examination like this. Refrain from any kind of addiction which may cause harm to your body.
Proper rest is always the key to success. Avoid staying awake till late at night if you want to have the best results in the examination. The UPSC exam preparation period might seem to you as the toughest time of your life but after you get the job you shall cherish this period for the rest period.
Never forget to search for the best coaching for IAS preparation. It really helps a lot.
Going through the article you can get a clear picture of how to prepare for the UPSC exam 2018.
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