How to Prepare for UPSC Exam
To prepare for the Union Public Service Commission or UPSC exam, you should start studying around a year in advance to have enough time to learn the material. While the UPSC exam is divided into prelim exams and then a main exam, you will only have a 4-month gap between the two so you should be studying for both at the same time. To organize your studying, divide each syllabus into more manageable study topics. For example, you can break up your geography syllabus into Indian, Asian, African, European, North American, South American, and Australian. When you're preparing, go on the UPSC website to find previous years' tests so you can familiarize yourself with the types of questions they ask.
Begin studying at least 10-12 months before you take your exams. The Prelims consist of 2 tests, which will cover many subjects. Because of the breadth of knowledge you need to know to succeed, you'll require a lot of time to prepare. The first Prelims test consists of 100 multiple choice questions, while the second consists of 80 multiple choice questions. You will have 2 hours for each test. The tests are formatted the same, but they cover different subjects. The first test focuses on government, politics, geography, and geological concerns, while the second test focuses more on logic and reasoning. Develop a syllabus outline for each subject on the first Prelims test. This allows you to make studying easier and get a better idea of what you need to know. Here are the subjects you should expect to see on your first Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance: Indian government's political system and constitution, as well as Panchayati Raj, public policy, rights issues, and related topics. Indian History: General knowledge of the country's history, as well as the Indian National Movement. Indian and World Geography: Physical, social, and economic geography of both India and the world. Current Events: What's currently happening in the world, including issues of national and international importance. Economic and Social Development: Sustainable development, poverty, social sector initiatives, demographics, policies of inclusion, and related topics. Environmental Issues: This includes ecology, climate change, and biodiversity. General Science: Biology, such as zoology, microbiology, and disease progression, chemistry, especially nuclear chemistry, and general physics. Create an outline for the subjects on the second Prelims test. You'll need to study all of the subjects at the same time, since it takes time to absorb what you're learning. Just as with the first set of subjects, creating an outline will make it easier to learn the information. Here are the subjects you need to study for your second Prelims: Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Strengthen your communication skills and develop empathy so you can relate to others by reading psychology and sociology texts. Gain firsthand knowledge and experience by volunteering. Logical and Analytical Reasoning: Study decision making processes, as well as how to apply logic by reading philosophy and public policy books. Problem Solving: Read books about problem-solving as well as case studies relating to government policy decisions. Basic Numeracy: Study your Class 10 standards. Data Interpretation: Review your Class 10 standards. Choose your optional subject. Your optional subject should be a subject that interests you. Choose a topic where you can develop an expertise. You'll be tested on this subject during your UPSC exams and you'll need to answer questions about it during your interviews. For example, you might develop an expertise in medical science, law, or sociology. It's okay to choose a topic that overlaps with your general studies, which some do to make studying easier. However, your best choice is a topic that's exciting for you. If you've completed a post-graduation course, you might choose that subject. Divide each syllabus into manageable parts. This makes the subject less intimidating. Use your outline to section off the topics into smaller chunks. You can then study each chunk separately, making it easier to learn everything you need to know for your exam. For example, you might break the syllabus into smaller topics, or you might break it down by standards. For example, you might break your geography syllabus into Indian geography, Asian geography, African geography, European Geography, North American geography, South American geography, and Australian geography. You could then subdivide Indian geography, as well as each continent's, into subcategories of physical, social, and economic geography. Since you'll need greater knowledge of Indian geography, you might identify smaller chunks for those 3 categories, such as the history of social geography in India or the economic geography of India over time. Determine your strengths and weaknesses. Everyone has subjects where they excel and subjects where they tend to struggle. You can use this to your advantage to save time on studying! You can spend less time on topics you know well, and then spend more time on topics where you lack knowledge. For example, if you have completed a degree in biology, you likely know the subject matter well, so you could spend less time on your science studies. Similarly, you might not have an interest in geography, so you might need to spend more time studying it. You might also want to build your study sessions around 1 subject you find hard, and 1 you find difficult. For example, a 3 hour study session could be spent like this: 2 hours on science (hard subject), and 1 hour on history (easy subject). Review previous years’ tests. This will help you understand the format of the questions so you'll be prepared to take your test. You can also see the types of questions they'll ask so you can use good study strategies. Keep in mind that the content tested changes every year, so don't try to memorize the material from previous tests. You can also use previous years' tests as mock tests. You can find a previous test at the UPSC website: http://upsc.gov.in/examinations/previous-question-papers. Read the news daily to keep up with current events. Since the UPSC ultimately leads to a position in civil service, you'll need to be up-to-date on current events. The best way to build this knowledge is to follow the news every day. Subscribe to several news outlets, which you can easily do online. Review the major stories each day, as things are constantly happening! Create a routine around the news. For example, read the news for 30 minutes after breakfast, then again for 30 minutes after dinner. Read both fiction and nonfiction books to build your knowledge-base. Choose books from classic literature, public policy, current events, history, and related topics. You can also find books lists online with recommendations specifically for the UPSC exam. Another option is to read books assigned for college courses. For example, review your science textbooks from your class 10-12 standards. Pick up history books, such as History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra. Read about environmental issues in Environmental Studies: From Crisis to Cure by Rajagopalan. Challenge yourself to read every day, even if it's just for a short period of time. Start preparing for your Mains while you're preparing for the Prelims. It's best to study for them at the same time so you'll have enough time to learn everything. The Mains consists of 9 essays covering a variety of topics, which includes your optional subject. You will have a 4 month gap between your Prelims and Mains, which usually isn't enough time to prepare for such an extensive test unless you start studying early. Just as with your Prelims, aim to begin your preparations at least 10-12 months before you plan to take your test. For example, you might review prior tests' essay questions related to your topic before a study session. Then, think about how the material you're learning could help you answer that question. This will help you learn the information for the Prelims while also helping you figure out how to best answer essay questions. Continue studying your optional subject. You'll be tested over your optional subject during your Mains, so it's important you continue studying it. Consider yourself an expert on this subject and learn all that you can! You will also likely be questioned about your optional subject during your interview, so don't give up your studies! Divide up the syllabi for the 9 essays contained in the Mains exam. Just like the Prelims, your Mains will cover certain topics. Unlike the Prelims, this test will question you in essay format, making it a bit more challenging for most people. Divide each syllabus into chunks as you did with your Prelims. In fact, some syllabi, such as world history and Indian society, will overlap since these topics are covered in both your Prelims and Mains. Here are the 7 subjects you'll need to study for your Mains: World History Indian Society Foreign Relations International Affairs Internal Security Disaster Management Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude Prepare your strategy for essay writing. Many people find essay writing to be challenging, but it's much easier if you break it down into a process. You should follow a process like this: Brainstorm about the topic, writing notes. Outline what you want to say using a list or mind map. Write out your first draft. Read over your draft. Make edits and revisions where necessary. Prepare your final draft. Write essay answers for a practice test or a previous year's test. This will give you practice for the actual exam and show you where you might struggle. Use this as an opportunity to see what will and won't work when it comes time to take your exam. Set a timer so you can truly measure your ability to prepare a complete response. You'll have 3 hours to write your essay during testing, so limit yourself to this. You can access a practice test at the UPSC website here: http://upsc.gov.in/examination/model-question-and-answer-booklets. You can also find example questions here: http://mrunal.org/2017/10/download-upsc-mains-2017-essay-paper.html. Ask someone to review your essay, if possible. Choose someone you know is familiar with the topic, such as a former teacher, parent, or classmate. If you can, have several people look at the essay. Request advice about what you could improve, as well as the quality of your content and writing. Most important, ask them if you properly addressed the essay topic. Have the person who reviews your essay mark it up so you can make necessary revisions. This will help you know what to change next time. If you're struggling to produce a good essay, work with a tutor to make improvements. They can help you identify ways to improve your writing and help you learn to communicate clearly. Expect to show your personality. The questions asked in a UPSC interview aren't just meant to see how you'll make decisions if you're recruited. They also want to see who you are as a person. The questions are designed to reveal your personality, values, and ability to handle the unexpected. The panel will evaluate you based on both your answer and how quickly you respond to the question. Since your reaction and how quickly you respond are important, stay true to yourself. Don't try to guess what they're thinking, as this will cost you valuable time in answering, and make it harder for you to elaborate. Review sample questions from prior interviews. Some applicants have shared their interview experience, including questions the board asked. Plus, you can find a variety of example questions online. Many of the questions seem unrelated to government service, as they are testing how you think and how well you listen. Similarly, they want to see if you get upset easily when provoked. Here are a few typical questions: What would you do if you woke up pregnant? For this question, they want to see how you'll react. You should remain calm and answer honestly. A set of twins were born in May but their birthday is in June. How is this possible? This question is testing your logic skills. It's possible because the town they were born in is called May. How can a man go 8 days without sleeping? Just as above, this is testing your logic skills. The man sleeps at night. What would you do if you woke up to see your sister nude in your bed? This question is also testing your reaction. Remember, this is a hypothetical question. You could say, "I would help my mother care for my baby sister by wrapping her up in a warm blanket before rocking her back to sleep." A cat has 3 kittens named Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. What is the mother's name. This question is actually a statement that is testing your listening and logic skills. The mother's name is What, which is your answer. Do a mock interview with a teacher, parent, or classmate. Choose someone you view as professional and successful. As they ask you sample questions, have them write down their impressions of you as you attempt to respond. Treat this as a real interview by wearing a professional outfit and having them address you as though they don't know you. Have them ask you sample questions that may be asked during a UPSC interview. For example, they might ask, "What would you do if your mother buried your treasured pet?" You might respond, "I'd thank her for relieving me of the task of burying my deceased companion." You can also film yourself doing a mock interview so you can see what you look and sound like. Another option is to watch yourself in the mirror. Dress professionally for your interview. Your first impression is very important in a UPSC interview. The multi-member board will consider your hygiene, physical presentation, and clothing in evaluating your performance. Choose clothing that is neutral in color, avoiding bold patterns. Similarly, shower before your interview but avoid heavily-scented moisturizers, perfumes, or colognes. For example, choose a black or navy suit and jacket, as well as a crisp button-up or modest blouse. Ladies can wear pants or a skirt. Complete your look with clean, polished footwear. It's a good idea to get your hair and/or beard trimmed prior to your interview, if applicable. Answer honestly and according to your own beliefs. The interview board is interested in getting to know you as a person, so don't try to anticipate what the “right” answer might be. Stay true to who you are, and thoroughly explain the logic behind your responses. By showing that your answers are based on logic and knowledge, you'll demonstrate your qualifications for a UPSC position. Use what you've learned throughout your studies to support your responses. 
Begin studying at least 10-12 months before you take your exams. Develop a syllabus outline for each subject on the first Prelims test. Create an outline for the subjects on the second Prelims test. Choose your optional subject. Divide each syllabus into manageable parts. Determine your strengths and weaknesses. Review previous years’ tests. Read the news daily to keep up with current events. Read both fiction and nonfiction books to build your knowledge-base. Start preparing for your Mains while you're preparing for the Prelims. Continue studying your optional subject. Divide up the syllabi for the 9 essays contained in the Mains exam. Prepare your strategy for essay writing. Write essay answers for a practice test or a previous year's test. Ask someone to review your essay, if possible. Expect to show your personality. Review sample questions from prior interviews. Do a mock interview with a teacher, parent, or classmate. Dress professionally for your interview. Answer honestly and according to your own beliefs. 