For General Studies, it is important to be updated in all fields. Read at least one newspaper regularly along with national and international magazines and periodicals. Also, tune in to current affairs and analytical programmes on radio and TV. A thorough study of the two optional subjects is essential.
Begin your preparations for the Main Exam along with the Preliminary Exam since the time between the Main Exam and the declaration of result of Preliminary Exam is very less.
Success Plan for Prelims
- The General Studies paper covers the following areas:
- Current events of national and international importance
- History of India including Indian National Movement
- Indian and world Geography
- Indian Polity and Economy
- Mental Ability
- Statistics and General Mathematics Ability
- Thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Rabindranath Tagore amongst other national leaders
- Basic Computer Knowledge
In general, study previous years question papers. Questions on planning, budgeting, development programmes, latest issues of political and constitutional importance, Panchayat Raj, electoral reforms, natural resources, culture, growth of nationalism, Committees, Commission etc. are there almost every year.
The emphasis is on the general aspects of the subject that every educated person aspiring to join the Civil Services as an officer is expected to know.
For a list of reading material, refer to Recommended Book List.
Choosing Optional Subject
Choose the subject for Optional that you have studied since school and are comfortable in. Chances of doing well in it are greater than an unrelated subject you may have never studied before.
Some subjects are considered scoring like Geography. Many students with no specialization in these subjects have done well compared to other specialized fields like Mathematics, Physics and Engineering that are considered tough. However, aptitude and proficiency in a subject should be the deciding factor while choosing the Optional subject.
Mains Examination
One of the important requirements of the Mains exam is that the answers should be crisp and to-the-point.
Examiners try to judge your capability of logical thinking and your ability to put forth your opinion. Arrange your thoughts before putting them down on paper. The sequence of your answer is very essential and should flow from specific to general, i.e. from the most important aspect to less important ones.
Chalk out a detailed practical study plan – weighing your weak and strong areas – that you can refer to from time to time. It will take some time but it is worth the efforts.
Optional
Choice of Optional subject is an important decision as it carries more marks compared to the General Studies paper. Hence, an aspirant doing well in the Optional subject (Paper-II) is expected to fare well in the examination.
Paper-II should be the subject in which you have attained proficiency/higher academic qualification or with which you are comfortable and confident. Also consider your performance in that subject in the recent past.
Another consideration should be the access and availability of syllabus books. Books for Prelims are available in plenty in common subjects but in case of specialized Optionals like Mathematics, Engineering, Agriculture etc, one has to look carefully for good books which cover all parts of the syllabus.
Your choice of Optional for the Prelims should preferably be the same as your Mains Optional as preparation during the Prelims will assist you in grasping the subject.
Preparations for Paper-II need specific planning. Your approach should be multi-dimensional. Don’t confine your studies only to the multiple choice objective type questions. Unless an in-depth study of the subject is carried out, you would find it difficult to answer properly the questions on the subject. Your aim should be to clearly understand the basics of the subject by covering each and every aspect of the syllabus.
Importance of Coaching Centers
A frequently asked question is whether aspirants should join a coaching center. Coaching centers help develop the discipline of regular studies by causing you to attend classes regularly. The instructor also gives direction to your studies by giving you opinion about the answers written by you.
Coaching centers also provide a platform for aspirants to meet like-minded people with whom you can debate and discuss topics. However, choose the coaching institute with care. The instructor must be knowledgeable enough to guide you in your preparations.
Find out a candidate who has during the past couple of years appeared in the Prelims with the same subject. Discuss with him the subject, its intricacies, pattern of questions and the books to be studied. Finally, practice correctly marking the answer sheet using minimum possible time.
We train individuals to reach their best potential
At Directions, students are encouraged to discuss critical topics individually. Special attention is paid to the personal problems of every candidate. Periodical tests are organized to assess the progress of candidates and to develop their efficiency and accuracy.
As mentioned in the gazette of the UPSC the Civil Services Examination is not a mere test of knowledge. It is, in fact, an overall evaluation of a candidate’s knowledge, personality and originality of thinking and his point of view on a subject matter. Therefore, there would be no award for bookish answers without any context. The answer should be relevant and it should reveal the analytical power, effective method of presentation and point of view of a candidate.
This can be possible only if a candidate has selected his optional subjects according to the basic criteria of selection and not under any compulsion. This is why the Academy offers guidance on a number of popular optional subjects to facilitate a candidate as far as possible, in selecting right optional subjects.
We at Direction, try through out classroom discussions to boost the level of individuality by bringing out the best in every individual.
In the preliminary stage, an aspirant should simply cover the syllabus and understand the fundamentals of the subject. In his second stage, he should assimilate complete knowledge of the subject, develop his own point of view on that and should learn how to present that effectively and coherently in order to match with the parameters of the UPSC.
Our team of Directors at Direction pay special attention to the second stage, which is very important. Therefore, from the current academic session, there would be a special package of discussions, tests and practices to fulfil the requirements of the second stage of preparation.
Some of the important personality traits of a good administrator are creative vision, acumen of implementation, positive thinking, quick decision-making power, and effective communication, originality of thinking and point of view etc. It is a known fact that success or failure is a result of one’s attitude. At the Academy, we have regular personality development workshops to inculcate personality-grooming techniques for aspirants. Our Workshops and discussions are aimed at improvement in areas that need attention and build confidence.
The final stage! Start preparations for the interview along with the written test. Debate and discuss issues with friends and relatives. Listen to current affairs programmes and learn to organize your thoughts the way the participants do. Understand the current affairs and the issues behind the events.
Preparation for the Interview
Remember, the interview is not a test of specialized knowledge, as that has already been tested in the written exams. It is neither a cross-examination. It is a naturaland purposeful conversation.
Here the social trait of a person and his personality as suited to a career in the Civil Services is assessed. Exhibit an intelligent interest in events happening around you so that you appear to be a complete personality. Don’t give the impression of being a bookworm. Your chances of selection would be reduced.
Do’s & Don’ts for interview
- Start Early: Start preparation for the interview early as developing confidence is a long-term process. Read extensively and discuss issues with family and friends. Carry your certificates in a file.
- Formal Dressing: Be neat. Boys should make sure they are shaved while girls can apply a light make-up. Well-groomed hair, cleanliness, polished shoes are essential. Avoid jewelry, trendy clothes and casuals such as jeans. Do not wear your everyday clothes for the interview.
- Punctuality: Reach the place of interview before time but do not go directly to the office. Wait outside or go to a nearby restaurant and have something to eat.
- When you Enter: Take a deep breath before entering the room. Greet the interviewer but do not be over-friendly. Do not sit down until asked. Sit straight and do not fold your arms. Look at the interviewers’ directly while answering questions.
- Avoid Controversy: Unless asked, stick to the subject without giving opinions. Do not criticize your Institute or past employer. If you do not know a particular question, admit it.
- Listen Carefully: Pause before answering a question to gather your thoughts. Do not ramble or use long-winded examples.
- Be Pleasant: Be cheerful. Keep a pleasant outlook. Do not contradict the interviewer even if he is wrong. Do not be funny, though you can be witty.
- Tricky Situations: Stay calm, even if provoked. Be ready for surprises, as one cannot anticipate all questions.
