Union Public Service Exam (UPSC) conducts Civil Services exams every year in three phases:

• Phase I- Preliminary Examination
• Phase II- Mains Examination
• Phase III- UPSC personality Test

UPSC Civil Services exam is considered to be the toughest exam in India. Lakhs of people appear for the exam every year, while a few go through.

Starting early preparation and building on it to the point that you are attaining your goal of becoming an IAS officer is no easy task.  During the journey, you will have obstacles and these must be overcome.  Otherwise, success is delayed and failure is a possibility. Along the way of preparation Success Formula, there will be hidden in wise decisions that will help you in gaining a competitive advantage over others.

Collecting genuine information about anything and everything about this coveted examination is a must. Information is a base upon which you will build your entire preparation. Making strategy at an early stage will give you an upper hand during the Journey of becoming an IAS officer.

Strategies for IAS preparation

A Choosing an Optional Paper:

Choosing an optional is a very difficult process. No subject can be called the easiest optional subject for IAS mains, and it varies on aspirant to aspirant what is easy and what is not. Most IAS aspirants choose an optional just because they consider it as a scoring subject. 

However, scoring optional is nothing to do with the exam it’s just a perspective, as few remarkable IAS Officers have cracked this toughest exam by taking the not-so-scoring optional subjects. An aspirant should choose an optional subject based on interest and background. Choosing as early as possible should be the motto.

B Thorough knowledge of the Syllabus:

Once you have understood the syllabus and have ample knowledge then nothing can stop you from scoring big as the marks will follow. You should be acquainted with your syllabus like you know your body. The syllabus gives you a thorough idea about what should be done to achieve the goal. UPSC syllabus is vast but if you plan thoroughly and efficiently you can cover it on time.

C Must have a Bachelor’s Degree:

To fulfill eligibility criteria, you are required to obtain graduation in any discipline from a UGC recognized university. Final year candidates are also eligible to apply for this exam but before joining you need to have a bachelor’s degree with you.

D Plan your life around UPSC(CSE)

If you want it enough you need to do it enough. Dedication, Determination, and Discipline these three D’s you are required to have in your skillset. Read multiple newspapers and articles daily. Follow current affairs thoroughly. Build your database. Read interviews of successful candidates and note down the important points you need to follow. Practice writing of abstract topics. Memorize important dates mentioned in history books. Sleep adequate hours. Solve previous years’ question papers. This will help you in doing your own SWOT (Strength Weakness Opportunities Threat) analysis.

E Digital Age:

We are living in a digital age use this for your advantage. You can collect information about anything you want in a single click. You can buy books online; you can subscribe to online coaching classes. You can communicate with other IAS aspirants. But don’t waste more time on social media platforms. Always remember your goal while using the internet. Keep asking questions to yourself, why you have arrived on this platform? Keep yourself motivated.

All the best. Enjoy this beautiful journey.