Discover All About UPSC Prelims Here

One of the most sought-after tests in India is the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Most candidates find it difficult to pass it on their first try because of its intricate and thorough syllabus. But worry not, as it is not as difficult as it seems. Even beginners might easily pass this exam with the appropriate approach and plan.

One needs dedicated ​​UPSC CSE coaching for the prelims to get started on the right path and clear the examination in one go. The preliminary exam is the first phase of the UPSC Civil Services Examination and makes your road towards the following ones.

Syllabus For UPSC Prelims

Knowing the curriculum in advance can help you stay on it when studying because it is very extensive and can be overwhelming at times. Dedicated UPSC CSE classes can also help you know the exact syllabus and plan your study schedule accordingly.

Below is a quick glance at the UPSC Prelims syllabus:

Paper-I UPSC Prelims Syllabus (General Studies-I)

  • Physical, social, and economic geography of India and the world are covered in Indian and World Geography. – Constitution, political system, panchayati raj, public policy, rights issues, etc. of Indian politics and governance.
  • Important current events on a national and international level.
  • Sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector activities, etc., are all examples of economic and social development.
  • Indian history and the Indian National Movement
  • Environmental ecology, biodiversity, and climate change are general topics that don’t call for academic expertise

Paper-II UPSC Prelims Syllabus (CSAT)

  • General cognitive capacity
  • Communication abilities, as well as logical thinking and analytical capacity, are all interpersonal skills.
  • Simple Class X Level Mathematics, including numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, and more.
  • Making decisions and addressing problems

Approach For UPSC Prelims Preparation

Your entire UPSC CSE prepration depends on the way you kickstart your schedule. Online coaching can be of great help when you try to have the right preparation and identify what areas you need to focus on.

Following are the best steps that you must follow when you align your UPSC Prelims preparation. This also guides you towards excelling in the exam and clearing the test on the first attempt.

  1. Establish The Right Foundation

Concentrate on laying a solid basis for understanding the UPSC syllabus. Start with the NCERTs to do it. To lay the groundwork, read the NCERT textbooks for the main topics from Classes VI through XII. After that, take a quick look at the papers from prior years to familiarise yourself with the types of questions that will be on the test.

  1. Build on The Start

It’s time to step up your preparation and read the standard books for all the topics after completely covering the NCERTs. Wherever feasible, stick to only one book per subject, and be sure to go over it several times to really get the ideas in.

With a low success rate, the UPSC Civil Service Examination’s Preliminary Examination acts as the first stage of elimination. The scope of the UPSC Syllabus makes this test the most difficult. Therefore, it is essential to have a thorough knowledge of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus before you start studying.

  1. Dedicated Revision

To succeed in the Prelims, revision is certainly the key. Make sure to save time for revision on the weekends. To ensure that you remember the principles for a long time, review what you learned throughout the week on the weekends! So, continue to revise as you study.

Even though it just qualifies, the CSAT is a crucial paper since it decides whether or not your GS work will be assessed. Try one CSAT paper, then look at your score to determine how well you did. Your UPSC CSE institute can guide you in the right direction and help you effectively plan your revision schedule.

To be eligible for CSAT, you must score at least 66 points. If your score is greater than 120, you may just take one CSAT mock test each week to review the material. If not, you must also study for the CSAT.

  1. Consistent Mock Tests

When there are around 50 to 75 days till the Prelims, switch to a learning strategy centred on mock tests. Take the practice exam every day and review your results. And for the problems on the practice exam that you don’t get right, go over all the ideas once again. Start administering the CSAT sample exams at this point as well.

Most UPSC CSE courses come with comprehensive mock tests that cover a complete evaluation of your subjects. Mock tests are perfect for testing your knowledge and identifying your weaker areas.

  1. Past Year Papers

Solving the UPSC Previous Years’ Question Papers makes a significant impact. Look into UPSC Previous Years’ Question Papers to get a sense of the kinds of questions that have been asked in the past before you start your preparation.

As you read through the question papers, make notes of what you notice, such as the types of questions asked, the weight given to factual and conceptual questions, the format of the questions, etc. This will help you when you’re solving the question papers from previous years and when taking the mock exams.

Following this strategy also helps applicants gain the ability to anticipate questions that the UPSC may ask during the prelims or mains test.

Conclusion

Before beginning their preparation, every IAS aspirant should be aware of how crucial it is to choose the appropriate sources. It is crucial that applicants pick books carefully to study for the IAS test because the majority of IAS experts advise referring to a few key texts rather than many.

When you plan to kickstart your preparation for the exam, make sure to hunt down the best course for UPSC. This is integral for having dedicated exam preparation and understanding the nuances of each subject!

FAQs

  1. What are the eligibility criteria for the UPSC Prelims?

To appear for UPSC Prelims, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and must be at least 21 years old. The upper age limit for different categories is also defined by the UPSC. Additionally, candidates must be citizens of India and meet other eligibility criteria outlined by the UPSC.

  1. Can a candidate choose the language of the preliminary examination?

No, the language for the UPSC Preliminary Examination is English and Hindi only. Candidates cannot choose a different language for the exam. The questions are in both languages, and candidates can choose to answer in either language.

  1. What is the significance of the UPSC Prelims in the overall IAS selection process?

The UPSC Prelims, also known as the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), is the first stage of the three-stage Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and other civil services. The UPSC Prelims serves as a screening test for the mains examination and plays a crucial role in determining the eligibility of candidates for the mains exam. The marks obtained in the prelims do not contribute to the final score, but only serve as a qualifying criterion.

  1. How can one improve their chances of success in the UPSC Prelims?

To improve chances of success in the UPSC Prelims, one should have a strong grasp of the syllabus, regularly practice mock tests, stay updated with current events, and have a strategic approach to time management during the exam.