TV
The Civil Services exam conducted by UPSC is one of the toughest exams that take away several productive years of an aspirant. While millions of youths across India, aspiring to join the Civil Services, write the exam every year, only a handful manages to fulfill their dreams.
A large number of aspirants who are unsuccessful, end up being frustrated, dejected and exhausted with so many years and prime age lost. There are many who even feel worthless after failing to crack the exam. So, it is very crucial to have a comprehensive study plan to crack the Civil Services exam easily, so that you do not waste prime age of your career.
Unlocking secrets of Odisha’s Animesh Pradhan’s success:
Animesh’s journey to securing the second rank in UPSC Civil Services Exam 2023 despite the death of his father and his mother battling stage 4 breast cancer is nothing but immense inspiration. Despite his heart-wrenching family conditions, Animesh was determined and resilient.
“This exam is highly subjective and involves a lot of luck. Spend your energy, resources, and time on the things you can control that is purely hard work. Secondly, you will want to quit every alternate day. In those moments, always think about why you started,” Animesh said in an exclusive interview with OTV.
“If your reason and intent are solid and honest, your chances of success are much higher,” he added.
“For the Preliminary exam, focus on minimizing errors and increasing accuracy. For the Mains, I prepared rigorously for three months. It would recommend people to take mock tests and prepare thoroughly, review previous year’s questions, sub-consciously train your read while reading, enroll in test series, and rest everything will fall in place,” Animesh stated.
Topper Tina Dabi’s Secret to Success:
IAS Tina Dabi, who topped the 2015 Civil Services Examination, during an interview revealed, the secret formula to her success is a lot of hard work, patience.
“I used to study 10 to 14 hours a day. I never lost patience and one should always believe in their abilities. Patience, focus and taking breaks between studies as it refreshes mind is more crucial,” Tina stated.
She also emphasised about choosing the right books for the exam and revising it thoroughly. Regularity and discipline were the key components to her success, followed by a strict time table.
IAS Srushti Deshmukh’s Success Mantra:
The young and inspiring IAS officer’s approach was methodical and disciplined. She meticulously jotted down her thoughts and focused on comprehensive newspaper reading, supplemented by insightful sessions watching Rajya Sabha TV.
To improve her interview skills, she participated in mock test sessions, focusing on perfecting her body language and attitude.
Here are a few golden tips shared by senior IAS officers to crack the prestigious exam:
Besides, several others who have cracked the prestigious exam emphasize the importance of a well-structured study plan for UPSC Civil Services 2025.
1. Dedicate specific time slots for each subject, with a focus on NCERT textbooks for building a strong foundation.
2. The study plan should include daily current affairs updates, regular answer writing practice, and weekly revisions.
3. Senior IAS officers suggest allocating 3-4 hours daily for General Studies, 2 hours for Current Affairs, and 2 hours for Optional subjects.
4. They stress the importance of consistency and advise aspirants to study for at least 8-10 hours daily.
5. Mock tests and previous years' question papers should be incorporated into the study routine to familiarize oneself with the exam pattern and improve time management skills.
6. NCERT textbooks are the primary source for basic concepts and supplementing them with standard reference books.
7. For current affairs, IAS officers suggest reading newspapers like The Hindu, Indian Express, and reputable monthly magazines. They emphasize the importance of making concise notes and revising them regularly.
8. Online resources like government websites, PIB, and reputable coaching institutes' materials are also recommended.
9. Toppers stress the need to analyze issues from multiple perspectives and develop a holistic understanding of topics.
10. They suggest creating mind maps and flow charts to better visualize and retain complex information.
Answer Writing and Time Management
Answer writing practice plays a critical role in UPSC preparation. So, successful IAS officer have time and again recommended starting answer writing practice early in the preparation journey, focusing on clarity, structure, and relevance. Toppers suggest writing at least one answer daily and gradually increasing the count.
Officers recommend using bullet points, underlining key phrases, and incorporating relevant examples and case studies in answers. They stress the need to be concise yet comprehensive, aiming to complete each answer within the stipulated time. Regular self-evaluation and peer review of answers are suggested to identify areas of improvement.
Holistic Preparation Approach
A holistic approach is very crucial to maintain the physical and mental well-being alongside academic preparation. Incorporating regular exercise, meditation, and adequate sleep into the daily routine to maintain overall health and improve focus is crucial. Toppers suggest joining study groups or online forums to discuss concepts and share knowledge. They emphasize the importance of staying motivated throughout the preparation journey and suggest setting small, achievable goals. Officers advise aspirants to develop a habit of reading extensively beyond the syllabus to broaden their perspective. They also stress the importance of staying updated with current affairs and analyzing issues from multiple angles.
Interview Preparation Strategies
For the UPSC interview stage, top IAS officers recommend thorough preparation of one's background, including academic qualifications, work experience, and hobbies. They advise aspirants to be well-versed with current national and international issues, and to develop informed opinions on various topics.
Officers suggest practicing mock interviews to improve confidence and communication skills. They emphasize the importance of being honest, maintaining eye contact, and showcasing a balanced personality during the interview. Toppers recommend reading extensively about one's home state and being prepared to answer questions related to local issues.
They also advise aspirants to be aware of the latest developments in their optional subject and to be prepared to discuss its relevance to administration.
