Crack the nut – IAS 2019

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts Civil Services Examination to recruit people to the country’s prestigious and responsible positions. Lakhs of aspirants appear UPSC exam every year hoping to clear the exam and serve the nation through various services like Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Revenue Service and others.

Civil Services Examination is considered as India’s toughest exam and the syllabus encompasses of topics beneath the surface of the Earth to far beyond the outer space, so the aspirant should be well aware of the entire syllabus which covers the Preliminary and Mains exams. Therefore, twelve to eighteen months dedicated and consistent preparation is essential to crack the exam. Positive Attitude and Approach, Determination, Consistency,Perseverance, Analysis and Writing skills are few of the pre-requisite skills essential to crack Civil Services Exam -2019.

The schedulefor Civil Services Examination 2019: Date of notification is on February 19, 2019; last date for receipt of application is March 18, 2019 and date of commencement of preliminary examination is on June 2, 2019 (Sunday) and the mains examination will commence from September 20, 2019 (Friday).

The UPSC exam consists of three stages:
1. UPSC Preliminary; 2. UPSC Mains; and 3. UPSC Personality Test (Interview)

1. Preliminary Exam:

a. The fundamental and decisive phase of Civil Service Exam is the preliminary stage. An aspirant has to do a lot of analysis beforeinitiating the preparation; has to be well aware of the syllabus of Preliminary and Mains exam; download the syllabus (preferably from the official UPSC website);should be thorough about various topics in detail and update the conventional topics along with the current topics while reading daily newspapers by making notes.

b. It is recommended not to waste time on online portals, unless it is must. Therefore commit yourself to syllabus with reference to standard books and daily newspapers.

c. Read, recite and revise the NCERT books from 6thto 12thstandard.Should always be essentially strong with the prelims syllabus, since thisphase of preparation will not only help to clear the prelims, rather it will suffice as a strong platform for the mains exam.

d. Must study all the topics for prelims in a comprehensive manner and survey thoroughly the previous year’s general studies papers to have an enhanced thoughtful of how the questions are framed from which area, how and why?

e. The most important stage in prelims preparation is appearing mock tests (if possible topic wise). Mock test will assist in time management and it is a self-evaluation method to unplug the weaknesses and concentrate on conceptual topics as well as current issues and beyond all you will be unperturbed before the prelims exam 2019.

f. Should never underrate the CSAT paper since it is only a qualifying paper. Previous years, many aspirantshave cleared the General Studies paper (I) but did not qualify the CSAT paper (II) and hence could not stretchtowards the Mains exam. Therefore, allocate good amount of study time for both the papers to unleash from the clutches of preliminary blues.

2. Mains Exam:

a. Answer writing skill is the key factor to decide the score in Mains exams and overall rank. Initially start writing the answers as an art and eventually develop itas a skill. Answers are the window to your thoughtstherefore it should be simple and clear with minimal jargon. The answer should always substantiate the conventional topic with the contemporary updates with a mention ofArticles, Acts, Laws, Commissions, Committees, and Recommendationsetc to have an edge over otheranswer scripts.

b. The evaluator checks for a creative answer rather than a photocopied answer from various materials available in the market. Therefore, answer writing skills plays a governingrole inclearing the mains exams andexperience the interview.

c. To enhance the knowledge in regards to contemporary updates, it is imperative to read, understand and analyse editorials, articles from various daily newspapers, and be abreast with Yojana and Kurukshetra monthly magazines, India year book,economic survey, PIB & PRS.

d. Apart from these, follow the debates ofRajyaSabha and LokSabhaTV Channels and listen to spot light of radio news.Should always maintain an unbiased approach while in preparation and explore the advantages and disadvantages in a rational manner as a future bureaucrat.

e. It is recommended to appear mock tests from reputed institutes,as the mock test will allow in plugging the weaknesses and consolidating the conceptual ideas in the answersand willmake you feel comfortable and confident before the mains exam 2019.

3. Interview (Personality Test)

a. Interview is the final stage and a one-step prior to become a bureaucrat (IAS, IPS, IFS etc). As your knowledge is already been established in prelims and mains stages, UPSC Interview Board will certainly emphasis on the personality rather than the knowledge.

b. Ensure a flawlessknowledge about the Detailed Application Form (DAF). Be well prepared about your bio-data (your state, hometown, hobbies, previous work experience if any) optional subject and current events.

c. Mock interviews areindispensible, as the interview stage is the last lap of the three stageelimination process, it will nurtureto distinguish what and howto reciprocate theinterview board.

d. Being cool and composed will certainly boost confidence throughout the interview. Always be honest to the interview board, if you are unaware of any answer, it is superior to admit rather than convincing the board.

e. The usage of language should be clear and precise and the vocabulary should be of commonly used rather than trying to impress the board.

BY T Sandeep Bhushan