How To Crack UPSC Civil Services Preliminary In Less Than Two Months?

The Civil Service preparation is not an easy job. The strategies here will not let you down. Here are the tips for the General Studies paper.

By Sashikanth Sai

The countdown for the UPSC Civil Services has begun and lakhs of aspirants from all parts of the country are eagerly waiting for the preliminary exam scheduled on Jun 2, 2019.

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There is a misconception among aspirants that it is a hard nut to crack and one has to devote at least two or more years for the exam. Surprisingly, it is just a myth because hundreds of aspirants cleared the India's toughest exam in the first attempt and/or less than 23 years. We do agree that the Civil Services exam is not a child's play, however, with a clear cut strategy and planning one can taste the success.

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With less than 100 days left for the examination, aspirants should make their mind clear that the preliminary is just a screening round and marks scored here will not be considered for the final selection. Hence, aspirants should focus on staying above the cut-off marks in the preliminary.

In the Civil Services Preliminary (CSE) exam, many of you aware of the fact that the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) paper is just a qualifying one, and marks secured in the General Studies (GS) paper is only considered for selecting the candidates to the next round i.e. the Main Examination. So, aspirants are advised to focus on the GS paper.

Here is how aspirants should deal with each section in the General Studies paper in this last two-month period.

Current Events

Aspirants should give it the most importance because it will travel with you till the end. Due to time constraints, candidates are advised to pick any good magazine for year round-up besides the India Year Book published by the government. Devote at least one hour a day for this section because this is useful in the main examination as well.

History

The syllabus for this section is huge and there is no end for preparation. Candidates are suggested to master all the topics in the Indian National Movement because this subject knowledge is useful for writing an essay in the main examination. And never ignore the topics related to socio-economic history.

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Geography

Aspirants are always surprised with the unorthodox questions in the Civil Services paper and no one can predict which part is important. Candidates are advised to devote more time on the Economic and Social Geography of India and the world. Also, never ignore the maps.

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Indian Polity

This is a most loved section to many aspirants because it somehow related to daily life. Along with the Indian Constitution, give equal importance to the Panchayati Raj, Public Policy and Rights Issues. Applicants are advised to follow the day-to-day happenings in the political system in the last months.

Economy

This is one of the sections that keeps you on toes all the time. The questions can be from every corner of the syllabus, hence, aspirants should focus on all the areas. Though the questions are likely to be asked about the recent Union Budget, there is a chance of direct questions from the Economic Survey. Give special importance to the topics related to the social sector, SMEs, economic summits, etc.

Environmental Studies

As it said in the official notification, this section does not require subject specialisation. The candidates should focus on the conceptual topics in this section. And should have all the information related to national parks, wetlands, lakes, wildlife sanctuaries and others.

General Science

Do not give least importance to this section because it is not much useful for the further selection process such as the main examination. Though there is no particular syllabus for this section, aspirants should be familiar with all the traditional concepts in biology, chemistry and physics. However, give importance to the concepts of science and technology and its recent developments.

While preparing, make a note of all the topics you covered. Never let your confidence down at this stage of thinking how you can crack the exam in this short duration. After all, how can time stop us when we are committed to our goal!