Toughest exams to crack after graduation in India- UPSC or SSC? Why not Both?

UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts exams for Civil Services. There are three stages in the UPSC exam, i.e. Preliminary, Mains and Interview. However, SSC (Staff Selection Commission) conducts exams for Group B and C (Gazetted and non-Gazetted) posts. And for group C posts, there is no interview; the rest of the process is the same.

Similarities in Syllabus of UPSC and SSC

You might wonder how to crack UPSC or SSC in the first attempt? Right?

Like you, many of the aspirants struggle with choosing UPSC and SSC. Let's see the similarities and differences in the syllabus of UPSC and SSC. The UPSC preliminary exam is divided into General Science and CSAT. While GS covers a major portion and CSAT is just a qualifying exam. But in SSC-CGL, GS covers 30-35%of the syllabus; the majority portion is of aptitude. This is the difference between UPSC and SSC syllabi.

Can these two exams be pulled off together?

Many of the aspirants ask this question very often- Can I prepare for UPSC or SSC together? Before answering a yes or no, let us analyze. UPSC's process is year-long and consistent; you will get a chance every year. While this might not be the case with SSC-CGL, it has been seen in the past that it took 2-3 years to wind up a single exam. Here is the secret, Let us tell you how to crack UPSC and SSC simultaneously; if you are good with mathematics, give more time to general science and vice versa. In this way, you can keep along both the syllabuses. And usually, there is a gap of one month between both the exams. So if UPSC is conducted first, give more time to GS, and next month focus on aptitude. So, if you are dedicated enough, you can surely prepare for both exams simultaneously.

As per the experiences and analysis of past aspirants who are present officers, here are the Dos and Don'ts in the UPSC exam-

Do's:

1. Give equal time to GS and aptitude.
2. Keep your resources limited.
3. Attempt at least one mock each of GS and CSAT every alternate day.
4. Go by the syllabus because time is limited, and you do not want to compromise on that, right?
5. Personal stress can wait, but Politics can't. Read Newspaper daily.
6. Make notes of your own, which will help you during revision.

Don'ts:

1. Please do not get too emotional with any of the subjects in GS until it is your optional subject.
2. For one topic, compile all the data in one place and do not keep many books or magazines for the same topic.
3. Consider not giving mock tests a day or two before exam day.
4. Keep notes separately of both exams because the approach and need of exams differ.

Many Aspirants suggest you stick with any of the exams. SSC is considered a subset of the syllabus of UPSC. Also, UPSC and SSC CGL preparation demands are different. UPSC requires in-depth knowledge of any topic and analytical skills as far as CSAT is concerned. SSC is a more real and time adhering exam. Also, the content in the SSC examination inclined towards the factual side, but in the case of UPSC, the application-based questions dominate the question paper. So, go beyond Google.

And crack it like a nut!