The idea that home study or self-preparation won't help you pass the UPSC mains is one of the major myths surrounding the civil services examination. Many IAS Toppers who simply relied on studying at home and investing more time in self-study have achieved success throughout the years.
Millions of people take the UPSC Civil Services test each year. There are three parts to this exam: the preliminary, main, and personality tests. Although many applicants seek advice from coaching organizations, this does not make it required. Here are some pointers on how to study independently to prepare for the UPSC.
- Maintain A Regular Preparation Schedule
Early novices have the advantage of more time, which is by far their biggest benefit. There is a problem, though. When you have enough time, paying greater attention to consistent maintenance over a lengthy period is more important than managing your time.
- As a result, each day, week, and month should have its own set of goals.
- A candidate must first and foremost memorize the whole material for each of the exam's three parts.
- This minor but important effort will go a long way toward keeping your preparation relevant and focused.
- Enough Time Is Allotted
Given the ample time, it is crucial to follow the "mains first" method, which states that you should begin your UPSC preparation by creating a strategy for the UPSC mains.
A candidate only has about three to four months to prepare for the mains after the prelims. The necessity of practicing UPSC mains test series 2022 further tightens the schedule. It will be wise to focus on the main component preparation first.
- Pick Your Optional Subjects Carefully
The optional subject is the most important component of the main syllabus. Your level of comfort and interest in the subject should be taken into consideration while selecting an optional subject.
This choice should not be influenced by any incorrect assumptions about "which is the most scoring optional." Your preparation and presentation of the writing of your answers are what give the optional subject its score, not the optional subject itself. There is a strategy to choose the ideal optional subject for the UPSC Mains, though.
- Create A Good Study Plan
After carefully selecting an optional subject, the candidate must immediately begin the preparation process. Plan your days, weeks, and months well in advance to ensure that you have completed the four General Studies papers' syllabuses by November or December. Only if you meticulously arrange your time will you be able to finish the Mains preparation.
- Keep Up With Daily Current Events To Stay Current
The daily newspaper is one crucial, indeed, decisive part of the preparation process that must be followed faithfully and continuously. The candidate should stay current on all significant domestic and foreign issues. You can read one or two government publications and sources, such as Yojana, Kurukshetra, PIB, PRS, etc. Additionally, if you have the time, you can begin practicing for your first set of answers once you have finished the main syllabus. Try to get a teacher or senior to evaluate it.
Conclusion:
One thing to keep in mind is that the mains and prelims syllabuses are not entirely separate. In actuality, there is a sizable overlap. Thus, a sizable portion of the Prelims is also covered while preparing for UPSC Mains by practicing the best test series for UPSC mains in India.
Going it alone when you're studying for the IAS requires a lot of guts. However, if you study consistently and make a solid plan, you will undoubtedly succeed. Keep your focus and put in hard work.

