Among lakhs of UPSC aspirants, only a small fraction clear the Prelims exam, which consists of GS I and CSAT, and are selected for the Mains. To succeed in each stage of the IAS selection process, candidates need to develop and follow a well-structured subject-wise strategy. Based on past trends and statistics, here How to Prepare for UPSC the UPSC Prelims is one of the most competitive exams, with a large number of applicants vying for a limited number of seats. To provide a comprehensive guide for aspirants, Vajirao and Reddy IAS Institute in Delhi has outlined a subject-wise strategy for both the IAS Prelims and Mains exams. Vajirao and Reddy (Vajirao IAS Academy) Delhi premier IAS coaching is renowned for its cheapest IAS coaching fees in Delhi. Among the oldest civil services coaching centers, it offers top-notch quality education at competitive prices, with over 7,000 selections in the prestigious IAS exam. This makes it the best choice for aspiring civil servants in India.
UPSC Prelims Subject-wise Strategy for Paper I
The prelims GS paper I syllabus comprises multiple subjects including current affairs, history, geography, Indian polity and international relations, economics, environment, general science, and much more. Therefore, it is critical for aspirants to devise a unique preparation strategy for each subject to outshine the competition in the exam. Additionally, for the candidates knowledge, Vajirao IAS has provided below with a quick overview of the IAS Prelims GS Subject-wise Strategy for Paper- I.
UPSC Current Affairs
If properly prepared, the current affairs component of the UPSC preliminary GS paper I is among the highest scoring subjects. In order to answer as many questions as possible, candidates should develop the practice of reading periodicals and newspapers and making notes for last-minute review.
History
Ancient history, medieval history, and modern history are the three units that make up the UPSC history syllabus. According to previous patterns and trends, questions in modern history are concept-based, whereas those in ancient and medieval history are fact-based. To wit, Jainism, Buddhism, the Indus Valley Civilization, the Mughals and Southern Kingdoms are among the fundamental subjects of ancient and medieval history. On the other hand, the year’s major Congress sessions, notable viceroys, the Government of India Acts of 1909, 1919, and 1935, charter acts, the president, and noteworthy resolutions are some of the fundamental subjects of Modern History. Thus, candidates should use the best books to prepare each unit well and create a successful subject-wise approach for all three units.
Geography
One of the most difficult, although scoring topics in the UPSC preliminary GS paper I is geography. Candidates should concentrate equally on Indian geography and world geography. Additionally, since the map reading is adequate to cover global geography, they should be thorough with maps. Nonetheless, current events pertaining to the map reading should be the primary focus. Additionally, reading maps is crucial for preparing for Indian geography since the geography paper generally includes at least one question about Indian maps.
Art and Culture
Since it is crucial for both the UPSC preliminary and main exams, Art and Culture has gained prominence in the IAS exam in recent years. Architecture, painting, dance, folk cultures, martial arts, and many more fields are significant aspects of this topic. In addition to this, one should read current events and make notes on art and cultural events occurring worldwide.
Polity and International Relations
One should concentrate on the Constitution part while creating a preliminary subject-wise plan for the polity subject. Areas such as Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, Directive Principles on State Policy, the importance of the President and Parliament, etc., should be prioritised. In order to do this, one needs to study current events that deal with political issues and connect the news to the constitutional clause. Additionally, make notes about government policies and programs in relation to other nations and update them often.
Science and Technology
Learning the foundations of the disciplines is the initial step in developing a subject-wise plan for the science and technology section. Pay attention to current scientific developments and keep up with news about space exploration, ground-breaking inventions, Indian accomplishments, honors, etc.
Environment and Ecology
Understanding fundamental ideas and current concerns in the field are important components for a proper prelims subject-wise approach for ecology and the environment. Being well versed about wildlife, endangered species in India and their habitat, sanctuaries, the locations of national parks, and several international climate change conventions should be the main topics of attention.
UPSC Prelims GS Subject-wise Strategy for Paper II
It is important to note that although Paper II in the prelims exam is of qualifying nature, the candidate’s application will be rejected if they perform poorly on the CSAT, even if they ace the GS exam I. As a result, having a solid plan in place to prepare for the CSAT is essential. For the convenience of the candidates, Vajirao IAS Academy have included the UPSC Prelims Subject-wise Strategy for Paper II here-
Comprehension, Interpersonal, and Communication Skills
Develop the habit of reading newspaper editorials to enhance your vocabulary, communication, and comprehension. Furthermore, answer as many questions as you can from practice exams and sample papers to increase your accuracy and speed.
Logical Reasoning
To excel in this section, one needs to solidify their understanding of the fundamentals of logical thinking. Solving questions from UPSC’s past ten years’ question papers is the greatest way to get ready for the CSAT reasoning part.
General Mental Ability
Topics include data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.) and basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) are covered in the UPSC CSAT syllabus. According to previous patterns and trends, the questions are to be of Class X level in difficulty. One should concentrate on things like percentage, time and work, partnership, speed, and time and distance. Practice UPSC preliminary previous years questions and attend mock tests to increase your accuracy, speed, and problem-solving abilities.
Paper-Wise UPSC Mains Preparation Strategy
Since its inherent unpredictability, the UPSC Mains exam poses a comparatively difficult level than the Prelims. However, it is possible to achieve outstanding results with careful planning and regular answer writing practice. Instead of aiming for a single flawless solution, the candidate’s goal is to effectively answer 20 questions across seven papers (not including the two qualifying papers), with an emphasis on producing high-quality material.
In order to save candidates time, Vajirao IAS have simplified the process in this part by methodically breaking down the strategy paper by paper. It is important to keep the following things in mind while exploring this vast field:
- Make sure you are in the greatest possible physical and mental shape to take on the test by starting your journey with the appropriate preparation.
- Clearly define your objectives and efficiently manage your time. To keep the preparation process organised and focused, a well-planned schedule is essential.
- Improve your comprehension by interacting with key materials including the Union Budget, Yojana, Kurukshetra, and the Economic Survey. These resources provide you a thorough understanding of important topics and let you incorporate them easily into your essays and responses.
How to Prepare for UPSC Exam Compulsory Paper?
Two compulsory language papers are included in the Mains test for qualifying purposes. While the second includes an Indian language paper, the first is an English language paper. The Indian language can be chosen from the list of languages found in the Indian Constitution’s Eighth Schedule. Each one of these papers is worth 300 marks. A minimum of 25%, or 75 marks in each paper is required to pass both of them. The main goal of the language tests is to assess the candidate’s ability to understand and analyse intricate descriptive writing as well as their fluency in speaking.
Importantly, applicants from the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim are exempt from taking the Indian Language Paper. Furthermore, the results of the remaining seven UPSC Mains Examination would not be revealed if the language papers are not completed satisfactorily.
Approaching each Mains paper requires a tailored strategy:
- Compulsory Language Papers: Recognise the fundamentals of language papers, write well and concisely, focus on reading some language books developed for Class X.
- Essay Paper: Pick a subject you know about. Carefully plan out your essay’s ideas while preserving coherence. Incorporate a variety of dimensions and viewpoints. Maintain objectivity while making thorough recommendations. Use a strong conclusion to sum up your position.
- General Studies (GS) Papers: Understanding the material and achieving conceptual clarity are the main goals of the analytical technique used to tackle UPSC Mains General Studies papers. This calls for a thorough study of NCERT books, in addition to coaching-recommended materials. A comprehensive strategy should be used when creating answers for the Mains, taking into account the “what,” “why,” and “when” while providing answers to the problems at hand. Examine GS articles critically. Read the NCERT and other standard books carefully to improve your conceptual clarity. Connect the response to current events, governmental regulations, statistics, and projects. For clarity, use flowcharts, mind maps, and bullet points. Attempt every question to get the highest possible score.
Furthermore, the GS Paper-4 because of its application-oriented nature, which covers ethics, aptitude, and integrity, calls for a special approach. This paper requires knowledge of ethical principles as they apply to actual situations. Examine the theoretical component while keeping the practical application in mind.
- Optional Subject Preparation: Making an informed choice is essential when it comes to UPSC Mains Optional Subjects since it has a big impact on the final selection procedure. There are two papers in this section, each worth 250 points. In general, Paper I discusses the theoretical and conceptual components, whereas Paper II explores how they are used in practice. Finally, choose your optional subject based on your interests and the availability of study materials.
Conclusion
Vajirao IAS Academy is one of Delhi oldest and most trusted civil services coaching centers, is renowned for offering top-notch quality education at competitive and affordable UPSC Coaching fees in Delhi. With an impressive track record of over 7,000 selections in the prestigious IAS exam, It has established itself as a leading choice for aspiring civil servants in India. Whether you are aiming for the IAS, IPS, or other civil services, Vajirao and Reddy IAS Institute provides the perfect blend of expertise, affordability and proven success to help you achieve your dreams. Success doesn’t come easily it demands meticulous and in-depth preparation. To truly stand out, it’s essential to back up your responses with supporting materials such as relevant quotes, data, and authoritative speeches. This not only strengthens your argument but also sets you apart from the crowd. Additionally, using diagrams effectively can enhance the quality of your presentation, but it is important to avoid overloading with excessive graphics.
