IAS or the Civil Services exam is considered to be one of the most difficult exams in our country. Yet, many young people apply for this examination every year with the hope of success. Given that only a handful of seats are available, many do not qualify even the first stage.
True that it is a tough nut to crack, but a person who is motivated enough and has the dedication can always find a place in the final rank list. In order to find that place, you should have a well defined strategy of your own and execute the plan in an effective manner.
- Sift through the Syllabus – both Prelims and Mains. Memorise the syllabus by going through it every day
- Pick up the previous year Question papers of both Prelims and Mains, a glancing would suffice. This would give you a rough idea on the coverage of topics
- Find a mentor or a guide to facilitate your preparation. If you think of joining coaching classes, it is advisable to go for Offline classes. Online Classes do not provide enough support. Also when you choose an institution, always make sure you visit it in person and have a word with the administration.
- Always start with NCERTs – do not listen to what others say, just focus on these books starting from class 6 to class 12. This would build a solid platform for the things you will be learning later on
- Next in line is the standard books. The standard books can be chosen from various lists provided by several institutes/toppers. However, limit the number of books.
- Focus on revision of the aforesaid books. Spacing of revisions is important
- Even as you complete the studying of these books, you can start taking some tests and Mains answer writing
- It is better to blend the Optional preparation with GS. It holds the key. So, choose wisely.
Good Luck
