One of the most famous and toughest exams in India is the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE). Many aspirants take up preparing for this examination while they are still graduating or even before. Graduating can prove to be the best time to strengthen one’s preparation, by strategically planning before entering the examination. This article provides a complete ‘how to’ guide for balancing UPSC preparation with graduation on everything from the subjects to be chosen and how time can be best managed, study techniques, and resources.
UPSC Exam Structure
UPSC CSE is conducted in three stages:
a. Prelims
The objective-type exam consists of two papers:
- General Studies (GS) Paper I: Covers topics such as History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Science and Technology, and Environment.
- CSAT (GS Paper II): Tests comprehension, reasoning, and quantitative aptitude (qualifying in nature).
b. Mains Exam
Descriptive type papers:
- Essay Paper
- General Studies I-IV (History, Geography, Polity, Ethics, International Relations, etc.)
- Optional Subject (two papers)
- Compulsory English and Indian Languages Papers (qualifying in nature)
c. Personality Test (Interview)
- An oral examination to assess personality traits decision-making ability, and general awareness.
Knowledge of the pattern of the examination is important for interspersing UPSC preparation with graduation studies.
2. Selection of the Right Graduation Subject
It can be a great help if the graduation subject chosen is logically in tune with the preparation for the UPSC examination. Recommended subjects, in this regard, include:
- Political Science and International Relations are very relevant because Polity and International Relations are in General Studies.
- History is covered by common grounds with the syllabus applied for both Prelims and Mains.
- Geography is helpful in almost all topics relating to General Studies, along with being an optional subject.
- Public Administration, while aiding in GS Paper II’s governance-related topics, is also offered as an optional subject.
- Economics is valuable for GS Paper III as well as for the economic aspects of the syllabus. Sociology supports GS Paper I and has a fair number of takers as an optional.
- The law comes to aid with Polity and Governance.
If the graduation subject is not directly related to the field of UPSC, the strategic choice of an optional subject may allow for effective preparation.
3. Plutus IAS Strategies for Graduation with UPSC preparation and Time Management
If you are opting for coaching then I suggest you Plutus IAS is the best institute for Graduation with UPSC preparation. College studies and UPSC preparation should be fitted into a well-planned time management strategy. Here is a possible roadmap:
a. First year: The Foundation Year
- Focus on NCERTs (6th–12th) for History, Geography, Economics, and Polity.
- Read The Hindu/The Indian Express regularly.
- Start practicing logical reasoning and quantitative aptitude for CSAT.
- Practice writing skills by summarizing articles and analyzing current affairs.
b. Second Year: Pre-Course Preparation
- Start reading standard UPSC books like Laxmikant (Polity), Spectrum (Modern History), and Ramesh Singh (Economy).
- Work through past years’ question papers to get an understanding of exam patterns.
- Enrol in the test series for regular evaluation.
- Start writing answers for the Mains.
- Plutus IAS Provides NCERT books for Classes 6 to 12.
c. Third Year: Heavy Preparation
- Focus on optional subjects.
- Attempt full-length mock tests for the Prelims and Mains.
- Revise a lot, using self-made notes.
- Have a structured approach for the UPSC interview stage.
Conclusion
Preparing for the UPSC exam along with graduation is difficult but glorious. The success lies in having a planned approach, continuous revisions, and doggedness. With the best management of time and an integrated learning plan, discipline by itself can enable many aspirants to collect self-responsibility that will make their graduation years a strong base on which to crack the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
This is a guide that would help an aspirant balance between academic responsibilities and the UPSC preparation which will steer his successful journey into civil services soon after graduation.
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