Could someone kindly give advice for UPSC preparation to me? - pravinnath/upscpreparationguide GitHub Wiki

Even though ‘demystification’ might mean a lot of things, I would try and dispel a few myths pertaining to this exam.

(1) The exam is not ‘impossible’ to crack. Around 1000 people get into the merit list every year. It is certainly very tough, but you can always get a place in the list.

(2) The exam is NOT about mugging up facts, dates, figures etc, and regurgitating them in the hall. MANY people seem to have this misconception. The emphasis is on “clear and logical thinking”, which is in itself a valuable asset.

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(3) Coaching is NOT the first thing that you should be looking for, when you decide to appear for UPSC CSE. Instead, your priorities should be on smart preparation which produces optimum outcome - for example, reading less number of books and visiting few websites, but covering them very well.

(4) Marks in 10th, 12th and graduation do not have much relevance in the entire exam process. In Prelims and Mains, your only identification will be your exam marks and the roll number. Even in Interview, the panelists are rarely ever interested in the percentage of marks scored by a candidate half a decade ago. This is NOT an MBA entrance exam, where academic record is given undue amount of importance.

(5) You need not have a Shakespearean vocabulary to clear Mains. Nor do you need to have top class fluency in English to clear Interview. I know about many people clearing this exam whose strength is in getting their ideas across in the simplest of language.

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(6) You do not have to do ‘everything’ that ‘everyone’ else is doing. You cannot take every test series or read every current affairs module just because your friends are doing it. Stick to your plan, and execute it well till the end.

(7) Even toppers have their ‘bad phases’ when they feel demotivated and unable to cope with the monstrosity of the exam. About 3 months into preparation, I faced a 15-day stretch when I simply could not study anything. During such times, there is no need to scold yourself for choosing this career. Take a break for a day, watch a movie or play your favourite sport, come back refreshed and things will be normal again.

(8) There is no rule which says that you cannot clear this exam if you are not from a top school/college/company. In my batch, I have met so many people with the humblest of backgrounds, coming from both urban and rural areas. People who choose NOT to make excuses out of their conditions are handsomely rewarded in this exam.

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Here is an article I wrote for The Hindu, which seeks to bust some myths about UPSC preparation. I think that will “Demystify” UPSC Preparation to a large extent for you.

Reality: Absolutely not. Apart from NCERTs and some books, nothing is required to be read cover to cover. Though reading and acquiring knowledge is almost always helpful, it is far better to adopt a topic-wise approach. Break down the syllabus in keywords and try to cover them from relevant sources and books. Also, making notes is important. But they shouldn’t become an end-in-themselves. They should aid in your understanding and help in effective revision. Making a mind map is far better, and so is scribbling on the margins, than making traditional notes.

Myth: One must read standard books from cover to cover and make notes on every topic in the syllabus.