UPSC exam is a tough nut to crack, and reading effectively can cure all your problems. UPSC is one of the highly competitive examinations worldwide, where more than 50% of students lose hope after seeing the vast syllabus and subjects. But, as long as you know how to read effectively for the UPSC exam, it is not a matter of concern for you at all.
Keep reading this guide to explore the top tips to read effectively for the UPSC exam.
How to read for UPSC?
Preparing for a highly competitive examination where you have to compete with millions of aspirants is nothing like reading for your boards or other examinations. As long as you do not know how to study effectively for a UPSC exam, you cannot even complete the syllabus before the exam. So let’s have a look at how to read effectively for the UPSC exam.
- Understand your syllabus
Before knowing how to read for the UPSC exam, you must know what to read for this exam. Generally, the UPSC prelims exam contains objective-type questions, whereas the main exams come with 9 papers. In addition, there are four compulsory papers and one optional paper that you can choose.
So after you understand which papers to read for your UPSC Mains and Prelims exam it is time to begin your study. But before, understand your syllabus first. Do not focus on its length; strategize your study by dividing the entire syllabus into parts. Try to set a goal for each day, and at the end of the day try to cover only what you have aimed at the beginning of the day. Another rule is to eliminate 30% of the syllabus and only focus on the remaining 70%.
- Newspaper is a must
The current affair is an inevitable part of the entire UPSC syllabus. You must attend questions on both prelims and mains papers related to current affairs. Additionally, passing the interview round also need good knowledge of current affairs. Therefore, if preparing for UPSC, make sure to go through newspapers daily without any mistakes. Do not stick to one and get your hands on renowned and genuine papers from multiple providers.
- General knowledge
You must have the great general knowledge to excel in the mains and prelims of a UPSC exam. Therefore, learn general knowledge from different sources, including books, the internet, and other study materials.
- Make a timetable
It would be best if you always made a good and effective timetable before you start studying for a competitive exam like UPSC. For this, keep the remaining time you have in mind for preparation and apply great strategies. For instance, you can divide your entire syllabus into small parts and add them to your timetable. Do not read the same subjects and matters for days because it may make you tired and bored. Instead, try to add variety to your schedule. For instance, if you are reading history today, make sure you read geography or economics the next day. In this way, everything will go with ease, and you can also complete the entire syllabus within time.
- Study smart, not hard
These days, you must opt for a smart study rather than studying hard for weeks and months without any fruitful outcome. For this, you must need to understand your syllabus first. Afterward, select the optional subject wisely so you know you can memorize easily. Now, get your hands on the best UPSC books and study materials. If you do not find a particular chapter interesting enough, skip it, and save it for later. On days when you do not feel like reading, begin with something easier and revise old chapters.
Books you need to prepare for your UPSC exam
Along with following the right study pattern, you must get your hands on the right set of IAS books for UPSC civil services prelims and mains. Without the right syllabus and information, you cannot begin your study. So let’s look at some inevitable UPSC books you need to prepare for your UPSC exam.
UPSC Books- which books do you need for IAS Prelims?
Since prelims are the first step of your UPSC journey, you should always get your hands on great, up-to-date, and reliable books rich in information and facts. Unlike mains, prelims are all about multiple choice questions or MCQs. Therefore, you must be equally thoughtful when selecting UPSC books for your preliminary exam. The subjects you need to read in books for your prelims preparation include:
- History
- Geography
- Economics
- International Relations
- Indian Polity
- CSAT
- Solved Papers
Select the best authors and recent publications in the books and begin your study. Along with studying these IAS books for UPSC civil services prelims and mains, you should go through daily newspapers and magazines since current affairs carry many marks throughout the examination.
UPSC Books- which books do you need for IAS Mains?
After selecting the books for your IAS preliminary exam, it’s time to get your hands on the IAS main exam books. Since mains contain 9 papers (including two optional papers) and essay types of questions, you must be extremely careful when selecting IAS books for UPSC civil services prelims and mains. You can select books that are up-to-date and written by renowned authors.
Here are the subjects of the IAS Mains exam are mentioned below.
- History Indian Heritage and Culture (GS paper 1)
- Geography (GS paper 1)
- Indian Polity and International Relations(GS paper 2)
- Economics (GS paper 3)
- Ethics (GS paper 4)
- Solved Papers
Please note that IAS candidates must select an optional subject to be able to sit on the examination. Therefore, get your hands on an optional subject as well as a relevant book so that you can pass your IAS exams swiftly.
Conclusion So, with these tips and tricks mentioned above, reading for the upcoming UPSC examination will hopefully become easier for you. So, get your hands on the right books, and begin preparing soon for a valuable outcome. Best of luck!
IAS Preparation 