The civil servants working in various government departments play a crucial role in ensuring effective governance and development of the country. All aspirants wishing to serve the nation through civil services must crack the UPSC Civil Services Exam. Candidates rigorously prepare for several months or even years to elevate their chances of success. The upcoming civil services exam 2023 is a remarkable opportunity for those aspiring to occupy esteemed civil services positions and avail the various benefits that accompany them.
In this blog, we will focus on various facets of this challenging exam to assist you in developing a comprehensive understanding. We will discuss various aspects, such as the eligibility criteria, examination structure and subjects, and winning strategies.
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| Eligibility Prerequisites |
Eligibility Prerequisites
It is crucial to thoroughly comprehend the eligibility prerequisites before registering for an examination to prevent any issues in the future. The primary conditions that need to be fulfilled to be considered eligible for UPSC CSE 2023 are as follows-
- Indian citizens must possess a bachelor’s degree in any field from a recognized educational institution. Having a minimum graduation score or percentage is not a prerequisite for being eligible for this exam.
- Candidates must be at least 21 years of age and not exceed 32 years of age to be eligible. However, the upper age restrictions are relaxed for candidates from reserved categories.
- Candidates from General categories are allowed a maximum of 6 attempts to crack the exam. This restriction is also relaxed for other category candidates.
Please refer to the official UPSC website for in-depth information.
Examination Structure
Candidates wishing to hold civil services positions must pass three different stages with flying colors.
- First stage- The preliminary exam is conducted in two objective-type parts. It is just a screening test for further rounds and doesn’t influence your final score. Keep a lookout for negative markings for wrong answers in both papers.
- Second stage- Qualifying candidates must pass the subjective-type main exam of 9 papers. Candidates have to practice writing while preparing for these descriptive-type papers.
- Third stage- The last stage is a face-to-face interview conducted by the UPSC-appointed board members.
Subjects To Be Covered
Candidates must familiarise themselves with the exam pattern and syllabus to prepare efficiently. The syllabus for each stage is vast. So, candidates must simultaneously prepare for the examination’s first and second stages.
- First stage – The first exam for stage one includes various topics related to Indian history, politics, geography, recent events, etc. The second exam tests your mind’s quickness and sharpness in solving cognitive thinking, data comprehension, and mathematical and language questions. Candidates can check the number of questions asked from each of the subjects mentioned above in the papers of the last few years and give due importance to each subject accordingly.
- Second stage – The nine papers will test your knowledge of various subjects, such as English, Indian politics, history and culture, environment, mental reasoning, etc. Please follow the dos and don’ts mentioned on the UPSC website for attempting these personally written papers. Candidates can choose optional subjects from different options available- law, zoology, etc. The score in these papers contributes to your final score for selection.
- Third stage- The board members ask questions to judge your competency, overall personality, decision-forming abilities, leadership, risk management skills, etc.
Winning Preparation Strategies/Tips
Understand the basics– Firstly, analyse the exam structure for civil services exam 2023. Check the nature of questions asked in papers of the last few years. Delve deeper into the marking scheme of each paper.
Plan your schedule- Allocate proper time to each subject based on its importance or weightage in the paper. Figure out if you have all the resources to prepare on your own. Alternatively, you can enroll in online classes for streamlined preparation.
Choose between self-study and coaching- Online classes are pretty rewarding. Especially candidates facing difficulties in managing time and understanding various examination aspects can join online coaching classes to access the latest exam news, information regarding current events and affairs, comprehensive educational materials, previous year exam questions, and mock tests.
Materials to study- Focus on building a solid foundation by reading NCERT books and then delving deeper into the advanced topics. Don’t simply gobble the concepts. Try to understand them first. Studying Current affairs by reading newspapers and magazines is also essential.
Take care of health- Prepare your study plan and try sticking by it. Also, focus on eating well and taking care of your health.
Revision and testing- Learning is incomplete without revision and testing. Performance analysis through Regular tests helps you understand your weaknesses.
Preparation for the interview round- Focus on your overall development to ace the interview round. For this, Go beyond the regular subject topics and watch current affairs and events in our country.
Staying motivated- Driven and diligent aspirants focused on their goals and objectives have better chances of clearing the exam. Read success stories of previous year’s toppers to stay focused and motivated.
Final Words
The 2023 IAS exam evaluates not only one’s knowledge but also their overall personality, values, and character. Those who aspire to pass the UPSC exam must put in considerable effort and demonstrate perseverance to reap the rewards of their arduous preparation journey. This blog has provided valuable insights and knowledge about the UPSC exam. We extend our best wishes to you for your preparation!
FAQs
Is coaching necessary for clearing the UPSC Civil Services exam?
Not all candidates cracking the UPSC Exam attribute their success to coaching. But coaching can be beneficial if you are not good at managing time and are confused about where to start. Faculty members at coaching institutes help you better understand various concepts. They complete the entire syllabus well on time, leaving ample time for revision and testing. However, conduct research with due diligence while selecting a coaching institute.
Where can I access the previous year’s CSE question paper?
You can check the official website of UPSC for the previous year’s question papers. All the question papers for the various optional and compulsory subjects, including general studies, essays, literature etc., are available online.
What is the importance of test series?
Your performance in the tests can help you identify your weaknesses and strengths. Mistakes you make in these tests can be an excellent lesson for you. A good score on these tests can boost your confidence and remove your anxiety and fear.
