LoginWhat does this guide intend to do ?
Selflearn’s Beginner’s Guide to Civil Services preparation is an in-depth tutorial on how to prepare for UPSC Civil Services examination. This guide is an attempt to provide you with all the essential information that will aid you in the preparation of the most coveted exams in the country. We, at Selflearn, have devised this guide in the form of a lecture that will take you through knowing the examination, understanding yourself and overcoming the competition.
The guide has been prepared with inputs from those currently in the services; those aspirants who have failed to make it (mistakes indeed are the stepping stones to success), those who are currently preparing and those who aspire to join the renowned services in the future. Therefore, our guide aims to cater to aspirants at all levels of preparation.
Through this beginner’s guide, we aim to solidify your thoughts, quell those doubts and apprehensions about Civil Services Preparation and support your preparation.Before we begin, it is essential to demystify certain myths and prejudices that one forms and the society imposes upon concerning the Civil Service examinations.
Myth 1: Civil Service Exam can be cleared only if you start your preparation from school.
Well, most of us don’t form a clear career paths late until the final semester of our degree (some of us even later ). This doesn’t mean that you are out of the race for UPSC exam or you are starting from a lower podium. The preparation for UPSC exam is open to any individual over 21 years and less than 32 years. Hence, no matter at what time you make the decision, the chances of clearing Civil service exam remains the same, just that effort matters once you make the choice.
Myth 2: Some of us have a rural background with education from local schools ,having less command over English. They say that makes me a weaker candidate for Civil Service exam preparation.
It’s not how educated you are, it is what you make out of that education that matters. Irrespective of your background or language issues, you are at no disadvantage than any other candidate aspiring for the UPSC exam. You can give the Civil Services exam and interview in your mother tongue as well, which would help you in overcoming any difficulties faced. We have numerous examples of candidates from rural background and educated in local schools making it big in the Civil Services.
Myth 3: As a kid studying in school, you would have often dreamt about or written essays regarding your ambition on becoming an IAS (Collector) or an IPS officer (SP etc.). You would have often heard about the need to study for more than 10 hours everyday to achieve this task of clearing the Civil Services Exam.
That’s not the case. Every aspirant is unique and his or her style of learning also varies during UPSC preparation. As our motto at Selflearn goes, “Learn it your way, Learn it smart”, an aspirant need not spend hours and burn the midnight lamp. Rather all the energy needs to be used in a well directed manner focusing on content than number of hours spent. Also, it’s good to take a break once in awhile from studies to recuperate and rejuvenate.
Myth 4: It is said that Delhi is the mecca of UPSC exam and I need to go there and study so as to clear the Civil services examination.
If going to Delhi for Civil Services exam preparation were to guarantee you a place in the final merit list, trust us, every graduate of this country would currently be in Delhi and soon be posted in the higher echelons of administration. Going to a coaching center or undertaking a test series is not going to give you success. All these factors are “enablers” that would act as an impetus in UPSC exam preparation. It would be your decision what to do and where to go, depending upon your style of study and cost factors. (We would be talking in detail about this in our later segment).
Myth 5: I need to take a break from all social media networking and not have a social or public life during Civil Services exam preparation.
This is completely a personal choice. But if you are a Facebook enthusiast (have to check up on the updates every 10 minutes) or so, then we would recommend you to deactivate your account since it would be an unwanted distraction. But, if you can curb those instincts, you could use social networking sites to your advantage to gather information as well. It’s just that you need to set a time for all such activities. Remember, you don’t have to prove to anyone other than yourself that you are studying (We have explained how social media could be a part of your UPSC exam preparation later).
Myth 6: I’m currently working – I have heard that it is impossible to clear UPSC exam without being a full time aspirant.
The average age of those joining Civil Services has gone up to 27.5 years. This has been a result of increased desire to take an advanced degree (Masters) and also gain some work experience. There are many aspirants who arrive at the decision to attempt for the Civil services exam during this work phase and many have been successful as well.
The major factor to look into is the work environment and then figure out the amount of time, energy and effort you will be able to devote for the preparation of Civil Services exam. If you are someone with no fixed timelines at work, preparing simultaneously might take a toll on your body and mind – In such a case it’s better to quit your work and get into preparation. If you deem that the work environment is enabling, then you can continue to work and prepare for the UPSC exam.
An aspirant need to ensure that a balance is achieved in terms of – time, energy and work. This question therefore is more subjective, but doesn’t take away the fact that you can clear the Civil Services exam while working as well.
Now, that you have cleared the aura surrounding the Civil Services examination let’s move into the specifics.
