UPSC Exam Preparation Tips and Strategy for Prelims

 UPSC Exam Preparation Tips and Strategy

In this blog i am telling you about UPSC preparation hat how you can divide your preparation in several steps and start it.

 

1. PLANNING FOR PRELIMS PREPARATION

Tips & Planning for General Studies Paper-1

For facing Prelims Ganeral Studies Paper I, they need to be well aware and well help them in attempting a large number of questions. It involves both clarity about the basics as well as abreast of current affairs and contemporary developments. It includes areas like Indian National Movement, Indian Polity, Basic Economic Understanding, Current Affairs, Science and Technology, etc. While the dynamic part includes Current Affairs, GK has no proper definition and syllabus making it quite vast subject. Since the syllabus does not give much detail of the topics to be studied under each subject it is expected to gain knowledge of them that should be slightly below the graduation level but definitely above the high school  level.
There are about 100 questions to be answered in two hours, each question carries two marks. It means there is about 1.2 minute to answer each question. So speed and accuracy is essential to tackle this examination. While the correct answer will fetch 2 marks, a wrong answer a loss of 0.66 marks i.e. 1/3rd from the correct tally of score.

The 100 questions in Paper I can be grouped into three categories:

1. Multiple Choice Questions-Single response correct
2. Multiple Choice Questions-Multiple response correct
3.  Multiple Choice Questions-Matching type

The number of questions asked from different sections varies each time and there is no fixed rule for this. The nature of questions asked are generally on basic principles, their application, factual information and current affairs. Some questions are based on applied aspects of principles and factual information. It has been found that many of the questions overlap with more than one section of the syllabus.
The answer to the question requires analytical bend. So mere reading of NCERT high school text books is now insufficient for the preparation of the prelims and in depth reading is required to handle such question. The best way should be to adopt an integrated approach for preparation combining it with Mains, and one should make efforts to understand the principles and then strive to find their applications in daily life .
Considering the nature of the examination the tactics must be to focus on greater rather than intensive coverage. On is expected to know everything at the same time. However, only basics of each of the discipline are needed, so aspirants study basic concepts and facts as possible, avoiding the in depth preparations at Prelims stage.

Tips & strategies for GS/CSAT Paper 2

The Prelims Paper II (CSAT) assesses comprehension, abstract reasoning, analysis competency, problem solving ability, judgment and decision making ability of the candidates. Unlike paper 1 where quantity of questions is a major determinant for the static section, paper 2 cannot be tamed without solving dynamic questions that requires on the spot mental ability.
Paper-II Syllabus comprises of seven subjects and is in the nature of Aptitude Test.

• Comprehension.
• Interpersonal skills including communication skills,
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability,
• Decision making and problem solving,
•  General mental ability,
•  Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.),
• Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc.).

There are simple preparation tips to score well in the CSAT (Prelims)-PAPER II:

• Identify strong areas of comprehension and aptitude the aspirants have in.
• Solve these questions first to ensure that they get the answers right.
• Do not waste too much time if get stuck in a particular question.
• They should at least be 70% sure of the answer if do not want to lose too many marks in negative marking.
• Practice as many mock tests as possible to be aware of what kind of mistakes they make while solving different kind of problems or aptitude questions.
• Practice questions on Permutations & Combinations, Logical Reasoning and Probability.

2. SUBJECT- WISE PLANNING FOR PRELIMS

Planning for Current Events

Current Affairs questions are asked from the core disciplines or say subjects, for example, science and technology, Polity, History, Geography, Economics, and environment. So we must give importance to current affairs from all perspectives, i.e. subjects, Prelim, Main and Personality Test.
These questions can be asked based on Government Initiatives/Policies, Policies of India which have international importance- Look East Policy, International Institutions- IMF, WB, UNSC, etc. International Agreements- Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), etc. Human Rights Issues, Social Sector Initiatives, Sustainable Development, etc.
To bring in more clarity on this aspect, we would illustrate ate with a few examples.

For example:
Current Events – Geography
Q.1   With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)’ sometimes mentioned in the news while forecasting Indian monsoon, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1.  IOD phenomenon is characterized by a difference in sea surface temperature between tropical Western Indian Ocean and tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean.
2. An IOD phenomenon can influence an El Nino’ s impact on the monsoon.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. (a) 1 only
2. (b) 2 only
3. (c) Both 1 and 2 
4. (d) Neither 1 nor 2
5.     Solution: (b)

3. NEWS PAPER READING FROM EXAM POINT OR VIEW

If you go through UPSC questions asked in previous years on Current Events and match the syllabus, you will find a correlation between core-subjects, such as History, Economics, Polity, Geography, Science and Tech or Environment and questions in GS Paper- I. The concept and facts asked in these questions are based on analytical aspect of contemporary issues and development in core-subjects appeared in daily newspapers. So, when you read newspaper, you should have all the core subjects in mind to note down the contemporary issues and development appearing in daily news.
Sources for Current Events:

Newspapers

• The Hindu Important for:
  1. Socio –economic and political issues,
  2. Editorials and Opinions: An analytical view and coverage on Government programmes and policies.
  3. Science and Technology: Thursday Edition for scientific developments.
  4. Environmental Issues: Issues and policies at notional and international level.
  5. Economy : Economic developments and policies.
• The Indian Express Important for:
  1. Articles on International Relations.
• Press Information Bureau Important for:
  1. Daily updates on Government Programmes and Policy.
  2. Articles on important personalities and their contribution.
• PRS Legislative Research Important for:
  1. Discussion on legislative bills and policies of government.
  2. Summary of acts and bills.
  3. A monthly Policy  Review.
• Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis (IDSA) Important For:
  1. India’s national security, internal security and relations.
  2. Opinion on International Relations, Defence relations and Governments approach for national and international diplomacy.
  3. Paper 3 (Main)- Internal and External Security.
• Yojana and Kurukshetra Important For:
  1. Articles on different topics- mainly on social and economic conditions of the country.
  2. Analysis of Government schemes and programmes.
  3. Social issues and policies affecting vulnerable sections.
  4. A very important and authentic source to generate opinion on government programmes and policies.
• Lok Sabha and  Rajya Sabha Debates Important For:
  1. Discussions on various socio-economic and political discourses.
  2. Opinions from experts.
  3. Live discussions for quality information.
  4.  Mains Exam.

  In the Next Blog I will tell you subject wise preparation tips for UPSC Exam.

  Keep reading Thanks.