You must be aware that these days clearing prelims is perhaps the toughest part of one’s CSE journey. Not just the questions are random and tough, even options are getting cryptic every passing year.
However, there are few candidates who have decoded prelims and clear it comfortably despite all odds. Sparsh Verma, who secured AIR-644 in CSE-21 is one of them.
I am Sparsh Verma. I am so grateful to share that I have secured AIR 644 in UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2021. This was my 2nd attempt. I have completed my Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Political Science from Ramjas College, University of Delhi in 2019, post which I started to prepare for this exam, full-time.
As we all know that UPSC CSE is a 3-stage process, that is, Prelims, Mains and Personality Test. Among these 3 stages, prelims, as I see, is the stage where CSE, as it has evolved over the years, is the stage of elimination, and not selection. Statistically, competition at this stage is also fierce by sheer number of candidates participating. Thus, it is of vital importance.
When I began preparation in 2019, I like so many others feared Prelims the most. I somehow felt that if I qualify prelims, I would surely make it to the list (I was proven wrong in this assumption, but that story is for my next post). But fortunately as an outcome of this fear of failure at prelims stage itself, I developed my own strategy for it, which rewarded me in my first attempt, that is, in 2020, 2021 and hopefully 2022 also.
TL:DR • Keep one source for one subject • Learn to compile stuff • Revise each source as much as one can • Practice MCQs • Make daily notes of current affairs
But this does not mean I ignored other basic books. In fact, over the years I would have read almost every other book that has been recommended by previous year’s toppers. I did it to satisfy my FOMO, and also as I had time. Among the so many books that I would have read, I believe NCERTs are great source to build the base. They may be covered based on one’s varying levels of retention of concepts from school.
CURRENT
Newspaper reading is rewarding in so many ways, both academically as well as personally. I used to read The Hindu + Editorials and Explained Page of Indian Express. Used to Google relevant Prelims related stuff and make notes out of it. But only this won’t suffice. I used to make notes from Daily Current Affairs Initiatives of Insights IAS, IAS Baba and Vajiram IAS as well. Compiled them at one place.
Also, Sunya IAS Monthly Magazine is quite useful for prelims. It can even replace the above note making exercise and save on time and labour. I used Sunya PDFs for 2021 attempt.
CA – Sunya IAS Monthly/Your DCA Notes + PT 365
Booklist as followed by 152 candidates who cleared CSE-23 Prelims:
Current Affairs: Newspaper + Coaching Magazine (60.5%), Only Coaching Magazine (30.3%) & Only Newspaper (9.2%)
Which Magazine: Vision PT365, Vision Monthly, Sunya & Insight IAS
EXECUTION
I feel that CSP is more a test of our aptitude than that of our knowledge base. As such, common sense is the most precious skill for Prelims. Many times, my learnings from school level have come to help and this is why I always stress on taking academics seriously, even in school. It helps build not only basic concepts but also confidence and better self-image as we are growing up.
PYQs must be done thoroughly. I practised last 10 years of PYQs for CSP. And it is of vital importance to analyse the areas where UPSC Examination Cell is stressing upon these years. If one is Kaptaan Jack Sparrow, then PYQs are his compass!
Apart from the above, I tried to attempt a lot of MCQs.
• 30 Daily MCQs = 30X350 = 10,500
• 2 Test Series = 2X35X100 = 7,000 (Insights IAS + Vision IAS)
• 1000 MCQ Series on https://t.me/AbheyKumarPolity
• MCQs on https://t.me/WithVaishali
While practicing, identify your strengths and weaknesses. Also, develop upon your MCQ solving skills (there are so many methods!). And most importantly, when you come across new stuff in MCQs, make a note of it and add it to the relevant material you already have. Keep related things at one place!
So, before I was took my 1st Prelims on 4th October, 2020, I had practiced around 20000 MCQs at home. I also found it crucial to increase number of attempts in CSP paper. Thus, used to attempt 86-87 questions in real exam.
Will soon share my learnings on GS Mains (Managed to increase ~100 marks in CSM 21 vis-à-vis CSM 20!)
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