How to Prepare for UPSC Exam

Intermediate 15 min 20 steps 29373 views Rating: 4.1/5 Published: 2026-02-04

Begin studying at least 10-12 months before you take your exams.. Develop a syllabus outline for each subject on the first Prelims test.. Create an outline for the subjects on the second Prelims test.

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Steps

1

Begin studying at least 10-12 months before you take your exams.

Step 1

Begin studying at least 10-12 months before you take your exams.

2

Develop a syllabus outline for each subject on the first Prelims test.

Step 2

Develop a syllabus outline for each subject on the first Prelims test.

3

Create an outline for the subjects on the second Prelims test.

Step 3

Create an outline for the subjects on the second Prelims test.

4

Choose your optional subject.

Step 4

Choose your optional subject.

5

Divide each syllabus into manageable parts.

Step 5

Divide each syllabus into manageable parts.

6

Determine your strengths and weaknesses.

Step 6

Determine your strengths and weaknesses.

7

Review previous years' tests.

Step 7

Review previous years' tests.

8

Read the news daily to keep up with current events.

Step 8

Read the news daily to keep up with current events.

9

Read both fiction and nonfiction books to build your knowledge-base.

Step 9

Read both fiction and nonfiction books to build your knowledge-base.

10

Start preparing for your Mains while you're preparing for the Prelims.

Step 10

Start preparing for your Mains while you're preparing for the Prelims.

11

Continue studying your optional subject.

Step 11

Continue studying your optional subject.

12

Divide up the syllabi for the 9 essays contained in the Mains exam.

Step 12

Divide up the syllabi for the 9 essays contained in the Mains exam.

13

Prepare your strategy for essay writing.

Step 13

Prepare your strategy for essay writing.

14

Write essay answers for a practice test or a previous year's test.

Step 14

Write essay answers for a practice test or a previous year's test.

15

Ask someone to review your essay, if possible.

Step 15

Ask someone to review your essay, if possible.

16

Expect to show your personality.

Step 16

Expect to show your personality.

17

Review sample questions from prior interviews.

Step 17

Review sample questions from prior interviews.

18

Do a mock interview with a teacher, parent, friends, or classmate.

Step 18

Do a mock interview with a teacher, parent, friends, or classmate.

19

Dress professionally for your interview.

Step 19

Dress professionally for your interview.

20

Answer honestly and according to your own beliefs.

Step 20

Answer honestly and according to your own beliefs.

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