How to prepare for UPSC CSE 2021 - Beginners’ Guide To Prepare for Civil Services Exam 2021

UPSC has released the much-awaited exam calendar for exams to be conducted in 2021. The Civil Services Examination, 2021 which was earlier scheduled to be conducted on June 27th will now be conducted on October 10th, 2021. Hence, there is still time for the aspirants who are planning to appear for UPSC CSE 2021. The most frequently asked question, especially for beginners, now is - How to prepare for UPSC CSE 2021!

In this article, we will delve into the nitty-gritty of the exam and would try to answer all the preparation related questions. In addition to that, we will elaborately answer the question - how to prepare for UPSC CSE 2021! Let’s get started:

How to prepare for UPSC CSE 2021 - Step by Step Guide

Step Zero: Know the basics of the exam

It is extremely important to know in and out of the exam you’ll be appearing for! Hence, give a weeks’ time into knowing about the exam pattern, exam syllabus, and all the nitty-gritty of the exams. We have covered these areas extensively on our YouTube channel where you can check out experts’ videos on these areas. You can also check out the articles on our UPSC website, it will surely get you started. Another exercise that you must do before starting full-fledged exam preparation is to glance through previous year papers and acquaint yourself with what is asked in the examination!

Step One: Strengthen Your Foundation

Now that you know how the questions are asked, start your preparation! Start with reading NCERTs from Class VI-XII. Every year more than 15 questions are asked directly from the NCERTs, hence, you should not skip them! We also have an NCERT course specially designed for beginners. The course will get you started with the preparation, which otherwise, may seem a daunting task! Nevertheless, in this stage, you should start reading the NCERTs and develop regular newspaper reading habit!

Step Two: Build On Your Foundation

The second step is to build on the strong foundation that you’ve built! Start reading the standard books for each subject. Always keep in mind that you need to limit your resources to the minimum in order to get sufficient time for revision. Read one book per subject and revise it multiple times. Here is the booklist that you can follow!

Step Three: Revision Is the Key

Revision is actually the key to this examination! The syllabus is extensive, hence, you need to keep revising in order to retain all that you read. Keep your weekends free for revising what you’ve read over the week. Other than that, be consistent with the holistic revision of current affairs and other subjects as well!

Step Four: Answer-Writing Practice

You should begin answer-writing when you’ve completed about 50% syllabus. Completion of the entire syllabus is a myth and you would not be able to do that, no matter what! So, target completion of about 70-75% syllabus and revise it multiple times. Try n write good answers, you can take inspiration from the toppers’ answer key to frame your answers. Always get your answers evaluated from your mentors who could tell you ways to improve!

Step Five: March Towards Prelims

This is the last leg of preparation before Prelims! You can commence prelims-focused preparation about 2 months before the Prelims. Try to give full-length mocks in the simulated environment to prepare yourself for the big day. Since the COVID effect would still be there, use a face shield and face mask even while sitting for the mock tests to acclimatize yourself with the new-normal of giving exams.

In this last leg of preparation, adopt a mock-test-based learning approach along with a rigorous revision of content that is purely prelims-centric. Do a round-up of current affairs and all the core subjects along with the mock tests. Do not forget CSAT. Although it is qualifying in nature, it is extremely important to get 66+ marks on that paper to sit for Prelims.

Step Six: Practice Answer-Writing For Mains

The Prelims exam is over! If you think you have made the cut, take a rejuvenation break for a week’s time and get your journey towards Mains started. The UPSC Mains may be conducted in January 2022 much like the last year. Start with revising your optional subject as well as work on your weak areas. Write the answers thoughtfully and get them evaluated from your mentors. It will allow you to assess your writing skills. Simultaneously, start revising your notes as well as standard books. Do not read anything new at this time, just revise whatever you’ve already written notes.

Step Seven: Interview Preparation

For Interview preparation, read your DAF extremely carefully and prepare all the standard questions well in advance. You should be extremely confident about yourself, work on your soft skills, groom your personality, regularly read newspapers in order to keep yourself vigilant through and through. Check out the topper approved curated interview tips here

FAQs regarding UPSC Civil Services Examination 2021

When is the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2021?

According to the latest annual calendar released by the commission, the UPSC Civil Services Prelims is scheduled to be conducted on 10th October 2021.

How to fill the application form for UPSC CSE 2021?

UPSC will release the application form along with the notification of UPSC CSE 2021 in February. You can fill the form online till March 02rd, 2021.

When will the notification for UPSC CSE be released?

The notification of UPSC CSE will be released in February 2021. Check out the details regarding UPSC notification here.

What is the exam pattern for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2021?

UPSC conducts the Civil Services Exam in three states namely Prelims, Mains, and Interview. You can check out the detailed exam pattern here.

What is the syllabus for UPSC CSE Prelims 2021?

Check out the detailed syllabus for UPSC CSE Prelims 2021 here.

What is the syllabus for UPSC CSE Mains 2021?

Check out the detailed syllabus for UPSC CSE Mains here

How to choose the optional subject for the IAS exam 2021?

There are multiple factors namely familiarity with the subject, availability of resources, and interest in the subject that comes into play while choosing the optional subject for UPSC. You can check out a detailed guide for choosing your optional subject here.

How to cover current affairs for UPSC Civil Services?

Current affairs have taken a central stage, especially in UPSC Civil Services Prelims. Hence, you should cover the current affairs exhaustively in order to prepare for UPSC Civil Services. Check out the detailed guide to cover current affairs here.

Are NCERTs important for CSE? How to prepare NCERTs for UPSC Exam?

Yes, the NCERTs are extremely important to build a strong foundation for the UPSC exam. Check out our NCERT program for CSE that enables you to complete all the NCERTs in just about 150 hours.

What is the cutoff for UPSC Civil Services Exam?

Each stage of the UPSC Civil Services Exam is an elimination round where the UPSC declares cutoff after the declaration of result. Check out previous years’ cutoff for all three stages here.

Career Launcher brings to you a range of online courses that can help you with the preparation of UPSC Civil Services Exam. Make the most of this lockdown by enrolling in our courses, and kickstart the preparation of UPSC Civil Services Exam. Check out the entire range of our courses here. Do get in touch with our course counselors to know more about our course deliverables.

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