How Should You Start Preparing for CSE during Graduation?

Now that you have chosen a subject and are doing graduation, you are in a better position to make a career choice. The following tips will help if you are preparing for the CSE along with graduation.

Preparing for CSE during School (12th or before) At this stage, you may have a lot of confusion as to which career option you should choose. Take your time and try to know about the various career options in detail. You must be extra careful while choosing a career option. The tips provided below will be helpful if you are thinking of a career in civil services. Concentrate on Your Subjects: Whatever subjects you are studying, focus on your prescribed syllabus. Study every section of the syllabus thoroughly; don’t just focus on memorising the important topics from the examination point of view. The subjects you are studying will be very helpful even in your preparation for the CSE. Use Resources Optimally: Utilize the library at your school. Read as many books as you can that are relevant. Reading the Newspaper: Develop the habit of reading the daily newspaper to stay updated on national and international events. Interpersonal Skills: Practice your communication and interpersonal skills. Try to cultivate a positive personality. The Significance of NCERTs: The CSE toppers invariably advise NCERT textbooks as the foundation of CSE preparation. Therefore, understand that your school's NCERT textbooks are the fundamental textbooks for the UPSC CSE. Start taking notes after learning how to do so.

• Getting well-versed with vast syllabus of UPSC: You must be familiar with the syllabus of UPSC Civil Services Examination if you hope to succeed on the UPSC exam. Understanding the UPSC Syllabus and being familiar with each subject's theme and subtopics accounts for around 20% of your preparation for the Civil Services Exam.
• Choose whether to enrol in a coaching centre or to study independently: The second decision to be made is whether to enrol in a coaching programme or study independently for the exam. It is advised that you choose some sort of assistance because the UPSC exams include a wide range of topics. You can enrol in online classes where you can access expert faculty lectures from the convenience of your own home or pursue classroom instruction after your college hours. If that is not possible, you can opt to prepare by yourself.
• Plan your daily regimen: Once you are familiar with the fundamentals, it is time to plan a daily regimen to begin your preparation. You need to make the best use of your time because you are working toward both graduation and IAS preparation. Make a daily, weekly, and monthly plan. If you are committed to achieving your civil services dream, make sure to follow your study schedule.
• Choose your optional subject: You must exercise due care while choosing your optional subject as it has great importance in the overall pattern of the Civil Services Exam. We have elaborated on this in the pages that follow.
• Get all the study material: The list of books is very important in your UPSC preparation. There are a plethora of options and you don’t have to buy or stock every one of them. Choose a few good books and read them thoroughly.
• Assess yourself periodically: It is important to take regular tests and assess your preparation level and make necessary changes if required.
• Benefits of Preparing for CSE during Graduation
  • Early Start: If you start preparing during graduation, you have ample time at your disposal.
  • Longer Study Duration: Since you don’t have a break in your education, your grasping power and ability to work for longer hours will be more as compared to others.
  • Financially Well-off: If you are pursuing graduation, chances are that your finances are taken care of by your family. This reduces the burden on you.

Starting Preparation for CSE after Graduation It is the most common mode/route of preparation amongst the IAS aspirants. Some important tips/points should be kept in mind and practised, while preparing for UPSC CSE after graduation such as: Syllabus is you Bible: Take a print out of syllabus of Civil Services Exam and read it at least daily till you remember each and every word. After you are thorough with the syllabus, always have it near you so that you can refer to it whenever required. The Coaching Dilemma: The biggest dilemma for a UPSC aspirant is whether to opt for a UPSC coaching or prepare on his/her own. There are merits and demerits for the same. Properly study both, opt for an option and move forward without wasting much of your time. Planning Your Routine Accordingly: Once you have decided on coaching/self-study, you can plan your routine accordingly. Revision is the Key: Revision and Writing practise should be part of daily routine.