Is One Year Enough to Prepare for UPSC Exam?
In case you are wondering if it is possible to clear the UPSC examination with a preparation time of just one year or how can such a vast syllabus be completed within 365 days, then you should start with a quote by Audrey Hepburn who had very rightly said, “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’m possible.”
Preparing for the IAS exam within one year is far from impossible. If the right strategy is followed, it ceases from being a Herculean task. Even if you have years in your hand but you study haphazardly, cracking UPSC will be a far-fetched dream. The key here is proper time management and approach.
In the first stage of your preparation, you should start by examining what’s on the plate for you. Check your eligibility and then move on to the exam phases and structure. Once you know about the UPSC exam, move on to the syllabus. It is very important to understand the topics and requirements clearly. If you are not into the habit of reading the newspaper or keeping up to date with the current affairs, you should start with them immediately.
After covering the basics, it’s time to dive into the main preparation. Start with the Prelims syllabus by creating your foundation with standard NCERT books. As you walk through your preparation for UPSC Prelims and CSAT, choose your optional subject and emphasize topics from your prelims or other Mains subject syllabus which collide with your optional subject’s syllabus. As you cover the topics one by one, keep taking practice tests. Without proper practice, preparation is always incomplete.
Keep practicing essay writing like you used to practice mathematics in school. The best way to master the art of writing is through sufficient practice. Make notes of the topics you cover, the current affairs you read, and your opinion on those topics.
A very important thing to be kept in mind is to stick to a study plan and remain motivated. You might feel like reading only the subject which you like or simply stop studying. In those times, remember that time is fleeting and one year of hard work can help you live the life you want for the rest of the years.