How To Prepare for IAS Exam After 12th?

Millions of youngsters aspire to work in the civil service. This is evidenced by the fact that the number of aspirants continues to rise year after year. There was a period when post-graduate students and civil service exam (CSE) preparation went hand in hand. The focus moved to students with a bachelor’s degree. However, today’s kids are considerably more aware of their options, and there is no doubt in their minds about what they want to accomplish. As a result, students who want to work in the civil service should begin studying for the CSE as soon as they finish 12th grade, in addition to their bachelor’s degree studies. Many students, however, become overwhelmed by the material and lose sight of their aim halfway through.

What is UPSC Exam?

The Union Public Service Commission is India’s central recruiting organisation, in charge of exams and appointments to the federal services’ Group A and Group B. The British Royal Commission formed it in 1923, and it was known as the “Federal Commission” at the time. On the 26th of January 1950, it was reorganised and given constitutional status under the Indian constitution, and it was granted the charter under Part XIV of the Indian constitution.

The UPSC holds many exams throughout the year at various levels and for various ministries, but the most prestigious of these is the civil services exam, which is held in three phases every year for positions such as IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS, Indian Forest Services, and others.

  • To take the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) test, you must be a graduate of a recognised university. 
  • Every year, the UPSC holds an IAS exam, but you can begin studying as soon as you finish high school. 
  • Start by studying the subjects that are most relevant to the exam. 
  • Humanities may be one of the greatest choices because it encompasses disciplines like politics, history, and so on. 

What is the UPSC CSE Pattern?

The UPSC Civil Services Exam has three stages: an objective preliminary exam, a written main exam, and an interview (personality test). To pass the exam, the candidate must have a thorough awareness of reality, precision, and the extent of the syllabus.

This will help to highlight the syllabus’s important structure, and applicants will be able to tell what to study and what not to read. Before delving into the nuances of the subject, begin by selecting appropriate study materials to direct the student in the right way.

What Educational Qualifications is Required for IAS?

  • All applicants must possess at least one of the following educational credentials:
  • A Central, State, or Deemed university diploma.
  • A correspondence or distance education degree is one that is obtained through correspondence or distant education.
  • A degree from a distance learning university.
  • A qualification recognised by the Indian government as being comparable to one of the aforementioned qualifications.

What Age Limit is required for IAS?

  • On August 1 of the examination year, the candidate must be between the ages of 21 and 32 (for the General category candidate). 
  • For SC, ST, OBC, and Physically Handicapped applicants, however, age relaxations are available.
  • The upper age restriction for Other Backward Castes (OBC) is 35.
  • The age limit for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) is 37 years.
  • Certain candidates who are behind in other ways, as well as physically handicapped (PH) people, have their upper age restriction reduced.

What Percentage is Required for 12th in IAS?

  • When applying for IAS exams, there is no such necessity for a certain percentage. In the UPSC interview or paper, marks from 10th, 12th, or graduation do not count. 
  • The only requirements are that the applicant be an Indian citizen with a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.

Why Aspirants should start preparing for UPSC after 12th Standard?

College is the greatest venue for brilliant aspirants to begin studying for the IAS exam. Three years of college will provide ample time for thorough preparation, and the advantage of starting early will be realised.

The first decision an aspirant must make is in which stream he or she will pursue degree. Because humanities courses are at the basis of the CSE curriculum, students who complete their degrees with humanities subjects will undoubtedly have a minor edge, particularly in optional areas. Optional subjects in the humanities include geography, history, political science, and sociology. This should not, however, deter any student with a non-humanities background.

  • An undergraduate student’s approach should be to prepare for GS subjects during the first two years of graduation and Optional Subjects during the third year. 
  • Those who are pursuing a four- or five-year professional programme will benefit from the additional time availability.
  • UPSC’s optional subject options are suitable for students from all streams.
  • An aspirant who has begun their studies will have three years or more to prepare. 

It is critical to recognise that, in addition to the academic component of CSE preparation, there are a few other significant aspects on which an applicant should concentrate. These factors necessitate a significant amount of time, consistent effort, and dedication.

What Should You Do After Completing Your School?

  1. You should learn more about the civil service and enrol in a history and politics-related graduating course.
  2. If you wish to pursue a master’s degree, you can choose one of these subjects as an elective.
  3. Please keep the UPSC syllabus in mind while you plan your graduation so that you can master these courses.
  4. Make it a practise to read the newspaper every day to be informed about what’s going on in the country and throughout the world.
  5. Start by familiarising yourself with the syllabus and taking notes.
  6. Practice IAS question papers from past years.
  7. Begin by reading economics, public administration, and fundamental math texts. You can study this subject as one of your main subjects if you like.
  8. Make a study plan based on the IAS test pattern.

How To Prepare for CSE After 12th Standard?

  1. Learn To Establish an Opinion: In the Essay paper and, more specifically, in the Personality exam, your ability to generate an opinion on problems will be tested. And this isn’t something that can be learned in a day. It must be nurtured patiently and diligently. An aspirant must consider how and why things happen. On the topics, we all have different perspectives. Our viewpoint may differ from that of the majority, but it is critical that it is founded on strong logic and reasoning. It is also critical to be able to express oneself clearly both on paper and when speaking.
  2. Instil a Reading Habit: The most significant part of the CSE syllabus is current affairs. Any contender must have a thorough understanding of current events. It is necessary to make it a habit to read the newspaper and magazines on a daily basis. Reading everything from the outset to the last page, on the other hand, is not a good idea. An aspirant must be aware of what to look for in the newspaper.
  3. Develop The Skill of Multidimensional Thinking: Take any current problem in the news and objectively analyse it from all angles. All of these dimensions must be considered while analysing a problem. This will assist you in broadening your horizons. As a result, the next time you read a question, your mind will begin to create several threads around it.
  4. Develop Writing Skills: The second stage of CSE, the Mains exam, is subjective in character, requiring students to write subjective responses. On the surface, it appears to be simple because we have all done it throughout our academic careers, but it requires additional abilities. In reality, learning the skill of answer writing in the Mains requires unlearning a lot of things. And it’s not simple to unlearn 15 years of answer-writing verbosity!
  5. Concentrate Especially on the Mains Exam: – In the Mains exam, you must compose your answer within the word limit. If the word limit is exceeded, a penalty in the form of negative marking will be applied. The solution must be structured within the word limit as well as the time restriction. One has around 8 to 9 minutes to read the question, organise an answer, and write it down for one question. So, in order to increase your writing ability on a variety of topics, you must develop writing speed and write on a varied range of topics.
  6. Improve Your Communication Skills: This is a talent that takes time to develop. During the personality exam, communication ability is significant because it displays confidence. Knowing something but not being able to share or present that information is useless.
  7. Take Part in Extracurricular Activities: The UPSC is seeking for candidates with a well-rounded personality. To develop all of these qualities, one must actively participate in extracurricular activities such as athletics, discussions, and cultural activities, among others.

Major Tips for preparing IAS after Class 12

  • In general, through a GS Integrated course, the first and second years of your college should be devoted to preparation for the General Studies (GS) subjects of the UPSC Prelims and Mains exams.
  • One should begin focusing on Optional subjects in the middle of the second or third year. 
  • After studying GS topics, one would have a better idea of the Optional Subject to pursue at that point.
  • This is a vital option because Optional Subject has two papers in the Mains and plays a significant impact in your total merit standing.
  • The majority of Optional Subjects can be completed in four to five months.
  • Revising, practising answer writing, and taking Test Series to practise and identify any gaps in your preparations should all be priorities in your third year of graduation.

How to prepare for IAS exam without coaching?

Many students pass the tests without any help from a tutor, and some even come in first place. As a result, it’s evident that coaching isn’t the answer, but self-preparation is – with or without coaching!

  • Only discipline and dedication are required. 
  • Be diligent and effective with your time management. Create a routine!
  • Read selectively yet thoroughly in such areas.
  • You may find that you save more time and resources by reinvesting them in your preparations.
  • Make sure you have a decent mix of books and handwritten notes.
  • Take practise tests on a regular basis.
  • Many students prefer coaching because it establishes routines, sets goals, and provides practise, but you can accomplish these things on your own as well.
  • Most essential, believe in yourself and your ability to succeed without assistance!
  • You may actually end up saving more time and resources and putting it back into your preparations. 

Why Aspirants should go for Online IAS Preparation?

  • If you are having trouble planning your studies in the third year and need aid, you may enrol in online coaching sessions, which will help you cover the IAS syllabus in a systematic manner and provide you with all the support you need to pass the exam.
  • Online classes have their own set of benefits, such as the ability to study for the exam at your leisure and the ability to hear a lecture numerous times if you don’t understand the content the first time.

How to prepare for IAS while working?

Time management is critical to your preparations when you have less time on your hands. Find people who are in your situation or who work for your company and socialise with them to fill in the gaps in your schedule. As a result, you’ll have more time to hang out with friends who are also studying for the IAS exam.

  • It will help meet your social demands while reducing your stress levels.
  • Look for concise and to-the-point notes and study materials. However, some issues will necessitate in-depth research.
  • Unless the topic requires it, listen to the brief news and do not waste time listening to superfluous discussion-based news.
  • Use memory strategies to help you learn faster.
  • Practice delivering tests and writing answers on a regular basis. As far as revision and practise go, this will enough.

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