Beginners Guide for UPSC, State PSC 2021-22

Beginners Guide

Before preparing for any exams like UPSC, State PSC ( GPSC, JPSC, UPPSC etc.), first of all you should prepare yourself Mentally, Physically and Socially. Because these are dynamic exams which has vast syllabus and require proper strategy in order to clear it in short span of time. For many people it's not just an exam but a long journey (due to many attempts). 

As a beginner ocean of questions have floated in our mind like How should I start? How to start from scratch? What are the important books? What is syllabus of the exam? From where should I get study material? How to choose optional subject? and many..

when I started preparing for UPSC exam, same questions arises in my mind also. I research a lot about everything and I also joined coaching class at Delhi. Here, I will answer all these questions as per the best of my knowledge and personal experience.

How should I start preparing for an exam (UPSC, State PSC etc.)?

Download syllabus of the exam 

You will easily find syllabus of the exam for which you want to appear. Go to the official website i.e., for UPSC www.upsc.gov.in and GPSC www.gpsc.in 

Go through syllabus and try to understand each and every topic given in it. This is the most important thing but many candidates start preparing without knowing syllabus of the exam which might be barrier to achieve your goal.

Make and follow daily time table/ Strategy

• Before going to bed in the night make a list of topics for next day and follow it judiciously.
• Make realistic time table, don't make 12 hrs schedule which is impossible to follow. 
• Your time table should include NCERT Books, Optional subject, Current affairs.
• Try to make notes on your own words on each topics that you read, It will be helpful for last minute revision.
• If you don't want to make your own strategy then you can follow toppers strategy.

Clear your basics

• NCERT Books: If you are beginner then don't go for reference books, start reading NCERT books (6-12th standard) which form a base which is required to understand current affairs and concepts.
• If you dont have NCERT books you can purchase set of 37 books for UPSC and State PSC.
• I have also purchased my all books from Amazon.
• After reading NCERT you can go for reference books given in resources.

                 For English medium: Buy now from Amazon

                  FOR Hindi medium: Buy now from Amazon

How to Prepare Current affairs?

• As a beginner its very complicated task to read The Hindu and understand editorial section (I have also faced same problem but with practice you can do it). I would like to suggest The Indian Express for beginner because it is easily understood.
•  You can read monthly magazine of any trusted coaching class (Vision IAS, Insights IAS, IAS Baba etc. )which is easily available online.
• If you have time then read Yojana and Kurukshetra else you must read gist of Kurukshetra and Yojana (more than sufficient).

How to choose Optional subject?

• It is very tricky question, many people asked me how to choose optional? which is scoring subject? from where should i get study material and guidance of optional subject ? etc. 

Read more about optional subject

From where should I get study material?

Study material includes NCERT books, Current affairs notes, reference books, Magazines (Kurukshetra, Yojana, Science Reporter) etc.

So, all these are given in Resources.

Note: Still you have any question or doubt you can comment or contact me by filling contact form, I will try to solve your doubt.