How to Prepare for UPSC IAS Prelims 2023 for Sure shot Success
Introduction:
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) exam annually to select the brightest minds for the administrative services in India. The first step towards the IAS journey is clearing the IAS Prelims exam, which is a highly competitive exam with a large number of aspirants appearing every year. If you’re appearing for the UPSC IAS Prelims 2023 and looking for guidance on how to prepare for the exam, you’ve come to the right place. This article will provide you with all the essential tips and tricks for a sureshot success in the IAS Prelims 2023.
How to Prepare for UPSC IAS Prelims 2023 for Sure shot Success
Understanding the UPSC IAS Prelims Exam
The IAS Prelims exam consists of two objective-type papers – General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT). While General Studies Paper I tests the candidate’s knowledge of history, geography, politics, economics, and social issues, General Studies Paper II (CSAT) tests the candidate’s aptitude, reasoning, and communication skills. To clear the IAS Prelims, a candidate must score a minimum of 33% marks in General Studies Paper II (CSAT) and secure top marks in General Studies Paper I.
Essential Books for UPSC IAS Prelims 2023
- NCERT textbooks for classes VI to XII for General Studies Paper I
- India Yearbook published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
- Economic Survey of India
- The Hindu newspaper for current affairs
- Yojana magazine for current affairs
- Prism books for General Studies Paper II (CSAT)
- Previous years’ UPSC IAS Prelims question papers
Strategies to Prepare for UPSC IAS Prelims 2023
- Create a study schedule: The first step towards preparing for the IAS Prelims 2023 is to create a study schedule. This will help you to stay organized and on track with your preparation. Make sure you allocate sufficient time for each subject and revise regularly.
- Focus on NCERT textbooks: NCERT textbooks are considered the backbone of IAS preparation and form the basis of the General Studies Paper I. It is crucial to thoroughly understand and revise the NCERT textbooks.
- Stay updated with current affairs: Current affairs form a significant part of the General Studies Paper I and II (CSAT). Stay updated with the latest news and events by reading newspapers and magazines regularly.
- Practice mock tests: Regularly practicing mock tests will help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses and work on improving them. It will also help you to get a feel of the actual UPSC IAS Prelims exam.
- Focus on General Studies Paper II (CSAT): The General Studies Paper II (CSAT) is often considered a scoring paper. Make sure you practice aptitude, reasoning, and communication skills regularly to secure good marks in this paper.
Common Mistakes to Avoid while Preparing for UPSC IAS Prelims 2023
- Ignoring NCERT textbooks
- Neglecting current affairs
- Not practicing mock tests
- Not focusing on General Studies Paper II (CSAT)
- Not revising regularly
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the minimum percentage required to clear the UPSC IAS Prelims
Q. How many papers are there in the UPSC IAS Prelims exam?
A. There are two objective-type papers in the UPSC IAS Prelims exam – General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT).
Q. What are the important books for UPSC IAS Prelims 2023?
A. Some of the important books for UPSC IAS Prelims 2023 are NCERT textbooks, India Yearbook, Economic Survey of India, The Hindu newspaper, Yojana magazine, Prism books, and previous years’ UPSC IAS Prelims question papers.
Q. What is the syllabus for UPSC IAS Prelims 2023?
A. The syllabus for UPSC IAS Prelims 2023 consists of the following topics:
- General Studies Paper I: Indian heritage and culture, history and geography of the world and society, Indian polity and governance, economic and social development, and environmental ecology and biodiversity.
- General Studies Paper II (CSAT): Comprehension, Interpersonal skills including communication skills, Logical reasoning and analytical ability, Decision-making and problem-solving, Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.).
Q. How many questions are there in the UPSC IAS Prelims exam?
A. There are a total of 200 questions in the UPSC IAS Prelims exam, 100 questions in each paper.
Q. How many marks are allotted for each question in the UPSC IAS Prelims exam?
A. Each question in the UPSC IAS Prelims exam is worth 2 marks.
Q. What is the duration of the UPSC IAS Prelims exam?
A. The UPSC IAS Prelims exam is conducted for a duration of 2 hours for each paper, making a total of 4 hours.
Q. How often is the UPSC IAS Prelims exam conducted?
A. The UPSC IAS Prelims exam is conducted once a year, usually in the month of May/ June.
Q. What is the age limit for appearing in the UPSC IAS Prelims exam?
A. The minimum age limit for appearing in the UPSC IAS Prelims exam is 21 years, and the maximum age limit is 32 years for General Category candidates.
Q. How many attempts are allowed for the UPSC IAS Prelims exam?
A. The number of attempts allowed for the UPSC IAS Prelims exam for general category candidates is 6, and for OBC category candidates, it is 9.
Q. How to prepare for General Studies Paper I in UPSC IAS Prelims 2023?
A. To prepare for General Studies Paper I in UPSC IAS Prelims 2023, candidates must focus on NCERT textbooks, stay updated with current affairs, practice previous years’ question papers, and understand the exam pattern and weightage of each topic.
Q. How to prepare for General Studies Paper II (CSAT) in UPSC IAS Prelims 2023?
A. To prepare for General Studies Paper II (CSAT) in UPSC IAS Prelims 2023, candidates must practice mock tests, work on improving their analytical and logical reasoning skills, improve their reading and comprehension skills, and understand the exam pattern and weightage of each topic.
UPSC IAS Prelims 2023
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