Best IAS Preparation Plan for Beginners Targeting 2021 UPSC Exam

IAS Preparation Plan for Beginners Targeting 2021 UPSC Exam – Congratulations for making the decision to appear in the 2021 UPSC exam! You are reading this blog because you have chosen to take this exam. Here, you will find valuable tips for beginners as well as those who have attempted this examination but have missed the prelims or mains.

Qualifying for this exam is not as tough as it may seem. Every year, several candidates pass it without coaching, especially the Best IAS coaching in Delhi. Start your preparation today, as you have ample time in your hands. Don’t dwell on the past, but focus on strengthening your present and IAS Preparation Plan for Beginners Targeting 2021 UPSC Exam. Prudent scheduling of days and time is a necessary element of UPSC preparation.

Be disciplined and stick to your study plan, even if you are able to follow it 90% of the time. It has been observed that students start their preparation with great enthusiasm but lose the same after a few months or get too focused on a specific subject. It is important to overcome such habits. UPSC is looking for candidates who have management skills and can accomplish tasks with skillful planning using limited resources and time. They are searching for “Jack of all trades and master of none”.

Now, the concern is about starting your UPSC preparation in September. August is about to end, and September will be a fresh month to implement your study plan. You have 9 months for the Prelims exam (scheduled for 27th June 2021) and 12 months for the Mains exam (September 2021). So, how should you begin?

Instead of diving directly into preparation, start by planning your study. Break it into multiple sections and allocate a number of days or months to each section. Create a macro plan for your study on a piece of paper and divide it into several months. In these 9 months, you not only have to complete the syllabus but also need time to revise it.

Here is an example of a study chart that you can restructure according to your plan:

1. September (30 Days)

This is a warm-up session, and it is recommended to train yourself for a disciplined life. Study 6 hours a day, which adds up to 180 hours in this month. This is enough time to complete at least two subjects. Focus on General Studies and not your optional subject at this point. Choose two subjects of your choice to study, with one subject you are familiar with and another that you are less aware of. For example, you can choose History and Polity. Revise the studied chapters every Sunday to develop a better understanding of concepts and facts.

2. October (30 Days)

Increase your study hours to 8 per day in this month. By now, you should have completed History and the remaining part of Polity in the first week of October. Focus on Geography and Economics, as geography is a simpler subject and economics has been given more weightage in recent years.

3. November (30 Days)

Dedicate this month to the monotonous but important subject of Environment & Ecology. Study this subject while keeping an eye on current affairs, as the basic topics are correlated. UPSC has shown a special interest in this subject in recent years, so it is crucial to stay updated. Connect the basic static book of this subject with recent developments.

4. December to February (90 Days)

Pay attention to your optional subject during this period. Schedule your study time in two blocks, dedicating 70% of the time to the optional subject and the rest to General Studies. Use this time to study Economics and Science & Technology from the perspective of both mains and prelims. By the end of February, you should have covered the entire UPSC syllabus except for Ethics, International Relations, and Ethics (for paper IV).

5. March (30 Days)

From this month onward, you should focus on revising and practicing for the prelims exam. Allocate this month to revision and taking practice tests to strengthen your knowledge and test-taking skills.

Remember to stay positive and put in 100% effort. The highest scorers in IAS exams are not necessarily those with specialized degrees, but those who have a solid understanding of the subjects. Choose your optional subject rationally, based on its mark-fetching potential and your comfort level. Develop an overview of the previous year’s questions and see if you are comfortable dealing with them.

Finally, be consistent and stick to your study plan. With determination and hard work, success will come your way. Good luck with your preparation!