UPSC civil services prelims 2021 are just around the corner, and if you are reading this, then it’s a sign for you to pull up your socks! The Year 2020 made it challenging for many of us to prepare for UPSC. However, even with a few months left, you still have a chance to strike the gold with some mindful strategies and advice. So, how to prepare for the UPSC exam amid the Covid-19 pandemic?
Firstly,
Save the Date
First of all, if you haven’t filled up the exam application form, then do it before 3rd march 2021 without fail. The UPSC Prelims date is scheduled around the 27th of June, 2021. Whereas the UPSC Mains date is scheduled on 17th of September, 2021. You will be given admit cards for the same within 3 to 4 weeks, before the exam. Keep in mind that the examination will be held in offline mode all over India so prepare yourself accordingly.
Fight the Pandemic
The worldwide pandemic has made a lot of us suffer. Still, our will has always been strong to stand back and head to our visions. When physical classes were stranded, our teachers and institutions came up with video lessons and notes on various online platforms so that our UPSC preparations would never stop.
It’s the time where you have to take care of both your health and productivity in UPSC preparation. There might be times of relapse or breakdown. In such situations, one shouldn’t forget they aren’t alone in this and take counselling help if needed.
Bring in Perfection
The effective and concentrated practice is the only way one can master the skills, especially when it comes to writing. The first few essays of yours will be amateur, but with time and frequent practice, you will get the hang of it.
Avoiding or running away from it will serve no help because, at the end of the day, you have to be your knight in shining armour. So don’t focus on achieving perfection while practising answers; attempting various mock papers and tests will lead you to improvements in penning down qualitative answers.
Be Ground Good Vibes
These months of preparation will often give rise to low confidence and a lot of self-doubts. During such vulnerable times, you have to make sure you stay away from toxic people or the ones who lower your morale. Otherwise, it might harm your concentration and the will for UPSC preparation.
It’s advisable to stay under the guidance of an expert who has cleared the examinations or your loved ones who don’t plunge any kind of unnecessary pressure on you.
Reading Habit
It takes 21 days to form a habit, read newspapers daily, and avoid wasting time on unnecessary distractions. The Hindu and The economic times are recommended for any IAS aspirant. Always read two to three newspapers instead of focussing on just one so that you avoid making biased decisions.
There are also few magazines like Yojana, Kurukshetra, Economic and political weekly, etc., which are recommended for better knowledge. To get a better insight of essays, you must positively go through a few essays and editorials of these amazing magazines for a better point of view.
IAS Preparation
References
Focus on effective references instead of covering up every study material because it will be futile to read the same thing again and again from different perspectives. Make sure you keep a note of the authenticity of your reading material, avoid social media for any fake news or information.
Optional Subject
Always select the most probable optional subject with which you are already familiar so you don’t need to invest much of your time in learning the basics of those subjects.
Current Affairs
During the Covid pandemic, there were many issues and conflicts, be it politically, economically, socially, etc. So keep track of everything ongoing around you because there are high chances for questions or essays to revolve around the current issues related to the covid implications.
Making Notes
For the last few months, make a separate notebook where you can note down important things or the information which you are most likely to forget; such end moment notes could turn out to be really useful during your exam D-days.
Titles
Focus on important titles and keywords; this technique will help you a lot for your prelims round.
Revision
Revision is the key! Keep going through your notes and references every three to four days; otherwise, you will end up forgetting details.
In Conclusion
There are many success stories of UPSC toppers who cleared the IAS examination in just a few months of rigid preparation and untamed dedication. Even if you haven’t started full-fledged, then it is still not too late to begin! With ulterior will and courage, anyone can battle anything. It’s us who have to make the most of the resources we are gifted with!
Even if you don’t clear, at least you will get an experience and insight of questions asked and the way of conduction, so don’t give up! Even though tentative dates of UPSC exams are out, the official notice about the new rules and regulations will be released on 10 February 2021.
Preparing for UPSC in such difficult times like Covid is a bit challenging, but with the assistance and guidance of UPSC Pathshala, you can ace your UPSC exams with great scores. Stay tuned with our regular blogs and articles to be updated with UPSC news and also get hold of some of the best UPSC guidance, tips, tricks, and strategies that can help you to achieve your UPSC goals.
A helpful article for the present pandemic sitaution.
Thank you for providing such a wonderful article during the corona times, can you also help with some detailed materials which are available both online and offline?