If you’re wondering can I prepare for UPSC while working? The answer is yes. It is recommended that you do not leave your work. Many workers who wish to crack the Civil Services test are in a struggle about whether or not to quit their job. To strike a fine line between idealism and pragmatism will be the solution to this. It is not advisable to leave your job at the beginning of your training, as it could hinder career advancement. This what a working professional UPSC preparation looks like
Until Prelims, the best time to start training is at least 9-10 months. The emphasis should be on establishing a solid foundation during this period, especially in core subjects such as history, economics, politics, etc. and the optional subjects. The experiments should be carried out for the first six months, taking both Prelims and Mains into account. Around the same time, planning for mains covers a big chunk of the UPSC portion.
Can I Prepare for UPSC While Working?
An applicant must devote at least 5-6 hours to training on a daily basis. To prepare for general studies, current affairs and the optional subject, an IAS aspirant must prepare. Because of the lack of time, a career seeker should not cheat on any of these main fields. They have to prepare in such a manner that the consistency of planning does not break even on busy days.
It will be a perfect workaround to break the research hours into plans prior to work, after work, post-work and revision.
We will discuss an IAS study plan for young professionals in the following paragraphs.
Employed Professionals Study Routine
- Prior to work: At least 2 hours a day of general studies.
- Revision: Study the UPSC planning of the day for 20 minutes after dinner.
Bear in mind the following points when following the aforementioned IAS research strategy for working professionals.
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Maintain a Fixed Schedule for Weekend Studying
- Weekends should have a routine that is separate. Ideally, during the early hours of the day, one can study the planning of the whole week. During the forenoon, perform answer writing and afternoon IAS mock exams.
- Move attention to General Studies 2-3 months before the Prelims test, roughly. As the trend of UPSC MCQs tends to evolve year on year, the CSAT paper will require dedicated practise.
- If you are assured of a high score, after Prelims, take extended study leave from work to concentrate full time on the Mains test. The in-depth analysis would be required for the Mains exam.
Also Read- Working Professional UPSC Preparation Strategy: Can a Working Professional Clear UPSC?
Preparation for Mains
- In order to obtain adequate experience for the exam, enter a successful IAS mains test series during this period.
- Post Mains, to assist with the scheduling of the interview, resume work and keep track of current affairs.
It is necessary not to neglect work when taking the above steps, as well as keep a consistent sleep schedule.
During training, this will encourage you to remain calm and help clear UPSC 2021 with flying colours.
How to Prepare for UPSC while Working?
The biggest challenge encountered by the working examinees is the time control for researching and taking care of health concurrently when working a 9-hour job.
Specifically intended for working professionals, this article splits the syllabus into manageable parts and generates an accessible research schedule for UPSC technical training for jobs.
Per year, the UPSC holds civil service evaluations. There are some instances where even working adults or people who already have a career have applied for the IAS tests since the age limit is very liberal.
A Time table Guideline for Aiming UPSC with Job
The timetable gives you a sense of direction when used for the research schedule and allows you to graph your progress in line with the UPSC calendar. By giving you a good idea of what has been discussed, it also serves to keep you motivated. It also allows you to regularly review yourself and readjust your schedule if possible. You should also adjust according to your own research pattern, concentration.
Divide the 4 to 5 hours you plan to commit into shifts each day and delegate each bit to certain essential parts of the syllabus. You can wake up early and study half the day and bring in the rest of the time later in the day if you do not study for 4 or 5 hours over a stretch. You ought to take an integrated view of the whole syllabus since the distance between prelims and mains is just 120 days.
Form Regular Alternate Study Shifts
For this shift, bring in 2 hours. The emphasis during this change is primarily on the recommended NCERT and Regular books. Do not seek to concurrently review two novels. Often complete one before you launch another. The crucial question about whether to research first comes then. A long list of books will still be open, but there are a few essential ones that cover a larger portion of the syllabus.
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The Second Phase of UPSC Preparation for Working Professionals
This shift takes 2 hours, too. As the first change was primarily devoted to prelims, this shift will be dedicated to mains but will also cover portions of the syllabus of prelims. Dedicate this second change to reading newspapers and taking notes (e.g. the Hindu or The Indian Express).
In both the mains and the prelims, these notes can assist. Rather than reading current affairs books. We have an overall view of the country’s political and economic condition, which not only deals with the direct concerns but also with the logic of the mains and the CSATs.
If the newspaper work is completed early on, you will proceed with the other sections of the main syllabus.
The Third Shift of UPSC Preparation for Working Professionals
This move would take just one hour of your time and can be committed to your choice of optional topics. If you can’t bring alongside work in 5 hours a day so you have to manage some time in the day to learn it anyway. During your office breaks, you can put in any time or bite into the time of shift 1 & 2 to allocate at least 4 minutes from each shift.
Change of Routine for UPSC Preparation on Sundays for People with a Job
Today is the most significant day for learning and revision in the UPSC planning plan for working professionals. Put in at least 10-12 hours if you have fewer weeks on hand. If you have 14 months of study time, however, then 6-7 hours is also necessary. Put in at least 2 hours for revision and then 5 hours for GS plans, given you have less time at hand.
Then you must also practise writing responses. If you have more weeks at hand, you can reduce the time allotted to each one, but you must do everything listed.
Since Sunday arrangements will concentrate primarily on mains, it is necessary to consider how mains questions vary from preliminary questions and prepare written responses accordingly.
Mistakes that Working Individuals must Stop
Scope of Cover and not Depth
Two separate aspects are understanding and clarifying a test. Try to cover the spectrum and not the breadth of anything you’re learning. It would just waste the time to read one subject in earnest as the syllabus requires a wide variety of information in various areas, so it is more important to explore a greater range.
Stop Reading without a Schedule
It is a huge syllabus and it is easy to put the head off-balance. You ought to prepare with 100 per cent focus to make good use of your precious time because you do not study while travelling or working. Still keep to the schedule.
When It Comes to Sleep- Do not Compromise
Compromising sleep will only lower success and productivity. In fact, if you have the habit of 8-9 hours of sleep, then not sleeping enough will slow the processes of your body and your brain will not perform to its full usable potential. Try to keep the usual hours of sleep you need and do not cut it further if you are accustomed to sleeping less.
Conclusion
It is necessary not to neglect work when taking the above steps, as well as keep a consistent sleep schedule. During training, this will encourage you to remain calm and help clear UPSC 2021 with flying colours. For more informative posts and keeping yourself updated, check out UPSC Paathshaala.
I was facing a dilemma about weather I should do a job or start preparing for UPSC. With the help of this, I can do both!