UPSC
What is UPSC?
UPSC stands for the Union Public Service Commission. It is a central recruiting agency in India responsible for conducting various examinations to recruit candidates for civil services and other central government jobs. The UPSC conducts prestigious examinations such as the Civil Services Examination (CSE), Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination, Engineering Services Examination (ESE), Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination, and many others. The commission plays a crucial role in selecting candidates for various administrative positions in the Indian government.
Strategy Require for Cracking UPSC?
Cracking the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam is a challenging task that requires a well-planned and disciplined strategy. Here are some general strategies that can be helpful:
Understand the Exam Pattern:
- Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern, syllabus, and marking scheme.
- The UPSC Civil Services Examination consists of three stages: Preliminary Examination (Objective type), Main Examination (Descriptive type), and Personality Test (Interview).
Start Early and Create a Timetable:
- Begin your preparation early to allow sufficient time for comprehensive coverage of the syllabus.
- Create a realistic and disciplined study timetable, allocating time for each subject.
Clear Understanding of the Syllabus:
- Gain a clear understanding of the UPSC syllabus for both the Preliminary and Main examinations.
- Prioritize topics based on their weightage and relevance.
Current Affairs:
- Stay updated with current affairs, especially issues related to national and international importance.
- Read newspapers, magazines, and watch news regularly.
Basic Books and NCERTs:
- Refer to standard textbooks and NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) books for building a strong foundation.
- Cover subjects comprehensively and revise regularly.
Mock Tests and Previous Year Papers:
- Take regular mock tests to practice time management and improve your answering speed.
- Analyze your performance in mock tests and identify areas that need improvement.
- Solve previous years’ question papers to understand the exam pattern and trends.
Optional Subject Selection:
- Choose your optional subjects wisely based on your interest, availability of study material, and scoring potential.
- Master your optional subject thoroughly.
Writing Practice:
- Develop the skill of concise and effective writing for the Main Examination.
- Practice essay writing and answer writing regularly to improve articulation.
Revision:
- Regular revision is crucial for retaining information.
- Create concise notes for quick revision during the last days.
Health and Well-being:
- Take care of your physical and mental health.
- Ensure proper sleep, exercise, and a balanced diet.
Stay Positive and Stay Focused:
- Maintain a positive attitude and stay focused on your goals.
- Stay motivated throughout the preparation period.
Interview Preparation:
- Be well-versed with your DAF (Detailed Application Form) and current affairs for the personality test.
- Practice mock interviews to enhance your communication and interpersonal skills.
Remember that consistency, dedication, and smart preparation are key to cracking the UPSC exam. It’s essential to strike a balance between covering the syllabus comprehensively and revising regularly. Additionally, seek guidance from mentors or experienced candidates for valuable insights.
Post available in UPSC
The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts various examinations for recruitment to different posts in the government. Here are some of the important posts for which the UPSC conducts examinations:
Civil Services Examination (CSE):
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
- Indian Forest Service (IFS), etc.
Indian Engineering Services Examination (IES):
- Group A services in various engineering departments of the government.
Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS):
- Indian Military Academy (IMA)
- Indian Naval Academy (INA)
- Air Force Academy (AFA)
- Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)
Indian Economic Service (IES) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Examination:
- Various Group A services in economic and statistical departments.
Geologist Examination:
- Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) services.
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Examination:
- Assistant Commandants in various paramilitary forces like BSF, CRPF, CISF, etc.
Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination:
- Medical officers in various government organizations.
NDA (National Defence Academy) and NA (Naval Academy) Examination:
- Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of NDA, and the Indian Naval Academy.
Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination:
- Group A services in the forest department.
Subject require for UPSC :-Â
The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a comprehensive examination that assesses candidates on a wide range of subjects. The subjects required for UPSC CSE can be broadly categorized into two stages: Preliminary Examination and Main Examination.
Preliminary Examination: The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers:
General Studies Paper-I:
- Current events of national and international importance
- History of India and Indian National Movement
- Indian and World Geography
- Indian Polity and Governance
- Economic and Social Development
- General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change
- General Science
General Studies Paper-II (CSAT – Civil Services Aptitude Test):
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision-making and problem-solving
- General mental ability
- Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.)
It’s important to note that Paper-II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature, and candidates need to score a minimum of 33% to qualify for the Main Examination. However, the marks obtained in Paper-II are not counted for the final merit.
Main Examination: The Main Examination consists of nine papers, out of which two papers are qualifying in nature and the marks obtained in the remaining seven papers are counted for the final merit. The subjects for the Main Examination include:
Essay Paper
General Studies Paper-I to IV:
- Indian Heritage and Culture
- History and Geography of the World and Society
- Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations
- Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management
Optional Subject Paper-I and II:
- Candidates can choose one optional subject from a list of subjects provided by the UPSC. Examples of optional subjects include History, Geography, Public Administration, Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science and International Relations, Economics, etc.
Qualifying Papers (Indian Language and English):
- These papers are of qualifying nature and the marks obtained are not counted for the final merit. However, candidates need to secure a minimum qualifying mark.
Aspirants should carefully choose their optional subject based on their interest, background, and scoring potential. Additionally, a strong foundation in the General Studies subjects is crucial for success in the UPSC CSE. Regular reading, revision, and practice are key components of effective preparation.
List of Optional Subject available :-Â Â
The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) allows candidates to choose one optional subject for the Main Examination. The list of optional subjects is quite extensive, covering a variety of disciplines. As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, here is a list of optional subjects for the UPSC Civil Services Main Examination:
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commerce and Accountancy
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science and International Relations
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Zoology
Candidates are required to choose one optional subject from the list. It’s important to note that the choice of the optional subject should be based on the candidate’s interest, background, and the availability of study material. Additionally, candidates should consider the scoring potential of the optional subject.
The UPSC may update the list of optional subjects, and it’s advisable to refer to the latest UPSC notification or official website for the most current and accurate information.