Shubham’s Path to UPSC Civil Services Success: Navigating Prelims in the First Attempt

Mr. Shubham secured the impressive 41st rank across India in the 2022 UPSC Civil Services Exam, choosing Geography as his optional. Originally from Madhubani, Bihar, he completed his Computer Science Engineering degree from Hansraj College, Delhi University, in 2021.

Right after finishing college, Mr. Shubham was determined to pass the UPSC exam and started preparing with a clear goal and a strong will. He kept his focus sharp and never wavered in his efforts to achieve his dream.

In this blog, we will share his valuable tips and strategies that helped him crack the exam on his first attempt. These insights come straight from Mr. Shubham’s Toppers Talk, offering a guide for others who hope to succeed in the UPSC journey just like Mr. Shubham did. 

 

Subject-wise Prelims Preparation Strategy:

1. Ancient India & Medieval History: Shubham used RS Sharma and Satish Chandra respectively, compiling own notes alongside Tamil Nadu History books.
2. Modern History: He referred to Spectrum for comprehensive coverage.
3. Art & Culture: He solely relied on Nitin Singhania and internet sources for creating own notes.
4. Geography: He utilized GC Leong and Geography 11^th & 12^th NCERT textbooks for foundational knowledge, supplemented with additional resources.
5. Polity: Laxmikant served as the primary reference for comprehensive understanding.
6. Economy: He utilized VisionIAS value-added material and internet resources for creating own notes.
7. Environment: He did not read any particular book for Environment but relied on Newspaper, Test Series and VisionIAS monthly magazine.
8. Science and Technology: He focused on current affairs-based topics from monthly Current Affairs magazines, supplemented with basic notes from internet sources for understanding key concepts like nuclear fusion,  fission,  genetics, robotics, nanotechnology, stem cell technology etc. 

 

CSAT

Shubham’s strategy for the CSAT involved aiming to correctly answer about 30+ out of the 80 questions, ensuring he scored above the passing mark of 66 without trying to tackle every question. He pointed out the importance of focusing on achieving a comfortable score rather than attempting to reach a high score like 100, which isn’t required. This approach helps in selecting questions wisely—focusing on areas of strength, like choosing easier comprehension questions over challenging math ones.

He further stressed the importance of mock practice , especially on weaker subjects, to build confidence and improve. By concentrating on about 15 to 20 straightforward comprehension questions from the available 25 to 30, and adding a manageable number of math questions, aspirants can secure a solid score. By selecting questions smartly and improving weak spots through practice, Shubham’s strategy highlights an effective way to prepare for the CSAT.

 

Daily Current Affairs & Newspaper Reading 

 Shubham mainly used the Indian Express newspaper to stay updated. Instead of writing notes directly from the paper, he kept a diary where he noted down interesting facts, examples, case studies, quotes, and buzzwords. After the prelims exam, he went through this diary again to review everything.

He spent about an hour every morning reading the newspaper and then another half an hour in the evening going through Daily News analysis. He found VisionIAS Daily News analysis (News Today) very helpful. It gave him extra information that helped with understanding complex topics, background information  and dealing with current events he wasn’t sure about.

Importance of giving Prelims Mock Test

Shubham focused heavily on practicing with mock tests as a key part of his study plan. He aimed for a balanced approach, preparing for both Prelims and Mains from the start by enrolling in test series. These tests were crucial for improving his understanding of the material and for dealing with uncertain areas. 

Additionally, he was associated with VisionIAS Abhyas Test Series, for both Prelims and Mains. By regularly taking these mock exams, he was able to clarify both factual details and concepts. 

 

Solving Prelims test papers in Multiple Iterations

Shubham had a step-by-step approach for solving prelims test papers. 

• In the first iteration, he answered questions he was completely sure about, which were usually 45 to 50 of them. 
• In the second iteration, he went for questions where he could rule out three options or make a smart educated guess, adding about 15 to 20 more questions to his attempts. 
• In the third iteration, he tried another 10 to 12 questions using logical guesses.

His goal was to answer about 85+ questions in prelims. To get good at this strategy, practicing with a lot of mock tests was key.

Why Do One Get Questions Wrong & What Is Its Solution?

• Conceptual Problem: Often, these mistakes happen in the Polity and Economy sections because the concepts aren’t clear. The solution is to go back to the basic textbooks to understand the concepts better.
• Factual Error/Memorization Error: For History, especially the Ancient and Medieval parts, and maps, errors usually happen because of forgetting facts. The key here is to revise more often.
• Logical Guesses Error: Sometimes, making guesses can lead to mistakes, especially when trying to answer an extra 10 to 15 questions.

Shubham advises paying extra attention to fixing Conceptual Problems and Factual Error/Memorization Errors to improve accuracy.

Actionable Points for Prelims Preparation:

• Emphasize Own Notes: Prioritize creating concise and effective notes to aid in revision.
• Sticking to Single Source: Avoid overloading with resources, focusing on quality over quantity.
• Selective Reading from Internet: Utilize internet resources judiciously, focusing on areas needing clarification.
• Utilize VisionIAS Value Additional Material: Leverage comprehensive study material for holistic coverage.

Shubham’s remarkable journey from an aspiring UPSC candidate to a successful rank holder is a source of inspiration for aspirants. His strategic approach towards prelims preparation, coupled with valuable learning insights, offers invaluable guidance to UPSC aspirants seeking to chart their path to success.

By incorporating Shubham’s actionable points and adopting a focused and disciplined approach, aspirants can tackle the intricacies of the prelims examination with confidence and competence.