IAS aspirants who want to serve their nation but aren't sure how to get there are reading this! Let us assure you that it is very typical to be unsure of where to begin your IAS preparations. If you're studying for one of the most challenging exams in the world, you're going to have a million questions popping in your head.
This article will go through the best way to prepare for the IAS exams from start to finish. However, to better comprehend the preparation needs for your test, let's first brush up on the fundamentals.
How To Start with IAS Preparation?
If you want to be a part of the IAS success tales, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Know the Exam Pattern!
There are three parts to your test that cover a wide range of materials:
- Preliminary exams- June
- The mains- September/ October
- The Interview- February to April
You must first pass the previous one to go to the next level. Each level will become more arduous as the game progresses than the last. The first two phases need a thorough understanding of many subjects. In the first two rounds, the applicant must demonstrate their diagnostic and conceptual abilities in a short period. Though you won't be asked to write a paper in the personal interview stage, it still takes the same level of vigilance and expertise as the other stages.
Face the Facts of the Competition
It's not just the most challenging test, but it's also one of the most important for people to get into medical school. There are tens of thousands of people just like you who are vying for the post of an Indian public servant.
To give you a notion of what to expect, below is a rough outline of the exam:
- Every year, more than 10 million people apply for the position.
- An average of 4.5 Lakhs every year is spent on the preliminaries.
- Every year, around 15,000 people make it through the first round of screening.
- There are around 3000 mains-cleared applicants per year, which brings us to step four.
- After an interview, around 1000 people are placed on the top tier of the candidate pool.
- If you're in a general category, you may have to be in the top half of the field to make the final rankings ( since 49.5 percent of seats are reserved).
The IAS prelims test is taken by tens of thousands of people every year.
- Around 25% of individuals who take the prelims succeed in clearing it and moving on to the next level of the examinations.
- Only 15 percent of those who pass the preliminary exams are invited for an in-person interview.
- The IAS interview stage has a success rate of 50%.
- Only 1% of students who take this test series succeed, making it one of the most challenging examinations in America.
Figures like this are not meant to frighten you! However, it is essential to remember that many people share your goal, but only a few can attain it. Therefore, you must have a solid IAS preparation plan when thinking about starting UPSC preparation from zero levels!
Coaching for IAS Exam
There are various coaching programs for those who want to study independently and do not want to take lessons in person. Here are the main coaching types and how they can be helpful:
Online Coaching
Online Coaching is the new trend and mood of the youth these days. IAS is no exception when it comes to online coaching. Here are its features:
- These institutions provide various resources, including written materials, films, and online notes.
- The benefit of online tutoring is that there is no time limitation. Due to the lack of a set timetable, online programs are more flexible than traditional classroom settings. The aspirant has the option of studying whenever it is convenient for them.
- This approach is beneficial for job seekers who are also full-time students or full-time workers.
- You don't need to be present at a specific location. Your study location is as flexible as your timetable.
Offline Coaching
There are several pros to using an offline coaching platform. First, you can get the same benefits from online coaching programs at a fraction of the cost.
- The most significant aspect of an effective online coaching program is an online personal mentor for each student.
- Mentors are subject-matter specialists who help students organize their time, set goals, provide direction, and answer any questions they may have.
- If you're preparing for the IAS on your own, you'll probably get distracted, uninspired, or uncommitted at some time.
- Mentors play a vital role in helping their students through difficult times and ensuring that they achieve their goals.
What does it cost to prepare for the IAS?
You might lose a lot of money if you make a terrible choice. Besides the monetary costs, you'll also waste a significant amount of time.
- A decent coaching school might cost you up to 1.5 lakhs only for your preliminary and mains preparation.
- You'll have to pay extra for the preparation of your optional topic.
- Additionally, if you are not a local, you may expect to spend a substantial two lakhs a year on accommodation and food.
- However, online coaching programs will provide you with all the advantages of a regular tutorial, as well as additional benefits that you may not have otherwise been able to access. All of this for a paltry sum of fewer than ten thousand dollars.
- As a result, many students receive subpar instruction and studying materials from coaching schools.
- Don't forget to do considerable research on both ways of study before making a final decision!
- Do not succumb to the pressure of making a choice. Relax and enjoy the process.
- Please find out about the institutions by visiting their websites, reading their UPSC average success stories, IAS success stories, and online forums, as well as by word-of-mouth and other sources of information. The best institutes for preparation are considered to be the IAS Coaching in Delhi.
Give It a Shot!
Thousands of people aspire to a career in the Civil Service (Central/State), but regrettably, not all of them succeed. So-called “coaching experts” and “gurus” are to blame for this failure because they lack good direction (or misguided counsel). As a result, classroom coaching is prohibitively expensive, and it is not available to all students.
This ultimate guide was born out of a desire to close the gap between facilities and advice at this critical time. We sincerely hope that no deserving aspirant to the IAS/IPS or any other Civil Service is turned away because of misunderstandings or a lack of information. Clear the IAS!