Can I Crack IAS with One Year Preparation? – Easy Tips

The decision to take the UPSC exam and attempt to pass it is admirable in and of itself and defines a person’s goals and ambitions. IAS aspirants at the National IAS Academy in Bangalore often question whether a year of study is enough to pass the exam. The answer is Yes. IAS exam preparation is a full-time job in and of itself. Regardless of how tough the UPSC exam is, one year of dedicated preparation is all that is required to pass the exam. If a person dedicates one year to study with full concentration, that is enough time to prepare for the IAS. You must realize, though, that its quality is more important than the quantity of the preparation. Finally, the only factors determining whether you pass the exam are your sincerity in your preparation, the guidance you receive, and the number of hours you devote to focused study each day. Let’s start with this, then. But first, let’s talk about planning for IAS exam preparation, the syllabus, and some useful tips for passing the IAS exam.

Planning for IAS Exam Preparation

At the National IAS coaching centre in Bangalore, we always keep applicants aware of all exam information and important dates. By utilizing an IAS planning schedule, one can pass the IAS exam in a year. Make an effort to create a precise schedule that covers the entire curriculum while leaving scope for revision.

A candidate has up to six chances to pass the exam, and passing it the first time is a step toward a better future. Every detail must be planned following the importance of the questions and the allotted time. The syllabus should be considered as well to make a successful study plan.

Now, let’s discuss about,

IAS Exam Syllabus

By carrying out the plan’s first step, it is possible to pass the IAS exam in a year. Analyze the material that you will learn throughout the process. The exam covers a wide range of topics in all different categories. One must break up the syllabus into months to complete it.

The entire IAS exam syllabus comprises nine subjects in total:

Economics
Environment and Ecology
History
Politics
Geography
International relations
Internal Security
Ethics
Science and Technology

The curriculum can now be divided into different months.

First Month

The first month is the most important for IAS preparation. During this period, one develops a passion for the subject and concentrates on passing the exam. To stay up to date on current events, one should read the newspaper daily. You should dedicate the first month to studying the exam’s structure and stages. The necessary study materials must be purchased and studied.

For IAS preparation, obtain a copy of the most recent syllabus and keep up with exam announcements. A candidate should go to various online resources to learn more. You can also get advice by speaking with experts to find out what is in store. No matter how difficult UPSC is, following a schedule will always help one study more effectively.

Second to Fifth Month

You read general studies papers and other NCERT books over the ensuing months. One should begin their preparation for this phase with general studies papers. Try to concentrate on various topics to avoid the tedious task of studying.

Pick two topics to study: one that you are entirely unfamiliar with and one that you are familiar with. The main goal is to get interest and create a welcoming environment for learning. Restart the process of choosing two topics and tackling them.

Preparation for the Prelims and Mains exams should last for at least one to two months. The goal for these two months should be to finish challenging coursework. Making notes while studying is a good practise. It will assist in going over the notes again and in the ongoing revision of the entire syllabus. At every stage of the preparation, general knowledge and current events are crucial. It can be done with a separate file.

Sixth to Eighth Month

This is the time to focus on your Prelims. A candidate should go over the entire Prelims syllabus at least three times. Solving question papers is mandatory for GS and CSAT to clear the exam. At least 100 to 120 papers must be submitted to receive answers focused on results. One should refer to the question papers from the prior year found in various sources. One should prepare their brain for any exam surprises.

Besides, you should not take CSAT casually because it could affect your performance on the examination. Candidate should carefully consider their optional papers. The candidate’s most important area of study should be the elective subject. One should select this subject based on aptitude, interest, and prior experience. You should choose that subject to gain an advantage and receive high grades.

The elective subject guarantees an applicant’s position. One should begin preparing for the optional paper after choosing it, then continue preparing for the GS paper. Additionally, now is the perfect time to start a test series. By the end of this stage, one should have completed the prelims exam.

Nineth To Twelfth Month

For aspirants, these are the most crucial months. Writing exercises for the Mains paper must be started. The post-prelims tenure is concerned with finishing the remaining coursework. To get away with the Mains, one must work here for at least 10 hours straight at full concentration. The Mains paper still has almost three months to go. The first month should be devoted to finishing the curriculum. The final two months should be dedicated to revision. Additionally, one should continue studying current affairs and GK. A candidate should enrol in the Mains test series to receive results-driven grades. Try to keep handy notes on broader topics like Politics and Environment. There is a misconception that the UPSC is primarily a writing test. Don’t waste these three months by not developing your writing skills. The majority of candidates don’t comprehend the value of writing. The answers for both the GS and optional papers should be written with great care. All IAS preparation comes to an end with this phase. Additionally, a candidate would have taken their Mains exams by the end of this phase.

After Mains Exams

A candidate has, on average, two months to wait for the results after taking the UPSC exam. Candidates who complete the Mains stage may participate in the third and final stage of the process. This is the UPSC interview or personality test. Aspirants have these two months to prepare for the personality test. It entails developing communication skills and keeping up with current events.

Additionally, one should strengthen their physical and mental abilities. The best thing you could do is to practice for various mock interviews. Throughout the process, physical and mental health should remain optimal. The personality test focuses on commitment, conduct, and behaviour.

Now, let’s know,

Useful Tips for Cracking IAS Exam in a Year

You can pass the IAS exam by following some helpful tips.

Current affairs: To stay informed about current events, candidates are advised to read the newspaper daily. This practice can be done by visiting various websites, reading current affairs books and magazines, downloading mobile applications to get daily updates, etc.
Mock Tests: The most dependable and authenticated source to get an idea of the paper is the previous year’s question papers and sample papers. By getting an idea of the paper’s format and difficulty level, solving various exams teaches a candidate how to manage their time effectively in a testing environment. These practice exams are a standard for gauging knowledge and readiness.
Making handy notes: Keeping notes and outlining key points are good study habits that will help in exam success and facilitate memorization and quick revision. These notes serve as a candidate’s last-minute savior because they are the syllabus’s condensed form. It is a useful revision strategy.
Revision: It is not recommended that a candidate revise the test. The aspirant must deliver on this throughout the entire year. A person should establish this routine and make it a habit from the very first day of preparation. Everything memorized or studied should be reviewed before bed and the next day to keep track of what is retained.

IAS Preparation Strategy

Regarding the UPSC exam preparation, starting early will give you more time and help you perform better. The strategic preparation for the IAS exam entails a few steps. And those are:

Recognize the UPSC Examination Structure

Understanding the exam’s structure is the first step in exam preparation, so getting a head start on it is essential. To know how to study for the exam, carefully read the syllabus and comprehend it all.

Reading is the Key

Make it a routine to read the newspaper. You can also start listening to Rajya Sabha TV discussions and news analysis on All India Radio. Thanks to this, you will know a lot about the local, national and international news and events.

NCERT Books are Essential

If you are studying for the UPSC exam, NCERT books are a necessity. When you have the time, get these books from your juniors or download them from the official website.

The advice and overview provided above imply that a candidate can successfully pass the IAS exam in a year. To succeed, they need to put in a lot of effort. Working methodically is more crucial than working continuously.

No matter how challenging the UPSC exam is, success is still possible with a good plan and follow-up activities. You can complete the entire syllabus at this time and improve your exam results.