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#Question 6: How to Rationalize Sources for CSE Prelims? With 50-odd days left for Prelims 2025, there's high probability that you may get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of things that are to be covered in this short time. The constant bombardment of catchy materials and must-do initiatives may further compound the situation. This calls for rationalization in the approach. 📍Foremost thing is to make a list of essentials which are to be covered for this stage. You can take a cue from this post. 📍Know the relative importance of a particular section. (Weightage given below). 📍Distribute your time accordingly. Equal weightage doesn't mean equal time allocation. What I mean is, Don't devote yourself too much to a particular section at the expense of the other. E.g, Current Affairs ≈ 20% weightage, but if you’re spending 50% of your time on it, that's inefficient. 📍Reserve a certain portion of your time for revision as it will be useless if you read many sources but not able to retain any. 📍Keep readjusting your plans based on the available time. E.g If you have decided to attempt 30 FLTs but running low on time, adjust the number to 20 or 15 based on the available time. Don't try to achieve one goal at the expense of the other. Learn to balance. 📍PYQs, FLTs, Current Affairs etc are secular in the sense that they cut across all the sections but even their distribution in your distribution should be even (Sorry😁) 📍Avoid FOMO: The whole lot of aspirants maybe running after some famous mock, some in-famous program but UPSC won't. So keep your sanity intact and stick to your plans. Sticking to other's plans will leave you confused and perturbed. The approximate weightage of different sections in CSE Prelims in last few years has been as following: - Polity: 15-18% - Economy- 15-17% - Geography- 15-18% - Environment - 15% - History and Culture- 15% - Science and Tech - 12% - Current Affairs- 20% (Total may exceed 100% due to overlap between sections.) One more thing- Sleep matters! 7 hours of sleep + 10 hours of study is far more productive than 5 hours of sleep + 12 hours of study. Prioritize quality over quantity. We have enough time. Let's Do It!

Hello everyone! Here are links to some important posts related to Prelims, shared on this channel. I'll keep updating this message periodically, for easier navigation. 🔹 My GS Prelims Strategy: ➡️ Part 1 | Part 2 🔹PYQ Elimination Tricks Compilation 🔹 Common reasons behind repetitive prelims failures. 🔹Understanding Prelims Test Series: 🔑How They Work 💡How to Use Them Effectively 🔹 What is Prelims PYQ Analysis? 🔹 How to Analyse Prelims PYQs? 🔹Sources I follow for Prelims 🔹 Suggestions for Prelims 2025. Hope it helps!

As the Prelims is approaching in around 2 months, the time is conducive to shift gears to exclusive prelims mode. Here are few suggestions: 1. Rely on fundamental sources: No coaching material is a substitute for Laxmikanth (Polity) or no topper notes should replace the primacy of books in Prelims. 2. Prioritize completion of syllabus first: If I have to choose between solving a complete test series or revising basics, I would choose the latter. 3. Prioritize PYQs over Test Series: Time should be spent in analyzing PYQs instead of solving PYQs. 4. Don't, I repeat, Don't take mock test scores to your heart: Treat mocks as an opportunity for new learnings and improvements. 5. Don't devote disproportionate time to test series or current affairs: As much as I have observed, static yields better returns in terms of time invested. 6. Avoid FOMO: You will come across a lot of initiatives, materials, summaries of summaries, falana mock, premium plus pro mentorships but wisdom lies in avoiding all this distraction. 7. Make a list of the essentials which you need to cover in the next two months. Allocate tentative time (Number of days) to each component of the list. This will help you plan better for the remaining days. 8. Take CSAT along: Watching a three hours long lecture can be overwhelming but solving 5-10 MCQs a day should not be as much a problem. The aggregate dividends of this little practice can be much better over sustained course of action for the next 2 months. 9. Maintain Calmness: There will probably be many moments where one may experience self doubts. Try to substitute it will self-confidence and you should be better prepared than most others. Chak de fatte!

Here's the list of the sources I follow for Prelims preparation 📍Static📍 1. Polity- M Laxmikanth and Bare Acts (Selectively) 2. Geography- Class 11 and 12 NCERTs + Mapping ( I refer to my class notes for mapping. If you haven't finalised any source, you can refer to Sudarshan Gurjar lectures for it) 3. Economy- Class Notes (Less than 150 pages of Handwritten note) Alternative is Vivek Singh Book or Mrunal Notes. 4. Ancient and Medieval History + Art and Culture- Class 11 TN Board Book + New NCERTs (Class 12- Themes Based) I read this section in the last week before the exam as the facts slip out of my mind very soon. 5. Modern History- Spectrum + New NCERT (Class 12- Themes Based) 6. Environment - Class 12, Biology NCERT Last Unit (Ecology - 4 chapters), Previously I have read Shankar IAS Book once or twice but not in the last few years. PMF is good alternative to it. 7. S&T- Current affairs only. However you can follow Shivin Lectures for basic understanding. 8. IR- Current affairs only. Places in news are very important here. 📍Current Affairs📍 1. PT 365 and The final Lap 2. Summary of Economic Survey and Budget by Vision IAS. 📍Mocks and PYQs📍 I have't solved any mock in the last two years but I go through some PYQs. You can read this post regarding PYQ analysis. If you wish to practice mocks, you can use the free open mock tests conducted by many institutes as these are of comparatively better quality. Apart from these, you can try Forum Simulator Tests, SPIPA Mocks, Vision IAS etc. I have shared this list since I received a few requests for the same. Just because I have been relying on these sources does not mean, I want you to replace your sources with these sources. You should continue with your sources, just make sure you don't devote too much time to a particular section. Happy Studies :-)

UPSC has opened the Correction window for UPSC CSE and IFoS 2025 from 22.02.2025 to 28.02.2025 (7 Days). Candidates can update most of the details related to the application form on their own, after logging on the OTR Portal. Procedure to update application form: Step 1. If any of the information you need to update concerns OTR Dashboard, you can make changes by navigating to the requisite section of OTR Dashboard and choose the Edit button, provided at the top in each section. Step 2. After making changes in the OTR Dashboard, Don't forget to click Edit OTR Profile and select

Examination Application Form other than OTR (One Time Registration) Profile

Thereafter, you need to Edit Part II and Part III of the CSE application form and confirm the captcha for final submission. - Any of the changes made in the OTR Dashboard will reflect in the final DAF after going through step 2 given above. Step 3. If you need to update only application form and not OTR Dashboard, you can follow the Step 2 directly. Step 4. After making all the changes, don't forget to save final DAF from Application Status. Important Update: If you have made any changes to the OTR or any other Details after final submission of the application form, kindly go through Step 2 once, even if the updated details are reflecting in the final DAF. This will ensure that all the changes are incorporated in the final application. Additional Information: 1. You can also change your Optional Subject, Exam Centre (Subject to availability), Exam Medium , Category etc. 2. You wont see the Edit option for Personal Information in OTR Dashboard. Don't worry, you change these details while going through Step 2. 3. You can also apply for IFoS now if you have not done it previously. Candidates can switch to their application to IFoS only, CSE only or both based on the eligibility for the same. 4. You don't have to fill all the details again for making the changes. You can simply edit the existing details in the application form. 📍Some of the candidates are seeing incomplete or incorrect details in the final preview of the application form despite filling all the details correctly. Don't worry. Its some glitch on the portal. Just write an email to UPSC highlighting the same. 📍Many candidates are facing OTP issues today. The best option is to login using OTR and Password. If you don't remember the OTR ID or Password or both, try requesting the OTPs alternatively on Email and Mobile. If nothing works, don't panic. UPSC will sort the issue, probably on Monday. 📍You can find the UPSC Email and other Contact Details in this post. More doubts? Feel free to mention in the comment box given below👇🏻

There has been a lot confusion going around regarding the details which can be edited after completing the CSE 2025 Application form. Here's a bit of clarification regarding the same. 📍You can make changes to the following fields right now even if you have already submitted the final application. No need for the correction window to open- 1. Address Information (Both correspondence Address and Permanent Address can be updated) 2. Photo and Signature 3. Educational Information 4. Documents Uploaded 5. UPSC Examination Information 6. Achievement, Prizes, Medals & others 7. OBC/EWS Annexure If you make changes to any of the following after submitting the final application, make sure to save a fresh copy of final application and verify whether the updated information reflects in the application. If any change does not reflect in the final preview, you need to try again during correction window. 📍The Core OTR consists of the following details - Candidate and Parents Name, DOB, Minority Status, Phone Number and Email ID, Class 10th Roll No. These details can be changed only once on your own, that too till expiry of 7 days from the next day after the closure of application window of your first final application for any Examination of UPSC. 📍Other changes to your application form can be made during the correction window from 19.02.2025 to 25.02.2025. 📍After declaration of Mains result, candidates can update the following details: 1. Correspondence/Permanent Postal Address 2. Higher Educational Qualification 3. Achievement in different fields 4. Employment Details/Service Experience, 5. Details of the Service allocated on the basis of previous Civil Services Examinations (if any) 6. Service and Cadre Preferences I hope it clarifies things for you.

Important Update!!! 📍Some candidates were complaining about not receiving confirmation SMS or Email after submitting the application form. Upon further inquiry, I found out that they have only filled the details in OTR Dashboard assuming that this is the whole application. Kindly note that after filling the OTR details, you have to fill the application form separately. The application form consists of 4 different steps. It can be found after clicking "Latest Notification" on the OTR Portal. After completing the application, save a copy of final application for future reference. 📍Some candidates are confused about updating details in the OTR portal. UPSC has released a clarification regarding the same which can be accessed here 📍The UPSC website works quite well during the night time, particularly after 12 AM. If you have been facing glitches on the portal, try after midnight. 📍UPSC will open correction window from 12.02.2025 to 18.02.2025. You can make changes to you application form during the period if you have committed any mistakes. 📍It is advised to keep a record of OTR number and password as it comes handy when OTP related issues are encountered on the portal. 📍You can contact UPSC in case of further queries. - For OTR Related Queries: otr-upsc@gov.in - For Application Related Queries: upscsoap@nic.in - You can also call at 011-23385271, 011-23381125 , 011-23098543 on working days between 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs.

The Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2024 results were out a while ago and I am out as well. To some extent, it was expected but surely not desired. I have to streamline a few things and for that reason, I will be taking off from TG for a while. Some of you maybe concerned about me, please don't be because I am not. Those who have failed to make it to the list, my heart goes out to you. Just know that there are a lot more opportunities waiting for you and for me and for others, with UPSC and beyond UPSC. Congratulations to those who made to the list. I wish you all the very best for the last phase of this enlightening journey.

Last year I wasn't expecting Interview call thus I was totally unprepared before Mains result. Few challenges which I faced were: 1. Lack of current affairs awareness. I started newspaper after Mains result but I always felt the lack of in-depth understanding for many issues. 2. Time crunch for filling DAF 2. Around a weeks' time was available yet it seemed inadequate. Entry 7 (Hobbies, Leadership, Sports, Prizes etc) has to be filled with a lot of care and conviction. Also, if someone is from EWS or OBC NCL category, the annexure is very complex and time consuming. 3. Overwhelming with multiple things to prepare like Optional, State, Academic Background, Entry 7. I was unable to decide, what to prioritise and what not to. Few suggestions for Mains 2024 candidates: 1. Read newspaper regularly, particularly the local edition of your place. 2. Go through sample DAF 2 and prepare your own draft beforehand. 3. If you belong to OBC NCL or EWS category, you can check the sample annexure here and prepare one for yourself. 4. Some institutes like Next IAS, Kalam IAS, Aptiplus etc. have previously released state specific PDF material for Interview. You can go through any such compilation for you state. 5. Filter out previous transcript questions beforehand, based on DAF 2 keywords. You can refer to this channel for transcripts. Many groups are formed post results based on keywords like Hobbies, Optional, State etc. People divide this compilation task among themselves. Last year, Less than 15 days were available to many candidates after Phase 1 interview list was released. Its better to be prepared than to be anxiously surprised. Good luck

Hello folks... I hope you are doing well. This post is for those targeting CSE 2025. Its been almost 4 months since Prelims 2024. Now is the high time for you to get into full swing. Here are few suggestions from my end: 📍This is the most appropriate time to finish and consolidate your optional. Prelims hangover starts to set on post January and its difficult to focus on it later on. 📍You will be getting less than 3 months to prepare between Prelims and Mains 2025, thus it would be better to cover the often neglected topics of GS like Disaster Management, Governance, Society and Social Justice, Security etc. now only. 📍Some of you maybe concerned about not being able to practice answer writing right now. If you are prepared with consolidated notes and revision before Prelims, even the period post prelims suffices for answer writing. I will be writing a detailed post on Answer Writing later. 📍Current affairs and Mock Tests are two things that overwhelm most during the last few weeks before Prelims. You can attempt one or two mocks per week starting now. This will ease your burden towards the end. Similarly, Cover monthly magazines now only if you are planning to rely on them. 📍Those having first attempt in 2025 should try to read reference books now only, even if you are attending coaching lectures. It's gets difficult to cover everything afresh towards the end. 📍Those of you planning to apply with OBC-NCL or EWS category, should get your latest certificates now only to prevent last minutes hassle. This post explains the issue in detail. These are just indicative suggestions. If you have planned things differently, no need to mend your plan in favour of these suggestions. Your target should be completion of things on time anyhow. I was occupied with Mains preparation for quite sometime. If any of your preparation related query went unanswered, feel free to reach out again. Happy Studies :-)

Preparing from Delhi vs Other places is one often faced dilemma by many aspirants. After the recent unfortunate incident in ORN, there's all the more rethinking about the options. Having prepared from ORN as well as a Tier II city, I am sharing my two cents on the same. Why not to choose Delhi? - Huge Expenditure: Around 20k for single room, 3-4k for library and food and brokerage and much more in ORN. Coachings Charge anywhere from 100k-200k for foundation batch. - Unhygienic Conditions: Congested Libraries, Coachings, Cafes, Eateries, Sewers and the dog poop on the roads. During the winters, not just the nights but even the days and your lungs are darker. - Security Risks: Petty thefts, aggressive street dogs, crumbling and overburdened civic infrastructure and unsympathetic attitude of locals adds to the worries. - Distractions: Some people claim that you get the real idea of your competition only after visiting Delhi. Trust me, you don't need to get that idea to clear this exam. There will be overenthusiastic first timers, frustrated veterans, the chap studying all the time, the one spitting some random facts making you question all your knowledge. This all is compounded with those live-in couples acting as reference group, the drug menace and more. - Health Issues: Substandard quality of food and water and air impacts not just our health but also our pocket. And you can't avoid the psychological toll of living in an overcompetitive and unfriendly environment. - Unexpected surprises: Rent hikes, harassment by landlords, renovations, water supply disruptions, the loud political campaigns, Dogs barking at midnight, some bikers craving attention through louder exhausts and much more. The Pros of Delhi and (Better) Alternatives - Best coaching institutes- The lectures of major faculties are available on TG for free or for nominal prices. Major coaching institutes have opened their branches in other cities as well. - Availability of Study Material- Its digital age and most content can be availed online. Many shopkeepers like imagerunners deliver study material at your doorstep for nominal delivery charges. - Peer Discussions: Small TG, Discord or WhatsApp groups can be more productive the friend circle of Sindhi Park. So, What to be chosen if not Delhi? - If not Home, any Tier II city works fine. Most state capitals offer all the amenities an aspirant needs including offline coaching. - You can join a library if you can't study at your place. Virtual library is another option though I feel, there are higher chances of goal displacement. - Some of the problems may not be exclusive to Delhi but these will be much less virulent at other places. - You need not necessarily choose the city centre for staying as the cost of living in such areas is invariably high. The city outskirts or a semi outskirt maybe much better in terms of living expenses and congestion. To put things in perspective, currently, I am staying in a capital city and the room rent here is less than what I used to pay for the Library in Old Rajinder Nagar. - Certain aspects like Personality Test can be prepared better in an offline environment. In such cases, its better to leave the place as soon as your purpose is served. - Those already enrolled in offline programs at Delhi need not panic. In case, the same cannot be availed in online mode, you can stay there till the time demands. Make the best out it. There will be many preachers, some with absolutely no knowledge of UPSC asking you to move to Delhi and join Drishti. Ignore such calls as that YouTube gyan helps nobody. Our ultimate aim is to give the best to this exam, not to please those people. Its better to do what is to be done in an optimum manner.