This is for all of you preparing for or planning to prepare for various competitive exams for entry
into government services. We hope you’ll find this useful
- Fix a time frame. In case you are not one of those early birds who start preparing from
their degree level ,you may need a year or a year and a half to master the syllabus and
enhance your competence levels. - Integrate your preparation for prelims and mains as many exams now have two stages –
prelims and mains like for example UPSC CSE, Saff Selection Commission ,State Civil
services and even Reserve Bank of India officers grade exam. - Be ready with an affordable budget; You need a decent laptop and a collection of
minimum reference books and subscription for test series etc… In case you decide to join
a coaching institute ,the budget may go up to Rs 3 lakhs at least - Ideally speaking your goal should be attainable in two attempts with total commitment
(blood sweat and tears as Winston Churchill said). God forbid if you don’t make it within
two attempts, you should seriously think of taking up a job (if you are already not in a
job); It’s not fair to be a burden on your parents unless you come from a very affluent
background - Workout a daily time management schedule and stick to it to the extent possible
- Use technology as an aid for preparation. As Gen Z or Gen X children you should be very
comfortable with e- based reading and preparation. Even a technique like reading loudly
and recording it in the smartphones to play it back at a time of your convenience may
help retention and memory as 60 to 70% questions test you recall capacity of facts
especially in geography, history and current affairs - Network with like minded aspirants It’s great to vibe with people sharing similar
aspirations - Mind your physical and emotional health and well-being; preparing seriously for
competitive exams doesn’t mean you retreat from the world. Keep some time for things
you enjoy - Learn to handle pressure .we do not think you should bother too much about pressure of
expectations of others. Well ,some pressure is inevitable while facing any exam but it
should not get the better of you. The best thing is to like what you do. - Do some visualization Think of yourself as a probation at Lal Bahadur Shastri National
Academy of Administration, Mussoorie or attending to your duties as a police officer.
For many this could be motivating. - Prepared for a bouquet of exam covering the civil services exam -both Union and State ,
Staff Selection Commission & RBI etc - Be ready with a Plan B . Life is too precious and valuable to be wasted in successive
attempts; equally productive alternatives are available for youth in this country. - Lastly, there is no one size fit all strategy; Please do some introspection and work out
what is best for you, and your situation. Switch off your smartphones at least for two
hours a week and spend some valuable time with yourself.
Here is wishing you all the best !
