Pick the checklist for where you are today. Each item has a short note on why it matters and how to do it. Your ticks stay saved on this device, so you can come back any time.
UPSC Gurus · Preparation Checklists · upscgurus.in
Beginning your preparation
A calm, steady start matters more than a fast one. Build these habits first.
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Understand the exam pattern Prelims has two papers, including qualifying CSAT (33%). Mains has nine written papers, including two qualifying language papers, followed by the Personality Test. Knowing the shape of the exam helps you plan well. Read the full syllabus carefully Print it and keep it at your desk. It is your map for every book and every news story. Read the full syllabus Look at a few past papers early Seeing how questions are framed shows you what to notice while you read. Try Prelims Replay (free) Build an NCERT foundation History, Geography, Polity, Economy and Science. Read for understanding, then make short notes. Start a daily current affairs habit A fixed time each day. Focus on issues and their background, not every headline. Open Current Canvas Keep one home for your notes One notebook or folder, arranged by syllabus topic, makes revision far easier later. Choose your optional thoughtfully Read its syllabus and a few past papers. Go with genuine interest and comfort, not trends. See optional papers in Mains Replay Make a simple weekly plan Realistic hours, a mix of subjects, one slot for revision and one for rest. Begin small answer writing One short answer a few times a week builds the habit long before Mains. Learn from seasoned officers Hearing how officers think about public service gives your reading a purpose. Watch The Civil Services Dialogue Talk your plan through with a mentor A free first conversation can help you clarify your next steps. Speak to a mentor
UPSC Gurus · Preparation Checklists · upscgurus.in
Prelims readiness
Prelims rewards steady practice and revision. Use this list to see where you stand.
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Cover the GS syllabus at least once Mark each topic on the syllabus as you finish it, so gaps are easy to see. Check against the syllabus Solve past papers topic by topic After each subject, solve its past questions to learn what UPSC tends to ask. Practise on Prelims Replay Attempt full past papers under time Two hours, no breaks. This builds the pace and focus you need on the day. Take a timed paper Practise CSAT regularly It is qualifying at 33%, but it needs steady practice. A few sets each week keeps you comfortable. Take full-length timed tests Attempt each test under examination conditions, then review your answers carefully to understand what to improve. See Prelims Booster Keep a mistakes log Note why each answer went wrong: concept, recall, misreading or overthinking. Patterns appear quickly. Plan your revision cycles Revisit your notes in planned rounds, using past questions to identify areas that need more attention. Revise current affairs systematically Schemes, reports, places in the news, science and environment. Revise month by month. Revise with Current Canvas Find your approach to negative marking One-third of the marks is deducted for each wrong answer. Settle your guessing approach in mock tests, not on exam day. Practise filling an answer sheet Marking answers neatly and on time is a small skill worth practising a few times. Align your routine with exam hours Where practical, attempt some timed tests at the same hours as the examination papers. Sort out exam-day details early Admit card, centre, travel and ID. Check the official UPSC calendar for dates.
UPSC Gurus · Preparation Checklists · upscgurus.in
Mains readiness
Mains is about writing what you know, clearly and on time. Build it paper by paper.
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Build a regular answer-writing routine Begin with a manageable number of answers and regularly review their relevance, structure and timing. See Mains Mastery Cover GS I Indian heritage and culture, history, society and geography. Keep maps and examples handy. Cover GS II Polity, governance, social justice and international relations. Link each topic to recent developments. Cover GS III Economy, agriculture, science and technology, environment, security and disaster management. Prepare GS IV Ethics: theory and case studies Learn the key ideas, then practise case studies with clear, balanced, practical solutions. See Ethics Essentials Practise full essays The Essay paper carries 250 marks. Write complete essays under time and get them read. See Essay Excellence Prepare both optional papers Two papers, 250 marks each. Finish the syllabus, then write answers topic by topic. Optional papers in Mains Replay Study previous Mains papers Read the actual questions to understand depth, keywords and what each one asks for. Open Mains Replay Write full-length papers under time Practise within the three-hour limit, working towards attempting every question. This is where time management is learnt. Build value-addition notes Data, reports, examples, case studies and simple diagrams, arranged by syllabus topic. Add from Current Canvas Get answers evaluated and act on feedback Use feedback to improve your next answer, and rewrite selected responses to practise the changes. Pick one point to improve in each next answer. Check the qualifying language-paper requirements Paper A (Indian language, where applicable) and Paper B (English) each require 25% to qualify. Practise comprehension, writing and time management using previous papers.
UPSC Gurus · Preparation Checklists · upscgurus.in
Interview readiness
The Personality Test explores your judgement, awareness, interests and suitability for public service. Prepare to be clear, calm and honest.
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Read your DAF line by line Annotate every entry. Your DAF can shape many of the questions you are asked. Write likely questions for each DAF entry Education, work, achievements and service choices. Prepare short, genuine answers. See The Interview Edge Know your home state and district well Economy, culture, history, current issues and key schemes. Have a view on what could improve. Go deep into your hobbies Be ready to talk about why you enjoy them and what you have learnt from them. Revise your graduation subject Basic concepts and how they connect to current issues and public policy. Build depth in current affairs For major issues, know the background and the different views, and form a balanced one of your own. Read Current Canvas Take a few mock interviews Space them out, reflect after each, and work on one or two points at a time. Listen to seasoned officers Their stories show the values and judgement the conversation often explores. Watch The Civil Services Dialogue Practise composure Pause, think, then answer. Give yourself a moment to think. Aim for a clear, considered response rather than a hurried one. Be honest, always If you do not know, say so gracefully. It is better to acknowledge uncertainty than to guess. Settle the practical details Documents, comfortable formal clothes, travel and a good night’s sleep before the day.
