How to Start UPSC Preparation from Zero Level ( Magical Tactics )

By Vijay Gupta

Updated on:

How to start preparation for UPSC

Today, in this article I’m going to share some tactics or strategies about how to start UPSC preparation from zero level.

I’ve noticed that most of the articles on Google where aspirants are being confused by cumbersome strategies.

In other words, they are basically confused how to start UPSC preparation from zero level.

This is why, I am going to write an article on how to start UPSC preparation from zero level.

I am sure you will find some fascinating strategies here.

These strategies can be followed by anyone who is interested to prepare for UPSC.

If you have recently completed your graduation and looking for some tips on how to start UPSC preparation from zero level, please stay tuned with us.

Without wasting your valuable time let’s dive into the article that is about how to start UPSC preparation from zero level.

How to Start UPSC Preparation from Zero Level –

Actually, UPSC exam is also known as IAS entrance exam.

It’s one of the most eminent exams in India. This is why, lakhs of students apply for this exam every year.

This exam is very daunting for those candidates or aspirants who don’t like comprehensive syllabus.

Due to comprehensive syllabus, a few of the total candidates are able to qualify this exam.

Moreover, I would not recommend this exam to those candidates who are mere bookworms.

Because, UPSC checks the in-depth knowledge of the candidates.

Whenever it comes to UPSC, it will mean that candidates must work on two things, which are in-depth knowledge and the right strategy.

I’m telling you so because I’ve met some such candidates who have been preparing for the UPSC exam for 4 or 5 years, but due to lack of tactics, they are not selected.

Hence, if you are also thinking about how to start UPSC preparation from zero level, don’t worry,

I’m here to tell you some of the best strategies, which can definitely increase the chances of your selection.

As you know, UPSC is very broad in itself so you have to immerse yourself in these strategies mentioned below.

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1. Know the UPSC syllabus –

Before starting any preparation and going through books, you must know the syllabus of the respective exam.

In the same way, UPSC is one of them.

Well, when the notification of UPSC comes out, it provides the complete syllabus related to it, but, you must know about it beforehand.

The syllabus of UPSC will help you to move on the right path otherwise you will always be confused.

Additionally, you need to know the syllabus for Prelims and Mains individually.

That means, you have to know the syllabus into two parts so that you don’t feel any type of burden.

2. Do Self-study –

Often candidates are very curious to join coaching centers for preparing the UPSC exam.

But, It’s a blunder from my point of view.

Because, self-study is much better than spending time in coaching centers.

Initially, candidates are so excited that they join the coaching centers without any guidance.

But, they should really avoid coaching centers because coaching centers not only consume the extra time of the candidates but also they ( coaching centers ) are prodigal.

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3. Make a timetable to study –

Studying in a cluttered way can make you disturb.

That means, if you haven’t made a timetable to study, your continuity will be disturbed.

As a result, you will feel the syllabus as a burden.

Sometimes, aspirants are confused that how to manage its comprehensive syllabus in a day.

But, as soon as they get into habits, everything seems fine.

If you’re also facing the same problem of time management, I would suggest you to arrange the time for two days so that you could cover all the topics without any hassle.

Also, you should manage the timetable in such a way that you can study for at least eight hours every day with all the necessary tasks like reading the newspaper, writing daily current affairs etc.

4. Make notes –

Writing notes plays a very important role in preparation.

Often I have seen that UPSC aspirants do their jobs properly like reading newspapers, studying daily etc.

Nevertheless, they fail.

It’s so because they don’t make proper notes.

In fact, the benefit of making notes is that you’re able to revise the same things that you note down.

This is why, it’s very salient to make proper notes.

5. Focus on online study –

If you want to prepare for the UPSC exam, you should definitely imitate this strategy.

Online study is one of the best ways to achieve your goals.

In today’s time, there is enough study material on the online platform.

This strategy can prove to be very helpful for the candidates who do self-study as the candidates joining the coaching center are not heavily dependent on the online material.

Hence, you must search for such video lectures, which have been explained by experts.

6. Install educational apps –

Some aspirants choose this strategy and it really helps them.

Actually, there is a bundle of applications related to UPSC on the Google Play Store.

By downloading such worthy apps, you can add an accelerator to your studies.

Moreover, you can get current affairs as well as updated information related to UPSC through these apps.

7. Revising the topics –

Revising the topics is also a very important thing.

You cannot undermine the importance of revision.

Revision is a technique by which you can store things in your mind for a long time and it’s also said that revision makes things alive.

For instance, let’s say that you are a bibliophile and study 12 to 13 hours, but you don’t focus on revision, it makes no sense.

Because, after reading books or collecting knowledge, revision is the only way through which you can keep your knowledge alive.

So, you have to focus on revision otherwise you will definitely forget what you have studied.

8. Mock tests –

Complete preparation for any exam is not considered until the students test themselves with mock tests.

If you’re doing great in mock tests, somewhere you get a little confidence in qualifying for the exam.

By giving mock tests, you can easily find out how much time you are spending on a question and also plan the best strategy for you.

Best Books for UPSC –

See, if you are an aspirant of UPSC and preparing for it, you should choose the best books.

Because, the process of choosing books is very important from the perspective of selection.

By chance, if you choose the wrong books, you may face difficulties to get selected.

This is why, I’m telling you some of the best books for the UPSC exam by which you can score more and also get in-depth knowledge of the topics.

Here we go.

1. History –

  • NCERT XI – Ancient & Medieval
  • NCERT XII – Modern Indian History
  • India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
  • Indian art & Culture by Nitin Singhania

2. Economics –

  • Indian Economy by Nitin Singhania
  • NCERT XI
  • Economic development & Policies in India by Jain & Ohri

3. Geography –

  • NCERT XI
  • NCERT XII
  • Orient Black Swan World Atlas
  • Certificate Physical Geography by G C Leong

4. Indian Polity –

  • NCERT XI
  • NCERT XII
  • Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth

5. International Relations –

  • Current Affairs
  • NCERT XII ( Contemporary World Politics )

6. CSAT –

  • Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R S Aggarwal

FAQs on how to start UPSC preparation from zero level –

1. Is 2 years enough for UPSC ?


Yes, this period of time is enough to crack the UPSC exam.

You can study the entire syllabus in one and a half years. Moreover, you can revise the syllabus for the rest of the time.

2. How many hours should study for UPSC ?


If you are serious about UPSC, I’d recommend you to study at least 8 hours a day. It’s enough for a UPSC aspirant.

3. How many attempts are there for UPSC general ?


The commission offers six attempts to a general category candidate and the maximum age to appear in the exam is 32 years.

4. Do IAS trainees get salary ?


Yes, when a candidate goes for training, he is basically paid around 35,000 to 40,000 rupees every month.

5. Is UPSC going to reduce age limit ?


It’s very viral news on social media platforms that now UPSC is going to reduce the age limit from 32 to 26 for general category students, but it’s totally fake.

The commission refuted it.

Final words –

Eventually, I hope that the article must have fulfilled your needs. I have discussed some magical tactics about how to start UPSC preparation from zero level.

If you have got valuable information from the article, please share it to those who need it.

Thank you.

Vijay Gupta

Hello everyone, My name is Vijay Gupta and I belong to a very small town that is situated in district Hardoi, which is in Uttar Pradesh. 1. Education – I’ve completed my primary education from a private school that is situated in my hometown and upper primary, matric and higher secondary education have been completed from a government college. Well, I was an average student till class 5th, but I accelerated my preference towards studies from class six. Consequently, I passed out many classes with good positions. Even I passed out 12th with good marks ( 405/500 ) and topped my college. Due to getting good marks, I got a cheque of 500 rupees and was rewarded by the Principal of my college. After completing my 12th, I prepared twice for IIT ( Indian Institute of Technology ) from Aakash institute, but unfortunately, I failed to get selected into the best IIT colleges. But during the preparation, I was being graduated from CSJMU Kanpur. I completed my graduation in 2016 and now I’m pursuing an educational degree ( B.Ed. ). 2. Profession – Although I love teaching, but I also do blogging. Both are my favorite jobs.

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