Summary
Highlights
The speaker addresses a common question from students: how to start UPSC preparation after 12th grade or in the first year of college. The advice is practical and adaptable, focusing on a three-year plan for students aiming for the 2026 exam (assuming a three-year graduation course).
The first crucial step is to thoroughly examine the UPSC syllabus and previous year's questions (PYQs) for both Prelims and Mains. Even without immediate understanding, this exposure helps in grasping the exam's nature, question patterns, and recurring topics. This initial month of exploration builds an understanding of UPSC's demands and helps identify important areas, such as the frequent changes in focus (e.g., Art & Culture, Environment, Current Affairs). The speaker shares an example of a Mains question from 2023 linked to an Old NCERT chapter, highlighting how prior knowledge of PYQs guides focused study.
The second step involves reading NCERT books, particularly for core subjects like History, Geography, Polity, and Economy. Given the three-year preparation window, students have ample time. The speaker advises dedicating 4-5 hours daily to preparation, even amidst college life. He strongly cautions against distractions like excessive socializing and social media, stressing the importance of saving time and energy for studies. He proposes covering core NCERTs within 7-9 months. This includes watching video lectures, taking notes, and dedicating an hour to current affairs through news channels.
The speaker highlights the advantage of starting early when pressure is low, contrasting it with those who start seriously in their final year, making the first attempt very difficult. Early preparation allows for a solid foundation, making current affairs more comprehensible as core concepts are already understood. He shares an anecdote about a NEET-selected student who also started UPSC preparation early, emphasizing the benefits of utilizing available time for consistent study. He advises reviewing regularly, dedicating 10-15 days to revision after every two months of study instead of constantly learning new material.
During the second and third years of college, students should transition to standard books, continue answer writing practice (aiming to write one answer daily), and explore other subject-specific NCERTs (Environment, Art & Culture, Science & Tech). The third year is also suitable for focusing on optional subjects. The speaker emphasizes that UPSC CSE is a marathon, not a sprint, requiring discipline, dedication, and devotion. He encourages introspection on 'How badly you want it,' as this inner drive fuels consistent effort, even when facing sacrifices.
The speaker reiterates the importance of starting early, following the outlined steps, and maintaining a consistent study schedule of 4-5 hours daily. He warns against making excuses for lack of time due to college activities and advises limiting social distractions. He also suggests that if a student feels the need for faster-paced preparation for earlier attempts (2024 or 2025), they can refer to the PW Only IAS channel, which offers more intensive courses. He concludes by emphasizing continuous learning and staying in the 'zone of studying,' even by reading other materials when video lectures are unavailable.