Comprehensive Strategy Guide for Civil Services Prelims

Here’s a comprehensive strategy guide and practical tips for UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination – both Paper 1 (General Studies) and Paper 2 (CSAT). This guide is aimed at helping you score 120+ in GS and qualify CSAT comfortably, even if you are starting late.



🌟 Overview of UPSC Prelims

Paper 1 (General Studies):
      • 100 Questions | 200 Marks | Negative marking: -0.66 per wrong answer

      • Qualifying for mains is based on this score.

Paper 2 (CSAT):

      • 80 Questions | 200 Marks | Negative marking: -0.83 per wrong answer
      • Qualifying nature: Only 33% (i.e., 66 marks) needed.


📘 Paper 1: General Studies – Strategy & Tips

📚 1. Syllabus-Wise Strategy:

a. History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern):

      • Focus on Modern History (1857–1947): Most questions come from here.

      • Recommended Book: Spectrum by Rajiv Ahir

      • Use NCERTs (Class 6–12) for Ancient & Medieval.

b. Geography:

      • NCERTs (Class 6–12) + GC Leong (selected chapters)

      • Use an Atlas to understand maps and physical features.

      • Focus on Indian rivers, monsoons, soil types, agriculture.

c. Polity:

      • Read Laxmikanth thoroughly – revise 4–5 times.

      • Focus on constitutional articles, Parliament, President, Judiciary, FRs, FDs, DPSPs.

      • Solve MCQs for clarity on tricky areas like amendments, SC judgments.

d. Economy:

      • Focus on basics: GDP, Inflation, Banking, Fiscal Policy, Budget, etc.

      • Use Sriram’s Economy Notes or 11–12th NCERT + Mrunal.org videos.

      • Understand current economic terms and their real-world application.

e. Environment & Ecology:

      • Book: Shankar IAS Environment

      • Topics: Biodiversity, Climate Change treaties, Pollution, National Parks.

      • Match with current affairs.

f. Science & Technology:

      • Focus on basics: ISRO missions, Nobel Prizes, Biotech, and Current affairs.

      • No need for deep science background.

g. Current Affairs (1 year):

      • Sources: Vision IAS/PT365 MonthlyInsights on IndiaPIBThe Hindu

      • Focus on factual and analytical aspects (Govt schemes, reports, rankings).


🧠 2. Revision & Practice:

      • Revise every subject 3–4 times. Use short notes for last-minute revisions.

      • Solve at least 30–40 full-length mock tests before exam.

      • Analyze mistakes – create an error log.


🧮 3. Elimination Techniques in MCQs:

      • Options-based elimination: Rule out extremes like “always,” “never.”

      • Use logic and knowledge together for confusing questions.

      • Even if unsure, attempt 85+ questions using intelligent guessing.


🧭 4. Time Management in Paper 1:

      • 100 questions in 2 hours → 1.2 minutes per question.

      • Don’t get stuck on a difficult question for too long.

      • Mark and come back later if unsure.



🧠 Paper 2: CSAT – Strategy & Tips

Even though CSAT is qualifying, don’t ignore it. Many toppers fail prelims due to CSAT.

📌 1. CSAT Syllabus Areas

a. Comprehension (40–50%):

      • Practice 3–4 passages daily.

      • Focus on understanding tone, inference, not just facts.

      • Read editorials from The Hindu / Indian Express.

b. Logical Reasoning:

      • Topics: Blood relations, direction sense, seating arrangement, syllogism, clocks & calendars.

      • Use RS Aggarwal or CSAT Manual by TMH.

c. Basic Numeracy & Maths:

      • Topics: Percentages, Ratios, Averages, Time & Work, SI/CI, Probability, Permutation & Combination.

      • Clear Class 6–10 Maths basics.

      • Use fast calculation tricks and approximation.


🧪 2. CSAT Practice Plan:

      • Solve previous 5–10 years’ CSAT papers.

      • Attempt 2–3 full-length mock CSAT papers weekly.

      • Time yourself – aim for 70–75 marks to be safe.


⏱ 3. Time Allocation for CSAT:

      • 80 Questions in 120 minutes → 1.5 minutes per question.

      • Don’t spend too long on tough puzzles or comprehension.

      • Prioritize scoring areas: Verbal or Quant depending on your strength.


📆 60-Day Prelims Preparation Plan

Day Range

Focus Area

     Day 1–20      

Finish GS Subjects + Current Affairs

     Day 21–40      

Practice GS Mock Tests + Revise Syllabus

     Day 41–55      

CSAT practice + GS mocks + Error fixing

     Day 56–60      

Rapid revision + 2 GS + 2 CSAT mocks


🔑 Success Tips:

      • Start with NCERTs and build up

      • Make daily revision a habit

      • Don't ignore CSAT or Environment

      • Test yourself frequently under exam conditions

      • Stay calm, confident, and consistent

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