Self Study Plan UPSC – Self Study Strategy for IAS Exam (UPSC CSE)

Mohit Sharma (Director Sankalp IAS Academy, Ethics Faculty UPSC)

Welcome to Self Study Wala! Your UPSC Self Study Booster. Self Preparation for UPSC.

Self Study Plan UPSC CSE – Based on UPSC Topper’s Strategy

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is a multi-stage competitive exam that requires systematic and strategic preparation. This Self Study Plan UPSC (IAS Self Study Plan) is designed to help aspirants effectively prepare over 12-16 months.

Step 1 – Understand the Need UPSC CSE (Internalize the UPSC Exam Pattern and Syllabus)

Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. (Abraham Lincoln)

Proper preparation prevents poor performance. (Mohit Sharma, Director Sankalp IAS Academy)

According to UPSC Notification the UPSC CSE examination comprises two successive stages:

(i) UPSC Prelims Exam (Objective Type) for the selection of candidates for Main Examination; and

(ii) UPSC Mains (Written and Interview) Exam (Subjective Type) for the selection of candidates for the various Services and posts.

UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern

According to UPSC Notification Prelims is only a Screening test.

UPSC CSE Prelims consists of two papers namely General Studies I and CSAT (General Studies Paper-II). While CSAT is qualifying in nature, the marks obtained in the General Studies paper determine your selection for UPSC Mains. It means your score in the General Studies Paper will be considered for the Prelims cutoff.

Additionally, there is negative marking for the wrong answers. 1/3rd of the marks allotted for the question would be deducted as a penalty for marking the wrong answer. However, if you do not attempt the question, there will be no deductions. Hence, you should take only calculated risks when it comes to marking doubtful questions

Now, let us look at the UPSC Exam pattern for Prelims:

In reference to the UPSC Exam Pattern, the following points should be kept in mind while appearing for IAS Exam:

• It is mandatory for all the candidates to appear for both the exams viz General Studies and CSAT to qualify for the Mains.
• From 2015 – Cut off marks on the basis of GS Paper-I only. However, GS Paper-II was qualifying with 33% marks (Rule-15 of Civil Services Examination, 2016)
• The score obtained in the Prelims will not be added to the final score. UPSC CSE Prelims 2022 will be just for screening purposes.
• The question paper of Prelims will be bilingual. It will have questions written both in Hindi and English Language.
• There is a negative marking of 1/3rd for every incorrect answer in both papers.

UPSC Mains (Written and Interview) Exam Pattern

According to UPSC Notification purpose of Mains (Written and Interview) exam is to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates.

The main Examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory.

The nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers (Paper II to Paper V) will be such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study.

The questions will be such as to test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services.

The questions are likely to test the candidate’s basic understanding of all relevant issues, and ability to analyze, and take a view on conflicting socio-economic goals, objectives and demands.

The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.

The UPSC Exam Pattern for the Mains Exam is tabulated below. The IAS Mains Exam consists of two types of papers viz qualifying and merit-ranking. Paper A and Paper B namely the Language paper and English paper will be qualifying in nature. The marks obtained in these papers will not be added to marks that may determine your rank. All the other papers will be evaluated for merit purposes.

UPSC Prelims Exam Syllabus

Prelims Paper 1 (General Study)

According to UPSC Notification:

Prelims Paper 2 (CSAT)

UPSC Mains Exam (Written and Interview) Syllabus

According to UPSC Notification:

Paper A and Paper B – Indian language & English

Note –

• The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
• The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the respective Indian language (except where translation is involved). language papers, Paper A and Paper B are Qualifying in Nature. It is mandatory to score at least 25% in each language paper to be evaluated other seven papers during the final selection.
• Except for language papers, Paper A and Paper B, scores in all the other papers will determine your rank. Hence, your score will be out of a total of 1750 marks.
• For the Language medium/literature of languages, the scripts to be used by the candidates will be as under:
• Language – Script
• Assamese – Assamese
• Bengali – Bengali
• Gujarati – Gujarati
• Hindi – Devanagari
• Kannada – Kannada
• Kashmiri – Persian
• Konkani – Devanagari
• Malayalam – Malayalam
• Manipuri – Bengali
• Marathi – Devanagari
• Nepali – Devanagari
• Odia – Odia
• Punjabi – Gurumukhi
• Sanskrit – Devanagari
• Sindhi – Devanagari or Arabic
• Tamil – Tamil
• Telugu – Telugu
• Urdu – Persian
• Bodo – Devanagari
• Dogri – Devanagari
• Maithilli – Devanagari
• Santhali – Devanagari or Olchiki
• Note : For Santhali language, question paper will be printed in Devanagari script; but candidates will be free to answer either in Devanagari script or in Olchiki.

Paper I Essay

Paper II (General Study I)

Paper III (General Study II)

Paper IV (General Study III)

Paper V (General Study IV)

Note –

• The scope of the syllabus for optional subject papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) for the examination is broadly of the honors degree level i.e., a level higher than the bachelors’ degree and lower than the masters’ degree. In the case of Engineering, Medical Science and law, the level corresponds to the bachelors’ degree.

• Candidates will be required to write the answers in the answer sheets provided by the UPSC. No extra sheets will be provided.
• The Commission have discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all the subjects of the examination.
• At Present, 10% marks in each of the seven competitive papers i.e., Essay, GS-I, GS-II, GS-III, GS-IV, Optional-I and Optional-II.
• If a candidate’s handwriting is not easily legible, a deduction will be made on this account from the total marks otherwise accruing to him.
• Marks will not be allotted for mere superficial knowledge.

• Credit will be given for orderly, effective and exact expression combined with due economy of words in all subjects of the examination.
• In the question papers, wherever required, SI units will be used.
• Candidates should use only international form of Indian numerals (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 etc.) while answering question papers.

• Candidates will be allowed the use of Scientific (Non-Programmable type) Calculators at the conventional (Essay) type examination of UPSC. Programmable type calculators will however not be allowed and the use of such calculators shall tantamount to resorting to unfair means by the candidates. Loaning or interchanging of calculators in the Examination Hall is not permitted. It is also important to note that candidates are not permitted to use calculators for answering objective type papers (Test Booklets). They should not therefore bring the same inside the Examination Hall.
• The papers on Indian languages and English (Paper A and paper B) will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
• Evaluation of the papers, namely, ‘Essay’, ‘General Studies’ and Optional Subject of all the candidates would be done simultaneously along with evaluation of their qualifying papers on ‘Indian Languages’ and ‘English’ but the papers on Éssay’, General Studies and Optional Subject of only such candidates will be taken cognizance who attain 25% marks in ‘Indian Language’ and 25% in English as minimum qualifying standards in these qualifying papers.

• The paper A on Indian Language will not, however, be compulsory for candidates hailing from the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim.
• Marks obtained by the candidates for the Paper I-VII only will be counted for merit ranking. However, the Commission will have the discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all of these papers.
• Wherever two or more candidates have secured equal aggregate marks in CSE Exam, 2019, the tie(s) have been resolved in accordance with the principles approved by the Commission, viz.

(i) Candidate securing more marks in the Compulsory Papers and the Personality Test put together is to be ranked higher;

(ii) In case where the marks mentioned at (i) above are equal, the candidate senior in age is to be ranked higher; and

(iii) In case where the (i) and (ii) above are same, then the candidate getting more marks in the compulsory papers is to be ranked higher.

UPSC Interview Syllabus

According to UPSC Notification:

Interview – To assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service

• The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of his career. He will be asked questions on matters of general interest.
• The object of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a Board of competent and unbiased observers.
• The test is intended to judge the mental calibre of a candidate. In broad terms this is really an assessment of not only his intellectual qualities but also social traits and his interest in current affairs.
• Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.
• The technique of the interview is not that of a strict cross-examination but of a natural, though directed and purposive conversation which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate.
• The interview test is not intended to be a test either of the specialised or general knowledge of the candidates which has been already tested through their written papers.
• Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects of academic study but also in the events which are happening around them both within and outside their own State or Country as well as in modern currents of thought and in new discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of well-educated youth.

Paper VI & VII (Optional Subject)

Candidate may choose any optional subject from amongst the List of Optional Subjects given by UPSC.

Visit the following link:

UPSC Optional Subjects List and Syllabus

Step 2 – Aware about Target and Competition: UPSC Official Cutoff Marks

UPSC Prelims: Official Cutoff Marks (2013-2023)

UPSC Prelims Cutoff 2013 to 2017

UPSC Prelims Cutoff 2018

UPSC Prelims Cutoff 2019 to 2023

Note 1 – Cut off marks on the basis of GS Paper-I only. GS Paper-II was of qualifying nature with 33% marks as per Rule-15 of Civil Services Examination, 2021.

Note 2 – Candidates belonging to Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD)

UPSC Mains: Official Cutoff Marks (2013 to 2023)

UPSC Mains Cutoff 2013 to 2017

UPSC Mains Cutoff 2018

UPSC Mains Cutoff 2019 to 2023

Note 1 – Subject to 10% marks in each of the seven competitive papers i.e., Essay, GS-I, GS-II, GS-III, GS-IV, Optional-I and Optional-II.

Note 2 – 25% marks in ‘Indian Language’ and 25% in English as minimum qualifying standards in these qualifying papers (‘Indian Languages’ and ‘English’).

UPSC Final: Official Cutoff Marks (2013-2023)

UPSC Final Cutoff 2013 to 2017

UPSC Final Cutoff 2018

UPSC Final Cutoff 2019 to 2023

Note: Wherever two or more candidates have secured equal aggregate marks in CSE Exam, 2019, the tie(s) have been resolved in accordance with the principles approved by the Commission, viz.

(i) Candidate securing more marks in the Compulsory Papers and the Personality Test put together is to be ranked higher;

(ii) In case where the marks mentioned at (i) above are equal, the candidate senior in age is to be ranked higher; and

(iii) In cases where the (i) and (ii) above are the same, then the candidate getting more marks in the compulsory papers is to be ranked higher.

Step 3 – Dream Big: Know about UPSC Topper’s Marks (2013 to 2023)

Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life; dream of it; think of it; live on that idea. Let the brain, the body, muscles, nerves, and every part of your body be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success, and this is the way great spiritual giants are produced. – Swami Vivekananda

Arise! Awake! And stop not until the goal is reached. – Swami Vivekananda

Step 4 – Make your own UPSC Self Study Plan & Timetable (Must based on toppers’ strategy)

The most precious resource we all have is time. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back. Effective time management is a key to success in UPSC CSE. (Mohit Sharma, Director Sankalp IAS Academy)

Demo Schedule for UPSC Prelims cum Mains Preparation in 1 Year

Every candidate’s journey is unique. What works for one might not work for another. Make your own detailed topic wise time table by using this 5 Task Strategy.

Task 1 – Divide your timeline

Total days = 365

• Level 1 (Foundation Building Stage – Prelims & Mains) – Preparation & Practice = 260 Days
  • Decide your base material – Books or Class Notes Supplement with NCERT Practice Prelims & Mains PYQs of UPSC Take Subject wise Prelims & Mains Mock Test
  • Update your base material with above sources (Must prepare Updated and Highlighted Material)
• Level 2 (Prelims Preparation Stage) – Revision of Updated and Highlighted Material = 75 Days
• Level 3 (Prelims Booster Stage) – Quick Revision of Updated and Highlighted Material = 20 Days
• Level 4 – Give a last Blow to Prelims by Super Quick Revision (Only Prelims) = 15 Days
• Level 5 – After Prelims = Only Mains for 3 Months (No matter you Qualified for Mains or Not)

Task 2 – Make a Yearly schedule

General Study Paper I

General Study Paper II

General Study Paper III

General Study Paper IV

Current Affairs

CSAT

Essay

Optional Subject

Compulsory Language Paper

Note – Must make the Weekly and Daily for each Week, You can it weekly, this provides you required flexibility to execute the Yearly UPSC Self Study Plan.

Task 3 – Make a Monthly schedule

You can skip this.

Task 4 – Make a Weekly schedule

Set SMART goals and break them down into smaller milestones.

• One full-length mock test
• Subject-wise deep study
• Current affairs compilation
• Performance analysis

Task 5 – Make a Daily schedule

• 6-8 hours of focused study of General Study
• 2 hours of optional subject
• 2 hours of current affairs
• 1 hour of answer writing
• 1 hour of revision

Step 5 – Selection of Effective Resources (Self Study Material for UPSC CSE)

The quality of your output is directly proportional to the quality of your input. (Mohit Sharma, Director Sankalp IAS Academy)

Your selection of resources is the foundation of your learning journey. Your ship determines your voyage. (Jim Rohn)

• UPSC Syllabus
• Previous Years’ Question Papers Prelims
• Previous Years’ Question Papers Mains
• NCERT Textbooks
• Standard Reference Books like History (Spectrum & Bipin Chandra), Indian Polity (M. Laxmikanth), Ethics (Mohit Sharma), Indian Economy (Ramesh Singh) etc.
• Current Affairs – The Hindu, Indian Express, Yojana, Kurukshetra, Economic Survey, Monthly magazines
• Online Resources
• Coaching Study Materials

Step 6 – Stay Motivated (Motivational Tips for UPSC Self Study)

Motivation is the driving force that drives us to achieve our goals. You can only stay motivated by working hard. Laziness and shirking from work will only lead you to disappointment. (Mohit Sharma, Director Sankalp IAS Academy)

• Consistency is key
• Regular revision
• Stay motivated – Stay away from people with negative mindset, Develop a positive mindset, Practice meditation, Manage stress, Build resilience, Stay confident
• Take care of physical and mental health
• Join study groups
• Learn from failures
• Maintain physical fitness
• Balanced diet and sleep
• Intense revision
• Mock tests
• Focus on weak areas
• Regular self-assessment

Frequently Asked Questions on IAS Self Study Plan

Good luck on your UPSC journey!
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