How to Start UPSC Preparation from Zero level​?

You may have repeated thoughts like “I want to become an IAS officer” or “I am determined to serve the people”. However, to make this thought into reality, you must engage in a deeper level of studies, have a well-structured preparation schedule and relentless commitment.

Preparing for the UPSC examination from zero level can be difficult and overwhelming, especially for beginners. Since UPSC is a highly-competitive exam, it requires hard work, dedication, consistency and a well-structured approach. Whether you are a college student or a working professional determined to start UPSC preparation from zero level, make sure to understand the exam pattern & syllabus, develop the study plan based on your strengths and weaknesses, and dive into it with strong commitment. It might feel easier said than done, but doesn’t mean it is impossible.

In this blog, you can understand the requirements and steps to start and execute UPSC preparation level from zero level to a much stronger level.

At KingMakers IAS Academy, whether you are a beginner starting the UPSC preparation from scratch or a prepared IAS aspirant who wants to improve the answering capacity through test series, we are providing all kinds of means to achieve the goal of becoming an IAS officer!

Key Requirements to Start UPSC Preparation from Zero Level

Below, we have listed the key requirements acts as a prerequisites to start UPSC preparation from zero level: 

Get UPSC Syllabus and Exam Pattern

The official UPSC Syllabus from the UPSC website should be your primary requirement. Your whole preparation will be based on the syllabus and the understanding of it. It consists of a three-stage exam structure - Prelims, Mains, and Interview - and what are the subjects covered under it. It guides you to build a study plan aligned with your interests, strengths and weaknesses. Thus, keeping the official UPSC syllabus and exam pattern is a fundamental pre-requisite for starting a UPSC preparation from scratch. 

Keep the NCERT Books Ready

NCERT Books from Class 6 to 12 are essential for UPSC preparation since it has conceptual clarity, structured content and direct relevance to both Prelims and Mains syllabus. These government-authored textbooks cover a range of subjects, like History, Polity, Geography, Economics, and Science. It will help you to easily answer the questions contained in the UPSC question paper. So, having the NCERT books ready helps you in the process of zero-level UPSC preparation. 

Resources for Current Affairs

UPSC examination is deeply rooted to current affairs, so having the resources at hand will be helpful. Especially, who are interested in serving people must stay informed about current affairs and state. It is essential to lay out the informed decisions and execute sensible actions. So, selecting your choice of newspapers, magazines and online portals is the primary prerequisite to integrate current affairs in the zero-level UPSC preparation. 

Choose Suitable Optional Subjects

Optional subject contributes 500 marks in your UPSC mains examination. Choose the subject based on your strengths, interest, background and availability study material. If you want, you can just go through the topics covered in each of the optional subjects and choose the one that creates curiosity and confidence. By choosing the suitable optional subject, the UPSC preparation becomes easier. 

Build Study Plan

If you have done all the above, then you must understand the basis of the UPSC examination, sufficient resources and the choice of optional subject. It will definitely help you to create a study plan based on your choice of interests and availability of time and study materials. Ensure to develop a sensible plan that actually works. Allot a specific time each day for your UPSC preparation depending on your energy levels. The important thing is to stay committed to the plan. 

Physical and Mental Well-being

Preparing for the UPSC exam is a marathon, not a sprint. So, keep your body and mind healthy through regular exercises, healthy eating habits, adequate sleep, meditation and stress-management techniques. Having the best physical and mental fitness is important to achieve your ideal of executing the UPSC preparation from Zero level. 

Steps to Execute Zero-Level UPSC Preparation Successfully

Hope you have got all the essential requirements necessary to execute the zero-level UPSC preparation successfully. Below, we have given the step-by-step process on how to start and complete UPSC preparation from zero level:

Step 1: Understand the UPSC Syllabus and Exam Pattern

As a first step, It is important to familiarize yourself with the UPSC exam pattern, stages, syllabus and marking scheme when it comes to UPSC preparation from zero level. Understand the UPSC Syllabus, devote more time on the sections that require more focus and strategize your time based on strength-weakness analysis. UPSC commission has a three-stage process - Prelims, Mains, and Interview - listed below:

• The UPSC Prelims has two objective type papers - 1. General Studies Paper 1, 2. General Studies Paper 2 (Civil Services Aptitude Test - CSAT)

• General Studies Paper 1 covers subjects like History, Geography, etc, while General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT) tests the aptitude of the candidate such as analytical and reasoning abilities.

• General Studies Paper 1 is considered as a qualification for Mains examination. However, it is dependent on sufficient cut-off marks and attaining a qualifying mark in the CSAT exam.

• In UPSC CSE Mains examination, there are nine papers - 4 General Studies Paper, Two papers on optional subjects, and two qualifying papers (English Language, and One Indian Language Paper)

• Once the candidate successfully completes the Mains examination, they get shortlisted in the Personality Test. The UPSC panel of experts will assess the candidates’ personality, communication skills, leadership qualities, and suitability for career.

Step 2: Complete NCERT Foundation Building

Since NCERT Books covers a wide range of subjects, it will provide a strong foundation for the IAS aspirants. So, ensure to read the textbooks actively by underlining important points, making notes in the margin and paraphrasing the key points for better memory and understanding. Don’t rush through NCERT books and aim for comprehension, which requires slow-reading and taking notes in a more systematic way. After understanding the subjects, make sure to complete exercises at the end of the chapter for better learning and retention. 

Step 3: Read Newspapers for Current Affairs

To improve current affairs, read newspapers regularly, especially focussing on editorial pages and note down the key terms, facts, dates, government schemes, committee reports, etc. Have a separate notebook and collect notes on a monthly basis, which helps with your revision. Also, utilize the monthly magazines from the reputed sources serving as a compilation of important events happening each month. The key thing is to revise the current affairs regularly to strengthen your overall UPSC preparation. 

Step 4: Take Mock Tests Regularly

Mock tests are extremely useful to detect strengths and weaknesses in your UPSC expertise. It allows you to focus on the section where your expertise is lacking. Along with that, taking mock tests help you to develop speed and accuracy. For both Prelims and Mains, take mock tests on a weekly basis, including writing full-length papers in simulated conditions. More than taking tests, give equal importance to analyzing the answers you have done. It clearly points out the problems you are having that have to be resolved.

Step 5: Practice Previous Year Questions

Previous year UPSC questions are the most reliable resources that help the IAS aspirants develop understanding on exam format, content, question types, important subject areas, and mark distribution. Solve at least 10 years of previous year question papers to identify recurring themes and topics. Practice writing answers within the defined time limit to gain better answer writing skills. 

Step 6: Create & Follow the Revision Schedule

Studying is fine, but without revising the materials you’ve learned, all will be crumbled. So, build a revision schedule, like revising at the weekend whatever you’ve studied throughout the week. Likewise, at the month-end, revise the topics you’ve learned in the specified month. This is just an example, you can mold it on your own to upgrade your UPSC preparation. 

Below, we have attached the video explaining how to pass IAS examination in 100 days by Mr. Boominathan, Chairman and Managing Director of KingMakers IAS Academy

Make Your UPSC Preparation EASIER with KingMakers IAS Academy!

At KingMakers IAS Academy, we help the IAS aspirants to achieve the ideal UPSC scores, even if they are starting from scratch. Our expert mentors, extensive range of mock tests, comprehensive practice writing exams, and mock interviews guides our students to excel in all the three-stages - Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test. No need to think twice, just start your UPSC preparation from zero level with KingMakers IAS Academy!