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 on how to start UPSC preparation 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 UPSC 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 in the process of how to start 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 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 UPSC 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.
These are the step-by-step process that helps you on how to start UPSC preparation from zero level.
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. It helps you in the process of how to start UPSC preparation from zero level:
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!
Related Blogs of UPSC CSE Exam
- UPSC Syllabus: A Comprehensive Guide
- UPSC Admission
- UPSC Guide for Beginners
- UPSC Age Limit
- UPSC Selection Process
- How to Fill UPSC DAF Application
- Answer Writing Tips for UPSC Mains
- UPSC Recommended Books
FAQs
1. Can a complete beginner clear the UPSC exam if they start from zero level?
Yes, even a complete beginner can clear UPSC with the right strategy, consistency, and commitment. Every successful IAS officer once started from zero – what made the difference was clarity on the syllabus, disciplined study habits, and a strong revision routine. If you follow a structured approach as explained in this article, starting from scratch becomes completely achievable.
2. What is the first step to begin UPSC preparation from scratch?
How to start UPSC preparation from zero level: The first step is to understand the UPSC syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly. The syllabus is your roadmap, it tells you what to read, what to ignore, and how to plan. Once you are clear about the structure of Prelims, Mains, and Interview, you can build a preparation plan that aligns with your strengths and time availability.
3. How important are NCERT books for beginners?
NCERT books act as the foundation for every beginner stepping into UPSC preparation. They simplify complex topics, build conceptual clarity, and make it easier to understand advanced standard books later. Reading NCERTs from Class 6–12 slowly and thoroughly is one of the smartest ways to strengthen your basics at zero level.
4. How should beginners prepare for current affairs?
Start by reading a reliable newspaper daily – focus on editorials, government schemes, international relations, economic developments, and significant national events. Maintain a separate notebook or digital notes for important facts. Supplement your preparation with monthly current affairs compilations and revise them consistently to stay updated.
5. How can mock tests help candidates who are starting from zero?
Mock tests reveal your strengths and weaknesses right from the beginning. They help you understand question patterns, enhance speed, and improve accuracy. Most importantly, analyzing mock tests shows you how UPSC thinks and what adjustments you must make to your preparation style. A beginner who practices mock tests early gains a clear competitive edge.
6. Does KingMakers IAS Academy support beginners who are starting UPSC preparation from zero level?
Absolutely. KingMakers IAS Academy is built to guide aspirants at every stage, even those starting from zero. With structured foundation programs, expert mentorship, NCERT-based guidance, mock tests, answer-writing practice, and interview training, our best IAS coaching centre in Chennai provides a complete ecosystem for beginners to grow steadily into strong UPSC performers. If you’re serious about how to start UPSC preparation from zero level, KingMakers ensures you don’t walk the journey alone.