How to revise for UPSC Prelims Exam?
How to revise for UPSC Prelims Exam?
Here is a guideline to prioritise and revise important themes for Prelims exam.
Dear Prelims Killer Students,
The UPSC exam is scheduled for June 16th. Many of you are worried about the unfinished portions in your textbooks and materials. Some of you may be little disappointed with your mock test scores. We may feel the exam pressure intensely these days.
Clarity and conviction can help you address these troubles to a large extent. Once you gain clarity on how to meticulously strategize your coming days, you will feel relieved. Conviction in what you have read and done so far will help you confront the exam fearlessly. I hope this long letter will help you build both clarity and conviction for the coming days.
First of all, let’s discuss a strategy that will help you reap maximum benefits through prioritizing your lessons and optimizing revision time. Please remember that success in an exam is not entirely about hard work. It is about putting effort in the right place in the right way. Therefore, make sure that you read things that have a high chance of being asked in the exam.
Reading the texts for Ancient India for three days while neglecting the agriculture portions is not a wise decision. Similarly, chewing through the current affairs compilation a week before the exam while neglecting the Polity fundamentals will cost you dearly.
Therefore, plan the days ahead. Allocate days and hours for subjects in such a way that it maximizes your scores. Before you read anything, ask yourself: "Is it important for the exam?", "If so, what is the appropriate and optimum time I need to spend on it?"
Comprehensive coverage is unattainable for this exam, and it is unnecessary as well. A person reading relevant areas with a prelims point of view has a much higher chance of clearing this exam than a person trying to acquire expansive knowledge. Moreover, what you may miss in the books will be covered in the tests that you did. Interestingly, it is the general awareness that you picked up from different places (classes, movies, social media scrolls, conversations) and various stages (school, college) that is going to rescue you from some troubling questions in the exam!
Cumulative general awareness, prioritized coverage, exam-focused reading, and logical ways of question-solving are the key matrix for prelims success! It was never about completing your textbooks!
Therefore, in the coming days, you have to scoop out the most essential lessons from your books and class notes. While doing an in-depth analysis of ten years of previous year questions, I have found that around 70 questions in every GS Prelims are from a set of 32 specified themes irrespective of the difficulty level of the paper. These are the questions where the aspirant can have some control. Therefore, focusing on these specified sets of areas is going to be super helpful in your prelims.
Also, be mindful of any shortcuts and exam prophets in the last two weeks who proclaim that the questions will be from a list of 100/200 topics or a question paper. There is no magic list. The best we could do is to focus on priority themes (not on specific topics) from which questions may be repeated in the coming Prelims.
In the last few weeks, you should also not fear missing out on a few portions. You may have to do more questions and read faster without disrupting your daily routine and mental peace. I am presenting a few strategies on each subject which will help you prioritize topics and confidently miss out on irrelevant portions.
Polity
Polity has been the most rewarding subject for prelims over the years. Many questions were traditionally confined to the textbook Indian Polity by Laxmikanth. The 2023 Prelims, however, has been a departure from this trend. We are unsure whether this deviation will continue or not. Despite this, we have to stick to Laxmikanth as the book ensures good coverage of essentials.
In Laxmikanth, revise the two lengthiest yet most rewarding chapters really well – Parliament and Fundamental Rights. In the Parliament chapter, you must be thorough with the process of enacting different kinds of bills, various offices and committees, differences in powers of two chambers, the concept of the parliamentary system, and associated issues like anti-defection, office of profit, etc.
Prioritize DPSP and Preamble chapters and make sure that you understand the foundational ideas like liberty, justice, constitutionalism, the parliamentary system, the cabinet system, etc. Never forget to revisit important amendments and recent amendments from the appendix chapter of Laxmikanth and to refresh your memory on the 12 schedules in the constitution. Elections, important offices in the executive, the Supreme Court, and procedures in the criminal justice system are also important since a sizeable number of questions have been asked from these areas as well. To secure the questions from the area of Public Policy, Rights Issues, Poverty, Inclusion, and Social Sector initiatives, make sure that you know the fundamentals of rights-based legislation in India.
Keep your study of polity conceptual and applied always. The gear-up session notes and charts, especially the list of important articles, the comparison table on important institutions, and the table on emergencies are going to be lifesavers for all Prelims Killer students in the last round of revision.
Environment
The most rewarding area in Environment is biodiversity. Though it is a broader area, questions were limited to different species/species categories. Moreover, the aspects of those questions were limited to their location and the unique behavioral or physical traits of the species. This pattern in PYQs helps us calibrate our reading effectively for the exam. We can expect at least 4-7 questions from this area.
International Conventions, organizations, and major environment legislations are the second most important area for Environment. It is a vast area with a lot of details in your textbooks. Regardless of its vastness, it is a rewarding area - more than 50 questions in 9 years! Therefore, one must be cautious to read selectively by avoiding predictable and elaborate detailing in textbooks. The revision tables and the class materials are useful for you to navigate through this theme.
When it comes to pollution and climate change, the contours of the study are clearly discernible from PYQs. When studying pollution, we must understand the sources of pollutants and the consequences of environmentally damaging activities. A few questions on the advantages of pollution control mechanisms have also been asked. When it comes to climate change, organizations, random terms related to climate change, and the technologies to counteract climate change are the important portions. Questions on the science of climate change and the impact of climate change are less frequent in UPSC Prelims.
From sustainable agriculture, there were 14 questions in the last 9 years, whereas there were 6 questions on renewable energy. The approach towards this topic is very simple and the subject matter of this topic is not vast. One needs to know the recent developments in sustainable agriculture and all practices that make agriculture environment-friendly (remember biochar, permaculture, Miyawaki, and the system of rice intensification questions). In renewable energy, clarity on non-conventional renewables such as green energy is essential.
While you read environment current affairs, priority must be given to tables of climate change/biodiversity-related organizations and avoid conservation-related statistics, project details, and details about ancient species. Don’t get swirled in the unnecessary details given in current affairs compilations (if you are relying on any). Make sure that you are engaging in fast reading of relevant current affairs topics.
Economy
Economy content is more manageable compared to Environment. There is not much to read, but there is much to be understood. It is not wide knowledge that helps in Economy. It is the conceptual understanding that rewards. You have to be thorough in basics. With respect to money and banking, clarity on instruments and measures that control the liquidity and valuation of currency is a necessity.
When you study the External sector, concepts like the balance of payments, devaluation, exchange rate determination, etc., are important. Moreover, some important trade statistics and a special focus on WTO are rewarding.
From public finance, barring a few current affairs-triggered topics, questions are from predictable areas like budget, taxes, deficits, FRBM, Finance Commission, and GST. In all these, you need to have second-order clarity. (First order: Generic understanding; Second Order: In-depth understanding; Third Order: Specific and technical knowledge).
Capital Market questions are also consistently featured in the Prelims paper lately. However, these questions do not demand in-depth understanding, and a glance at important terms featured in any current affairs compilations will be useful to cover this area. When it comes to agriculture, a good idea about the benefits of flagship agriculture schemes and a second-order clarity over MSPs may be rewarding. Moreover, our textbooks overlook 'labor rights/laws' which have been a recurrent theme in our prelims. Therefore, reading any article from the internet, which already has been shared with Prelims Killer students, may be useful.
When we learn about institutions, reports/indices, and schemes related to economy and social justice, mostly current affairs notes, class notes, or materials can be relied on with a sharp focus on priority areas. Most times the authority behind reports and schemes is asked. Therefore, this area does not warrant an in-depth study of each report and scheme. When you study polity, environment, and economy, the template I have presented - “who gets to decide what” - in one of our gear-up sessions can become a powerful tool given the type of questions in Prelims Economy, Environment, Polity, etc.
Please note that Polity, Economy, and Environment are the core and stable subjects for the Prelims exam. In the last 10 years, the weightage of these subjects in the exam has not gone below 50%. It means that a person who is well-versed in these subjects could manage half of the paper reasonably well. The rest of the subjects in the Prelims paper are also significant, but the weightage of these subjects oscillates across years.
Science and Technology
Science and Technology is the most dynamic subject in Prelims. Owing to its dynamic nature, no fixed resource is useful. Therefore, we must be sharp to capture content on emerging technologies, especially in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Biotechnology, from whichever resources you have used—be it classes, compilations, etc.
UPSC has asked 3-5 questions each year lately in the areas of biology and biotechnology. Genetics, cell biology, microorganisms, diseases, and biotechnology (vaccines, gene editing) are favorites of UPSC. From ICT, understanding emerging communication technologies, prominent technologies involved in daily gadgets, and familiarity with a few common ICT terms are important. The most important digital initiatives by our government must also be looked at, given India's push for digital technology at the recent G20 summit.
When it comes to space and fundamental physics, apart from understanding a few essentials of astronomy, you must be thorough with the applications of artificial satellites, advancements in material sciences, nanotechnology, energy technologies, major scientific projects, and space missions.
History
History is one of the most expansive subjects in Prelims. Questions have been asked from prehistoric times to India’s independence, with a special focus on India’s culture and heritage. Usually, aspirants dissect this subject into four compartments—ancient India, medieval India, modern India, and art & culture. Cumulatively, you can expect around 12 to 18 questions from these areas.
In ancient and medieval history, learn the broad timeline, major locations on maps, and special terminologies. Compared to ancient India, questions on rulers (contributions, pairing with kingdoms) are more frequent in medieval India. Given the vastness of these areas, our faculty has rightly given you lists and maps that should adequately shield you even from spin-off questions. Also, don’t forget to glance through the maps given in your NCERTs and revisit the lessons on the Vijayanagara Empire, as it holds special significance in the Prelims Exam.
In art and culture, there are three major areas of study—architecture, literature, and philosophy. There are also questions on paintings, crafts, languages, etc. Most questions on architecture, crafts, paintings, religion, etc., can be tackled through map-based study. One needs to have a lot of Indian map outlines and revise these thematic maps multiple times in the final laps. Understanding the core philosophical tenets of Buddhism and Jainism, the evolution of Buddhism, and significant books, their time periods, and their authors may help you to get good rewards in the exam.
In modern India, political events, organizations, and their associated leaders and chronology are important focus points. While reading about political events, the trigger points, responses, and consequences of each event during this time must be generally understood. In the Spectrum book that aspirants usually refer to, there are a few chapters that present modern Indian history thematically. Among all themes, militant nationalism, rebellions, British legislation, educational interventions, and press/books seem to be more relevant for UPSC Prelims based on PYQ analysis.
While studying the Indian Independence movement, revisit the timeline you have prepared as part of the Prelims Killer Ultimate Revision Programme. If you are running short of time or find these areas overwhelming, just refer to the timelines and maps you have prepared for history and culture. That will help you to cross a basic knowledge threshold in Indian history. The political developments of early modern India did not have much reward according to the PYQs. However, the study of social reform organizations and their leaders is essential.
Geography
In Geography, physical geography made a strong comeback with 4 questions in the Prelims 2023. In Climatology, focus must be on important weather phenomena (jet streams, westerlies, cyclones, reasons for the formation of deserts and volcanoes in certain places) and on fundamentals that shape these weather phenomena. In geophysics, questions on earthquakes, insolation, dew formation, etc., have been asked, and you must be mindful of the physical aspects of these crucial phenomena. Going by previous year trends, you can decide to skip geomorphology and landforms.
In oceanography and resource geography, PYQs are very random. In such situations, sticking to basic readings or classes will be a safe method. Moreover, put some effort into quickly going through the new-age mineral deposits and their locations, given the recent passage of the Mines and Minerals Act, which regulates critical mineral exploration in our country.
A significant portion of Indian Geography questions are related to drainage systems. A thorough understanding of drainage—the origin of major rivers, their trail, and their major tributaries—is important. Use maps extensively, and the class notes from the Prelims Killer Ultimate Revision Programme will help you immensely in quickly revising these important topics. Another predictable area in geography and world affairs is the theme "places in the news." It is a rewarding area, especially for the last 3 years. It is manageable as the questions are easily solvable using observations in the atlas.
World Affairs
World affairs is an area where the number of questions is greater than that of ancient and medieval India. However, most test series around overlook these aspects and subsume this area either into the economy, current affairs, etc. Given the importance of this topic, Lead IAS has consciously included a specific test on this subject from last year onwards. We also suggest dedicating a few hours to the subject while you revise.
International organizations constitute the major chunk of the world affairs subject. The aspects that UPSC emphasizes in questions based on international organizations appear to be random. However, some recurring aspects are whether India is a member or not, organizations founded by, members involved, purpose, etc. In the case of most terms/agreements, current affairs themes are important.
Current Affairs
This is a very tricky area. Many people misunderstand what constitutes current affairs for the civil services exam. Therefore, many students read newspapers or compilations in the wrong way, eating away their precious time. In the last lap, one should not attempt to read any new compilations. If you have highlighted and made notes, make sure that you revisit them. If you are running short of time to revise current affairs portions you have prepared, just read science and technology and, if possible, environment and economy as well.
When you read them, as mentioned earlier, the focus must be on priority topics in light of the analysis given above in each subject. One who approaches 10 topics in an exam-specific manner would definitely take the lead over someone who has just gulped down 100 topics in an exam-blind manner. It is this quality that makes the learning style of toppers distinct from the rest.
The above-mentioned strategy presents the areas where you should put emphasis on while revising your books. However, don’t forget to practice questions while you revise. You can prioritize solving UPSC previous year questions. Make sure that you spend at least half an hour solving a few CSAT questions as well. When you solve questions, do time-bound practice to ensure exam readiness.
Finally, before closing this letter, I would like to remind you of two things. Gracefully let go of the unfinished portions. Those portions should not trouble you anymore from now onwards. Be light. Be relaxed.
Secondly, and most importantly, we are a clan of fighters. Each aspirant is an ambitious and courageous individual confronting the toughest exam in our country. Therefore, in the coming two weeks, you have to be at your best fighting spirit. A good fighter will always be unshakable and resilient. They understand the battlefield well and feel composed to confront any uncertainty. Throughout our training regime at Lead IAS, we stood beside you, honing your scoring skills and equipping you with the right armaments. We always cherish your fighting spirit. Salute!
Carpe diem!
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