FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- How many attempts can be taken?
General candidates have 4 attempts (30 years), candidates with OBC quota have 7 attempts (33 years) and those with SC/ST quota have no attempt-limit but age-limit of 35 years.
- How much time do you think one needs to prepare seriously to clear these examinations?
About 1 year of serious preparation is needed.
- Can blind candidates write this exam? Is there any reservation for them?
Yes, blind candidates can also take up this examination. Also, they are given a reservation of 15% (Not sure of this number, it is 3% or 15%).
- What factors are important while choosing optional papers?
Choose those options that are very scoring and are interesting to read. Also choose those subjects in which you have a prior knowledge. Some of the popular options include Public Administration, Geography, History, Tamil Literature (In Tamilnadu), Psychology, Sociology, Economics etc.
- What should I focus in mains?
Focus on your writing skills and analytical abilities. It is important to analyze the current theme in any subject. Also build groups and discuss within your team. This is very useful.
- What I should not focus (or give least priority to).
Give least priority to thinking what will happen if you don’t clear.
- What is the best way to write the answers and present it in paper?
There is no best way. It is just important not to miss important points. Underline and order them point-wise.
- Scoring sections in the exam paper, if any?
Don’t miss to score in polity and statistics in GS paper. It will fetch you a good jump. Being through in polity will help you in both GS and public administration.
- Which magazines to refer to?
Choose one of the available magazines to read every month and but one issue of some other magazine every month…So that you have 2 magazines to read every month. Ex: Darpan & Yojana
- What are the expectations from the candidate in UPSC exams?
A candidate is expected to have through knowledge of current affairs in the nation as also international matters. He has to prove his “basic” abilities in two option papers of his choice. In the interview, he is expected to prove his attitude for the nation as also his simple analytical prowess.
- How to prepare for Economics?
Read economic times / politics and economic weekly and make a list of terms you don’t understand. Search for the definition of those terms in Wikipedia / Investopedia.com and write them down in a small pocket book. It will be very useful when you revise. Even high school books are very useful. Don’t forget to discuss with friends.
- How important is the Essay paper? And how to prepare for it?
The essay paper is very important and a scoring paper. If you can choose the right essay to write and start well, you can expect a very good score. Remember, in an essay the start is very important. The conclusion should also be very good. Try to be innovative and write it from a practical view with reference to current happenings. Don’t use point-wise explanation in essay except for 1-2 occasions.
To prepare for an essay, keep reading the editorial in Hindu and other magazines. There is no hard and fast rule.
- How important is managing time?
Time is crucial for any exam and civil services exams are no exception. Since this is subjective in mains, time management becomes very important. Have a good writing practice to manage time effectively.
- How many hours should one study per day?
Again, this depends on a person. There is no need to prepare for 18-20 hours per day. Even 5 hours of quality time is more than sufficient.
- Should I join coaching classes?
It depends on the person taking the exam. Coaching classes definitely help you a lot as you can interact with a lot of people and also get a chance to evaluate yourself by taking many tests. Coaching classes also make you more competitive. However, there are many people who have cleared without coaching classes also.
- Should I go to
No don’t go unless you are close to it. Going from Chennai /
- Can I work and also prepare for examination?
Definitely you can. There are many people who work and prepare. In fact, you will be having an indirect advantage in interview if you have work experience. Also your work experience will help you in understanding management concepts.
- Is it necessary to have work experience?
No. It is not necessary to have any work experience at all.
- Which is the key focus area in GS paper?
Polity, Current affairs and Stats help you score. They are the key. History and Science are also good, but a little unpredictable. Foreign affairs are always manageable.
- Are these exams easy to clear?
These exams are as competitive as other exams. In fact they are little easier. While the subjects to cover are vast, it is not as mind-eating as many other exams.
- Is it mandatory to read NCERT books?
It is not mandatory to read NCERT books, but those books are very good to read through. Many important points are clearly highlighted and hence they are important.
- What are the advantages of choosing public administration?
Public administration is a subject which has direct reference to daily news and content is various magazines. Hence reading newspapers is like understanding public administration only.
Also, reading public administration helps you with polity also which is very scoring in GS paper. Moreover public administration is also a successful option.
- What are the advantages of choosing geography?
Geography is a scientific subject and very interesting to read. The preliminary exam in geography is more factual and very scoring. Main examination has a map which is worth 60 marks and again scoring. Also, there is lot of material available for geography.
- Can sociology and psychology be good options?
Sociology is one of the simpler options available. The material for sociology is also easily available and preliminary is usually based on under graduate standard
Psychology is also an easier and interesting option. Apart from being simple it is also based on practical thought. However, gathering material will take some time.
- Is History a good option? What are its advantages?
History is an option that is generally easier to clear. Cut-off for history in prelims is lower than other options. It is a very interesting subject with easy material availability. Another advantage is that, it can be read online too.
- Is commerce a good optional choice?
Yes, it is a good choice provided the candidate has a commerce background and is confident of the subject.
- Is law a good optional choice?
Yes, it is a good choice provided the candidate has a law background and is confident of the subject.
- Which books to read for GK?
There are many books available in the market for GK. One can pick a couple of them and prepare. Manorama year book is a good choice to start with.
- What is the importance of
India Year Book is a yearly publication from the publications divisions of government of
- Is there an online book for NCERT books?
http://www.ncert.nic.in/textbooks/testing/Index.htm
- Can I read online?
Yes you can. You should learn to read online in this internet age. However, if you don’t have a computer with internet connection, you can always read different books and magazines. However, reading online will definitely help.
- What books should I refer to?
This is provided in the books section below.
- When is the ideal time to start preparing for main exams?
Ideal time is immediately after prelims. Start with GS and one option before the prelims results come out and start the second option once you have cleared prelims. However, if you are starting preparations one year before prelims, then spend about 3 months preparing for mains also.
- What is the advantage of negative marking system?
Negative marking system is a very efficient system. It helps the right candidates to go to the next step and prevents people who do just guess work from entering mains.
- What is the minimum age required for appearing in civil service examinations?
Minimum age required is 21.
- In which month do applications come out?
Applications generally come out in the month of December. Please visit this site for more details. http://www.upsc.gov.in/
- Is it important to read newspapers? How many hours should I spend?
Yes, it is important to read newspapers. They help in current affairs. But don’t spend more than 30 minutes per day on newspapers. If you miss a few articles don’t worry, there will b current affairs magazine that will cover them later on.
- Is it enough to read notes only?
No. It is not enough if you read just notes. It is important to read some textbooks and reference books also.
- Is there enough material available for persons writing the exam in Tamil?
Yes there is enough material and support from professors for candidates writing the exam in Tamil. Please contact Mr. Prabhakaran.
- Is there any degree course in public administration?
Yes, there is one such course organized at Valluvar institute in Karur.
- Can final year students take the exam?
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