What is Indian Engineering Services (IES)?
IES refers to the services that cater to the technical and managerial functions of the Government of India. The Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) conducts the IES exam and the Union Government of India appoints IES officers based on the recommendations made by the UPSC.
IES is a well sought-after career. Every year, lakhs of engineering graduates compete in the IES exam for a few hundred seats. Perhaps, this is why IES exam is considered to be a very tough exam not just in India but the world over (because of the limited number of vacancies available.) Owing to the degree of toughness of the exam, the candidates who clear the IES exam and become IES officers enjoy immense respect and stature in the society. Most of the IES officers are associated with the public sector units including roads, railways, inspection, manufacturing, power, public works, and telecommunication. Graduates clearing or topping IES are usually from Indian Institute of Technology or Indian Institute of Science.
IES is a well sought-after career. Every year, lakhs of engineering graduates compete in the IES exam for a few hundred seats. Perhaps, this is why IES exam is considered to be a very tough exam not just in India but the world over (because of the limited number of vacancies available.) Owing to the degree of toughness of the exam, the candidates who clear the IES exam and become IES officers enjoy immense respect and stature in the society. Most of the IES officers are associated with the public sector units including roads, railways, inspection, manufacturing, power, public works, and telecommunication. Graduates clearing or topping IES are usually from Indian Institute of Technology or Indian Institute of Science.
Name of the exam: IES (Indian Engineering Services) Exam
Conducted by: Union Public Services Commission
Exam conducted in the month of: June (usually)
Mode of applying for the exam: Online
Age criteria: 21-30 years as on 1 January
Educational qualification: A Bachelors degree in Engineering from a recognized university
Medium in which the exam is conducted: Mainly English
Exam pattern: Written exam followed by a personal interview
Marks deduction: 5 percent marks may be deducted for illegible handwriting
Negative marking: Yes
Educational qualification for IES Exam
IES Exam pattern :
Total marks: 1,200
The examination comprises a written test followed by a personal interview.
Written test :
IES Personal Interview :
The personal interview will take place only once a candidate has cleared the written test. Comprising 200 marks, the personal interview will assess a candidate on leadership qualities, physical and mental abilities, presence of mind and social qualities, which includes interaction with others, approach towards people and ability to work in with others as a team, etc.
Conducted by: Union Public Services Commission
Exam conducted in the month of: June (usually)
Mode of applying for the exam: Online
Age criteria: 21-30 years as on 1 January
Educational qualification: A Bachelors degree in Engineering from a recognized university
Medium in which the exam is conducted: Mainly English
Exam pattern: Written exam followed by a personal interview
Marks deduction: 5 percent marks may be deducted for illegible handwriting
Negative marking: Yes
Educational qualification for IES Exam
- A Bachelors degree in Engineering from a recognized university or equivalent (B.E/B.Tech)
- An M.Sc degree or equivalent with Wireless Communications, Electronics, Radio Physics or Radio Engineering as special subjects are acceptable for certain services / posts
IES Exam pattern :
Total marks: 1,200
The examination comprises a written test followed by a personal interview.
Written test :
- Total marks: 1,000
- Type: Descriptive and objective
- Number of days the written test is spread across: Usually 3 days
- Engineering discipline to be chosen from the following - Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering.
IES Personal Interview :
The personal interview will take place only once a candidate has cleared the written test. Comprising 200 marks, the personal interview will assess a candidate on leadership qualities, physical and mental abilities, presence of mind and social qualities, which includes interaction with others, approach towards people and ability to work in with others as a team, etc.
How do I start preparing for IES ?
ESE requires a dedicated amount of time for study as well as well planned strategy.
The ESE preparation may follow these steps:
1. first ,be mentally prepared to start the preparation .
2. Follow more on developing your theoretical base and concepts .
3.Revision: ESE is highly repetitive in nature .Not knowledge but mistakes stops your selection. Make short notes which is very crucial for revision. Revision of mistakes should also be done .
4.Practice previous year papers .It will help to get an idea about the type and standard of questions asked .It will show you the mirror and compel you to work on your weaknesses.
5. Test series: try to introspect the kind of mistakes that you are making and make sure you don’t repeat them .It will help in improving speed and accuracy.
Paper-1:-
With the introduction of new GS paper in the prelims ,cracking ESE has become bit tricky. There are ten topics in paper -1 .It can be divided into three broad areas.
1.static Topics : Drawing ,Quality,Project Management,material science,ethics
2.Dynamics Topics : Current affairs ,ICT ,environment
3. mathematics and reasoning
In my opinion , preparation should be started with static topics followed by Dynamic topics. Each topic is equally important and one should spend quality time on individual topic. For paper-1,be selective in your studies. Study dynamic topics in exam oriented way .Mark the topics that are frequently coming in Test series .
Paper 2:-
IES is a game of time ,150 questions in 180 minutes .A perfect practice makes a man perfect .For each subject prepare a formula sheet .If you find any new concept ,add into the formula sheet. Keep updating the formula sheet and revise it regularly.
Suggestions:-
1. Stop thinking about failure s,Always think positive.
2. To win you should know the rules first. you are judged on the basis of your solutions that you do within a fixed period of time .you will not be judged on the basis of how much you have studied and how many hours you studied. So study smartly
3. You are the masters of your actions and so the results too. So, work hard
The ESE preparation may follow these steps:
1. first ,be mentally prepared to start the preparation .
2. Follow more on developing your theoretical base and concepts .
3.Revision: ESE is highly repetitive in nature .Not knowledge but mistakes stops your selection. Make short notes which is very crucial for revision. Revision of mistakes should also be done .
4.Practice previous year papers .It will help to get an idea about the type and standard of questions asked .It will show you the mirror and compel you to work on your weaknesses.
5. Test series: try to introspect the kind of mistakes that you are making and make sure you don’t repeat them .It will help in improving speed and accuracy.
Paper-1:-
With the introduction of new GS paper in the prelims ,cracking ESE has become bit tricky. There are ten topics in paper -1 .It can be divided into three broad areas.
1.static Topics : Drawing ,Quality,Project Management,material science,ethics
2.Dynamics Topics : Current affairs ,ICT ,environment
3. mathematics and reasoning
In my opinion , preparation should be started with static topics followed by Dynamic topics. Each topic is equally important and one should spend quality time on individual topic. For paper-1,be selective in your studies. Study dynamic topics in exam oriented way .Mark the topics that are frequently coming in Test series .
Paper 2:-
IES is a game of time ,150 questions in 180 minutes .A perfect practice makes a man perfect .For each subject prepare a formula sheet .If you find any new concept ,add into the formula sheet. Keep updating the formula sheet and revise it regularly.
Suggestions:-
1. Stop thinking about failure s,Always think positive.
2. To win you should know the rules first. you are judged on the basis of your solutions that you do within a fixed period of time .you will not be judged on the basis of how much you have studied and how many hours you studied. So study smartly
3. You are the masters of your actions and so the results too. So, work hard
The recommended book list for preparation of ieS Exam – Civil Engineering.
Mechanics, by Shames
1This book is the outcome of material used in senior and graduate courses for students in civil, mechanical and aeronautical engineering. To meet the needs of this varied audience, the author have laboured to make this text as flexible as possible to use.
Surveying, by Punmia
Surveying Vol-1, 16/E by Dr. B. C. Punmia, Ashok Kr. Jain, and Arun Kr. Jain is a book that attempts to serve as a reference guide to civil engineers who are studying the plane and geodetic surveying methodologies, i.e., measurement of short distances surveying. This work is the first volume and comprises 24 chapters, which describe the topics. All the topics in the book are given an extensive explanation and augmented with the relevant practical applications.
Introduction to Mechanics of Solids, by Crandall
Concerned with the mechanics of rigid and deformable solids in equilibrium, this text An Introduction to the Mechanics of Solids puts considerable emphasis on the process of constructing idealized model to represent actual physical situations, which is a central problem of engineering. Problems given in the book depict variety of situations, to which the principles contained in the book may be applied.
Engineering Mechanics, by Mchean
Modified to conform to the current, curriculum, Schaum’s Outline of Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics complements these courses in scope and sequence to help you understand it’s basic concepts. The book offers extra practice on topics such as rectilinear motion, curvilinear motion, rectangular components, tangential and normal components, and radial and transverse components.
Strength of Material, by UC Jindal
A Textbook on Strength of Materials is a comprehensive book for undergraduate students of Civil Engineering. The book comprises chapters on simple stresses and strains, elastic constants, deflection of beams, theories of failure, strain energy methods, bending of curved bars, and mechanical properties.
Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, by A. Singh & KR Arora
Arora’s Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering (Geo-technical Engineering) is civil engineering students so as to have a better understanding of the subject. The book covers 8th Semester, 5th Semester, 4th Year engineering syllabus.
Basic and applied Fluid Mechanics, by Garde
This is an outcome of author’s over thirty years of teaching Fluid Mechanics to undergraduate and postgraduate students. The book is written with the purpose that, through this book, student should appreciate the strength and limitations of the theory, and also its potential for application in solving a variety of engineering problems of practical importance. It makes available to the students, appearing for diploma and undergraduate courses in Civil, Chemical and Mechanical Engineering, a book which briefly introduces the necessary theory, followed by a set of descriptive/objective questions.
Concrete Technology, by MS Shetty
Concrete Technology: Theory and Practice was first published in 1982, when it was mentioned in the book that India was producing 22 million tons of cement. In 2004, this amount became 120 million tons, and today, India is second only to China in the production of cement. These statistics are emphasized, as well as the need to understand concrete and its workings, in Concrete Technology: Theory and Practice. The seventh edition has taken into account the changes that have been occurring in the constantly dynamic and still rather nascent industry of concrete.
Irrigation Engineering, by SK Garg
The techniques which are employed for development and management of water resources become vitally important in this context, and have been lucidly explained in Irrigation Engineering and Hydraulic Structures. The present edition has further been revised and updated with rewriting of certain articles and with addition of certain new topics and numerical examples. The question bank containing questions of Engineering Services and Civil Services Exams has also been updated.
Engineering Hydrology, by K Subramanya
K Subramanya’s Engineering Hydrology 4th Edition is a comprehensive book for Civil Engineering undergraduates. The book consists of 10 chapters which explain the various concepts of hydrology from beginner levels. In addition the book also contains several multiple choice questions based on various competitive examinations which help the student understand the concepts.
Structural Analysis, by Negi
This comprehensive book covers the two-semester course on structural analysis at the undergraduate level. It presents the basic principles and techniques of structural analysis in a brief and simple style.
Highway Engineering, by Khanna & Jasto Kadiyali
Highway Engineering 9th Edition is authored by S.K.Khanna. The book is essential UG students doing their B.Tech. It is also useful for student specializing along various categories under engineering like Bio Technology, Civil Engineering and mechanical Engineering to name a few.
Steel Structures, by Duggal
This is a well written and lucid text on Design of Steel Structures conforming to the latest codal provisions i.e. IS 800: 2007 (Limit State Design). The explanation of the topics is very simple and easy to understand with perfect and judicious blend of theoretical, mathematical and schematic descriptions which will make the readers understand the behaviour, mechanism of load transfer, the assumptions, analysis, specifications required for the purpose of designing of steel elements.
Prestress Concrete, by N Krishna Rajee
Prestressed Concrete Bridges covers the theory and design of prestressed concrete structures, for students of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in engineering.
Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulics, by Modi & Seth
The book in this fourteenth edition is entirely in SI Units and it has been thoroughly revised in the light of the valuable suggestions received from the learned professors and the students of the various Universities. Accordingly several new articles have been added. The answers of all the illustrative examples and the problems have been checked and corrected. Moreover, several new problems from the latest question papers of the different Universities as well as competitive examinations have been incorporated.
Try these books, these books will help u in preparing for IES Civil.
1This book is the outcome of material used in senior and graduate courses for students in civil, mechanical and aeronautical engineering. To meet the needs of this varied audience, the author have laboured to make this text as flexible as possible to use.
Surveying, by Punmia
Surveying Vol-1, 16/E by Dr. B. C. Punmia, Ashok Kr. Jain, and Arun Kr. Jain is a book that attempts to serve as a reference guide to civil engineers who are studying the plane and geodetic surveying methodologies, i.e., measurement of short distances surveying. This work is the first volume and comprises 24 chapters, which describe the topics. All the topics in the book are given an extensive explanation and augmented with the relevant practical applications.
Introduction to Mechanics of Solids, by Crandall
Concerned with the mechanics of rigid and deformable solids in equilibrium, this text An Introduction to the Mechanics of Solids puts considerable emphasis on the process of constructing idealized model to represent actual physical situations, which is a central problem of engineering. Problems given in the book depict variety of situations, to which the principles contained in the book may be applied.
Engineering Mechanics, by Mchean
Modified to conform to the current, curriculum, Schaum’s Outline of Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics complements these courses in scope and sequence to help you understand it’s basic concepts. The book offers extra practice on topics such as rectilinear motion, curvilinear motion, rectangular components, tangential and normal components, and radial and transverse components.
Strength of Material, by UC Jindal
A Textbook on Strength of Materials is a comprehensive book for undergraduate students of Civil Engineering. The book comprises chapters on simple stresses and strains, elastic constants, deflection of beams, theories of failure, strain energy methods, bending of curved bars, and mechanical properties.
Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, by A. Singh & KR Arora
Arora’s Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering (Geo-technical Engineering) is civil engineering students so as to have a better understanding of the subject. The book covers 8th Semester, 5th Semester, 4th Year engineering syllabus.
Basic and applied Fluid Mechanics, by Garde
This is an outcome of author’s over thirty years of teaching Fluid Mechanics to undergraduate and postgraduate students. The book is written with the purpose that, through this book, student should appreciate the strength and limitations of the theory, and also its potential for application in solving a variety of engineering problems of practical importance. It makes available to the students, appearing for diploma and undergraduate courses in Civil, Chemical and Mechanical Engineering, a book which briefly introduces the necessary theory, followed by a set of descriptive/objective questions.
Concrete Technology, by MS Shetty
Concrete Technology: Theory and Practice was first published in 1982, when it was mentioned in the book that India was producing 22 million tons of cement. In 2004, this amount became 120 million tons, and today, India is second only to China in the production of cement. These statistics are emphasized, as well as the need to understand concrete and its workings, in Concrete Technology: Theory and Practice. The seventh edition has taken into account the changes that have been occurring in the constantly dynamic and still rather nascent industry of concrete.
Irrigation Engineering, by SK Garg
The techniques which are employed for development and management of water resources become vitally important in this context, and have been lucidly explained in Irrigation Engineering and Hydraulic Structures. The present edition has further been revised and updated with rewriting of certain articles and with addition of certain new topics and numerical examples. The question bank containing questions of Engineering Services and Civil Services Exams has also been updated.
Engineering Hydrology, by K Subramanya
K Subramanya’s Engineering Hydrology 4th Edition is a comprehensive book for Civil Engineering undergraduates. The book consists of 10 chapters which explain the various concepts of hydrology from beginner levels. In addition the book also contains several multiple choice questions based on various competitive examinations which help the student understand the concepts.
Structural Analysis, by Negi
This comprehensive book covers the two-semester course on structural analysis at the undergraduate level. It presents the basic principles and techniques of structural analysis in a brief and simple style.
Highway Engineering, by Khanna & Jasto Kadiyali
Highway Engineering 9th Edition is authored by S.K.Khanna. The book is essential UG students doing their B.Tech. It is also useful for student specializing along various categories under engineering like Bio Technology, Civil Engineering and mechanical Engineering to name a few.
Steel Structures, by Duggal
This is a well written and lucid text on Design of Steel Structures conforming to the latest codal provisions i.e. IS 800: 2007 (Limit State Design). The explanation of the topics is very simple and easy to understand with perfect and judicious blend of theoretical, mathematical and schematic descriptions which will make the readers understand the behaviour, mechanism of load transfer, the assumptions, analysis, specifications required for the purpose of designing of steel elements.
Prestress Concrete, by N Krishna Rajee
Prestressed Concrete Bridges covers the theory and design of prestressed concrete structures, for students of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in engineering.
Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulics, by Modi & Seth
The book in this fourteenth edition is entirely in SI Units and it has been thoroughly revised in the light of the valuable suggestions received from the learned professors and the students of the various Universities. Accordingly several new articles have been added. The answers of all the illustrative examples and the problems have been checked and corrected. Moreover, several new problems from the latest question papers of the different Universities as well as competitive examinations have been incorporated.
Try these books, these books will help u in preparing for IES Civil.
How do I prepare for the IES without coaching ?
The better way to crack the civil services examinations is to make sure that you have a slot of 8 to 10 hours per day, exclusively for the IES examinations(without coaching). This “Divine time”, if utilized in a planned way, can certainly bring in miracles in your IES examinations.Your plan of action, stated below, should be strictly adhered to:
[1] Start liking the subjects you have opted, then you will have self driven interest in the subjects- which makes you prepare in a systematic way.
[2] Try to prepare analytical subject followed by descriptive subject. You can think of making notes, marking/highlighting the important portion of reading material.
[3] Try to be confidant of the basic concepts.
[4] Never mix-up analytical subject and descriptive subject (you can not learn unless your mind is concentrated). But you can mix-up (or bring in between) easy subject, when you are tired with a tough subject.
[5] Every one hour, you keep changing the subject as per the second and third points (when you are reading something dull, difficult or boring, keeping your attention focused for one hour is also a challenge).
[6] Before you start the next subject, relax for just five minutes (Which is going to enhance your understanding capacity).
[7] Have five years' question papers, and have a mock test (at the weekend).
[8] Then compare your answers with the right one (and keep observing the improvements or shortfalls).
[9] You should never get distracted your mind despite so many diversions.
[10] Your must keep some interesting things to change your mood and calm-down your mind. You can use the break time to watch songs and news on TV(to break the monotony).
[11] You can take the help of light melodious background music (if need be).
[12] Do not waste time in unnecessary chatting, criticizing someone.
Be meticulous in all the above steps and success will be surely yours.
[1] Start liking the subjects you have opted, then you will have self driven interest in the subjects- which makes you prepare in a systematic way.
[2] Try to prepare analytical subject followed by descriptive subject. You can think of making notes, marking/highlighting the important portion of reading material.
[3] Try to be confidant of the basic concepts.
[4] Never mix-up analytical subject and descriptive subject (you can not learn unless your mind is concentrated). But you can mix-up (or bring in between) easy subject, when you are tired with a tough subject.
[5] Every one hour, you keep changing the subject as per the second and third points (when you are reading something dull, difficult or boring, keeping your attention focused for one hour is also a challenge).
[6] Before you start the next subject, relax for just five minutes (Which is going to enhance your understanding capacity).
[7] Have five years' question papers, and have a mock test (at the weekend).
[8] Then compare your answers with the right one (and keep observing the improvements or shortfalls).
[9] You should never get distracted your mind despite so many diversions.
[10] Your must keep some interesting things to change your mood and calm-down your mind. You can use the break time to watch songs and news on TV(to break the monotony).
[11] You can take the help of light melodious background music (if need be).
[12] Do not waste time in unnecessary chatting, criticizing someone.
Be meticulous in all the above steps and success will be surely yours.
Which book is the best for preparation of the IES exam?
For UPSC prelims :
History Of Modern India – Bipin Chandra. (History)
India’s Struggle For Independence – Bipin Chandra. (History)
India’s Ancient Past – R.S. Sharma. (History)
History Of Medieval India – Satish Chandra. (History)
The Wonder That Was India – A.L. Bhasham. (Culture)
Indian Art and Culture – Nitin Singhania. (Culture)
Geography of India – Majid Husain. (Geography)
Oxford School Atlas – Oxford. (Geography)
Certificate Physical and Human Geography – Goh Cheng Leong. (Geography)
Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations – M. Laxmikanth. (Polity)
Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh. (Economy)
Economic Survey. (Economy)
Science and Technology in India – TMH. (Science and Technology)
Environmental Studies: From Crisis to Cure – Rajagopalan. (Environment)
Environment for Civil Services Prelims and Mains – Khuller. (Environment)
India Year Book (Current Affairs)
Manorama Yearbook. (Current Affairs)
CSAT Paper – 2 Manual by TMH or CSAT-II – Arihant (CSAT – Paper 2)
Analytical Reasoning – M. K. Pandey (CSAT – Paper 2: Analytical Reasoning)
Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R. S.Aggarwal (CSAT Paper 2: Reasoning)
For UPSC Mains :
Essays for Civil Services – Pulkit Khare (Essay Paper)
India After Gandhi – Ramchandra Guha (History – GS1)
Norman Lowe OR History of Modern World – Jain and Mathur (World History – GS1)
Social Problems In India – Ram Ahuja. (Indian Society – GS1)
IAS Mains General Studies Paper 2 (Arihant Manual – GS2)
Governance in India for CSE. (Governance – GS2)
Pax Indica – Shashi Tharoor. (Foreign Policy – GS2)
India and the World by Surendra Kumar. (Foreign Policy – GS2)
IAS Mains General Studies – GS3. (Arihant Manual – GS3)
India’s National Security: A Reader. (Internal Security – GS3)
Challenges to Internal Security of India. (Internal Security – GS3)
Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude. ( Ethics – GS4)
IAS Mains General Studies – Ethics. ( Arihant Manual – GS4)
History Of Modern India – Bipin Chandra. (History)
India’s Struggle For Independence – Bipin Chandra. (History)
India’s Ancient Past – R.S. Sharma. (History)
History Of Medieval India – Satish Chandra. (History)
The Wonder That Was India – A.L. Bhasham. (Culture)
Indian Art and Culture – Nitin Singhania. (Culture)
Geography of India – Majid Husain. (Geography)
Oxford School Atlas – Oxford. (Geography)
Certificate Physical and Human Geography – Goh Cheng Leong. (Geography)
Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations – M. Laxmikanth. (Polity)
Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh. (Economy)
Economic Survey. (Economy)
Science and Technology in India – TMH. (Science and Technology)
Environmental Studies: From Crisis to Cure – Rajagopalan. (Environment)
Environment for Civil Services Prelims and Mains – Khuller. (Environment)
India Year Book (Current Affairs)
Manorama Yearbook. (Current Affairs)
CSAT Paper – 2 Manual by TMH or CSAT-II – Arihant (CSAT – Paper 2)
Analytical Reasoning – M. K. Pandey (CSAT – Paper 2: Analytical Reasoning)
Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R. S.Aggarwal (CSAT Paper 2: Reasoning)
For UPSC Mains :
Essays for Civil Services – Pulkit Khare (Essay Paper)
India After Gandhi – Ramchandra Guha (History – GS1)
Norman Lowe OR History of Modern World – Jain and Mathur (World History – GS1)
Social Problems In India – Ram Ahuja. (Indian Society – GS1)
IAS Mains General Studies Paper 2 (Arihant Manual – GS2)
Governance in India for CSE. (Governance – GS2)
Pax Indica – Shashi Tharoor. (Foreign Policy – GS2)
India and the World by Surendra Kumar. (Foreign Policy – GS2)
IAS Mains General Studies – GS3. (Arihant Manual – GS3)
India’s National Security: A Reader. (Internal Security – GS3)
Challenges to Internal Security of India. (Internal Security – GS3)
Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude. ( Ethics – GS4)
IAS Mains General Studies – Ethics. ( Arihant Manual – GS4)
TEN THINGS TO REMEMBER TO CRACK UPSC !!!
Five points you must follow to crack UPSC:
- Syllabus prevents you to waste your energy somewhere else and keep you on track….train on track will definitely reach it’s destination…so always be in touch with syllabus (Syllabus).
- Previous year question papers acts as compass, provides direction to your study…so always keep them with you. Analyse and practise them with time (PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTION PAPERS).
- NCERT Books: Without reading these books you can’t develop your own understanding, this is basic knowledge you can’t skip. One important thing is that ‘All exam oriented publications and class notes are basically prepared from NCER books only’…so when you are using them means you are adopting their angle of interpretation of NCERT book and you will lose originality in your answer. So, go through NCERT books…and insure your success (NCERT BOOKS). So, attending tuition is not essential thing but reading NCERT books is essential thing.
- One magazine and two national newspapers to update your understanding and increase awareness about happenings in world. The exam is focusing on live issues and contemporary problems in India and world… (Suggested magazine is ‘Civil Service Chronicle’ and news papers is ‘The Hindu’).
- Read Economic Survey (Economic survey Vol. I, II), India yearbook (India 2016), Government policies, Constitutional amendments, Bills passed and pending in parliament, India’s Struggle for Independence, History of Modern India, India Since Independence.
- Don’t waste your energy in reading excess material…UPSC makes you addicted to reading; you start enjoying reading new information. Here you have to little bit cautious so you should not run out of track.
- Don’t follow any shortcut, UPSC demands right combination of hard-work and smart-work.
- Don’t listen frustrating experiences of UPSC candidates, it can induce negativity into you.
- Don’t try to copy study strategy or writing style of others, develop your own.
- Don’t be overconfident, even if you have studied well or already post holder or graduated from top school like IIT/IIM….nobody can predict UPSC.
How do you prepare for the Indian Engineering Services exam?
Preparation strategy is there :
I Hope this is useful for you, All The Best Engineers
- Collect the handwritten notes from any good institute. And buy/hire some standard books.
- Take one subject at a time. Read the theory from the notes.
- Finish the subject, mark the topics you didn't understand. Then read them from any standard book. If you get it, it's fine. If not discuss those with teachers/friends.
- Now solve previous years' objective questions for that subject (GATE+ESE both). Mark those questions you could not solve, and then read the corresponding theory from the notes/books again. You don't have to read the whole book. In fact you wont get enough time to do that for all subjects. Just read the selected topics and chapters.
- Write the formulae in a different sheet which you are unable to recall while solving the question papers.
- Then go for previous years' subjective questions. Practice the derivations repeatedly. Follow 4 and 5 again. And yes don't get panic if you could not solve some of the questions. Every year there are such types of odd/difficult questions.
- Then go for solved examples from the standard books, and if time allows go for some important unsolved questions from the standard books.
- Follow the step 7 religiously for at least 5-6 subjects (choose the subjects as per your liking and previous years' trends). You have to prepare all the subjects for both objective and subjective papers. But for subjective prepare those 5-6 subjects with special attention.Because for conventional/subjective paper you have to be very well prepared in some of the subjects so that any questions can be solved by you in the examination hall.
- Before starting the next subject revise the theory of the previous subject (preferably the topics and formulae you marked or wrote).
- And next time before starting the subject 3, revise the subject 1 and 2 and so on.
- Join any offline/online test series. It will be very helpful in tracking your progress. Take the test series seriously and evaluate your weak points. Work on those areas more.
- You can also join a coaching institute, then your approach will be a little bit different. You can always collect the notes from the previous batches and study them beforehand or at least study the ongoing subject or the upcoming subject. In that way you can have a better understanding in the class and a kind of revision would also be done. All other above mentioned points will remain the same. Make your own routine/timeline for finishing the syllabus and let the coaching institute do their work. Don’t just wait for them to complete the syllabus and then study/prepare all the subjects. You won’t be getting enough time then. After coming home from coaching institute give 1–2 hours for the ongoing topic/subject and then rest of the time you can devote to your own timeline/routine.
I Hope this is useful for you, All The Best Engineers
IS THE UPSC EXAMINATION TOO HARD TO CRACK?
According to my opinion nothing is easy till you work for it and same goes for Civil Services. If we particularly talk about Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC in India, it requires Hardwork, dedication, self motivation, a strong will to do it, patience and a fighter kind of attitude. Let me explain how-
- Hardwork- There is no competitive examination that can be cracked without it. Because yes, “Hardwork is the only key to success.”
- Dedication- A person must be completely dedicated towards the goal and must not get deviated from his path. He or she must only focus on cracking the civil service examination and must not have any other aim to work for. In short multiple goals won't help in any way.
- Self motivation- This examination requires motivation from time to time. There will come phases during the entire duration of the examination when a person would get depressed and upset. But only self motivation can keep you going.
- A strong will- An individual must have a strong will and must know the reason for which he wants to crack the examination. Because it is rightly said that- “Where there is a will there is a way”
- Patience- Cracking this is a long process and nothing can be achieved in a hurry. Only a patient aspirant can stay focused for a longer term and can get through all the obstacles.