As aspirants, we often forget to focus on the fundamental things we need to know about UPSC.

I am not going to give you any strategies or steps in this short write-up, but simple advice on why you need to get back to the basics if you want to excel in UPSC.

1. First, you should master the basic concepts.
   • That’s why NCERT is advised by so many toppers! Master the static subject. Without the basics, you can’t expect to know the more nuanced and detailed content.
   • You can’t be expected to answer prelims questions and write well in mains unless you understand the pure basics of that topic.
   • For example, if you want to solve a bond related Economics questions of UPSC in prelims, you should understand how inflation could move with change in interest rates by the central banks
   • In last few years, UPSC has majorly shifted its focus on questions that check your fundamental knowledge consistently for years.
   • So, if you think that pattern is changing and all, that’s just on the surface. If you know the basics, master them, you can write exam any year and do well (with some practice of course)
2. Second, you need to stop philosophizing this exam.
   • You need to get it done! Start today. Don’t think too much about where and how. Where ever you feel comfortable is okay.
   • For instance, if you are good at polity, start there.
   • Don’t over-strategize or wait for a perfect plan.
   • Instead of thinking about strategies, sit down and study. Strategies are hundreds, but execution is far less. So sit down and study!
3. Third, after you have mastered the fundamentals, practice, practice, practice.
   • Practice becomes the key after your static part is set. The battle afterwards really boils down to how broadly you have covered the syllabus, how many papers you have practiced, how fast and well can you write (crisp and well-rounded answers) etc. that I keep discussing in my video classes.
   • Remember, if Sachin Tendulkar was good at cricket, interested in it, made a lot of plans, but never actually went out to practice day and night, would he be so successful? Nope!
   • Same applies to you. Practice is the last walls you need to break for success in UPSC.

Reading well is the key to success in any exam. Even in general if you are a good reader, it helps! 📚

As an aspirant, I used to give a lot of time to developing little ways to enhance my learning techniques.

Hopefully, these will help you to become a better learned as well!

These are the things that you can try to follow and improve your reading and learning style:

1. First, you should read and understand the Table of Contents broadly. This helps you to know what’s to come and what’s the overall story
2. Second, look and compare the table of contents with the syllabus and topics given for your exam. This helps you highlight main topics, associate and remember through mental mapping
3. Google the chapter heading and quickly skim through the main highlights on search results. Look at the Google images to get a rough Visual idea — creates visual references in mind and makes recalling easier
4. Read the headings and sub-headings of the chapter. This helps you understand what dimensions you need to know about the topic.
5. Read the exercises given at the back of the chapter before reading the chapter. It will help you to know the important topics of the chapter.
6. Look at the chapter maps, images, tables etc. given. This will help you to further create mental maps and images and remember the important ones
7. Now, go ahead and read the chapter!
8. Finally, when you do Previous Year Questions practice, try to remember which chapter the question might be from. This enhances your memory and recalling and connects the dots!

@manujjindalias