Prelims 2025 - Support Group

I've been reading newspaper since July this year. No compilation started as of now. How to start reading current affairs for Prelims 2025? For prelims, I've found Vajiram recitals relevant and well-organised.

1. Please guide how I should begin. 

2. How to plan my revision. How many rounds?

3. What should be the ideal timeline?

4. Which subjects to prioritise? 

Make sure that you finish your static by December. Keep reading the newspaper. Read anyone magazine compilation. Do not overdo CA.

I would also suggest solving 30-50 questions everyday from prelims toolkit when you are bored. They are good, and from what I have seen, you should be sorted if you have done 50-70% of it by Feb.

Also have this plan of finishing the prelims static syllabus by Feb. And after March only revision and FLTs.

Some people have the plan of starting preparation from March. 

Sometimes being ahead and having extra time is all that you need to clear the exam.

My MGP and optional are stretching until Feb. Notes and tests both. When should I stop with mains and switch to prelims completely, considering I feel underprepared for prelims? 

https://forumias.com/blog/two-cents-how-to-clear-civil-services-with-a-top-rank-and-avoid-exhausting-attempts/

Plz read this post, you will get clarity when to stop the mains preparation.

This is Gold. :))

Can anyone suggest a good book for economics (prelims perspective)? 

I am referring Mrunal sir's notes but am not able to understand few concepts 

@Neyawn if you could please help, thanks 

@Neyawn Completed static part and prelims specifics , got 68 in 2023, expected 85 in 2024. Did everything possible in 2024 from tests, simulator tests for prelims. For 2025 prelims I could not think of anything different from what material I read, what way I read previously.

1. Please guide how to approach in 2025. From my side Revision is the best I can do.
2. Also I want suggestions regarding any good content/books in Environment , History.
   My sources earlier prelims specific reading : IE newspaper, NCERT Biology, Websites press releases -UNEP, CoPs, IUCN etc, NCERT Themes History, RS Sharma, Spectrum Modern H, History Poonam D.

 Revise static 5 times,Pyq 2-3 times, test series mistakes 3 times and CA 2 times .

Revision isn't really a small thing. I have seen people perform best after 5-7 revisions. Unless you are born with a photographic memory. 

With reference to source, my advice will be that do well whatever you do. You are overdoing things. You can refer to some of the red books which students have told me have had a comprehensive coverage - such as the Enviornment, S& T ones. read NCERTs 1 or 2 times at the max. Then the standard pvt publications have to be done.

https://forumias.com/post/detail/How-to-ace-2025-upsc-cse-1723083207?JiwzKFIsM2BTCmAK

One of my early comments on a different post for prelims 2025

In my opinion (Passed three prelims, failed two) , Prelims preparation rests on multiple pillars (You've to find which Pillar is weak for you) 

1. Static revision:  Polity, Economy being the basic structure. You must be able to mug up all the major themes asked. Eg: Important chapters of Laxmikant, BOP/Money & Banking etc from economy 

Further, you must do BASIC BOOKS (not coaching material) for Economy, Polity, History, Geography 

Coaching material can be used for Science & Tech, Environment, A&C and obviously CA. 

2. Intelligent guessing : Not using them, costed me two prelims (2019,2021)

3. Paper attempting strategy : Attempt like an emotionless machine. Don't be happy at an easy question and don't be upset at a tough one. 

How many rounds, Will you flip the paper, will you Start from 1, which area will you start from? 

What will you do in the time between GS & CSAT. Which pen will you take? What will you do if you're near the window? (I made sure that in Abhyaas, I sat near the window where My city song was being played by the Garbage wagon) 

4. Emotional resilience : The paper will evoke many emotions. You must be able to reign your emotions and stay focused to execute whatever you've planned on the exam day. 

In 2021, it was my third prelims and I had cracked it in 2020. However one of my close friends secured a Top 10 rank just days before exam. While I was happy, it totally threw me off. All I could think was how will I match that benchmark? Well, I didn't need to. 

This emotional turbulence and chaotic revision ensured that I choke in Prelims 2021,merely attempting 67 Q (Yes, you read it right). I missed the cutoff by 4 marks. 

5. PYQs :

Are you aware that IR has seen increased presence since 2022, that biotechnology is being asked in great depth, that Oceanography and Climatology will (Likely) make a appearance in 2025. 

Not only this, have you researched that Mapping gets you a great deal of marks. Have you made notes of options? 

Further looking at the language, can you get in the mind of the examiner? 

6. Practice : To hone all of the above skills, you need to practice.

This shall be done using PYQs (Daily practice) as well as Mocks. 

I consider Mocks as utile primarily for time management skills. Apart from that I never fret over poorly made economics questions in most coachings. Just stay calm. 

I never let myself be worried about the Ramsar site Question I get wrong in month of February because I knew I'll do these lists (Ramsar, Mapping, National park) in April. Similarly, CA questions were marked but never bothered about them. 

I didn't become happy when I got 120+ and I didn't get sad when I got 70.

I practiced how OMR had to be filled in the mocks and made sure I finish 15 mins before as UPSC Prelims is usually lengthier. The crux is your must be aware WHY you are giving mocks. Don't be fixated on marks. Follow the PROCESS and you shall be fine. 

7. Short notes (Only if you're like me and NEED short notes at any cost to revise) 

It helped me revise the syllabus quickly in the last days. I think a lot of facts can be put in your short term memory which helps in increasing the confidence 

8. Listicles (Ramsar, National Park, Mapping, Art & culture) : I had created a Playlist of things that had to be mugged up. I used to watch these video everyday starting from April (as no point doing them in January) 

By the time May arrives, the facts were cemented due to daily recalls. Also, I studied with a friend so as to make sure my brain remained active and curios while studying for Prelims as well. Curiosity and active reading will take you places. 

Mugging up and Rattofying without fun can make the process bland. And for me process is everything! 

If you fail even after doing the above due to some factors beyond you, BLAME THE LUCK. Don't be too hard on yourself. But till the D Day make sure, you do everything in your power to conquer the prelims ! 

P.S: I hope those who have cleared Prelims previously or studied religiously for prelims >2 attempts continue studying for Mains till Jan or Feb. Mains is in August, Don't EVER forget that. It's the REAL MONSTER (for those who think Prelims is hard and Mains Can be "managed") 

The above is just an informal post to add value. I'll try and add more descriptive tips with pictures to substantiate in coming days. 

All the Best warriors ! 

Whoever commands the hold on static  portion, pyqs( more the number of years better it will be ) also need to conquer oneself to avoid unnecessary fomo will dominate prelims, the destiny of the individual will be decided on there ability to do the above .’

- Alfred Mahan’s two cent advice on UPSC prelims