The number of attempts for the UPSC Civil Services Exam (which includes the IAS exam) varies based on the category of the candidate.

A motivated and hardworking student can crack the UPSC exam through self-study without relying on any coaching institute although mentorship can be beneficial for

• Proper guidance and support for CSE
• Identifying strength and weaknesses
• Developing a personalized study plan based
• Valuable insights about exam pattern, question trends, and key topics to focus on.
• Staying motivated and accountable throughout the preparation process

It is important to note that mentorship alone cannot guarantee success in the UPSC exam.With self-discipline, dedication, and a structured study plan, aspirants can prepare for the exam and achieve success without any external assistance.

As per the UPSC Notification, “A candidate must hold a graduate degree from one of the Indian universities established by an act of the national or state legislature or from one of the other educational institutions recognised as universities under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent degree from one of those institutions.

Note- Candidates who are in their final year of college or who are awaiting results may also apply to take the UPSC preliminary examination.

Medical students who have passed the final year of their MBBS programme but have not yet finished their internship are also eligible for the IAS though they need to submit completion certificate including an internship the Main Examination application.

The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam consists of two objective-type papers - General Studies Paper I (GS Paper I) and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT or Paper II). However, the marking scheme for each paper is slightly different.

Aspirants need to understand that success in the UPSC exam is not necessarily determined by academic performance alone. While a good educational background can certainly help, what matters more is the candidate's ability to understand and analyse issues, think critically, and communicate effectively. With the right approach and a strong will to succeed, even average students can crack the UPSC exam and become successful civil servants.

Aspirants can start their journey by keeping in mind the following point:

• Prepare Yourself by going through every minute detail about UPSC CSE
• Understand the UPSC Syllabus and the trend by going through PYQs
• Choose Optional
• Make a timetable
• Start from basics i.e., NCERTs and regularly follow the current affairs
• Make notes
• Keep practicing Answer writing
• Go for Mock Tests
• Solve previous year question papers/p>

Solving UPSC Previous Year Question papers can help aspirants in

• Understanding the Exam Pattern
• Identifying Important Topics
• Improving Time Management
• Boosting Confidence
• Improving Speed and Accuracy

Considering the same, previous year's question papers can be of great help for practice as it is important to be familiar with the format of the question paper but candidates should not rely solely on them as UPSC exams are dynamic and evolving. The questions asked in the exam may vary from year to year, and the emphasis may also shift toward different topics and themes. Therefore, it is essential to stay up to date with current affairs and understand the underlying concepts and theories.

The idea of checking last year's paper is good to develop a well-rounded approach that prioritizes understanding and application of concepts and presenting their answers clearly and concisely. Simply, preparing only from question papers without developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills is not an effective way to succeed as a student.

Aspirants should keep following points in mind while choosing an optional:

• Subject-wise trend along with recognizing what is the most suitable option for an aspirant.
• Aspirant’s Interest as with the subjects that you really love to study, monotony won’t be frequent.
• Overlapping with GS that will also helpful in General Studies or in Essay or the Interview, increases the preference for the particular subject.
• Optional subject must be chosen keeping in mind the time in which the syllabus can be covered
• Sources of Information/Study should be available easily.
• Dynamism of Subject should be minimum
• Background, though not necessary but if you have a serious background in a subject which also satisfies other important criteria of choosing optional, then the background should be given a priority.

The minimum age limit for appearing in the UPSC Civil Services Examination is 21 years. There is no standard age to begin Civil Services preparation, and it varies from person to person. Some aspirants may start their preparation right after their 10+2 exams, while others may start after completing their graduation or even later.

While choosing an optional subject that is related to their educational background can provide an advantage in terms of familiarity with the subject matter. It is important to have a thorough understanding of the subject and to be able to score well in the exam, regardless of whether it is related to one's educational background or not.

Cracking the UPSC Civil Services Exam on the first attempt is possible, but it requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and a well-planned strategy. With the right mindset, approach, and hard work, cracking the UPSC Civil Services Exam on the first attempt is achievable.

I can say that the time required to complete the entire UPSC prelims and mains syllabus depends on various factors such as the level of preparation of the candidate, their prior knowledge and understanding of the topics, and their ability to grasp new concepts quickly.

It is generally recommended that aspirants should start their preparation at least a year in advance to cover the entire syllabus thoroughly. However, serious aspirants can clear the prelims within less time with the right guidance, smart work, and strategy.

It is important to note that clearing the UPSC exam requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and persistence. It is not just about completing the syllabus but also about developing a deep understanding of the topics and improving one's analytical and decision-making skills. Therefore, aspirants should not compromise on the quality of their preparation and should aim to cover as much of the syllabus as possible in the time available.

To clear the prelims with less than 2-3 months of preparation, aspirants need to focus on the most important topics and revise them thoroughly. They should also solve previous year's question papers and take mock tests to assess their level of preparation and identify their weaknesses.

It is important for candidates to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations set by the UPSC to avoid any kind of penalty or disqualification. Candidates should ensure that they do not carry any electronic device with them to the examination hall and follow all the instructions given by the exam invigilators.

However, candidates are allowed to wear a simple wristwatch inside the exam hall. The watch should not have any additional features such as a calculator, stopwatch, or any other electronic function. The watch should be a simple time-telling device with no other functionality.

There are three All India Services (AIS) in India, namely:

• IndianAdministrativeService
• IndianForeignService
• IndianPoliceService

While the Group-A and Group-B services includes

• Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian Information Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian Railway Protection Force Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) Group ‘A’
• Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) Group ‘A’
• Indian Trade Service, Group ‘A’ (Grade III)
• Indian Railway Management Service, Group ‘A’
• Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade)
• Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra &Nagar Haveli Civil Service (DANICS), Group ‘B’
• Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra &Nagar Haveli Police Service (DANIPS), Group ‘B’
• Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS), Group ‘B’ (xxi) Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS), Group ‘B’

In UPSC (Union Public Service Commission), the classification of Group A and Group B refers to the categories of services or posts that are offered through the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the UPSC.

The Central Services (Group A) looks after the administration of the Union Government. All appointments to Central Civil Services (Group A) are made by the President of India

The purpose of Group B jobs is to provide administrative and executive support for Central Government Offices and Union Territories offices. Typically, IAS officers and Gazetted officers of the Indian Administration are in charge of Group B officers.

It is important to note that the classification of Group A and Group B is only for administrative purposes, and it does not imply any hierarchy or superiority among the individuals serving in these services. The performance of an individual and their contribution to society determine their value, rather than the service or category they belong to.