The key to success is Time Management and therefore it becomes important to squeeze out the most out of even a second.

In order to manage your day, it is better to have a personal sense of time log; this will help you track how you spend the day. Divide each day for a period of two weeks into one hour intervals and write down what are you going to do in the two slots. Under them you can divide the activities and examine your time log. You may come to know that very little time goes into top priority works and more time is wasted in coffee breaks, chatting and receiving phone calls. Try to deduce the time spent on these ineffective activities or stop doing them altogether. After cutting down on these things you will find that your efficiency level is increasing and obviously the end results will be on your side. Also, just take a look at the following points, as these can prove to be helpful while u prepare:

• While preparing for a set of subjects in IAS syllabus, ensure that you would be appearing for a multiple choice question papers, where subjects such as History, maths and geography may prove to be highly scoring. Choose subjects whose preparation material like IAS Exam Material books, IAS Comprehension Test, reading material and guidance books are easily available in the market.
• Your General Knowledge will definitely pay in your IAS prelims examination which can be improved through keeping a tab on day to day happenings by reading newspaper, watching television news, etc.
• For all those who are lucky enough to clear IAS mains and reach interview stage, then bookish knowledge itself won’t do. Mind alertness counts when somebody asks tricky questions on “how many steps you walked to reach the office?”
• Improving the personality is quite important as this will definitely be one of the criteria for selection. Physical and mental wellbeing is quite important for IPS.
• Try to enhance your communication skills as the civil servants must be proficient in at least one foreign language.

Time Management

1. While preparing for a set of subjects in IAS syllabus, ensure that you would be appearing for a multiple choice question papers, where subjects such as History, maths and geography may prove to be highly scoring. Choose subjects whose preparation material like IAS Exam Material books, IAS Comprehension Test, reading material and guidance books are easily available in the market.

2. Your General Knowledge will definitely pay in your IAS prelims examination which can be improved through keeping a tab on day to day happenings by reading newspaper, watching television news, etc.

3. For all those who are lucky enough to clear IAS mains and reach interview stage, then bookish knowledge itself won’t do. Mind alertness counts when somebody asks tricky questions on “how many steps you walked to reach the office?”

4. Improving the personality is quite important as this will definitely be one of the criteria for selection. Physical and mental wellbeing is quite important for IPS.

5. Try to enhance your communication skills as the civil servants must be proficient in at least one foreign language.

Tips on IAS Preparation

1. Be very particular about the subject you choose for prelims, as you will be appearing for an objective type of paper. History, maths, geography may prove to be very scoring. Choose subjects which have availability of books, reading material and guidance. In recent years engineering subjects like civil and electrical can be chosen, giving BEs and IITians an edge (yes! even here they are giving the BAs and BScs a tough fight!)

2. G.K. will definitely pay in your prelims. Reading newspapers, watching TV news and of course quiz shows like KBC is a must.

3. If you have been lucky enough to reach the interview stage book knowledge may not be the only thing you need. Your mental alertness will count as they ask you questions like “How many steps did you walk up to reach here?” or “ What is the colour of the wall behind you ?” – So be prepared.

4. Enhance your personality because it will definitely be one of the criteria for selection. For IPS physical wellbeing is of great importance, you should be medically fit.

5. Improve your communication skills. IFS aspirants must be proficient in at least one foreign language. So go ahead, have your say in this political mess of our country and try to make it a better place.