The civil services exam by the Union Public Service Commission is considered one of the most reputed and esteemed exam not just in the country but across the world. Every year nearly ten lakh people appear for the exam out of which only a thousand come out successful. This very less probability of clearing the exam makes it look like a distant dream to many. However aspirants who have cleared it constantly stress on the fact that it is not very difficult.
Here, we discuss
- The need for UPSC counseling
- Misconceptions and Myths Related to UPSC Exam
- Things an aspirant should know before taking up UPSC
Students from different graduation backgrounds wish to appear for this examination but most of them are not sure as to how one should be approaching this exam. The lengthy process of examination and interview gives a picture of being very difficult. Nonetheless the number of aspirants appearing for the exam has only been rising over the years.
The Need for UPSC Counseling
The uncertainty in the outcome of the exam has made many aspirants discouraged over the past years. Very few students take up the exam in full sincerity and confidence. Though like it is widely believed the exam is difficult it is definitely not insurmountable. It is competitive and challenging and undoubtedly not beyond the scope of a sincere and hardworking aspirant. This is largely because of the misconceptions and myths that are believed by the aspirants.
Misconceptions and Myths Related to UPSC Exam
Some of the myths that are generally around UPSC and needed to be busted are:
- Like already discussed it is believed to be toughest exam and most importantly it is not an exam for the faint hearted. This exam is definitely not easy but it is quite achievable given the aspirant is hardworking and perseverant.
- It is for students from humanities background is what many argue and say to students from science field and engineering background. This judgment of UPSC civil service exam is very far from being true. In fact contrary to the popular belief the maximum numbers of students who clear this exam belong to the engineering background. Though the syllabus of this exam is mostly from humanities subjects it is of a standard which can be attained by any graduate.
- Many believe that one needs to be extremely good with their academics from school to clear the exam. It is absolutely untrue. Many of the aspirants who cleared the exam were moderately good with their grades in school and college. The exam patter and strategy applied to crack it is very much different from the one that is followed in our school and colleges.
- Students aspiring to crack the exam somehow are made to believe that preparation should be made from school level itself. This is a false belief as many people who cracked the exam have picked up the dream of UPSC much later in their lives. Especially youngsters from medical and IT field take up jobs soon after their graduation and then give them up for their UPSC goal. Hence it this belief of kick starting preparation from school level itself is a misconception.
- Many think it is an expensive affair. Though it is true to a certain extent it should be a factor for not taking up the dream of civil service. In these time of technological advancements internet has been a boom. It is abounding with ample information and free material which helps in going about with the exam. Apart from this generic information on internet many institutions have started online classes for students who cannot afford to travel to a bigger city to pursue a dream.
- Many aspirants hesitate to take up this examination owning to the amount of time it demands for preparation. It is wrongly believed that one has to study for 18 hours a day to clear IAS exam. This is a misconception because it is practically impossible to chalk a study plan for 18 hours a day.
- One needs to have a graduation degree in the subject he or she wishes to take it up as an optional subject in the mains level of the exam. This is anything but untrue. Any subject can be chosen as an optional subject irrespective of the subject on which the aspirant has graduated.
All these myths and misconceptions raise the need of UPSC guidance or counseling for aspirants.
Things an Aspirant Should Know Before Taking up UPSC
- UPSC civil services exam is not just an exam about academics but it also has lot to deal with mental status of the aspirant.
- A serious preparation needs close to 10 hours a day of preparation. A proper strategy and study plan needs to be laid out well in advance.
- The aspirant needs to be well aware of the academic, physical and other requirements for applying for the exam. After thoroughly going through the examination notification of the previous year the aspirant is advised to start his or her preparation.
- The syllabus of the entire exam including the mains exam pattern should be read thoroughly. The complete knowledge on the syllabus gives a clear picture of where the aspirant stands. And accordingly a strategy can be planned.
- The aspirant needs to be mentally prepared to devout at least 3 years of his precious time to this exam. Since the exam is quite demanding break free concentration on this exam is quite difficult. For this reason the aspirants are advised to plan for at least 3 years in advance. You might clear it in the first go, but a maximum time frame is important to be decided at the beginning.
- Many aspirants think that government exams are not advisable for the people without reservation. This is untrue in many ways. The reservation provided for the backward cases of the society will not eat into your chances of clearing the exam. The effort put in by the serious aspirants is more or less equal irrespective of the category they belong to.
Wrapping Up
All this information on the civil services exam can get slightly overwhelming considering the lengthy do’s and don’ts that are given as advice to the aspirants. Hence this calls for a professional counselling. A professional UPSC counsellor gives detailed information and able guidance in going about with the goal of UPSC. The aspirant can also discuss his or her personal situation and reservations with the counsellor. This makes the idea of clearing the exam more achievable and takes the aspirant closer to the goal.