Refer NCERT books: When you are preparing for the most prominent exam that India talk big about, you just can’t take it for granted. As you get on this rigorous journey, make sure to pull together the NCERT books from class 6th to 12th of the subjects covered in Prelims and study them systematically. Applicants thinking to appear the exam in Hindi need to refer to IAS books in Hindi medium.

Question Papers: Go through previous years’ papers subject-wise. This will save time and you will have a basic idea of how to forward.

Practice Writing: While practicing the previous year’s question paper, pay sufficient attention to your writing skills. Set a time limit to see how you are performing for each question. Practice makes you better.

Online Mock Test: Go for the online mock test, evaluate your answers and calculate your power and flaws. Understanding your responds will take you one step nearer to your dream. Therefore undertake the UPSC Prelims test series to analyze your skills.

Newspaper: Daily reading of newspaper will help you to keep a track on the current affairs. You can also subscribe for a monthly newspaper. The Hindu newspaper is always the most preferred one.

Endurance:  The IPS mains exam is not only about memory and aptitude but also endurance. Lack of prior practice, writing persistently for 6 hours a day and doing the same for 5 days may cause both mental and physical fatigue. The only way to overcome it is to rehearsal enough before the exam.

Topper’s Tips:  You don’t need to follow a toppers strategy exactly. Always follow your own strategy but yes you can take some of the tips from the toppers interview which you find useful.

Exercise: Exercise will help you to keep your mind and body fit. As IPS also require physical fitness candidates should make a habit to add exercise to their daily routine.

Joining a coaching institute is always a good idea because it will definitely help you out in some ways or other. But it might be impossible for many because coaching institutes really charge a heft amount which couldn’t be managed by many. But as the saying goes “where there is a will there is a way”. So it is not impossible to clear IPS exam without coaching. A proper and strict routine with true determination and commitment will definitely help you to clear the exam with ease.