Aspirants preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination always find the journey daunting due to the never-ending syllabus and the level of commitment that it expects one to put in. On top of this, aspirants can make common mistakes during their preparation, for which they may lag despite months of struggle with preparation. This article will discuss the 10 most common UPSC mistakes that you might be making. It will also propose strategies to avoid these mistakes.
1. Lack of understanding of UPSC syllabus
UPSC provides a clear roadmap for your preparation, outlining the topics, depth and breadth of knowledge required for each stage of the exam (Prelims, Mains, and Interview). If you fail to understand the UPSC syllabus, you are making a huge mistake which can lead to inefficient preparation and can mean nothing but a waste of time for you.
If aspirants download the syllabus and just look at it once or twice, then it can prove one of the biggest blunders for them. The syllabus requires a thorough analysis and understanding of everything in detail, as it provides an analysis of the topics that should be covered in each paper. The syllabus itself is a blueprint for aspirants, which one must not overlook at any cost.
It is stated directly from toppers that it required them at least 1 to 1.5 months to grasp the syllabus thoroughly. This means that aspirants should get printouts of the syllabus and attach them to their study tables. This way, aspirants will not feel the burden to open the syllabus and go through each aspect accordingly.
2. Not referring to the Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs)
The importance of the PYQs cannot be underestimated, yet aspirants often make this mistake in their UPSC preparation. The previous year’s questions play a crucial role in order to observe the exam pattern, the significance of a particular subject and the types of questions that occur in the exam. Aspirants, due to confidence or lack of awareness, often refuse to rely on PYQs which is a common UPSC mistake.
Solving PYQs helps aspirants by providing insights into the exam pattern, question trends and the topics the Commission prioritises. This aids aspirants in their strategic preparation, time management and providing accuracy. For example, in the 2024 UPSC prelims exam, approximately 17 questions came from Indian Polity, 16 from Economy and 14 from Geography. What does this mean? This means how much weightage UPSC examiners give to a particular subject. When the aspirants crack this analysing the PYQs, it makes their preparation easier to an extent.
3. Lack of underestimating the demand of the exam
Many aspirants jump into their UPSC preparation without understanding the demand of the UPSC exam. Many lack the basic idea of grasping what the exam expects from candidates beyond rote learning, requiring a holistic approach. This common mistake of UPSC aspirants hinders their approach to strategic preparation, strong analytical skills, current awareness and a genuine passion for service.
Aspirants should see what successful candidates and unsuccessful candidates have missed. There are candidates who possess high calibre for the UPSC exam, but they miss the very purpose and demand of the exam. In the exam hall, it is important to understand the requirement of a particular question, analysing the demand. For example, if a question asks for a logical response, candidates should use data, tables, graphs and maps, which will showcase the authenticity of the answer. This would also demonstrate their ability to develop answers critically, which is required for the UPSC services.
4. Starting without a proper strategy and vision
Another mistake in UPSC preparation is the lack of a clear strategy and vision, which leads to aimless studying, poor time management and a lower chance of success. The overall UPSC preparation does not depend on the hours you are putting in a single day, but it is a continuous process, keeping yourself consistent to learn and evolve. Aspirants who feel motivated and study 10 to 12 hours on one day but have no connection for the next 3 days will lead them nowhere.
Moreover, studying consistently without proper planning might also lead you nowhere. If you are studying daily but your approach is keeping 2 to 3 books in front of you and reading pointlessly is also a big mistake. After finishing your course, just try to remind and you will understand that it makes no sense, making the process even more daunting.
As part of the UPSC preparation, it is significantly important for aspirants to have a proper routine of how much they are going to cover in a particular day. A well-structured plan allows you to allocate time for each subject, revision and practice, ideal for preventing last-minute cramming. Aspirants should have a clear strategy to cover specific topics and subjects for the entire day to make the most of it.
5. Not being Mains-ready before Prelims
The gap between the UPSC Prelims to Mains is not more than 2.5 to 3 months. From this, you can have the idea the timespan is very limited for preparing for the Mains stage of UPSC exam. Candidates mostly keep this approach, focusing on clearing Prelims first, then dedicating time to Mains after the Prelims results are out. This is one of the common UPSC mistakes made despite knowing they will not get enough time for the Mains.
The Mains exam needs you to have a strong base and understanding of the syllabus, which includes nine papers. Your theoretical, analytical and reasoning-based understanding of the questions is a must to answer accurately. If you lack an approach to prepare for the Mains right before the Prelims, you risk falling into a cycle of traps and never qualify for the exam.
In order to avoid this mistake, aspirants should take a Mains-ready approach before the UPSC Prelims, focusing on building a strong foundation by covering static topics, practicing answer writing, and understanding the syllabus.
6. Not preparing own notes
Aspirants also make the mistake of overly relying on textbooks and coaching materials without preparing their concise notes, which is a significant mistake. Let’s understand this way: after purchasing a book for General Studies 1 (GS1), aspirants rely on that particular source despite experiencing difficulty understanding key concepts and theories. This lack of self-analysis leads to a path where they feel demotivated and even give up. There is no point in taking a book and doing rote learning, thinking that you made your notes.
This challenge has become daunting with today’s technological advancements, where everything is just a step away from your fingertips. Moreover, coaching centres also provide ready-made notes, which aspirants think would be more thoughtful to purchase. The problem lies in clearing the concepts and developing critical analysis.
Aspirants, at least after 3 to 4 months, especially beginners, should practice making their notes. This will not only help them to fill out pages but also formulate and refine their answers significantly. Suppose M. Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity has around 800 to 900 pages, and you also filled out your notebook with the same things and made notes of 1000 pages after finishing the book. Will you get enough time to revise that again? Or will you make the same effort to look at that copy again? No right! UPSC challenges these things only.
If you can make concise notes maximum of 200 pages from a book of 800 pages, that is wiser. This will also keep you motivated to revise as you have already filtered the content. This self-analysis is important while preparing your own notes and avoid this mistake.
7. Lack of answer writing and tests periodically
Another common UPSC mistake is the lack of answer writing and tests. UPSC aspirants make this mistake by neglecting answer-writing practice and mock tests during preparation, which hinders the development of crucial skills such as structuring answers, managing time, and understanding the exam’s demands.
Aspirants can avoid this through regular answer-writing practice, which will help them learn to structure answers effectively, essential for the UPSC Mains exam. Understanding this urgency, one should attempt mock tests on a regular basis and check scores. If you fantasise about giving 100 per cent in the preparation without attempting tests, your efforts shall still be minimal. Attempting UPSC mock tests is crucial for the preparation because they simulate the actual exam environment and enhance answer writing skills. On top of this, it is helpful to identify mistakes and refine them before the final battle.
8. Reading an excessive number of resources
Aspirants make the mistake of purchasing too many books and creating a library at home. This is a common UPSC mistake during the preparation. Over-reliance on multiple resources is counterproductive since it leads to confusion and a lack of focused learning.
According to toppers, candidates should keep their resources concise and limited to the requirements. It is ideal to have two alternative standard books/resources for each subject and study them considering minute details. Looking at and revising the same materials time and again is wiser than covering multiple books, as this will strengthen your base, ensuring quality over quantity.
9. Wasting too much time on newspapers
Wasting excessive time on newspapers is also a mistake because it can lead to neglecting other vital areas of your preparation. Aspirants often try to read everything, spending 4-5 hours on a newspaper. Many do not understand that aspects like entertainment, sports, local news, and political party-specific content are not required for the UPSC exam. This lack of awareness and the inability to filter the content cost a hefty amount of time.
For UPSC preparation, aspirants should focus on national and internal news, economic development, government policies, socio-economic issues, editorials, and so on. Dedicating 1.5 to 2 hours daily to reading newspapers and making notes is sufficient.
10. Choosing wrong optional subjects
Selecting the wrong optional subject for the UPSC Mains can have a significant impact on the overall score and success. Choosing a wrong elective can make you disinterested in the subject due to not understanding the concepts thoroughly. Nonetheless, this mistake can also be challenging, seeing the limited time as aspirants will have to spend more time and effort on a subject you are not comfortable with. It can hamper your interest in covering other subjects as well.
The optional subject is crucial as it contributes 500 marks out of 1750 in the Mains exam.
Tips to select UPSC optional subject:
- It is generally advised to take an elective which one had on their graduation days.
- Analyse interest, aptitude, and background
- Analyse the syllabus for overlaps with general studies
- Assess the availability of quality study materials and coaching
- Students’ own abilities
Once this is selected, aspirants for a thorough preparation of UPSC optional subjects should dedicate at least 5 months to ensure that they have ample time for in-depth study, revision and answer-writing practice.
FAQs
Apart from these common UPSC mistakes, procrastination, lack of self-care and less focus on NCERTs are also errors made by students. NCERTs especially provide the foundation for building a strong understanding of core concepts and topics. These are also considered a source of questions.
1. What are the most common UPSC mistakes to avoid during preparation?
Common UPSC mistakes include not understanding the syllabus thoroughly, neglecting previous year question papers (PYQs), underestimating the exam’s demands, and over-relying on too many resources. To avoid this, aspirants should focus on strategic planning, consistent revision, and sticking to limited but quality study materials.
2. How can I avoid failure in the UPSC exam?
To avoid failure in the UPSC exam, ensure you have a clear strategy, maintain consistency in your studies, and practice answer writing regularly. Additionally, analyse your strengths and weaknesses, avoid procrastination, and dedicate time to both Prelims and Mains preparation simultaneously.
3. What are some UPSC preparation tips for beginners?
Beginners should start by thoroughly understanding the UPSC syllabus, referring to PYQs, and creating concise notes. It’s also important to focus on NCERTs for foundational knowledge, limit resources, and allocate time for both static and current affairs preparation.
4. Why is it important to refer to the previous year’s question papers (PYQs) in UPSC preparation?
Referring to PYQs helps aspirants understand the exam pattern, identify frequently asked topics, and prioritise subjects based on their weightage. This insight allows candidates to strategise their preparation effectively and manage time better during the exam.
5. What are the common UPSC exam errors related to answer writing?
A frequent error is neglecting answer-writing practice, which leads to poor structuring of responses and ineffective time management during the exam. Aspirants should regularly practice writing answers and take mock tests to refine their skills and meet the exam’s demands.
6. How can I avoid mistakes in UPSC preparation related to optional subjects?
To avoid mistakes with optional subjects, choose a subject that aligns with your graduation background, interests, and aptitude. Analyse the syllabus for overlaps with General Studies, assess the availability of study materials, and dedicate at least 5 months for thorough preparation.
7. What are the consequences of reading too many resources for UPSC preparation?
Reading excessive resources can lead to confusion, lack of focus, and inefficient learning. Instead, aspirants should stick to 2-3 standard books per subject, revise them multiple times, and ensure they grasp concepts deeply rather than superficially covering too much content.
8. How can I avoid wasting time on newspapers during UPSC preparation?
Focus only on relevant sections like national news, government policies, socio-economic issues, and editorials while reading newspapers. Limit your newspaper reading time to 1.5–2 hours daily, and avoid irrelevant topics such as entertainment or sports news.
9. What are the key UPSC mistakes to avoid when preparing for the Mains exam?
A major mistake is delaying Mains preparation until after the Prelims results. Aspirants should adopt a Mains-ready approach from the beginning, focusing on building a strong foundation, practicing answer writing, and revising static topics alongside Prelims preparation.
10. How can I ensure I don’t underestimate the demand of the UPSC exam?
Understand that the UPSC exam requires more than rote learning—it demands analytical thinking, current awareness, and a genuine passion for public service. Analyse successful candidates’ approaches, practice critical thinking while answering questions, and focus on developing a holistic understanding of topics.