10 Rules for UPSC Beginners: How to Start Your Preparation

The ancient Greeks had a ritual to honour their god Zeus, which was held in Olympia every four years. The Civil Services Exam is almost like an annual ritual conducted by the Union Public Services Commission, in which young people from all over India participate — some in search of a fortune or stability, some in search of fame, some in search of recognition, some in the quest to fulfil childhood ambitions, while others to fulfil some ancestral wishes. There also exist some who say it is for public service, or for their pure pursuit of knowledge. Though personal rationales differ, they all come to take part in this annual ritual and attain salvation.

Know the important rules of this ritual you need to abide by, to attain that salvation you are seeking. 

Rule 1: Know Your Reason

Understand that if 10 lakh people gather for the ritual, there are 10 lakh different reasons. Thus, it becomes highly essential that you know your reason. Often it is this reason that would keep each person going ahead, when the battle gets hard. There are no big reasons or small reasons. Just that, it should be sufficient enough for you, to keep the inner flame burning, even on days you run out of fuel. Know why you started the journey. Know why you decided to prepare for this examination. That will provide a strong and steadfast sense of purpose to keep you going. That reason would never let you regret your decision. That reason would also be the story you will be telling to the world, later as you script your success story.

Rule 2: Know Thyself

Understand that if 10 lakh people gather for the ritual, there are 10 lakh different minds at work. It is equally important for us to know our personal strengths, weaknesses, capacity and potential. This exam is a lot more about self-discovery, as you set out to discover India and the world. Listening to a topper’s talk and crafting your preparation in its mould is not going to work, unless you know yourself. Since, each of us have different learning styles, different methods of coping with stress and different attitudes to life, before you prepare a study plan, consult your deeper self. Reflect. Ask yourself — Will this method work for me? That makes the path easier, than wearing someone else’s coat that is a misfit. Self-awareness helps one trust oneself better in the longer run.

Rule 3: Know The Ritual

Understand that if 10 lakh people gather for the ritual, it is going to be massive, challenging and thrilling as well. One cannot afford to see it as a pastime or have the luxury of trying one’s luck. The Civil Services Exam is as much about hard work and grit as much as it is about luck and fate. Hence, it is of utmost importance that you know each and every phase of the ritual, what are the requirements, what are the expectations and how do you rise up to the demands of this exam. “The Civil Services Exam has three phases” is now almost a cliche dialogue. Know what each phase demands. And then you know how to shape your thinking and skills to suit those demands. Imagine, you plan a vacation, or a trip. What do we do? From planning, to booking tickets to finding affordable travel packages to packing and all these actions depend on the place we are going to visit — the weather, terrain, culture, etc. Our travel itinerary determines our travel plan. Similarly, your exam pattern determines your study plan.

Rule 4: Keep it Simple

With the market booming with Civil Service Exam materials, videos, coaching institutes and guides, it is very easy to make things complex, by collecting more materials, attending several classes on the loop, going after several gurus etc. The challenge would be to keep the process simple, concise and calm. Once you choose, stay with it. Reading 10 books on Indian history might help you gain knowledge and maybe do research and earn a PhD later, but it is not going to help you in any bigger way than reading one book of history peacefully. Similarly, reading all the newspapers available out there, might help you become well aware of things or turn a journalist later on, but it is not going to help you cover the vast syllabus this exam poses in front of you, when there are just 24 hours in a day. So, choose wisely. Choose what works for you. Choose the simpler path. Why unnecessarily complicate stuff?

Rule 5: There is No ‘Right’ Time

There is no ‘right’ time to begin preparation. It varies according to the person and their context. For some, school may be the right time, for some college, for some after college, for some after getting a job, for some after marriage. There is no need to feel guilty that you started your preparation late or early. There are people who have cleared this exam from all the above phases. What really matters is —  from the day you begin your preparation, the time is always right and ripe enough to make you attain this goal. The universe knows the right timing for your preparation. Just go along sincerely, wholeheartedly and peacefully.

Rule 6: First Things First

As you start off with preparation, it is easy to get lost in the maze of tasks such as syllabus completion, answer writing, mock tests, revisions, interviews, and more. But wisdom lies in knowing what deserves your immediate attention and what can wait. Many aspirants scatter their energy across too many fronts, trying to do everything at once, only to end up exhausted and directionless. The key is to prioritise. Begin by building your foundation — your understanding of NCERT books, your grasp of basic concepts, and your habit of reading newspapers for awareness of current affairs. These are the key pillars that support the temple of your preparation. Without them, the superstructure of advanced study will collapse sooner or later. Once your base is strong, gradually move up to higher levels such as answer writing practice and revision cycles. Just as in any sacred ritual, the sequence of actions matters. You cannot light the lamp before you have cleaned the altar. Similarly, in the UPSC ritual, doing things in the right order brings clarity and calmness to your journey. Focus on what is essential first; the rest will fall into place with time and discipline.

Rule 7: Watch Your Steps, Not The Speedometer

In this marathon of preparation, everyone seems to be running — some faster, some slower, some already nearing the finish line. It is natural to feel anxious when others appear to be moving ahead while you are still revising your basics. But remember, this is not a sprint; it’s a long pilgrimage. The pace doesn’t matter as much as the direction. Each aspirant walks a unique path, with different starting points, strengths, and struggles. Constantly comparing your progress with someone else’s will only steal your peace and focus. Instead, keep your eyes on your own steps: the quality of your understanding, the clarity of your notes, and the honesty of your effort. What matters is not how fast you are going, but how steady and aware you are of each step you take. Slow and steady wins the race. Take  one step at a time. No hurry. A steady step a day. One day at a time. Let every page you read, every answer you write, every mock test you attempt be done with full awareness. The destination will come in its own time; your task is simply to walk with grace, focus, and faith.

Rule 8: Know When to Rest and Re-bounce

Many aspirants mistake exhaustion for dedication. They burn their candles at both ends, believing sleepless nights and endless revisions are marks of sincerity. However, the process degrades your learning capacity, stresses and burns you out. Understand that rest is not a break from preparation, rather it is part of it. The mind absorbs, processes, and connects ideas when it is calm. A well-rested mind can recall facts better, write with clarity, and think with originality. Just as farmers let their fields lie fallow for a season to regain fertility, before sowing seeds for the next season, give yourself a necessary break. Be kind to yourself. We are not machines. Treat yourself as a human being. Take walks in nature. Sit in silence for some time. Exercise. Read something beyond the syllabus, maybe a story. Take an afternoon nap. Go to the beach or a supermarket. Remember the things you loved doing. Talk to your old friends who remind you of the world beyond this exam. Do not feel guilty for resting. Listen to your body and mind. When you honour your need for rest, you preserve the energy to return to your path with renewed vigour and a steadier heart.

Rule 9: Just Flow, Don’t Force

Understand that there will be times in this long ritual when nothing seems to work — revision feels futile, scores refuse to rise, and uncertainty looms like a shadow. In such moments, our instinct is to push harder, to force progress and to battle the tide. But the secret of this journey lies not in resistance, but in rhythm and consistency i.e. in learning to flow with the process rather than wrestle against it. Preparation for the Civil Services is like a river. Sometimes it gushes forward with energy; sometimes it slows down and meanders quietly through rough terrain. Yet, it never stops moving. And you never cross the same river twice. So, learn to flow: to adapt your pace, to embrace pauses, to understand that even stillness has purpose. Trust the process. Even on days when you feel nothing is happening, you might have observed something and your brain must have processed it. In every phase let patience and perseverance guide you ahead. Even on days you feel like doing nothing, read the newspaper, discuss with your friends or watch an entertaining and educational documentary.

Rule 10: Control The Controllables and Let Go

Finally, know to distinguish between what lies within one’s control and what does not. The Civil Services Exam is a vast interplay of effort, fate, and timing. No amount of anxiety can change the question paper you will face, the competition you will meet, or the marks you will get in an unpredictable interview. What truly matters is how wisely you handle what is within your control. You can control your discipline, your consistency, your attitude, your preparation, and the calmness with which you approach challenges. You can control your reading schedule, your revision cycles, and your responses to setbacks. But beyond that, leave it to the Universe. When you try to control the uncontrollable, you only drain out your energy and create fear. True mastery lies in doing your duty with focus and surrendering the outcome with faith. Once you have done your part with sincerity, step back, breathe, and let the magic happen. Control what you can; let go of the rest. That balance is the final act of wisdom in this sacred UPSC ritual. In the journey of preparation, you will grow wiser, calmer, and more grounded. And that transformation is the truest salvation the UPSC ritual can offer.

There might be more rules to the ritual, but these are non-negotiable. If you think you can abide by these, and endure for long, that is the welcome anthem for your entry into this mighty ritual. 

(The views expressed in this article are personal)