UPSC Topper Anjali Birla Shares Tips To Crack The Exam

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam is one of the toughest common entrance test in the country. Often it requires students years of hard work and dedication to crack UPSC. There are exceptional students who do manage to pass the exam in their first attempt. One such student is Anjali Birla.

23-year-old Birla, who cleared her UPSC exam in 2019, shares some valuables tips and how she planned her daily schedule, in order to help out students who aspire to crack the exam. 

Birla, daughter of Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, revealed in a conversation with SheThePeople.TV that she used to study for 12 hours daily without fail. "We have to be very consistent with the preparation," she said, adding, "Try to cover all your course, and do not leave any loophole in the preparation." She further warned UPSC aspirants that during the exam, there would be many bouncer questions, "but you have to keep your calm, and if you are well-read and covered your course thoroughly then you would be able to sail through."

Here are some tips for UPSC study schedule from Anjali Birla:

• Make a schedule.
• Divide hours between static-current affairs and test.
• Complete your course and revise it at least five times before appearing for prelims.
• Make your own notes for mains, which should have data points, reports and studies that can support your answers.
• Make a bank of expected questions for your interview.

Here are some books she recommends to help with your preparation:

Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

History: A Brief History of Modern India by spectrum + New 12th NCERT Book 

Geography: Geography Made Easy for UPSC IAS IPS Exam by Mrunal + 11th NCERT book + extensive map work

Economy: Sleepyclasses YouTube videos+ Indian Economy by Vivek Singh 

Art and Culture: Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania + 12th NCERT book for Fine Arts + Sleepyclasses video+ Rajya Sabha TV

Ancient, Medieval History:  TN NCERT+ 12th New NCERTs

Environment: Sleepyclasses videos + Yellow Books for UPSC by Vajiram and Ravi + Environment By Shankar + NCERT biology book (last four chapters)

Current Affairs: Vision monthly booklet

Science: 9, 10, 11, 12th NCERT books (Biology mainly subject to UPSC's course)