✨ From Not Clearing to Clearing UPSC Prelims: My Prelims Strategy
The UPSC Civil Services Examination tests not just knowledge but also consistency, mindset, and exam temperament. My journey from failing Prelims twice (2022, 2023) to finally clearing Prelims in 2024 and 2025 is a story of unlearning and simplifying.
Here’s my honest reflection — what went wrong, how I corrected it, and what actually worked.
🎯 Background
- Mode of Preparation: Self-study
- Optional Subject: Political Science & International Relations (PSIR).
- Attempts:
- Prelims → 2022 ❌, 2023 ❌, 2024 ✅, 2025 ✅
- Mains → 2024, 2025
❌ Why I Couldn’t Clear Prelims (2022 & 2023)
Looking back, these were my biggest mistakes:
- Low Attempts (60–70 Qs) → Played too safe, which left me below the cutoff.
- Confusion & Overthinking → Couldn’t recall answers due to reading from too many sources.
- Fear & Negative Thoughts → Anxiety ruined exam composure.
- Lack of Confidence → Felt unprepared even after studying a lot.
- Over-reading → NCERTs + 3–4 extra books + websites + magazines = clutter in my head.
In short: I was working hard, but not smart.
✅ How I Cleared Prelims (2024 & 2025)
The shift was not in books, but in mindset + exam approach.
- Read Less, Revise More → Stuck only to NCERTs, PYQs, syllabus, PIB, and daily newspaper.
- Positive Thought Process → Entered exam hall with a “so what if I fail” mindset.
- Higher Attempts (85–90 Qs) → Maximized chances by attempting more, with careful elimination.
- Tricks & Patterns → In Science, “Option C (All of the above)” was often correct.
- No Extra Sources → No websites, no monthly magazines, no coaching handouts.
- No Topper Videos → Stopped wasting time chasing motivation, focused on my own method.
- Controlled Negative Marking → Avoided over-attempting when unsure, stayed calm.
- Cool Approach → Treated Prelims like a practice test, reduced stress.
📖 My GS Approach
- NCERTs → Core foundation.
- PYQs → Blueprint of what UPSC actually asks.
- Syllabus → Read line by line to stay exam-aligned.
- Newspaper → The Hindu/Indian Express, issue-based notes.
- PIB → For authentic government updates.
- Revision > Reading → Made multiple revisions instead of chasing new sources.
📊 My Transformation in One Line
👉 Earlier: Fear, confusion, 60–70 attempts.
👉 Now: Calm, clarity, 85–90 attempts.
✨ Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- Don’t overload yourself with too many sources. Stick to NCERTs, standard books, PYQs, and newspaper.
- Attempt more questions in Prelims. Playing safe won’t help with negative marking.
- Mindset matters as much as knowledge. Go in with a calm, positive attitude.
- PYQs are gold. They teach you more than any coaching material.
- Trust your own preparation. Stop hopping between topper videos and new strategies.
| 2022 – prelims Not cleared | 2024 Prelims cleared |
🚀 Conclusion
UPSC is not just about studying everything; it’s about studying the right things in the right way. My failures taught me the value of simplicity, revision, and confidence.
If you’re struggling with Prelims, remember this:
- Read less.
- Revise more.
- Attempt boldly.
- Stay cool.
Because sometimes, the difference between “not cleared” and “cleared” is not knowledge — it’s mindset.
About the Author
