Time or tactics? What matters most in cracking UPSC exams?

India Today

2 days ago

Every year, hundreds of thousands of aspirants appear for the UPSC Civil Services Examination and the aim is to be one of India's top administrative officers. From dusty libraries in the villages to intense coaching classes in Delhi, every aspirant has to ask themselves the same question: does it matter more if you put in hours or if you have a well-thought-out strategy?advertisementIt is an important question, especially in an exam about endurance, intellect, and judgement. The short and easy answer? Both time and strategy are important, but extra weight is starting to be placed on knowing how to direct your time with intention.Every year, lakhs of aspirants chase the dream of becoming India's top civil servants through the UPSC exam. But what really makes the difference endless study hours or a smart strategy? B. Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of NextIAS, shares why balancing time with strategy has become more crucial than ever in UPSC preparation.THE MYTH OF STUDY MORE, WIN MORE
One of the biggest false beliefs in UPSC preparation is that we are going to be more successful if we just spend more hours studying. Discipline and consistency matter but more importantly, studying aimlessly for hours and hours will simply lead to confusion and eventual cessation of learning. Studying 12–14 hours a day may sound heroic, but unless you have a structured way of studying, it often leads to diminishing returns.What's often missing from the 'study more' mind-set is reflection and correction. Many aspirants spend days going through NCERTs or coaching notes line by line without ever testing themselves, identifying weak areas, or attempting answer writing. It's not uncommon for candidates to reach the prelims stage having read everything but practised very little. Ultimately, the UPSC exam is not a test of who studied the most, but who studied the smartest.
WHY STRATEGY IS THE REAL GAME -CHANGERIn recent years, the nature of the UPSC exam has evolved. It now stresses the importance of thinking critically, connecting different subjects, and being able to present clear, well-balanced viewpoints. This implies that just memorising facts won't cut it; you need to grasp the bigger picture, see how things relate, and articulate your thoughts in a clear way.Here's where strategy takes centre stage.Mapping the syllabus to previous year questionsPrioritising high-yield topics and skipping low-return materialStarting answer writing early, not after the syllabus is 'complete'Scheduling regular mock tests, followed by thorough analysisadvertisementIntegrating current affairs with static portions instead of treating them separatelyMost toppers will tell you that their success didn't come from studying everything; it came from studying the right things repeatedly, and learning how to present that knowledge under time pressure.TIME+STRATEGY= SMART PREPARATIONInstead of choosing between time and strategy, the real key is to bring them together. You need to study every day. Yes, but more importantly, you need to know what to do during those study hours. Are you revising effectively? Are you applying what you've read? Are you tracking your progress?At the beginning of the preparation phase, time serves to grow your base. However, as you progress through preparation, you need to think strategically. In particular, you need to refine your revisions, master answering writing, and stay mentally well. What will differentiate those serious about the goal of passing the exam is the ability to adapt your plan, discard what is not working and double down on what is.Also, keep in mind: strategy isn't just academic, it's emotional too. How do you manage stress? What's your plan when motivation dips? Successful aspirants often follow a daily routine that includes breaks, mindfulness, and exercise, or journaling, not just endless hours of reading.advertisementThe UPSC exam isn't a quick dash; it's more like a carefully planned marathon. If you only focus on speed, you might make it through the initial stages but could easily falter down the line. Conversely, if you solely concentrate on strategy without putting in consistent effort daily, you'll likely fail to gain any real momentum.The intelligent approach combines time management with effective methods. Make the most of your time, study strategically, take regular practice tests, and above all, keep re-evaluating your progress to stay on track.- Ends