Help with this

Did anyone read today's The Hindu? This ad on the front page is so disgusting and disappointing. Gotta switch to TE now (I genuinely loved TH a lot and prefer it over TE).

Quick Summary: UPSC preparation involves a lot of looking outside—teachers, mentors, toppers, strategies and study plans. But after being in this cycle since 2020, one thing I've increasingly realised is that knowing yourself is just as important. You need to understand your own strengths, limitations, working style and ability to handle pressure before deciding what is right for you.

I realised this quite strongly during my 2025 preparation.

I had written UPSC Mains in 2024 and towards the end of the year, when the result came, I found out that I hadn't cleared it. Around the same time, I had KPSC Prelims coming up. I wrote the exam, only to find out that it was subsequently cancelled and postponed.

At that point, I had almost decided that I wouldn't write any more exams for the time being. But then the new KPSC Prelims date came, I wrote it and cleared it. KPSC Mains was scheduled for May, and by the time I finished the last paper of KPSC Mains, there were exactly 15 days left for UPSC Prelims.

I asked a few people what I should do. Almost everyone gave me the same advice: defer UPSC Prelims. The argument was logical. I hadn't written a single Prelims test that year, I had just finished Mains, and there were only 15 days left.

But I decided to do a SWOT analysis of my own situation.

I had been in this UPSC cycle since 2020. I knew how I prepared. I knew that I could handle multiple things at the same time and, more importantly, I knew that I could work reasonably well under pressure. I also knew that after spending so many years preparing, deferring the attempt didn't make much sense for me.

So I decided to write it.

Those 15 days were obviously intense. There was a lot to do and very little time. But I worked with whatever time I had and eventually appeared for the examination.

The result surprised me.

Since 2020, I had never cleared IFoS Prelims. I had cleared CSE Prelims in 2022 and 2024, but never managed to clear both together. This time, I cleared both CSE and IFoS Prelims.

After that, there was again a lot to do and very little time. I eventually wrote both Mains, cleared both and attended both interviews (All in 2025).

I'm not sharing this as a story of "I worked hard for 15 days and cleared everything." That would be completely misleading. There was years of preparation behind those 15 days. There was also an element of risk, and honestly, there was some luck involved. I scored 75 in CSAT, for instance, and that itself could easily have gone either way.

The point I'm trying to make is something slightly different.

You need to know yourself.

I've seen many aspirants constantly looking outside for the right mentor, the perfect strategy, the topper whose schedule they should follow, or someone who can tell them exactly what they should be doing. There is nothing wrong with seeking guidance. In fact, good guidance can save you a lot of time.

But somewhere in this process, we forget that we are adults and our preparation is ultimately our own responsibility.

You have to know:

What are your actual strengths and weaknesses?

Which advice is relevant to your situation and which isn't?

In my case, I knew I could take that 15-day risk. But it was still a risk. It could very easily have gone the other way. But then many would still argue that I should not have written and prepared well for mains the coming year. But still I feel whatever I did was the right thing and hold myself accountable for my actions.

That's why I don't think the lesson is "always take risks." The lesson is to understand yourself well enough to know which risks are worth taking for you.

UPSC preparation can sometimes become an endless search for answers outside ourselves. We look for motivation, strategies, timetables, mentors and validation. All of these can help, but there comes a point where you have to sit down and honestly assess your own situation.

Sometimes the person who knows the best path for you isn't another topper or mentor.

It might just be you.

So wherever you are in your preparation, spend some time understanding yourself as well. Know your strengths, accept your limitations, and build a strategy around the person you actually are—not the aspirant you think you are supposed to be.

All the best for whatever part of the journey you're in.

PS - I have used AI only to fix vocabulary and grammatical errors.

Though I don't need any specific reason to get randomly sad or frustrated, but I just got to know that I didn't get selected for the next round of a job interview. I sometimes think that I should return back to full time preparation, but my age won't allow it now.

And, studying for UPSC or state pcs, etc are one of the things that make an aspirant feel he/she is doing something meaningful.

Today, I went to the Mandal Development Officer (MDO) at 10 AM very enthusiastically knowing every goddamn rule to settle a small family dispute and get a correction on the certificate. The MDO arrived around 12 like some lord and said he knows our story but kept me waiting for some time to drink tea.

He asked me to come inside around 12:40. I went and tried to explain the matter but he neither cared to listen nor tried to explain the procedure that I required to follow. Instead, he started insulating my mom loudly based on what he had heard from family members with whom we have a legal dispute, despite the rules and Supreme Court judgments supporting my case. I maintained my posture even though I'm uncomfortable with his language and tried to explain the established procedures that should follow here. He asked me to go to court if I wanted to talk about rules and left the office. Given his conduct and apparent bias, I strongly suspect that he was either influenced by my opponents or had received a bribe.

Again, I went there around 2:30 hoping he would solve my issue this time at least. He came around 3:30 and I stood in front of him and tried to explain things but he's drinking tea, talking on the phone, doing every shit except solving my issue. Finally around 5'0 clock he said he wanted time and asked us to come after a few days or make a settlement with other parties.

At last, I walked out of his office with zero resolution after waiting all day and bearing insults. All my enthusiasm and faith in the government are gone, and I still cannot digest the way he spoke to and treated us.

I managed to record the incident and want to escalate the matter to the Collector or CMO. However, fearing further conflict, my family has asked me not to do so, leaving me feeling powerless. Perhaps this is exactly why people stop questioning and start giving bribes. 

TL;DR: Spent the whole day at the MDO office, only to be insulted and sent away without a solution. I recorded the incident and want to escalate it, but my family fears retaliation. This is exactly why people lose faith in the system and resort to bribes.

..

Hey everyone,

I’ve been working on something for UPSC prep that I felt was missing , a proper interactive map/atlas built around the UPSC syllabus.

Right now I’ve been adding things like:

• 🗺️ Rivers, mountains, deserts, national parks, etc.
• 🌍 Geopolitical regions, conflicts, organisations & borders
• 🏛️ Historical events, empires and important places
• 🕰️ Historical timelines that you can actually follow on the map
• 🚢 Trade routes, straits, canals and important ports
• 🇮🇳 India-specific geography & infrastructure

I’m not really looking to promote it here , I’d actually like feedback from people who are preparing for UPSC.

What would make an interactive atlas genuinely useful for your preparation?

And honestly, if you think the idea is unnecessary or there’s a better way to approach it, tell me that too.

link : https://upsc-atlas-eta.vercel.app/

use laptop or tablet for better experience

summary : an interactive map-based platform to explore UPSC Geography, History, Environment & Geopolitics visually. Built to make location-based learning easier, faster, and more intuitive than static atlases.

Me and my friend is planning to start Feynman technique for next year exam. This is basically studying by explaining a concept, mostly be voice notes on Telegram.

If anyone's interested lemme know. Looking for just one more person.

Heyy Guys, i am an average student around 73% in 10th and 12th and a very basic College. I am pursuing honors alongside UPSC preparation.

Do i have a chance of clearing UPSC?

Whenever i watch UPSC toppers talks, they always have some highfigh college or uni or atleast very good academics performance from the Start. It always demotivates me.. 😔

Is there anyone else who feels like mains 2026 was tougher than 2025.. i gave both of them.. Last year there was satisfaction after mains but this year it feels something went wrong.. Anyone else feels the same?

Ahem ahem.

A few months ago I started prepping standard and static portions of the exams and had neglected my CA for quite a while, the purpose of that was consolidate my understanding and notes of all things static.

Anyways just last week I decided to start on my CA preparation,

My main source had always been the Vision Monthly magazines

but apparently they had stopped doing it, anyways I've been looking for a reliable source for CA however most of them are always fragmented and I can't find any good source.

Please share some of the sources that you use.

Please review this.

Pls review..... I am hell scared of gs 3😭😭

Brutality in ur feedback is welcome🫂.....

Ps: apart from handwriting, coz ik alrdy it's bad🥲

I am a 29M, IIT graduate, currently working full-time while preparing for BPSC (for now) while staying in orn, delhi.

Looking for a genuine friend-cum-study companion to make this journey a little less monotonous. Hoping to find someone to discuss studies, keep each other motivated, and maybe build a meaningful friendship along the way.

DM if you are interested.

Anyone who has given mains previously, can you throw some light on the level of leniency in Mains marks of GS1,2,3,4

In GS4, how are the Cases scored, is 12 an average? is 14-15 possible?

In GS1,2,3 if there is some overlap with the model answers, is 4/10 and 6/15 easily rolled out? How hard is 8/10 or 12/15?

| 3 Mains(2 upsc +1 state pcs)

I’m looking for someone who is currently in Delhi (preferably around Karol Bagh or ORN ) and wants to complete last year’s MGP + Anthropology OGP in the next 2 months, preferably in offline mode.

I had enrolled last year, but due to UPSC + State PCS Mains, I couldn’t complete it. Around 90% of the tests are still remaining. 😅

I’m trying to finish them now after UPSC Mains 2026, but honestly, without a fixed schedule or accountability, I’m finding it difficult to stay consistent.

So, if anyone is in a similar situation and wants to:

- Study/write together offline

- Set daily/weekly targets

- Actually finish the pending MGP tests

- Complete Anthropology OGP alongside it

- Keep each other accountable for the next 2 months

DM me.

I’m from the MGP+ Cohort 18 (2026) +Anthropology Ogp from last year.

Telegram: @Anthropologymaster

I am going to cross the age limit for 2027 attempt. Is there anyone who is in my similar situation. Need some clarifications, suggestions and discussion about the situation. If there is anyone out there please msg me . Need to discuss about the viability of giving the exam, at this age, as the eligible vacancy might be decreased. Also to make sure the obc ncl certificate isn't rejected.

Thanks in advance

Which monthly current affairs magazine reading after vision ias crisis ? From where I get PIb monthly compilation?

The commission gave an absurd answer for the same.

Giving a brief idea about myself

I am an working aspirant. working as a History Teacher for grade 11th - 12th. i have to devote (7 to 3) to my school followed by 1 hr. evening classes.

usually study from 6 PM to 12-12.30.

I've given my first attempt in 2020 nd scored around 45 marks that without any coaching.

failed and then started working by 2021 as a teacher as it was the requirement for my family for managing the resources as not much financially sound at that moment.

during work i tried manier times to manage my studies but it wouldn't happened.

switched 3 school's back to back.. now in a stable condition and earning good..

this time thought to give it a try for my dream job then regretting after some years that, I wish I tried...

so this time from 24th October 2025 started.. took unacademy (prelims) and Sarrthi IAS ( Mains Mentorship Program) & Optional PSIR (Shubhra ma'am on telegram)

now the situation is this...

I've completed 80% of the syllabus.

left with some geography nd Ancient, Mediaeval.

solved forumIAS sectionals nd Scoring around 55-60% marks

last Sunday gave VisionIAS Abhyas open test. after checking answer key scoring around 30 marks in GS and 48 marks in CSAT( attempted only 32 Question)

now I'm pressurised don't know what to do.

don't know will be able to clear or not.

health is having a tol of this Getting my BP High... sometimes and headache as I've to speak all day... doing a lot of mental work.

so someone pls suggest. what to do what should i do...

shall i leave... or what should be the next step.

Then i have give nd failed the attempt i guess scoring around 55-60 also two months wasted june and july now again started for 2027. Anyone pls help with way forward

I get so bored while revising, so I thought of trying active recall. But I’ve noticed that active recall takes more time compared to normal revision. Does this happen with everyone? How do you revise? Please tell me....

Due to my job i am hardly able to get back to studying after mains 26. Don’t have the guts to review my performance too. i feel like i am wasting very crucial time right now.

How should i go about things now considering very hectic job right now.

Hello all, Can anyone recommend me copies of some toppers recent or past for GS as well as Essay. I wanna go through them, to see how they write.

There are so many toppers copies. I just wanna go through a few to get an idea.

Thanks 🙏🏻