UPSC/IAS Preparation Strategy

I know the word "Strategy" seems too delusional and wannabe but I had to put it in this caption as that's how people or rather aspirants search for advice and tips on the internet. So excuse me for this sacrilege and only pay attention to the following points that I feel would be useful just in case you decide to enter the UPSC conundrum.

1. Self - Actualization - I know when you look at the Maslows's Hierarchy of Needs, this is the top level which is only achieved at the end. But I personally feel a partial realization of what this really is about is a must. This is not at all an easy journey and certainly requires a lot to be given from your end. So it is a good idea to completely know what you are going for and what to expect from services. Just because your parents wanted you to go this way  should not be the driving force. 
2. Talking to the Stake-holders - In order to achieve the above stated goal in first point, you need to approach the stake holders. Do not blindly believe the "Babas" of Mukherjee Nagar or ORN who have probably never even cleared prelims. They are full of anecdotes about the after-selection life which are no where close to the reality. Go approach your seniors who are already into service, try to know about all the services and not just the IAS and in case seniors are not available you can approach anyone working in the Services, I am sure they will be happy to help.
3. The "Coaching or No Coaching question " - Coming to the first and perhaps the biggest dilemma for the aspirants. Should I must join a Coaching institute or can I go solo and prepare on my own? Well, the pretty simple answer to that is that the thing you need is "Good advice and guidance" and in case if you already have people around who can guide you well for this exam and more so if you are working, then I would say you go solo. But if no one in your circle has ever even attempted this exam, then you can give coaching institutes a try. Get into a reputed one so that you would have a streamlined course run, good collection of reading material and good competition around you. 
4. The Buildup - As we start building a house, the first thing we work with is the foundation of it. And ergo when it comes to UPSC, we need to do the basics by going to school again. So the best way is in fact the most cliched advice that you get - The NCERTs! They are like the perfect appetizers which will generate in you the required curiosity and hunger for knowledge and to read more and more. 
5. Reading diversity - Once you have got your foundation right, you would need to do some detailed and sophisticated reading on each of the broad topics. So apart form the regular text books and the "common" training material which every institute would give, you should also explore other books and novels as well. There are number of good non-fiction books about India which would make a good reading namely - India Unbound, India after Gandhi, The men who ruled India etc. 
6. Reading for General Studies first! So when we start our preparatio, we are so full of energy that we multitask and cover GS and optional at the same time. I strictly oppose this firefighting strategy. I personally feel one should start reading GS first. This gives you a broad understanding of the entire scheme of things plus you get exposure to snippets of History, Geography, Polity and other subjects. This would greatly help you to pick the right Optional as you would know your taste by now for sure. 
7. Choosing the optional - Now comes another key decision to be made. You must choose an optional. Thank the  Gods for the change, earlier there used to be two optionals. Now there are a zillion stories online and otherwise on which optional can fetch you the highest marks and all that jazz. The timeline is divided into various zones and every 3-4 years represent the era of an optional where it had performed really well. Its almost as if the Coaching walas are like some Astrologer of sorts who would read your hand and tell you the suitable optional for you. Forget all this, there is only one rule, you should be passionate about the subject you pick as there is a lot of extensive reading involved. Listen to what everyone has to say but it is you who should decide at the end. 
8. Wrong Reasons for selecting an optional!
1. Because for the last three years it has performed wonderfully. There might not be a forth year! 
2. Because all my seniors and close friends had taken it.
3. Because the cute girl in the GS batch is taking it!
4. Because the Counselling Babas of the coaching center told me so. 
5. Because I am from the engineering background!
9. Mugging up the syllabus - Once you are through with picking the Optional, you now know the entire syllabus. Just take a print out of the entire syllabus and paste it on the walls of your study room. Believe me, sometimes even the structure of the syllabus helps you to answer some of the questions.
10. Peer learning advantage - You would need to form a small group of serious aspirants near you. Sometimes preparing solo or your personal perparation time can get seriously dull and we need to avoid that phase. So, form a small group, lets say 4-5 people and then you can discuss among each other whatever you studied that day, the news items of the day and so on and so forth. They can also help you for mock interviews. 
11. Learning to write blog/diary/essay/small posts - Just reading and knowing would not do. You need to know how to present your views. And more importanatly how to consicely and precisely put all the dimensions related to the quesiton asked in the least no of words possible. Now that is not something which easily comes to anyone. Hence you need practice. Write an answer everyday. Get it checked from someone who knows more than you. Start a Blog. Start daily diary writing. So many ways to achieve!
12. Short Notes/ One Page notes - So, when you read a book you should highlight or note down the key points and learinings from the book. So lets say if you are able to summarize the entire book in 3-4 pages, you would not have to go through the book again and that it would be so easy and effective to revise the whole thing. You can find some One Page Notes for all chapters of Public Adminsitration on my blog or Click here . 
13. The power of Evernote -  When you read articles or newspapers online, sometimes you want to underline or highlight just the relevant parts of it. Sometimes you only want to keep some selective articles to read later or just before the exams. Evernote is the answer to all these problems. Start using this tool right from the very start. 
14. Incremental prep - Never read the same book for a particular topic. Try out other authors or publications. For e.g., why read "Laxmikanth" every time for Polity? Give Subhash Kashyap a chance too. He is not that bad you see. And try the writings of Pylee the third time you need to revise polity. This would also give you certain additional points and the novelty of the author would keep you interested. And almost everyone needs to revise the stuff many times as not many are lucky to get selected in the first attempt. 
15. Perseverance - This aim you have decided to achieve needs you to have a lot of patience. There will be ups and down, pressures from family and friends, the tendencies to quit preparation at the slightest event of frustration and so on. But you need to hold yourself strong and steady. You should not waiver in your determination.  You need to believe. Hold on to whatever keeps you going!
16. The Myths of UPSC-  Lastly, there are some myths making the rounds. Please ignore the following and do not fall for them. 
1. Non-delhi Center fetches you more marks
2. Only Mr. M knows Public Administration
3. Bina coaching, na ho payega
4. Elite Optionals only gives you top 100 ranks.
5. Can't prepare with job.
6. Only coaching material and attending lectures will do!
7. You need to study 16 hours a day!
8. You will have to become an outcast!
17. Book list for UPSC/IAS - CLICK HERE!
18. Sample essays
1. Be the change you want to see
2. Building a civilized society
19. To get an idea of the Personality Test/Interview - CLICK HERE! 
20. And lastly, perhaps as a little motivation for you (with not the intention to brag), sharing my own story with you all, CLICK HERE to read!

If case you still have any doubts, you can leave a comment here or email to tembe.swapnil@gmail.com

All the best for your future! :)