Civil Servant (IAS/PCS)

Hello,
Here are a few good tips:
*Test Series:
Do join a test series, online or offline, doesn't matter. You have to give all tests with full preparation. As it enables you to fail faster, earlier and more often. Give all test as if you are appearing for UPSC preliminary examination. Start revising at least three days before the test. And always keep a balance between class and test preparation.
*Classes:
If you are attending any classes, do attend all of them. Sit far away from anyone you know personally. Listen to teacher diligently. Make note of every single keyword they are dictating. Revise the class in half an hour on a daily basis.
*Self Study:
At least 6 hours per day cumulatively. Make your own goals depending upon your talent, knowledge base, potential and learning speed. Try to achieve at least 70% of that goal. Study whenever, wherever.
*Books to avoid:
Any book which is difficult to revise I.e having more than 500 pages
India after Independence, India after Gandhi, India Year Book (Read summary only), Manorama Year Book, Indias struggle for independence etc.
Also avoid doubling of books for same subject like DD Basu, Subhash Kashyap etc as only Laxmikanth is needed for polity.
Avoid any market magazine except Yojana.
*Distractions:
Avoid heeding to advise of so-called well-wishers, who always try to demoralize you and pull you down. Do not be bogged down by sheer syllabus or number of candidates that apply for the examination.

Hello,
*Do it smartly
Most of us believe that in order to become an IAS officer, it's important to work hard. We believe that we need to study 10 hours or more, every day. But for desired results, all that a person needs to do is to walk the smart way which could mean reading selectively but reading well, reading many books selectively, mixing books and notes, making short notes, learning time management, taking mock tests and etc.
*Start early
After deciding to appear in the exam, preparations for the same should start early. In order to get an idea about the type of questions being asked, solved papers of past years should be referred to. It is also necessary to be updated in all fields, for instance History, Economy, Polity, etc and getting the best books for the same.
*Routine work
A person needs to develop some kind of routine, which would help him to focus for long hours and cover the entire syllabus within the time available. A routine chart also helps in developing a concentrated approach for Mains as well as in preparing for most scoring parts of IAS Prelims syllabus early.
*One at a time
With many subjects to get prepared for, students often commit the mistake of trying to prepare all at once. What they actually need to do is stop this multi-tasking and pick one subject at a time. Multi-tasking might lead to confusion, loss of concentration and lower output. It is also important to not to refer to more books than are absolutely required.
*Unit test
Remember the school days when the teacher used to have unit tests in every 15 days in order to prepare us for the final exams? We need to evaluate ourselves in the same way, by taking our own mock tests after completing a particular section in a topic; in order to prepare ourselves for the final battle.
*Score it up
As mentioned above, smart work is much needed than hard wok to ace the exams. In IAS Prelims, some sections are easier to score off than others and students should always aim to cover these sections first. For example, Maps is one of the topics that can fetch good marks with less effort.
*Short notes
Making short notes has always been a smart way to study and has always helped in revising quickly. These notes can be in the form of flash cards or micro notes on subjects like current affairs, GK, as well as other GS and optional topics.
All the best.