CRACK UPSC 2025 PRELIMS EXAM WITH ISC

INSPIRATION STUDY CIRCLE CRACK UPSC 2025 PRELIMS EXAM WITH ISC

The Union Public Service Commission conducts a series of annual exams to recruit the most elite posts under the country’s bureaucracy. The program starts with holding the UPSC Civil Services prelims in the months of May- June, followed by, UPSC Civil Services Mains and the Interview sessions. The candidates who successfully clear these levels of assessment are then trained in the very astute Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) located in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.

This year’s Preliminary examination will be conducted on May 25^th, 2025.

Every year more than 500000 candidates appear for the same. With the onset of this exam around the corner, the candidates are both anxious and overwhelmed. Suppose you are one of them, looking for the right guidance. In that case, Inspiration Study Circle (ISC), the best coaching institute in Dehradun for the preparation of UPSC and several other governmental and public exams, brings to you the key points and strategies to be followed in your line of passion.

Veni, vidi, vici! I came, I saw, I conquered- a phrase very popularly attributed to Julius Caesar gives a realization of the kind of determination and hard work one requires to walk the path of preparation for the civil services exam.

About Our Institute- Inspiration Study Circle

Inspiration Study Circle, ISC, has been the best Civil Services Training Center in Dehradun for the last 14 years for candidates who want to join All India Civil Services and State Public Civil Services. ISC has been ranked as the best IAS coaching institute in Dehradun and the whole of Uttarakhand. It has been classified as a top institution for IAS, IFS, PCS, IFOS, and other Civil and Defence Services Exams like CAPF, CDS, and AFCAT.

The classes at our institute are designed to provide students with the best possible foundation for their preparation journey. ISC’s faculty, curriculum, and lectures are designed for better critical understanding, self-directed learning, and revision.

Inspiration Study Circle provides various courses for convenience and ease of access according to the location and preference of the candidates.

These courses are designed on different fee structures that may suit the students as per their requirements. ISC has been admitting candidates from all over India.

‘Pratigya’ the UPSC 2025 Test Series

Inspiration Study Circle puts forward ‘Pratigya’ a detailed Test Series for UPSC 2025 containing 46 (=34+12) tests.

Most aspirants focus only on standard books, completing the UPSC syllabus, revising and retaining the concepts, and checking various study materials and online resources. However, due to time constraints, there is no quality check on the matter learned and studied all year. UPSC preparation will not work if you prepare without evaluating your knowledge. Self-examination and testing are as important as UPSC exam preparation.

Hence, a good and clear Test Series will steer your preparation in the correct direction. For the coming UPSC- CSE 2025, it is imperative to test yourself in various preparation stages, i.e., prelims, mains, and the interview thereafter.

How to Crack the UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam?

The preparation starts the minute you start searching for tips and strategic planning for the same. The first step is to be aware of your syllabus and the exam pattern.

Here is the complete information on the said topic, i.e., the Civil Services prelims exam 2025, brought to you by ISC, Dehradun.

Prelims pattern and syllabus

The UPSC civil services prelims exam has two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2.

The paper-wise content, duration, and weightage are as follows:

Total No. of Questions

Maximum Marks

Time Duration

Topics covered

Paper 1

(General Studies)

100

200

2 hours

· Indian History

· Geography

· Indian Polity and Governance

· Economic and Social Development

· Environment

· General Science

· Current affairs

Paper 2 (CSAT- Civil Services Aptitude Test)

200

2 hours

· Comprehension

· Interpersonal Skills

· Logical and Analytical reasoning

· Decision Making and Problem-Solving

· Mental Ability

· Basic Arithmetic

· Data Interpretation

· English Language and Comprehension

The above said topics with the techniques for solving them are covered thoroughly at Inspiration Study Circle, Dehradun.

The candidates must remember that there are a limited number of attempts and age criteria.

The minimum age to appear for the UPSC Civil Services exam is 21 years.

Category-wise Number of attempts and Age Criteria

Category	Max. No. of attempts	Age Limit
General and EWS	6	32 years of age
OBC	9	35 years of age
SC/ ST	Unlimited	37

Marking Scheme of UPSC Civil Services Prelims

Paper	Marks awarded for every correct answer:	Negative Marking?	Marks deducted for every wrong answer:
Paper 1 (GS)	2 Marks	Yes	0.66 Marks
Paper 2 (CSAT)	2.5 Marks	Yes	0.83 Marks

Important Points:

If a candidate happens to give more than one answer for a question, it is considered wrong, irrespective of any of them being correct.
It is mandatory to cross the expected cut-off marks in Paper 1 and 33% minimum marks in Paper 2.

The ‘IT’ factor for excelling in the exam

The very important aspect of success in any field is dedication and consistency. The rest are supplementary to your hard work.

The first and foremost thing is to understand the syllabus and pattern of the UPSC Civil Services Prelims exam.
Divide the entire journey into short-term goals.
The entire syllabus should be well divided and read, along with regular revision.
Focus on one topic at a time and divide your time accordingly.
Always look for debates and discussions around you, that provide quality and knowledge to your brain. This is the best exercise ever.
Read! Reading not only enhances your vocabulary but also widens your horizon of knowledge.
Read specific works like books on culture, politics, insights, newspapers, and most importantly the editorial columns.
Make sure whatever, you have worked for is revised regularly, at least twice.
Current affairs must be regularly noted down and revised thoroughly. A good chunk of questions is made from them and they also help in long-term knowledge goals, especially for mains and interviews.
Get your basic doubts and queries cleared.
Focus on CSAT. However, it is qualifying but candidates do need to clear the cut-off in it.
Line up your preparation by practicing previous years’ questions and mock tests.
Your strategy might have different steps at every stage of preparation, but the work should be continuous.

How to prepare for UPSC CSE 2025?

How to prepare for UPSC CSE 2025?

UPSC has a practice of announcing its calendar a year before the exam starts, this gives a candidate an advantage to plan their schedule accordingly and prepare wisely.

The following hints can be of great use:

The first and most important thing is to understand the UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam Syllabus and Pattern.
Break down the entire journey into short-term goals.
The whole syllabus should be well divided and read along with regular revision.
Focus on one topic at a time and divide your time accordingly.
The NCERT books should be read and learned first, and then the writer-specific works required as per the UPSC syllabus.
Make your short notes on the content and daily current events.
Always look around for debates and discussions that provide quality and knowledge to your brain. This is the best workout ever.
Read! By reading, you will not only expand your vocabulary but also expand your horizons of knowledge.
Read specific works such as books on culture, politics, opinion pieces, newspapers, and especially editorial columns.
Make sure whatever you have been working on is revised regularly, at least twice.
Current events must be regularly recorded and thoroughly revised. They create a good pile of questions and help with long-term knowledge goals, especially for mains and interviews.
Clarify your basic doubts and queries.
Focus on the CSAT. However, it is qualified but candidates must clear the cut-off in it.
Prepare to practice previous years’ questions and mock tests.
Your strategy may have different steps in each stage of preparation, but the work should be continuous.
Make sure you do not waste much time on social media. Rather make use of the internet and various social media platforms.

ISC, Dehradun lays a good emphasis on current affairs and burning topics. These are not only discussed in class but are also provided to students through various digital means as well as hard copy handouts.

The Director of Inspiration Study Circle, Dehradun, Mr. Nisheeth Saxena, is an expert in General Studies and Geo-political issues.

Can I crack UPSC Prelims on the first attempt?

The question is more of self-introspection. The UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam, though is very hard to crack and only a few dedicated and hard-working ones achieve it, but it is not impossible.

Once, you know what it takes to achieve your goal, the only thing left is to put it to use.

Can UPSC Prelims be qualified in 1 month?

This is an uphill battle that takes back-breaking work and persistence from one’s side. It is possible to make it happen if you decide and dedicate most of your time and efforts to it.

How to manage stress during preparation?

Preparing for Civil Services can be very stressful at times. Working regularly with a rigorous schedule can get apprehensive and concerning. One must not forget that stress is a part of every journey. It comes as a counterpart of all the decisions that we make.

Taking a break for rest and leisure can always refresh your mind. It gives a good reset option to our brain, increasing our productivity in the long run.
Your schedule/ time- table should be flexible enough to provide you with enough rest as well.
Remember, stability and constancy are the keys.
There might be breakdowns, distractions, interpersonal issues, or changes in priorities, but your concentration should remain on your aim.
Even if you must start again, you will be starting with better knowledge and experience.

If you ever think of quitting, remember, why you started and how far you have come!

A Note from the Director’s Desk

The aspiration for UPSC exams can be very rightly expressed in the words of the Great Missile Man of India Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, “A dream is not what you experience in your sleep. A dream is that which does not let you sleep.”

Your dream can always become a reality once you start aiming for it in your awake state. Understand and get familiar with the syllabus. Brush up your basics with NCERT books. Your target should be your priority. Regularity and revision should become your rituals. It should be kept in mind that UPSC demands an analysis of a topic. It aims at evaluating your critical thinking and decisiveness.

Adapt the “Read and Stay Updated” strategy.

Best Wishes!

Inspiration Study Circle

Dehradun

Inspiration Study Circle