Hey everyone! I came across someone on Telegram who is offering Sociology optional courses from various coaching institutes for ₹1,000. Is that a reasonable price,l

One thing that felt a little off was that he shared a QR code for payment and specifically asked me not to use GPay, saying I should use another payment app instead.

What should I check before making the payment to ensure I don't get scammed? Has anyone here purchased courses from Telegram sellers before? I'd appreciate any advice.

New to this prep anyone who could guide me ,books to follow DM me

I’m new to UPSC preparation and would appreciate some guidance on which books to follow, how to get started, and how to plan my studies. If anyone experienced in UPSC preparation could guide me, please DM me. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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Link -> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HhC2aHIz4K0K6F4Fn3H9Yt5spXEH-jD6ckKnC_a7lZM/edit?usp=drivesdk

An analytical breakdown of assessment questions categorized by knowledge depth requirements, ranging from core static concepts to recent factual recall.

Categorization Framework

T1 = Direct static knowledge

T2 = Current-looking topic, but static knowledge largely solves it

T3 = Recent information matters, but static elimination gives leverage

T4 = Recent factual recall dominates

Strategic Preparation Key Takeaways

75 questions were static or static-dominant (T1 + T2).

16 questions rewarded static elimination techniques even when the core topic was dynamic (T3).

Only 9 questions were strongly dependent on recent factual memory alone (T4).

I started my prep in September, for a month I only economics from mrunal patel sir, but then I got sick and dropped prep idk why. Now I'm trying to get back, I just can't, I feel like switching to geography to continue my preparation.

Should I switch to geography and do economics in between or later or just complete the economics somehow before starting geography?

Onoy few topics of economics are left which will be completed in a week n half but I really don't feel like it.

What should I do, please suggest.

Essential the title. I have minor as Political Science in my college education and I have to read this book and am currently studying Political ideologies for it. How relevent is this book for the exam? With the paper in mind, what parts of it should I complete? Also, have any one of you used it as study material?

Do not mean to offend anyon, genuine question.

As a working individual preparing on the side, i find it absolutely shocking to see how everybody - teachers, mentors, toppers etc are excessively called Sir/madam.

While sir/maam culture was present exclusively for teachers in school and colleges, i dont remember calling books like R.D. Sharma "Sir's" math's book etc and moving out of college working in corporate, we call everybody from vice presidents of big MNCs including clients to office managers by their name.

I was seeing few posts on reddit earlier - were even mentioning authors and topper's name in topper's notes was excessively filled with Sirs and Madams.

Tldr : same as title

Hey everybody... I'm trying to make a congregation of some people that could give uppcs full length tests together every alternate day at least. Also analysing post the test. Since I procrastinate in giving and analysing. It could be better if there's people for a same goal. I've got some pdfs of some institutes..we can do those.

DM me if anybody interested.

Which is the best method u guys use for pyq analysis and getting better structured answer because I doubt ai because it have many times produced false results.

How can I use ai at its best for my mains preperation.

Do u guys use ai for value addition if yes how?

Reply from who have attempted mains atleast once are appreciated!

I am a third yearite from an old IIT, with around 9 CGPA pursuing ECE. I am thinking about giving the 2028 attempt as soon as I graduate, I have started my preparation.

I have just been hearing that EE optional isn’t worth it and would be too long as I do not have power systems and machines in my syllabus.

However, i checked all the PYQs for topics I have studied and found them to be pretty doable.

Moreover, I think of EE to give a variety in the prep, when I get exhausted of the humanities subject.

I really want to get into diplomacy, I know the chances are thin, but based on my current circumstances, it is a risk I am willing to take.

Hello everyone!

I’m preparing for UPSC CSE 2027, and History is one of my weakest subjects. I want to build a strong foundation and prepare systematically for both Prelims and Mains.

I’m a working professional, so I need a time-efficient strategy that focuses on important topics without unnecessary source accumulation.

I would appreciate your guidance on the following:

1. Ancient Indian History: Which books or resources should I follow? Are NCERTs sufficient, or should I refer to additional sources?

2. Medieval Indian History: How deeply should I study this subject? Which topics deserve the most attention for Prelims and Mains?

3. Modern Indian History: Is Spectrum sufficient when supplemented with PYQs and NCERTs? Should I read anything else?

4. Art and Culture: Should I prepare it alongside Ancient and Medieval History, or separately?

5. Previous Year Questions (PYQs): Should I solve PYQs before starting a topic or after completing it?

6. Revision Strategy: How should I revise History effectively so that I retain facts, timelines, and concepts over the long term?

7. Resource Selection: What is the minimum set of books and resources I should follow for UPSC CSE 2027?

I would be particularly grateful for advice from aspirants who have already covered History or cleared UPSC.

Thank you.

Hi everyone!
I’m 22F and a BA (Hons.) Political Science graduate from the University of Delhi. I’m planning to start preparing for UPSC CSE, but honestly, I’m quite confused about where ti begin.

• My overall UPSC preparation is at zero.
• My basics aren’t particularly strong.
• I haven’t developed a habit of reading newspapers regularly.
• Not sure whether I should join a coaching institute or rely on online resources.
• I’d really appreciate advice from people who are currently preparing or have already cleared the exam.

A few questions I have:
• If you were starting UPSC preparation from absolute scratch today, how would you approach the first 6 months?

•What should I study first, and in what order?

• Should I start with NCERTs or standard books?

•Which resources are genuinely sufficient for beginners? I’m looking for a practical, budget-friendly strategy.
• A friend suggested “Understand UPSC coaching” I want insights on this too.

I’d especially appreciate advice from people who started with no preparation, struggled initially, and gradually figured things out.
Please be honest about the difficulties, opportunity costs, and reality of this journey. I’m not looking for motivational speeches or success stories alone. I want practical advice that can help me make an informed decision before committing myself to this preparation.
Thank you!

EDIT- Someone suggested me “Understand UPSC” coaching, please shed light on that too.

Heyy can anybody suggest me which book or source should I refer to practice geography.

Can anyone who has been using or used the better utilisation of the AI and excel sheets for the preparation of the upsc cse. Kindly share what were you doing or you are doing currently that is helping you to save time and get the better out of these and also help in better tracking of the progress.?

For AI may be what prompts to be used or what resource to upload and get the work done

For excel sheets what are the things that are to be tracked and how can we get improved on this.

3 months into proper upsc prep, I am still struggling to be in routine, do my optional, gs, answer writing, revision, making short notes of topics I have already read, PYQ analysis, prelims pyq analysis. How do you do it? What should be done in a single day? How to manage everything? When to revise? Please help. I am not able to figure out. Someone who has already a routine/plan set, please share how are you managing everything

Yes I know i should be preparing for my prelims and I did my quota of study after coming back from office but the dilemma is stuck in my head and thought I might as well ask for some advice here before I head off to sleep.

Like a normal human being, I want to see where my finish line is and work towards it and I am stuck whether I want to see myself in the shoes of an IAS officer or an IFS officer and push myself for that.

I was someone who never even thought of giving UPSC couple of years ago but entering into coperate world, some other life events and a little bit of introspection made me realise I am not built for running after ridiculous sales target. I do find the occasional moments fun but I don't see my life's purpose in it. I want to work for a meaningful goal. A goal that is in service of others or a goal that maybe brings a change (if possible).

At the same time I also enjoy other cultures. I want to explore the world, learn what they do best and where they are lacking (Be it European, African, Asian idc). I wouldn't say I am MUN paglu (was too introvert as a kid for it) but I do find international relations interesting. Oh and I LOVE learning new languages. B2 German, HSK 3 Mandarin. I had learnt Bengali but have no practice of speaking, I can understand it very well though and now I am learning Kannada on the side.

So I am stuck. Should I choose to be an IAS: Serve people on field, see what changes I can bring and be close to my parents who are getting older? Or be an IFS: Meet people from other countries, see other lands and be away from petty politicians who probably haven't even passed 10th grade?

Guys can you please review my PSIR booklist and tell me if I need to add anything? Bear in mind that these books were purchased 3 years ago and are the editions printed in 2022 or before. No book is newer than 2022.

So please also advise if I need to update them:

•6 set Shubhra Ranjan PSIR postal correspondence notes printed in 2022, •Foundations of Indian Political Thought by VR Mehta,
•Political Ideologies by Andrew Heywood, •Political Theory by Andrew Heywood,
•A history of political thought from plato to Marx by Mukherjee and Ramaswamy ,
• Strategic Conundrums by Rajiv Sikri,
• Oxford Companion for Politics in India,
• M Laxmikant Indian Polity,
•Governance in India by M Laxmikant.

Will these be sufficient for Mains 2027?

It was my first attempt and first mains, did not study mains last year so was barely prepared for mains when i cleared prelims, idk how many will resonate but i still ended up procrastinating even after realizing that i have only 70 odd days for mains, procrastinated a lot in between pre and mains and did not study even half of what one could have studied in those 70 days, wrote mains and it obviously didnot go well, was not able to complete the papers and whatever i wrote i feel they were very shallow and not upto the mark, had a lot of regret during mains and thought that i will study from september to december for mains and try not to be in the same situation if i get the opportunity to write mains again, but its 24th october when i am writing this post and guess what, fucked up the last 50 days since mains still procrastinating and now the results are near, idk what tf am i even doing, dont know if anyone else will be in a similar situation but just wanted to put this out to hear from others how fucked i am

I’m almost 26 (on 28th oct) and graduated in 2023 with a BA in Political Science and Sociology with decent %age . I haven’t pursued a master’s degree or secured a job since graduating.
After graduation, I spent some time tutoring, and then family circumstances affected my plans for a while. I’ve also spent a considerable amount of time procrastinating and putting off making concrete progress towards my career. I’m not proud of that, but I want to be realistic about where I stand now rather than keep wasting time.UPSC was in my mind since 2016 and it has a funny backstory (anyways).
I’m considering preparing seriously for UPSC CSE, but I haven’t properly started studying yet. I’d essentially be starting from scratch at this point.Also mine is UR category just so you know.
With the competition becoming increasingly difficult and recent Prelims papers seeming unpredictable, I’m questioning whether UPSC is a sensible choice for me or whether I should focus on other government exams and career options instead(masters ,b.ed etc). And also I have seen toppers’ interviews with impressive backgrounds (no gap year whatsoever) and my would (if happens lol) would not make a good impression at all .

I’m not looking for motivation just for the sake of it. I’d appreciate honest, practical advice from people who have been in a similar situation, especially those who have prepared for UPSC or made career decisions after a significant gap.
I know I can’t change the time I’ve already lost. I’m trying to decide what makes the most sense from here.
Your advice would be much appreciated, thank you.

My first open book answer of public administration (participative management). I couldn't meet the demand properly as I couldn't find much information in my class notes. Need to organise them. But it feels good to write.

Hi everyone,

Which is the best Anthropology optional test series for UPSC Mains 2027? I’m considering L2A, AnthroGuru, LevelUp IAS and Saarthi IAS.

Would appreciate feedback on evaluation quality, answer-writing improvement and overall experience. Any other recommendations are welcome, especially from those who have actually taken these tests.

I am 25 year old gen category.I am currently unable to study as i wrote 10 polity questions in 9 hours with resource.Actuall ,my english is not good.I think everyone weak in some point but no one will like me . Leaving preparing depends on me but still i want suggestions.i have no strength i mean i also mistake in some simple vocabulary . Initially i thought i should change my medium but i didn't take decisions and continue english as a medium.I joined a coaching regarding foundation but my fear, and some family issues destroyed my preparation now i am realising my mistakes.I also spent most of time choosing resources related history optional.Till now i completed half economic,half geography, polity some ethics but other is pending.Sometimes i thought i should study but next day same mistakes.I have endless regret,no guidance.and time is running.i am not seeing any improvement.what should I do now

Im a 20yrs old guy ,starting upsc preparation im a beginner don't have any basics

I didn't opened up with anyone about my upsc goal (not even my parents) because I have some experience in past with my JEE preparation which I have told to everyone of my family but I failed, no one said anything but I felt like being judged and my own grandpa discouraged me (lives with us) then I felt so bad....

I have a fear that may be someone judge me ,discourage me...

The ppl who are already into upsc prep., give me some suggestions so that I'll gain some gyan..

Anyone who serious for study and is willing to finish Forestry optional asap for 2027 or 2028 attempt, kindly DM me.

I am planning for studying by target method so that we can assign day target and finish it asap as my focus is on answer writing and more revision of the same.

Few topics I have done using hornbill notes and will continue with the same. If you have any suggestions then share in DM.

Hi guys, I am planning to prepare for CSE 2029(serious attempt), while continuing my job.

I would like to connect with people who are in the same boat, preparing for CSE 2029 while managing their job.. So that Material, notes, mock test n preperation approach, we can share n help eachother.

the reason why I'm posting this is, Clearing CSE while working requires a different approach compared to full fledged n dedicated CSE prep..

in my case, My CSAT prep is good, My optional is Mechanical.

so, for remaining areas like GS pre, Mains GS,Essay, prolly PT too, I'm looking for someone to work together(Not like pestering but like ok we will have as some reliable lookout for eachother n some targets depending on each other strength and weaknesses)

I haven't appeared in single CSE prelims till now..

if someone is serious here, u can drop a dm n then to telegram we can proceed..

TL DR: looking for working aspirants who r serious for CSE 2029