Want to pursue Post Graduation studies while preparing for Civil Services or other competitive examination? We are discussing what are the disadvantages of studying while preparing for Civil Services exam and how to prepare for Civil Services exam effectively while continuing Post Graduation Studies.
If civil services is your dream career, it is likely that you are looking for resources and materials for cracking the Civil Services exam from as early as graduation level. Along with that you must be looking for articles regarding your possibilities of getting into the most prestigious job by examining yourself in the parameters of background, stream, bio-data, graduation subjects, UPSC civil service exam optional subjects etc. You want to know if it is possible to crack this tough exam while preparing for MA, MBA or M.Sc simultaneously for various reasons. Here we shall discuss the pros and cons of preparing for civil services during your Post Graduation studies. We will also provide useful tips to best optimize your Post Graduation Study time for Civil service exam.
Why you should not opt for Civil Service preparation while studying PG?
Civil Services exam is a tough exam and it demands undivided attention from an aspirant. It is good if you are doing a job that is not so stressful or demand your whole hearted attention, but studying PG while preparing means that you are not giving your hundred percent to both. Many top ranked students in 2014 UPSC final result had given up their coveted PG seats to pursue their dream career in UPSC because their courses would be rigorous. Although subjects in Humanities are less rigorous they demand you lot of activities which may hamper serious study for UPSC exam. Keep these points in mind :
- Success in the Civil services depends a little on luck also though hard work is a foregone conclusion. So a back up career is often required in case you are not successful in Civil services.
- A good percentage in Post Graduation can ensure a better career option other than Civil services.
- Civil services needs intensive study of many subjects at one go. Fore example your preparation of General Studies for UPSC Civil Services Prelims can be a daunting task and you may miss some studies of your Post Graduations subject.
- Once you clear Prelims you will need to study Optional subject which may also hamper your Post Graduation Studies unless you do not choose the same subject you are studying in the Post Graduation level. It is observed that Science stream students generally opt for so called easy subjects like Education, Sociology, History Literature etc. So, be clear about your optional and the time it will demand.
- If you are not serious about your preparation, you may lose your number of attempts. Because you are allowed only limited number of attempts for civil services.
- Not being able to succeed in Prelims demoralize many aspirants at this level.
Why and how to prepare for Civil Services while pursuing Post Graduation
Civil Service is your dream career and you may please to choose to start preparing at any point provided your age permits it. Students age young as 21 years are cracking this prestigious exam and that too with top rank! So with determination, required amount of hard work and a bit of luck you can sail through this exam. As I have discussed the reasons that may have negative impact on your choice of preparing Civil services while studying Post Graduation there are many plus points too. By utilizing these you can embrace success in Civil Services.
Here is how:
- Preparing while studying will help you if if you take the same optional for UPSC mains.
- You can form a study circle among your class mates or hostel mates which is often not possible while staying back at home after completion of studies.
- Talk to your teachers about your goal. You can prepare answers for your mains exams and consult your Teachers for guidance regarding answer writing.
- You can utilize the University Library facility like number of news (broadsheet)papers, magazines necessary for the preparation.
- It gives you extra time for preparation for the Civil Services. You can share your mistakes in exam with fellow aspirants.
Conclusion
As I have told already it is absolutely your choice whether to prepare or not to prepare for Civil Services during Post Graduation Studies, it should be absolutely your own personal style of preparation how to do the preparation for the Civil Services. Some say it is good to do a job while preparing for Civil Services while some other say that it is good to focus on study only. But the fact is that preparation for Civil Studies is a lengthy process and you don't get any short cut to success. Very few have cleared the exam in first attempt and you cannot promise that you will do the same even though you are prepared to work hard. So preparation for UPSC Prelims, preparation for Mains and Interview, then again starting all over again for failure in any stage are all part of the game. So I would recommend starting preparation for Prelims at the Post Graduation level. Start aside two hours daily for General Studies preparation initially and gradually intensify your preparation. Sitting for prelims is not counted as an attempt. So you can be on safe side by simply opting for preparation for Prelims.