Q. How can I prepare for UPSC 2019?
Now that you have decided to give UPSC exams in 2019, you should make a proper strategy to succeed in the exam. The syllabus of UPSC is vast and the time would be less. So, in order to avoid studying in a haphazard manner, you should look at these points that will ease your preparation.
a) Have a proper idea about the syllabus and pattern The syllabus of the UPSC exam is quite huge and making proper notes about the syllabus as well as the pattern will help you to focus on important topics. Identification of the pattern makes you a little sorted as it gives an illusion about the upcoming exam.
b) Thoroughly prepare for Prelims then move to Main Exam Most of the aspirants try to cover Prelims and Main exam all at once due to the less duration of time between preliminary and main exam. But it is important to focus on prelims because it will lead you to the main exam.
c) Find the right approach for your preparation It’s difficult to differential self-studying or studying at coaching. It is a self-based decision. Just choose what makes you comfortable. Never look out for pros and cons. But, in case, if you are opting for online coaching, then make sure you check out SPLessons as we have the experts to guide you through the road to success.
d) Prepare with previous year’s question paper Now, that you have covered all the topics mentioned in the syllabus, it is the time to test yourself. Try to give as many mock tests as you can because they will assist you in analyzing the pattern and preparation.
Just remember, it’s never too late to work for your dreams. But make sure you prepare really hard and turn it into reality.
All the best!

Q. What is the best optional subject for the UPSC mains?
If you are preparing or just started your preparation, then you might be still a dilemma about the optional subject in UPSC exam. It is obvious to worry about the optional subject as it consists of 500 marks out of 2025 marks in the exam. But, let us cut this story short. You might be with this answer, but sadly, there is NO best optional subject for the UPSC mains. The best optional subject depends upon the specific person.
We can help you out to choose a perfect optional subject for you.
a) Choose the subject which is related to your background If you have done graduation or post graduation in any subject, then it is surely advisable to confidently opt for that subject. As it will help you to score more marks and you will be more flexible to learn about it rather than choosing some random subject.
b) Never Opt a subject which requires comprehensive preparation Let’s say, you have less than four months for your exam and you won’t want to shift your attention to a whole new subject. So, choose a subject which requires less preparation.
c) You must crave to learn that subject It is always better to choose that subject which tempts you to read more about it. Because it is really important for you to score relatively high marks in that subject.
d) Look for most scoring and well-liked optional subjects According to the examination pattern in the past few years, Geography and Public Administration are considered to be the most scoring subjects in the UPSC exam.
Many aspirants successfully scored more than 350 marks in these subjects. Candidates generally opt for subjects like History, Geography, Public Administration, Sociology and Psychology as they are easy to understand and we have been reading about them since our schooling days. If you are looking for suitable online coaching for the exam, then Google for the best topics, websites like SPLessons to start working on it.
All the BEST!

Q. What are the best websites for UPSC preparation?
Due to the extensive syllabus of UPSC, you need to study offline as well as online. Online learning is one of the revolutionary technology that has been helping millions of students out there. There are a plethora of online websites who are assuring you to give the best guidance on the exam. Just like SPLessons, there are other websites as well. You can check them out here.
a) ClearIAS (https://www.clearias.com/) b) Online Tyari (https://onlinetyari.com/) c) Unacademy (https://unacademy.com/) d) IASScore (https://www.iasscore.in/) e) GKToday (https://www.gktoday.in/) f) IASexamportal (https://iasexamportal.com/) g) TestFunda (http://testfunda.com/) h) IAS aspirants (http://www.iasaspirants.com/) i) JagranJosh (https://www.jagranjosh.com/) j) IASpassion (http://www.iaspassion.com/)
According to this list of website, we would also like to add YouTube, though it is not a website. There are a lot of YouTubers who are providing free online coaching on their channel, all you need to do is to subscribe to their channel and you can get all the content for free. The power of the internet is really tremendous. Rather than, spending thousands or maybe lakhs of hard earned money on coaching centers, it is always better to learn from the internet which is available for free. (You need to pay for the internet, though) So, practice more and you will succeed for sure. Best wishes.

Q. How much time is needed to prepare for UPSC?
Clearing a UPSC exam and becoming an IAS is a dream come true for millions of aspirants as it gives a closer chance to serve the nation followed by a lot of hard work, perks, salary and what not. The struggle for the preparation of the exam is real and due to its vast syllabus, it becomes even more difficult.
If you are an aspirant and seeking to clear UPSC exam, then this answer is for you. Before getting straight to the answer, let’s discuss some of the misconceptions for the preparation of the exam.
a) You need to study 16-17 hours a day Really? Of course not! The biggest misconception lies behind clearing the exam is to study for as many hours as you can. But it is not possible. You might end up exhausting your mind. So, try to focus on quality over quantity. You can study for 8-10 hours a day, but make it worth at the end of each day.
b) You need to cut off from the world That’s not true. You can never become an IAS while locking yourself in a dark room. Instead, you should go out for a walk or exercise daily, in order to refresh your mind and boost your memory.
c) A UPSC aspirant should prepare everything To be honest, that’s not possible. We understand that the syllabus of the exam is huge and covering each and every topic by heart is no less than a herculean task. So, the cut short trick is to practice daily and learn a new thing daily.
Generally, an aspirant takes 11-12 months for the preparation of UPSC exam and there is no apt number of hours and days that will ensure the ticket to become an IAS. So, always look for a great quality of preparation because you are investing your time into it and it should be worth it. Rather than calculating hours, you should focus on your syllabus and goals, because they will lead you to success.

Q. Which UPSC exam is easier, the NDA or the CDSE?
Union Public Service Commission, which is abbreviated as UPSC is a recruitment agency which conducts examination for the variety of position in the central services as well as all Indian services. The popular exams conducted by UPSC includes CDSE, NDA, IFS, IAS, IES and many more.
Before comparing the difficulty level of the NDA or the CDSE, it is important to know about these to exams first and then we can find out the easier exam than the other.
NDA Every UPSC conducts the exam, National Defence Academy (NDA) and the selected candidates get the post of Army, Air force and Navy. The selection process of the exam includes the written examination, followed by an Interview which includes physical test and mental test. When the aspirants clear all the rounds then they are called for the training process.
CDSE Combined Defence Service Exam (CDSE) is conducted by the UPSC for the position of Indian Navy, Military and Air Force. The selection process is quite similar to that of NDA exam which involves the written test as well as the Interview.
Comparing the NDA and CDSE exam

Final Verdict The selection process and examination pattern of the NDA and CDSE are almost similar. The level of difficulty might be different in both cases but as per the age limit, NDA exam can be difficult for the minors. So, in the end, it does not really matter the difficulty level. It is totally dependent upon the level of preparation and dedication. So, it is important to invest your time in quality preparation rather than comparing the difficulty level of the exam.

Q. How do I apply for NDA UPSC?
Dear aspirants, If you are looking to apply for National Defence Academy, NDA, then here is the complete process and guidance for the aspirants. So, before applying to NDA examination, it is important to check if you fit in the eligibility criteria of the exam.
Eligibility Criteria
Age and Gender: The age limit for applying the NDA exam is between 18 - 21 years old. Only unmarried male candidates are allowed to appear in the examination.
Education Qualification: The aspirants should either be appearing for 12th or should have passed 12th. The candidates are required to meet all the physical standards which are declared by the NDA officials.
Nationality: The candidates should have the nationality of Indian. So, if you fit in the above eligibility criteria, then you can apply for the examination. Here is how you can apply the examination.
How to Apply

Visit the official website of the UPSC (https://upsconline.nic.in)

Click on the Part 1 registration.

Enter your personal details correctly and click on continue.

Verify your entered information and click on Update button.

You will receive your details on the provided email address.

Make the payments and then you can take the print out of your application form.

If you want to check out more details on how to edit the form or how to make payments, then you can check out the free online resources and below is sample example:
If you looking for exam results, admit cards, or job-related notifications check SPLessons + SPNotifier
Hope this information will help the application process.

1Q. What are the main topics in mathematics to clear on the UPSC NDA written exam?
Dear Aspirants, NDA exam is conducted by UPSC, where the exam is divided into two exams. Paper-1includes mathematics while Paper-2 includes general knowledge. We have explained the detailed pattern of mathematics exam and relevant material for the preparation of exam. If you want to check it out, then here is the link (Splessons's answer to What have you referred to for the UPSC NDA maths? )
Now, you have decided that you want to opt for NDA, i.e., National Defence Academy then let’s talk about the detailed syllabus of the Paper-1 which consist of Mathematics. The syllabus of NDA Mathematics is quite similar to the syllabus of 12th class. So, it is important to have a strong skill in NCERT mathematics books.
Let’s check out the detailed syllabus of NDA Paper 1 (Mathematics)
a) Trigonometry (30 Questions) It is an important topic of the exam as it contains the maximum weightage as compared to other topics. The questions from the Trigonometry section are based on:

Trigonometrical ratios

Angles and their measurement (Degree and Radians)

Trigonometric identities

Inverse trigonometric functions

Application of Trigonometry (Height and Distances)
b) Matrices and Determinants (30 Questions) The maximum question from Matrices and Determinants are based on these topics:

Types of matrices and their operations

Finding the determinant of a matrix and its properties

Adjoint and inverse of a square matrix

Solving a linear equation by Cramer’s rule and Matrix Method
c) Calculus (25 questions) This topic is divided into two parts, i.e., Differential Calculus and Integral Calculus Differential Calculus

Real-valued function and their graph

Notion of limit

Continuity of functions

The derivative of a function at a point

The geometrical and physical interpretation of a derivative

Second order derivatives

Increasing and decreasing functions

Maxima and minima. Integral Calculus

Integration as inverse of differentiation

Integration by substitution and by parts

Evaluation of definite integrals

Definition of order and degree of a differential equation

Solution of first order and first-degree differential equations

Problems of growth and decay
d) Quadratic Equation ( 15 Questions) The maximum questions from Quadratic Equation are based on these topics:

Solving Quadratic Equations

Nature of roots of the quadratic equation

Finding the Discriminant

Sum and Product of Roots
e) Complex Numbers (10 Questions) The maximum questions from Complex Numbers are based on these topics:

Modulus, argument and cube roots of unity

The binary system of numbers

Conversion of a number in decimal system to binary system and vice-versa
f) Probability (10 Questions) The maximum questions from Probability are based on these topics:

Outcomes and associated sample space

Mutually exclusive and exhaustive events

Complementary, elementary and composite events

Conditional probability

Bayes’ theorem

Random variable as the function

Binomial distribution
Pro Tip: Try to practice at least 20 questions on each of these topics and you will surely see the desired results. SPLessons + SPNotifier All the best!
2Q. What have you referred to for the UPSC NDA maths?
National Defence Academy, NDA is generally administered by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Exam. Here, the examination is generally divided into two parts, which includes Maths and General Knowledge. The first paper is Mathematics which consist of 300 marks and the second paper is General Knowledge which consists of 600 marks. There will be negative marking for every wrong answer.
So, in order to clear the NDA exam, one should be well versed with the examination pattern as well as the syllabus and then it is better to suggest the list of good books and websites for the preparation.
Marking Scheme and Pattern of Paper I (Mathematics)

Maximum Marks	300 Marks
Total Number of Questions	120 Questions
Total Exam Duration	2.5 Hours (150 Minutes)

Here is the Topic Wise Distribution of Marks

Name of the topic	Estimated Number of Questions
Trignometry	30 Questions
Matrices and Determinants	30 Questions
Calculus	25 Questions
Quadratic Equation	15 Questions
Complex Number	10 Questions
Probability	10 Questions

Let’s discuss the reference material for the exam: 1. Before referencing any books, it is advisable to read your NCERT books thoroughly in order to achieve maximum marks. 2. After the completion of books, if you still seek to refer more books then here is the list of such books. 3. Mathematics for NDA and NA By R S Aggarwal 4. Quantitative Aptitude for competitive examinations By R S Aggarwal 5. The Pearson Guide for Mathematics for NDA Entrance Examination (English) by Pearson India 6. Study Package Mathematics NDA & NA Entrance Exam By Arihant Publisher 7. NDA/NA (National Defence Academy/Naval Academy) Examination Guide by R. Gupta
You can also download some free e-books from here.

101 Maths Shortcuts for AFCAT NDA CDS TA UPSC (https://shop.ssbcrack.com/produc...)

NDA SK Publication (https://drive.google.com/file/d/...)

If you liked this answer, then don’t forget to upvote and share it with your friends. Also, check for notifications related to UPSC at SPLessons-one stop for Recruitment Exams, Competitive Exams and Job-Related Notifications in India. SPLessons + SPNotifier
All the best!

Q. How do I prepare for NDA entrance exam in 2 months
We understand that NDA exams are coming up and you might be stressed up in order to clear the exam. But, trust us, stressing out will never help you to find a way. Just follow some of the tips that are mentioned below then, you are good to go.
a) Always keep a check on the latest notification Just a keep an eye on this official website for NDA exam. (https://upsc.gov.in/examinations...) It will update the dates of admit card, exams and results.
b) Check out the syllabus and schedule your plan Once you are well versed with the examination pattern, then it’s time to schedule your timings according to the topics of the exam.
c) Start with your basics You don’t need to panic for the exam. Just start with your NCERT textbooks. They will help you to cover the maximum part of the syllabus and sharp your basics as well.
d) Never underestimate the power of English Language and General Knowledge Develop the habit of reading newspapers, especially the editorial section. It will not only help you in increasing General Knowledge but also develops vocabulary and grammar.
e) Focus on the current study material Many students focus on stocking up the pile of books and end up reading nothing from those books. So, avoid buying more books. Always, choose quality over quantity.
f) Try to solve the previous year’s question paper Solving the previous year’s question paper will help to follow with the pattern of the exam and will educate you about your weak points and strong points. You can download some of the question paper from here: https://bit.ly/2tR4A9n
g) Give as many mock tests as you want Mock test will strengthen your memory and help you cope up with the speed of solving questions in the exam. You can give FREE mock test here: https://bit.ly/2tHsT9x
h) Work on your physical appearance as well Involve yourself in physical activities like yoga or even playing your favorite sport, will help to increase your physical strength and endurance which will benefit you during the interview.
We hope you have learned great tips and tricks from us. Upvote the answer and share it with your friends.
Also, check for notifications related to NDA at SPLessons + SPNotifier
All the best!

Q. How can I prepare for the UPSC (IFS) 2021? Union Public Service Commission conducts Civil Services Examination every year like IAS, IFS and IPS. Indian Forest Service (IFS) is an administrative diplomatic under the central civil services of the Government of India.
If you are looking to prepare for the exam in the year 2021, then you have a great amount of time which ensures a tremendous amount of time for the preparation of the exam. While talking about the preparation tips and books, it is important to look at the examination pattern of the IFS exam.
Exam Pattern on IFS
The exam of the IFS is divided into two parts i.e., Preliminary and Main Exam. Let’s check the exam pattern of Preliminary and main exam.
Preliminary Exam Pattern on IFS

Preliminary Exam Pattern on IFS

Preparation Tips

Read all the NCERT books from Class 6th to 12th, as it will help to clear the basics.

Try to develop a habit of reading newspapers from the first day of preparation as it will help you in current affairs and will give you insights about the events.

Develop good communication skills as it will help you to ace your Interview. Remember that, you cannot learn communication skills in one day. So, it takes time and practice daily and look presentable.

Most of the aspirants tend to ignore writing skills. It is an important part of the examination and helps you to score more marks. Practice writing essays or articles on the burning topics of the events.

Best books for the Exam

Kiran’s UPSC General Studies Chapterwise Solved Papers

IAS General Studies Preliminary Topic-wise Solved Papers by New Vishal Editorial Board

General Studies Paper II: For Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019 By Pearson

India's Ancient Past by R S Sharma

Ancient and Medieval India by Poonam Dalal Dahiya

Geography of India by Majid Hussain

Physical Geography by Savitra Singh

Indian Polity 5th Edition by M. Laxmikanth

Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh

Environmental Studies by Rajagopalan

Manorama Yearbook by Philip Mathew

Cracking the CSAT by Arihant Experts

We hope you will find this answer beneficial for you and if you do then don’t forget to upvote this answer.
Also, check online websites like SPNotifier for notifications related to NDA, Recruitment Exams, Competitive Exams and Job-Related Notifications in India.
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All the best!

Q. Which one is more difficult to crack, the UPSC IFS or the UPSC IAS?
Union Public Service Commission recruits a variety of candidates for All Indian government services like IFS, IAS, IPS and more. In order to analyse the difficulty of the exam between IAS and IFS, then there is no parameter to judge the difficulty level as there is the common paper for both of the positions.
However, there are less number of seats for the position of IFS as compared to IAS. But, mostly, candidates prefer to choose IAS over IFS which definitely neutralizes the difficulty level between both the position.
So, to all the candidates out there, try to invest your time in your preparations rather than searching for the difficulty level of the exams. If you are motivated enough about the exam then you can totally do it.
Always remember this quote, “You can win, if you want.” All the best to everyone.
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