Revised Preparation for UPSC Exam Demands a Reassessment: Essential Insights for Aspirants in 2025
In the world of UPSC preparation, Aman Sharma, an accomplished educator, author, and founder of YouX IAS, offers a unique perspective. With over 8 years of experience guiding lakhs of aspirants, Sharma is renowned for his insights, particularly his ability to predict 50+ Prelims questions through his DCA sessions [1].
Sharma advocates a focused, strategic approach to UPSC preparation, encapsulated in his three pillars: PYQs as your compass, revision over resource-hunting, and mentorship and reflection.
PYQs Are Your Compass
Understanding the reasons behind previous year questions (PYQs) is crucial in UPSC preparation. By studying PYQs year-wise and subject-wise, aspirants can gain insights into why each question was asked, providing a valuable compass for their studies [1].
Revision > Resource-Hunting
Instead of continuously searching for new materials, Sharma advises focusing on one source per subject and revising it 5-6 times. This approach ensures a deeper understanding of the subject matter, rather than a superficial knowledge gained from multiple, disparate sources [1].
Mentorship & Reflection
Mentorship and reflection are key components of UPSC preparation. Rather than collecting more notes, aspirants should seek mentorship to question their preparation choices and receive guidance tailored to their individual needs [1].
These pillars emphasise the importance of focused, syllabus-linked preparation, conceptual revision, and filtering out noise for more effective study. The UPSC exam is not just about how much information a candidate knows, but how well they can filter out noise and focus on the most important information [2].
Preparation for the UPSC exam rewards conceptual revision, syllabus-linked preparation, and the ability to filter signal from noise. As the UPSC Mains 2023 exam covers topics related to ethics, governance, and economy (GS2 and GS3), adhering to these pillars can provide a solid foundation for success.
[1] Aman Sharma, personal communication, 2023. [2] Sharma, A. (2023). The Real Pillars of UPSC Preparation. YouX IAS Blog. Retrieved from https://youxias.com/blog/the-real-pillars-of-upsc-preparation/
- Aman Sharma, an expert in education and self-development, suggests that online education platforms like YouX IAS can aid personal growth and career development by offering strategic guidance for UPSC preparation, such as focusing on previous year questions (PYQs) as a compass, prioritizing revision over resource-hunting, and emphasizing mentorship and reflection.
- For effective learning and skills training in the world of UPSC preparation, it's essential to follow a focused approach that encourages deep understanding of subjects by focusing on one source and revising multiple times, rather than economically superficial knowledge gained by hunting for resources.
- In addition to online education, personal growth can benefit from seeking mentorship and engaging in reflection to facilitate better understanding and question one's own choices in the preparation process, ultimately leading to a stronger foundation for career development.
