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ClearIAS » Civil Services Mains » Prelims OR Mains – Which Stage (Topics) Should You Prepare First for UPSC Civil Services Exam?

Prelims OR Mains – Which Stage (Topics) Should You Prepare First for UPSC Civil Services Exam?

Last updated on October 26, 2020 by Alex Andrews George

As a beginner, should you start with UPSC Civil Services Exam Prelims Topics first? Or is it a better strategy to begin with Mains related topics, and then move on to Prelims Topics?

“UPSC Prelims OR Mains First?” – that’s an important decision.

Let’s try to first understand the main differences between Prelims and Mains. Then, we shall see what ClearIAS recommends.

UPSC Prelims OR Mains First

Prelims vs Mains – Objective vs Subjective (Written)

The Preliminary Exam (Prelims) is the first stage of UPSC Civil Services Exam. This exam is objective in nature (answers are to be marked in an OMR sheet).

The Main Exam (Mains), is the second stage (applicable only for those who qualify prelims). Answers of the main exam should be hand-written in a question-cum-answer booklet supplied by UPSC.

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UPSC Prelims Syllabus

UPSC CSE Prelims stage has 2 papers – General Studies Paper 1 and General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT).

As per the UPSC syllabus, General Studies Paper 1 covers subjects like Indian History, Indian and World Geography, Economics, Indian Polity, Science and Technology, Environment, and Current Affairs.

General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT) covers topics like Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Mental Ability, Quantitative Ability etc.

UPSC Mains Syllabus

UPSC CSE Main Stage has 9 papers – out of which 7 papers are counted for final ranking.

Papers to be counted for the merit ranking are

  1. Paper‐I Essay.
  2. Paper‐II General Studies – I. (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society).
  3. Paper‐III General Studies –II. (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations).
  4. Paper‐IV General Studies –III. (Technology, Economic Development, Bio‐diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management).
  5. Paper‐V General Studies –IV. (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude).
  6. Paper‐VI Optional Subject – Paper 1 – 250 Marks.
  7. Paper‐VII Optional Subject – Paper 2 – 250 Marks.

Topics in UPSC Mains, which are in addition to what is covered in UPSC Prelims

Though UPSC Prelims covers many subjects like Indian History, Geography etc, UPSC Mains stage has certain topics which are not covered in Prelims.

This include:

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  1. India Since Independence (GS Paper 1).
  2. World History (GS Paper 1)
  3. Indian Society (GS Paper 1)
  4. Foreign Relations (GS Paper 2)
  5. International Affairs (GS Paper 2)
  6. Internal Security (GS Paper 3)
  7. Disaster Management (GS Paper 3)
  8. Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude (Entire GS Paper 4)
  9. Essay Paper (There is no essay in Prelims!)
  10. Optional Papers (There is no optional subject in Prelims!)

Is 3 months after UPSC Prelims enough to cover Optional Subject, Current Affairs, and Additional GS Topics for UPSC Mains?

Time between UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains

That’s a big question!

Usually, UPSC conducts the Preliminary Exam in June, followed by the Main Exam in September.

The time gap between Prelims and Mains would be hardly 3 months (approximately 100 days).

Unless you are extremely brilliant and hardworking, it is not easy to satisfactorily cover the Optional Subject, Ethics Paper, Additional GS Topics, and Current Affairs in 3 months – if you are a first-timer.

We are not saying that it is impossible. It is certainly possible, and many toppers have already done that. However, it’s not an easy task for any first-timer.

What if you start preparing for Prelims First?

For most aspirants, it’s quite natural to start from Prelims topics – as the Preliminary Exam is the first stage. It’s not a bad strategy. After all, you cannot write the Main exam if you don’t qualify Prelims.

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Both papers of Prelims has to be given its due importance. However, your Prelims preparation should not compromise Mains.

You should ensure that you have enough time to cover the Mains topics as well. It might take considerable time to cover your optional subject. Besides, not everyone would not have exam-oriented writing skills. And, to develop writing skills, it requires time and effort.

What if you start preparing for Mains First?

There are many candidates who follow the reverse approach of preparing for Mains first, followed by Prelims. Well, this can be a quite useful strategy for many. Those already follow this method, we appreciate your pre-planning and long-term vision 🙂

However, don’t get too immersed in Mains that you forget the requirements of Prelims (solving MCQs with good accuracy, within a time-limit).

If you start preparing for Mains first, you should finish most of the Mains topics (including optional subject), much before Prelims. At least 6 months should be given for dedicated Prelims preparation – if you are appearing for Prelims for the first time. Only Current Affairs topics should remain for Mains- which you can easily cover in the 3-4 month period between Prelims and Mains.

UPSC Prelims OR Mains – What does ClearIAS recommend?

ClearIAS Prelims cum Mains Approach

Having seen both approaches to start UPSC Civil Services Exam preparation, what do you think as our recommendation?

For which stage should you prepare first for IAS exam?

Prelims? Or Mains?

ClearIAS always recommends a Prelims cum Mains integrated approach.

This approach is followed throughout this website.

Prelims and Mains are not really separate. There is a big overlap of topics. Only your approach should be different – Mains requires analytical thinking and writing skills, whereas Prelims requires MCQ Solving Techniques.

Prelims cum Mains Integrated Approach by ClearIAS

Prelims cum Mains Integrated Approach by ClearIAS

If you have decided that self-study and online learning is your choice for UPSC Civil Service Exam preparation – then the first step you should make is to join ClearIAS Prelims Online Mock Test Series.

Do the right things first, not last!

Score high. No matter how difficult UPSC sets the question paper!

Follow ClearIAS timetable, study plan, and book-list.

Download Study Plan

Irrespective of your date of joining, ClearIAS Prelims Test Series will act as the backbone of your UPSC preparation.

As a beginner who does not know what to study and how to study – ClearIAS Timetable can be the best pathfinder.

We recommend taking ClearIAS Mock Exams right from the beginning. Ideally, you should study what we mention in the timetable for a week, and then take a mock exam on weekends. By adopting this approach, you will never go deviated and will get a quick idea of the UPSC Civil Services Exam requirements.

Along with ClearIAS Prelims Test Series, devote at least 2 hours daily (before Prelims) for topics which are not covered in Prelims syllabus but part of Mains syllabus. This is because you won’t get enough time between Prelims and Mains to cover these.

If you can study for 8 hours daily, give 4 hours for Prelims related topics, and 4 hours for the additional Mains related topics mentioned below. For best returns on your investment (time), the below topics should be covered in the mentioned order of priority (before Prelims).

  1. Optional Subject (There is no optional subject in Prelims!)
  2. Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude (Entire GS Paper 4)
  3. Essay Paper (There is no essay in Prelims!)
  4. Foreign Relations (GS Paper 2)
  5. International Affairs (GS Paper 2)
  6. Internal Security (GS Paper 3)
  7. Indian Society (GS Paper 1)
  8. Disaster Management (GS Paper 3)
  9. World History (GS Paper 1)
  10. India Since Independence (GS Paper 1)

Before Prelims…

As learning from NCERT Textbooks and Standard Reference books (Eg: Laxmikanth) go hand-in-hand with ClearIAS Prelims Test Series, no separate effort may not be needed.

However, if you are a first-timer, dedicate the last 6 months before the Preliminary Exam, entirely for Prelims Topics. Do multiple revision of mock exams already attempted. Also, please check ClearIAS 100 days action plan for Prelims.

Attempt UPSC Prelims Re-Take exams in a timed environment, to understand the real nature of UPSC questions.

After Prelims, Before Mains…

As you have already covered Your Optional Subject, Ethics paper, Essay Paper and many GS Topics by this time (ie by the time your Prelims is over) – what would be left behind for Mains will only be Current Affairs.

For Mains, keep reading The Hindu for daily analysis of important issues. Also, read ebooks released by ClearIAS.

Keep revising what you have studied already – GS and Optional Subject. Don’t worry! You are well on track!

Take ClearIAS Mains Mock Exams to polish your answer writing. Yes, that’s enough!

After Mains, Before Interview…

Once Mains is over, Enrol in ClearIAS Interview Program. Get your DAF analysed by ClearIAS Team for individual feedback and probable questions. Take ClearIAS UPSC Mock Interviews.

Yes, that’s the fastest (and shortest) roadmap.

Conclusion

Whether you should focus more on Prelims topics or Mains topics depends on how many months are left for the exam.

If you have only less than 6 months for Prelims, focus more on the topics related to UPSC Prelims.

However, if you are an early starter, who has 10-12 months time for advance preparation, devote time to cover the topics mentioned only in the UPSC Mains syllabus like Ethics, Optional etc along with your Prelims preparation.

Whatever be the case, see the big picture.

Take your Prelims and Mains preparation together whenever possible.

Follow ClearIAS Prelims-cum-Mains Integrated approach. All the best!

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About Alex Andrews George

Alex Andrews George is a mentor, author, and entrepreneur. Alex is the founder of ClearIAS and one of the expert Civil Service Exam Trainers in India.

He is the author of many best-seller books like 'Important Judgments that transformed India' and 'Important Acts that transformed India'.

A trusted mentor and pioneer in online training, Alex's guidance, strategies, study-materials, and mock-exams have helped thousands of aspirants to become IAS, IPS, and IFS officers.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sunkara.Bharath Kumar says

    February 4, 2019 at 7:41 am

    I am studying B.Tech 2nd year cse in Guntur.And my goal is IAS/IPS .But I don’t know how to prepare.Can you help me?

    Reply
    • ClearIAS.com says

      October 26, 2020 at 6:51 pm

      @Sunkara Bharath – Yes. Of course. Please begin with the ‘Start’ section given in the Menu.

  2. H khan says

    May 30, 2019 at 4:07 am

    Sir now I m 30year old obc candidate can I start preparation for IAS??? Please suggest me sir

    Reply
    • ClearIAS.com says

      October 26, 2020 at 6:55 pm

      @H Khan – Yes. You will get the extra-age-limit advantage of OBC reservation. You have age limit until 35 years.

  3. Vinayak says

    July 9, 2019 at 5:11 pm

    Hi
    I’m a 27 year old working professional, I can dedicate 4hrs everyday for studies. Please let me know, will I be able to clear the UPSC.

    Reply
    • ClearIAS.com says

      October 26, 2020 at 6:56 pm

      @Vinayak – In UPSC CSE, more than quantity of time spend, the quality of time is what matters. Focus on what matters more in exam perspective, you can score more marks!

  4. Bindu priya says

    January 5, 2020 at 12:26 am

    Sir am studying MBBS 2nd year in rims adilabad.My goal is IAS .But I don’t know how to prepare for IAS.Can you help me?

    Reply
    • naveen says

      August 25, 2020 at 8:46 pm

      start with newspaper reading and read ncerts first

    • ClearIAS.com says

      October 26, 2020 at 7:03 pm

      @Bindu – You may begin from the “Start” section of ClearIAS Menu. We have provided a beginner’s guide.

  5. Haleema says

    March 28, 2020 at 12:29 am

    Sir I’m in bcom 1 year this knowledge is gonna be backbone for my UPSC entrance exam…I have two years from now….thank you Alex ji

    Reply
    • ClearIAS.com says

      October 26, 2020 at 7:03 pm

      @Haleema – All the best!

  6. Aniket Kelode says

    April 2, 2020 at 6:33 pm

    Sir thank you so much for this information. Now my mind is clear about how to study , what to study. Thanks for this beautiful timetable also.

    Reply
  7. Akhila yadav says

    July 30, 2020 at 1:07 pm

    I am studying BSC forensic science, 2nd year. I want to become an IPS officer, but I don’t know how to and what to study.
    Well I understood somewhat about what I have to prepare but, please clear this qstn for me sir!
    – the prelims exam is having 2 papers and from those 2, do i have to select one of the paper for my prepation or I should prepare for both the papers
    And in mains out of 7 papers do I have to select one or all those papers for my prepation ?? Please leave a answer comment to this sir ji!

    Reply
  8. Padmavathipallapu says

    August 5, 2020 at 10:08 am

    I am pursuing B.tech 2 and year I want to prepare for civils what are books and schedule to refer this is lockdowntym I don’t want to waste Time I want to study please help me

    Reply
  9. Roja says

    August 18, 2020 at 11:22 am

    Sir I am a teacher nd 27 years old….. I want to clear upsc exam bt I don’t knw how to start nd where to start…..???? 1st tell me where to start…..????

    Reply

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