Can I Prepare for IAS while doing a Job? This is the question which arises mostly among the people who want to prepare for IAS with their jobs. Well, the answer is yes you can manage both the job and UPSC Preparation. The best time to start studying is nine to ten months before the preliminary exam. These days, laying a strong foundation should come first, particularly in elective courses and crucial fields like politics, history, and the Indian economy.
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UPSC Preparation With Job
If you are a working professional then it is not a good idea to quit your work to concentrate on UPSC study. As you can easily take out time from your job to prepare for the UPSC exam. This will help you develop in your profession and may even come in handy for the later personality test stage. While studying for the UPSC with a job, there might be a number of obstacles to overcome, but these obstacles will teach the applicant valuable skills like time management and how to deal with challenging situations in life. With a job you should always have a good plan and timeline for UPSC preparation. You will have to execute the plan as this will be more crucial. You must get rid of any preconceptions you may have about the exam and make the most of the opportunity you already have.
Timetable for IAS Exam Preparation for Working Professionals
The working professionals can crack the IAS exam easily but only if they follow a time schedule or a time table which gives them ample amount of time to prepare. What all the professionals need is strategic time management. So, gauge the contents of the table below to know more details.
| UPSC Study Timetable & Daily Schedule For Working Professionals | |
| Time Slot | What Needs to be Done? |
| Before going to work | Study General Studies for at least 2 hours a day |
| During Office Hours | Study Current Affairs during lunch breaks for at least 45 minutes a day. |
| After Returning Home from the Office | Study the Optional Subject or Mains Specific Topics for at least 2 hours a day |
| Post Dinner | Do all the revisions for at least 30 minutes a day after having dinner |
Important Tips For UPSC Preparation along with Job
The candidates will require some important tips for how to prepare for UPSC related to time management, revision strategies and more. Refer to the table below more:
Time Management
Time management is the most crucial and vital component for any IAS applicant. This is especially valid for those who are employed. Therefore, after working eight hours at a job, at least three to four hours a day must be devoted to introspection and self-study.
Remaining near the office can also aid in time management, as it frees up more time for studying, mock exams, and revisions when commuting is reduced.
Revision is the Key
Revision is the most important aspect of UPSC preparation, hence those who are preparing while doing a full-time job must do it especially. Candidates can do this while driving; to maintain track of time management, at least a few numbers and facts must be committed to memory.
Taking the Exam Seriously
Given that other applicants would be studying for more than five to six hours a day in order to pass the UPSC exam, working professionals must approach the test with seriousness and honesty. However, reading quantity is not nearly as important as reading quality. Because of this, people who study while working could pass the test with the highest sincerity and commitment.
Selective Study
Time management is essential for UPSC preparation while working a job, as was previously discussed. It is important to carefully plan what should and shouldn’t be examined. Because of the time limits, subjects that are important and will affect the exam should receive special attention.
This will allow you to rank the topics according to their level of difficulty and concentrate just on those that would get you good scores on the UPSC exam. It would be sensible of you to use that time to strengthen the things that you are good at rather than wasting it on such subjects.
Making Wise Use of the Internet
You can find a lot of websites and other online resources to assist you study for the test, but you should choose a small number of reliable, pertinent sources and go over them again for clarification rather than choosing a large number. Due to time constraints, working professionals are unable to read newspapers and editorials. On the other hand, you can find online summaries of editorials and articles that are considerably more pertinent to the UPSC exam and can save a lot of time.
Conclusion
If you don’t pass the UPSC exam, a job offers invaluable experience and support. Furthermore, it can be helpful to talk about your preparedness with like-minded peers if you have a job. It also means you won’t have as much time for preparation, so you’ll need to learn superior time management skills to successfully juggle both obligations.