Prelims Strategy: Shilpi Mittal, IRS
Hi all, There are 100s of strategies and ways to go about UPSC CSE Prelims preparation. I have already posted many toppers’ Prelims strategies here. However, this strategy differs from most. Though the idea of keeping the study material concise is familiar, you will be amazed by 98.5% Accuracy Ratio and the reason of same.
There are numerous strategies and techniques for preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Prelims. Many toppers share their strategies and methods, and this particular strategy is unique among them. While the idea of keeping the study material concise is common, Shilpi Mittal's strategy stands out due to its high accuracy rate of 98.5%. This approach, outlined below, can be a game-changer for candidates aiming to score high in the Prelims.
Focus on Core Subjects
Shilpi Mittal shared her unique approach to UPSC CSE Prelims preparation. She emphasized dedication towards core subjects over random reading. For instance, she would not sacrifice revising Polity once over reading random current affairs. This approach was applied to all core subjects, including Modern History, Geography, and Economics.
Minimal and Focused Sources
Shilpi used minimal but focused sources for her preparation. She kept her sources to a minimum while ensuring maximum revisions. For example, she revised twice in 15 days before the Prelims date, which significantly improved her accuracy.
Solving Test Papers
Shilpi solved 10–15 test papers from a test series at her own pace. Unlike many candidates who are pressurized by marks obtained in tests, she focused on continuous improvement and psychological training. This strategy helped her to manage pressure and maintain a steady pace of preparation.
Accuracy Over Quantity
The most significant aspect of Shilpi's strategy was focusing on accuracy rather than attempting a high number of questions. She knew almost 55 questions exactly, had a good intuition for 10 more, and scored correctly in 9 out of 10. This approach led to a high overall score of 127.34.
Psychological Training
Shilpi's strategy required some psychological training to manage pressure. She did not let the marks obtained in tests affect her preparation. Instead, she focused on learning and improving continuously. This psychological training helped her maintain a steady pace and improved her accuracy significantly.
Book List
Modern History
- Spectrum
- NCERT 12th
- NCERT 11th
- Bipin Chandra
- Ghatna Chakra
Art & Culture
- Nitin Singhania Book
- NCERT 11th
- TN Board Book
- Nitin Singhania Notes
Ancient-Medieval
- TN board Book
- NCERT 11th RS Sharma
- NCERT 11th Satish Chandra
- Lucent
- Vajiram Yellow Book (Ancient + Medieval)
- Poonam Dalal
- Ghatna Chakra
Polity
- Laxmikanth
- NCERT
- Bare Act
Economy
- Budget (Summary)
- Economic Survey (Summary)
- Mrunal Notes
- Mrunal Lectures
- Vivek Singh
- Vajiram Notes
- Ramesh Singh
- Sriram IAS Book
Environment
- Vision IAS Current Affairs
- Shankar IAS Book
- PMF IAS
- Biology NCERT
- Shivin Chaudhary Course on EdSarrthi
- Sunya Current Affairs
Geography
- 11th & 12th NCERTs
- Atlas
- GC Leong
- PMF IAS
- 11th NCERT (Not 12th)
- Rajtanil Solanki Lecture Videos
- Sudarshan Gujjar Lecture Videos
Science & Technology
- Vision IAS Current Affairs
- Biology NCERT
- Shivin Chaudhary Course on EdSarrthi
- Sunya Current Affairs
- Lucent
Current Affairs
- Newspaper + Coaching Magazine (60.5%)
- Only Coaching Magazine (30.3%)
- Only Newspaper (9.2%)
Which Magazine
- Vision PT365
- Vision Monthly
- Sunya
- Insight IAS
Additional Resources
- Decode Civils – Philosophical Essay Writing
- Decode Ethics 4.0
- Decode GS2
- Decode History
Key Takeaways
Shilpi's strategy is a testament to the importance of focus and accuracy over quantity. By dedicating time to core subjects, using minimal but effective sources, and focusing on accuracy through continuous learning and revision, she achieved a high score. Her approach highlights the importance of psychological training and maintaining a steady pace of preparation.
Conclusion
While there are many strategies for UPSC CSE Prelims preparation, Shilpi Mittal's approach stands out due to its high accuracy rate. By focusing on core subjects, using minimal sources, and continuously improving through test papers, she was able to achieve an impressive score. This strategy emphasizes the importance of dedication, focus, and continuous learning.