‘Even IITians failing CSAT paper’: IFS officer on UPSC civil services exam

IFS Himanshu Tyagi shares tips for UPSC prelims (Image credit: @Himanshutyg_ifs/X)

The UPSC civil services exam is considered to be one of the world’s toughest exams to crack. Each year, roughly 10 lakh aspirants appear for the exam, which is conducted in three stages – prelims, mains and interview. Just around 1,000 of these 1 lakh aspirants are selected after the final interview stage. And of these 1,000, only a handful make it to the most coveted services – Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Forest Service and Indian Foreign Service.

With the UPSC prelims 2024 less than six months away, IFS Himanshu Tyagi has shared some tips and tricks to crack what he calls the “most unpredictable and difficult” stage of the exam.

His advice to aspirants – work hard now. “5.5 months left. Focus on prelim prep if you haven't cleared it yet,” Tyagi wrote in his thread on X (formerly Twitter).

Prelims are the most unpredictable and difficult stage of the UPSC exam. So, work hard now.

— Himanshu Tyagi IFS (@Himanshutyg_ifs) December 14, 2023

So Tyagi’s advice to aspirants? “Read as much as you can so that your tricks can work.”

Tricks would work only if your basics are strong. So, read as much as you can so that your tricks can work.

— Himanshu Tyagi IFS (@Himanshutyg_ifs) December 14, 2023

He also cautioned them not to ignore the qualifying Civil Services Aptitude Test or CSAT paper. This paper tests comprehension, logical reasoning, basic numeracy, decision making and problem solving skills. The qualifying nature of this paper means candidates need to score only 33% in it to make the cut. However, Tyagi says that this part of UPSC prelims has become more difficult in recent years and aspirants cannot afford to ignore it.

“CSAT is new havoc now. Even IITians are failing in this paper. So, Take it seriously,” the former IITian cautioned.

He advised UPSC civil services aspirants to solve previous years’ questions (PYQs) – twice – and only then attempt test series.

Solve all CSAT PYQs twice. Go for the CSAT test series only if you are done with PYQs.

— Himanshu Tyagi IFS (@Himanshutyg_ifs) December 14, 2023

After solving a multiple choice question, learn all concepts associated with it, he said. “Make notes. Revise them at proper intervals,” he said, adding that each candidate must make his or her own strategy.

Lastly, he said that success in prelims in based on luck as well as good knowledge base, logical reasoning skills, tricks and confidence. “Everything is in your control except luck. So, work hard on what is in your control,” he concluded.