Common Mistakes to Avoid During IAS Preparation 2025– Civil Services Examination, commonly referred as IAS, is the most sought after recruitment exams. Every year, lakhs of aspirants appeared in this national level test, conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), to get recruited on the elite posts of Indian Administrative Services. Aspirants have to prepare a lengthy syllabus to get through the IAS Exam. They pay high fees to coaching institutes but still fail to qualify the test. Here, we are provided insights on the common mistakes that aspirants make while IAS preparation 2025Â by knowingly or by unknowingly. By avoiding these mistakes, aspirants can increase their chances to get selected for the posts-
Common Mistakes to Avoid During IAS Preparation 2025
#1- Get Less Details of Pattern & Syllabus-
It is utmost important for all aspirants to gather all details of examination pattern and syllabus. Skipping any topic can impact your overall scores. However, many aspirants focus on high weightage topics and opt out a few topics while preparation. Every year, the number of IAS aspirants is increasing which makes the competition tougher and in this scenario, every single mark is important. Hence, first get the complete details of IAS Exam Pattern & IAS Syllabus and then start studying according to the time table. Aspirants can also get the detailed syllabus from the IAS notification.
#2 Studying without a Plan
The mostly commented mistake of IAS aspirants is not having a good study plan. Our experts has encountered that many IAS aspirants don’t plan their daily schedule while starting the preparation. While starting the preparation, aspirants should first divide their syllabus in three sections high-weightage and tough section, high-weightage and easy section, & low weightage sections.
Aspirants should not give equal importance to each topic or chapter. Always prepare the high weightage topics first to smoothen your preparation level. It also helps in reducing the stress. Hence, before always prepare with a good study plan instead of randomly picking topics.
#3 Referring to Multiple Books
Another common mistake made by UPSC aspirants is that they refer too many books for a particular subject. A plethora of IAS preparation books are available in the market which has increased the confusion among the aspirants. Many students struggle hard to find the right book and end up studying multiple books. This practice will engulf the precious time of aspirants. It is recommended to only opt for selective study material and books. Consult with your teacher or IAS toppers for the best books. Also, never underestimate the NCERT books as they contains the vast portion of the UPSC syllabus.
Important IAS Preparation Books
| Subjects | Books |
| Current Affairs | The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, Jagran Josh |
| World Geography |
|
| Economy |
|
| Ancient History | ‘Ancient India’ by RS Sharma (Old NCERT) |
| Medieval History | History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra (Old NCERT) |
| Polity | Indian Polity by Laxmikanth |
| Modern History |
|
| Science & Tech |
|
| Indian Culture |
|
| Physical Geography | Certificate Physical And Human Geography Paperback |
| Environment & Ecology |
|
| Indian Geography | India: Physical Environment (NCERT) |
#4 Reading Newspaper Entire Day
Undoubtedly, reading newspaper is an important practice for IAS aspirants but devoting your complete day in just reading the news is not necessary. Figure out the important sections or most important news that will impact on India’s growth, sports, technology and more. Also, read the editorial part to know people’s thought on a particular topic. Only give 02- 03 hours of a day to read the newspaper rather than the entire day.
#5 Only Reading Not Writing
Writing during the preparation helps you to concentrate and also improve your retention skills. Researchers has proved that creating notes while preparing something increases the concentration level. So, it is suggested to all aspirants to make short notes during the preparation. However, these short notes should be concise, clear and accurate and should only contains the important facts and figures. Making short notes will also reduce the time of revision.
# 6 Underestimating Self-Study
Along with the coaching, self-study is equally important. Many aspirants believe that studying with a good institute will increase their chances to get through the Civil Services examination. But this is not true, if one wants to pass the test, then he/she should rely on self-studies as well. Aspirants can check the IAS toppers tips to know what strategy they followed. Preparation institutes will only help in clarifying the concepts and guiding you but to ace in the test, you have to put your hard work into the preparation.
#7 Skipping Previous Year’s Question Papers
Solving the past year’s question papers helps in knowing the important section of IAS Examination, difficulty level of the examination, type of question asked in the test. Aspirants can also check their preparation level through these papers. It is advised to solve at least 06- 07 previous years’ question papers to get better clarity about the examination. Try to solve as many question papers or sample papers you can.
#8 Avoiding Health
Some aspirants are so much stressed and determined to qualify the test that they almost skip their meal or sleep to study harder, which is undoubtedly a wrong practice. Aspirants should also give equal importance because if they fall ill during the test, then no one will be able to save them. Less sleep and diet can also hamper your concentration because of weak body.
These are some of the most common mistakes that students make while preparing for IAS Examination. If you want to improve your performance in the test, then avoid these mistakes and get good marks!
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