I want to become an IAS officer what should I do I am in first year

Hello Dear Student,

Since you are in the first year of your bachelor's degree , this is an excellent time to begin preparing for the Civil Services Examination. You cannot apply yet because a recognized bachelor's degree is the minimum educational qualification, but you can use the next few years to build a strong foundation.

Preparation plan

1. Build your basics with NCERTs

• Study NCERT textbooks (Classes 6–12) for:
  • History
  • Geography
  • Polity
  • Economics
  • Science (basic concepts)
• These books help develop the conceptual understanding required for both Prelims and Mains.

2. Read a newspaper daily

• Read The Hindu or The Indian Express .
• Focus on:
  • National and international news
  • Editorials
  • Explained/Op-Ed sections
  • Economy and government policies
• Avoid spending too much time on political debates or entertainment news.

3. Focus on your graduation

• Maintain a good CGPA while completing your degree.
• Any bachelor's degree is eligible for UPSC, so choose your optional subject later based on your interest and strengths rather than your graduation stream alone.

4. Understand the exam
Download and read the official UPSC CSE syllabus. The examination has three stages:

• Preliminary Examination – Objective-type screening test.
• Main Examination – Descriptive written examination.
• Personality Test (Interview) .

5. Develop answer-writing skills

• After completing the basic syllabus, start writing answers to previous years' questions.
• Practice writing concise, well-structured answers within the prescribed word limit.

Suggested timeline

• 1st Year: Complete NCERTs, develop a newspaper-reading habit, and improve your basic understanding.
• 2nd Year: Begin standard reference books, current affairs, and revision.
• Final Year: Take mock tests, practice answer writing regularly, and prepare seriously for the examination.

You can check, find and access more information here:

• https://www.careers360.com/careers/ias-officer
• https://www.careers360.com/careers/articles/career-path-of-ias-officer
  
  Hope it helps!