Pro Prelims Blog

Introduction Cracking the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is challenging even for those who can devote themselves full-time to study. For aspirants juggling a demanding 9-to-5 (or longer) job, the odds may seem stacked higher. Yet every year, several working professionals—from IT engineers and bank officers to teachers and doctors—prove that clearing UPSC while employed is not only possible but also strategically advantageous. The key lies in planning, prioritizing, and persisting. This post distills practical, field-tested tips to help you strike that delicate …

Introduction Every year, lakhs of candidates embark on the arduous journey of preparing for the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). While the syllabus is vast and the competition intense, a significant proportion of aspirants falter not because of a lack of capability but due to recurring mistakes that can be easily avoided with foresight and strategic planning. Identifying these pitfalls—and learning proactive ways to sidestep them—can save precious time, boost confidence, and ultimately improve your chances of success. The 10 Common Mistakes and How …

Introduction: Why Negative Marking Deserves Special Attention Both the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) use negative marking to discourage random guessing and to reward accuracy. In the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, every wrong answer in the General Studies (GS) papers costs one-third of the allotted marks for that question. In most SSC exams—CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD, and others—the penalty is typically 0.50 to 0.25 marks per incorrect response, depending on the paper. Although the absolute numbers differ, the underlying message is the same: …