r/UPSC_Forum

Hi, I'm writing mains this year and relying heavily on utkarsh dwivedi blog for psir notes, but Evernote link is not opening, if anyone have his notes, please send me, it would be great help to me.

Or, if link is working, might me there is issue in my network, so please check and confirm it.

Looking for a Serious UPSC Accountability Partner

I'm a 28-year-old UPSC aspirant preparing full-time. Over the past two years, I've completed GS I–IV, made comprehensive notes, regularly read newspapers, and I'm now focused on answer writing, revision, and optional (Public Administration). I also plan to prepare for UGC NET alongside UPSC.

I'm looking for one serious accountability partner who is genuinely committed to the exam. The goal isn't endless chatting but maintaining consistency, sharing daily targets, discussing doubts occasionally, and keeping each other disciplined during this long journey.

I usually study independently and prefer deep discussions over superficial conversations. If you're someone who values consistency, honesty, and mutual support, I'd be happy to connect.

A female study partner would be appreciated if anyone is interested, but what matters most is sincerity and commitment to preparation.

Feel free to DM if this resonates with you.

I've been spending the last few years preparing for UPSC while also reading philosophy, especially Jiddu Krishnamurti.

Somewhere along the way, I realized that what interests me most isn't achievement alone, but understanding—of society, of the mind, and of ourselves.

I enjoy conversations that don't revolve around comparison, status, or proving who's right. Quiet people, long pauses, honest questions, and genuine curiosity feel far more meaningful to me than constant noise or small talk.

Outside exam preparation, I find myself listening to k on youtube . Nothing interests me more than watching k and watching myself ( earlier I used to watch web series , movies etc but now all that seems so superficial and childish , i get bored at all this )

Deeply I also see that I am conditioned . I have all the cleverness that a human has in his mind , jealousy, competitiveness, anger , seeking recognition and respect

All this , i have found in myself . But at the same time I see a gap has been generated between my thoughts and my reaction

I can see all these arising in my brain and I see these are taking so much of my energy and trying to make me think and act further. I don't react. I just see . Watch and it just gets normal again

I don't meet many people in everyday life who relate to this way of looking at things, so I thought I'd write here. If Krishnamurti's work has resonated with you—or if you've naturally arrived at a similar outlook—I'd be interested in hearing your perspective.

No expectations, no agenda. Just a conversation between two people who enjoy thinking deeply and value kindness, sincerity, and compassion.

Honestly how was it? How do you think the marking is going to be? Will people be able to cross 270? Also,did you feel hindi was tougher than the 2024 one?

I will start anthropology optional from the scratch, but I am very confused regarding sources . One of the under 70 rank this year told me to just rely on lectures and notes of coaching don't go for any material like bhasme, aj , p nath etc. but I don't know why it is not giving me confidence to solely rely on this. Can someone please help me with sources? And also if you have read from karandeep sir notes please give the review, I don't want to take his course.

Please help

How you guys are covering survey for 2026 mains ?

Hi everyone!

I'll be joining my Master's this year, and alongside my degree I want to begin my UPSC preparation. My target attempt is 2028, so I'm hoping to build a strong foundation from the beginning.

The problem is that I'm really confused about which coaching to choose. I'm specifically looking for completely online, live classes because of my Master's schedule. I mainly need coaching for the structure, consistency, and guidance rather than just the study material.

Unfortunately, I don't have the budget to enroll in multiple coachings or go through a trial-and-error process, so I want to make the best decision the first time.

If you've had a good experience with any online coaching, I'd really appreciate your recommendations. Also, if you think it's better to take different coachings for GS, Optional, and CSAT, please let me know which ones you'd recommend and why.

For context, my optional will most likely be Political Science & International Relations (PSIR).

Thanks in advance! Any advice or personal experience would be really helpful.

Is this booklist good enough, I'll start preparing for upsc from the mid of July most probably before that I want to finalize everything to make it less confusing .

I went through booklist of around 12 to 14 toppers and made this list, If someone is well aware of this exam please let me know if there should be some addition of deduction to this booklist to make it more effective.

Some books or names might be incorrect as I'm not well aware of all source I just wrote what i felt is good, also if there will be something that won't work for me in future while preparing I'll replace it with some other resource in the start only and revise that throughout.

PRELIMS

ANCIENT

TAMIL NADU STATE BOARD CLASS 11TH HISTORY TEXTBOOK

MEDIEVAL HISTORY

OLD NCERT

MODERN HISTORY

SPECTRUM

ART AND CULTURE

CLASS 11TH AND 12TH NCERT

POLITY

M. LAXMIKANTH

NCERT CLASS 11TH & 12TH

GEOGRAPHY

NCERT CLASS 11TH & 12TH (OR 9TH TO 12TH)

G.C. LEONG (SELECTIVE READING)

OXFORD ATLAS / MAPS

ECONOMY

NCERT CLASS 11TH & 12TH

MRUNAL PATEL VIDEOS

SRIRAM IAS NOTES

ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY

SHANKAR IAS (ENVIRONMENT BOOK)

SCIENCE AND TECH

BIOLOGY CLASS 12TH NCERT (LAST 4 CHAPTERS)

CURRENT RELATED TOPICS RESEARCH

MAINS GS PAPERS

GS 1 (ART & CULTURE, POST-INDEPENDENCE, WORLD HISTORY, SOCIETY)

POST INDEPENDENCE

NITIN SANGWANS NOTES

WORLD HISTORY

VISION IAS NOTES

CCRT WEBSITE

SOCIETY

SOCIOLOGY CLASS 11TH & 12TH NCERT

GS 2 (POLITY, GOVERNANCE, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS)

POLITY & GOVERNANCE

VISION IAS NOTES / MATERIAL

2ND ARC SIXTH REPORT - LOCAL GOVERNANCE

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

BOOK BY RAJIV SIKRI

GS 3 (ECONOMY, AGRICULTURE, INTERNAL SECURITY, DISASTER MANAGEMENT)

INTERNAL SECURITY / DISASTER MANAGEMENT

FORUM IAS RED BOOK OR VISION IAS NOTES

2ND ARC THIRD REPORT - CRISIS MANAGEMENT

NDMA GUIDELINES

CURRENT AFFAIRS - VISION IAS MATERIAL

FOR AGRICULTURE REFER TO CURRENT AFFAIRS RELATED

GS 4 (ETHICS, INTEGRITY & APTITUDE)

ETHICS, INTEGRITY AND APTITUDE

LEXICON

2ND ARC REPORTS

MUDIT JAIN SIR / SATHI IAS LECTURE NOTES

CURRENT AFFAIRS & GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS

THE HINDU / INDIAN EXPRESS NEWSPAPER

VISION IAS MONTHLY MAGAZINE / PT365

ECONOMIC SURVEY & UNION BUDGET SUMMARIES

PRS INDIA LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH WEBSITE

RAJYA SABHA TV (RSTV)

PIB (PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU) SUMMARIES

CSAT (PRELIMS PAPER II)

VAJIRAM CLASS NOTES / BLUE BOOK

I'm 27 F from Bhopal. A beginner in UPSC prep. I have my first attempt next year. I was looking for a few serious folks to study together where we guide each other in terms of doubts, sources, etc. Please DM if you are genuinely interested and serious regarding the preparations.

What if a person preparing for this exam (or any competitive exam) is not able to improve their concentration and focus ?
What if for 9-10 months before prelims, they have only two options -

1. Wing it without a schedule, study when they feel like it, best focus and concentration on some days but large gaps between the days they study
2. Poor focus, wavering mind, mostly passive reading, fighting background thoughts and struggling with drowsiness and distractions through the pages, but keeping at it every single day, completing the syllabus and revising, being consistent every single day.
   Following a fixed schedule daily without fail.
   Does choosing number 2. increase their chances of clearing in any way? Would you call it "hard work"?

Hi everyone. I am looking for 2-3 like minded people to prep for the 2027 attempt together.

About me:

1. BTech from IIT

2. Optional - Anthropology

3. Full time prep started July 2025.

4. 2026 was first attempt. Couldn't clear prelims (scoring 60-65 paper 1 + 140 csat).

Please DM if interested & serious about the exam.