r/UPSCgenz

I often receive advice to “just prepare for UPSC” because I come from a humanities background.
However, my concern is opportunity cost, uncertainty and the low success rate.
For people who have seriously prepared:
Would you recommend UPSC to someone who values stability?
Is it realistic to keep UPSC as a backup while pursuing another career path?
What would you do differently if starting again?

For last few days I’m having emotional breakdowns, easily getting frustrated on simple things, always on verge of crying.
I was thinking about going to a therapist.
Having some personal issues+ failed prelims preparing from last 3 years
An introvert having 2 best friends& no social life

hi guys, I'm about to enter college in the next month and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna do upsc. i have a humanities background, I had economics , political science, psychology, history and English as my subjects

i was just juggling through many topper talks for resources and booklist and have shortlisted some common book names I've heard.

i will most probably give my first attempt in 2029 or 2030, so I will be taking my preparation accordingly. i need your help in understanding what's important for me to do right now and what not.

please help out a junior!! :))

these are the books I've shortlisted.

History:

-Class 6th-12th NCERTs ( I'm pretty confused people are saying both old and New, please lwt me know should boty of these are needed or should focus on either old ones or new ones)

- Tamil Nadu 11th-12th NCERT

-Spectrum for Modern History

Geography:

-Class 6th-10th Ncert for Basics

-Class 11th 12th Geography Books (I have seen many people giving these specific 4 books very much importance)

- GC Leong being an advanced book

but mostly ncerts have been on focused

Polity

9th-10th Ncert For Basics Again

11th-12th: the four main books in Polity

Laxmikant: Obviously, the Holy Grail for Polity

economics:

class 9-10TH for basics Again

and 11th 12th Micro and Macro for basic understanding and Indian Economy

ART ans Culture: class 11th 12th Fine Arts NCERTs

Science Tech and Environment is the only subject I'm the most weak in and I don't have any sources yet.

Im in a very initial position right now and very confused abouut coachings, mapping, pyqs, any other resources but this year mostly I will be focusing on my foundations and basics.

also pls lmk if I should read any news papers or stick to Monthly Current Affairs Magazine??

WELL I HAVE A LOT OF DOUBTS!! bur thankyouuu if you've read untill now

byee :))

Interested in a small girls delhi uni UPSC group? Preferably arts/social science folks. (I have sociology optional)

mainly those giving upsc in year 2028-2029

Just looking for accountability with keeping (daily targets), and helping each other stay consistent through this journey. The group is looking for genuine participants rather than silent members, so the group stays useful for everyone. (the group is already made and we have over 10 members but we need some more members)

DM, if you'd be interested.🌸

Background:

Completed my bachelor's from an NIT in 2025.

Started UPSC preparation in December 2025.

Missed this year's Prelims GS cut-off by just 2–3 marks(cleared CSAT).

Optional: Sociology.

Future Plans:

Complete my Mains preparation by December, no matter what.

Also Appearing for UPPSC this year.

I'm looking for someone with whom I can discuss topics, keep each other accountable, track our daily progress, and stay consistent throughout the journey. (Not looking for some kind of study group etc)

Hii, I completed my college this year and have dropped to prepare this year completely for cse and seriously give my first attempt in 2027 with sociology optional. I am looking for a serious study partner to discuss strategies, sync our preparation, study, do active recall, answer writing, tests, etc together. My preparation is still in beginner levels and am doing polity since few weeks. I plan to prepare without taking any coaching including for optionls. Please let me know if anyone is interested. Thank You :)

Can any of these three magazines serve as viable sources for current affairs as far as UPSC CSE is concerned? :

1. Competition Success Review

2.Pratiyogita Darpan

4. Civil Services Chronicle by Lexicon

They are standalone publications, not connected to any coaching institute. Wondered if they could work, especially if paired with daily reading of IE or The Hindu.

I am a student of upsc essential batch. Posting a review if anyones looking for it.

Pros - standard content provided, practice sessions, daily questions, time efficiency

Cons -

1. no personalised feeling or access - even mentor calls get tiring as its technically one on one but you have to introduce yourself every single time. There is no 'single mentor' for you

2. Test series is questionable. Its already provided during start of course and that means its not uodated during prelims or mains. You just have to trust somehow its relevant questions (i didnt take them i wanted more of current updated questions)

3. Some faculties are average some are good. Not going to mention the names but for me I had 2-3 faculties whose classes i loved, others i used to stick to content provided

4. Feeling of incompleteness - you feel a sort of having to figure out things by yourselves

With that said i wouldnt say its bad. its worth the money as it was affordable. But there is a lot of room for improvement.

I am currently in 3rd year of my engineering btech at a decent college.

Just like many others, i also often wonder about the lives of indian babus, especially the ones in civil/revenue service .

I often hear many people saying that a typical pcs babu like bdo or sdm in rajasthan,up,mp,jharkhand,chattisgarh and haryana makes 50 lakh to 1 crore a year. Is this correct or just another myth?

Please help me understand the ground reality seniors.