When a student first starts his/her UPSC IAS preparation journey, he gets
overwhelmed by the sheer volume of books, notes, and study materials
recommended by various sources. Some aspirants’ rooms look like a mini
library with towers of books and notes photocopies that seemed to grow taller
each day. However, more than half of them remain unread. This is a classic
trap that derails many aspirants – the myth that more is always better,
INFODEMICS at worst.
The Paradox of Choice in UPSC Preparation
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is notorious for its vast syllabus,
complexity and non-predicted character of it’s, and naturally, most aspirants
believe they need to read everything under the sun to crack it. This mindset
leads to what is called “study material hoarding syndrome.” They collect PDFs,
buy multiple books for the same subject, subscribe to numerous online
platforms and social media channels, spent time to be in discussion with the
peer groups, thinking that having more resources will increase their chances
of success.
Why Limited Study Material Works Better
The UPSC Civil Services examination tests your understanding of concepts
rather than your ability to memorize facts from multiple sources. A limited set
of well-curated materials allows you to develop a deeper understanding of
each topic. When you stick to fewer resources, you avoid the confusion that
comes from contradictory information across different books and resources.
You can also allocate more time to revision and practice, which are arguably
more crucial than reading new content endlessly. Additionally, a manageable
study load reduces anxiety and prevents the feeling of being overwhelmed,
which can significantly impact your performance.
The Power of Strategic Revision
When you have limited study material, revision becomes not just possible but
highly effective. Many successful candidates vouched for a single strategy-5
multiple revisions over extensive coverage. When you know your limited
material inside out, you develop the confidence to tackle any question the
exam throws at you. This psychological edge is often the difference between
success and failure.
The Coaching Advantage
What many aspirants particularly appreciated about quality coaching
institutes is their emphasis on curated study material. They understand that
aspirants often get lost in the maze of available resources. The best UPSC
coaching centres provide carefully selected, comprehensive materials that
cover the entire syllabus without overwhelming students.
Conclusion
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is not just a test of knowledge but a
test of strategy, time management, and mental resilience. The approach of
using limited study material combined with intensive revision addresses all
these aspects effectively. In the race to clear the UPSC Civil Services, it’s not
about how much you can read, but how well you can understand, retain, and
apply what you’ve studied. Sometimes, less truly is more.
The path to UPSC success is not about collecting the most study materials but
about mastering the right ones through consistent revision and practice. Don’t
be a prey to INFODEMICS.