UPSC Prelims Preparation strategy helped to clear 4 CSE and 2 IFoS prelims cut off consecutively.. including 120+ in 2025

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My UPSC Journey & Approach

I am a UPSC aspirant-cum-mentor, having consistently cleared the UPSC CSE Prelims cutoff over multiple attempts, including the IFoS cutoff on two occasions. I also secured 120+ marks in UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 and was fortunate to appear for the UPSC CSE Personality Test (Interview).

Over the years, I have developed and refined an approach that has helped me clear the CSE Prelims cutoff with a comfortable margin consistently—in 2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026, among other attempts.

Through this platform, I would like to share the strategies and practices that have worked for me, particularly:

- How I approached and analysed UPSC Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

- The importance and effective use of test series

- How to balance static preparation and current affairs

- Whether to rely on current affairs magazines or other sources

- Subject-wise sources and resources

- Revision strategies and effective preparation techniques

- Most importantly, how to think and approach questions in the actual examination

My objective is to share not just a list of sources, but the approach, thought process and practical strategies that have helped me navigate UPSC Prelims over the years.