5 Skills to Clear UPSC and Become a Successful Civil Servant

• UPSC CSE is one of the toughest examinations. 
• These five skills can help you clear the examination and become a successful civil servant. 

UPSC is one of the toughest exams and looks for these five skills: Patience and persistence, technical skills, human skills, ethics and leadership. The examination is conducted in three stages, Prelims, Mains and Final Interview. All these three stages test aspiring candidates on multiple levels and filter the best of the best to handle the Indian Administration. 

Data suggests that nearly 10,00,000 aspirants fill out the form for the Preliminary exam, and about 6,00,000 appear for the objective test. Out of these 6,00,000 candidates, around 10,000 get selected for Main, 1,200 to 1,000 get chosen for the final interview, and only 100 to 120 candidates can cross the gates of LBSNAA. Meaning the selection process is close to 0.01%. 

Despite this minuscule selection percentage, being a civil servant is a dream for many aspirants. However, after closely analysing the examination and reverse engineering the syllabus and exam pattern, experts have listed these five skills that the Union Public Service Commission looks for in every aspirant. 

Skills 1: Patience and Persistence

Usually, it takes 4-5 attempts to clear UPSC and become a successful civil servant. Considering nearly two years of preparation before means a candidate goes through hardships for 6-7 years. UPSC tests the patience and persistence of the candidate on how well they manage to stay on track for this significantly long time. 

This skill was assessed because, during their tenure, officers had to stay focused and work diligently without any immediate outcomes. It is known that the syllabus of the UPSC is vast, the competition is cutthroat, and the setbacks in the journey are inevitable. Patience prevents discouragement during such dry spells and multiple failures and helps them stay motivated and on track.

Preparation for UPSC is a marathon and not a sprint. It ensures a consistency of progress despite failure and snail-speed progress. Aspirants are advised to accumulate knowledge brick by brick over a significant period. Also, a sapling can only become a tree after some time, and success in UPSC can always be challenging; it needs patience and persistence. 

The exam will throw curveballs like unexpected questions, technical glitches, personal issues, etc. Being patient helps you to stay calm and composed so you do not make hasty decisions and emotional reactions that could harm your chances of clearing the exam. UPSC preparation is a stressful and isolated experience; aspirants need to be patient and persistent in the long haul.  

Skill 2: Management Skills

The UPSC Syllabus is vast and covers numerous topics in depth. Aspirants face a considerable hurdle in completing the syllabus, let alone having time for revision. Plus, they need to balance their social and personal life, and staying motivated throughout the journey is daunting. Only with proper management skills can an aspirant conquer the selection process. 

They must be an expert in micromanagement and should be able to manage everyday tasks and still take out ample time for studying. Usually, an aspirant is believed to give 6-8 hours every day, but that is easier said than done. Managing countless hours of studying, mock tests, revisions, and social and personal life with setbacks and unforeseen events is a huge task. 

Practising management skills helps in the preparation journey and is a very sought-after skill during their on-field posting. A civil servant has to deal with multiple high-value tasks simultaneously; managing these tasks is crucial to being a successful civil servant. 

Skill 3: Human Skills

Human Skills are a unique blend of personal qualities and interpersonal abilities. These skills are crucial in navigating the challenges throughout UPSC preparation, and help perform challenging tasks during their various postings. 

Human skills include emotional intelligence, critical thinking and problem-solving, leadership and teamwork, resilience, and perseverance. Greatly help an aspirant through the preparation journey. An aspirant must be able to recognise their strengths and weaknesses while managing stress and anxiety, along with maintaining a positive attitude are essential. 

It is considered advantageous if an aspirant can build a rapport with fellow aspirants and mentors with interviewers. Civil servants must practice active listening and empathy during postings and demonstrate practical communication skills.  

Also, if an aspirant can analyse information, identify patterns, and formulate well-reasoned arguments, it is essential for UPSC preparation and future postings. Thinking outside the box, devising effective solutions and adapting to new situations are valuable assets required by an aspirant. 

Skill 4: Ethics

For UPSC preparation, Ethics is not only a subject or paper but is closely related to every aspect of the selection process. Understanding and practising strong ethical principles significantly improves and enhances your preparation and increases your chances for success in UPSC CSE. 

A civil servant is believed to have a high moral compass and a swift decision-making ability. During preparation, these skills are crucial, from essay writing to clearing the interview; the UPSC tests your ability to make sound judgments based on ethical principles like justice, equity, and fairness. 

Upholding high ethical standards throughout your preparation, from sourcing your information to avoiding plagiarism, displays your integrity and sets the stage for a successful career in public administration. The UPSC syllabus covers numerous social and political issues that are convoluted and involve controversies. But sound ethical standards help you take a diplomatic and correct approach.

Understanding the ethical implications of policies and decisions allows a civil servant to consider the diverse needs of society; they can prioritise the public’s well-being. Also, during the final interview, when the panel is assessing your personality, having a high moral compass and ethical standards can be of added advantage. 

Skill 5: Leadership Skills

Although leadership skills are not a direct part of the UPSC syllabus, the skill set is valuable for preparation and future careers. Civil servants must portray exceptional leadership skills when dealing with people and serious situations. Before being a leader or a civil servant, aspirants must practise the art of self-leadership. 

Self-leadership involves organising your study schedule, setting goals, managing time and resources, and staying motivated throughout the journey. Moreover, self-leadership ensures discipline and consistency in preparation.

Practical leadership skills help the aspirant connect with fellow study group aspirants. Thereby creating a collaborative learning environment, enhancing knowledge sharing and mutual support. During the interview, the panel explicitly evaluates your personality, character and leadership potential.  

Demonstrating strong leadership skills through confident and effective communication can be crucial. Leadership skills help civil servants face complex and challenging environments where making sound decisions can be essential. Public service thrives on practical teamwork, and leadership skills help immensely in completing the work. 

It can be clearly said that the Union Public Service Commission is one of the most challenging examinations testing aspiring candidates to their breaking point. Having patience and persistence, management skills, human skills, ethics, and leadership skills can not only help you through the preparation journey. Still, it would also be helpful in your future career as well. 

Apart from diving into course books, spending countless hours learning the syllabus, and going through mock tests. Aspirants are highly advised to develop these skills to become successful civil servants. At IAS Origin, we have a team of dedicated experts who will help you clear the examinations and develop and harness these skills interactively and subtly. Book your free consultation for more information. 

All the best!