Education
Top Tips to Crack the UPSC Exam
The UPSC interview is one of the most competitive jobs in the world. But for many candidates, it’s also one of the most daunting. The application process takes months and months of research, source-refining, and strategic planning.
And even among top applicants, there are usually bound to be some gaps in skills—such as those related to administration or communication—that a candidate might be best equipped to fill.
UPSC Exam – A Brief Overview
Every country has a governing structure that directs and monitors the daily operations of the system. Administrative officers and public servants are common names for these people. India has a respectable number of civil servants who work for the benefit of the country.
Depending on the circumstances, those seeking employment in the public sector must pass tests administered by the state or federal governments. In this case, the UPSC exams come in handy. It is the exam with the highest level of competition for civil service jobs in India.
Top-Notch Tips To Crack The UPSC Exam
Thankfully, there are a number of tips that can help you crack the tough exam. Here are some of the most beneficial tips that can help you with the best UPSC preparation. Let’s take a look at them!
Cover the Whole Syllabus
One of the most effective ways to crack the exam is to start the whole scenario in your head. This will make the experience much more interesting and challenging—and, hopefully, earn you a spot in the top 10%. The best way to start is by covering the whole syllabus in detail.
This will help you develop a good knowledge of almost every term and concept within the syllabus. Be careful, though. If you start thinking about the exam in a different way, you might find that the questions aren’t as clear-cut as you’d like them to be. And the exam itself might become more challenging!
Attempt Mock Test
One of the best ways to crack the exam is to try to do the actual test. This will help you get a sense of the exam itself and also provide insight into what questions may come up in the actual test. You can do this as early as possible in the year so that you can get the most out of the test. It’s also a great way to practice language awareness and understand the structure of sentences. Put this in your bag, and if you’re successful, head to the next step!
Do Proper Revision
One of the best ways to crack the exam is to do proper revision. This will help you to clarify your understanding, testifies to your capacity for increased vocabulary and many other important skills, and is a good indicator of when you’ll be successful at the test.
The more you understand the concepts and language, the easier it will be to pick up the vocabulary and phrases as they come up during the test. Regularly review your answers, but only do so if you’re completely clueless about the words and phrases you’ve just WRITTEN! The more confused you are, the easier it will be to get some of your words right as you go.
Make Proper Notes
If you’re going to the complete lengths of an entire field like the UPSC, you’re going to want to make a significant amount of note of what you’ve encountered. This will help you to remember the context of words and phrases and will also help you to recognize the difference between modifiers and sub-dominant clauses.
Avoid Exploring New Portions or Topics Before One Month
One of the most effective ways to crack the exam is to put the ins and outs of the topic in your head. This will help you to visualize the entire topic, make decisions with respect to your understanding of the concepts, and help you to plan out the walkthrough for when you get to the actual Steps 1-3.
If you’re just getting started, try to complete the challenging part one at a time. This will help you to keep your mind healthy and your brain young. It’ll also help you to stay focused!
CSAT Should Be Taken Very Seriously
If you’re going to the full length of the test, you’re going to want to be at its core. You can’t just sit and observe while the rest of the team is doing the test.
You’re going to have to step into the flow of the test, discuss your understanding with your classmates, and process the information as it comes to you. You’re going to want to take turns in the group chat, answer questions briefly, and take notes as you go.
Taking notes will help you to stay focused and to come away with a better understanding of the concepts and questions as they come up.
Current Affairs Are the Most Amorphous Part of Prelims
Many candidates find it hard to take the first step in online coaching for UPSC civil services. They’re not quite sure where to start, what questions to ask, and even what questions are necessary to fully understand the questions being asked.
This is where current affairs come into the picture. The less obvious things that come up in the current affairs portion of the questionnaire will help you see things in a new light. You’re not just trying to understand the questions; you’re trying to learn and interpret them!
Conclusion
The best way to crack the UPSC is to study the topic, read the question and answer manual, and try out different exercises. When you’ve got that down, you can tackle the actual test and see if you can Personalize it to fit your particular needs.
FAQ
How to Prepare For UPSC Exams?
To crack UPSC exam with high scores, you need a solid plaor a strategy n and a focused mind set. There is no doubt that the competition will be worthwhile. Thus, it is essential to have a thorough comprehension of each idea. The majority of candidates think it’s impossible to pass the UPSC exam without coaching. No longer! Unacademy has created a comprehensive UPSC preparation plan for beginners that will let you to master the syllabus on your own.
Is It Possible to Clear UPSC Exam in 1st Attempt?
To pass this exam, students typically need more than two tries. However, each year a number of applicants pass the UPSC exam on their first try. Some of them even succeed in passing the test with excellent grades.
How Many Years Are Sufficiant For IAS preparation?
IAS preparation can be completed in a year. If one prepares well with the appropriate guidance and UPSC test approach, one does not need to enrol in coaching for the IAS exam. For the first six months of IAS preparation, students must bear in mind the UPSC curriculum and properly study the pertinent material; after that, they should concentrate on revision, taking mock exams, and answering question papers from previous years.
Do IAS officers get paid during training?
According to the 7th CPC’s strict guidelines Special Pay Advance, IAS officers get paid while they are in training. At LBSNAA, an IAS officer is entitled to a stipend of Rs 45000 per month, of which Rs 38500 is the in-hand portion. There is a deduction of Rs 10,000 for food, housing, and transportation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has announced the reopening of the 47 unity schools earlier shut down due to security concerns on November 21.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Federal Ministry of Education on Thursday.
It said that the decision to reopen the affected colleges across the country reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding students and ensuring the continuity of education.
On November 18, 2025, over 20 schoolgirls were kidnapped by unidentified armed men from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi state.
Just three days later, on November 21, about 303 students and 12 teachers were kidnapped at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger state.
In response, the federal government shut down 47 Federal Unity Colleges, and some states including Katsina, Taraba, and Niger also closed schools or restricted school activities, particularly boarding institutions.
Rights group including Human Rights Watch lamented that while these measures were aimed at protecting students, they disrupted learning for thousands of children, denied them access to education, and the social and psychological support schools provide.
FULL LIST OF AFFECTED UNITY COLLEGES
North-West:
FGGC Minjibir, FTC Ganduje, FGGC Zaria, FTC Kafanchan, FGGC Bakori, FTC Dayi, FGC Daura, FGGC Tambuwal, FSC Sokoto, FTC Wurno, FGC Gusau, FGC Anka, FGGC Gwandu, FGC Birnin Yauri, FTC Zuru, FGGC Kazaure, FGC Kiyawa, FTC Hadejia.
North-East:
FGGC Potiskum, FGC Buni Yadi, FTC Gashua, FTC Michika, FGC Ganye, FGC Azare, FTC Misau, FGGC Bajoga, FGC Billiri, FTC Zambuk.
North-Central:
FGGC Bida, FGC New-Bussa, FTC Kuta-Shiroro, FGA Suleja, FGC Ilorin, FGGC Omu-Aran, FTC Gwanara, FGC Ugwolawo, FGGC Kabba, FGGC Bwari, FGC Rubochi, FGGC Abaji.
South-West:
FTC Ikare Akoko, FTC Ijebu-Imusin, FTC Ushi-Ekiti, FTC Ogugu.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Online learning platforms, Coursera and Udemy, have reached an agreement to merge in an all-stock transaction, with the combined company’s implied equity value estimated at approximately $2.5 billion.
The agreement, unanimously approved by both companies’ boards of directors, stipulates that Udemy shareholders will receive 0.8 shares of Coursera common stock for each Udemy share held.
Upon completion of the merger, Coursera shareholders are expected to own about 59 per cent and Udemy shareholders approximately 41 per cent of the new entity on a fully diluted basis.
The combined company will continue under the Coursera name, and maintain its headquarters in Mountain View, California.
Coursera, founded in 2012 by Mr Andrew Ng and Ms Daphne Koller, is an online learning platform with 191 million registered users as of September 30, 2025. It collaborates with over 375 universities and industry partners to offer courses, specialisations, professional certificates, and degrees.
The platform includes features such as generative AI (gen AI) tools (Coach, Role Play, Course Builder) and role-based solutions (Skills Tracks) to support scalable and personalised learning. Coursera is used by institutions for workforce development in fields such as gen AI, data science, technology, and business.
Udemy is a platform that provides on-demand, multi-language courses to help companies and individuals develop technical, business, and soft skills. It uses AI to offer personalised learning experiences and supports workforce development in a changing workplace.
Mr Greg Hart, currently CEO of Coursera, is set to lead the enlarged organisation as CEO after the merger.
The board will consist of nine members. Six from Coursera’s board, including chairman Mr Ng and CEO Mr Hart, and three from Udemy’s board.
“We’re at a pivotal moment in which AI is rapidly redefining the skills required for every job across every industry.
“Organisations and individuals around the world need a platform that is as agile as the new and emerging skills learners must master,” Mr Hart said.
The combination is said to create a complete ecosystem of top instructors supported by AI tools, data-driven insights, and broader distribution, enabling more engaging, personalised, and dynamic learning at scale.
Projected operational efficiencies include anticipated annual run-rate cost synergies of $115m within two years after closing.
Udemy CEO, Mr Hugo Sarrazin said: “For more than 15 years, Udemy has helped millions of people master in-demand skills at the speed of innovation.
“Through this combination with Coursera, we will create meaningful benefits for our learners, enterprise customers, and instructors, while delivering significant value to our shareholders, who will participate in the substantial upside potential of the combined company.”
The merger is anticipated to close in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory clearances, approval by both companies’ shareholders, and other customary closing conditions.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Global cryptocurrency platform, Luno and AltSchool Africa, an accredited online learning platform, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at demystifiing crypto to 15,000 Nigerians.
The initiative at that scale makes it Africa’s largest crypto education programme.
According to a joint statement on Wednesday, this is a significant step in Luno’s continued efforts to strengthen trust in digital assets and support safer participation in the digital economy.
This is hinged on Africa’s fast-growing digital finance landscape where 33 per cent of the country’s population already engage with digital assets, and a rapidly growing youth population are eager to participate in the digital economy.
According to the statement, the partnership aims to bridge the knowledge gap by providing structured, practical, and safe crypto education.
This will be done by combining Luno’s experience in promoting safe crypto participation with AltSchool Africa’s capability in delivering accessible digital skills training.
“The course directly addresses the misinformation and financial risks associated with unregulated digital assets, while demonstrating real-world applications tailored to African contexts,” the joint statement added.
The initiative will be implemented in three cohorts of 5,000 learners each. Applications for Cohort 1 will be open from January to February 2026, with the course commencing in March 2026. Cohort 2 participants will gain access to the course in July 2026, while Cohort 3 participants will begin the programme in November 2026.
The programme will be led by Web3 expert Mr Abdulsamad Tiamiyu, who will provide a practical, Africa-focused introduction to cryptocurrency, showing how it can be used for saving, remittances, global trading, and entrepreneurship.
The curriculum consists of five core modules and is designed to be completed within three to four weeks.
Learners benefit from up to one year of access to all course materials, including online, self-paced video lessons, slides, quizzes, and case studies. The course combines theory with hands-on experience, where learners interact with wallets, exchanges, stablecoins, and research tools like CoinGecko and Etherscan.
According to the organisers, this approach gives learners the tools to confidently use digital currencies in everyday financial activities. Successful learners, upon passing the assessments, earn an AltSchool Africa Certificate of Completion.
Speaking on the partnership, Mr Ayotunde Alabi, CEO of Luno Nigeria, said: “This initiative is a crucial intervention in Africa’s digital ecosystem. As crypto adoption accelerates, formal literacy must grow alongside it, so individuals can benefit safely and meaningfully,”
“Our partnership with AltSchool Africa is a deliberate step toward that goal and a foundational investment in the integrity of the industry. By delivering structured, high-quality education, Luno is helping ensure that Africans can participate confidently, securely, and sustainably – turning what is often seen as risk into real economic opportunity,” he added.
Adding his input, Mr Adewale Yusuf, Co-founder and CEO of AltSchool Africa, said “This partnership between AltSchool and Luno is a major step toward financial education that truly serves Africans and helps people gain the knowledge and tools they need to understand crypto with confidence and use it in practical, life-changing ways.”
The programme is open to Nigerian residents aged 18 and above who are able to commit to completing it within four weeks. Applicants must have a Luno account or create one before enrolling.
Starting January, Interested participants are encouraged to submit application through the AltSchool Africa portal, with scholarship decisions communicated within one week.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn