Myths of IAS – What you need to know before you prepare for IAS

Myth 1:  You have to be a genius to prepare for IAS.

IAS Examination is cleared by people from all walks of life. Some of the people who clear this examination are from IIT & IIM. And there are some toppers who have passed their graduation from Distance Education without having attended a proper college.

Myth 2:  I need to come to Delhi to prepare for IAS.

You no longer need to come to Delhi to prepare for IAS Examination. You can get started for IAS preparation right from your home, right at this moment. If you have discipline and will power, and if you can work hard, you can sit in your home and prepare for IAS right at your home.

For those who feel the need for a more structured preparation, you can sit at your home, and you can subscribe just an Online Prelims Test Series, Online Mains Test Series with Mentor Support and Online Current Affairs Classes to cover the syllabus and prepare fully for the exam.

Myth 3: One needs to study 18 hours a day to clear the examination.

We are humans. There is a limit to how much we can study in a day. 18 hours a day is the recipe to become a mad man, not to clear the examination. A minimum of 5-8 hours on a regular and consistent basis is required to clear this exam.

Myth 4: Humanities Students have an edge in Civil Services Examination.

Just because Optionals that have scored well are from Humanities, does not mean that Humanities students have an edge over Science/ Engineering / Medicine Students. The truth is that this exam requires hard work, and engineering students have cleared the exam by devoting 4 months for their optional. In fact, more than half the students clearing the exam with humanities optionals are not humanities students, but engineering, medical and science graduates.

Myth 5: IAS Preparation is a five-year preparation

IAS preparation does not require 5 years. It requires 1 year of preparation before writing the examination. You can see the interviews of many who have succeeded in their first attempt.

Myth 6: IAS Preparation requires you to quit your job.

Whether you want to quit your job is completely your choice. There are candidates who have cleared the examination along with their job – and even in 1st attempt.

Myth 7: Married Women cannot become IAS.

In fact, there are so many married women who have cleared the exam and got selected in IAS, IPS and IFS. In top 10 ranks, you can see married female candidates.

Myth 8: I need to have very good English to clear IAS Exam.

Every year there are so many candidates who are not good with English and get within 100 Ranks. There are so many candidates who have studied in Tamil in their school. And they have got under 50 Rank in IAS exam.

Myth 9: If I can’t speak English, I will be rejected in IAS Interview?

There is no solace for a man who has already lost in his mind. For those who have decided that they want nothing less than IAS in life, they clear the Interview by speaking very simple English or by opting for Interview in Tamil / other mother tongue languages.  

Myth 10: IAS is a tough exam, so I should prepare for IBPS /Bank PO / SSC Exam / TNPSC first.

This is the biggest myth of IAS preparation. People who have cracked IAS with under 100 ranks have failed in Bank PO / SSC Exam. IAS requires dedicated preparation for it. It is better to prepare for IAS and appear for other exams than to prepare for other exams and appear for IAS. This is because IAS preparation gives you a much wider perspective which ensures that other exams become easy.

Myth 11: IAS have all the power in India.

It is true that IAS Officers have lot of power. However, IAS officers cannot do anything and everything. Their conduct is guided by All India Service Conduct Rules and other laws of the nation are equally applicable for them. So, if you are looking for power, this exam is not for you. 

Myth 12: I should write the exam only after completing my preparation.

Not even Rank 1 has full preparation of the exam before appearing for it. All you need is a good preparation, not a perfect preparation. It is recommended that you prepare for a year before writing the exam. You cannot postpone writing the exam just because you think your preparation is not complete.