Blogs By Owais Ali Bhat

By Owais Ali BhatDirector, Chanakya IAS Academy Jammu | Founder, Exceptional Academy Srinagar Every year, I meet aspirants who clear GS Paper I with flying colours but falter at the CSAT hurdle. And every year, I remind them of one truth: CSAT may be qualifying, but it isn’t optional. After 15 years in this field, I’ve seen bright futures hang in the balance because of the assumption that CSAT is “easy” or “just basic maths and English.” Let me break that myth and offer a humanised, practical approach to cracking it. Many aspirants fall into the trap of underestimating CSAT. The first step is mental: respect the paper. It’s not just about aptitude—it’s about application under pressure. Even the best can blank out if they aren’t prepared for the nature of the questions. Within the first month of your preparation, take a full-length CSAT paper. Not to ace it—but to assess your comfort level with three major areas: Quantitative Aptitude Logical Reasoning Comprehension Most students discover that they’re rusty in at least one. And that’s fine—what matters is identifying it early and targeting it systematically. I’ve seen Humanities and Arts background students shy away from the Quant section. But here’s what I tell them: UPSC isn’t testing your calculation speed; it’s testing your clarity. You don’t need to be a maths wizard. You need to: Master basic arithmetic Practice mental calculation techniques Learn how to eliminate options intelligently Sometimes, all it takes is solving 25-30 quality questions weekly to build comfort and confidence. Aspirants often say, “I read newspapers daily, my English is fine.” But CSAT comprehension is a different beast. It tests analytical reading, not just language fluency. Practice passages that: Have dense ideas Require inference rather than facts Contain confusing answer choices The trick is to slow down, map the structure of the passage, and eliminate extreme options. Unlike GS, CSAT often requires you to take calculated risks. Elimination becomes your best friend, especially when options are closely worded. With good practice, you’ll develop what I call “exam intuition”—knowing which options can be logically ruled out even if you’re not 100% sure. If the qualifying mark is 66, aim for 80–85. This buffer absorbs the unpredictability of the paper. I always tell my students: Don’t aim to survive—aim to be comfortable. Even when GS feels endless, dedicate: 2–3 hours/week for CSAT (initially) 1 mock test/month (then 1 every 15 days as Prelims nears) This consistent exposure builds familiarity, reduces anxiety, and conditions your brain to approach the paper with clarity. In Conclusion CSAT is not the enemy. It’s a paper that rewards calm thinking, consistent practice, and a balanced approach. Over the years, I’ve seen aspirants turn their weakest sections into their strengths—simply by treating CSAT with the seriousness it deserves. So, to every future officer reading this:Respect CSAT. Practice smart. And remember—you’re not alone. I’m always here to guide you on this journey. Warm regards,Owais Ali BhatDirector, Chanakya IAS Academy JammuFounder, Exceptional Academy Srinagar

By Owais Ali Bhat, Director, Chanakya IAS Academy, Jammu With over 15 years of experience mentoring countless aspirants for the Civil Services Examination, I’ve come to realize that while the Preliminary exam may seem like a hurdle, it’s actually a launchpad. The prelims don’t just test your knowledge — they test your temperament, strategy, and discipline. If you get these three aligned, success becomes predictable. Let me share some practical and experience-backed tips that can help you crack the CSE Prelims with confidence. The prelims is not about writing long essays or showing deep analysis. It’s about choosing the most accurate option from four close choices. Often, it’s not about how much you know, but how smartly you can eliminate the wrong ones. Cultivate that skill. It comes with consistent practice. Too many aspirants try to jump straight to big reference books. I tell every beginner — “Don’t build your house on weak ground.” NCERTs from Class 6 to 12, especially in History, Geography, Economics, and Polity, build the foundation. Master them. Revise them. Reading newspapers daily is good — but what’s better is smart reading. Focus on understanding implications rather than memorizing facts. Supplement your reading with monthly current affairs compilations from trusted sources. Always link current affairs to static concepts. In prelims, it’s not the person who studied the most that clears — it’s the one who remembers the most. That only comes through revision. Design your study schedule to include at least three rounds of revision before the exam. Every topper I’ve guided has taken at least 40-50 mock tests. But don’t just give them — analyze them. Understand where you went wrong. Was it a knowledge gap, or did you misread the question? Build a register of mistakes and revise it regularly. These subjects dominate the prelims paper. Prioritize them. For Polity, stick to Laxmikanth. For Environment, align your reading with current developments and key conventions. Economy should be approached conceptually — understand basics like inflation, GDP, fiscal deficit. Each year, I’ve seen brilliant aspirants miss out due to CSAT. Start practicing it early, especially if you come from a non-maths background. Focus on comprehension, logical reasoning, and basic arithmetic. Even if it’s qualifying, treat it with full seriousness. In my early days, I ignored talking about this. Now I don’t. Physical fitness, regular sleep, and mental calmness are crucial. A stressed and sleep-deprived brain won’t recall facts on D-day. Meditation, walking, or light exercise helps enormously. Many aspirants fall into the trap of comparing themselves. Remember, preparation is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep your eyes on your goal. Have a mentor, join a discussion group if needed — but avoid negative comparisons. Everyone’s journey is unique. Cut down on new material. Revise what you already know. Practice 2 mock tests every week. Focus on high-probability topics. And most importantly — keep your morale high. The last month can make or break your attempt. Final ThoughtsClearing prelims is the first step to your larger dream of becoming a civil servant. Don’t overburden yourself — be smart, strategic, and consistent. I’ve seen students from every background succeed — some from humble villages, others from metros. What united them was not privilege, but discipline and belief. You can do it too. And when you do, I’ll be the first to congratulate you. With dedication and belief,Owais Ali BhatDirector, Chanakya IAS Academy, Jammu

By Owais Ali Bhat, Director, Chanakya IAS Academy, Jammu After 15 years of guiding aspirants through the labyrinth of the Civil Services Examination (CSE), I’ve heard almost every myth there is about the Preliminary stage — the so-called “screening test.” Each year, I watch bright, capable young minds doubt themselves, waste months chasing misconceptions, and sometimes even give up before they’ve truly begun. It’s time to set the record straight. Let’s bust a few of the most common myths surrounding the UPSC Prelims. Myth 1: You need to cover everything under the sun. Reality: No, you don’t. The UPSC doesn’t want you to become a walking encyclopedia. It tests your clarity of thought, conceptual understanding, and ability to apply logic — not your capacity to memorise obscure facts. A smart, focused strategy always trumps a scattered, exhaustive one. Quality beats quantity. Myth 2: The CSAT paper is just a formality. Reality: I’ve seen many candidates stumble here, especially those from humanities backgrounds. The CSAT paper (Paper II) is qualifying, yes, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. If you underestimate it, it can cost you dearly. Practice regularly, and don’t treat it like a side dish. I’ve had students who sailed through GS but missed the cut-off because of CSAT. Myth 3: Only those with a background in history or political science can crack Prelims. Reality: This is one of the most harmful misconceptions. The UPSC exam is designed to be inclusive of all disciplines — engineering, medicine, commerce, law, and arts. It’s about how you prepare, not what you studied in college. In fact, diversity of thought is a strength in this examination. Myth 4: You must read 10 newspapers a day. Reality: Please don’t. UPSC demands an understanding of current events, not an obsession with news clippings. One good newspaper (like The Hindu or Indian Express), read consistently and analytically, is more than enough. Supplement it with a reliable current affairs compilation and you’re good to go. Myth 5: Attempting fewer questions is a safer bet. Reality: While accuracy is important, over-caution can be just as harmful. In recent years, the cut-off has gone high enough that attempting only 50–60 questions rarely works. A balanced risk-taking approach — where you attempt 75–85 questions with calculated guessing — is often more fruitful. Myth 6: Coaching is mandatory to clear Prelims. Reality: Let me be very honest here — coaching helps, especially in providing guidance, mentorship, and structure. But is it indispensable? Absolutely not. Many have cleared it through self-study, discipline, and smart strategy. What coaching gives you is an ecosystem; how you use it is up to you. Myth 7: If you don’t clear Prelims in the first attempt, you’re not meant for UPSC. Reality: This exam is not just about knowledge; it’s about temperament, consistency, and learning from your mistakes. Every failed attempt teaches you more than any book ever can. Some of the finest officers I’ve mentored cleared the exam in their third or fourth attempt — not because they weren’t good enough earlier, but because they grew with the process. In Conclusion: The Civil Services Preliminary exam is not a monster. It’s a challenge — yes — but a conquerable one with the right mindset. My message to all aspirants: Don’t let myths cloud your judgment. Believe in your ability, stick to your plan, and keep refining your preparation. The Prelims is not the end; it’s just the beginning of a much bigger journey. And remember, as I always tell my students: “Success in UPSC is 50% knowledge and 50% attitude.” Make sure you build both.