How to Make Notes for UPSC?

18 Jul How to Make Notes for UPSC?

The Civil Service Examination of the Union Public Service Commission is not merely something to be taken. It’s a whole journey of sorts. With a syllabus so unpredictable and vast, along with many stages—Prelims, Mains, and final Interview—the candidates should take care to approach it strategically and intelligently. In this article by plutusias.com, we will discuss how to Make Notes for UPSC. One successful tool in a UPSC aspirant’s arsenal is note-making. With someone’s good notes, revision time is saved; these notes can be converted into brilliant answers. So, how does one truly make notes for the UPSC? Let’s look into an efficient, effective, and exam-oriented note-making strategy.

Also Read: Best IAS Coaching in Delhi 

Why Note-Making is Crucial in UPSC Preparation

Before proceeding into the “how,” one needs to ask for the “why.” The UPSC syllabus is vast enough and requires more dynamic study. Books, newspapers, reports, government data, editorials, and current affairs are multiple layers of content for any serious mind to ingest and revise. Hence, the need for notes:

• Quick Revision: You can’t re-read bulky books every time.
• Condensed Information: For instance, transforming a 500-page book into a mere 20-page version with crisp content.
• Memory Boost: Writing aids retention.
• Personalised Learning: Notes are your interpretation and understanding.
• Answer Writing Tool: Well-structured notes can help in framing main answers.

Types of Notes UPSC Aspirants Should Make

Different parts of the syllabus need different kinds of notes. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Static Notes- These are basically the ones that come from the NCERTs and other standard reference books like Laxmikant or Polity, Spectrum for Modern History, G.C. Leong for Geography, and so on. These notes are relatively permanent and rarely would require a date change.
2. Current Affairs Notes- These are for updates. They keep changing and are updated. Editorials, PIB releases, Yojana, Kurukshetra, Budget, and Economic Survey are included here.
3. Value Addition Notes- To write an essay, ethics, and interviews, collect quotes, anecdotes, case studies, government schemes, and data points.
4. Optional Subject Notes- These are generally detailed and analytical and help you in the academic-oriented approach. They should follow the demands put forth by your chosen subject.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making UPSC Notes

Let’s break down the process of note-making into easy-to-follow steps:

Step 1: Read the Syllabus Thoroughly
Start with understanding the UPSC syllabus line by line. This acts as your compass and helps filter out unnecessary content. Every note you make should connect back to some part of the syllabus.

Step 2: Divide the Syllabus into Topics and Subtopics
Make a subject-wise and topic-wise breakdown. For example:

Polity → Constitution → Fundamental Rights → Types of Rights, Case Laws, Amendments, Supreme Court Judgments.

Doing this helps you organise your notes better.

Step 3: Choose the Right Sources
Don’t fall into the trap of reading too many books. Stick to a few high-quality sources:

NCERTs (Class 6–12), Standard Textbooks, Current Affairs from one or two reliable sources (The Hindu / Indian Express / PIB), Plutus IAS monthly magazines and Yojana, Kurukshetra, Budget, Economic Survey.

Step 4: Read, Understand, Then Write
First, read the content thoroughly. Then, understand the concept and context. Only after that should you write. Never copy-paste sentences from the book into your notes. Use your own words—this not only saves space but also ensures better retention.

Formats and Tools for Note-Making

There’s no single “best” way to make notes. Different students prefer different styles. Choose what suits you.

1. Digital Notes (Evernote, OneNote, Notion, Google Docs)
Pros:

• Easy to edit and update.
• They accept hyperlinks, images, or PDFs.
• Easily searchable.

Cons:

• Screen fatigues the eyes.
• Devices are to be used.

Best For: Current Affairs, Dynamic Topics, Answer Writing Practice.

2. Handwriting Notes (Notebooks, Loose Sheets, Loose Files)
Pros:

• More retention with memory.
• More personalised.

Cons:

• Hard to update.
• It can become very bulky.

Best For: Static subjects, Optional Notes, Ethics.

Techniques to Make Notes Effective

1. Using Flowcharts And Diagrams
Visual representation helps in the immediate grasp and retention of information. Use:

• Mind maps
• Tree diagrams
• Comparative charts

Especially useful in Geography, Environmental Ethics, and Essays.

2. QCA Approach
QCA = Quote, Concept, Application

• Quote: Famous lines or sayings.
• Concept: Define the term or idea.
• Application: Give real-life or governance examples.

Great for Paper 4 (Ethics) of GS and Essay Paper.

3. Colour Coding
Use colours to highlight important judgments, schemes, keywords, or dates; use highlighters and colored pens. If a digital form of the notes is maintained, one can bold, underline, or colour tag the important points.

4. Gesture Bullet Points, Not Paragraphs
Write all in bullet points with headings and subheadings. Don’t write long paragraphs. They are quicker to scan and revise.

Subject-Wise Note-Making Strategy

1. History

• Divide into Ancient, Medieval, Modern, and World History
• Timelines, maps, and event-wise summaries will aid the learning.
• Also, add cause-effect tables and personality-type info.

2. Geography

• Use maps as much as possible.
• Notes should be created topic-wise (climatology, oceanography, etc.).
• Have current affairs linkages, such as disasters and climate treaties.

3. Polity

• Laxmikant-base for notes.
• Prepare charts of articles, amendments, and landmark judgments.
• Keep recent SC verdicts and constitutional developments updated.

4. Economy

• Concept-based notes for inflation, GDP, fiscal policy, etc.
• Relate things with the Budget, Economic Survey, and updates from the RBI.
• Include recent schemes and government initiatives.

5. Environment

• Get notes prepared from NCERT, Plutus IAS, and current affairs.
• Give priority to biodiversity, climate change, and organisations.
• Add conventions like CBD, UNFCCC, etc.

6. Ethics

• Maintain a glossary of definitions.
• Collect case studies from newspapers.
• Add quotes from Gandhi, Kalam, and international leaders.

How to Make Current Affairs Notes

1. Newspaper Reading

• Read The Hindu or The Indian Express.
• Do not note down everything.
• Focus on issues rather than mere news.

2. Online Monthly Magazines

• Stick to one source only (Like Plutus IAS).
• Make notes from the main perspective: background, challenges, and way forward.

3. Organising Notes as per Papers
Current affairs are to be separated into:

• GS Paper 1: Society, History, Art & Culture
• GS Paper 2: Polity, Governance, International Relations
• GS Paper 3: Economy, Science & Tech, Environment
• GS Paper 4: Ethics (case studies, quotes, examples)

Revision Strategy with Notes

What is the use of preparatory notes if they are not revised? Here is how to get the best out of them:

• First Revision: Within a week of making the notes.
• Second Revision: Within a month.
• Third Revision: Before Prelims or Mains.
• One-Page Summary: For each topic before exams.

Mistakes One Should Avoid in Note-Making

1. Copy-Paste Text: Whatever one did not understand will never be remembered.
2. Making Notes of Everything: Filter and prioritise.
3. Messy Structure: Proper headings, bullet points, and categorisation ought to be used.
4. Too Many Sources: Limited and trusted ones.
5. No Updates to Notes: Especially current affairs and policy matters.

Bonus Tips from Toppers

• Anudeep Durishetty (AIR 1, 2017): Used Evernote extensively and revised his digital notes multiple times.
• Gaurav Agrawal (AIR 1, 2013): Preferred crisp, one-liner bullet points.
• IAS Suraj Tiwari (CSE 2022): Focused on retention through minimalistic notes due to time constraints.

Conclusion 

Note-making is an art and an attitude: it must be clear, consistent, and tailored. What may work for one aspirant may not work for another. Try out different ones in the beginning; early in your preparation, settle on the one that best fits your memory style.

Remember, it is not how much you know that counts in the UPSC exam; it is how clearly and effectively you present what you know in the limited period given to you. Your notes are the bridge between what you have studied and what you will write on. Start today. Choose a subject. Choose a topic. Read well and start writing. One note at a time is how success is carved.

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