UPSC ESE Preparation Tips 2025 for Prelims, Mains and Interview Round

UPSC ESE Preparation Tips 2025

The UPSC ESE Preparation Tips 2025 consist of useful methods to help candidates prepare for the UPSC ESE examination. Candidates need to study the subject matter well. For the UPSC ESE 2025 Exam, candidates should have a good hold on subject matters related to engineering, especially on terms and phrases for the specific engineering branch selected by the candidate. By following the preparation tips in the sections given below, the candidate will be able to crack UPSC ESE 2023 exam with high scores. Keep reading to get amazing UPSC ESE Preparation Tips for Prelims, Mains, and Interview rounds. 

UPSC ESE Preparation Strategy

Candidates must refer to the pointers given below to ease their preparation for UPSC ESE:

• Coaching Centres: One of the most common ways of preparation these days is to join a reputed coaching centre. One can find a number of coaching centres that can guide you through these tough exams. Coaching centres for UPSC exams are also always updated with the current pattern and style of questions asked in the examination. These centres give you an insight into the types of questions and their solutions.

• Previous Years' Papers: This can help you gain an idea about the type of questions that can appear in the Mains exam. Sometimes, it can also serve to be a good guess material too, as there are probable chances of questions getting matched. Solve these papers with a timer on so that you may get an idea of how much time you're taking to solve the paper. This, in a way, can help you manage your time and you can check the amount of time taken to solve a particular section.

• Time Table: Making a timetable is not a bad idea. It actually helps in solving the riddle of what to study first. Divide your time in a way that all your subject matters are covered properly. Give each section a proper time slot so that, everything within the subject matter is covered. Making a good timetable will help in keeping track of what has been completed and which section requires more time. Also, keep a time slot for revising the studied material, which can help in memorising the topics well.

• Reference Books/Material: There are a number of books and reference materials that can really serve to be a good source of information for the UPSC ESE applicants. Online reference material is also available for candidates. It is advisable to refer to one book for one topic. Keep your preference clear while selecting books and do not get confused with more than one book in one section of engineering. 

Also Check: UPSC ESE Exam Pattern 2025

UPSC ESE Preparation Tips 2025- Mains Examination

Check out the number of questions asked, marking scheme and time duration of the Paper I and Paper II of UPSC ESE 2025 Mains exam. 

Pointers given below will help you ace at UPSC ESE 2025 Main exam. 

1. Knowledge of Exam Pattern: Candidates should be familiar with the ESE/IES exam pattern before beginning their preparation for the Engineering Services Examination 2025. Look at the table below.

2. Knowing the syllabus: Applicants should be familiar with the ESE syllabus in addition to the exam format because it covers a variety of topics than just the technical portion, such as general aptitude, current events, engineering ethics, and values.

3. Management of time:  Applicants should begin their Engineering Services Examination preparation from scratch, which means they should let go of any preconceived preconceptions about how difficult the ESE exam is. They should only be concerned with the end result and how to get there. If a student doesn't want to, they shouldn't waste time fretting over or creating a schedule.

4. Technical Subjects Importance & Notes Preparation: The four engineering-related technical subjects—civil, mechanical, electrical, and electronics and telecommunications—are crucial for both the preliminary and mains exams, so candidates should give them additional attention. They should write down brief summaries of each subject because these will be useful for revision in the future. The candidate should be able to understand the topic's main points and gist from the notes that are created.

5. Solve sample & Previous Year Question Papers: Candidates should begin attempting the sample papers once they have finished studying the entire UPSC ESE syllabus in order to gauge their level of preparation, and the areas that require improvement. To truly understand the exam pattern and question patterns, candidates need also take previous year UPSC ESE question papers. They will be better able to manage their time during the exam, which is a very important aspect. The applicant's worry will disappear as they practise more sample papers, and this will boost their confidence in the exam.

Also Check: UPSC ESE/IES Sample Paper - Download PDF Here

UPSC ESE Preparation Tips 2025 - Tips to Crack UPSC ESE Interview

Everyone wants a piece of the tips and tricks to crack a national-level entrance exam like UPSC ESE by which they only mean to know what is that they must do from their end to clear the written part of the entrance examination. Seldom do the students prepare extensively for the interview part of the UPSC ESE examination which is as important as the written part. CollegeDekho’s preparation plan to crack the UPSC ESE interview will help the UPSC ESE candidates in fulfilling their lifelong dream of getting selected in their desired Engineering branch.

Tips to Crack UPSC ESE Interview 

The UPSC ESE entrance exam is divided into two parts - written exam and interview round. Through the written exam, the UPSC authorities gauge the candidates’ technical knowledge whereas qualities such as spontaneity, intuitive powers, soft skills, practicality, team spirit, confidence and leadership qualities are measured through the UPSC ESE interview round. Cracking the written part and interview rounds requires a different level of skill sets and preparation strategy. Prioritizing this, CollegeDekho consulted previous year's UPSC ESE exam takers and with their valuable inputs managed to narrow down to the following to-do list which will help the candidates to bury the ghost of UPSC ESE interview round:

• Fill the Detailed Application Form (DAF) attentively: Filling up the Detailed Application Form (DAF) carefully is the first and most crucial step in this process. The DAF will comprise of questions related to the candidates’ hobbies, job experience etc and most of the questions asked by the interviewers will be based on the information mentioned in the DAF. The candidates must attentively fill up the DAF so that they do not falter in the very beginning of the interview round.

• Firm grip over Current Affairs: Any interview round always comprises of questions based on current affairs and the scenario is nothing different in the case of UPSC ESE interview round. Following leading newspapers regularly is the most tried and tested out method. However, the candidates can employ several other methods like scanning through blogs related to current affairs, reading quiz books etc to tighten their grip over current affairs.

• In-depth understanding of Subjects and College Projects: The chances of the interviewers asking the candidates questions related to the subjects studied and projects completed by them in college are very high. The purpose of such questions is to check how much of an understanding the candidates possess regarding the subject/s. To answer such questions, the candidates must choose two or more technical subjects and prepare them well along with their practical applications.

• Avoid tricky questions smartly: Asking tricky questions is the hallmark of UPSC interviewers and the UPSC ESE interviewees will have many such questions thrown at them. A tactical approach of answering such questions is the only way out as the candidates cannot afford to leave a negative impression of themselves on the interviewers. 

• Never lie: There is a saying - Never lie to a UPSC interviewer. It means the best way out of a situation where the candidates do not have the answer to a question asked by the interviewer is to accept the same. “One lie leads to ninety-nine” and in an attempt to create an answer to an unknown question the candidates might get confused and create a negative impact. 

• Turn out Decently: J.K Rowling once said - A good first impression can work wonders and the same thing applies to the candidates attending the UPSC ESE interview round as well. A decent appearance is always instrumental in creating a lasting impact on the interviewer through which the candidates can reap rich dividends.

Also Read: UPSC ESE Exam Analysis 2025

Important Instructions - UPSC ESE 2025 Preparation Tips

Instructions for Preparation of the Exam

• Remember to make short notes while studying for the paper as it will help at the time of revision.

• Keep your health and mind healthy when you are preparing for the examination and also at the time of examination.

• Do not focus on more than one topic at one point of time. Complete the section you started and then switch to the next section.

•  You can always take help of your seniors and teachers if you are stuck in some section.

• Keep separate note books for different sections that you will study.

Exam Day Instructions 

• Remember to carry your e-admit card on the examination day.

• Do not carry any unwanted papers and material.

• Do not carry electronic items that are not specified by the authorised body.

• Try to reach 20 minutes before the allotted time to avoid any kind of rush or accident.

• Before leaving for the examination, remember to check the documents asked for at the time of exam. Documents like admit card and ID proof are a must to carry at the time of examination.