English for UPSC : 8 Point Prep Cheat-sheet

English for UPSC, is an essential part of the examination. Therefore, UPSC aspirants need to have a good command of the language to perform well in the examination. It is the medium for the written exam and personality tests. However, most candidates taking the UPSC civil services, do not feel comfortable with the language. While the UPSC exam does not test English language skills per see, but being comfortable with the language is beneficial.

In the written exam, it is crucial to express ideas in the most effective manner possible. Therefore, having a good command of English can make a significant difference. Similarly, during the UPSC interview, struggling to speak well will show poorly.

If you are looking to improve your English for the UPSC exam, cultivate the habit of reading extensively. While preparing for the IAS exam, pay attention to the language’s nuances. Also, try to internalize them. Jot down new words and phrases, and look up their meanings and usage.

How to improve English for UPSC exam preparation

English for CSE # 1 Read English newspapers

Reading English newspapers is an excellent way to improve your English language skills. Newspapers like The Hindu, The Indian Express, and The Times of India are highly recommended. Reading newspapers will not only improve your vocabulary and grammar but also enhance your knowledge of current affairs, which is essential for the UPSC examination. Useful resources to enhance your learning include ‘The Hindu’ newspaper, government documents/schemes, classic literature, poetry, and textbooks.

English for UPSC # 2 Watch English news channels

Watching English news channels like NDTV, CNN, and BBC will help improve your listening and comprehension skills. You will also get an idea of how to present your views in English.

English for UPSC # 3 Read books and novels

Reading books and novels is an effective way to improve your language skills. Choose books and novels by renowned authors and make sure to read them carefully. This will not only improve your vocabulary but also enhance your understanding of sentence structure and language usage. Using these new words and phrases in your answer writing practice and daily conversations will help you improve your vocabulary and language skills.

English for UPSC # 4 Practice writing

Practicing writing is an excellent way to improve your language skills. Write essays, articles, and letters on different topics, and ask a friend or a teacher to evaluate them. To expedite the process, consider writing down 20 new words daily, which will yield a weekly total of at least 100 words. This will help you identify your weaknesses and work on them.

English for UPSC # 5 Take online English courses

There are many online English language courses available, which can help you improve your grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. You can enroll in one of these courses to improve your language skills.

English for UPSC # 6 Join a language club

Joining a language club or a group of English-speaking individuals can help you practice your language skills. You can also learn from others and get feedback on your language usage.

Writing is the key to improving your English writing skills. Start by writing short blog posts on topics that interest you, and gradually increase the length and complexity of your writing. Set a goal to write at least one blog post per week, and stick to it.

Use online resources

There are many online resources available that can help you improve your English writing skills. Websites like Grammarly, Hemingway, and Thesaurus can help you with grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and editing.

Conclusion

Improving your English language skills is essential for UPSC exam preparation. Moreover, having a good command of English can be a significant asset for UPSC civil services exam. Also, being comfortable with the language can make a significant difference in written and spoken communication. To improve English language skills, it is essential to read extensively. So, pay attention to language nuances, and use new words in writing and speaking practice. By cultivating these habits and utilizing available resources, candidates can enhance their knowledge. Now that you know these tips, you can enhance your language skills and perform well in the examination.