Courses to do while preparing for UPSC Civil Services Exams

Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam is a high-stakes journey, with only a tiny fraction of aspirants clearing it each year. But what if your Plan A doesn't work? Having a backup plan has always been a wise decision. With a success rate of around 0.2%,  your chances of getting selected are almost negligible. 

UPSC aspirants have a limited attempts and an upper age limit to appear for the Civil Services Examinations. The exam is exceptionally competitive, and the majority of students fail to qualify despite preparing so well. Civil services exams demand the highest level of devotion, and still, success is not guaranteed.

The above figures show the extreme competitiveness of the UPSC exam, with under 0.1% of applicants qualifying each year. To prepare for the worst-case scenario, UPSC Civil Services must have a Plan B.  Online courses that are highly career-oriented can be a great backup plan for UPSC Civil Services. Online Courses from the UGC-approved universities with equal recognition. Online courses help UPSC aspirants to stay relevant in the corporate world in case they fail to qualify. In this blog, we will explore a rock-solid Plan B with flexible, career-oriented online courses, without interrupting your UPSC preparation.

Why UPSC Aspirants Must Have a Back-Up Plan

When the aspirants start preparing for the Civil Services, they keep rejecting the idea of a backup plan or Plan B, as they are full of enthusiasm and confident enough that they can crack the exam very easily.  However, due to fierce competition and the rat race, some of the most well-prepared students could not clear the civil services exams.

There are several reasons why civil services aspirants should have a Plan B while preparing for this exam. Some of the reasons are mentioned below:

• Extremely Low Success Rate: The civil services exam conducted is one of the most difficult exams. Even the smartest and most intelligent students fail to qualify for these exams due to the difficulty level of the exams. Students should always be prepared for the uncertainty of not getting selected. In the year 2025, only 0.2 percent of total candidates could qualify for the UPSC Civil Services. 
• Age and Attempt Limitations: UPSC aspirants only have a limited number of attempts. If you fail to qualify within these limited attempts, you become ineligible to apply further. Moreover, there is an upper age limit for UPSC Civil Services examinations. Crossing this age limit will make you ineligible to appear in this examination. 
• Prolonged Preparation Time: Since the syllabus of the UPSC Civil Services is very vast and diverse, it requires considerable time to cover the whole syllabus. Usually, it requires 2-3 years of preparation to get a grasp on the subject. Students can enroll in online courses that provide flexibility and time management without affecting their academic preparation of the students. Students should pursue these courses to be prepared for other career options in case they are not selected for the civil services examinations.
• Personal circumstances:  After giving a few attempts, students may have to leave the preparation for the civil services exam due to some personal circumstances like financial problems. If they have pursued any master's program with a specialization related to industry trends they can make a career in that specialization.

Back-Up Courses While Civil Services Preparation

After facing continuous failures, students start to realize the importance of pursuing a course as a backup plan, or Plan B, if they do not qualify for the civil services exam in their last attempt.Once they realize the importance of backing up the program, the other confusion starts with the courses that they can pursue that can help in their career without affecting their preparation.

Since the students preparing fothe r Civil Services have already completed their graduation, they can pursue various master's programs in online mode from some of the best universities in India. These online courses offer full flexibility in UPSC preparation and Academic Learning.Students can balance preparation and learning through time management. These courses are more affordable and cost-effective than the regular mode with degrees equal to the regular mode.

Some of the most popular courses students can pursue while preparing for the Civil Services are mentioned below:

1) Online MA 

Arts is one of the favorite disciplines for civil services aspirants preparing for the exam. The majority of the aspirants have pursued their bachelor's degree in Arts, as it provides a foundation for their preparation and a great choice for the Optionals. 

An Online Master’s degree in Arts not only helps aspirants secure their professional career options but also helps greatly in personality development and the formation of an analytical and logical understanding of the events occurring in their surroundings. 

The MA Program online also aids greatly in improving the communication skills of the aspirants, which is very important considering the importance of personal interview in civil services. This program also helps enhance the creative side of the students which not only helps them in their professional career but also in answer writing. They can make their answers creative and score well in the main examinations.

The program provides scope for great career opportunities to the students if they do not qualify for the Civil Services examinations. They can join top companies or achieve great success as an academician. Master's Program in Arts offers multiple disciplines and specializations.

Some of the popular specializations are mentioned below:

• Online MA in History
• Online MA in Public Administration
• Online MA in Journalism and Mass Communication 
• Online MA in English 
• Online MA in Economics
• Online MA in Political Science
• Online MA in Sociology
• Online MA in Geography 
• Online MA in International Relations 
• Online MA in Anthropology
• Online MA in Psychology 

This specialization helps in the all-around development of students with great career prospects. With flexibility and time management in online mode, civil services aspirants can balance their master's program without impacting their preparation.

Who Can Apply

Students interested in a Master's Program in Arts must fulfill the eligibility criteria provided by the university offering this program in online mode. The eligibility criteria are:

• Candidates applying must have a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
• Generally, Percentage criteria are not demanded in this program.
• No entrance exam is conducted for admission to this program.

2) Online MBA

Management is one of the most promising fields to make a career in the corporate world. With the increase in the number of companies and corporate organizations, there is a huge demand for professionals with knowledge and expertise in business management.

The online MBA programs foster leadership abilities and strategic thinking in addition to offering advanced skills in a wide range of business management domains, from marketing to finance.

It serves as an opportunity for professional growth, providing access to more senior roles and lucrative prospects in addition to encouraging beneficial business relationships.

Furthermore, it stimulates personal growth by providing leadership training and improving communication skills, while simultaneously building credibility and exhibiting a solid background in business management.

The program is imparted online with the support of the highly experienced and skilled faculty of one of the best universities in India. With the flexibility to balance academic learning and civil services, aspirants can manage their time significantly.

There are several specializations available in the online MBA program. Some of the most popular specializations are mentioned below:

• Online MBA in Business Analytics
• Online MBA  Data Science and Analytics
• Online MBA  Finance and Accounting Management
• Online MBA  Human Resource Management
• Online MBA  Information Technology Management
• Online MBA in International Business Management
• Online MBA  Retail Management
• Online MBA Supply Chain Management
• Online MBA Marketing Management
• Online MBA Operations Management

These are some of the top specializations that are most relevant to the current management, marketing, and finance sectors of the industry. An online MBA is one of the best back-ups while preparing for the Civil Services to deal with any contingencies. 

Who Can Apply

The aspirants interested in pursuing an online MBA program must fulfill the eligibility criteria of universities offering the program in an online mode.

The minimum eligibility criteria are:

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline or any subject from a university recognized by the University Grants Commission.
• Secured at least 50% marks in aggregate in graduation.
• The majority of universities do not conduct e  ntrance exams for online MBAs.
• Some premium institutions like IIMs may require CAT/MAT/XAT scores or ask students for an entrance exam for admission into an Online MBA.

3) Online MCA

With the innovation and inventions in the field of Computer Technology or Information Technology, particularly in the last decade, industries have shifted their operations from traditional modes and become highly dependent on technology. This dependency on technology has formed new job roles that are highly relevant to the current market scenario, with great salary packages.

Through a convenient and easily available online platform, a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) online degree allows civil services aspirants to pursue advanced studies in computer science and applications.These programs usually provide specializations in fields like artificial intelligence or cybersecurity in addition to a broad curriculum including subjects like database management, networking, programming, software development, and management.

With strong support services, such as academic advising and technical aid, which help students succeed in their studies, this accredited program guarantees high-quality learning and a degree recognized by employers. Online MCA programs address the needs of civil services aspirants by offering flexible scheduling and interactive learning through the well-developed Learning Management System.

This allows students to develop their careers in computer technology. Apart from highly skilled professors who have extensive knowledge in computer science and information technology, industry experts are also invited by the universities to provide interactive sessions to the students.

Some of the top Specializations available in Online MCA are mentioned below:

• Online MCA in Artificial Intelligence
• Online MCA in Cloud Computing
• Online MCA in Data Analytics 
• Online MCA in Cyber Security 
• Online MCA in Data Science 
• Online MCA in Machine Learning
• Online MCA in Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality

These specializations are most trending in the field of Computer Science and Information Technolo,gy with big organizations ready to offer lucrative packages for professionals who are skilled and well-trained in these fields.Civil Services will get enough flexibility to balance their preparation while pursuing one of the highly demanded degrees in the technological field as a backup. 

Who can apply

Civil services aspirants who are interested in a highly lucrative online MCA program must fulfill the minimum eligibility criteria to enroll. The minimum eligibility criteria for this program are mentioned below-

• The candidate must have completed their graduation in Computer Science/ Computer Applications from a recognized University/Institution.

                                                       OR

• The candidates with BA/BSc/BCom degrees in graduation must have taken Mathematics as a compulsory subject.
• Those students who do not have Mathematics as a compulsory subject in their graduation must complete the bridge course provided by the universities.

4) Online M.Com

An online Master’s degree in Commerce is a great option for civil services aspirants who have a commerce background in their graduation. They can extend their knowledge in accounting, taxation, management, and marketing, which will act as a backup and a great career option for civil services aspirants. 

An online master's degree supports the growth of analytical, strategic, and critical thinking skills, all of which are very relevant for both civil services and current industry norms.

The online MCom program provides flexibility in learning without affecting the schedule of the Civil Services preparation. Students can easily manage their time for this program, and aspirants who have commerce as an option for UPSC will greatly benefit from this program, as this will extend their intellectual capability and understanding of the concepts.

This online degree not only provides a solid backup but also serves as a solid backup option for civil services aspirants, and also increases their earning potential by offering them relevant knowledge and expertise that will prove to be a valuable investment in their professional and personal development.

Some of the specializations available in this program are mentioned below:

• Online MCom in Accounting and Finance
• Online MCom in International Finance
• Online M.Com in Finance Management
• Online MCom in Fintech
• Online MCom with ACCA
• Online M.Com in General

These specializations are provided by highly qualified professors and teachers who have significant experience in this field and online mode. This program will greatly help in civil services preparation and provide backup for the professional journey.

Eligibility

The candidates interested in the Master of Commerce program provided online mode must satisfy the eligibility criteria of the universities offering this program. The minimum eligibility criteria for this program are:

• The candidate must have pursued their graduation in B.Com/B.Com (Hons) from a University/Institution recognized by the University Grants Commission.
• The candidate must have secured 50% marks in aggregate in their graduation.
• Candidates with a BBA degree securing at least 60% marks in aggregate in graduation are also allowed by some universities.

Conclusion

In Conclusion, Civil Services aspirants should always be prepared for the worst case scenario because the probability of getting selected is very low. They should enroll in the programs mentioned above as a back up plan. These courses are available in online mode that offer significant flexibility to balance academic learning with civil services preparations without changing the schedule. These courses offer the most relevant knowledge and expertise to the students so that they can opt for alternate career options in case of failure.