ORIENTATION SESSION ON 5th May 2025

5th May 2025 - 15th June 2025 : Phase 1

Phase 1 will cover core components of the UPSC Civil Services - this will include History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern History), Polity, Society, Governance, Geography & Economics. 

Reasoning behind Phase 1 :

Many so-called “coaching institutes” make bold claims like “50 questions came directly from our test papers” or “90 questions were from our booklets.” Ignore these distractions. We will make no such claims. 

As the exam draws near, you might feel an overwhelming urge to cram every possible fact about the universe, thinking, What if UPSC asks this? But don’t fall into this trap—it’s an endless pursuit. Your goal should NOT be to know the answer to every single question. Instead, your aim should be to develop the ability to form analytical and logical conjectures.


All the Episodes of Phase 1 are designed to refine that ability. Why? You will never have complete information, no matter how much you study. UPSC questions are designed to test your thinking abilities, not just your memorization skills. Even if you know the answers to only 35 questions in Prelims, with sharp analytical skills, you can confidently attempt more than 85% of the remaining questions. Logical thinking and informed guesses will be your greatest allies in this journey (Prelims, Mains, and even in the Personality Test). 

Phase 1 Focuses on 5 Step Appraoch to the UPSC Preparation : 

Step 1: Refine Your Analytical Skillset :  This is the most critical skill you can develop, and unfortunately, it’s often overlooked. The ability to form logical conjectures is what sets apart individuals at the top—whether they’re at McKinsey, Warren Buffet, or the Ivy Leagues. These people excel because they can make informed decisions with incomplete data. Similarly, you need to sharpen your ability to analyze, evaluate, and make decisions during the exam. Even when you don’t know all the facts, you should be able to eliminate options and make logical choices. We’ll dive deeper into this skill in our future classes

Step 2: Read, Analyze, and Question : Watching Recorded Episodes is essential, but don’t stop there—analyze the content. At MisFits, we emphasize questioning, debating, and understanding every idea thoroughly. Avoid the mistake of turning watching these episodes into a mechanical task where you simply finish chapters or cram facts. Facts will fade over time, and this approach will only increase your anxiety. This is why we don’t have pre-reads in MisFits. Instead, we focus on analogical thinking, logical conjectures ensuring that you engage with the material meaningfully and critically.

Step 3: Form Independent Opinions : This phase will begin one month into the program with the introduction of the Deep Dive Initiative. Through this, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how valuable it is to focus on foundational affairs rather than just current affairs. Many institutes make the mistake of prioritizing rote learning, pushing students to cram endless facts. However, UPSC goes beyond factual knowledge—it tests your ability to connect concepts, analyze critically, and build a strong foundation. With the Deep Dive Initiative, you’ll learn to approach topics with depth and clarity, enabling you to tackle even the most challenging questions with confidence.


Step 4: Consistency :  You won’t develop analytical skills in just a day or two—it’s a gradual process that requires consistent effort over 3-4 months.  As you engage with the recorded episodes, you’ll find yourself debating ideas, questioning concepts, and discussing topics more critically. The recorded sessions are designed to be thought-provoking and immersive. Revisit them as needed to reinforce your understanding and challenge your perspectives.

Mistakes are a natural part of this journey, and that’s okay. With a consistent routine of watching episodes, analyzing content, and forming logical conjectures, you’ll see tremendous growth—not just in your preparation but in how you approach life.

Here’s how to ensure consistency: Dedicate 4-hour study slots daily to review episodes and reflect on key takeaways. Ensure your study space is distraction-free—no smartphones or unnecessary interruptions. Revisit episodes that challenge you until you feel confident in your understanding. If public speaking or debating isn’t your strength, MisFits is your safe space. Use the discussions within the community to make mistakes, learn, and grow. Ask any “dumb” questions you may have—this is a judgment-free zone where we support each other in arriving at logical conclusions.


Step 5: Prioritize Your Mental Health and Build a Supportive Community The UPSC journey is long and challenging—you cannot fight every battle alone. Having a strong, supportive community is essential for collaboration, healthy competition, and mutual encouragement.

A supportive environment can help you stay calm, composed, and productive, significantly reducing anxiety. Imagine how much more effective you could be with a clear, focused mind. At MisFits, we’re introducing Networking Nights for all IFS Fellows, providing an opportunity to connect, share experiences, and learn from each other. We are also considering incorporating meditation sessions to help you stay grounded and centered. If you’d like to volunteer for these initiatives, please write to us, and we’ll happily add you to the team.


Above all, enjoy the journey. If you don’t fall in love with the process of learning, your daily schedule, or the syllabus, it will be difficult to stick to the routine. Find joy in understanding new ideas, forming logical connections, and growing intellectually.

2-3 Months - Phase 2 & Phase 3 - 15th June onwards 

This phase will cover the aspects of Ethics, Environment, Essay, Science & Technology, and Miscellanous Topics, analysis of Test MCQs.Testing Methodologies, Scientific Hacks, Previous Paper Analysis using those hacks, S&T, or any other left over option of UPSC Syllabus will be covered in this phase.. Additionally, this phase should also be ideal to complete your Optional Preparation.