I would like to know if it is possible to prepare for IAS/IPS examination while continuing the job or should I take a break?

First of all let me inform you that Civil Services examinations are considered to be toughest to crack like any other entrance exams and it requires a lot of devotion & time to prepare for these exams.

So I suggest if you can take a break do it as it wil assist you in preparing much better way by planning your schedule which wont be the case if you continue the job as the timings can go haywire.

As far as IAS/IPS preparation is concerned, it depends upon the knowledge and passion of the aspirant. A casual approach towards these examinations will certainly not give the success. One needs to give sufficient amount of time and follow disciplined routine. These examinations are not easy to crack and so, one has got to be serious about it and it should never be optional. The one who succeed in these examinations, give their entire time for its preparation and I don’t advice that this could be done along with a 9-5 job.

Good coaches and mentors can help their students a lot. Of-course there are many students who do well without mentors (like Ekalavya did in Mahabharatha [excuse us, if the example is too old. Of-course there are examples from the modern world too:-) ]), but there is no doubt about the help good mentors can do. But there are also instances of candidates who cracked IAS without going any coaching – without spending sleepless nights and truckload of money at any coaching institutes.

There are two things you need to clear UPSC exam:
Guidance (Strategies).
Knowledge (Study materials and notes)

There shouls be a proper preparation plan for Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination both the prelims and main. Planning is one of the key aspects and some of the tips are mentioned below:

1. Revise two times before exam: Plan the studies carefully. Adequate time must be kept for revision. Both General Studies and Aptitude sections should be revised atleast twice as well as one week before the exam.

2. Focus on ecology, environment, art and culture: A major number of questions come from ecology, environment and art & culture. These areas should be prepared in detail from the best available sources.

3. Solve mock test papers: Aspirants should attend mock tests and solve previous year papers. This will increase both the accuracy and speed significantly. It also assists in picking out the most appropriate option in the exam.

4. Get the basics clear: In the revised pattern, the stress is more on the concept clarity rather than simply mugging up the data.

Some of the best coaching Institutes for IAS/IPS examination are as follows:

Rau's Study Circle for IAS, Delhi

Brilliant Tutorials Pvt. Lmt., Chennai

Brain Tree India, Hyderabad

Elite Academy, Mumbai

Astitva I.C.S., Jaipur

Actwel IAS Study Center, Bihar

IAS Training Centre Presidency College, West Bengal

Coaching & Guidance Centre, Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh (U.P)