What you need:
You need a right attitude, focus, commitment and good guidance to crack IAS Exam.

Sounds Difficult:
It is not difficult. First & foremost you should have positive attitude that “I can do it”. You should have confidence in yourself. 

Don’t let your past performance affect your Confidence: Your past performance in academics has very little role to play or influence your performance in IAS exam. What matters is your positive attitude, confidence and hardwork.

Don’t agree:
Don’t agree. See, if the performance in academics had been the criteria for IAS, there would have been no need to have IAS exam. All toppers from various Universities could have been selected by UPSC to fill up the vacancies of IAS officers. So, it is obvious UPSC is looking for something else in you and not the academic performance alone.
That’s why I say have the right attitude and confidence to crack IAS exam.

A Focused Mind:
Right focus is very important factor while preparing for IAS. Focus gives you strength & ability to learn. Right focus keeps you away from distractions. It is said Focus is the gateway to learning and moving ahead. Focus helps you directing your time and energy in a systematic way in right direction.

Commitment:
Commitment makes your will power strong. Commitment helps you in making your targets for day-to-day learning and also helps you adhering to your schedule.

Role of guidance:
IAS exam syllabus is very vast. It is impossible to cover entire syllabus. Moreover, questions in IAS are not direct. The questions are different than your academics. They are practical use of knowledge. Often questions are linking to more than one topic or subject. UPSC is looking for application of mind. They are not looking for theoretical knowledge. Material knowledge is available in books, internet, etc. Application of knowledge is important. Here the role of guide becomes very important. What to study? What not to study is equally important. This key role is to be played by your guide. Guide can plan strategies for you. Guide can help you to focus in right way. A true guide can multiply results of your inputs. Guide can make you smart, Smart to crack IAS.

BEST OF LUCK!
Strategy for cracking IAS Exam:
1. Study the Syllabus carefully
2. Analyze the past 3-4 years papers to know the pattern and importance of topics
3. Make an honest assessment of your strengths and weakness in regard to understanding of various subjects.
4. List out the gap between your current level and level required as per the question papers
5. Read NCERT/ICSE textbooks of 6-8 standards to cover-up your weak areas or subjects
6. Read my online notes &  study material.
7. Write to us for clarifications and support.

Be Ready to hit the target