The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of India’s most challenging tests, with over 1.3 million candidates vying for just 1,056 vacancies. The 2024 Mains exam, starting September 20, will include a crucial General Studies (GS) Paper 1 covering Indian heritage, history, geography, and society. Success requires a strategic approach, including understanding the syllabus, using essential study materials, and practicing previous years’ questions to enhance performance.