Notes is not a destination, its a journey. You need to keep improving them over time. Try to half their volume during each revision.

Secondly, utility of notes is during revision in the last leg of your preparation. Therefore, if you can revise from book without losing time, then making notes is not absolutely essential.

Despite that, making effective notes for the UPSC exam can be help for efficient revision and retention of information. Some of the most important factors which can help you in coming up with crisp notes are mentioned below:

1. Keep it concise: While taking notes, focus on capturing the essential points rather than writing lengthy explanations. Use bullet points, abbreviations, and symbols to make your notes concise and easy to revise.
2. Organize your notes: Create a well-structured system for organizing your notes. You can use different notebooks or sections for each subject or topic. Consider using color-coding or tabs to categorize different sections and make it easier to locate specific information.
3. Highlight key points: Use highlighting techniques to emphasize important concepts, facts and figures. Highlighting or underlining key points will help you quickly identify them during revision.
4. Mind maps and diagrams: Visual aids like mind maps, flowcharts and diagrams can be effective in representing complex information and interrelationships between different topics. Use them to simplify and summarize concepts.
5. Summarize in your own words: Instead of copying information verbatim, try to summarize the content in your own words. This process helps you understand the material better and facilitates retention.
6. Create mnemonic devices: Mnemonics are memory aids that help you remember complex information. Develop simple acronyms, rhymes, or associations to remember important facts, dates, or formulas.
7. Update regularly: As you continue studying, keep updating and revising your notes to include new information, additional examples, or recent developments in the field. This will ensure that your notes stay relevant and comprehensive. Revise and practice: Regularly review your notes and engage in practice tests or question-solving sessions. This will reinforce your understanding and help you identify areas that need further attention.
8. Use reliable study materials: Refer to authentic and reliable sources such as NCERT textbooks, standard reference books, government reports, and reputable websites. These sources will provide you with accurate and up-to-date information. Familiarize yourself with the UPSC syllabus for the particular exam you are preparing for. It will help you identify the key topics and prioritize your note-taking accordingly.

Remember, everyone has their own preferred style of note-taking, so adapt these suggestions to suit your learning style and preferences. Experiment with different methods to find what works best for you. Good luck with your UPSC exam preparation!