Setting achievable goals and milestones is crucial in any preparation, especially for exams like UPSC. It helps in maintaining focus, tracking progress, and staying motivated throughout the journey. Here are some techniques to set achievable goals and milestones in your preparation:

1. Define your ultimate goal:
- Start by clarifying your ultimate goal, which in this case is clearing the UPSC exam. This will serve as your guiding light throughout the preparation process.

2. Break it down into smaller goals:
- Break your ultimate goal into smaller, more manageable goals. These could include completing specific subjects, revising certain topics, or practicing mock tests.

3. Make your goals SMART:
- Ensure that your goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). This will make them more focused, measurable, achievable, relevant to your preparation, and bound within a specific time frame.

4. Prioritize your goals:
- Prioritize your goals based on their importance and urgency. Identify the topics or subjects that require more attention and allocate more time and effort accordingly.

5. Set deadlines:
- Assign realistic deadlines to each goal and milestone. This will create a sense of urgency and help you stay on track. However, make sure the deadlines are achievable and not too overwhelming.

6. Break it down into milestones:
- Divide your preparation into milestones, which are significant checkpoints along the way. These could be completing a certain number of chapters, solving a specific number of practice questions, or achieving a certain score in mock tests.

7. Track your progress:
- Regularly monitor and track your progress towards each goal and milestone. This will help you identify areas that need improvement and make necessary adjustments to your study plan.

8. Celebrate small victories:
- Celebrate and reward yourself for accomplishing each milestone or goal. This will boost your motivation and keep you engaged in the preparation process.

9. Stay flexible:
- Be open to adapting and adjusting your goals and milestones as needed. Circumstances may change, and it's important to be flexible in order to stay on track.

By following these techniques, you can effectively set achievable goals and milestones in your UPSC preparation. Remember to stay committed, stay motivated, and keep pushing yourself towards success.