The best practices for gathering resources for UPSC preparation include curating a reliable selection of study materials, including NCERT books, current affairs magazines, and online resources. It's crucial to focus on quality over quantity—finding authentic sources and sticking to a core set is more effective than overwhelming oneself with excessive materials. Creating a study plan that allocates time for each subject while setting periodic review sessions is also advised. Engaging in group discussions can enhance understanding, while evaluating personal progress through mock tests is key to identifying strengths and weaknesses.