1-year strategic roadmap to crack the UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS).
Goal
Crack the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) in 1 year of disciplined effort, covering:
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- Prelims (GS + CSAT)
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- Mains (GS + Optional + Essay)
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- Interview (Personality Test)
Step 1: Understand the UPSC Exam Structure
Prelims
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- Paper I (GS) – Current affairs, History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Environment, Science & Tech.
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- Paper II (CSAT) – Logical reasoning, comprehension, basic maths (qualifying: 33%).
Mains
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- 9 papers total (7 counted for merit + 2 qualifying)
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- GS I – Indian Heritage, History, Geography, Society
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- GS II – Polity, Governance, IR
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- GS III – Economy, Environment, Science & Tech, Security
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- GS IV – Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude
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- Essay – 2 Essays
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- Optional Subject – 2 papers (Choose wisely based on your strength and interest)
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- 9 papers total (7 counted for merit + 2 qualifying)
️ Interview
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- Tests personality, communication, awareness, ethical grounding, and decision-making.
Step 2: Choose Your Optional Subject (Before You Begin)
Your optional can make or break your rank.
Choose based on:
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- Academic background or strong interest
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- Overlap with GS (e.g., Geography, Sociology, Political Science, Public Administration)
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- Availability of good guidance/material
Tip: Finalize your optional within the first 15 days of your plan.
Step 3: The 12-Month Plan for the Civil Services Examination (UPSC)
Months 1–3: Foundation Phase
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- Build conceptual understanding for Prelims + Mains.
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- Focus on NCERTs (6–12) for Polity, History, Geography, Economy, Science.
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- Read The Hindu / Indian Express daily.
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- Start optional subject preparation (1–2 hours/day).
Key Materials:
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- Polity – Laxmikant
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- History – Spectrum Modern India, NCERTs
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- Geography – GC Leong, NCERTs
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- Economy – Ramesh Singh or Sriram Notes
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- Current Affairs – Vision IAS monthly magazine or InsightsIAS
Target:
Complete all NCERTs + basic understanding of GS Paper I & II + 25–30% optional syllabus.
Months 4–6: Consolidation Phase
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- Deep dive into advanced sources.
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- Start answer writing practice for Mains.
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- Solve Prelims MCQs daily (revision-based).
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- Continue with optional subject systematically.
Practice:
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- Enroll in test series (Vision IAS, ForumIAS, InsightsIAS).
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- Join a daily answer writing initiative online.
Target:
Cover 80% of GS + 50% of optional + consistent writing practice.
Months 7–9: Prelims Focus + Optional Completion
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- Revise GS and Optional.
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- Focus heavily on Prelims mock tests.
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- Strengthen weak areas.
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- Learn elimination techniques for MCQs.
Target:
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- Finish Optional syllabus.
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- Attempt at least 30 full-length Prelims tests.
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- Keep revising static + current affairs.
Months 10–12: Mains Mastery + Revision
Once Prelims are over, shift 100% to Mains.
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- Practice essay writing weekly.
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- Take Ethics case study tests.
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- Revise GS & Optional again.
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- Work on presentation style and time management.
Target:
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- Revise entire syllabus 2–3 times.
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- Attempt 3–4 full-length Mains mock papers.
Step 4: Daily Routine (Model Schedule)
| Time | Activity |
| 6:00–7:00 AM | Exercise / Meditation / News |
| 7:00–10:00 AM | Core GS subject study |
| 10:00–11:00 AM | Break / Breakfast |
| 11:00–1:00 PM | Optional subject |
| 1:00–2:00 PM | Lunch / Rest |
| 2:00–5:00 PM | GS + Current Affairs |
| 5:00–6:00 PM | CSAT or Answer Writing |
| 6:00–8:00 PM | Revision / Notes Making |
| 8:00–9:00 PM | Dinner / Relax |
| 9:00–10:00 PM | Reading (Ethics / Essay / Newspaper) |
