Do you want to prepare the efficient timetable for IAS exam? If yes, you are in the right place. Lakhs of aspirants appear for the UPSC exam each year. But, only a few of them clear the exam. Why? Because they have a perfect study plan in hand.
Knowledge is not a reason for failure. Yes! It’s true. Majority of the students complain that they could not complete the huge syllabus in time. So, IAS exam preparation is not easy if you lack time management skills.
Trust me! It is not a magic but consistency that works out in topper’s preparation strategy. Include mock test practices, revisions, and measurable targets in your timetable.
If you are struggling to prepare a suitable study plan, this blog post is for you. Find a detailed explanation and learn how to plan your own timetable.
Things To Keep in Mind While Preparing The Timetable
You should have a long-term preparation strategy when appearing for the IAS exam. Later, plan the daily routine accordingly. In other words, divide the long-term plan into daily, weekly, and monthly targets.
Plan your goals in advance. On-spot planning is highly not recommended. Consequently, review the work at the end of every month. Allow some time for leisure, breaks, and hobbies. It is necessary to refresh your energy in a timely manner.
Do not study for more than 4 hours continuously. Divide the lengthy sessions into small ones of 2 hours each. It is sufficient to complete the syllabus through a systematic plan.
After each session, take a small break. Your concentration power decreases after every 45 minutes. So, do not give it a chance. The break is a necessary element in your timetable. At least 10 to 15 minutes break is recommended.
Do not ignore healthy food intake. The balanced diet and good sleep are extremely important. Maintain the good health of your body and mind.
Try to finish all the daily chores and routine work within 45 minutes. Do not spend too much time on it. Anyways you are going to take breaks in between.
Please avoid multitasking during the IAS exam preparation. For instance, do not watch tv and prepare for current affairs. Otherwise, students tend to surf through social media and then simultaneously read. It is not recommended.
Do not entertain any kind of distractions during the study time. Especially, your mobile phones. Keep it in silent mode and stay away from social media.
Just collecting the books and postponing starting the preparation is not a good idea. If you just pile the books and plan to study all of them in a week, it is quite impossible.
Preparations should be consistent. Moreover, you cannot study a single subject for 10 long hours. You have to mix them up. When you split the work into small portions, it is easy to remember and recall whenever needed.
How Do You Divide One Whole Year for IAS Exam Preparation?
Basically, you can divide the whole year into two terms. It includes July to November session and December to March session. In the below paragraphs, we would explain each in detail. Have a look at it.
July To November Session
In this study period, you are supposed to plan for an integrated prelims cum mains preparation. Study the General Studies subject from paper 1 to paper 4. Practice the habit of reading newspapers.
The Hindu is a preferred newspaper. However, the magazine is just an option. Choose it if you need one. Spend time on essay preparation without fail.
Now, make the final decision about your optional subject paper. Read from the NCERT books and other standard study materials. Hopefully, you would have joined the coaching classes by now. Make notes during the classroom sessions without fail.
Dedicate some time for the current affairs preparation. You can watch the parliamentary discussion and debate programs on television. Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha TV channels are mostly recommended.
December To March Session
Now, you should dedicate more time to prelims stage IAS exam preparation. Do not pause reading newspapers. However, continue with mains syllabus in the side.
In the months of April and May, reserve your time only for the purpose of revision. Are you weak in language paper? Then give some of your time to prepare for language. Otherwise, it is not necessary.
CSAT demands only 2 months of preparation. If you feel weak in CSAT, then get started from the month of November. It should give you a good confidence level.
A Brief Idea on How to Set Up the Timetable
This is just an example of IAS exam preparation timetable we can suggest to you. However, you can always add the modifications needed. Go through the complete plan. You will definitely get some idea about timetable preparation.
Time |
Activity |
---|---|
6:30 AM – 8:30 AM |
Wake up early and do physical exercise. Include yoga and meditation to improve blood circulation and reduce stress. |
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM |
Finish breakfast and get ready for preparation. |
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM |
Read the newspaper (preferably The Hindu), analyze syllabus-relevant topics, and make notes. |
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM |
Revise the previous day’s topics and evaluate your preparation. |
11:30 AM |
Take a short break and refresh with some tea. |
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM |
Study new topics based on your weekly target plan. |
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM |
Have lunch to maintain a healthy routine. |
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
Take a short nap to relax, as you woke up early. |
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM |
Resume studying as per your weekly target plan while keeping your mind active. |
5:30 PM |
Take a break for evening snacks and relax without thinking about studies. |
6:30 PM |
Practice writing answers for the mains exam. |
7:30 PM |
Get your answers reviewed by mentors and improve based on feedback. |
8:30 PM |
Finish your dinner. |
9:30 PM – 11:30 PM |
Prepare for your optional subject paper during this time slot. |
11:30 PM |
Engage in leisure activities like talking, networking, or watching TV. |
Sunday Special: In a month, take 2 Sundays completely off from studying. Dedicate only the other two days for preparation. It reduces the exam pressure and helps you to enjoy the tension-free journey.
What is required of you to make and follow a daily timetable for UPSC preparation?
HONESTY
First of all, you must be honest with yourselves. Achieving the IAS dream is not for the faint-hearted. The journey is a thorn-filled one and you must be ready to prick yourself to get the rose at the end of it (Tacky metaphor but you get the point). If you are willing to work hard and be diligent, go and make yourself a plan and don’t rest until you check all the boxes. Honestly draft and follow a daily routine for IAS preparation without fail.
SERIOUSNESS
You must be absolutely serious about your IAS dreams and your IAS preparation. Don’t take it lightly and as a “time pass” course. You are wasting your time if you are doing so. Don’t have the attitude, ‘I will give it a shot, let’s see what happens. Luck will not make you an IAS officer. Only your work and efforts will.
DISCIPLINE
When you make a timetable, you are bound to follow it. Only a disciplined lifestyle will help you do it. Why is the army so efficient? It is because of their discipline and their strict adherence to time. So, if you want to crack the UPSC civil services exam, you must inculcate discipline. This will help you not only to clear the IAS exam but also in your life in the future.
PERSEVERANCE
Perseverance refers to your persistence to the extent of being stubborn in your determination to achieve something despite it being difficult.
GOAL-SETTING
You should have goals tied to your IAS study timetable. Having concrete short and long-term goals will help you in many ways to achieve your IAS aspirations.
ENJOY THE PROCESS
Great American inventor, Thomas Edison once said, “I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun.” This was from a man who held 1093 U.S. patents and 2332 patents worldwide. Edison obviously enjoyed what he did and so, it didn’t seem like work. Whenever you start enjoying things, it becomes more fun and less work. Even in your UPSC preparation, enjoy the process. Enjoy the learning. Take pride in the knowledge you gain. Stop looking at studying as a chore.
CONCENTRATION
Concentration is the key to getting anything done. Make sure you focus on the task at hand when you sit to study. You can make the best plan in the world, but if you don’t concentrate you will not succeed in your mission.
MAINTAIN YOUR HEALTH
You must maintain good physical and mental health if you want to do all that you wrote out in your study schedule. In fact, the first stepping stone to any great height is good health. Eat right, sleep well, exercise, and remain stress-free.
BE AN EARLY RISER
It is true that each body has its own cycle, and some might feel they work more at night. But according to experts, our brain functions most and is at its sharpest in the wee hours of the morning. Be an early riser if you are serious about cracking the mother of all exams in the country – the IAS exams.