Learn how to actually study before it’s too late..., by UPSCprep․com on YouTube. 15 min 54 s.
- Video length
- 15 min 54 s
- Time to do it
- 1 to 2 hours a day
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Read the UPSC CSE syllabus once and go through a few previous year question papers. Do this before you open any book so you know the depth and style of questions.
Pick one standard book for each static subject: Laxmikanth for polity, Shankar IAS for environment, G C Leong for geography and Nitin Singhania for art and culture.
Read each book once from cover to cover without making notes. The first pass is for understanding the subject, not for condensing it.
Make short notes on the second reading. Keep them to one or two pages per topic and write them in your own words.
Practise map work for geography. Mark places, rivers and regions you meet in the news on a blank outline map.
Cover current affairs daily with a newspaper and one monthly compilation. Link each news item back to a static subject topic.
Build a daily plan with fixed hours for one static subject, current affairs and revision. Keep one slot a week free for backlog.
Write at least two answers a week and take a mock test every fortnight. This shows you what you actually remember and what needs another revision round.
Tips and common mistakes
Stick to one or two sources per subject, because adding more books slows you down.
Revise your notes at the end of every week instead of saving all revision for the exam month.
Write notes by hand in your own words so they still make sense to you months later.
Do not copy a topper's timetable. Build a plan around the hours you can really study each day.
Questions
How many hours a day should I study for UPSC?
A steady daily block you can keep for months beats one ten-hour day a week. Start with what fits your routine and add hours as the exam gets closer.
Do I need to make notes from every book?
No. Make notes only from the one standard book you chose for each subject, plus current affairs. Notes from five sources become hard to revise.
Can I prepare for UPSC without coaching?
Yes. Self-study with standard books, previous year papers and regular answer writing works if you follow a plan and revise on schedule.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
