About This Study Schedule

A comprehensive 103-day plan for UPSC Prelims 2026 aspirants

103

Days Total

85-90

Effective Days

11-12

Hours/Day

Phase 1

Feb 11 - Mar 25

Foundation: Complete all static books + PYQs

Phase 2

Mar 26 - Apr 30

Revision: 2nd pass + identify patterns

Phase 3

May 1 - May 23

Final Lap: Mocks + short notes only

📚 What This Schedule Covers

This schedule is built around 6 core books covering the entire UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 syllabus:

Subject	Weightage	Book	Chapters
Highest Polity	18-20%	M. Laxmikanth	~75-95
High History	15-20%	Spectrum	~13 units
Medium Geography	13-18%	G.C. Leong	~45 (selective)
Medium Economy	12-15%	Vivek Singh	16
Important Environment	10-15%	Shankar IAS	~19
Supplementary IR	~8%	Ashok Rajesh	5 (selective)

🕐 Daily Routine

A typical day consists of 11-12 hours of focused study:

6:00 AM - 9:00 AM Primary Subject Study (3 hrs)

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Breakfast + Current Affairs (The Hindu/IE)

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Primary Subject Study (3 hrs)

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Lunch & Rest

2:30 PM - 5:30 PM Primary Subject Study (3 hrs)

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Break & Exercise

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM PYQ Practice (2 hrs)

9:00 PM - 9:30 PM Error Notebook (EN) Update

9:30 PM - 10:00 PM Current Affairs Compilation

10:00 PM - 10:30 PM Quick Revision

📅 Weekly Rhythm

📖

Mon-Fri

Study + PYQs + EN

📝

Saturday

Mini Test (25-30 Qs)

📔

Sunday

EN Review + Rest

💡 Key Features of This Plan

✓ Error Notebook (EN) System

Daily tracking of mistakes - your most valuable resource for Prelims. Update every night at 9 PM.

✓ PYQ Integration

Previous Year Questions solved after each topic, not in bulk. 820+ questions from 1995-2025.

✓ Phase-Based Approach

Three distinct phases: Foundation → Revision → Final Lap. No more, no less.

✓ Realistic Timeline

Accounts for fatigue, rest days, and burnout prevention. ~85-90 effective study days from 103 calendar days.

🎯 Success Tips

PYQs are your syllabus - Not coaching notes, not random sources
Consistency beats intensity - Miss a day? Get back on track tomorrow
Don't add more books - This book list is complete
Prelims is about elimination - Not information hoarding
Trust the process - This schedule has worked for many before you
Sleep 7.5 hours - Crucial for memory retention and focus
Exercise daily - 30-45 min physical activity for mental clarity

❓ Common Questions

Can I modify this schedule?

Yes! This is a template. Adjust based on your strengths and weaknesses. But maintain the overall structure and weekly rhythm.

What if I fall behind?

Don't panic. Use Sundays to catch up. If more than 3 days behind, consider dropping the lowest-yield topics (IR deep dives, climate micro-details).

Is CSAT covered?

CSAT is qualifying (33% / 66 marks). Practice 2-3 times/week if you're weak at maths/reasoning. This schedule focuses on GS Paper 1.

Ready to Start?

Your exam is on May 24, 2026. Start from Week 1 and follow the day-by-day plan.

Start Week 1 →