UPSC 2026 – 10 Month Detailed Strategy PDF FILE
Prelims Date: 24 May 2026
Total Time: 10 months
Phases:
1. Aug–Dec 2025 – Integrated (Mains + Prelims)
2. Jan–May 2026 – Prelims Focus
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PHASE 1 (AUG – DEC 2025)
Goals:
• Complete static GS syllabus (Mains + Prelims)
• Finish Optional Subject (both papers)
• Start current affairs & answer writing
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AUGUST 2025 – Foundation + Core Start
• NCERTs: Complete Class 6–12 (History, Polity, Geography, Economy)
• GS Subjects:
o Economy (Sankarganesh + NCERTs)
o Environment (ShankarIAS)
• Optional:
o Cover most of Paper 1 syllabus
• Practice:
o 2 Mains Qs/day
o 15 Prelims MCQs/day
• Newspaper: 1 hr/day – The Hindu or IE
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SEPTEMBER 2025 – Core II + Modern History
• GS Subjects:
o Modern History (Spectrum)
o Ethics (Lexicon)
• Optional: Start Paper 2
• Tests: Join Integrated GS Test Series (Pre + Mains)
• Answer Writing: 3 Qs/day
OCTOBER 2025 – Mains Intensive
• GS Focus:
o GS2 (Polity, Governance)
o GS3 (Economy, Internal Security)
• Optional: Finish Paper 2
• Tests: 1 Mains Full-Length Test/week
• Current Affairs: Revise monthly + make short notes
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NOVEMBER 2025 – Revision + Practice
• Revise all completed static subjects
• Start Prelims-specific focus: Art & Culture, Schemes, Maps
• Answer writing: Focus on GS3 & GS4
• Optional: Full syllabus revision with tests
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DECEMBER 2025 – Final Mains Touch + Prelims Mode Starts
• Revision: GS1, GS2, GS3
• Essay Practice: 1 essay/week
• Prelims:
o Start CSAT practice
o Increase MCQs
• Tests: 1 Prelims + 1 GS Test every week
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PHASE 2 (JAN – MAY 2026)
Goals:
• Prelims exclusive focus
• Speed, accuracy, revision
• 2–3 full-length mock tests per week
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JANUARY 2026
• Revise: Polity, History, Geography
• Tests: 2 sectional tests/week
• CSAT: Start full-length CSAT papers
• Current Affairs: Cover Aug–Dec 2025
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FEBRUARY 2026
• Focus: Economy, Environment, Science & Tech
• Tests: Full Prelims test every Sunday
• CSAT: Practice on alternate days
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MARCH 2026
• Full syllabus revision begins
• Prelims: 3 tests/week
• Daily flashcards (facts, schemes, maps)
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APRIL 2026
• 2–3 full mocks per week
• Revise all static subjects + CA (Jan–March 2026)
• Prepare “Prelims Quick Notes”
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MAY 2026 (Till 23rd)
• Light Revision (2 subjects/day + CSAT set)
• Only 2 mocks/week
• Final 5 days: No new topics, revise notes only
• Maintain good health and sleep
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Resources
• Books: Laxmikanth, Spectrum, GC Leong, Sanjeev Verma, Shankar IAS, Lexicon
• Current Affairs: Vision/Insights monthly + The Hindu/IE
• Prelims Tests: VisionIAS / Insights / ForumIAS
• Mains Practice: VisionIAS / ForumIAS platforms
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Daily Timetable (8–10 hrs/day)
Morning: GS/Optional Study
Noon: Newspaper, Notes
Afternoon: MCQs + Answer Writing
Evening: Revision/Tests/Optional
