How to Make Time Table for UPSC Preparation

January 24, 2017

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“PLAN YOUR WORK FOR TODAY AND EVERY DAY, THEN WORK YOUR PLAN.” – MARGARET
THATCHER

A legendary musician once did say, ‘Life is what happens when you’re busy making plans’. But if you are
preparing to take the UPSC civil services exam due in June 2017, you would understand that without a
detailed plan of action, you can very well say goodbye to your IAS dreams. The sheer quantity of learning
you have to do in order to cover the UPSC syllabus mandates that you prepare a study timetable and follow
it without fail. This article hopes to throw some light on how to make a timetable for UPSC preparation so
that you can fix your daily routine for UPSC preparation.

First of all, let us examine why a time table to study for IAS exam is needed.

There are basically two factors that obligate the unavoidability of a schedule for your IAS exam preparation:

1. The humungous UPSC syllabus.

2. The fact that you should set aside at least 10-12 months if not more for your UPSC preparation.

Benefits of a time table for study for UPSC preparation:

 Having a schedule gives you a sense of direction, especially when you feel lost looking at the plethora of
books and study material around you.
 It helps you cover the entire UPSC syllabus within the stipulated time frame. When you outline a work
schedule at the outset, you can be sure of how much time you have in all and distribute your studies
accordingly. This way, you can evenly smoothen out your IAS studies and not freak out towards the end
when you near the exam date.
 It helps you beat stress. With all planned and ready, you can avoid stress. This goes a long way in your
being able to perform to the best of your abilities. Also, when you are better prepared you will execute
better on the D-day.
 By charting out an individual study timetable, you can have a customised approach to different subjects
as per your strengths and weaknesses.
 You will be able to retain more information when you study according to a study timetable since it is not
random study and your brain is better focused.
 Working according to a study time table for UPSC exam also increases your productivity. Since your
studies are streamlined, confusion doesn’t prevail and your efficiency improves.
 When you study according to a schedule you will find that you get more time on your hands. Since you
would have stipulated a fixed time for your studies and your breaks, you can ensure that you don’t
extend your breaks and naps. You will have a time and place for everything and this will take you to
your IAS goal.
 A study timetable also ensures you do your periodical assessments. This way you will know where you
stand in terms of your IAS preparation levels.
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What is required of you to make and follow a daily time table 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 diligent, go and make yourself a plan
and don’t rest until you check all the boxes.

 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.

Also Read | How Discipline Can Help You Crack UPSC Civil Services Exam

 PERSEVERANCE
Perseverance refers to your persistence to the extent of being stubborn in your determination to achieve
something despite it being difficult. Have a timetable and be determined to follow it to the T.

 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. Read more.

 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 like 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.

Also Read | How to Improve Concentration for UPSC Civil Services Preparation

 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.

To get tips on how to maintain good health in order to clear the UPSC exam, click below.

Importance of good health for cracking UPSC civil services exam preparation
 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.

We have given below a study timetable for your IAS preparation. Remember these are solely for your
guidance. A final study timetable/plan/schedule has to be made by each individual tailored to his/her need.
You can use our timetable for reference and tweak it suitably.

Read on for more on making a timetable for UPSC 2018 preparation.

Daily time table for IAS preparation/Best time table for UPSC preparation

Model Study Timetable for IAS Aspirants:

Time What to do? How & Why

5:00 AM Wake up Early risers stand a lot to gain!

5:00 – Morning routine, tea/green Early morning exercise helps blood circulation,
6:00 AM tea, Yoga/light exercise improves concentration.
6:00 – Bath Helps you shake off the drowsiness.
6:15 AM

6:15 – Read newspaper. Devote some time for this as you will need to make
7:45 AM notes.

7:45 – Breakfast (+ Reach Coaching Have a healthy and filling breakfast (has to keep you
8:30 AM class/college) going for the day). If you don’t have to travel, use that
time for studying.

8:30 – Study Time Start with revising what you learnt the previous day.
11:00 Then, take up the topics that you feel are most tough
AM for you since your mind is fresh and can absorb a lot.

11:00 – Break Time Take a break to refresh and recharge.

11:30
AM

11:30 Study Time Resume your studies.

AM –
1:30 PM

1:30 – Lunch Pack in a light lunch. It is better to avoid a daytime

2:30 PM siesta.

2:30 – Study Time Continue studies.

5:00 PM

5:00 – Reach home + Tea/Snacks + Have your tea/coffee. Meet positive people. Play or
7:30 PM Refresh (play/gym/chat with move around. Hit the gym if you are in the habit. If
people) you are not traveling, all the more time for you to
study!

7:30 – Study Time Your last phase of studies for the day. Make sure to
9:00 PM take up lighter topics since you would be feeling a bit
drained.

9:00 – Supper Supper should be the lightest meal if you want to get a
9:30 PM goodnight’s sleep.

9:30 – Watch news/discussions Watch quality news discussions on UPSC-relevant

10:00 PM issues.

10:00 – Unwind (no TV) Half an hour before sleep, avoid TV. Don’t think of
10:30 PM studies. Relax. Listen to soothing music if you like.
Talk to your family or friends.

10:30 PM Hit the bed Get a nice sleep as you have to be up and ready for the
next day!

Also See | Time Table of UPSC toppers – Tina Dabi’s Preparation Plan
Remember on your weekends, you will have more time on your hands. Use that time wisely. Even if you
don’t study, indulge in those activities that will help you in your IAS exam one way or the other. You could
play brain games or any other physical activity. You could also once a few months, catch a movie or indulge
in any other harmless recreational activity, during the weekends.

For working professionals, there would of course, be major changes to the above routine. You would spent
longer hours in your office. Use the above schedule as reference and create your own study timetable. In
fact, as explained above, every IAS aspirant should create a customised study timetable.

Also Read | How a Study Plan Can Help You Crack UPSC Civil Services

Tune in to byjus.com/free-ias-prep for more articles and news on UPSC Civil Services IAS Exam.

With the reference time table for UPSC IAS preparation in your hands, what are you waiting for? Just chart
out your own time table for IAS preparation and get on with it!