UPSC Prelims- 2026 Full Study Plan for Beginners
Crack the exam in your first attempt with this beginner-friendly timeline!
Phase 1 (July – Oct 2025): => Build Foundation => Read NCERTs (6–12) for all subjects => Start Laxmikanth, Spectrum, GC Leong => Daily 1 hr newspaper
Phase 2 (Nov 2025 – Feb 2026): => Strengthen Core + Current Affairs => Finish standard books => Monthly current affairs notes => Start CSAT basics + solve MCQs
Phase 3 (Mar 2026 – Apr 2026): => Test & Revise => Join test series => Attempt weekly mock tests => Make short revision notes
Phase 4 (May 2026): => Final Prelims Push => Revise static + current 3 times => Practice 40+ mocks => Focus on CSAT and PYQs
Daily Routine: Study Schedule - 6–8 AM: Newspaper, 10–1 PM: Subject Study, 2–4 PM: Notes/CA, 5–7 PM: MCQs/Test, 9–10 PM: CSAT/Revision
Booklist Highlights: Must-Have Books - Polity: Laxmikanth, History: Spectrum, Economy: NCERT + Sriram’s, Geography: NCERT + GC Leong, CSAT: TMH Manual