Wise UPSC Preparation Plan: What to Study & What to Skip?

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction: The UPSC Puzzle
  2. Understanding the UPSC Exam Pattern
  3. General Studies Paper 1 – What to Study & Skip
  4. General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT) – Smart Strategy
  5. Optional Subjects – Target High-Return Topics
  6. Ethics Paper – Focus Areas
  7. What Not to Waste Time On
  8. Smart Study Tools You Can Use
  9. Conclusion: Your Personalized UPSC Strategy

1. Introduction: The UPSC Puzzle


2. Understanding the UPSC Exam Pattern

Before diving into topic-wise prep, let’s quickly break down the exam stages:

  • Prelims: Objective, with General Studies (GS) + CSAT
  • Mains: 9 papers (GS 1 to 4, Essay, Language, Optional)
  • Interview: Personality test

3. General Studies Paper 1 – What to Study & Skip

🔍 Key Topics to Focus:

  • History: Modern India (Post-1857), Freedom Movement, Important Congress sessions
  • Geography: Indian physical geography, Climate, Natural Resources, Mapping
  • Polity: Constitution basics, Fundamental Rights, Judiciary, Parliament
  • Economy: Budget, Banking, Inflation, Unemployment
  • Environment & Ecology: National parks, Climate change summits, Acts like EPA, Forest Act
  • Current Affairs: Last 1 year – National and International relevance

🚫 What to Skip or Minimize:

  • Ancient and Medieval history in-depth (unless repeated in previous years)
  • Very technical economic theories (focus on application-based concepts)
  • Over-reading current affairs from multiple sources (stick to 1-2 reliable sources)

4. General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT) – Smart Strategy

🧠 What to Study:

  • Reading Comprehension (Practice from past years + online resources)
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Basic Mathematics (Class 8–10 level)

5. Optional Subjects – Target High-Return Topics

Every optional has its scoring areas. If you’re choosing Geography, for instance, focus on:

  • Geomorphology
  • Population Geography
  • Human Geography
  • Indian Geography (Case Studies)

Skip: Topics that require extremely technical diagrams unless you’re confident.


6. Ethics Paper – Focus Areas

  • Case studies (Practice 2–3 daily)
  • Definitions: Integrity, Honesty, Empathy, etc.
  • Thinkers and Philosophers (Gandhi, Kant, Rawls)

Skip or skim: Too many foreign theories you can’t apply practically in answers.


7. What Not to Waste Time On

❌ Making multiple revision notes for the same topic
❌ Reading 3–4 books for one subject
❌ Relying solely on coaching material
❌ Reading editorials daily without understanding them

Be minimal, be practical.


8. Smart Study Tools You Can Use

  • PayPerLearn: Pick specific subjects or topics (save money + time)
  • Mock Tests: Weekly tests simulate exam pressure
  • PYQs (Previous Year Questions): Your Bible!
  • Flashcards for Polity & Economy
  • Daily 1-page revision sheet: For Current Affairs

9. Conclusion: Your Personalized UPSC Strategy