Home » Subject » IAS Preparation Strategy Tips

Strategy for IAS Mains Exam

Well formulated strategy along with optimum time management is the only way to prepare for the Mains exam. So it's very important to formulate your own strategy as it pays to be yourself. However, for the general guidance to tackle this examination, we are giving some tips which may be help to the aspirant to achieve success.


Tips for Civil Service Exam


  1. UPSC Preparation Strategy

    Go through the syllabus and the previous question papers: It is the most important part of your strategy to invest your time to go through the Mains syllabus thoroughly and also the previous years question papers. A thorough insight of the past question papers will solve two purposes. One it will appraise you about the portions of the syllabus from where the questions are regularly being asked and second you may also understand the nature of the question being asked. This two factors will constantly guide you throughout your preparation of the Mains exam. So go through the question papers and identify the pattern and select the topics which are asked very frequently. Identify those topics which are particularly being asked for conventional essay type questions that require analatical abitlites and those questions which requires facts and figures. Once you have clearly demarcated the topics, the rest of the preparation will be an easy task.

  2. IAS Guidelines

    Resourcing Reading Material: It is advised not to go through a lot of books, instead rely on one standard book on each topic which deals with the basic concepts. Standard books not only save your time but also enrich you with right knowledge. So always rely on one quality book and not on many books. Also it is advisable to collect various books on different topics in advance to save time and the last minute blues.

  3. IAS Exam Strategy

    Make your own notes: It is always advisable to make notes of the related topics as you go through the books and other study material. A well drafted note solves two purposes. One it takes you through the entire syllabus and second your own notes will be of immense help for the revision of the syllabus. Prepare short notes of important topics with relevant points and always rely on your self-prepared notes. Go through your short notes rigorously.Rely on your prior preparation that alone will help you.

  4. Guide for UPSC Preparation

    Mind your Handwriting: Since Mains examination is all abbout handwriting, so try to practice writing as much as you can. you must practice how to write answers in the limited space given in the answer sheet, which will be provided to you during the Mains exams. This is something you must develop as a habit from now onwards and always stick to the word count that would be given to you to write answers. You must see to it that your answer should not exceed the word count or spill over the box given as you may be penalized for any such lapses. While practicing this activity, you must be careful about other facets of handwriting as well. You try to develop writing legibly that can be read by the examiner without any difficulty. In the same vein, you must pay attention to the spelling and grammar too. You see to it that your answers are free from such mistakes and your handwriting appeals to the examiner.


Suggested 90-Day UPSC Mains Study Plan

Assumption: Prelims cleared, ~90 days to Mains. You can scale it to 120 or 150 days if needed.


Daily Routine Template

Time Slot Activity
6:00 – 7:00 AMLight exercise + Current Affairs
7:00 – 8:00 AMBreakfast + Newspaper (The Hindu/IE)
8:00 – 10:00 AMSubject 1: Static GS (History, Polity)
10:00 – 10:30 AMBreak
10:30 – 12:30 PMSubject 2: Optional Paper
12:30 – 1:30 PMLunch / Rest
1:30 – 3:30 PMSubject 3: Ethics/GS-IV or Essay
3:30 – 4:00 PMTea / Power Nap
4:00 – 6:00 PMRevision / Test Series (GS/Optional)
6:00 – 7:30 PMAnswer Writing Practice (1–2 Qs/day)
7:30 – 9:00 PMDinner + Relax
9:00 – 10:00 PMReading (Reports/ARC/NITI etc.)

Phase-Wise Breakdown (90 Days)

🟦 Phase 1 (Day 1–30): GS Foundation + Optional Basics
  • GS-I & GS-II in focus (History, Society, Polity, Governance)
  • Optional subject Part 1
  • Ethics theory + case study examples (alternate days)
  • Start essay brainstorming
  • Daily answer writing: 2 GS questions
  • Weekly Test: GS-I or II + Optional
🟨 Phase 2 (Day 31–60): GS Completion + Essay + Optional
  • GS-III (Economy, Environment, Tech, Security)
  • Ethics (GS-IV) full module with 50 case studies
  • Essay full practice (weekly essays)
  • Optional subject Part 2
  • Weekly Test: GS-III/IV + Essay + Optional
🟥 Phase 3 (Day 61–90): Revision + Mock Tests
  • Full syllabus rapid revision (GS I–IV + Optional)
  • Daily Mains answer writing (3–4 questions)
  • Alternate day Mock Test (GS/Essay/Optional)
  • Revise ARC, 2nd ARC, NITI, Economic Survey, Budget, etc.
  • Full Paper Essay Practice – 1/week

Weekly Plan Template Example

  • GS-I: Indian History + Art & Culture
  • Optional: Paper 1 – Topics 1–2
  • Essay: Topics brainstorming (Personal/Philosophical)
  • Ethics: Ethics & Human Interface

Extra Tips for Success

  • Answer Writing: Quality > Quantity. Start with 2/day and increase gradually.
  • GS-IV Strategy: Use real-life examples, case laws, and diagrams.
  • Essay Tips: Prepare themes like education, women, governance, values.
  • Current Affairs: Use The Hindu/IE + compilations and integrate into your answers.
  • Revision Days: Keep every 7th day for only revision and test analysis.
  • Mock Tests: Take tests from Vision, Forum, Insights, etc.

IAS Preparation Strategy Tips





Here are few links that may help you prepare your strategy for the Mains examination

Note: The following subjects for whom we do not have any resources or strategy. So we may like to make an appeal you to help us in suggesting their resources and the strategy. Kindly let us know any links available and send them to us at; concerninfo2012@ gmail.com

Assamese
Bengali
English
Gujarati
Hindi
Kannada
Kashmiri
Konkani
Malayalam
Manipuri
Marathi
Nepali
Oriya
Punjabi
Sanskrit
Sindhi
Tamil
Telugu
Urdu