UPSC Preparation Tips for Working Professionals | How to prepare for UPSC exam with full time job?

New Delhi (UPSC with Job)It is not easy to crack UPSC exam with full time jobs. Despite this, every year many candidates also get success in UPSC exam along with full time job. UPSC Mains 2025 exam will be held in August. Candidates now do not have much time left for its preparation. If you are doing a full time job of 8-9 hours, then you can pass the UPSC Mains exam by making the right strategy.

1. Time Management and Daily Routine

It is necessary to use time properly for preparation with full-time job.
Study an average of 3-4 hours daily. Wake up early in the morning and study for 2-2 hours in the night (5: 00-7: 00 am) or night (9: 00-11: 00 PM). Study for 6-8 hours on weekends.
Cover special topics for GS paper, alternative subjects and essays every week. Example: Som-Budh (GS 1 and 2), Guru-Shukra (GS 3 and 4), Saturday (optional), Sunday (essay and revision).
Go to office or listen to audio notes, podcasts (eg yojana, air spotlight) or NCERT audibooks at home.
Tip: Use Google Calendar or two-do list app (eg todoist). This will help keep the track of time and topics.

2. Priority to UPSC Syllabus

For GS: NCERT (6-12th), Laxmikant (Politi), Spectrum (Modern History), Ramesh Singh (Economy) and Shankar IAS (Environment).
Alternative topics: Standard books according to the subject (example: Harish Chandra for Sociology or Fadia for Public Administration).
Current Affairs: The Hindu, PIB and Vision IAS PT 365.
Essay: Read the essay paper and toppers of previous years.
Tip: Use free videos or micro-colleges of online coaching.

Daily practice: Write answers to 2-3 questions daily (150-250 words). Pay special attention to the case studies for GS 4 (ethics).
Mock Test: Attack monthly mock test. See copy of the toppers answers.
writing style: Write structured answers with introduction, main part and conclusion. Use diagram, florchart and bullet points.
Tip: Write a draft answer on mobile apps (eg Evernote) for 10-15 minutes in office breaks.

5. Take care of health too

Health: Sleep for 6-7 hours daily, meditate or exercise for 15-20 minutes. To avoid stress, do yoga or walk.
Inspiration: Read the stories of the toppers (like Tina Dabi, Ankur Garg) or listen to the inspiration podcast related to UPSC.
Support System: Create a study group with colleagues or friends. Join UPSC Community on X.

6. Make special plan for weekend

in-depth study: Study 6-8 hours on Saturday-Sunday. Focus on revision, mock test and optional subject.
Current Affairs Updates: Read the monthly magazine and PIB notes in the weekend.

7. Coordination with job

Save time in office: Complete office tasks quickly by increasing functionality.
Holidays: Take a holiday 1-2 weeks before Mains. This will help in doing full-time revision.
Lunch break: Read current affairs or alternative notes.

8. Special Strategy for UPSC Mains 2025

June July: Complete the syllabus, focus on current affairs and options.
July mid: Start the mock test series. Give 1 full-length test every week.
august: Pay attention to revision and answer writing. Solve the question paper for the last 2 years.

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