Assumptions#
- Starting seriously from June 2026
- Working full-time
- 3 hours on weekdays, more on weekends
- Target: Prelims 2027 → Mains 2027
Month-wise Study Plan#
| Month | Subject | Sources | Daily Focus | Outcome |
|---|
| Jun 2026 | Polity | Indian Polity + Chapter-wise Question Bank + PYQs | Read + solve questions | Constitution basics, FR, DPSP, Parliament |
| Jul 2026 | Polity (Finish + Revision) | Same | Revision + PYQs | Strong GS2 foundation |
| Aug 2026 | Modern History | A Brief History of Modern India + PYQs | Read + timeline making | Freedom struggle mastery |
| Sep 2026 | Geography | NCERT 11-12 + Certificate Physical and Human Geography + Atlas | Concepts + maps | Physical geography foundation |
| Oct 2026 | Economy | Economy basics (NCERT/notes) | Concepts + current affairs linkage | GDP, inflation, RBI, budget |
| Nov 2026 | Environment | Environment | Read + PYQs | Ecology and biodiversity |
| Dec 2026 | Art & Culture + Revision | Indian Art and Culture (selective) | Revision | Complete GS base |
| Jan 2027 | Optional Subject | Decide Optional | Paper-I | Optional foundation |
| Feb 2027 | Optional Subject | Same | Paper-I & II | Optional coverage |
| Mar 2027 | Optional Subject | Same | Revision + PYQs | Optional completion |
| Apr 2027 | Prelims Preparation | PYQs + Tests | MCQs daily | Exam temperament |
| May 2027 | Prelims Intensive | Revision + Mocks | Full-length tests | Prelims ready |
| Activity | Duration |
|---|
| Main Subject | 90 min |
| PYQs / Question Practice | 45 min |
| Current Affairs | 30 min |
| Revision | 15 min |
Total: ~3 hours
| Time | Activity | Duration |
|---|
| 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Main Subject | 2 hrs |
| 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | PYQs | 1 hr |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Revision | 1 hr |
| 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Lunch Break | — |
| 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Current Affairs Compilation | 1 hr |
| 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Mock Test / Analysis | 1 hr |
Total: 5–6 hours
Booklist#
| Subject | Source | Priority |
|---|
| Polity | Indian Polity | Must |
| History | A Brief History of Modern India | Must |
| Geography | Certificate Physical and Human Geography | Must |
| — | Oxford School Atlas | Must |
| Environment | Environment | Must |
| Art & Culture | Indian Art and Culture | Useful |
| PYQs | 1995–2023 PYQ Book | Must |
Optional Decision Timeline#
| Month | Action |
|---|
| Sep 2026 | Explore 2–3 optionals |
| Oct 2026 | Read syllabus |
| Nov 2026 | Check PYQs |
| Dec 2026 | Finalize optional |
| Jan 2027 | Start preparation |
Optional Recommendations#
For a Computer Science graduate working full-time, primarily evaluate:
What to Ignore Until December 2026#
- ❌ Ethics books
- ❌ Essay books
- ❌ Multiple coaching materials
- ❌ Monthly magazine overload
- ❌ 10 different YouTube channels
- ❌ Optional books
Milestone Checkpoints#
| Date | Target |
|---|
| 31 Jul 2026 | Polity completed once |
| 31 Aug 2026 | Modern History completed |
| 30 Sep 2026 | Geography basics completed |
| 31 Oct 2026 | Economy basics completed |
| 30 Nov 2026 | Environment completed |
| 31 Dec 2026 | GS foundation completed |
| 31 Mar 2027 | Optional completed |
| Prelims 2027 | Revision + Mock phase |
Key Adjustment#
Since you already own Laxmikanth, a Polity question bank, PYQs, and an Atlas, don’t buy anything else until you’ve completed at least one full reading of Polity and solved its PYQs. That will tell you much more about your preparation level than another stack of books.
This strategic approach ensures you:
- Build fundamentals first with core subjects
- Maintain consistency with a realistic 3-hour daily schedule
- Save money by maximizing existing resources
- Track progress with clear monthly checkpoints
- Avoid distraction from unnecessary materials