Daily Routine of UPSC Toppers: Habits, Schedule & Time Management
Gajendra Singh Godara
Sep 29, 2025
12
mins read
A daily routine in the UPSC context is a structured plan of how an aspirant uses each day - balancing study, revision, current affairs, breaks and rest. It’s a personalized schedule, but top performers share key features: early start, focused blocks, and regular review. The big question is: How does someone manage 24 hours to study, rest, and live a bit? In this blog, we show sample schedules for fresh full-time aspirants and working professionals, and highlight habits (like daily answer writing, revision) that UPSC toppers swear by. We’ll also give tips to adapt any routine to your life.
Use this sample time table for your preparation, it is advised to keep your biological clock in accordance with the exam timings that will help you further during the exam.
Time Slot | What Aspirants Usually Do |
5:00 – 6:00 AM | Most full-time aspirants start their day early. A short walk, yoga, or stretching helps them wake up fresh. |
6:00 – 8:00 AM | This is “prime focus time.” Many toppers tackle tough subjects like Polity, History, or Ethics when the mind is sharpest. |
8:00 – 9:00 AM | A simple breakfast and a quick break – a chance to recharge before diving back into books. |
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | The long morning slot is for serious study. Aspirants often read standard books, make notes, or work on their optional subject. Some also practice MCQs or short answers. |
1:00 – 2:00 PM | Time for lunch and a power nap. That little rest makes the second half of the day more productive. |
2:00 – 5:00 PM | Afternoons are for lighter but equally important tasks – newspapers, current affairs notes, video lectures, or revising old chapters. Some squeeze in mock tests too. |
5:00 – 8:00 PM | Evenings are about practice and self-check. Answer writing, quizzes, revising notes, or reading magazines like Yojana/Kurukshetra. Dinner usually happens around 7:30–8:00 PM. |
8:00 – 9:00 PM | A short unwind – chatting with family, listening to music, or simply relaxing before the final stretch. |
9:00 – 11:00 PM | Quiet revision time. Aspirants re-read notes, jot a quick summary of the day, and set a plan for tomorrow. |
11:00 PM – 5:00/6:00 AM | Sleep is non-negotiable. Most aim for 6–7 hours, knowing that proper rest is as important as studying. |
Time Slot | Strategy for Working Aspirants | Examples / Focus Areas |
Early Morning (5:00–8:00 AM) | Use a fresh mind for toughest subjects before office hours. | Optional subject prep, core GS concepts, modern history. |
Office Breaks (Tea/Lunch/Commute) | Stay in touch with UPSC prep during short breaks. | Read newspaper editorials, revise short notes, and update current affairs. |
Evening (7:00–10:00 PM) | Post-job slot for structured study. | 1.5–2 hrs GS subject + 1.5–2 hrs Ethics. Later shift Ethics time to answer writing or more GS. |
Weekends (Sat–Sun) | Treat weekends as high-intensity study days. | 10–12 hrs/day for GS, optional subjects, revision, mock tests, and practice. |
Weekly Study Balance | Match full-time prep by combining weekday + weekend hours. | Full-timer: ~56 hrs/week. Working aspirant: ~25 hrs (weekdays) + 16–18 hrs (weekend) |
UPSC toppers share common daily habits that keep them ahead. Key habits include:
Consistency Over Cramming: Toppers stick to a steady schedule (typically 8-10 hours/day) rather than sporadic marathons. Regular daily study builds momentum more than all-nighters.
Effective Notes and Revision: Aspirants should know how to make concise notes from standard books, continually update them with current affairs, and revise regularly. Many follow a multi-pass revision (immediately after study, after a week, and before exams) to retain the vast syllabus.
Daily Answer Writing: Consistent writing practice is a hallmark habit. Toppers write a few answers or essay outlines every day under timed conditions to sharpen structure and expression. This habit pays off especially in Mains.
Regular Mock Tests: Both Prelims and Mains aspirants use mocks frequently. Taking full-length tests (and even short daily quizzes) helps identify weak areas, improve time management and build exam confidence. Critically, they analyze every test to improve, not just take it.
Integrating Current Affairs: Instead of treating news as separate, toppers link daily events to static topics. E.g., they connect a current policy change to relevant parts of Polity or Economy in their notes. This integration deepens understanding and makes revision more meaningful.
Physical and Mental Health: Healthy routines support long-term study. Many aspirants include light exercise, meditation or walks into their day. Adequate sleep (6-8 hours) and short breaks (e.g. Pomodoro 25+5 min) are strictly observed to prevent burnout. Remember, quality of study beats sheer hours.
Figure: Aspirant planning a weekly/monthly study schedule (illustration). A robust UPSC routine also includes weekly and monthly targets. For instance, a good weekly plan might be:
Weekly goals: Complete 3-4 syllabus topics (covering both GS and optional subjects), attempt 2 full-length Prelims papers, and write 5-7 Mains answers. Also include at least one mock test and one revision session. These targets keep progress measurable.
Monthly goals: Cover one entire GS paper (e.g. finish all of History), complete a full test series for your optional subject, and update notes on current affairs, schemes, and IR developments. Also sync your plan with UPSC deadlines (exam dates, forms) to stay on track.
Review your planner every week: note which targets were met and where you fell short. This allows adapting the next week’s routine (for example, adding more hours to weaker subjects). Many aspirants use calendars or planners (physical or digital) to slot topics and tests. The key is flexibility - a template schedule plus tweaks based on mock feedback and energy levels.
Shubham Kumar (AIR 1, 2020): “I studied around 8–10 hours daily and took breaks to ensure mental balance. My routine evolved with each phase – Prelims, Mains, and Interview.”
Srushti Deshmukh (AIR 5, 2018): “I had a fixed slot for optional preparation every morning. Even on bad days, I made sure I showed up at my desk.”
A well-designed daily routine aligns with UPSC exam preparation demands across stages. Prelims preparation emphasizes daily practice: covering current affairs and GS topics (70% of effort) and CSAT (quant/aptitude) practice a few times a week. After Prelims, candidates pivot to Mains: answer writing practice becomes the focus (60-70% of time). This shift - from MCQs to essays - should reflect in one’s schedule (e.g. increase daily essay writing sessions post-Prelims).
Consistent routines also mirror the balance between static and dynamic upsc syllabus. Over a month, ensure all GS papers and optional topics get covered, as shown in the weekly/monthly planner. This way, daily habits cumulatively cover the entire syllabus.
Finally, routines foster discipline and stress management - crucial traits tested in the civil services journey. Regular breaks, sleep and small rewards (like a family outing after a month of prep) maintain mental health.
In sum, a strategic routine doesn’t just count hours: it ensures every UPSC-relevant task (reading, writing, revising, reflecting) is built into your everyday life.
Even the best plan can face hurdles. Common challenges include:
Work or Family Interruptions: If a day goes off-track (e.g. overtime at work or family events), reschedule that day’s topics to another slot or on weekend. Maintain the total weekly target even if individual days shift. Flexibility is key: adjust the routine rather than quit it.
Burnout or Fatigue: Long preparation can drain energy. Combat this by including 10-15 minute breaks every 2-3 hours (Pomodoro technique), and by taking a full rest day if needed. Don’t skip sleep - it’s non-negotiable for retention.
Loss of Motivation: Keeping consistent can be hard. Join a study group or accountability partner, and track your progress (via a study journal or calendar). Celebrate small milestones (e.g. “completed first GS paper”), and remind yourself of your long-term goals. If stuck, revisit UPSC essays or stories of past toppers to reignite focus.
Rigid vs. Real Life: Life events (illness, travel, etc.) happen. A good routine has buffers: for example, plan a lighter day after a hectic one. Use tools like app-blockers to minimize distractions when studying, and find a quiet space whenever possible. Ultimately, adapt rather than abandon - a flexible routine helps you bounce back.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Q. What is the daily routine of UPSC toppers?
A. IAS toppers in the UPSC Civil Services Examination follow a well-structured daily routine with morning routine for static subjects, midday current events, evening practice sessions, and proper sleep for balance.
Q. What is the daily routine of a UPSC aspirant student?
A. A full-time UPSC aspirant usually follows a time table of 8–10 hours daily: morning study sessions for core subjects, reading newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express, revision, and practicing answer writing.
Q. How does the daily routine of UPSC toppers with jobs look?
A. Working aspirants preparing for the UPSC CSE exam balance office hours with study sessions. They use mornings for optionals, evenings for GS/Ethics, and weekends for rigorous study sessions and revision.
Q. How many hours do working UPSC toppers study daily?
A. Successful candidates with jobs manage 4–6 hours of self study on weekdays and 10–12 hours on weekends, ensuring consistent effort, regular self assessment, and comprehensive coverage of the vast UPSC syllabus.
Conclusion
A disciplined, sustainable routine is more valuable than sporadic long hours. Daily habits like early rising, mixed subject slots, regular breaks, and consistent revision help UPSC aspirants stay on track. Whether full-time or working, the principles are the same: consistency, smart planning and adaptability. Tailor the sample routines above to your own peak energy times and life commitments. Over weeks and months, a well-crafted routine will accumulate knowledge steadily and reduce exam stress. Remember, every hour counts - but even more important is making each hour count. Stay committed to your plan, listen to your body, and keep refining your schedule. With persistence and the right routine, UPSC success is within reach.
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