ULP

Universal Learning Plan (ULP) for UPSC Civil Services Examination

A comprehensive and strategic preparation approach covering Prelims, Mains, and Interview

Phase 1: Foundation

3-4 months

1. Understanding the Exam Pattern and Syllabus

Prelims: GS Paper I (Objective), CSAT (Qualifying)
Mains: 9 Papers (Essay, GS 1-4, Optional 1 & 2, Language Papers)
Interview: Personality Test (275 Marks)

2. NCERT Mastery (Class 6-12) – 45 Days

📌 Subjects & Books:

History: Class 6-12 NCERTs + Tamil Nadu History Book
Polity: Class 9-12 NCERTs + M. Laxmikanth
Geography: Class 6-12 NCERTs + G. C. Leong
Economy: Class 9-12 NCERTs + Ramesh Singh
Environment: Class 6-12 NCERTs + Shankar IAS
Science & Tech: Class 6-12 NCERTs (Basic Science) + Current Affairs
Ethics: NCERTs + Lexicon

✅ Daily Plan:

3-4 hours NCERT reading
1 hour note-making
1-hour MCQs practice

3. Basic Newspaper Reading & Current Affairs Notes (Ongoing)

The Hindu / Indian Express
PIB & PRS
Rajya Sabha TV (Big Picture, India’s World)
Monthly Current Affairs Compilation (Vision IAS, Insights, etc.)

Phase 2: Prelims Preparation

4-5 months

1. General Studies Paper I

📌 Subjects & Strategy

History: Ancient, Medieval, Modern & Art-Culture (Spectrum, RS Sharma, Satish Chandra, Nitin Singhania)
Polity: Indian Constitution, Governance, Political System (Laxmikanth, DD Basu)
Geography: Physical, Human, Economic, and Indian Geography (G.C. Leong, NCERTs, Majid Hussain)
Economy: Basics, Budget, Economic Survey, Schemes (Ramesh Singh, Shankar IAS)
Environment & Ecology: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Reports (Shankar IAS, NCERTs)
Science & Tech: Current Developments, Space, Defence (Newspaper + Science NCERTs)
Current Affairs & International Relations: Monthly magazines, compilations, and The Hindu

✅ Prelims Practice Strategy

Daily MCQs (50-100 questions)
Weekly Full-Length Mock Test
Monthly Current Affairs Revision

2. CSAT Paper II (Qualifying)

📌 Key Areas:

Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Basic Maths (NCERT 6-10 level)
Previous Year CSAT Papers
Mock Tests

✅ Strategy: 1-2 hours per day (for non-maths background)

🔴 Final 2 Months for Prelims:

Full-Length Tests (20-30) + Intensive Revision

Phase 3: Mains Preparation

4-5 months

1. General Studies Papers (I-IV)

✅ GS Paper 1:

History: Modern (Spectrum), World History (Norman Lowe), Art & Culture (Nitin Singhania)
Society: NCERTs + IGNOU + Case Studies
Geography: Physical + Human + Indian (G.C. Leong, Majid Hussain)

✅ GS Paper 2:

Polity & Governance: Laxmikanth, DD Basu, ARC Reports
International Relations: India & World (Current Affairs, MEA Reports)

✅ GS Paper 3:

Economy: Budget, Economic Survey, Ramesh Singh
Agriculture & Infrastructure: Reports, Yojana & Kurukshetra
Environment & Disaster Management: Shankar IAS
Security: Internal & External (IDSA Reports)

✅ GS Paper 4 (Ethics & Integrity):

Ethics Theory: Lexicon, Subba Rao
Case Studies: Solving past years’ case studies

✅ Essay (250 Marks)

Writing practice on philosophical & current topics
Examples from history, economy, society

2. Optional Subject (Choose 1 – 500 Marks)

📌 Popular Optionals:

History: Bipan Chandra, R.S. Sharma
Geography: Savindra Singh, Majid Hussain
Public Administration: Mohit Bhattacharya, Prasad & Prasad
Political Science: OP Gauba, Andrew Heywood

✅ Strategy:

Finish optional before Prelims
Answer writing practice

Phase 4: Answer Writing & Revision

2-3 months

1. Daily Answer Writing

3-5 questions daily (UPSC past papers + Insights/Forum IAS)

2. Full-Length Tests

GS 1-4 Full Tests (10-15 tests)
Essay Tests (5-10)
Optional Full Tests (5-10)

3. Notes Compilation & One Last Revision

Prelims One-Page Revision Notes
Mains Consolidated Notes
Ethics Case Study Handbook

Phase 5: Interview Preparation

2 months