Phase 1: Accelerated Foundation + Current Affairs (March 2025 – June 2025)
| Month | Theme | Key Tasks | Unique Add-Ons | External Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 2025 | Start Smart | – Study syllabus, PYQs, exam pattern. – Begin NCERT Class 6–12 (History, Geography, Polity). – Daily newspaper + Vision IAS monthly compilation. | – Watch Preamble documentary (free on YouTube). – Use Google Sheets to track daily progress. | NCERTs, The Hindu, YouTube documentaries. |
| April 2025 | Polity + Governance | – Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity (Chapters 1–15). – Link current issues (e.g., Election Commission) to static topics. | Create Anki flashcards for Articles/Amendments. – Write 2 polity answers weekly and self-evaluate using toppers’ copies (available for free on ClearIAS). | Laxmikanth’s book, Anki App, ClearIAS answer bank. |
| May 2025 | History + Culture | – NCERT History + Spectrum’s Modern India. – Focus on freedom struggle, art, and culture. | Visit a historical site; write a 500-word report (share on LinkedIn/Medium for feedback). | Spectrum book, UNESCO India website. |
| June 2025 | Geography + Environment | – NCERT Geography + Shankar IAS Environment (Chapters 1–8). – Map practice (rivers, mountains). | Use Google Earth to explore ecological hotspots. – Solve 5 environment MCQs daily (use BYJU’s Free MCQ Bank). | PMF IAS Notes, Google Earth. |
Phase 2: Optional Subject + Advanced Prep (July 2025 – December 2025)
| Month | Theme | Key Tasks | Unique Add-Ons | External Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | Choose Optional | – Finalize optional (analyze overlap with GS). – Cover 40% of syllabus (focus on high-weightage topics). | Watch free YouTube lectures (e.g., Unacademy’s optional subject playlist). | Toppers’ notes (free on ForumIAS), Previous year papers. |
| August 2025 | Economy + Society | – NCERT Economy + Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh. – Link topics like inflation to current data (use RBI Bulletin). | Use Excel sheets to track GDP, unemployment trends. – Solve Economy MCQs on IASbaba’s Daily Quiz. | RBI website, PRS India. |
| September 2025 | Science & Tech + Ethics | – Science NCERT Class 10 + Science Reporter magazine. – Ethics: Lexicon + case studies. | Write 1 ethics case study weekly and compare with Vision IAS model answers. | ISRO website, Lexicon for Ethics (PDF free online). |
| October 2025 | Optional Deep Dive | – Complete 70% of optional syllabus. – Solve 5 years of optional PYQs. | Use mind maps (draw manually or use Canva) for complex topics. | Optional-specific books (borrow from libraries). |
| November 2025 | Current Affairs + Revision | – Revise 6 months of CA (link to GS). – Compile “Top 100 CA Topics” for Prelims. | Create CA flashcards (use free app Quizlet). | Vision IAS CA Compilation, AIR News archives. |
| December 2025 | Answer Writing | – Write 2 GS answers + 1 optional answer daily. – Use ChatGPT for structure feedback (paste answers and ask for improvements). | Compare your answers with Toppers’ Copies (free on ClearIAS). | Forum IAS Answer Writing Portal, ChatGPT. |
Phase 3: Full Revision + Mocks (January 2026 – June 2026)
| Month | Theme | Key Tasks | Unique Add-Ons | External Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Prelims Focus | – Solve 50 MCQs daily (GS + CSAT). – Revise CA notes and NCERT highlights. | Use spaced repetition (Anki) for weak topics. – Join free Telegram groups for daily quizzes (e.g., Vision IAS Prelims Quiz). | IASbaba’s 60-Day Plan, CSAT papers (free online). |
| February 2026 | Mains Focus | – Write 3 full-length mains papers weekly. – Revise optional subject. | Practice essay writing with YouTube prompts (e.g., StudyIQ essay topics). – Record self-evaluation videos. | Previous year essays (UPSC website), StudyIQ YouTube. |
| March 2026 | Integrated Revision | – Revise short notes + mind maps. – Focus on weak areas (e.g., Environment). | Use the Pomodoro Technique (25-min study + 5-min breaks). – Meditate daily (use Insight Timer app). | Self-made notes, YouTube revision playlists. |
| April 2026 | Mock Test Marathon | – Take 4 full mocks weekly (Prelims + Mains). – Analyze gaps with answer keys. | Simulate exam conditions: wear formal clothes, sit in a quiet room. | Vision IAS free mocks, Insights IAS test series. |
| May 2026 | Final CA Polish | – Revise last 6 months of CA (focus on govt. schemes, IR). | Create 1-page CA summaries (use Canva templates). | PT 365 (free PDFs), Yojana Magazine (online archives). |
| June 2026 | Stay Calm & Revise | – Light revision of formulas, quotes, and maps. – Solve CSAT papers daily. | Visualize success: Write a letter to your future self (post-exam read). | Previous year papers (UPSC website), Class 10 math basics. |
Key Features for Readers
- No Peer Dependency: Tasks use self-assessment tools (Anki, ChatGPT, YouTube comparisons).
- Free Resources Only: No paid courses – focus on NCERT, YouTube, govt. websites, and free test series.
- Custom Tracking: Recommend Google Sheets/Notion templates for progress tracking.
- Burnout Prevention: Include monthly “Fun Tasks” (e.g., Watch a TED Talk on resilience).