The First 2 Months of UPSC Prep: Build Your Base Camp for the Summit Ahead

What system am I building that I can sustain for the next 12–18 months?

That’s the real question most UPSC aspirants should begin with - not "How many hours should I study?" or "Which book should I finish first?"

🪨 Build the Right Foundation From Day 1

From the very beginning, aspirants should build habits that can carry them through a long prep cycle. Include these three foundational practices in your system:

Start with specific NCERTs - don’t spread too wide. Begin with:

• Polity
  • Class 11 – Indian Constitution at Work
  • (Foundational, written in simple language, aligns well with Laxmikant later)
• History
  • Class 6 – Our Pasts I
  • Class 7 – Our Pasts II
  • Class 8 – Our Pasts III
  • (Do these three together - they give chronological clarity on Ancient, Medieval & Modern basics)
• Geography
  • Class 11 – Fundamentals of Physical Geography
  • Class 11 – India: Physical Environment
• Read the newspaper daily : 20–30 mins of The Hindu or Indian Express helps build awareness and vocabulary.
• Start reviewing PYQs : 2–3 per day, just to get familiar with how real questions are framed.

🏕️ Here's How to Build a Base Camp That Holds

1️⃣ Fix a Daily Time Block - Not a Random Hour Count

Your goal is not quantity, but regularity. Instead of trying to study 6–8 hours from day one, pick a non-negotiable daily time block (e.g. 7–10 AM or 6–9 PM).

This fixed window builds mental readiness and habit memory. Protect that block like a job.

Even if it's just 2–3 hours initially, consistency beats intensity.

2️⃣ One Subject Focus: Avoid the "Everything-at-Once" Trap

Pick one major subject to begin with - Polity, History, or Geography.

Start with a clear set of NCERTs rather than a wide net. Refer to the section above for a solid launch pad.

Stick to one subject for at least 2–3 weeks. Completion breeds momentum.

3️⃣ Daily Structure = Learn ➝ Revise ➝ Test

Discipline thrives in predictable loops. Your study sessions should have three clear components:

🔄 Learn something new (70%)

🔄 Revise something old (20%)

🔄 Test via a few questions (10%)

To make this even more effective, include 2–3 PYQs as part of the "Test" block each day - even if you’re not solving them fully. It’s about familiarizing your brain with the UPSC’s pattern.

4️⃣ Plan Weekly, Not Monthly

📅 Month-long planning is fragile. Real progress is week by week.

📅 Every Sunday, write down 3 academic goals for the week.

📅 Reflect the next Sunday on what worked and what didn’t.

This loop helps refine your system gradually.

5️⃣ Anchor Study to Existing Habits

The fastest way to build a new habit is to tie it to an existing one. Link UPSC prep to your routines

🌅 After brushing teeth → read news summary

🍽️ After lunch → 1 NCERT chapter

🌆 Before dinner → Revise morning topic

These "triggers" reduce friction and make study feel natural.

🔭 3 Non-Negotiables for Your First Two Months

• NCERTs:
  • Polity – Class 11: Indian Constitution at Work
  • History – Class 6–8: Our Pasts I–III
  • Geography – Class 11: Fundamentals of Physical Geography & India: Physical Environment
• Newspaper: The Hindu or Indian Express (20 mins/day)
• PYQs: Review 2–3 daily (Prelims & Mains)

🧭 Final Thought

The first two months aren’t about syllabus completion. They’re about behavioural transformation. Nail the basics - time blocks, one subject focus, daily discipline - and you’re already ahead of most aspirants.

Start building discipline that lasts

Download to experience our next-generation, UPSC-specialized learning solution.

About Saval Inc.

Saval Inc. is an innovative edtech company committed to transforming UPSC civil services exam preparation in India. Our team combines expertise in AI, educational psychology, and specialized subjects to create learning solutions that truly empower aspirants.

Visit Our Website

Follow us on: Twitter