Official : Post Daily Routine & Self Assessment (Mains 2020)

My routine now a days goes like this (not a very rigid one)

Morning (1-1.5 hours): Newspaper and revision of current affairs topics

Afternoon (2-3 hours): BPSC answer writing, or NITI Aayog's Strategy for new India, or 2nd ARC summary (only one thing in a day) 

Evening (4pm to 9:30 pm): Optional

Today's To-do list:

1. IR (Southeast Asia) and related questions

2. Optional (Settlement Geography)

Happy to share. If possible, you could also do the same. This way, everyone will benefit.

I had also the same plan. But then I realised that I'm too afraid of Prelims :D

In the video of "The future of work & workplace", Shrayana Bhattacharyya's comments are enough.

Whole day wasted because of headache.

Could do only 2 things: Newspaper and Book.

Newspaper:

1. Big reform on the wrong way

2. Hagia sophia (Vivek Katju)

3. Community canteens

4. Crime, definition and Ranveer Singh committee (Desh Deshantar)

Book: 2 chapters

1. https://finshots.in/archive/what-rich-people-do-during-a-pandemic/

25th July

Completed tasks:

 Running and meditation

Newspapers/ Current affairs

1 Mains PYQ (Economy)

Current affairs class

Sfg 36

Tomorrow (26th July): Revision and Current affairs + optional classes

26/07/2020

Completed tasks:

1. Running/ meditation
2. Newspaper/ CA
3. Revision(incomplete because of safai abhiyan)
4. CA class
5. Orf articles and videos
6. Ethics terms and examples

Today I learnt:

1. Orf articles: can SDGs define India's growth story in a post COVID World?; India competes for FDI departing China; sorry States; middle East energy challenges and India;; reinvisioning regionalism in South Asia (YouTube) 
2. Ethics terms: Deontology, conformity bias.

Tomorrow's target:

1. Economy full test
2. CA revision
3. Optional class

27/07/2020

I could only complete optional & Newspaper. Pura din so ke hi barbaad ho gaya.

Today I learnt:

1.  Economics of Vaccine Nationalism
2.  Contempt of court.

 Tomorrow's target:

1. CA magazine (January)
2. Economy Test

Apart from rstv and orf, you can watch some programs of The Print such as

1. #Daily5
2. Cut the Clutter
3. National interest
4. Pure Science
5. Know your constitution
6. Ilanomics

28/07/2020

completed:

1. Newspaper (TH and IE both)
2. Eco test
3. Optional class
4. PYQ answer
5. Map
6. Book (contd while writing this)

Today I learnt: (a lot of articles)

1. EIA
2. India-Srilanka
3. India’s foreign policy
4. Nutrition
5. Governor’s discretion 
6. Women issues
7. 6 reasons why demography matters
8. Online shopping and impact on city planning 
9. Map: Brahmaputra river system

29/07/2020

Took a rest today. And planned for next 2 months for Prelims. 

For next 2 days: Only revision.

1/08/2020

Target:

1. Newspaper
2. Polity chapter: 1, 2, 3
3. Current Affairs: May 2019
4. CA class
5. Optional class

😅

Completed:

1. Newspaper
2. Polity
3. May CA (polity, policy and Economy)
4. CA class

Couldn't watch Optional class. TMKOC + Litti chokha with family :p

Target (2/08/2020):

1. SFG 1
2. Newspaper
3. Optional class
4. CA class
5. CA May 2019 contd

Completed (02/08/2020):

1. SFG 1: Marks= 64 
2. Newspaper
3. Optional class
4. Polity (sfg 2 syllabus) contd

Couldn't watch CA class video. Had to write a letter to Didi on her birthday tomorrow, and talked to my school friend over phone for almost 1.5 hours.

Tomorrow half day break

Target (03/08/2020)

1. Newspaper
2. Sfg 2
3. CA class
4. May 2019 CA 
5. Sfg 3 syllabus (if possible)

03/08/2020

Completed:

1. Newspaper
2. Sfg 2 (Marks= 68; C=37, W=9; UA=3)
3. CA class

Tomorrow onwards, I'll also revise NCERT books daily. Starting with Indian Constitution at work. Will then move to Political theories.

Target (04/08/2020):

1. Newspaper
2. SFG 3 syllabus
3. SFG 3
4. Optional class
5. SFG 4 syllabus
6. May 2019
7. NCERT

Topmost priority would be Optional class then sfg.

04/08/2020:

Completed:

1. Newspaper
2. Optional class (took more time: 4 hrs)
3. SFG 3 (Marks= 65.33; C=37; W=13)
4. May 2019 CA (IR, Env)
5. NCERT (ch 1 & 2)

For next 2 months, current affairs only from class notes.

Optional till 15th August. Then Book "The idea of justice" by Amartya Sen. 

Target (05/08/2020):

1. Newspaper
2. SFG 4 syllabus
3. SFG 4 test
4. SFG 5 syllabus
5. May 2019 CA
6. NCERT

05/08/2020:

Completed:

1. Newspaper
2. Sfg 4 (Marks=48.66; C=28; W=11; UA=5; cancel=6)

Felt laziness all day long. 

Don't commit silly mistakes.

Target (06/08/2020):

1. Newspaper
2. Sfg5 syllabus
3. Sfg 5 test
4. Optional
5. NCERT

06/08/2020

Completed:

1. Newspaper
2. Sfg 5 (Marks= 72; C=38; W=6; UA=6)
3. Optional class

Going to bed early today. Late night studies don't suit me. Tomorrow there will be a fresh start. NCERT (Political theories) & June 2019 CA.

Target (07/08/2020):

1. Brisk walking outside(instead of running on treadmill indoors) and meditation + Saraswati Vandana
2. Newspaper/ CA
3. Sfg 6
4. Optional class
5. NCERT

07/08/2020:

Completed:

1. Jogging + meditation
2. Newspaper + June 2019 CA
3. NCERT (Ch: 1&2)
4. Optional
5. Polity: judiciary, PRI

Sfg6 - first thing in morning tomorrow. Optional till this Sunday. Then Full focus on Prelims.

Target (08/08/2020):

1. Jogging and meditation
2. Sfg 6 
3. Newspaper + June 19 CA
4. Optional
5. CA class

08/08/2020:

Completed:

1. Sfg 7 (Marks= 69.33; C=38; W=10; UA=2)
2. Newspaper
3. Optional

An anecdote: A king allowed a person to have that much piece of land which he could traverse through the night. But the condition was to return back at the same point by morning. Greedy person, in an attempt to get more land, went very far. Since he couldn't return to the same point by morning, he did not get any land.

Moral of the story: I have come too far. Time to return (ie, revision).

Target (09/08/2020):

1. Newspaper
2. Optional classes

I'll complete Optional classes by tomorrow. Then Full focus will be on Prelims.

Classes based on question practice. Classes are allowed to be accessed only for 24 hours. That's why have to do now only.

Target (10/08/2020):

1. Newspaper
2. CA May 2019
3. Geography revision
4. Test + Analysis
5. SFG 8
6. Revision of earlier tests

"Ek raah tu pakad chala chal....pa jayega madhushala"

I was also facing such dilemmas, and I think everyone who starts the preparation goes through the same.

What I did was, initially I completed NCERTs and mock tests based on them. Plus some MGP sectional Tests of GS 1 & 3.

Then from around November till February, focus shifted towards my Optional (test series).

Started Prelims exclusive preparation from March onwards (Should have started earlier). Attempted mock Tests subject wise. E.g, When I completed Modern History, attempted its tests from Forum and Vision.

Lockdown ke baad kya kya hua, even I don't remember. Gave some sfg Tests (community intiative). It proved most beneficial for me, because I was lost by then. 

Now I've decided to do reverse engineering. First I'll attempt test, then will fill my knowledge gap.

Only Final results will tell, if it worked for me or not. 

One more thing you can do is to inculcate the habit of reading books and writing journals daily. These help in many ways like fast reading, flow in thoughts or ideas, learn new ideas daily etc.

How I used to write my journal. (Although could not continue. But I'm thinking of counting again) 

All the best.

P.S- I suppose this is not the same Gunther. If it is, then I've to say something- "Don't go after Rachel. Bhaav nahi deti tumhe 😛"

Couldn't complete anything. Read some parts of May CA. Fir din bhar lazyness and aram. Even black coffee ka koi asar nahi hua.

Same target for tomorrow.

12/08/2020

Completed:

1. Newspaper
2. May 2019 CA
3. Geography
4. Geography test
5. Test Analysis 

Target (13/08/2020):

1. Polity sfg
2. Jogging and meditation
3. June 2019 CA
4. Newspaper
5. Geography
6. Test
7. Test Analysis

Had planned to give the test by 7pm. But could not revise the portion of CA (watched some toppers' videos). Will attempt by tomorrow morning.

Planning to give the test every alternate day in morning hours.

I'll also post daily targets and completed tasks on hourly basis.

13/08/2020:

Target:

6:00 - 7:00 : Daily chores + meditation

7:00 - 10:00 : Last time test revision and breakfast

10:00 - 12:00 : Test

13:00 - 17:00 : Test Analysis

19:00 - 22:00 : SFG polity

Occasionally Google and YouTube searches + Newspaper/Daily CA.

13/08/2020:

Completed tasks:

6:00 - 7:00 : Daily chores + meditation //Done

7:00 - 10:00 : Last time test revision and breakfast //Done

10:00 - 12:00 : Test //Done

13:00 - 17:00 : Test Analysis //Done

19:00 - 22:00 : SFG polity //Instead did CA revision

Sfg tomorrow morning.

Target (14/08/2020):

6:00 - 7:00 : Daily chores, meditation

7:00 - 9:00 : sfg portion revision + breakfast

9:00 - 11:00 : sfg + analysis

12:00 - 16:00 : Environment revision

18:00 - 22:00 : CA revision(April - June 2019)

14/08/2020:

Completed:

6:00 - 7:00 : Daily chores, meditation//Done

7:00 - 9:00 : sfg portion revision + breakfast//Done

9:00 - 11:00 : sfg + analysis//Done

12:00 - 16:00 : Environment revision//partially done

18:00 - 22:00 : CA revision(April - June 2019)//0% Done

Woke up at 8, so everything shifted by 2 hours. Need to revise some left portions of Environment tomorrow. Took "The idea of justice" Book just to have a glance over. But ended up reading the whole 1st chapter.

Target (15/08/2020)

6:00 - 7:00 : Daily chores + meditation

7:00 - 10:00 : Newspaper + TV

10:00 - 14:00 : Environment

16:00 - onwards : CA 

15/08/2020:

Not a very productive day. Revised some portions of Environment.

Target (16/08/2020):

0600 - 0700 : Daily chores

0700 - 1000 : Revision

1000 - 1200 : Environment test

1300 - 1700 : Test Analysis

1900 - 2200 - CA class

16/08/2020:

0600 - 0700 : Daily chores//Done

18/08/2020:

Read only Ancient history today. Going to bed early because of headache.

I'm facing this dilemma that I've read Ancient from many sources viz RS Sharma and TN books, Plus class notes, Vajiram yellow Book and my self made notes. And I feel that something is missing in every source.

I remember, prior to starting the UPSC journey, I had read RS Sharma for 2.5 months (along with note making). This was because of my friend, who was preparing for UPSC and I had asked for guidance. He had recommended this book to me.

But I was so involved that I had completed the book before formally coming into the preparation journey. I had also read World history book (one that was recommended by Anudeep on his blog) for 2 months. Bipin Chandra (moti wali) for another 2 months.

In this way, I had allocated disproportionate time on history in my first attempt. But this ghost is after me till now. I always think, and kinda afraid, what if I commit a mistake in these papers. 

But the decision has to be made. RS Sharma + New NCERT is final for ancient this time. And I'll also spread the revision of history and Art & Culture in more number of days. Revising everything at once isn't working for me. Parallelly revision of other subjects, CA and tests. Full syllabus Test in September.

P.S: Post lamba ho gaya. Apologies.😊

You are actually right. RS Sharma is more useful for Mains, especially some chapters. Satish Chandra is too much. Some NCERTs are good though. Such as class 7th NCERT and some Themes.

Nitin Singhania is irreplaceable.

Thank you for the suggestion. And you are funny bro. Gajab ka sense of humour hai :D

19/08/2020:

Not a very productive day. Kab khoon khaulega re tera?

CA + Ancient & Medieval- partially done. Made a list of sources to be covered and List of topics of Env CA.

Doing one more thing: I've made 3 stacks (for 3 revisions). If I do one revision, I'll keep it in first. In second for second revision and so on. I think now only this much revision is enough. Baaki rab rakha.

Will revise history daily and sfg related to it.

Target (20/08/2020):

06:00- 07:00 : Daily chores+ meditation

07:00- 08:00 : Breakfast+ Newspaper

08:00- 12:00 : History+ sfg

13:00- 17:00 : CA Env+ Maps

18:00- 22:00 : Science

80% targets achieved.

Maps not done. Science to be completed by tomorrow. Studied in 2 hours slots+ 0.5 hr break.

Same target for 21/08/2020.

21/08/2020:

2nd shift was not very productive. 1st shift became long.

Rating: 70%

22/08/2020 target:

Shift 1: History+sfg

Shift 2: IR CA +mapping

Shift 3: S & T (target to finish by tomorrow)

22/08/2020:

Did not go as per planned. But in the end managed to cover the target.

23/08/2020 target:

1 full length mock test

History+sfg

CA revision

23/08/2020:

Attempted a mock test (without revising anything) just to gauge where I stand.

2 observations:

1. Number of wrong answers is directly proportional to number of questions attempted.
2. Need to focus more on Art & culture, Medieval history and govt schemes, indices.

Spent time with family and cousins. Ate Thekua and pirikiya (Bihari cuisines).

24/08/2020 target:

History

CA

Test Revision.

Thekua is very different from mathri. It's a sweet. And pirikiya is similar to gujiya.

https://forumias.com/post/detail/Incredible-India-1588165501?JSxDYFAsQyxgCmAK

Many have posted their mock score in this spreadsheet.

https://forumias.com/post/detail/Daily-Routine-1593264679?JSxDQFUtUzhgCmAK

Frankly I don't know. I think blue tick is given to top contributors and whom one can follow and ask doubts. I used to reply to many and had created some threads. (Just like Twitter)

Green tick to those who have cleared the exam. Red tick for technical people.

(If I'm not wrong)

P.S: spelling mistake in tag.

24/08/2020:

Completed:

1. History+ question practice+ notes consolidation
2. CA + map work
3. Economy revision.

Revision of tests from next week.

Efficient studies after so many days, thanks to neyawn's article.

25/08/2020 targets:

History

CA+mapping

Economy revision

As my optional is geography, it’s a part of our syllabus. Anyway these are some sample map works (note: we only need relative locations, not the exact one):

1. For political map of India, I’ve divided map into grids by drawing major longitude and latitudes. Then the capitals/important places of states relative to these lines.

 Let’s take the PYQ, where it had asked the relative location of Lucknow and Hyderabad. The idea was to know if candidates know that there is sharp turn in peninsular part of India. Similarly, the question of Delhi and Bangalore being on the same longitude. You can also see here that New Delhi is North to all the capitals of Northeast states.

2. Relative location of countries on world map. Overlapping for Countries which have shared boundaries.

3. Map of island countries. Idea is to remember the important one and their relative location with respect to other islands and latitudes/longitudes.

Hope this helps.

I’m making notes of Test papers on a note pad. One note pad for each subject. For multiple revisions before the exam. 

What is Disqus?

Sorry bro, no idea. I'm not that tech savvy. In the name of social media, I'm only on telegram, whatsapp and forum (not even on Twitter, fb, insta etc). 

Is there anyone else with the same user name on insights, iasbaba? If there is any, it's not me.

25/08/2020:

Completed:

1. History+ question practice
2. CA+ mapping
3. CA backlog classes

26/08/2020 target:

History+questions

CA+mapping

CA class

Economy

I remember in 2017 I was in college, and had no intention of preparing for upsc. 

26/08/2020:

Completed:

1. History
2. CA class
3. CA revision

Economy not done since 2 days. 

Morning Routine par dhyan dena hoga. 

27/08/2020 targets:

History

Questions practice + mapping

Economy

CA Revision & class

Real dedicated One is@Dora-the_Explorer 

27/08/2020:

Completed

1. Economy
2. CA classes

Made a list of topics from Mrunal Economy pillar 1 for clarity. I've decided to cover pillar 1, 3 & 4 only from Mrunal. 

28/08/2020:

Economy

History

CA revision + class.

28/08/2020:

Completed:

1. Economy pillar 1 (1/2)
2. CA revision (Env)
3. History revision+ questions
4. 2 CA classes

29/08/2020 Targets:

Will try to revise everything as quickly as I can, considering Sunday as D- Day. Will attempt a mock test on Sunday (both GS and CSAT). Aim is to know the weak areas.

29/08/2020:

Caught cold today. Everyone in family got panicked whether I've corona. But I guess it was AC. I'm fine now. 

Could only revise Economy. Then rest for the whole day. Also some CSAT questions.

Shifted myself to another non-AC room. Need to get used to exam conditions from now onwards. And also need to take care of health, especially precautions against corona.

Same target for tomorrow. Revise everything atleast once. Mock test on Monday.

30/08/2020:

Initially had the target to revise the subjects. But then though to not postpone the test, and attempted it. 

31/08/2020 Targets:

Now onwards, I'll only revise one subject at a time till it gets completed.

Environment- Static+CA- for maximum 2-3 days.

31/08/2020:

1. Read Environment. 
2. CA classes.

01/09/2020 Targets:

Same as above. Target is to complete Env by tomorrow. Then revision of Env tests the day after tomorrow.

01/09/2020:

Not a productive day. Some topics left in Env. I'll try to cover tomorrow.

02/09/2020 Targets:

Revision of Env tests and some mapping.

02/09/2020:

Env will take one more day. Test revisions are remaining.

Took a print out of all my digital notes.

Was talking to a boy from my village, appearing for JEE tomorrow. I have been guiding him for past 6 months ( he prepared by himself). Helped him revise everything, and gave some last minute tips from my experience.

03/09/2020 Targets:

Env test revisions.

Art & culture.

03/09/2020:

Env almost complete. 

CA classes.

Watched "Panchayat" today on a friend's suggestion. Could relate a lot. My mother had also contested panchayat elections, but only on name. Main candidate was my father. Sachiv, pradhan sab itne naive nahi hote. Aur DM bhi itne arrogant nahi hote.

Couldn't cover Art and culture. Tried to cover somehow, but ab kal. 

04/09/2020 Targets:

Art and Culture + Modern History

CA

Along with fine arts, you can read this. These are not covered in NCERT.

5_6230768906676470621.pdf

Nahi. S&T ke liye only class notes and PT365.

04/09/2020:

Read Art & Culture (1/3)

CA

Modern (naam matra ka)

05/09/2020 Targets:

Art & culture

Modern

CA

I'll divide next 4 weeks in 2+1+1 parts for revision.

Topics, I'm thinking to do Daily for next 2 weeks (after attempting mocks):

1. National Parks and other maps (2 States/day)
2. Schemes (3-4 ministries/day)
3. History facts (1 era/day)
4. Test revision (4-5 tests/day)
5. CA revision

12/10/2020

1. Woke up at 5 am and went for a walk.
2. Daily chores
3. Newspaper (6:00-7:00)
4. Optional Revision and synopsis making (7:00-10:00 and 11:00- 12:30)- Geomorphology (1/4)
5. Rest (12:30-2:30)
6. World History (2:30-4:00)- made notes of Renaissance and Absolutism in Europe.
7. Optional class (4:00-7:00)
8. Rest+ IPL (7:00-8:30)
9. CA issues

Today I Learnt (TIL):

1. Theories based on Endogenetic forces (CDT, PTT, etc)
2. Renaissance and Absolutism in Europe, and  India at that time.
3. Evolution of Dalit/low caste politics in India.
4. Brain-Computer interface (BCI): its possible applications, concerns etc.
5. Risk weighted loans to be rationalised and to be linked with Loan to Value (LTV) ratio.

Aaj Optional kuchh jyada ho gaya. Tomorrow focus will be more on World history.

13/10/2020:

World History+ Newspaper only.

Tomorrow onwards AWFG schedule and Optional on alternate days.

14th & 15th October

AWFG + analysis 

Daily CA

Population Geography theory completed. (Need to add some data and current examples)

Target for next 2 days:

AWFG-2. I'll try to start writing some MGP answers too.

Questions on Population Geography. 

Geomorphology theories (2/4): Theories based on exogenic forces.

16th, 17th & 18th October, 2020:

1. AWFG
2. Population Geography
3. Geomorphology

Efficiency was too low.

Watched the movie "Swades". A very good analysis of the movie:

Congratulations to all those who got through the Prelims stage (1st Chakravyuh).

I couldn't clear Prelims this time. But got to say, I'm actually relieved. Even when I was organised and tried to be systematic at each step, at last everything was messed up. 

When Thomas Edison’s factory burned to the ground in 1914, destroying one-of-a-kind prototypes and causing $23 million in damage, Edison’s response was simple:

"Thank goodness all our mistakes were burned up. Now we can start fresh again."

So all of us, who didn't clear Prelims this time, let's start afresh.

I have to first change my Optional. This is not an easy decision, but have no choice. This was not working anymore. Felt like a breakup :p

समर शेष है

I'll update before and after every study sessions.

10 am - 2:30 pm: Optional

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm: Lunch break

3 pm - 4:30 pm: Newspaper

4:30 pm - 5:00 pm: Break

5:10 pm - 6:50 pm: Essay

7:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Break

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm: Yojana + Science Reporter (1 articles each)

9:00 pm - 9:30 pm: Dinner Break

9:30 pm - 10:30 pm: Economics (most neglected part in this attempt because of overconfidence. Most of the economy questions in Prelims were wrong. So, special focus this time).

11:00 pm: Going to bed. To wake up at 6 am

7:30 - 9:30 am: Revision of previous day

10:00 am - 2:30 pm: Optional

4:00 pm - 6:20 pm: Essay

7:10 pm - 8:30 pm: Newspaper

9:30 pm - 10:45 pm: Optional Book