CSE 2021: Plan / Strategy / Daily Routine

Hello! Since Mains result is not coming anytime sooner and 110 days to go for Prelims, it is time to start thinking about 2021 attempt. Time is very less and it is important to organize effectively to complete all the syllabus in time.

I have tried to estimate the amount of days that I am gonna give to complete a subject and revise that at least twice. This is to help me track my progress and not get lost in-between the prep. I have fixed my sources for each subject including the current affairs.

• Indian Polity-  15 Days
• Ancient and Medieval Indian History- 10 Days
• Indian Art and Culture- 10 Days
• Modern Indian History- 10 Days
• Indian Geography- 10 Days
• Current Affairs- 20 Days
• Indian Economy- 15 Days
• Environment- 15 Days
• CSAT- Doing 1 hour of practice everyday whenever I get bored.
  

I have given 5 days of buffer to account for any unexpected events which are bound to occur. I am starting with Polity today. 

Targets for Today

1. Newspaper Reading (The Hindu+Indian Express editorials only)- 1.5 hours
2. Indian Polity- Part V, VI and VII (1st reading)- 3.5 hours (14 Days left)
   
3. History Optional- World history- Chapter 3 of Jain and Mathur book- 2 Hours
4. CSAT- 1 hour
   

Today's targets:-

1. Read Newspaper- 1.5 hours
2. Indian Polity by Laxmikanth- Part II (First Reading)- 2.5 hours (13 Days left)
3. History Optional- World History- Chapter 5 (half) of Jain and Mathur book- 2 hours
4. CSAT- 1 hour

Yesterday was a great start. I was able to finish my targets without any hassle. Hoping to continue that today.

Today's Target:-

1. Newspaper (1.5 hours)
2. Indian Polity- Part I (First Reading)- 2.5 hours (12 Days Left)
3. History Optional- Complete the 5th chapter of Jain and Mathur- 2.5 hours
4. CSAT- 1 hour

Yesterday, I realized that the chapter on Center-State relations is the most frustrating chapter to read from Laxmikanth despite reading it so many times.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper (1.5 hours)
2. Indian Polity- Part 3 (First Reading)- (11 Days left)

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper (1.5 hours)
2. Polity- Part IV (First Reading)- 4 hours (10 days left)
   
3. CSAT- 1 hour

Yesterday, could not complete the Part 3. Few chapters still left so I will complete that first.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper (1 hour)- Sunday is a very relaxed day with regards to the Newspaper
2. Polity- Rest of the chapters (First Reading) (9 Days left)- So this brings the first reading of Laxmikanth to a close now. I am planning to revise it twice before the examination. First revision somewhere in May for 5 Days and the last revision just 2 weeks before Prelims for 4 days.
3. History Optional- Revise Chapter 3 and 5 from Jain and Mathur Book- (3 hours)
4. CSAT- 1 hour

Yesterday, a good day for study. I am trying to maintain a healthy 6-7 hours of study routine for next one week.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper (1.5 hours)
2. Geography- Chapter 1-7 from GC Leong (First Reading) (9 Days left)- I have decided to follow GC Leong and some selected chapters from Indian geography book of Khullar+ Atlas. I had not touched Geography previous time. Luckily, it did not harm my prospects. But this time I want to do it right.
3. History Optional- Chapter 9 from World History Jain and Mathur Book

Yesterday, I did not have to study for long. Took 6 hours compared to the planned 7 hours. I was able to watch the T20 match. Great win.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper (1.5 hours)
2. Geography- Complete the remaining chapters of GC Leong 9-14- I am not going to give time for the last 10 chapters of World Geography.  That table at the end of the 14th chapter seems sufficient for studying World Climatic Types + Start reading from Indian Geography by Khullar- Chapter 3 and 4 (8 Days left)
   
3. History Optional- Continue with the 9th chapter of World History by Jain and Mathur
   

Yesterday, I could not complete reading the World History so I will finish that first. Geography took bulk of my time.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper (1.5 hours)
2. Geography- Ch. 5,7,10,11,15-19 from Khullar book (7 Days left)
   
3. CSAT- 1 hour

Yesterday was a frustrating day. I could not really concentrate well in the morning. Results anxiety is slowly building up yet again. Luckily, I could complete my target late at night.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper
2. Geography- Chapter 20-25 from D.R. Khullar (First Reading) (6 Days left)- this brings the first reading of the geography to a close. When I revise this in May again, I plan to make short notes of important facts related to Indian Physiography, Drainage, Climate, Population composition, Major Crops and Mineral resources to revise them just few weeks before the Prelims.
   

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper
2. I am starting with the Economy from today onwards- I have decided to follow the notes of Sriram Academy+ Eco Survey summary just like last time- Starting with 1-100 pages of Sriram Academy notes (14 Days left)
3. CSAT- 1 hour

Geography left me exhausted. I feel like I have read a lot in a very short period of time.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper
2. Economy- Pages 121-217 Sriram Academy notes (13 Days left)
   
3. CSAT

Yesterday, I read till 120 pages in Economy. I realized that it is not taking much time as I had read it thoroughly last year. So I did 3+ hours of CSAT. I guess that will help in tomorrow's State PCS. Today also I am planning to practice more CSAT.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper
2. Economy- Complete the remaining pages of Sriram Academy notes (12 Days left)
3. History Optional- World History- Chapter 3 from Jain and Mathur book

Yesterday, gave state PCS, now I would focus on my optional and try to complete as much as I can before June. Plan is to make sure that I give maximum mocks between Pre and Mains. This time not giving mocks left me unprepared for Mains as I focused more on revision and completion of syllabus. Not gonna make that mistake again.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper
2. Economy- Vision summary of Economic Survey Vol.-1 (11 Days left)
3. History Optional- Medieval India Satish Chandra Vol. 2 Chapter 1-4 (19 Days left)
   

Target for History optional for next two months:-

1. Ancient History from SSH notes (20 Days)
2. Medieval History from Satish Chandra (20 Days)
3. Modern History from SSH notes (15 Days)
4. World History from Jain & Mathur (15 Days)
   

Yesterday, results came and as I was expecting, I could not clear. It was my first mains and I had made some terrible mistakes during my prep. Lack of clarity on what to read, how to read, lack of planning on my part, poor time management while writing mains and excessive  focus on clearing prelims. But as one door closes, another opens. This time things will go right.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper
2. Economy- Vision Summary of Economic Survey Volume 2 (Half) (10 Days left)
3. History Optional- Medieval India Satisha Chandra Vol. 2 Ch.1-5 (Couldn't read anything from this yesterday so I will complete it today) (18 Days left)
   

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper
2. Economy- VIsion Summary Economic Survey Vol. 2 (Rest of the portion) (9 Days Left)
3. History Optional- Medieval India Vol. 2 Ch. 5,6 (17 Days left)

Yesterday, while reading history, I realized few minor mistakes that I made in my previous attempt. Political history usually doesn't have much value for Mains and even for optional. But it does have some value for Prelims in two respect. 1. Various personalities, their contemporaries and the chronology; 2. Historical places and their location. Few questions in Prelims were based on this last year so now I am taking extra care in noting down such information while reading history.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper
2. Economy- Budget '21 (8 Days left)
3. History Optional- Medieval India Vol. 2 Ch. 7-8 (16 Days left)

Past few days were hectic. Economy took longer than I expected. I will have to give extra 5 days to Economy for revision. Maybe I will cut days from Ancient and Medieval history quota.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper
2. Environment- Shankar notes Ch: 1-4 (14 Days remaining)
3. History Optional- Medieval India Vol. 2 Ch:- 9-11 (15 Days remaining)

Yesterday was a productive day. Now, a review is necessary on how many days are left to revise some important subjects which I have already completed once. I am planning to cut days allotted to Ancient and Medieval history. So out of 10 days, I will study that for only 6 days now. Rest of the 4 days to revise other imp subjects.

1. Polity- 10 Days
2. Geography- 8 Days
3. Economy- 9 Days

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper
2. Environment- Shankar notes Ch. 5-6 (13 Days remaining)
3. History Optional- Medieval history Vol. 2 Ch. 11-12 (14 Days remaining)

Yesterday, couldn't complete one chapter from Medieval history as per schedule. Need to put more hours today.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper
2. Environment- Shankar Notes Ch. 7, 9, 10 (12 Days remaining)
3. History Optional- Medieval history Vol. 2 Ch. 13 (13 Days remaining)

Yesterday was a slow day. Sunday. Had to stay up late to complete some portion. So I decided to lower the burden a bit for today.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper
2. Environment- Shankar notes ch. 11-16 (11 days remaining)
3. History Optional- Medieval India Vol. 2 Ch. 14-15 (12 Days remaining)

Have to slog more hours today compared to yesterday. Target was not big enough yesterday so I had good enough rest. Now fully rejuvenated. Good to see more participation on this thread. 

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper
2. Environment- Shankar notes Ch. 17-21 (10 Days remaining)
3. History Optional- Medieval India Vol. 2- Ch. 16-17 (11 Days remaining)

It will still take 3 more days to complete the Environment. Revision will have to be more intense for this part. some relief is that Vol.2 of Medieval Indian book will complete tonight. I will start with Vol. 1 from tomorrow.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper
2. Environment- Shankar notes Ch. 22-24 (9 Days remaining)
3. History Optional- Medieval India Vol. 1 Ch. 1-3 + Revise Vol. 2 Ch. 1 (10 Days remaining)
   

It is kind of weird that I am now revising the Delhi Sultanat after reading the Mughal Empire. After giving mains, I felt that I was not very strong with the  Mughal Empire portion and decided to firm that base. So I gave more time to that than usual. Now first volume will not take much time. And it will also free up lots of space for other subjects. But I will continue to keep on revising one chapter everyday from Vol. 2.  I just feel like I need to best that area in my optional.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper
2. Environment- Shankar Notes Ch. 25-29 (8 Days remaining)
3. History Optional- Medieval India Vol. 1 Ch. 4-5 + Revise Vol. 2 Ch. 2 (9 Days remaining)

Yesterday was an average day. Finally, I will complete the Environment part today.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper
2. Current Affairs- Economy (19 Days remaining)
3. History Optional- Medieval India Vol.1 Ch. 6-8 + Revise Vol. 2 Ch. 3 (8 Days remaining)

Starting with current affairs today. It is very dicey thing in Prelims. I think a good pt compilation should be sufficient.

Today's target:-

1. Newspaper
2. Current Affairs- Continue with Economy (18 days remaining)
3. History Optional- Medieval India Vol. 1  Ch. 8-10, 13 (7 Days remaining)

Yesterday, productivity fell down sharply at evening due to a stacked football schedule *sighs* Only one more day for Medieval India now.

1. Most of the current affairs questions in UPSC have become random and scarce. Sometimes news 2-3 years back is asked. Very little utility in making systematic notes out of any newspaper from Prelims persepctive. Better to spend that time in consolidating static portion and revising a good coaching compilation multiple times.
   
2. Rau's IAS has started an initiative of making videos on their YouTube channel every week on IE Explained section. They also provide notes. You can check that out.
   

Today's target:-

1. Current Affairs- Finish the Economy PT (17 Days remaining)
2. History Optional- Medieval India Vol. 1 Ch. 13-14 (6 Days remaining)
3. Starting with PYQs today for Prelims- Economic and Social Development (Part 1/5)

Yesterday went well. Tomorrow, I will start with answer writing for my optional like few pyqs from Medieval India. It is time to raise the level of preparation

Today's target:-

1. Current Affairs- Polity (16 Days remaining)
2. History Optional- World History Jain & Mathur Ch. 1 (14  days remaining)
3. Prelims PYQ- Economic and Social Development (1/5)
4. Optional PYQ answer writing- Medieval India (2)

Yesterday, couldn't start with Prelims PYQ, so I try again.

Good Morning all. Trying to get back into this habit yet again after months.

I am preparing for NABARD also so major portion of my study will be devoted to that for now but I will be focusing on my optional for few hours daily along with reading newspaper till the middle of August. 

So to get back into the rhythm, today's plan will be small and simple:-

1. Newspaper
2. History Optional- Ancient History- Post-Mauryan Period

Another small target is also to limit my walks. Only 5 minutes of walks after every hour. Small steps are required to get back into the rhythm. 

Good morning. After a good yesterday, it is time to increase one level. Target is to reach that previous level of consistency again.

Today's target:-

1. NABARD- Quant (Average); GA June Current Affairs
2. History Optional- Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas (Target is to complete Polity, Administration and Economic conditions portion)
3. PT 365- Government schemes (First 25 pages)

My target is 6-8 hours today. Keeping a timer of 30 minutes helps. I was able to limit my walks to a certain extent but I did overshoot that limit of 5 minutes once in the evening when I walked for nearly 30 minutes. I will try again today not to repeat that. The energy and enthusiasm here is wonderful. Keep going.

Good morning. So yesterday was hectic. So much work outside and I could study for 6 hours yesterday but could not  complete my target. I covered NABARD portion but not History optional. Today also there is some more work to be done. So I will keep it short.

1. PT365 Government Schemes (No specific target but intention is to complete it)
2. NABARD- Quant (Ratio and Proportion); Finish June 2021 GA for ARD; ESI schemes and Reports
   

One positive thing about yesterday was that I was able to limit my walks. Only once did I breach the limit. The more I study, the more I can control my wavering mind and can have less thoughts.

Good morning lovely people. So August starts from today. This will be very important month. We are so close now. So today there will be no more outings as no other work. Today I will be able to focus fully on my studies.

Today's target:-

1. NABARD- ESI Ch. 2-4; Revise June CA; Continue with Quant (Ratio and Proportion)
2. PT365 Government Schemes (Complete remaining portion)
3. History optional- Revise Post-Mauryan Time period; write few answers from that topic.
4. Geography NCERT Class 12th Ch. 3-4
5. Newspaper

Keeping it short yesterday helped. Exams coming nearer is helping me gain focus again. I need to develop a proper timetable for next two months. Fix the sources and allot days to them to make sure that I complete everything on time and give at least 2 revisions. Adjusting for NABARD exams is tricky but it must be done. I will try to do that today.