Studying for the UPSC CSE after the Prelims and before the Mains

The Hindu

13-07-2025

Every year, lakhs of aspirants take the UPSC Civil Services Examination but only a small fraction are successful. What distinguishes successful candidates is how they behave in the high-stakes gap between the Prelims and the Mains, a period of around 100 days that rarely makes headlines but almost always shapes final ranks. These are not days of passivity or linear preparation; they involve deep introspection, disciplined execution, and structured course correction.
From recall to analysis
Most aspirants approach the Prelims with an information-heavy strategy, solving MCQs, memorising facts, and guessing under pressure. The first thing that changes post-Prelims is mindset. The Mains do not reward memory but require clarity, structure, and articulation.
Toppers flip this switch within 24-48 hours and move away from solving MCQs and begin writing General Studies answers, Ethics case studies, essays ... even when they feel unprepared. This isn't about performance; it's about creating neural familiarity with expression, which leads to clarity.
Planning in cycles
Top performers do not follow subject-based study plans. Instead, they work in tightly managed revision cycles. A typical rolling plan includes rotating through three General Studies papers each week, two essay drafts, and one complete revision every 20 days. This keeps all subjects fresh, reinforces retention, and reduces last-minute overload.
They also measure output more than input. Instead of reading or obsessing over new material, they dedicate 60% or more of their time to writing answers, reviewing them, and applying feedback. They focus not just on writing, but re-writing and understanding how to say more with less.
Course correction
Contrary to popular belief, toppers don't just work harder; they correct faster. One of the most striking behavioural traits is the willingness to audit themselves with a mentor. One practice is maintaining a 'weak areas' document: a simple list of low-scoring topics, frequently mismanaged themes, or personal writing pitfalls. This feeds directly into weekly test plans and revision focus areas. An underrated pillar at this point is guided mentorship, not in the traditional sense of instruction, but in the form of strategic oversight. This is where fault-finding becomes productive. When a mentor tells a candidate that their answer lacks balance or that their ethics case studies are predictable, it's not criticism; it's a compass. Without this external calibration, many end up over-preparing in comfort zones while neglecting weak points.
The writer is the co-founder and CEO of Civilsdaily IAS.