UPSC IAS Toppers Strategy for Prelims and Mains Exam 2025

Unlock the UPSC IAS Topper Strategy. Explore the tips and techniques used by top rankers, from NCERT reading to mock tests and time management, to ace your UPSC exam.

The UPSC IAS exam is one of the toughest exams in India. But many toppers have shown that with the right plan, smart study, and regular practice, students can crack it. This article shares the strategies and study tips used by UPSC toppers. This article explores the various strategies adopted by top rank holders in UPSC through the lens of the UPSC toppers Strategy.

Also Read: UPSC Toppers 2025

UPSC IAS Toppers Strategy Overview

UPSC IAS toppers follow a well-planned study routine. They study smart, focus on basics, revise regularly, and practice many questions. They make short notes, follow a fixed time table, and stay calm during the exam.

Also Read: UPSC Marksheet

Toppers Strategy for Prelims Exam

Every UPSC aspirant dreams of securing an All-India Rank (AIR), especially AIR-1. While toppers often say they never expected to reach the top, they prepare with dedication, clarity, and precision.

Topper	Rank & Year	Prelims Strategy
Shruti Sharma	AIR 1, 2021-22	Strong base in NCERTs Regular current affairs note-making Focus on answer writing Smart use of internet & minimal distractions
Kanishak Kataria	AIR 1, 2018	Studied 10–12 hours/day Focused on standard books Newspaper reading routine Joined coaching in Delhi
Ishita Kishore	AIR 1, 2022	Followed NCERTs + standard books Strict and consistent routine Focused on mock tests and revision Included meditation
Tina Dabi	AIR 1, 2016	Emphasized self-awareness and time management NCERTs as base Multiple revisions Focused on consistency
Yash Jaluka	AIR 4, 2020	8 hours/day prep 3–4 hours for current affairs Referred to monthly magazines Focused on static and dynamic balance
Satyam Gandhi	AIR 10, 2020	Prioritized core subjects (Polity, History, Economy) Regular test series practice Weekly targets and self-assessment
Sourabh K	AIR 260, 2022	Used 8+8+8 strategy (sleep, study, rest) Made notes using MS Word & speech-to-text Took 15 full length + 10 sectional tests
Yasharth Shekhar	AIR 12, 2021	Referred to both old & new NCERTs Books like GC Leong, PMF, Spectrum Focus on Science & Tech through CA Solved 60–100 mock tests

Also Read: UPSC Result 2025

Toppers Strategy for Mains Exam

The UPSC Mains exam is a big challenge for many students. But don’t worry! You can learn from the strategies of toppers who passed with flying colors. The UPSC IAS Toppers Strategy can help you prepare in a smart and organized way.

Know the Syllabus and Exam Pattern

The first thing you need to do is understand the syllabus. Toppers always read the syllabus carefully.

They know exactly what subjects are included.
They check which topics are more important by looking at past exam papers.
The exam has different papers like Essay, General Studies, Optional Subjects, and Language Papers.

Make a Study Plan

A good study plan is key to success. Toppers follow a set schedule to stay on track.
They make a daily plan for each subject: General Studies, Optional Subjects, and more.
They divide their study time wisely based on how easy or difficult the subject is.
For example, 3 hours for General Studies and 2 hours for Optional Subjects.

Practice Writing Answers

Writing answers is very important in this exam. Toppers practice answer writing every day.

They start by writing answers to past questions.

They follow the Introduction, Body, and Conclusion format.

They add examples and facts to make their answers better.

Make Simple and Useful Notes

Toppers know that good notes help with studying. They make short, easy-to-read notes.
They use pictures, charts, and bullet points to make notes easy to remember.
They keep separate notebooks for each subject.
They also add current news and important facts to their notes.

UPSC Toppers Result Marks PDF

Link Current Affairs with Subjects

Toppers know that current news is important for the exam. They always link what’s happening in the world with their studies.

They follow one good source for news.
They keep a notebook for current affairs and link the news with General Studies topics.

Focus on Essay, Ethics, and Optional Subjects

There are some papers like Essay, Ethics, and Optional Subjects that can help you score higher marks. Toppers work hard on these subjects.

Practice writing essays every week.
Choose topics that are easy to write about and related to real-life.
Read about real-life examples and stories to explain ethics topics.
Understand the main ideas and definitions well.
Choose a subject you like and can easily study.

Join a Test Series and Track Your Progress

Toppers always take mock tests to practice for the real exam.
They join a good test series to help them know how ready they are.
After each test, they look at their mistakes and improve.

Stay Positive and Keep Working Hard

They take breaks, relax, and keep a positive attitude.
They stay focused on their goal and don’t compare themselves to others.
Celebrate small achievements, like completing a topic or finishing a test.

Also Read: How to Prepare for UPSC Exam

UPSC Toppers Study Time Table

UPSC Toppers Study Time Table helps aspirants manage their day wisely by balancing study, revision, and rest. Following a structured routine like toppers increases focus, boosts confidence, and ensures full syllabus coverage before the exam.

Time	Activity
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM	Wake up, exercise, and meditation
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM	Freshen up and have breakfast
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM	Study Slot 1 – Polity/Economy/Environment/History
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM	Study Slot 2 – Optional Subject
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM	Lunch and rest
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM	Study Slot 3 – Ethics/Essay/CSAT
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Study Slot 4 – Remaining Subjects
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM	Physical activity, yoga, or sports
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM	Study Slot 5 – Current Affairs
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM	Study Slot 6 – Revision and Practice
8:30 PM – 9:00 PM	Dinner and leisure activities
9:00 PM – 10:00 PM	Final Revision/Daily Quiz
10:00 PM	Lights out and sleep

Also Read: UPSC Exam Pattern

The UPSC IAS Toppers Strategy is a mix of hard work, smart decisions, and unwavering commitment. Adopting these strategies can help every UPSC aspirant align their preparation towards success in the Prelims examination.

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