Hello Comrade, Before we go into details on the Foundation Plan. If you jump straight into this writeup without reading my complete preparation strategy first, you’ll probably get confused about what I’m trying to tell you. Here is the link to read that write-up UPSC Civils Exam Full Preparation Plan From Start to Finish. Go and read that before proceeding here.
Click on Topic to Read
What Exactly Is This Foundation Course?
- Think of the Foundation Course as your comprehensive introduction to the UPSC world. We’re going to cover ALL the subjects that appear in both Prelims and Mains exams. It’s basically like studying each subject the way you did during your graduation – systematically and thoroughly.
- The main role of this approach is that we’re covering the most important topics of each subject in a structured manner. You’re not randomly jumping between topics or getting lost in unnecessary details. Every subject gets its dedicated time and attention.
The Weekly Subject Plan: Simple but Effective
Here’s how we’re going to tackle each subject:
We’ll dedicate exactly one week to each subject. I’ve already given you the list of books for each subject and divided their syllabus into 5 manageable parts. If you’re a dedicated UPSC aspirant, you should be able to complete each part in one day.
Note: If you’re currently working, this plan needs some tweaking – I’ll write a separate post on how to adapt this plan for working professionals.
Your Daily Schedule for Each Subject:
| Day | What To Read |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | 1st Part of the Book+ 1st Part Test Questions |
| Day 2 | 2nd Part of the Book+ 2nd Part Test Questions |
| Day 3 | 3rd Part of the Book+ 3rd Part Test Questions |
| Day 4 | 4th Part of the Book+ 4th Part Test Questions |
| Day 5 | 5th Part of the Book+ 5th Part Test Questions |
| Day 6 | Full Revision of the book+ Full all 5 parts Test Questions |
| Day 7 | Your free “cheat day” (can be any day of the week) |
So you’ll complete the entire subject book in 5 days, spend one day revising everything, and have one completely free day to do whatever you want to do.
The Importance of Subject Sequence
- The subjects listed below aren’t arranged randomly – you must read them in the exact order I’ve given. These subjects don’t just relate to each other; they literally build upon one another.
- For example, you need to understand World Geography to grasp Indian Geography better. Similarly, you must complete World Geography to understand World History properly. Trust me on this – if you want peace of mind and faster completion of the UPSC syllabus, just follow the sequence I’ve laid out.
What If You Already Have Some Books?
Look, I’m not here to make you spend money unnecessarily. If you already have some UPSC books, please don’t buy another set just because I’m recommending different ones. That would be a waste of your money! instead, spend that on your favourite meal and complete the subject syllabus on time.
- If you have some books already: Buy only those subject books you don’t have.
- Before buying everything: Buy just one or two books first, if you like the way I am covering the syllabus then only buy the rest of all the books at once.
- If you have all the subject books: Simply complete the syllabus and attempt the part-wise test questions like how i said.
The Daily Routine: Keep It Simple
The plan is simple and achievable:
You wake up every day and check – “Is today my free cheat day?” If not, you straight away open the subject book I’ve told you to read and complete the part assigned for that day and attempt test questions of that part.
Remember, each subject is divided into 5 parts, and you complete one part every day. On the 6th day, you revise all parts. And on the 7th day? Well, we’ll both eat pizza together if you’ve completed all the parts as planned for that week!
Important Note About Test Scores:
- Please don’t get disheartened if you score low in these tests initially. These exams aren’t designed to test your suitability for UPSC or predict your chances of cracking the exam. You still have a lot to learn, and there’s plenty of time for improvement.
- Take these test results positively and use them to identify areas where you need to strengthen your understanding. That’s their real purpose.
Current Affairs: Our Approach
- While you’re going through the foundation course, just glance through that day’s newspaper during any break. Don’t prepare detailed notes from newspapers – that’s not efficient at this stage.
- I’ll prepare subject-wise current affairs material that you’ll study all at once after completing the foundation course. This systematic approach prevents information overload and ensures better retention.
The Complete Timeline
- You’ll repeat this same process for 14-15 weeks, and your foundation course will be complete. Then we move on to current affairs preparation.
- Sounds simple, right? Yes, it is simple – if you do what we’ve decided to complete each day.
Your Complete Foundation Course Subjects
- Here’s your complete roadmap (I’m still streamlining some materials to fit this comprehensive plan, so some links will be activated gradually):
- Remember, I’m not rigid about which specific books you read, but I am absolutely firm about the consistency with which you read them and stick to the given timeframe. That’s what will make all the difference in your UPSC journey.
Most of the preparation-related topics like how to be consistent with your preparation I already discussed in the full plan. when you doubt your preparation read that post one more time.
Your Next Steps: From Planning to Action
Book Selection & Purchase
As we discussed in your complete preparation plan, you have the freedom to choose which books you want to purchase. Only buy books for subjects where you don’t already have quality study material.
Remember: One good book per subject is sufficient for thorough preparation.
Your Preparation Roadmap
- Follow the Schedule: Complete all subjects one by one as outlined in your personalized weekly plans
- Maintain Consistency: Stick to your preparation streak without breaks
- Test Your Knowledge: After completing all subjects, attempt the corresponding online test series as per our revision plan.
Free Test Series Access
The complete test series for all subjects is available below. Use these tests to evaluate your understanding and identify areas that need more focus.
Important Links & Activation Timeline
All required links are provided below. To ensure smooth access and prevent overwhelming, these links will be activated progressively over time.
A Crucial Reminder
Stop Searching, Start Preparing!
The answers to all your preparation questions will naturally unfold as you begin studying. If you keep searching for perfect answers without actually starting your preparation, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
Your success formula is simple:
- Start preparing NOW
- Follow your weekly plans consistently
- Maintain your preparation streak
- Trust the process
All the best for your UPSC journey!
Links to All Subject Books + Test Series
| S.No | Book Written By Me | Book link to Reputed Author in Market |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | World Geography By Ravi Yalavarthi | World Geography By Wiley |
| 2 | Indian Geography | |
| 3 | World History | |
| 4 | Indian Ancient History | |
| 5 | Indian Modern History | |
| 6 | Indian Polity | |
| 7 | Indian Economy | |
| 8 | General Science and Technology | |
| 9 | International Relations | |
| 10 | Indian Culture and Heritage | |
| 11 | Indian Society | |
| 12 | Internal Security Disaster Management | |
| 13 | Ecology Environment and Bio-diversity | |
| 14 | Prelims Paper2- All In One |