How to Study 8 Hours Daily for UPSC & State PCS Preparation

INTRODUCTION

Learn how to study 8 hours daily for UPSC and State PCS preparation. Subject-wise time division, do’s & don’ts, and smart study strategy.

Time is the biggest difference between a successful aspirant and a confused aspirant. Same syllabus, same books — but better use of time gives better results. 

This article explains how to plan daily study time, especially if you can study around 8 hours per day. 

AVAILABILITY OF TIME PER DAY

Civil Services aspirants are of different types:

• Regular students (full-time preparation)
• Students with coaching
• Self-study aspirants
• Working professionals

Because of this, available study time differs. 

• Regular students → 9–10 hours possible
• Working aspirants → 4–6 hours realistically 

For simplicity and balance, we assume: 8 hours per day for self-study

This is a practical and achievable target for most serious aspirants. 

SUBJECT TO BE STUDIED

A UPSC or State PCS aspirant has to study: 

General Studies (GS) 

• History
• Geography
• Polity
• Economy
• Science & Technology
• Environment
• Current Affairs

One Optional Subject

Sources may include: 

• NCERT & standard books
• Newspapers
• Magazines
• YouTube (limited use)
• Government reports

But remember: 

Too many sources create confusion, not clarity. 

TIME MANAGEMENT : 08 HOURS RULE

To study effectively, divide 8 hours into four equal slots:

• 4 slots × 2 hours each = 8 hours

Why 2 hours?

• Less than 2 hours → no depth
• More than 2 hours → loss of focus 

👉 2 hours is the best concentration window 

How to Study in Each Slot (Most Important) 

1. Study One Subject Continuously for 2 Hours

• Do NOT change subjects every 15–30 minutes
• Brain needs time to settle into a subject

Simple Example 

If you start Indian History: 

• Study it continuously for 2 hours
• Then take a short break
• Move to another subject only after that 

2. Study Subjects in Proper Sequence 

Example: Indian History 

Correct method:

• Ancient History → complete
• Then Medieval History
• Then Modern History

Wrong method:

• Day 1: Modern
• Day 2: Medieval
• Day 3: Ancient

👉 This creates fragmented understanding. 

Same rule applies to:

• Geography (Indian → then World)
• Polity
• Economy

HOW TO DIVIDE 08 HOURS DAILY

General Studies – 4 Hours 

• Choose 2 GS subjects at a time
  • Example: History + Geography
• Study each for 2 hours
• Complete them fully before switching 

Optional Subject – 2 Hours 

• Daily optional study is compulsory
• Keeps continuity and depth 

Current Affairs – 2 Hours 

• Newspaper
• Monthly magazine
• Notes making 

👉 GS + Optional + Current Affairs = Balanced preparation 

DO’S : FOLLOW STRICTLY

• Study one subject for at least 2 hours
• Divide time into equal slots
• Study Optional along with GS
• Finish one book completely before changing
• Underline important points in first reading
• Revise at regular intervals
• Take 10-minute break after every 2-hour slot 

DONT’S : AVOID THESE MISTAKES

• Don’t study 3–4 subjects in one day
• Don’t read more than 2 hours continuously
• Don’t waste time on social media
• Don’t depend too much on YouTube
• Don’t keep changing books frequently 

FINAL ADVICE 

Civil Services preparation is not about: 

• Studying all day
• Watching endless videos
• Reading too many books 

It is about:

• Consistency
• Discipline
• Smart time management

Even 8 focused hours daily are enough to clear Prelims and Mains if used properly.