UPSC CSE — Calendar & Strategy
Plan your 2025–26 attempt with official dates, a crisp roadmap, and a practical booklist.
✓ Completed
CSE Prelims 2025
Sunday, 25 May 2025
As per UPSC Annual Calendar 2025 (Official PDF).
⏰ Upcoming
CSE Mains 2025
Starts 22 Aug 2025 • over two consecutive weekends (concludes 31 Aug 2025).
- 8 papers (Essay + GS I–IV + Optional I–II + Qualifying Lang).
- Admit card released at upsc.gov.in.
📅 Next Cycle
CSE Prelims 2026
Sunday, 24 May 2026 (as per UPSC 2026 calendar).
Plan revision cycles backward from this date.
📚 Plan Ahead
CSE Mains 2026
From 21 Aug 2026 (five days as scheduled).
Build answer-writing stamina and optional depth.
Note: Dates are from UPSC releases; always re-check the official website for updates or changes.
10-Point Strategy (Actionable)
- Syllabus-first mapping: Keep UPSC syllabus in front; tag every topic in your notes.
- NCERT → Standard books: 6–12 NCERTs, then Laxmikanth, Spectrum, GC Leong, Shankar Env, Economy basics.
- CSAT daily (45–60 min): Aptitude + comprehension—treat it as a qualifying risk, not an afterthought.
- Current Affairs (1 hr/day): PIB + PRS + reliable monthly compilations; make 1-page theme sheets.
- Revision loops: 1–7–30 day spaced revision; use flashcards for facts and one-pagers for themes.
- Prelims mocks: 40–60 GS + 15 CSAT, full OMR/CBT simulation; analyze error log.
- Mains answer-writing: 3 answers/day (8–9 mins each) → weekend sectional tests.
- Optional discipline: Finish core notes by Jan; 8–10 full-length tests before Mains.
- Essay cadence: 1 essay/week; practice structure (thesis → 4 themes → counterview → way-forward).
- Ethics edge: Maintain case-study bank (definitions, stakeholders, principles, 7–8 ready frameworks).
Phase-wise Roadmap
Aug–Nov 2025 • Foundation & Optional Core
Complete NCERTs & standard texts once; write 200+ MCQs/week; optional Paper I notes ready.
Dec 2025–May 2026 • Prelims Sprint
2 full mocks/week → 3 in Apr–May; current affairs consolidation; CSAT daily; PYQs last 10 years.
Jun–Aug 2026 • Mains Build
8-paper test plan; value-addition sheets; optional Paper II depth; ethics case drills.
Core Booklist (Quick View)
| Area | Go-to Resource |
|---|---|
| Polity | M. Laxmikanth + Polity PYQs |
| History | Spectrum (Modern) + Old NCERTs |
| Geography | GC Leong + Atlas practice |
| Economy | Basics (Class XI–XII) + Budget/Eco Survey notes |
| Environment | Shankar IAS + recent conventions, reports |
| Science & Tech | PIB/ISRO/MeitY updates + simple notes |
| CSAT | Quant/Reasoning practice book + daily RC sets |
Tip: Keep a single “living” notes doc—syllabus headings as H2, PYQ tags as inline chips, and a weekly revision checklist.