“You don’t need more time. You need more focus.”

Can Working Professionals Clear UPSC?

Thousands of working professionals dream of becoming IAS, IPS, or IFS officers every year. But there is one nagging question that prevents them from taking the first step: can I clear UPSC while working full-time? The answer, irrespective of endless success stories, is yes. The Civil Services Examination may be a challenging and Time taking process. Indeed, several have cleared the exam amidst careers, responsibilities, and studies—acquiring success with discipline, planning, and dedication.

• Anudeep Durishetty (AIR 1 – UPSC 2017) was already employed as an IRS officer and had previously worked with Google when he secured the top rank in the UPSC exam in 2017. He studied for the exam alongside performing his professional duties. He studied during weekends and early mornings and mastered answer writing and test series to make his Mains performance strong. His achievement indicates that determination and systematic self-study can bring the top rank.
• Rajath, an IIT–IIM alumnus, secured AIR 169 in UPSC CSE 2024, all while working full-time.
• Animesh Pradhan’s story—another full-time professional who clinched AIR 2 in 2023, showcasing that such feats are absolutely possible.

Should You Leave Your Job to Prepare for UPSC?

One of the earliest conundrums for aspirants is whether to leave their job to prepare. Although committing yourself fully to UPSC preparation sounds perfect, it’s not always feasible. Financial security, work experience, and mental health are just as important. Having a job enables you to prepare with a feeling of stability and relieves the pressure of outcomes. Your work experience can also come in handy at the UPSC interview. Unless you’ve completed the syllabus and you’re confident post-Prelims, leaving your job midway through the process isn’t a good idea.

When to Start Your UPSC Exam Preparation?

The ideal time to start preparation is at least 9 to 10 months prior to the Prelims. The initial months must go towards establishing a strong foundation in fundamentals such as polity, history, economy, and geography. Meanwhile, you must also start preparing for the optional subject. Preparation of Prelims and Mains simultaneously in this phase is important as there is plenty of overlapping topics and themes.

How to Plan Your Daily Routine

A balanced and regular daily schedule is necessary for effective preparation for working professionals. The early morning period, i.e., between 3:30 or 4 AM and 7 or 8AM, is most suitable for undistracted study. Allocate this time to study major General Studies topics and general awareness, as your mind is refreshed and distractions are less.
This forms a good basis for your preparation and paces the whole day.

What to Do After Work?

As soon as you come back from work, everyone is mentally tired. Instead of trying to learn new topics, spend this time on revision. Revise at least for 30 minutes what you read in the morning. Utilize flashcards, brief notes, or MCQs for the reinforcement of learning. Revision aids retention. Even a brief evening session keeps your preparation on track.

Use Commute Time Wisely

Commute time is usually wasted, but it has the potential to become a goldmine. Use travel time on a metro, bus, or cab to listen to audio lectures, UPSC podcasts, or optional subject summaries. You can also read short current affairs updates or quick quizzes. Even 30 to 60 minutes a day, if utilized properly, can add 3 to 5 additional hours of study time every week.

Keep Study Material Handy at Work

In between office hours or idle time, keep your study material handy. Save books, notes, or articles in digital form on your mobile or laptop. Take advantage of these small breaks to cover the odd topics such as Environment, Science & Tech, Ethics, or snippets for Essay content. Rather than browsing through social media, utilize that time for quick revision or reading a PIB/PRS update.

Maximize Weekend Preparation

Weekends are very important for aspirants at work. You should ideally spend a minimum of 10 hours throughout Saturday and Sunday on preparation. Early mornings should be utilized for the revision of topics of the week. Mid-mornings and afternoon times should be allocated for solving mock tests, practicing previous year questions, and attempting Mains answers. Late evenings can be utilized for reading your optional subject or strengthening weak areas.

Weekly Study Plan 

Your daily schedule must incorporate morning daily study of GS subjects, evening optional subject or revision, and breaks for current affairs. Organize weekends for full-length revisions, essays, and mock tests. Day-wise planning of your schedule keeps you under control and less anxious.

What to Read:

A minimal booklist is recommended for working aspirants. Have one book for a subject and read it thoroughly. For instance:

• Polity – M. Laxmikant
• History – Spectrum
• Economy – Ramesh Singh
• Geography – NCERTs + GC Leong
• Environment – Shankar IAS
• Current Affairs – The Hindu/Indian Express + Any monthly compilations (E.g.: KPIAS Current Affairs (CARE) Available in our Website)

Pick your optional subject judiciously, and study it over the weekends.

Year-Wise Strategy for Working Professionals

Throughout Year- 1, read NCERTs, finish basic books, choose and study your optional subject, and do Prelims and Mains together. In Year 2, start daily answer writing, join a test series, and deepen your understanding of ethics, essay writing, and current affairs. If you’re feeling confident after Prelims, consider taking study leave to concentrate solely on Mains preparation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Quitting your job too early
• Following too many resources
• Ignoring CSAT and Essay
• Skipping Daily Revisions
• Not taking mock tests or test series seriously
• Letting fatigue or overwork disrupt your consistency

Final Thoughts: You Can Make It

Studying for UPSC while maintaining a full-time job is challenging but absolutely doable. It requires strategic planning, discipline, and the power to ward off distractions. It involves sacrifices—time, comfort, and sometimes even your social life. But what you reap in return is invaluable: purpose, growth, and the ability to serve the country at the highest level. So, wake up early. Make the most of every minute. Utilize your phone as a library. Utilize your commute as a classroom.

Utilize your weekends. Most importantly, remain consistent and believe in the process. You don’t have to resign from work to begin your UPSC journey—you just have to re-prioritize. You are not behind. You are moving ahead on your own speed. Keep climbing; your destination is nearer than you believe.