Daily Routine of IAS Toppers: Habits That Lead to Success

Cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination is no easy feat. Every year, lakhs of aspirants compete for a handful of prestigious posts such as IAS, IPS, and IFS. While talent and intelligence play their roles, what truly distinguishes the toppers is their unwavering discipline and a well-crafted daily routine. If you're preparing for the UPSC exam, understanding how toppers structure their day can help you optimize your own schedule and increase your chances of success.

In this blog, we delve into the daily routines and study habits of successful IAS toppers, offering you a blueprint you can adapt to your own lifestyle. These routines aren’t rigid but serve as models to inspire consistency, balance, and productivity.

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Why a Daily Routine Matters in UPSC Preparation

UPSC preparation is a long-term process, often spanning over a year or more. A consistent routine helps aspirants stay on track, avoid burnout, and ensure comprehensive coverage of the vast syllabus. A proper schedule:

• Ensures disciplined preparation
• Helps avoid procrastination
• Maintains a balance between studies, revision, and answer writing
• Provides time for physical and mental well-being
• Encourages time-bound targets and measurable progress

Many toppers attribute their success not just to studying hard, but to studying smart — and a well-planned routine is at the heart of that strategy.

Sample Daily Routine of IAS Toppers

Let’s explore a sample schedule followed by many successful IAS candidates. Note that this routine is flexible and can be customized to suit individual preferences, strengths, and weaknesses.

Morning (5:00 AM – 9:00 AM)

Most toppers begin their day early. Waking up around 5:00 or 5:30 AM helps to make use of the most peaceful hours of the day when the mind is fresh and distractions are minimal.

After waking up, toppers usually engage in a short physical activity session — this can be a walk, yoga, or light exercise to get the blood flowing and increase focus.

Around 6:00 AM, aspirants dive into their first study session of the day, usually covering subjects that require more focus like Polity, History, or Ethics. This is also a good time to study topics that involve a lot of memorization, such as Geography or Environment.

By 8:00 AM, they break for a light breakfast and refreshment, getting ready to begin the second study session by 8:30 or 9:00 AM.

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Midday (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM)

This period is often used for concept-building or in-depth study of optional subjects. This is the time when aspirants go through standard books, make notes, and understand the core themes of each subject.

Some candidates also prefer solving MCQs or practicing answer writing during this slot if they are targeting Prelims or Mains respectively.

The focus during these hours is maintaining maximum productivity with minimal breaks. A 5-minute break after every hour or so is often recommended to refresh the mind and avoid fatigue.

Lunch is typically scheduled around 1:00 PM, followed by a short rest period to recharge for the afternoon session.

Afternoon (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

The post-lunch session is reserved for lighter tasks such as reading newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express) or revising already-covered topics. Some toppers dedicate this time to watching video lectures for subjects like Economics or Current Affairs.

The aim during this slot is to reinforce knowledge rather than absorb new information. Revision, mind mapping, and note consolidation are commonly practiced.

Many toppers also solve previous years' question papers or take short mock tests to gauge their preparation.

Evening (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

Evenings can be used for self-assessment and targeted practice. Toppers often revise short notes, engage in online quizzes, or practice writing answers to daily questions posted by coaching institutes or found online.

This is also the time to catch up on current affairs, government reports, or Yojana/Kurukshetra summaries.

Around 7:30 or 8:00 PM, aspirants usually take a break for dinner and unwind a bit — perhaps listening to music, talking to family, or doing something to relax.

Night (9:00 PM – 11:00 PM)

Before going to bed, a short revision session is common among toppers. This could include reviewing what was studied during the day, re-reading notes, or planning the schedule for the next day.

A good night’s sleep is considered essential. Most toppers make sure they sleep for at least 6–7 hours, recognizing that mental clarity is critical for long hours of study.

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Study Habits That Set Toppers Apart

Beyond just daily scheduling, there are some powerful habits that high-ranking IAS candidates consistently follow. Here’s a closer look at those strategies:

1. Consistency Over Intensity

Rather than studying 14–16 hours a day sporadically, toppers emphasize consistent effort. Even a steady 8–10 hours of focused study each day yields better results over time than irregular marathon sessions.

2. Effective Note-Making

Toppers create concise, well-organized notes from standard books and resources. These notes are updated with current affairs and help in quick revision before the exam.

3. Answer Writing Practice

Many IAS toppers stress the importance of answer writing for Mains. They regularly practice writing answers under timed conditions and seek feedback to improve their style, structure, and content delivery.

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4. Mock Tests

Mock tests are a cornerstone of a topper’s preparation strategy. Whether for Prelims or Mains, regular mock tests help identify weaknesses, improve time management, and build exam temperament.

5. Focused Revision Strategy

The UPSC syllabus is vast, and revision is crucial. Toppers often follow a 3-tier revision strategy — first, shortly after studying a topic; second, after a week or two; and third, during the final days before the exam.

6. Current Affairs Integration

Instead of treating current affairs as a separate subject, toppers integrate them with their static syllabus. For example, linking daily news with related topics in Polity or Economy helps reinforce understanding.

7. Staying Mentally and Physically Healthy

IAS toppers understand the value of mental peace and physical health. Many engage in yoga, meditation, or regular walks. Staying positive and avoiding burnout is essential in a year-long preparation cycle.

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Real Toppers’ Tips and Routines

Let’s look at what some real-life toppers had to say about their daily schedules:

• Anudeep Durishetty (AIR 1, 2017) mentioned that sticking to a flexible but productive schedule helped him stay focused and cover every aspect of the exam, from GS papers to optional and Ethics.
• Tina Dabi (AIR 1, 2015) followed a routine that emphasized early rising, daily newspaper reading, and answer writing. She also took weekly breaks to relax and rejuvenate.
• Gaurav Agarwal (AIR 1, 2013) credited his success to regular self-assessment, daily target setting, and a simple, distraction-free lifestyle that revolved around consistent learning.

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Final Thoughts

There is no one-size-fits-all daily routine for UPSC preparation, but what’s common among IAS toppers is their discipline, commitment, and smart study approach. Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, the key is to create a realistic and sustainable schedule that fits your lifestyle and maximizes your productivity.

Start by identifying your peak productivity hours, choose quality over quantity, and stick to your daily plan with dedication. The IAS dream is achievable — and with the right routine, it’s closer than you think. Stay consistent, stay calm, and believe in your process.