IAS Prelims 2026 Preparation Strategy: 6-Month Subject-Wise Plan

Cracking the IAS Prelims 2026 in just 6 months is challenging—but absolutely achievable—with the right strategy, discipline, and syllabus-focused preparation. Every year, thousands of aspirants fail not because of a lack of effort, but because of poor planning and a lack of subject prioritization.

UPSC Prelims is not about studying everything. It is about studying the right things repeatedly, practicing MCQs, and mastering elimination techniques. This guide presents a realistic 6-month subject-wise IAS Prelims 2026 preparation strategy, aligned strictly with the official UPSC syllabus, current exam trends, and topper-tested methods.

Understanding IAS Prelims Exam 2026: At a Glance

The UPSC Prelims consists of two papers:

Paper	Name	No. of Questions	Marks	Nature	Qualifying marks
Paper 1	General Studies (GS)	100	200	Merit-based	Negative marking: 1/3, Decides qualification for Mains
Paper 2	CSAT	80	200	Qualifying	33% minimum required, No impact on merit

The Golden Rule of 6-Month Preparation

If you have only 6 months, you must:

• Read limited sources
• Revise multiple times
• Practice daily MCQs
• Integrate current affairs with static subjects

IAS Pre Syllabus 2026: General Studies I & II 

GS Paper I Syllabus (General Studies)

• Current affairs of national and international significance
• Indian history with a focus on the freedom movement
• Physical, social, and economic geography of India and the world
• Indian polity and governance, including the Constitution, political system, public policy, Panchayati Raj, and rights issues
• Economic and social development covering sustainability, poverty, inclusion, demographics, and social sector initiatives
• Environment, ecology, biodiversity, and climate change (general awareness level)
• General science

GS Paper II Syllabus (CSAT)

• Reading comprehension
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability
• Decision-making and problem-solving
• General mental ability
• Basic numeracy and data interpretation (Class X level: numbers, graphs, tables, charts, and data sufficiency)

Previous Year Questions Trend: Subject-wise

Subject	2021 (Qs)	2022 (Qs)	2023 (Qs)	2024 (Qs)	Expected 2025 (Qs)
Polity	15–18	18–20	16–18	20	18–20
History	18–20	15–17	18–20	15	16–18
Geography	13–15	18	16–18	15–17	15–17
Economy	15–17	12–15	12–15	12–14	13–15
Current Affairs	18–20	20–22	20–22	20–22	22–24
Environment & Ecology	10–12	12–14	12–14	12–14	13–15
Science & Tech	8–10	8–10	8–10	7–9	7–9

6 Months Plan-Subject Wise IAS Prelims 2026 Strategy

Month 1: Polity + Current Affairs Foundation

Key Topic from Polity in IAS Prelims 2026

Main Topic Name	Sub-Topics Must be Covered
Constitutional Evolution	British rule phases (1773–1858 & 1858–1947); major Acts and reforms; Constituent Assembly formation, working, committees; sources and growth of the Indian Constitution.
Core Features of the Constitution	Meaning and types of constitutions; objectives and philosophy; federal vs unitary setup; parliamentary and presidential systems; types of majority; Preamble values; amendment procedure; basic structure theory; important constitutional doctrines; schedules and official languages.
Union and Territorial Structure	Articles 1–4; formation, merger, and reorganization of states; creation of Union Territories; boundary changes; related constitutional provisions.
Citizenship	Constitutional articles; Citizenship Act and amendments; acquisition and termination of citizenship; OCI and NRI issues; Indian diaspora and Pravasi Bharatiya framework.
Fundamental Rights	Articles 12–35; equality, freedoms, religion, exploitation, cultural and educational rights; Article 32; limitations and exceptions; related constitutional provisions.
Directive Principles of State Policy	Objectives and classification; social, economic, and Gandhian principles; key DPSP articles; implementation challenges; constitutional amendments and recent relevance.
Fundamental Duties	Article 51A; list of duties; importance and scope; relationship with rights; judicial interpretation and recent debates.
Governance Framework	Centre–State relations (legislative, administrative, financial); interstate relations; special provisions for states; national, state, and financial emergencies.
Parliament and Legislative Process	Structure and powers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha; qualifications and disqualifications; types of bills; budget process; parliamentary privileges; committees and procedures.
State Government System	Governor’s role; Chief Minister and Council of Ministers; State Legislature structure; Speaker, powers, and functioning.
Local Self-Government	73rd & 74th Amendments; Panchayati Raj institutions; urban local bodies; powers, responsibilities, and administrative structure.
Union Territories & Special Regions	UT administration, special status areas, Scheduled and Tribal areas; constitutional safeguards and governance models.
Judicial System	Supreme Court and High Courts structure; appointments, powers, and independence; subordinate courts; alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Constitutional & Statutory Bodies	Election Commission, CAG, UPSC, PSCs, Finance Commission, Lokpal, Information Commissions, vigilance and regulatory bodies.
Political System & Elections	Electoral process; Representation of People Acts; political parties and party systems; coalition politics; anti-defection law; election reforms; pressure groups and civil society.

Current Affairs Key Topic for UPSC Prelims 2026

Subject	Key Topics & Current Issues
Economy	Financial Inclusion Index, Project AMBER, Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs), RBI flagship reports, Vostro account mechanism, Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs), Sovereign Green Bonds, New Foreign Trade Policy
Environment & Ecology	Brazzaville Summit, COP-28 outcomes, Plastiglomerates, Montreal Protocol updates, Cloud Seeding technology, Baghjan Oil Spill case, Marine Spatial Planning Framework, MISHTI mangrove initiative
Polity & Governance	Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, National Security Act, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Compassionate Appointment rules, Disqualification of legislators, Parliamentary privileges, GNCTD (Amendment) Act 2023, LIMBS Project, Nagaland Municipal Act
International Relations & Social Issues	Mekong–Ganga Cooperation, OPEC & OPEC+, C+C5 framework, Rasht–Astara Railway Corridor, Indo-Pacific initiatives (IFC-IOR), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Global Initiative for Digital Health, GPAI, ASER Report, SCO Summit
Science & Technology	Immune Imprinting, Molecular Motors, Organ-on-Chip technology, Monoclonal Antibodies, Web 3.0, Giant Magnetoresistance, GPS Spoofing threats, India’s supercomputing missions

Why Should your Start with Polity? Polity is high-scoring, more static, and current-linked. Direct questions come from common topics.

Study Sources for UPSC Prelims Polity

Preparation Stage	Resources / Sources
Foundational Stage (Conceptual Clarity)	NCERT Class 9 & 10 – Democratic PoliticsNCERT Class 11 – Indian Constitution at Work
Core & Detailed Study (Standard Books)	M. Laxmikanth – Indian PolityD.D. Basu – Introduction to the Constitution of India, Subhash C. Kashyap – Our Parliament
Integration with Current Affairs (Dynamic Portion)	Newspapers – The Hindu / The Indian Express, PIB & Official Government Websites

• Solve 25–30 Polity MCQs daily
• One full Polity revision by month’s end

Month 2: Ancient, Medieval, & Modern Indian + Art & Culture

Key History Topics for UPSC Prelims

History Topic	Sub Topics to Focus
Ancient Indian History	Indus Valley Civilization (Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Dholavira, Lothal), Vedic Age (Early & Later Vedic Society, Vedas), Mahajanapadas & Rise of Magadha, Buddhism & Jainism (Teachings, Councils, Symbols), Mauryan Empire (Chandragupta, Ashoka, Administration, Dhamma), Post-Mauryan Period (Indo-Greeks, Kushans, Shakas), Gupta Empire (Golden Age, Science, Art & Culture)
Medieval Indian History	Early Medieval Kingdoms (Chalukyas, Pallavas, Cholas, Rashtrakutas), Delhi Sultanate (Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodhi dynasties), Bhakti & Sufi Movements (Saints, ideas, impact on society), Vijayanagara & Bahmani Kingdoms, Mughal Empire (Akbar to Aurangzeb, administration, culture), Maratha Empire (Shivaji, administration, expansion)
Modern Indian History	Advent of Europeans (Portuguese, Dutch, English, French)British Expansion (Plassey, Buxar, Company Rule), British Economic Policies (Land revenue systems, Drain of Wealth), Tribal & Peasant Movements, Revolt of 1857 (Causes, nature, consequences), Social Reform Movements (Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Arya Samaj, Brahmo Samaj), Indian National Movement (1885–1947), Gandhian Movements (Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India), Partition & Independence (1947)

Key Art & Culture Topic for UPSC Prelims 2026

Key Topics	Subtopics
Architecture	Temple Architecture (Nagara, Dravida, Vesara), Gupta, Pallava, Chola, Rashtrakuta, Hoysala, Kakatiya styles, Regional Temples (Odisha, Gujarat, Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Himachal, J&K), Indo-Islamic Architecture, Mughal Architecture, Provincial Architecture, European Architecture in India
Pottery & Material Culture	Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP), Black and Red Ware (BRW), Painted Grey Ware (PGW), Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW), Modern Pottery
Coinage	Mauryan Coins, Kushana Coins, Satavahana Coins, Gupta Coins, Sultanate Coins, Mughal Coins, European Coinage
Paintings	Prehistoric Cave Paintings, Mural Paintings, Miniature Paintings, Rajput School, Pahari School, Deccan & Regional Schools, Modern & Contemporary Paintings
Sculpture	Harappan Sculptures, Mauryan & Post-Mauryan Sculptures, Buddhist & Jain Sculptures, Gupta Period Sculptures, Modern Sculptures
Languages & Literature	Classical Languages of India, Sanskrit, Pali & Prakrit Literature, Regional Literature, Foreign Travellers’ Accounts
Indian Philosophy	Orthodox Schools (Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, Vedanta), Heterodox School (Charvaka)
Religious Traditions	Buddhism (Councils, Symbols, Teachings), Jainism (Tirthankaras, Doctrines), Brahmanism
Bhakti & Sufi Movements	Saguna & Nirguna Bhakti, Major Bhakti Saints, Sufi Orders & Saints, Impact on Society & Culture
Dance	Classical Dances (origin, features, exponents), Folk Dances, Dances linked with festivals
Music	Hindustani & Carnatic Music, Gharanas, Musical Instruments, Folk & Modern Music
Theatre & Puppetry	Traditional & Modern Indian Theatre, String, Rod, Glove & Shadow Puppetry
Festivals of India	Religious, Tribal & Regional Festivals, Associated Dance, Music & Food
Government Initiatives & Awards	HRIDAY, PRASAD, Swadesh Darshan, Incredible India Campaign, Adarsh Smarak Yojana, Cultural Awards
GI Tags & UNESCO	GI-tagged Products, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Intangible Cultural Heritage List, Creative Cities Network, Global Geoparks

• Focus more on Modern History and Culture should be linked with current events

Study Sources for UPSC Prelims History & Culture

Subject / Area	Resources
Foundation Books	NCERTs Class 6–12 – Our Past Series, NCERT – Themes in Indian History (Part I, II & III)
Art & Culture (Basics)	NCERT Class 11 – An Introduction to Indian Art, CCRT (Centre for Cultural Resources and Training) Website
Ancient History	R.S. Sharma – India’s Ancient Past, A.L. Basham – The Wonder That Was India
Medieval History	Satish Chandra – History of Medieval India, Vajiram & Ravi Yellow Book (Medieval History)
Modern History & Freedom Struggle	Spectrum – A Brief History of Modern India, Bipan Chandra – History of Modern India, Bipan Chandra – India’s Struggle for Independence
Indian Art & Culture (Advanced)	Nitin Singhania – Indian Art and Culture, CCRT Website (official reference)
World History	Arjun Dev – Old NCERTs (World History), Norman Lowe – Mastering World History

Target Timeline-based revision and practice 20–25 History MCQs daily.

Month 3: India & World Geography Key Topic for IAS Pre 2026

Geography Topics	Subtopic
Physical Geography	Structure of the Earth (crust, mantle, core), Plate tectonics & continental drift, Landforms and geomorphic processes (erosion, deposition, weathering), Atmospheric circulation, pressure belts, winds, jet streams, Monsoons, cyclones, western disturbances, Ocean currents, tides, El Niño & La Niña, Climate systems & Köppen climate classification
Indian Geography	Physiographic divisions of India (Himalayas, plains, plateau, coasts, islands), Major rivers & river systems (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra etc.), Indian monsoon mechanism & climate variability, Soil types and their distribution, Agriculture patterns & major cropsIrrigation systems & water resources, Minerals, forests & energy resources
World Geography	Continents & oceans (location-based questions), Major mountain ranges, plateaus & deserts, Important rivers & lakes of the world, Natural regions (rainforests, savannas, tundra, deserts), Earthquakes, volcanoes & tsunami-prone zones
Environmental Geography	Ecosystems & ecological pyramidsBiodiversity hotspots & conservation areas, Climate change impacts & mitigation, Global warming & greenhouse gases, Pollution (air, water, soil, noise), Environmental degradation & sustainability
Geography & Current Affairs	Recent natural disasters (cyclones, floods, earthquakes), Climate agreements & environmental conventions, Renewable energy geography, Water disputes & river interlinking projects, Geo-political location-based news
Map-Based Geography	Indian rivers, dams & national parks, World straits, seas & chokepoints, Countries in news & bordering regions, Volcano belts & earthquake zones

Strategy: Learn through maps and focus on conceptual clarity (rivers, monsoons, climate).

Best Geography Books for IAS Prelims 2026 

Source	Purpose
NCERTs (Class 6–12)	Strong basics of physical, human & Indian geography
G.C. Leong	In-depth understanding of physical geography (climate, landforms)
Oxford School Atlas	Map work, location-based & spatial questions
Majid Husain	Detailed coverage of Indian Geography
Shankar IAS Environment	Links geography with ecology & environment
ClearIAS / Vajiram / Vision IAS Notes	Quick revision & exam-oriented clarity

Targets: Map practice daily and practice at least 20 MCQs per day. Revise previous subjects once a week.

Month 4: How to prepare for IAS Prelims Economy + Environment & Ecology

Economy Key Topics for IAS Prelims 2026

Major Topic	Key Subtopics Covered
Introduction to Economics	Basic concepts, types of economies, role of state, sectors of economy, national income (GDP, GNP, NDP, GVA)
Microeconomics	Demand & supply, elasticity, consumer & producer behaviour, market structures, market failure
Macroeconomics	GDP, inflation, unemployment, fiscal & monetary policy, business cycles, exchange rates
Growth & Development	Growth vs development, HDI, poverty, inequality, human development, happiness economics
Indian Economy (Evolution)	Pre-independence, post-independence, planning era, mixed economy, reforms
Economic Planning	Five-Year Plans, Planning Commission, NITI Aayog, inclusive growth, investment models
Economic Reforms	LPG reforms, disinvestment, Washington Consensus, new economic policies
Inflation & Business Cycle	CPI, WPI, causes & effects of inflation, Phillips curve, stagflation
Agriculture & Food Management	Cropping patterns, MSP, Green Revolution, agri-credit, WTO & agriculture
Industry & Infrastructure	Industrial policy, MSMEs, Make in India, infrastructure sectors, PPP models
Services Sector	IT-ITES, tourism, contribution to GDP, employment
Financial Markets	Money market, capital market, mutual funds, SEBI, stock exchanges
Banking System	RBI functions, monetary tools, banking reforms, NPAs, Basel norms
Insurance Sector	IRDAI, insurance penetration, LIC, GIC, reinsurance
External Sector	BoP, forex, trade policy, exchange rate regimes, SEZs
International Organisations	IMF, World Bank, WTO, BRICS, ADB, AIIB
Taxation System	Direct & indirect taxes, GST, corporate tax, tax reforms
Public Finance	Budget, deficits, FRBM Act, public debt, fiscal policy
Environment & Sustainability	Climate finance, renewable energy, sustainable development
Human Development	Health, education, employment, social welfare schemes
Current Economic Documents	Economic Survey, Union Budget

Environmental Study Key Topics for IAS Prelims 2026

Major Topic	Key Subtopics
Biodiversity & Conservation	Biodiversity hotspots, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, endangered species, Project Tiger/Elephant, WPA 1972
Climate Change & Global Warming	Causes & impacts, mitigation/adaptation, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, COPs, India’s NDCs, IPCC reports
Environmental Pollution	Air, water, soil & noise pollution, Water Act 1974, Air Act 1981, solid & e-waste rules, CPCB & SPCBs
Ecology Basics	Ecosystem, food chain & web, trophic levels, biogeochemical cycles, ecological succession
Sustainable Development	SDGs, sustainable development goals, green energy, hydrogen, solar & wind energy
Environmental Governance	EIA process, National Green Tribunal (NGT), environmental laws & institutions
Forests & Wildlife	Forest types in India, afforestation, Forest Rights Act 2006, JFMCs, human–wildlife conflict
Environmental Conventions	CBD, Ramsar Convention, CITES, Montreal Protocol, UNFCCC
Disaster & Environment	Cyclones, floods, droughts, NDMA & NDRF, disaster mitigation strategies
Environment Current Affairs	CAMPA, Namami Gange, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, new Ramsar sites, renewable energy initiatives

Strategy for the economy and environment studies

• Economy & Environment are highly current-linked topics.
• Focus on the concept, and try to understand topics with practical examples & application.

Targets:

• Practice 25 to 30 MCQs daily
• Current affairs revision (last 1 year)

Subject	Study Sources
Economy	NCERT Class 11 (Indian Economic Development), Class 12 (Macro & Micro)
	Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh
	Indian Economy – Sanjiv Verma
	Indian Economy – Dutt & Sundaram
Environment & Ecology	NCERT Class 12 Biology (Ch. 13–16), NCERT Science/Geography (6–10)
	Shankar IAS Environment
	PMF IAS Notes
Current Affairs	Down To Earth Magazine
	PIB & MoEF sources

Month 5: Science & Tech + Full Revision

Main Topics for UPSC Prelims Science & Technology 

Topic	Focus Area	Examples
Recent Advancements	Latest developments in science & technology	AI, microRNA, neural networks, protein design
Historical Achievements	Key scientific milestones (India-focused)	ISRO missions, Indian inventions
Basic IT	Core IT concepts & applications	Software, hardware, cybersecurity
Space Technology	Space research & exploration	Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan
Computers	Computer systems & software	Operating systems, programming languages
Robotics	Robotics principles & applications	Industrial robots, AI-driven robots
Biotechnology	Bio-innovations in health & agriculture	Genetic engineering, CRISPR
Intellectual Property Rights	Protection of innovations	Patents, trademarks, copyrights

Strategy: Do not go deep into theory, and Focus on application-based questions

Revision Plan for IAS Prelims 2026 in the 5th Month

• Polity: 2 revisions
• History: 2 revisions
• Geography: 2 revisions
• Economy & Environment: 2 revisions

Strategy: Practice Full-length mock tests (2 per week) and analyze mistakes thoroughly.

Month 6: Final Revision + CSAT Mock Domination

• The last month should be strictly dedicated to revision and practice. This is not the time to start new books or add fresh sources. 
• Focus only on strengthening what you have already studied.
• Your daily routine should be simple and disciplined. In the morning, revise static subjects and key notes. 
• The afternoon should be used for solving MCQs and analyzing mock tests to identify mistakes and weak areas. 
• In the evening, revise current affairs from monthly compilations and short notes.
• For mock tests, attempt 2–3 full-length GS tests every week and 1 CSAT test per week, always analyzing them properly.
• In CSAT, give special attention to comprehension, basic numeracy, logical reasoning, and decision-making, as these areas ensure safe qualification.

This month is about confidence, consistency, and smart revision, not learning something new.

How to Integrate Current Affairs Effectively?

Instead of reading current affairs separately:

• Link Polity with government schemes
• Link Economy with Budget & RBI
• Link the environment with international summits
• Link Science with recent discoveries

Smart Revision Technique (Very Important)

Use the 3-Layer Revision Rule:

1. First reading – understanding
2. Second reading – consolidation
3. Third reading – memory + MCQs

Make short notes, not bulky ones.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in 6-Month IAS Prelims Preparation

• Studying too many books for one subject
• Ignoring or underestimating CSAT
• Not revising
• Avoiding mock tests
• Chasing every new source

FAQs: IAS Prelims 2026 Preparation