How Many Hours Should You Study for UPSC? Spoiler: 8 Hours isn't Enough! 😬
This is a question that every UPSC aspirant asks: How many hours do I need to study to crack this monster exam? 8 hours a day might sound good, but is it truly enough?
10 years ago, maybe when smartphones weren't in everybody's hands and insta reels didn't entertain us as much, 8 hours of study might've been enough. But today(thanks to jio), it's different.
Why 8 Hours Isn’t Enough? First, let's talk about the Prelims. You have to tackle so many static subjects, and it’s not just about surface level knowledge. You need depth. On top of that, let’s not forget CSAT. If you’re not so great at Maths, you'll need to devote extra hours to it. And then comes Mains. 9 papers. In such a short span of time.
And it’s not just about the syllabus. There's the emotional drain: lack of concentration, demotivation, stress, and brainrot(Yes guys, BRAINROT is real. If you can't read this entire post in one go, you are suffering from it already!!). The daily urge to avoid insta reels(or YT shorts in my case), and all those notifications that feed you micro-doses of dopamine that hurts your mental well-being. All of that disturbs your focus, making those 8 hours that you study effectively like 4.
So, how do you actually get real, solid hours of study? The most obvious thing is to increase your hours! Aim for 10 hours a day. Anything beyond that is just bonus. Once you get into the 10-hour club, you’ll realize how much you’ve grown. Trust me, it's a game changer.
Some people might say, “It’s not about the hours, it’s about productivity!” That’s partly true. Your productivity will also naturally vary throughout the day.
After 8 hours, your brain will be exhausted. But even if your productivity drops to 50% in the 9th or 10th hour, that’s still a net gain. Two hours of 50% productivity is 1 extra hour every day. Still better than 0 hours of nothing. You'll be much ahead of others in the game.
What About Mental Health? 🧘♂️ Here’s the thing—"Stress often comes from the stuff you’re avoiding". Haven't you noticed that on days when you studying effectively for long hours, you actually feel pretty happy? It’s like you’re chasing your purpose, and it gives you a sense of relief.
You’re working towards something that could transform your life. This exam is a great opportunity for a huge social mobility for you and your family. When you’re working hard for that goal, you automatically feel elated.
While I agree that you need to balance your studies and life both, you can at times(specially now when Prelims is nearing) tilt yourself in favor of studying more rather than spending time over chai.
How do you keep track of time? I used Forest App. Some use YPT. Some others just use the clock in their phone. Do whatever is less cumbersome to you.
So here’s the bottom line: UPSC is demanding, and 8 hours just isn’t enough if you want to give it your best shot. Start with 10 hours and level up gradually. Even if your productivity dips in the evening, it’s still progress. And trust me, you’ll be grateful for those extra hours when you look back.
Finally, I just tried to give you a different perspective on the given topic. Opinions may vary and you might be equally right in having a completely different opinion. If you resonate with my opinion, give a 💯.
~Prashant Gupta