CSAT Preparation Time Table for UPSC 2026 – 30 / 60 / 90 Day Plan

CSAT is a qualifying paper, but every year it eliminates thousands of serious UPSC aspirants. The biggest reason is not lack of intelligence, but lack of a structured preparation plan. Many students either start CSAT too late or prepare without clarity.

The truth is simple:
👉 CSAT can be cleared with disciplined practice, even if maths is weak.
👉 What you need is a time-bound, realistic timetable.

This blog provides 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day CSAT preparation plans for UPSC 2026, suitable for beginners, repeaters, and working aspirants.

Understanding CSAT Before Making a Timetable

Before jumping into the schedule, remember:

• CSAT is qualifying (33%)
   
• You need around 66 marks
   
• Accuracy matters more than attempts
   
• Comprehension + reasoning can clear CSAT even with weak maths
   

Your timetable must reflect this reality.

Who Should Follow Which Plan?

• 90-Day Plan → Beginners / Weak maths / First-time aspirants
   
• 60-Day Plan → Those with basic familiarity
   
• 30-Day Plan → Revision-focused / Repeaters
   

Choose honestly. Overestimating yourself is the first mistake.

90-Day CSAT Preparation Plan (Best for Beginners)

Daily Time Required: 1.5–2 hours

Goal: Build basics + confidence

Days 1–30: Foundation Phase

Focus Areas:

• Reading Comprehension basics
   
• Simple reasoning
   
• Very basic maths
   

Daily Schedule:

• 30 min: Reading comprehension practice
   
• 30 min: Basic reasoning
   
• 30 min: Maths fundamentals (alternate days)
   

Maths Topics to Cover:

• Percentage
   
• Ratio & proportion
   
• Average
   
• Simple interest
   

👉 No shortcuts here. Build comfort, not speed.

Days 31–60: Accuracy Phase

Focus Areas:

• CSAT-level practice
   
• Topic-wise PYQs
   
• Timed practice
   

Daily Schedule:

• 40 min: Comprehension (timed)
   
• 30 min: Reasoning sets
   
• 30 min: Selected maths topics
   

Start attempting mini tests (20–25 questions).

Days 61–90: Exam Simulation Phase

Focus Areas:

• Full-length mocks
   
• Strategy refinement
   
• Reducing panic
   

Weekly Plan:

• 2 CSAT full mocks per week
   
• Detailed analysis after each mock
   
• Focus on weak sections only
   

By the end of 90 days, CSAT fear should be gone.

60-Day CSAT Preparation Plan (Balanced Approach)

Daily Time Required: 2 hours

Goal: Strengthen weak areas + practice

Days 1–30: Core Coverage

Daily Schedule:

• 45 min: Comprehension
   
• 30 min: Reasoning
   
• 45 min: Maths (limited topics)
   

Focus on:

• Understanding question patterns
   
• Avoiding calculation-heavy questions
   

Days 31–60: Mock-Centric Phase

Weekly Plan:

• 2–3 CSAT mocks
   
• Analysis more important than attempts
   

Daily Practice:

• Revise mistakes
   
• Practice similar questions
   
• Improve time management
   

This phase decides whether you qualify or not.

30-Day CSAT Preparation Plan (Last-Month Strategy)

Daily Time Required: 2–2.5 hours

Goal: Safe qualification, not improvement miracle

Week 1–2: Revision + Controlled Practice

• Daily comprehension passages
   
• Revise basic maths formulas
   
• Reasoning PYQs only
   

No new topics. No experiments.

Week 3–4: Mock & Mental Conditioning

• 1 CSAT mock every 3 days
   
• Analyse:
   
  • Wrong answers
     
  • Time traps
     
  • Panic moments
     

Focus on question selection, not syllabus.

Ideal Question Attempt Strategy (Very Important)

In exam hall, aim for:

• Comprehension: 22–25 questions
   
• Reasoning: 10–12 questions
   
• Maths: 8–10 questions
   

Total attempts: 40–45 questions with high accuracy

This alone can clear CSAT.

Common Mistakes in CSAT Timetable

Avoid these at all costs:

• Studying CSAT only in last 15 days
   
• Spending excessive time on maths
   
• Ignoring mock analysis
   
• Random guessing in exam
   
• Copying topper strategies blindly
   

CSAT is personal. Your timetable must suit your weakness.

Working Professionals: How to Adjust

If time is limited:

• Study CSAT early morning (fresh mind)
   
• Focus only on comprehension + reasoning
   
• Use weekends for mocks
   

Consistency beats long hours.

Final 10-Day Golden Rules

• No new topics
   
• Daily light practice
   
• Revise formulas
   
• Sleep well before exam
   
• Trust your strategy
   

CSAT is as much mental as academic.

Conclusion

CSAT is not a maths exam. It is a strategy and selection exam. With a structured 30, 60, or 90-day timetable, even weak maths students can clear CSAT comfortably in UPSC 2026.

The difference between failure and success lies not in talent, but in planning and execution.

FAQs

1. Is 30 days enough to clear CSAT?
Yes, if basics are clear and practice is focused.

2. How many CSAT mocks are sufficient?
10–15 quality mocks with proper analysis are enough.

3. Should weak maths students skip maths completely?
No. Do limited, easy topics only.

4. When should CSAT preparation start for UPSC 2026?
Ideally 3–4 months before Prelims.

5. Can CSAT alone fail an aspirant with good GS?
Yes, which is why CSAT must be taken seriously.