How Much Time Is Required to Prepare for OPSC OAS Prelims and Mains?
Strategy Description
"How long will it take to crack the OPSC OAS exam?" If you're asking this, you're already serious about your civil services journey — and that’s the first step in the right direction.
The Odisha Civil Services Exam (OPSC OAS) is one of the most competitive and prestigious exams in the state. But cracking it doesn’t mean you need to study 20 hours a day or vanish into the mountains. What you need is clarity, consistency, and the right timeline.
In this article, we'll discuss:
- The ideal preparation time for Prelims & Mains
- Whether working professionals can manage preparing for OAS
- Tips to fast-track your journey without burnout
- Realistic time table for beginners and repeaters
The Basic Structure of OPSC OAS Exam
Before we talk about time, let’s understand what you’re preparing for:
- Prelims:
- 2 objective papers (GS I & GSII)
- Qualifying + merit-based screening round
- Mains:
- 9 descriptive papers (Odia, English, Essay, GS I-IV, Optional I & II)
- Interview:
- Personality test (30–45 minutes of crucial conversation)
Now, let’s talk about how much time is realistically needed to prepare for each stage.
Time Required for OPSC OAS Prelims Preparation
Ideal Time: 4 to 6 Months (for beginners)
If you are starting from zero, a dedicated 4–6 months is a good timeframe to prepare for Prelims.
What You Need to Cover:
- General Studies (History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Basic Science, International events & Odisha-specific topics)
- Maths and reasoning (Comprehension, Reasoning, Basic Maths, Decision-making)
- Daily Current Affairs (National + Odisha)
Strategy:
- First 2 months:PYQ analysis+ NCERTs + basic books (Laxmikanth Polity, Spectrum History, GC Leong Geography, Sanjeev Verma Economics etc.)
- Next 2 months: Prelims Test series + revision
- Last 1 month: Intense mock practice + PYQs revise
Tips:
- Focus on syllabus-based preparation, not random YouTube videos (avoid it)
- Revise at least 3 times before the exam
- GS II is qualifying but don’t ignore it — many fail here!
Time Required for OPSC OAS Mains Preparation
Ideal Time: 5 to 7 Months (after prelims)
Once you clear Prelims, you’ll get around 3–4 months before Mains. But to stay ahead, it’s wise to start Mains preparation alongside Prelims.
What You Need to Cover:
- 4 GS Papers
- Essay writing practice
- Odia & English language papers (qualifying)
- Optional subject (deep knowledge in Paper I & II)
- Current Affairs integration in Mains answers
Strategy:
- Focus on answer writing from Day 1 (even 1 answers/day helps)
- Build a note of topic-wise for quick revision
- Join a Mains Test Series to practice under exam pressure. You can join our Mains Test series (will be announced)
What If You’re a Working Aspirant?
Yes, you can crack OPSC OAS while working — thousands have done it. You just need smart time management.
Recommended Timeline:
- 10–12 months overall
- 2–3 hours on weekdays, 6–7 hours on weekends
- Use early mornings or late nights for consistency
- Maximize holidays for revision & tests
Your Advantage:
You bring maturity, time discipline, and real-life experience — all of which help in ethics paper, interview & essay.
Approximate Time Needed Based on Category of Aspirant
|
Aspirant Type |
Prelims |
Mains |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Absolute Beginner |
6 months |
6–7 months |
12–14 months |
|
Semi-Prepared (read NCERTs earlier) |
3–4 months |
5 months |
8–9 months |
|
Repeater (already appeared before) |
2–3 months |
3–4 months |
6–8 months |
|
Working Professional |
10–12 months total (2–3 hours daily) |
– |
10–12 months |
It’s Not About Time. It’s About Direction.
“You don’t need years to crack OAS — you need months of mindful preparation.”
Whether you're a beginner, repeater, or working aspirant — if you give your preparation consistency, clarity, and discipline, you can succeed within a year.
- The Keys are understand the syllabus deeply, Use daily current affairs smartly, Practice answer writing regularly, Believe in your pace — not others'
How Study OAS Can Help You Save Time
- Micro-topic breakdown of syllabus
- Smart test series (Prelims Paid Test + daily Prelims questions)
- PYQ analysis
- Odisha-focused notes
- Personalized guidance through Telegram
- Daily The Hindu Gist
Start Your Smart Preparation Today
Download the Study OAS App, follow our Telegram Channel, and explore www.studyoas.in to get access to:
- Complete study plans
- Test series
- Notes that matter
- Exam strategy with heart & brain combined
Don’t just count the months. Make the months count.
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