Study Plan for OPSC OAS Aspirants Who Are Working Professionals
Strategy Description
“You don’t need more time. You need more focus.”
If you're a working professional dreaming of cracking the OPSC OAS exam, you’ve already shown the maturity, discipline, and dedication it takes to become a civil servant. But let’s face it—preparing for OAS while managing a job is not easy. It demands a smart strategy, time management, and unwavering motivation.
This article is tailor-made for those doing a 9-to-5 job, teaching, private/public sector work, or even freelancing — and want to clear the Odisha Civil Services Exam.
Know the Exam First:
The OPSC OAS Exam has three stages:
- Prelims – Objective type (GS + CSAT)
- Mains – Descriptive (9 papers)
- Interview – Personality Test
If you're a working aspirant, you must prepare in an integrated manner to optimize time and effort.
Advantages of Being a Working Aspirant
- You already have professional discipline
- You bring maturity and decision-making ability to answers and interview
- You can fund your own resources—coaching, books, or online subscriptions
- You’re less likely to panic due to stability in life
Weekly Study Plan for Working Professionals
Let’s assume you have 2–3 hours on weekdays, and 6–8 hours on weekends.
Weekday Plan (Monday to Friday)
|
Time |
Task |
|---|---|
|
6:00–7:00 AM |
Read The Hindu or Current Affairs |
|
8:00–9:00 PM |
Read one subject (Polity/History/Economy/etc.) |
|
9:00–9:30 PM |
Revise + Practice 10 MCQs from our APP |
|
1 hour/week |
Write 1 short answer for Mains |
Use commuting time to Study OAS Notes, Telegram Posts from our website and Application.
Weekend Plan (Saturday + Sunday)
|
Time |
Task |
|---|---|
|
7–9 AM |
Revise weekday topics |
|
10–1 PM |
Study Optional Subject or GS Paper in-depth |
|
3–5 PM |
Practice 1 essay or 2 Mains answers |
|
6–7 PM |
Revise current affairs + read Odisha GK |
|
8–9 PM |
Practice 50 MCQs (Prelims Mock Test Series from Our website) |
Monthly Targets
- Finish 1 NCERT book or 1 standard subject book
- Prepare notes for 1 GS paper + Odisha-specific notes
- Write 4–6 answers & 1 essay
- Take 3 Prelims mocks from our website
Recommended Booklist (Concise for Working Aspirants)
|
Subject |
Book Name / Source apart from Study OAS books and materials |
|---|---|
|
Polity |
M. Laxmikanth |
|
History |
Spectrum (Modern India) |
|
Geography |
NCERT + GC Leong |
|
Economy |
Sanjeev Verma/ Ramesh Singh + Budget & Economic Summary |
|
Science |
NCERT + News-based Notes |
|
Environment |
Shankar IAS |
|
Ethics |
Lexicon (Short & clear) |
|
Current |
Study OAS Monthly Magazine / The Hindu Gist in our Telegram |
Optional Subject Strategy
Pick an optional that:
- You can finish in 3 months
- Is scoring (like Public Admin, Home Science etc.)
- You enjoy or have academic background in
Weekend + 2 weekday slots are enough if planned smartly
Smart Notes Strategy
Use the 3-Page Rule:
- One subject → Condense notes to 3 pages per topic
- Helps in Mains revision and Prelims quick recall
Use Digital Notes or physical notebooks based on comfort
Time-Saving Tools for Working Aspirants
- Study OAS Telegram Group for daily The Hindu Gist and current affairs
- OAS Monthly Magazine
- Study OAS Application for daily free Mock Test, Depth current affairs
- Use Technique (25 mins focused reading, 5 mins break)
Answer Writing Tips for Busy Aspirants
- Start with 2 answers a week (weekend or one on alternate days)
- Use previous year questions from Study OAS Telegram Channel or OPSC site
- Structure: Intro – Body (points/flowchart) – Conclusion
- Add Odisha examples wherever possible (for GS4, Ethics too)
Stay Mentally Strong (Very Important)
Being in a job means fatigue, stress, and unexpected deadlines. To stay consistent:
- Take a 15-min walk daily without phone
- Avoid burnout—skip one day a week if needed
- Remind yourself: “I'm doing this to serve my people.”
- Don’t participate office Politics, unnecessary roaming, Late night gossip
- Don’t run behind Different Institute’s Notes, Cut Off race, What OPSC will do types rumours etc.
FAQs for Working OPSC Aspirants
Q: Can I clear OAS while working full-time?
A: Yes, many OAS toppers were school teachers, software engineers, bankers, or in private jobs. It's about consistent 3–4 hours daily effort.
Q: Should I quit my job?
A: Not until you’re confident with syllabus + have attempted once. Use your job as financial + emotional backup. No need to Quit.
Q: Is online coaching useful for working people?
A: Absolutely. Study OAS daily current affairs PDFs, and daily test, The Hindu Gist— tailored for busy aspirants. In future, video course will be available.
Slow and Steady Wins the Service
Whether you are a bank employee, school teacher, engineer, or entrepreneur — your dream of becoming an OAS officer is valid. You don’t need to study 10 hours daily. You just need to make your 3 hours count — every day, for a year.
“Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most.”
Stick to your plan, Stick to Study OAS, We’ll get you there.
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