UPSC Diwali Vacation Study Plan - concrete actionable steps, no bolbachchan by Dr. Mrunal Patel

1. 👩🏻‍🏫 Join Unacademy course for UPSC preparation https://unacademy.com/goal/upsc-civil-services-examination-ias-preparation/KSCGY/subscribe?plan_type=plus&referral_code=mrunal.org 2. 📘 Amazon pe Mrunal’s Economy Book: https://amzn.to/3Jb5rf7 3. 📆 Free Annual economy updates Win25: Mrunal.org/win25 4. 💾 Free Download the topicwise PYQ paperset, monthly current affairs magazine, & more from https://unacademy.com/content/upsc/downloads/ In this exclusive video, renowned UPSC Educator & Economy Subject Expert Dr. Mrunal Patel delivers a strategic breakdown of how to make the most of your Diwali vacation for UPSC preparation. This lecture is for the benefit of job aspirants in India who are preparing for various competitive exams such as UPSC, SSC-CGL, State Services (StatePSC), Banking, IBPS, RBI, CAPF, CDS, ACIO, APFC etc. Dr. Patel advises aspirants to avoid wasting precious vacation time on subjects that don't yield optimum returns and instead, focus on those that are currently difficult, high-frequency, or offer a better return on investment (ROI). The Core Strategy: Subject Selection and the Matrix The main theme is the strategic selection of subjects during the short vacation period. The video introduces a matrix system—categorizing topics based on high/low frequency in past papers and their difficulty level—to guide subject selection. Prelims Subjects (Green): These are the foundational subjects. Mains Subjects (Purple): These are the additional subjects that are part of the Mains examination. The lecture suggests taking a subject and focusing on it during the vacation. Within that subject, aspirants should again use the matrix (High Frequency/Low Frequency) after reviewing old papers to prioritize specific chapters. Subjects to AVOID During Diwali Vacation Dr. Patel explicitly states that dedicating Diwali vacation time to certain subjects is not an optimum use of time. He uses the metaphor of "not lighting a diya (lamp)" for these subjects. While these subjects should still be studied, the vacation period is not the right time for them. Internal Security & Disaster Management (UPSC Mains Paper 3): These are generally easy and repetitive. They revolve around 4-5 core themes. According to the matrix, these are easy and high-frequency and can be finished any time during the year. Using Diwali break for this would not be an optimum use of time. World History: The questions asked can be very easy or completely "random" (atarangi). Crucially, the subject is often a low-frequency area in terms of the number of questions asked in some years. Post-Independence India (Post-Independent India): This subject is not very tough. It often overlaps with Economy, Polity, Regionalism, and Linguistic issues. It is a low-frequency subject, with some years having very few questions. Since it doesn't fall into the category of "tough and high frequency," it should not be prioritized during the limited vacation days. Essay (Nibandh): While Essay writing is high frequency (asked every year), the pre-condition for excelling in it is a strong foundation in GS subjects, especially Polity, Economy, and History (for both Prelims and Mains). Only after mastering these can one fully appreciate, link content, and build a comprehensive answer. Therefore, the Diwali break should not be used for Essay preparation. Indian Society (UPSC Mains Paper 1): Similar to the Essay, while it is high frequency, the prerequisite is a complete understanding of core GS subjects like Polity, Economy, and History. This background allows aspirants to link concepts and build a comprehensive answer. Thus, avoid spending the Diwali vacation on Indian Society. Current Affairs: The educator advises aspirants to "stop beating their chest" over Current Affairs. While not explicitly stated to be avoided, the emphasis is on not obsessing over it to the exclusion of other high-priority subjects. How to Build Your Subject Matrix To determine which Mains subjects are high or low frequency, Dr. Patel advises that aspirants do not need to spend money. Instead, they should: Reviewing these papers will help decode the frequency and importance of topics. Conclusion The video concludes by reiterating the importance of an optimized, strategic study plan for the limited days of the Diwali vacation. This video is a must-watch for all aspirants looking to maximize their study time during the holiday season. Join Unacademy today! Use the discount code Mrunal.org for a special offer. Unacademy. Let's crack it.