The CGPSC State Service Examination 2025 schedule is intense:
- Prelims Exam: 22 February 2026
- Mains Exam: 15–18 May 2026
This leaves roughly 80 days between the two stages—a period too short to start your Mains preparation from scratch. Your success in the Mains, and ultimately your final selection, hinges on how strategically you prepare before the Prelims.
This guide provides a crisp, practical, and CGPSC-specific strategy to seamlessly integrate Mains preparation with your Prelims studies, complete with a daily timetable and a detailed paper-wise breakdown.
Why the Prelims–Mains Gap Feels Insufficient
CGPSC Mains is content-heavy, CG-specific, and demands structured answer writing.
Unlike UPSC, CGPSC’s Mains includes:
- Paper 1: Hindi + English + Chhattisgarhi
- Paper 2: Essay (National + CG issues)
- Paper 3: GS-I (Indian History, Constitution, CG History)
- Paper 4: GS-II (Science, Aptitude, IT, Energy, Environment)
- Paper 5: GS-III (Economy + Geography of India & CG)
- Paper 6: GS-IV (Philosophy, Sociology & CG Social Aspects)
- Paper 7: GS-V (Welfare, Laws, Sports, Institutions)
Each paper is vast, and CG-specific components demand extensive preparation.
Thus, the real Mains preparation must begin now, months before Prelims.
Daily Timetable: Balancing Prelims & Early Mains Prep (Pre-Prelims Focus)
Follow this integrated schedule to build a strong foundation for both stages simultaneously.
| Time Slot | Activity | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM (Morning Session) | 6:00-7:00: Revision of previous day’s topics. 7:00-8:30: Core GS subjects (History, Polity, Economy, etc.). 8:30-10:00: Prelims MCQs & Previous Year Questions (PYQs). | Concept Clarity & Prelims Practice |
| 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Afternoon Session) | 2:00-3:30: CG-specific topics (History, Economy, Geography, Schemes). 3:30-5:00: Mains Answer Writing Practice (3 answers/day). | CG-Specific Knowledge & Answer Writing |
| 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Evening Session) | 7:00-8:00: Current Affairs (National + Chhattisgarh). 8:00-9:00: Optional Subject / Weak Areas. 9:00-10:00: Revision (Maps, Diagrams, Facts). | Current Affairs & Consolidation |
📈 Weekly Targets:
- Solve 150+ Prelims MCQs
- Write 18 Mains Answers
- Practice 1 Full Essay
- Dedicate 5 hours for CG-only study.
Paper-Wise CGPSC Mains Strategy (Based on Official Syllabus)
Here is a subject-by-subject blueprint to tackle each paper effectively.
Paper 1: Language (Hindi, English & Chhattisgarhi)
This paper decides final ranking because high scorers often secure 140+ here.
What to Study (from syllabus):
- Hindi grammar (sandhi, samas, muhavare, vakya shuddhi)
- Precis, comprehension, report/notice writing
- English grammar (tenses, voice, prepositions, idioms, sentence correction)
- Chhattisgarhi grammar, history, usage, lokvyavahar
Practical Strategy:
- Practice 2 precis/week
- Create a PDF of 200 Hindi idioms & corrections
- Prepare Chhattisgarhi examples from regional newspapers
- Write one Chhattisgarhi paragraph daily
Paper 2: Essay (National + CG Issues)
4 essays of 750 words each (2 national + 2 CG). This paper needs a collection of facts.
What to Study:
- National: economy, governance, social issues, environment, digital India
- CG: tribal issues, agriculture, health, industries, Naxalism, local governance
Practical Strategy:
Use the 4-Step CGPSC Sutra Essay Format:
- Concept + background
- Present status with data
- Challenges
- Solutions + CG case studies
Collect 50 CG-specific facts (IMR, sex ratio, forest %, irrigation).
Paper 3: General Studies-I
Includes:
- Indian History
- Constitution & Public Administration
- History of Chhattisgarh
Practical Strategy:
- Prepare timeline charts for ancient → medieval → modern
- For Polity, use short notes + ARC recommendations
- Prepare CG history flowcharts (Kalchuri, Somvanshi, Maratha, British, Freedom Movements)
- Practice 3 answers/day with diagrams
Paper 4: General Studies-II
Includes:
- General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Aptitude & mental ability
- IT, energy resources
- Environment & biodiversity
Practical Strategy:
- Prepare simplified notes (NCERT level concepts)
- Solve 10 aptitude questions daily
- Practice 2 case examples for biodiversity + pollution
- Prepare CG-specific environmental data
Paper 5: General Studies-III
Includes:
- Indian Economy & C.G. Economy
- Indian Geography
- Geography of C.G.
Practical Strategy:
- Learn CG economic indicators (GSDP, agriculture %, industrial clusters)
- Prepare Indian agriculture + irrigation maps
- Integrate CG examples into national answers (e.g., paddy, minerals)
- Prepare 50 one-page notes for geography topics
Paper 6: General Studies-IV
Includes:
- Philosophy (Indian + Western)
- Sociology
- Social Aspects of C.G.
Practical Strategy:
- Memorize definitions of concepts (Prama, Anekantavada, Hedonism, etc.)
- Make 1-page notes for Indian thinkers (Gandhi, Ambedkar, Charvaka, Samkhya, etc.)
- Prepare case studies on tribal development, migration, youth dormitories (ghotuls)
- Include folk art, festivals, culture in answers
Paper 7: General Studies-V
Includes:
- Social & Welfare Laws
- CG Government schemes
- International & National institutions
- Sports & Education systems
Practical Strategy:
- Memorize provisions of Human Rights Act, SC/ST Act, IT Act, RTI Act
- Compile all CG schemes into a 15-page PDF
- Prepare list of international bodies with 2023–24 updates
- Make short notes on IITs, IIMs, NITs, NCERT, UGC, AICTE
- Practice 3 answers/day using CG examples
The 80-Day Post-Prelims Micro Plan (Post-February 22nd)
This period is for revision and intensive practice only.
- Morning (3-4 hrs): GS-I & GS-II Revision + Answer Writing.
- Afternoon (3-4 hrs): GS-III & GS-IV Revision + Answer Writing.
- Evening (3 hrs): Essay Practice & CG-Specific Data Revision.
- Weekly Ritual: One full-length mock test per paper under timed conditions.
- Golden Rule: NO new sources or books. Only revise your notes and write answers.
Final Takeaway: Start Your Mains Engine Today
The CGPSC Mains is not an exam you can afford to prepare for after the Prelims. Your journey to becoming a CGPSC officer depends on starting your content building, answer writing, and CG-focus today.
If you consistently follow:
- The integrated daily timetable,
- The paper-wise concise strategy,
- Regular answer writing practice, and
- Seamless CG-specific integration,
…you will transform the 80-day window from a panic period into a powerful revision sprint, effectively converting your Prelims success into a final selection.