90 Days Study Plan for Philosophy Optional | Philosophy Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Philosophy Optional is a concise, analytical, and scoring subject for UPSC CSE Mains, appealing to candidates with an interest in logical reasoning and ethical debates. Paper 1 covers the history and problems of Western and Indian philosophy, while Paper 2 focuses on socio-political philosophy and philosophy of religion. The syllabus requires clarity of thought, critical analysis, and the ability to connect philosophical concepts to current affairs. With 6-8 hours of daily study, the entire syllabus can be mastered in 3 months (90 days). This 90-day (12-week) study plan, built on the EduRev Philosophy Optional course, provides a structured roadmap to cover all topics effectively for UPSC CSE Mains.

Why This 90-Day Plan?

• The UPSC philosophy syllabus is compact but requires deep understanding.
• Emphasizes answer writing, conceptual clarity, and integration of current affairs.
• Ensures comprehensive coverage with time for revision and mock tests.
• Empowers efficient study, mastery of key thinkers, and confidence for UPSC Mains.

Week 1: Western Philosophy - Classical & Rationalism (Paper 1)

• Day 1-2: Plato and Aristotle: Theory of Forms, Virtue Ethics, Causation.
• Day 3-4: The Foundations of Rationalism: Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz (Method of Doubt, Monads).
• Day 5-6: Notes on key concepts + practice 2-3 short-answer questions from Previous Year Questions (2023).
• Day 7: Revision of Plato, Aristotle, and Rationalism + make concise notes.

Week 2: Western Philosophy - Empiricism & Kant (Paper 1)

• Day 8-9: Empiricism (Locke, Berkeley, Hume): Tabula Rasa, Idealism, Causality.
• Day 10-11: Kant: Categorical Imperative, Synthetic A Priori, Copernican Revolution.
• Day 12-13: Notes on Empiricism vs. Rationalism debate + Kant’s synthesis.
• Day 14: Revision + solve 5 questions from Previous Year Questions (2022).

Week 3: Western Philosophy - Modern & Analytical (Paper 1)

• Day 15-16: Hegel: Dialectics, Absolute Idealism.
• Day 17-18: Moore, Russell and Early Wittgenstein: Refutation of Idealism, Logical Atomism, Tractatus.
• Day 19-20: Logical Positivism, Later Wittgenstein: Verification Principle, Language Games.
• Day 21: Practice 3 long-answer questions from Previous Year Questions (2021).

Week 4: Western Philosophy - Phenomenology & Existentialism (Paper 1)

• Day 22-23: Phenomenology (Husserl): Intentionality, Bracketing.
• Day 24-25: Existentialism (Kierkegaard, Sartre, Heidegger): Freedom, Being, Authenticity.
• Day 26-27: Quine and Strawson: Critique of Empiricism, Descriptive Metaphysics.
• Day 28: Revision + solve 5 questions from Previous Year Questions (2020).

Week 5: Indian Philosophy - Orthodox Systems (Paper 1)

• Day 29-30: Cârvâka, Jainism: Materialism, Anekantavada, Syadvada.
• Day 31-32: Schools of Buddhism: Four Noble Truths, Madhyamika, Yogacara.
• Day 33-34: Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika, Sâmkhya: Pramanas, Atomism, Prakriti-Purusha.
• Day 35: Notes on Indian epistemology + 3 short-answer questions from Previous Year Questions (2019).

Week 6: Indian Philosophy - Heterodox & Vedânta (Paper 1)

• Day 36-37: Yoga, Mimâmsâ: Ashtanga Yoga, Dharma, Apurva.
• Day 38-39: Schools of Vedânta: Advaita, Vishishtadvaita, Dvaita.
• Day 40-41: Aurobindo: Integral Yoga, Evolution of Consciousness.
• Day 42: Solve 5 questions from Previous Year Questions (2018).

Week 7: Socio-Political Philosophy - Core Concepts (Paper 2)

• Day 43-44: Social and Political Ideals, Sovereignty: Justice, Liberty, Equality, Rousseau, Hobbes.
• Day 45-46: Individual and State, Forms of Government: Social Contract, Democracy, Monarchy.
• Day 47-48: Political Ideologies: Liberalism, Socialism, Marxism.
• Day 49: Notes on political thinkers + 3 long-answer questions from Previous Year Questions (2024).

Week 8: Socio-Political Philosophy - Applied Issues (Paper 2)

• Day 50-51: Humanism, Crime and Punishment: Retribution, Deterrence, Reformative theories.
• Day 52-53: Gender Discrimination, Caste Discrimination: Feminist theories, Ambedkar’s views.
• Day 54-55: Development and Social Progress: Gandhian philosophy, Sustainable Development.
• Day 56: Solve 5 questions from Previous Year Questions (2023).

Week 9: Philosophy of Religion (Paper 2)

• Day 57-58: Notions of God, Proofs for the Existence of God and Problems of Evil: Ontological, Cosmological arguments.
• Day 59-60: Soul, Revelation: Immortality, Divine knowledge.
• Day 61-62: Religious Experience, Mysticism, Nature of Religious Language: Analogy, Symbolism.
• Day 63: Solve 5 questions from Previous Year Questions (2022).

Week 10: Revision & Mock Tests (Paper 1)

• Day 64-65: Revise Plato and Aristotle, Empiricism, Kant.
• Day 66-67: Revise Cârvâka, Buddhism, Vedânta.
• Day 68-69: Solve 2 full-length mock tests for Paper 1.
• Day 70: Analyze answers + revise weak areas.

Week 11: Revision & Mock Tests (Paper 2)

• Day 71-72: Revise Social and Political Ideals, Political Ideologies, Gender Discrimination.
• Day 73-74: Revise Notions of God, Proofs for God, Religious Experience.
• Day 75-76: Solve 2 full-length mock tests for Paper 2.
• Day 77: Analyze answers + revise weak areas.

Week 12: Final Revision & Practice

• Day 78-79: Quick revision of Paper 1: Key Western and Indian thinkers.
• Day 80-81: Quick revision of Paper 2: Socio-political and religious philosophy, current affairs.
• Day 82-83: Solve 2 full-length mock tests (Paper 1 & Paper 2).
• Day 84: Final revision of key concepts and current affairs.

Week 13: Buffer Week

• Day 85-86: Revise weak areas identified from mock tests.
• Day 87-88: Practice essay-type questions from Previous Year Questions.
• Day 89: Solve 1 full-length mock test (Paper 1 or Paper 2).
• Day 90: Relax, review key concepts, and prepare mentally for the exam.

Preparation Tips

• Study 6-8 hours daily, dividing time between reading, note-making, and answer writing.
• Use standard books like An Introduction to Western Philosophy by Anthony Flew, Indian Philosophy by S. Radhakrishnan, and Political Philosophy by Gauba.
• Practice answer writing weekly using Previous Year Questions to improve structure and philosophical articulation.
• Stay updated with ethical and socio-political issues via newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express) and journals.
• Join EduRev forums for doubt resolution and refer to How to Prepare for Philosophy Optional? for guidance.
• Focus on linking thinkers’ ideas to contemporary issues (e.g., gender, caste, governance) for Paper 2.

Recommended Resources

• Books: An Introduction to Western Philosophy by Anthony Flew, Indian Philosophy by S. Radhakrishnan, Political Philosophy by Gauba, Philosophy of Religion by John Hick.
• Online: EduRev Philosophy Optional Course (notes, videos, tests).
• Previous Year Papers: Previous Year Questions.
• Study Strategy: How to Prepare for Philosophy Optional?