Essays in UPSC preparation doesn’t require separate daily study hours in the beginning. Spending 1–2 hours per week is usually enough to build the habit of thinking, structuring ideas, and improving expression.

The key is to practice writing one essay every week or two, rather than postponing it until the Mains stage. Reading good examples, brainstorming themes, and getting feedback helps more than just reading theory about essay writing.
Over time, essay preparation becomes easier when it grows alongside your GS understanding and regular answer-writing practice.