Everything from 0 to Advance | DSA Calendar 2026 | Plan of Action

DSA Calendar 2026 | Plan of Action.md

DSA Calendar 2026 | Plan of Action 🔥

DSA is no longer about solving random sheets or memorizing solutions. It’s about a clear, structured, and realistic approach from absolute beginner to interview-ready Candidate.

• How to start DSA from zero (even if you don’t know coding)
• When to focus on language basics vs DSA
• A 3-phase preparation strategy used by serious engineers
• Exact timelines for topics, patterns, and problem counts
• Why 300–400 problems ≠ success (and what actually matters)
• How to shift from learning mode to real problem-solving mode
• Contest strategy, mistake tracking, and revision framework
• Advanced concepts you should touch (and when)

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DSA Talks: Learn, Solve & Crack: 🎥 Watch Full Playlist on YouTube

150 Programming Sheet: 🎥 150 Sheet Link

150 Programming Video: 🎥 Video Link

Problem Solving: 🎥 Video Link

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🟢 PHASE 1: Foundation Level Preparation (0 → Beginner)

This phase is only for beginners. If someone knows nothing about coding, don't panic.

✅ Step 1: Pick ONE Programming Language

Choose one language only (C++ / Java / Python / JavaScript)

❌ No language hopping

❌ No framework first

Your goal here is not DSA. Your goal is to understand the language itself:

• Variables & data types
• Conditions & loops
• Functions
• Arrays & strings
• Basic recursion
• Input / Output thinking

📌 Follow one complete beginner-friendly tutorial from start to end.

✅ Step 2: Build Logical Thinking (Very Important)

After basics, start solving simple programming problems.

This is where 150 Programming Problems Sheet comes in.

Why this phase matters:

• Builds logical thinking
• Improves problem understanding
• Removes fear of problem statements

👉 Don't rush

👉 Don't skip

👉 This phase builds your base

🟡 PHASE 2: Data Structures & Algorithms Preparation

Now you enter structured DSA learning.

🎯 Your goals in this phase:

• Understand DSA concepts
• Learn patterns
• Understand algorithm flow
• ❌ NOT memorizing solutions

✅ What to Do

Pick ONE high-quality DSA resource

It must cover:

• Topics from 0 → advanced
• All core data structures
• Common problem-solving patterns
• ~300–400 problems (quality > quantity)

⚠️ Important: Solving 300–400 problems is not the goal. Understanding WHY a solution works is the goal.

📺 Watch first: "How to Pick the Right DSA Resource"

⏳ Timeline

3–4 months total

Cover everything:

• Arrays → Graphs
• Recursion → DP
• Trees → Advanced patterns

Focus on:

• Concepts
• Flow of algorithms
• Pattern recognition

🔴 PHASE 3: Problem-Solving Level (THE REAL PREPARATION) 🔥

Now stop learning. Start practicing like an engineer.

This phase decides your interview performance.

✅ What to Do Daily

• Solve POTD (Problem of the Day)
• Solve random Easy & Medium problems
• ❌ Stop following sheets blindly

When you can:

• ✔ Solve Easy comfortably
• ✔ Solve Medium with effort

➡️ Move to Virtual Contests

🧠 Contest Strategy

• Start with 10–20 virtual contests
• Even 2–3 solved problems are enough
• Focus on:
  • Thinking under pressure
  • Time management
  • Approach clarity

Then move to real contests

📌 Most Important Rules

• Solve random problems
• Write down mistakes
• Identify weak areas
• Fix them deliberately
• Parallel revision using:
  • Problem-solving docs
  • Concept-based videos

⏳ Maintain discipline for 4–6 months

📊 CHART 1: DSA Topics – Structured Preparation Table

**Purpose:** This chart helps you plan *what*, *how long*, and *how deep* to study each DSA topic from an **interview POV**.

Topic Name	Duration	Min Problems	Important (Interview POV)	Difficulty	Status	Tags
Time & Space Complexity	2–3 Days	10–15	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Easy	Not Started	Basics
Arrays	2 Weeks	40–50	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Easy–Medium	Not Started	Core, Foundation
Strings	1 Week	25–30	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Easy–Medium	Not Started	Core
Recursion Basics	5–7 Days	20–25	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Core, Foundation
Linked List	1 Week	25–30	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Core
Stack	5–7 Days	20–25	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Core
Queue & Deque	3–4 Days	15–20	⭐⭐⭐	Easy–Medium	Not Started	Core
Hashing	1 Week	25–30	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Core, Foundation
Binary Search (Pattern)	1 Week	25–30	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Core, Pattern
Binary Tree	2 Weeks	40–50	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Core, Foundation
Binary Search Tree (BST)	5–7 Days	20–25	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Core
Heap / Priority Queue	5–7 Days	20–25	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Core
Greedy Algorithms	5–7 Days	20–25	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Advanced
Backtracking	1 Week	20–25	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium–Hard	Not Started	Advanced
Dynamic Programming	3–4 Weeks	50–60	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Hard	Not Started	Core, Advanced
Graph Basics (BFS/DFS)	1 Week	25–30	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Core, Foundation
Advanced Graphs (MST, SP, DAG)	2 Weeks	30–35	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Hard	Not Started	Advanced
Bit Manipulation	3–4 Days	15–20	⭐⭐⭐	Easy–Medium	Not Started	Optional
Math & Number Theory	3–4 Days	10–15	⭐⭐	Easy	Not Started	Optional

📊 CHART 2: DSA Patterns – Complete Interview Master Chart (2026)

Topic	Pattern	Duration	Min Problems	Important (Interview POV)	Difficulty	Status	Tags
Array	Two Pointers	2–3 Days	15–20	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Easy	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Array	Sliding Window	2 Days	10–15	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Easy	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Array	Prefix Sums	1–2 Days	8–10	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Easy	Not Started	Pattern
Array	Difference Array	1 Day	5–6	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Easy	Not Started	Pattern
Array	Merge Intervals	2 Days	10–12	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Array	Sorting Based Logic	2 Days	10–12	⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Array	Subarray / Subsequence	2 Days	10–12	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Array	Kadane's Algorithm	1 Day	5–6	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Array	Cyclic Sort Pattern	1 Day	5–6	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Array	Dutch National Flag	1 Day	4–5	⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Binary Search	Basic Binary Search	1–2 Days	8–10	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Easy	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Binary Search	Range Search	1 Day	5–6	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Binary Search	Allocation Problems	2 Days	8–10	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Binary Search	Counting Occurrences	1 Day	5–6	⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Binary Search	Bitonic Array Search	1 Day	4–5	⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Binary Search	Binary Search on Answer	2 Days	8–10	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium–Hard	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Binary Search	First True / Last False	1 Day	4–5	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Binary Search	Peak Finding	1 Day	4–5	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
String	Two Pointers	1–2 Days	8–10	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Easy	Not Started	Pattern
String	Sliding Window	1–2 Days	8–10	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
String	HashMap / Frequency	2 Days	10–12	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
String	String Manipulation	1 Day	5–6	⭐⭐⭐	Easy	Not Started	Pattern
String	Anagram Pattern	1 Day	5–6	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
String	Rolling Hash (Rabin–Karp)	1 Day	4–5	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Advanced
String	Trie Based Problems	2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
String	Regular Expressions	1 Day	3–4	⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Optional
Recursion	Basic Recursive Functions	1–2 Days	8–10	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Recursion	Divide & Conquer	1–2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Recursion	Recursive Search	1 Day	5–6	⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Recursion	Backtracking	2–3 Days	10–12	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium–Hard	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Recursion	Pruning Techniques	1 Day	4–5	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Advanced
Recursion	State Space Tree	1 Day	4–5	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Recursion	Recursion → DP Conversion	1–2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Hard	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Linked List	Fast & Slow Pointers	2 Days	10–12	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Linked List	Dummy Node Technique	1 Day	5–6	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Linked List	In-Place Reversal	1–2 Days	8–10	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Linked List	Recursive Linked List	1 Day	4–5	⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Linked List	Merge & Intersection	1 Day	5–6	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Stack / Queue	Design Problems	3–4 Days	15–20	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Stack	Monotonic Stack	2 Days	8–10	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Stack	Histogram Pattern	1–2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Stack	Next Greater / Smaller (All Variants)	1 Day	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Stack	Expression Evaluation	1–2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Stack	Two Stacks / Min Stack	1 Day	4–5	⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Queue	Sliding Window + Monotonic Queue	2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Tree	Traversals	2 Days	10–12	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Tree	Construction	2 Days	8–10	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Tree	Mirror & Symmetry	1 Day	5–6	⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Tree	Path Sum / Root to Leaf	1–2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Tree	Validation & Properties	1 Day	5–6	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Tree	LCA & Diameter	2 Days	8–10	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Tree	Tree Views (Top/Bottom)	1 Day	4–5	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Tree	Flattening Trees	1 Day	4–5	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Tree	Binary Lifting (Intro)	1 Day	3–4	⭐⭐⭐	Hard	Not Started	Advanced
Heap / PQ	Kth Largest / Smallest	1–2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Heap / PQ	Top K Frequent	1 Day	5–6	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Heap / PQ	Merge K Lists	1 Day	4–5	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Heap / PQ	Sliding Window Max / Min	1 Day	4–5	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Heap / PQ	Streaming Data (Median)	1–2 Days	4–6	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Heap / PQ	Greedy + Heap	1 Day	4–5	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
DP	Basic Dynamic Programming	2–3 Days	8–10	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
DP	Optimal Substructure	1–2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
DP	DP on Subsequences	2 Days	8–10	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Hard	Not Started	Pattern, Core
DP	Knapsack Problems	3 Days	10–12	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Hard	Not Started	Pattern, Core
DP	Interval / Range DP	2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Hard	Not Started	Pattern
DP	Counting DP	2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
DP	DP on Trees	2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Hard	Not Started	Pattern, Advanced
DP	Bitmask DP	2 Days	5–6	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Hard	Not Started	Pattern, Advanced
DP	Digit DP (Intro)	1 Day	3–4	⭐⭐⭐	Hard	Not Started	Advanced
Graph	Connected Components	1–2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Graph	Grid-Based BFS / DFS	1–2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Graph	Multi-Source BFS	1 Day	4–5	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Graph	Cycle Detection	1–2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Graph	Bipartite Graph Check	1 Day	4–5	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Graph	Shortest Path (BFS / Dijkstra)	2–3 Days	8–10	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium–Hard	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Graph	Union-Find (DSU)	1–2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Graph	Minimum Spanning Tree	2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern
Graph	DAG / Topological Sort	1–2 Days	6–8	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Not Started	Pattern, Core
Graph	Strongly Connected Components	1 Day	3–4	⭐⭐⭐	Hard	Not Started	Advanced
Meta	Problem Reduction Pattern	Continuous	—	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Conceptual	Ongoing	Meta-Pattern

🎯 Progress Tracker Summary

Total Topics in Chart 1: 19

Total Patterns in Chart 2: 90+

Estimated Total Time: 6–10 months (depending on consistency, disciple and hardwork)

Current Progress: 0%

Key Guidelines for Using This Tracker:

• Update the Status column as you complete topics/patterns (Not Started → In Progress → Completed)
• Use the Tags column to filter by importance (Core, Pattern, Advanced, Optional)
• Focus on 5-star rated topics/patterns first - these are critical for interviews
• Don't skip easier topics thinking they're "too simple" - they build your foundation
• Review completed topics periodically to maintain retention

❌ No shortcuts ❌ No motivation hacks ✅ Only consistent execution

Some Advanced Concept

• Segment Tree & Fenwick Tree (BIT) – For efficient range queries and updates.
• Disjoint Set Union (Union-Find) – Used in Kruskal’s MST and cycle detection in graphs.
• KMP & Rabin-Karp Algorithm – Essential for efficient string pattern matching.
• Number Theory & Mathematics – Covers GCD, LCM, Modular Arithmetic, and Prime Factorization.
• Advanced Graph Algorithms – Includes Tarjan’s (SCC), Floyd-Warshall, and Johnson’s Algorithm
• Suffix Array & Suffix Tree – Useful for advanced string matching problems.
• Mo’s Algorithm – Optimized approach for answering range queries offline.
• Game Theory – Includes Grundy numbers, Nim Game, and optimal strategies.
• Trie + Bit Manipulation – Useful for problems involving XOR queries and efficient searching.
• Heavy-Light Decomposition (HLD) – Advanced technique for handling tree queries efficiently.

🔔 Update: This document will be continuously updated based on industry trends and interview requirements, with new patterns, topics, and advanced concepts added over time.

True DSA

Amazing!!

Good one