How to Prepare for UPSC without Coaching, Steps by Steps Process

Candidates must have completed the entire UPSC syllabus and examined the paper pattern and developed a successful self-study plan in order to prepare for the UPSC without coaching. Applicants who want to take the highly competitive Civil Services Examinations have questions in their minds about how to prepare without coaching. Every year, the Union Public Service Commission conducts the Civil Services Examination, which is one of the most difficult tests in India. You can prepare for the exam without enrolling on expensive coaching services. Within a year of your preparation, with the appropriate approach, method, and timing can help you accomplish the goal.

Are you eligible for UPSC IAS Exam?

Candidates who want to become officers should have an idea about the eligibility criteria before preparing for the exam. One should be under the UPSC age limit as mentioned in the official notification and should be a graduate.

Can We Clear UPSC Exam Without Coaching?

Yes, a Candidate can qualify for the UPSC exam without a coaching institute. In the past, many aspirants cleared the UPSC exam without coaching. However, one should understand that UPSC CSE is hard and competitive, requiring a lot of hard work, perseverance and consistent dedication.

Understanding of UPSC Exam

The UPSC CSE exam is a highly competitive examination in India conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit candidates for various positions in the civil services of the Indian government. It consists of three stages: Prelims, Mains, and the Interview Test. The exam has a vast syllabus covering subjects like General Studies, Aptitude, and optional subjects. Candidates must immediately begin their preparations with all of their focus and attention if they want to appear in the upcoming UPSC exam. Many people study for the UPSC exam on their own each year and succeed in passing the test. Check all the basic information of the UPSC Civil Services exam from the table below to begin your at-home preparations:

Tips to Prepare for UPSC without Coaching

• Go through Previous Year Questions

In addition to assisting you in evaluating where you stand, UPSC Previous Year Questions will also give you some insight into the general trend and structure of the questions asked in the UPSC CSE exam. You can adjust your plan and update the important sections as needed. Previous Year Questions (PYQs) will help you learn how to study effectively.

• Prepare a Robust Study Plan

Read the preliminaries and mains syllabus after finishing the previous year’s test questions. Know every single detail of the exam format before creating a thorough study schedule. Set daily, weekly, and monthly goals to effectively complete the whole curriculum. Create manageable, small goals. In order to ensure that you don’t forget what you have read, reserve the weekends for revision. You will be able to develop and maintain concepts by doing this.

• Start with Making Your Foundation Strong

Each subject needs to have a solid base, which is important. It will help you improve and strengthen your study plan to cover the entire syllabus. Begin with NCERT textbooks for history, politics, economics, geography, and general science. Doing map-reading exercises can also help you understand Indian and global demographics better.

UPSC Book List

• Make Newspaper Reading a Habit

Once you have done that, reading the newspaper will be enjoyable for you since you will be able to relate it to your theoretical knowledge. Make reading prestigious publications like The Hindu and The Economic Times a habit. At the very least, read the editorials and important news stories that might be relevant to the exam. For thorough news coverage, check out our daily and monthly current affairs analysis. Also, include monthly publications like Yojana and Kurukshetra in your study routine. They provide great information on both static topics and the latest news. Make a list of key details to support your answers.

• Practice, Practice & More Practice

Read the literature recommended for each paper after you have strengthened your foundation. The complete StudyIQ Publication Book List is available here. Practice is the next step. Write your answers thoroughly. Do not forget to practice for the CSAT, as you need to score more than 66 to qualify for the Mains. Take practice exams to improve. Join a good test prep program that covers both the CSAT and GS paper. You can prepare for the UPSC CSE Prelims and Mains at the same time. However, start focusing specifically on the Prelims from January or February.

UPSC Preparation Tips Without Coaching

• Lack of Guidance:
  • Aspirants may need guidance on how to approach the vast syllabus and prepare effectively.
  • They may need help developing a study plan and prioritizing the subjects.
• Difficulty Understanding Complex Topics:
  • The UPSC exam covers a wide range of topics, and some of them can be complex and challenging to understand.
  • Without coaching, aspirants may struggle to grasp these topics and concepts easily, which may lead to a lack of confidence in their preparation.
• Inadequate Study Material:
  • Aspirants preparing for the IAS exam without coaching may find it difficult to source adequate and high-quality study material, especially for optional subjects.
  • This can impact their IAS main preparation and leave them feeling ill-prepared for the exam.
• Limited Access To Test Series:
  • Test series are an essential component of UPSC preparation, as they help aspirants evaluate their preparation and identify areas for improvement.
  • Without coaching, aspirants may have limited access to test series, which can hugely impact their exam performance.
• Lack Of Motivation And Accountability:
  • Preparing for the UPSC exam without coaching can be a lonely and demotivating journey.
  • Aspirants may need help to stay motivated and accountable to their study plan, leading to procrastination and a lack of progress in their preparation.

Preparations Phase and Problem Faced by Aspirants

• The Civil Service Examination’s extensive syllabus makes it so challenging. 
• Therefore, one of the main issues experienced by students who prepare without any professional coaching is the absence of appropriate materials and competent supervision. 
• Students need help finding pertinent booklists or study tools. There are endless resources available online and in bookstores. 
• As a result, recent graduates always have “too many books and too little time”! The approach is the important component when it comes to covering the full syllabus. 
• While several topics are critical and score well, many others can be missed. 
• The abundance of the syllabus and free resources may overwhelm new candidates, and they may save time trying to align them. Next comes effective time management. 
• Coaching assists candidates in creating a schedule. Because of this, it is challenging to manage time while lacking it effectively. 
• You might also need assistance with your problem areas; without coaching, it is difficult to fulfil this demand.

Candidates need to be good at assessing their own descriptive answers. But does that mean joining a coaching program is a must for UPSC aspirants? The answer is no. While preparing for the IAS Exam without coaching, there are important things to consider. It is challenging but definitely possible. By following a disciplined study routine, using available resources, and staying motivated, you can do well in the exam. Remember, consistency, self-evaluation, and continuous learning are the formula. With determination and hard work, you can achieve success.

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