I have seen many people asking asking on “UPSC tips” on various forums. One question which gained my attention is ” Is it possible to crack UPSC without coaching ? “..many experts have given their opinion. Similarly many coaching center guys have given their opinion, hope it is not necessary to mention their opinions as we can expect them to be biased. In this blog post we will cover unbiased version of “Is coaching necessary or not to get into UPSC service ? “.
How to Prepare for UPSC Without Coaching ?
1. Embrace Self-Discipline and Strategy Over Coaching
- Coaching isn’t a requirement for clearing UPSC. What is important is the correct strategy as well as a rigorous and consistent discipline and a consistent effort.
- Numerous UPSC toppers have been successful by dedicated study and have proven that coaching isn’t required.
2. Begin with an Rock-Solid Foundation
- Begin by studying the NCERT books (classes six to twelve) to establish your fundamental understanding. It would the trigger the process and make your next steps very easy.
- Learn to build your basic knowledge slowly before adding depth using the standard reference books such as Laxmikanth to Polity, Spectrum for Modern History and G.C. Leong for Geography.
Also Read : offline vs Online Coaching : Which is recommended ?
3. Set Realistic Goals & Stick to a Study Schedule
- Create your own weekly-monthly, daily-study routine and monitor your progress regularly.
- A well-organized daily routine may appear like:
| Time | Activity |
| 6-8 AM | Current Affairs |
| 9-11 AM | Static Subject (e.g., Polity) |
| 12-2 PM | Optional Subject |
| 4-6 PM | MCQ Practice |
| 7-9 PM | Revision |
4. Use a Core Set of Study Resources Only
- Avoid overloading of materials. Rely on:
- NCERTs for basic.
- One or two standard texts for each area.
- Consolidated current issues from reliable sources such as the PIB, Yojana or even the monthly UPSC daily digests of current events.
- Exam Question Papers from Previous Years (PYQs) to understand the structure and demands of the test.
5. Practice Answer Writing Early (For Mains)
- Join Answer-writing groups online for free or initiatives to practice writing with constraints.
- Try to write 150- and 250-word answers daily to enhance your communication and build your vocabulary.
- To prepare for the section on Ethics (GS-4), regularly test your writing skills using caselets.
6. Follow a Weekly Plan for GS and Essays
- Write essays and add optional subjects in a systematic way:
| Day | GS Paper Focus | Additional Practice |
| Mon | GS-1 | Essay |
| Tue | GS-2 | Optional Paper 1 |
| Wed | GS-3 | Optional Paper 2 |
| Thu | GS-4 | Ethics / Case Studies |
| Fri-Sun | Full-Length Test + Revision |
7. Prepare Intelligently for the Interview (Personality Test)
- Participate in the free practice interviews on reputable platforms to become familiar with the interview format.
- Learn to master Your DAF (Detailed Formulation)–know your background, your hometown, and interests from top to bottom.
- Keep up-to-date with the latest plans and national activities. Make sure you communicate with clarity and confidence.
8. Beginners: A Self-Study Roadmap
- Know the structure of the exam Prelims Mains – Interview.
- Start by reading NCERTs beginning with NCERTs, then progressing by using standard textbooks.
- Check out toppers’ strategy videos to frame your strategy.
- Begin by joining peer support group (e.g., Telegram groups) to stay on track and to share the resources.
Inspiring Peer Insights & Success Stories
- A young aspirant aged just 21 years old of Panchkula, Aastha Singh has secured an AIR 60 in the CSE exam of UPSC 2024. All thanks to self-study by avoiding the coaching centers like Delhi. Her success is proof of the power that comes from determination and concentration.
- Shakti Dubey, who won the UPSC CSE 2024, sustained her efforts through several attempts. She credits the same fundamentals and routine newspaper reading and constant PYQ training–not shortcuts to her success.
- Aishwarya Sheoran, a former Miss India finalist, cleared UPSC without coaching and chose to serve as an IFS officer–highlighting how self-study can lead aspirants to individualized paths of public service.