How to Prepare for UPSC IAS Without Coaching?
How to prepare for UPSC IAS without coaching? - UPSC Indian Administrative Services Exam 2021 is one of the most sought after exams in India. Every year close to a million candidates fill the IAS application form and the numbers keep on increasing. Despite a large number of applicants, only a few of them are able to crack the IAS. So, you know, the UPSC IAS exam is pretty tough. Many candidates join coaching classes for better IAS exam preparation, few of them refer to online classes. Besides, a large number of aspirants prefer to prepare for UPSC IAS without coaching. Now, you might be thinking that how can a student prepare for the toughest exam in India that too without expert advice? The answer lies within this article, here we will talk about how to prepare for UPSC IAS without coaching? Before kickstarting the UPSC IAS 2021 preparation, candidates must first be aware of the syllabus and exam pattern of UPSC IAS. Hence candidates are advised to read the article till the end.

How to prepare for UPSC IAS without coaching?
Refer to the best books of UPSC IAS. Assemble NCERT books of Social Studies, Science and Maths from class 6-12.
Read newspapers like The Hindu, The Indian Express and make notes.
Practice writing long essays on a daily basis, this habit will come in handy for the mains exam.
Choose your optional subject carefully and try to excel in it.
Practice max to max UPSC IAS previous question year papers.
Read and watch interviews of UPSC IAS qualified candidates and know about their preparation strategy. This will also help you in preparing for the interview round of IAS.
Make notes on all relevant topics that cover the background, features, facts, important figures, covering introduction, analysis, etc.
Cover all dimensions of the topic you are studying.
Focus on Current Affairs.
Read editorials.
Gain in-depth knowledge of all the subjects, sections and topics from the syllabus
Make short notes and keep it with yourself all the time for revisions, replace it with new short notes constantly.
Prepare a robust IAS preparation study plan.
The mains exam of UPSC IAS consists of 9 descriptive papers including one optional subject (2 papers). After qualifying the mains candidates will be called for the interview round. After qualifying the interview round, candidates will be recruited in the Indian Administrative Services.
Best Books for IAS Preliminary Exam
Subjects | Best books of UPSC for Prelims Exam |
Economics | Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh Economic Development & Policies in India – Jain & Ohri NCERT 11 |
International Relations | NCERT 10+2 (Contemporary World Politics) Current Affairs |
Geography | NCERT 6-10 (Old Syllabus) NCERT 11-12I (New Syllabus) World Atlas |
History | Facets of Indian Culture – Spectrum NCERT 11 (Ancient & Medieval) NCERT 10+2 (Modern Indian History) India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra |
Indian Polity | Indian Polity – M Laxmikanth NCERT 9-12 |
Best Books for Mains Exam
Subject | UPSC Books for Mains exam |
History, Indian Heritage & Culture [General Studies Paper 1] | India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra India after Independence by Bipan Chandra An Introduction to Indian Art Part 1: Textbook in Fine Arts for Class XI Ancient India by R.S Sharma History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra |
Geography [General Studies Paper 1] | Geography of India by Majid Husain Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G C Leong Fundamentals of Physical Geography NCERT Class 11 World Geography by Majid Husain World Atlas |
Polity & International Relations [General Studies Paper 2] | Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD Basu India’s Foreign Policy by Rajiv Sikri Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth |
Economy [General Studies Paper 3] | Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh |
Ethics [General Studies Paper 4] | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Main Examination by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudary |
The selection process of UPSC IAS consists of three stages - Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam and the Personality Test/Interview round. Appearing and qualifying in each stage is mandatory for candidates. The preliminary exam is objective type and the question paper is bilingual (English & Hindi). The preliminary exam consists of two papers - GS Paper 1, GS Paper 2. GS paper 1 comprises or comprises History, Economy, General Science, Geography, Environment and ecology, and current affairs. While the GS paper 2 comprises aptitude paper which has logical reasoning, comprehension skills and quantitative aptitude.
Post qualifying the Preliminary exam candidates will be called for the DAF (Detailed Application Form) after which they will have to appear for the mains. The mains exam is where the real game begins. Now, you might be thinking how to clear your concerns here are some facts - In 2015 out of 945908 who applied for UPSC IAS, 465882 appeared for the preliminary exam and only 15008 qualified for the mains. So you see the cut-throat competition here?
Other Related Articles
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) - How to Prepare for UPSC IAS Without Coaching?
Question: Can we prepare for UPSC IAS without coaching?
Answer:
Yes, you can prepare for UPSC IAS without coaching but you will have to invest more hours.
Question: Is coaching necessary to clear for UPSC IAS?
Answer:
No, it is not necessary but coaching classes provide expert advice which can be very helpful.
Question: Is 1 year sufficient for UPSC IAS preparation?
Answer:
Yes, but you will require systematic planning and strict strategy for the same.
Question: How many hours are sufficient to study for UPSC IAS?
Answer:
6-7 hours of regular study focused on the syllabus and exam pattern of UPSC IAS is sufficient but you must invest more and more time to study.
Latest Articles
UPSC IAS Exam Centres 2021 (Prelims & Main) - Check Test Centr...
UPSC IAS Exam Centres 2021 - Candidates can check UPSC IAS exa...
UPSC Civil Services Answer Key 2021 - Check IAS Prelims Answer...
UPSC Civil Services Answer Key 2021 – Various leading coaching...
UPSC Civil Services Answer Key 2021 by Chanakya IAS Academy
Union Public Service Commission will release UPSC Civil Servic...
UPSC IAS answer key by Vajiram and Ravi - Check IAS prelims so...
UPSC IAS Answer Key by Vajiram and Ravi - Candidates can check...
UPSC Exams 2021 - Check Notification, Dates, Vacancy for UPC C...
UPSC Exams 2021 - UPSC conducts exams for recruitment in Group...
Questions related to UPSC Civil Services Exam
How can I start preparing for IAS exams from 10th?
Hello Natalia!
After 10th,you have to complete your class 11th and 12th with any group but I think HEC (History Economics Civics) will be useful.
After completion of class 12th,you have to complete your graduation (Any degree).
After completion of bachelor degree,you have to take coaching for an IAS for 1 year.
After coaching,You have to appear for exams (I.e.prelims,mains).
If you have qualified in mains then you'll get a call for interview.
The marks of mains and interview will be added.
If you have got a good rank then you'll become an IAS.
Thankyou!
Hope it helps!
All the best for your future!
Along with IAS coaching NCERT Books will also taught by the coaching centre
HI Aspirant!
Yes definitely, coaching centres also teach NCERT books as the NCERT books of 9th to 12th class plays a vital role in the prelims round of UPSC exam. With NCERT books they also cover the standard books as these books have more question content and are written from the ground up. They form the foundation of your knowledge. Coaching centres also provide their coaching notes, they are helpful in revision before the exam.
Thankyou!
Please tell about ias coaching
Hi Dear,
Following are top IAS coaching institutes in India:
1. Plutus IAS Coaching
2 . The Hinduzone Online IAS Coaching
3 . Vajiram and Ravi IAS Coaching India
4 . KSG IAS Coaching
5 . Raj Malhotra IAS Coaching
6 . Yojna IAS Coaching
7 . Vaid’s Ics IAS Coaching
8 . Vision India IAS Coaching
9 . EDEN IAS Coaching
10 . Chanakya IAS Academy
good luck
i want to become an ias after 10th standrd.........if i join foundations in 11th standard and then i will give exam without graduation is it possible????????
Dear student,
No you will not be eligible for upsc ias if you do not complete your graduation or are in your final year of graduation. The eligibility criteria for ias says that, Candidates must hold a graduation degree in any discipline from a reputed university or must be in their final year.
For more info you may visit the following link:
who is bigger ias sp iwant it because i given form of upsc
Hello Dear,
According to the democratic system of government, people's representatives are more powerful than these officers. IAS and IPS services is a part of the prestigious Indian Civil services. The job profile of both these are very broad and both are posted on powerful posts, but IAS is more powerful as a DM. An IPS has only the responsibility of its department, but an IAS (DM) has the responsibility of all the departments of the district. First of all work hard for the examination power comes with the post to change the society.
Good Luck