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How to Prepare for UPSC IAS Without Coaching 2024?
Updated on Feb 14, 2024 03:10 PM IST | #UPSC CSE
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UPSC CSE Exam Date : 25 May' 2025 - 25 May' 2025
The UPSC CSE exam is one of the toughest exams because of its vast syllabus and competitive nature. Many candidates take coaching classes to navigate the UPSC IAS Syllabus. Many IAS exam aspirants, choose to prepare through self-study and can benefit from knowing how to crack the UPSC exam without coaching.
Preparing for the UPSC IAS exam without coaching will prove to be difficult at first glance. However, succeeding at the UPSC IAS 2024 Exam without coaching has been done before and can be done again with some smart work and planning. Firstly, candidates must acquaint themselves with the IAS Syllabus 2024 and the UPSC CSE Exam Pattern. This will help candidates prepare a good UPSC Exam Study Plan. The material below discusses how to prepare for the UPSC CSE exam without coaching.
How to prepare for UPSC IAS without coaching?
The aspirants who have planned for this prestigious exam can prepare for UPSC IAS without coaching by the following strategy:
They should plan their strategy on how to prepare for UPSC CSE without coaching.
They must study the UPSC IAS 2024 syllabus and analyse previous Civil Services question papers to start preparation for IAS without coaching.
Trend analysis and cut-off marks for UPSC prelims and mains will help the most to prepare without coaching for the UPSC IAS exam 2024.
They should go through the expert guidance of IAS toppers if want to prepare for the UPSC CSE exam without coaching.
Refer to the best books of UPSC IAS. Assemble NCERT books of Social Studies, Science and Maths from classes 6-12.
Read newspapers like The Hindu, and The Indian Express and make notes.
Practice writing long essays on a daily basis, this habit will come in handy for the UPSC mains exam preparation.
Choose your optional subject carefully by analysing previous question papers and the pass percentage of candidates and try to excel in it.
Practice as many IAS previous question papers as you can to prepare for IAS without coaching.
Read and watch interviews of UPSC IAS-qualified candidates and learn about their preparation strategy.
This will also help prepare 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 main exam of UPSC IAS 2024 consists of 9 descriptive papers including one optional subject (2 papers). After clearing the mains candidates will be called for the interview round. After clearing the UPSC Civil Services interview round, candidates will undergo selection for the Indian Administrative Services (IAS).
Free IAS Preparation Guide with Trend Analysis, Cut off, Preparation Tips & Strategy:
UPSC CSE Preparation Strategy and Best Books
UPSC CSE preparation strategy along with best books for prelims as well as mains exam for sure success.
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Best Books for the IAS Preliminary Exam 2024
The list of recommended books for UPSC IAS preparation is given in the table below for the benefit of students wondering how to become IAS without studying with a coaching centre.
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 |
How to prepare for UPSC IAS without coaching with help of the best books for IAS mains exam?
IAS aspirants must select the best books for mains to prepare for UPSC without coaching, these are
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 |
UPSC CSE Selection Process 2024
The IAS selection process consists of three stages - Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam and the Personality Test/Interview round. Appearing and qualifying in each stage is mandatory for candidates. It is not impossible to prepare for UPSC IAS without coaching but it needs guidance from UPSC toppers' which are available free on many career portals. The preliminary exam is objective type and the question paper is bilingual (English & Hindi).
The UPSC CSE preliminary exam consists of two papers - GS Paper 1 and GS Paper 2. GS paper 1 comprises or comprises History, Economy, General Science, Geography, Environment and ecology, and current affairs. The GS paper 2 consists of an aptitude paper that has logical reasoning, comprehension skills and quantitative aptitude.
After qualifying for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary exam candidates will be called for the DAF (Detailed Application Form) after which they will have to appear for the mains. The main exam is where the real game begins. Candidates who clear the UPSC CSE 2024 mains exam will be called to participate in the interview process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I prepare for UPSC IAS without coaching?
Yes, you can prepare for UPSC CSE without coaching but you will have to invest more hours.
2. Is coaching necessary to clear for UPSC IAS?
No, it is not necessary but coaching classes provide expert advice which can be very helpful.
3. Is 1 year sufficient for UPSC IAS preparation?
Yes, but you will require systematic planning and strict strategy for the same.
4. How many hours are sufficient to study for UPSC IAS?
6-7 hours of regular study focused on the syllabus and exam pattern of UPSC CSE is sufficient but you must invest more and more time to study.
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Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?
Hello!
IRAS (Indian Railway Accounts Service) officers can be posted in both cities and rural areas since Indian Railways has offices and operations nationwide. They typically work in divisional offices, zonal offices, workshops, and production units. Transfers do happen but are usually not very frequent and depend on government policies and organizational needs.
Hope this helps!
Kishan Bhakat 24 April,2025
To become an IAS officer, you must clear the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and then undergo training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA). While any bachelor's degree is acceptable, choosing a degree that aligns with the UPSC syllabus, particularly in humanities and social sciences, can be advantageous.
UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE):
This is the primary exam for becoming an IAS officer, involving three stages: Preliminary, Main, and Personality Test (Interview).
Any Bachelor's Degree:
A graduate degree from a recognized university is the basic requirement to be eligible for the CSE.
Beneficial Degrees:
Degrees in humanities and social sciences, such as Bachelor of Arts (BA), can be helpful due to the syllabus overlap with subjects like History, Political Science, Sociology, and Economics.
Optional Subject:
You can choose an optional subject in the Mains exam, and a BA degree can provide a wide range of options.
Hope it helps!!
sadafreen356 22 April,2025
Hello!!
That's a great goal—and your background as a research scholar can actually be a big asset in preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE), which is the path to becoming an IAS officer.
Step-by-Step Guide to Become an IAS Officer:
1. Understand the Exam Structure
The UPSC CSE has three stages:
Prelims: Objective (GS Paper + CSAT)
Mains: Descriptive (9 papers)
Interview: Personality Test
2. Check Eligibility
Age: 21 to 32 (for General category)
Degree: Any graduate degree (you already qualify)
3. Choose Your Optional Subject
Choose something you’re comfortable with (can be from your research field if it's available).
Popular optionals: Sociology, Geography, PSIR, Anthropology, etc.
4. Build a Study Plan
Since you're a research scholar, time management is key.
Daily 4–6 hours of focused study can work if you're consistent.
Focus on:
NCERTs (6th–12th)
Standard books (like Laxmikanth for Polity, Spectrum for History)
Current Affairs (The Hindu, Indian Express, or PIB + Monthly compilations)
5. Join a Test Series (Optional but Helpful)
For Prelims and Mains: to build speed, writing skills, and clarity.
6. Practice Answer Writing
Mains is all about articulation. Practice with previous year questions and mock tests.
7. Appear for the Exam
Notification comes out around February.
Prelims is in May/June, Mains in September, and Interview early next year.
How to Align This With Your Research Schedule:
Create a realistic time-table that includes 2–3 hours on weekdays, and more on weekends.
Use your research experience for deeper understanding and essay writing.
NITYAM MAHUR 12 April,2025
If your goal is to become an IAS officer, choose a degree that supports UPSC preparation and also provides a good backup:
BA in Political Science, History, Geography, or Economics is ideal for IAS.
BSc or BCom is fine too, but you'll need to study humanities separately for UPSC.
For backup, pick a subject with good job prospects like BBA or Computer Science.
KCET is required only if you're planning professional courses like Engineering or Agriculture. It's not needed for BA or general degrees.
Rubina Naseer 04 April,2025
Hello aspirant,
For becoming IAS , you have to first complete your graduation from any background from any recognised university or college. If you are in your final year, then also you are eligible. After that you have to give an entrance exam name UPSC . If you will clear this exam then according to your marks you may get the IAS position.
To know about UPSC entrance exam, kindly go through the given link:
https://competition.careers360.com/exams/upsc-cse
All the best!!
Sakshi Sharma 31 March,2025
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