Discover :- How to Prepare for UPSC by Self-Study? – Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is often considered one of the toughest journeys an aspirant undertakes. Since the past few years, there have been discussions about the extent to which Coaching Classes are relevant for UPSC Preparation. Many aspirants and toppers of the exam have highlighted the plight of students in context of extremely hefty fees for courses and test series, and below the level of quality of service.
Many successful candidates have cleared this exam through self-study. With the right strategy, mindset, and resources, you can too. To Prepare for UPSC by Self-Study, all you need is a right and positive mindset, good understanding of the exam, and utilization of many online available options.
Why Coaching is not a necessity in UPSC Preparation?
Before the IT revolution in Education, hubs like Mukherjee Nagar, Old Rajinder Nagar and their Coaching classes were considered a necessity for Preparation of exams like UPSC. However, times have changed and –
- High-quality study material and lectures are now available online for free or at affordable rates.
- With self-study, you can learn at your own pace and customize your preparation.
- Online resources like NCERT PDFs, mock tests, and government websites are budget-friendly alternatives.
- Many toppers have succeeded without formal coaching, relying instead on discipline, self-made notes, and strategic use of online content.
Tips to Prepare for UPSC Exam by Self-Study
1. Know the Exam – Syllabus and PYQs
Understanding the battle is half the victory won. The UPSC CSE is almost a year long process, with three stages of examination. Understanding the requirements of each stage is the prerequisite for attempting this examination.
Invest your time in understanding the syllabus of each stage of the UPSC Exam, and clarify your understanding by going through the Previous Year Questions. This is give you an idea of the extent, difficulty level and requirements and patterns of each stage of the exam.
Click here to know the most important topics for the UPSC Prelims Exam.
2. Make use of Topper’s Talks and Strategies
Learn from those who’ve already walked the path. Toppers often share their experiences, mistakes, and strategies on YouTube, blogs, and forums. Use these insights to:
- Shortlist effective books and resources.
- Understand time management techniques.
- Gain tips on answer writing and handling stress.
Model Answers: Refer to toppers’ answer sheets to learn:
- Structuring techniques.
- Using diagrams and flowcharts effectively.
- Balancing content depth with brevity.
3. Prepare a Plan
A goal without a plan is just a wish. Divide your preparation timeline into phases—Foundation, Prelims-focused, Mains-focused, and Revision. Have realistic monthly, weekly and daily plans to keep covering the syllabus.
Here are some tips –
- Your plan must include syllabus completion and revision slots.
- Your plan must be realistic.
- Allocate specific hours to GS, Optional, and current affairs.
- Include backlog days in your plan.
4. Be Accountable to Someone
Accountability ensures you remain consistent, motivated, and goal-oriented throughout your preparation.
- Share your weekly or monthly progress with a mentor or trusted peer. Discuss areas where you’re struggling and seek advice.
- Use planners, apps, or even a simple diary to log your daily and weekly achievements. Visual progress charts can serve as a great motivator.
- Join small, focused study groups (online or offline) with like-minded aspirants.
- Set small rewards for achieving study goals (e.g., a favorite snack, a short break, or watching an inspiring video).
5. Document your days
What gets measured gets managed. Keeping a daily record of your preparation journey helps you stay organized and ensures steady progress.
- You can document your day either online or offline through pen and paper mode (preferred).
- Document all the days – even when you don’t study (Guilt feeling = motivation for next day)
- Include – No. of hours studied, topics covered, breaks taken, how breaks were spent, etc.
6. Take help from Online Sources
The internet is your library that never closes. Use trusted websites like Government Websites, PIB, The Hindu, and Rajya Sabha TV for authentic content.
You can also use websites of various reputed coaching institutes like UnderStand UPSC to get relevant content. Click here to explore UnderStand UPSC.
7. Believe in Yourself
Success is 90% mindset and 10% strategy.
- Stay Positive: Self-doubt is normal but don’t let it overwhelm you. Remind yourself why you started this journey.
- Celebrate Small Wins:Completing a tough chapter or scoring better in a mock test are milestones worth acknowledging.
- Visualize Success: Imagine yourself clearing the exam and contributing to society. This keeps you motivated.
- Be Happy – Happiness is the path to success, not vice versa.
- Surround yourself with positive and supportive people.
Preparing for UPSC by self-study demands discipline, consistency, and resilience. As you embark on this transformative journey, remember: “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” Stay committed, use resources wisely, and believe in your potential.
Success is waiting on the other side of perseverance.
