How to prepare for UPSC without coaching ?
In this Article we gonna tell you How to prepare for UPSC without coaching ? Civil Service exam is one of the most challenging exams in our country. This exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for the recruitment of eligible candidates. Candidates will need a lot of hard work to crack the UPSC civil service exam because it is not a piece of cake. Some candidates cannot invest money in civil service coaching. These tips will help you to know the eligibility criteria of the exam pattern and some tips to become an IAS officer without coaching.
Eligibility criteria
First of all, you should know whether you are eligible to take the IAS exam or not before starting your preparation. Candidates must be a graduate in any stream and should fall under the minimum age limit of 21 years.
The pattern of the IAS exam
Another main thing that you should know is the exam pattern of UPSC. This exam is conducted in three stages: Prelims exam, Mains exam and interview or personality test
- Prelims exam consists of objective type question papers
- General Studies paper 1
- General Studies Paper 2
- Question papers are set in both English and Hindi.
- The General Studies paper consists of the subjects Geography, History, General Science, Economy and Environment, Ecology and current affairs.
- General Studies Paper 2 comprises quantitative aptitude, comprehension skills, logical reasoning. This paper is qualifying in nature.
- UPSC mains exam consists of 9 descriptive papers along with 2 optional subject papers. This is the most crucial stage which decides your success in this exam. After qualifying for the mains exam, candidates are called for an interview.
How to prepare For UPSC Exam without Coaching?
It is a myth that you cannot crack the UPSC exam without coaching. By following the right strategy, candidates can crack the exam on the very first attempt. You will need hard work and smart work to crack this exam. A proper study plan and combination of hard and smart work will help you to get success in this exam. Candidates should start their preparation by reading NCERT books and an authentic newspaper like ‘The Hindu’. These resources are considered an indispensable part of the UPSC exam.
Some tips useful tips
Reading NCERT along with other standard books and newspapers, making notes and regular answer writing practice will help you to clear the UPSC mains exam without coaching.
- Choose the optional subject in which you are interested.
- Check the previous year’s question paper and take a lot of mock tests.
- You can also take mock interview sessions to groom yourself for the interview.
Prelims preparation
Prelims exam consists of objective type papers General Studies 1 and General Studies 2 or CSAT. Both papers are held on the same day in two sessions.
Follow these strategies to score well in this exam :-
- Current affairs is a crucial part of the UPSC Prelims exam. Generally, candidates should prepare for Current affairs for 12 to 18 months on a regular basis. Some important sources for Current affairs preparation are Youth Destination monthly magazine, Yojana magazine, The Hindu and The Indian Express newspaper, Economic and Political Weekly, Press Information Bureau.
- If you have less time then You can go for the gist of EPW, the gist of Yojana, the gist of Kurukshetra, video analysis of The Hindu.
- You should prepare for UPSC Prelims and mains exam altogether because the syllabus of prelims and mains overlap.
- Check the previous year’s question paper to know about the exam pattern and how the questions are framed in the UPSC exam.
- For the CSAT exam, there is no need for a lot of preparation. Go through the previous year’s question paper and include some general book, strategy and trend analysis for this exam preparation.
- Making notes in your own handwriting is preferable for the UPSC Prelims and mains exam.
- Some important topics for the Prelims exam are a List of important cities and rivers, monuments, elephant reserves in India, Indian constitution, important terms, Ancient History, Modern History, Medieval History, World health sites in India, thermal power plants in India, National waterways, National Highways, disease and causing agents, Mahajan pad, important days and dates, straits, environment, conventions, protocols, government schemes etc.
- Choosing the right study material is a big part of UPSC preparation. When you prepare from an efficient and effective book for the Prelims exam then they ensure your success in the Prelims exam. NCERT books are the most important study material. They provide credible and reliable information in easy to understand language.
- Prelims exam is qualifying in nature. The cutoff of General Studies paper 1 varies from year to year while candidates need 33% for the CSAT paper.
Syllabus of Prelims exam
The syllabus of the General Studies paper first includes History of India and Indian National Movement, Geography of India and World Economic and social development, Biodiversity, Climate change, environmental Ecology and General Science and current affairs. Paper 2 or CSAT checks the analytical skills, reasoning ability and interpersonal skills of the candidate.
Mains exam preparation
- Candidates have to fill a DAF form in which they indicate their preference of services and other details. Candidates can check all details about the DAF form from this link.
- Candidates who cleared the Prelims exam above the cutoff are eligible to appear for the mains exam which is the second stage of the civil service examination.
Preparation strategy
Current affairs is an important part of prelims and mains exam as well. So, you should prepare for current affairs for at least 12 to 15 months for the mains exam. Some important resources for current affairs preparation Youth Destination monthly magazine, Yojana magazine, Kurukshetra magazine, ‘The Hindu’ and ‘Indian Express’ newspaper, Press Information Bureau, Economic and Political Weekly, NCERT notes for UPSC mains exam, daily news analysis, daily video analysis of ‘The Hindu’ etc.
Candidates will need to write descriptive answers in the main exam rather than superficial answers so regular answer writing practice will help to clear the UPSC exam without coaching.
- Check the previous year’s question papers to get an idea of how the questions are framed for the UPSC mains exam.
- This exam tests the depth of candidates’ knowledge, therefore they should write relevant, succinct and meaningful answers in the main exam.
- Candidates should be well aware of conflicting socio-economic goals and demands because this exam tests candidates’ basic understanding, review of the issues and ability to analyze things.
- Candidates will have to write two essays for the essay paper. They should arrange their ideas with an ineffective impression and concise writing.
- Candidates now have to choose one optional subject due to the changing pattern of the UPSC mains exam.
- The selection of the right optional subject is important for the UPSC exam.
- Discipline is one of the most important things to make a schedule and follow it. Try to cover whatever you set out to do that day.
- The Civil Service exam is an approx 1 to 1.5-year long journey so you need to be sustainable and give yourself a well-deserved break after finishing a particular portion.
- Keep a printout of the syllabus on your study table. You should spend some time going through the syllabus before starting your preparation. It will give you an idea of what can be asked in the examination.
- Candidates should be able and have to apply what they have studied because this exam is not only about your testing knowledge but also how you apply it in the exam.
- Don’t spend more than two hours reading the newspaper or preparing for current affairs. Early on your preparation journey, you can spend more time reading the newspaper but eventually your speed and grasping power will increase.
- Current affairs is a topic that is constantly updated so it is better to make note notes digital. It will help you to add more details whenever you want.
- You will have to put something extra while writing your answer because every candidate generally studies from the same study material. Give more time to revision and reinforcement. The more you revise the content, the more you will be able to write the best answer.
