“Can one clear IAS Exam without coaching?” You might have heard this question asked a hundred times to Civil Services Exam toppers both by media as well by future aspirants. And we have heard different versions of answers from the toppers too – depending on whether they adopted coaching or not. But in the online age – one can say with assurance – Yes, any hardworking candidate can clear IAS exam without attending classroom coaching!
Can I Clear IAS Exam Without Coaching Classes?
Yes.
There are many instances of candidates who cracked IAS without going any coaching – without spending sleepless nights and truckload of money at any coaching institutes.
Go through our UPSC toppers interview section. You can read the testimonials of toppers.
But is classroom coaching bad?
No; unless the institutes are misguiding you.
Upon checking the profiles of candidates who cleared IAS, we can also see that there are candidates who cleared with coaching, without coaching, left the job for self-preparation, who cleared the exam while working and so on.
And that itself gives the answer to this question “Can I Clear IAS Exam Without Coaching Classes?” – It can be a YES or NO – It all depends on the person.
Do you need IAS Coaching? The Answer To The Long Pending Question!
Let’s start with Sachin Tendulkar. Everyone knows that Sachin is a genius. He is talented and awesome. But why did he take coaching under Ramakant Achrekar and numerous other coaches? Will he be as successful as he is today without his coaches? Any clue? Ok. Leave that topic now, but try to ponder over this: why did you attend schools and colleges if you were able to study everything on your own?
We think good coaches and mentors can help their students a lot. Of-course there are many students who do well without mentors (like Ekalavya did in Mahabharatha [excuse us, if the example is too old. Of-course there are examples from the modern world too:-) ]), but there is no doubt about the help good mentors can do. In our opinion, what they do is – reduce the work of students by half! They help reduce the burden of students. By good guidance and clear knowledge, they can help students learn fast and succeed in the age of tight competition.
Having said that, we didn’t mean that in order to succeed in IAS exam you need to attend coaching institutes the way you attended school. This not necessary. And this is not a must. Why because, you are already graduates! Apart from optional subjects, none of the questions asked in the examination requires specialized study. If your optional is not your subject of graduation, you might need coaching for that, else it is not a necessity.
Wait, the topic is not over. What if you are not confident that you can finish the vast syllabus by yourself within the limited time? What if you do not know where to start and what to study? What if you don’t know the books and magazines for UPSC preparation? Here, like what I said before, a good coach can help you reduce your work load by half. But only a good coach!
What should a good coach do?
There are two things you need to clear UPSC exam:
- Guidance (Strategies).
- Knowledge (Study materials and notes)
A good coach or a good coaching institute should be able to provide these two. If you are not getting relevant and latest strategies and guidance from a coaching institute, even after spending thousands and lakhs of rupees there, then there is no meaning of attending coaching classes. At times, you might even know about students who fail to clear UPSC exam due to misguidance from coaching classes.
Coaching Classes: The latest realization
Of-course there are good coaching classes which care for the students and not their money. And not all are bad. Do Join if you find quality institutes. Don’t join institutes with a reputation of misguidance.
As what you need to get from a coaching class are just guidance and knowledge, in the online age there are alternatives. We are not saying that everyone should start subscribing this website from today :-). Of-course you can, and we hope it will do more good than harm! But as this post is not intended to sponsor ourselves let’s focus back to the topic. Apart from ClearIAS.com, there are many other good online coaching websites also which are valued by the IAS aspirant community, which you can rely upon. Good online IAS coaching websites provide much free service than many of the coaching centers, which charge you lakhs of rupees for their misguidance!
If you are still confused, scroll below.
When do you need Civil Service Exam coaching?
- If you are totally ignorant about the UPSC yllabus, latest pattern, IAS books and can’t formulate a strategy on your own to crack this exam.
- You are running short of time (got hardly 2 or 3 months before the exam), and need a crash course to go through all the important topics.
- If you are a person, who, after whatever efforts put, don’t feel confident to stay alone (without coaching, because of peer-pressure.).
- If you have only very little knowledge about the optional subject you plan to take for the main exam and feel it’s a risky strategy to take it on your own.
- You don’t have access to internet to browse good websites which provide IAS study materials and guidance free of cost and online shopping websites like amazon.in and flipkart.com, which provides door delivery of all books needed for IAS with free shipping and cash on delivery options.
When don’t you need Civil Service Exam coaching?
- If you are confident that you can crack it your own and feel just like UPSC that coaching institutes are not a necessity in this exam.
- If you are from any top institutes in India like JNU or IITs and know about the subjects, exam and pattern with details much before.
- If you have already attempted this exam with coaching – Since you already know the pattern, necessary books and syllabus, spending time again in the same classes will make you feel bored.
- If you are an serious analyzer of previous year questions – UPSC is putting sincere efforts to reduce the effect of coaching and spoon feeding in IAS selections, by making a drastic change in exam pattern by avoiding traditional questions and developing questions which require an analaytical frame of mind, an area where coaching institute cannot help much.
Conclusion: Can one clear IAS exam without classroom coaching?
Whatever conclusion you reach after reading this, to summarize, we are are adding the below points:
- Yes, one can clear IAS exam without coaching. But may not be ‘everyone’. It depends on his/her efficiency in self-study.
- If you are good at self-study, you can clear UPSC CSE without any classroom coaching.
- ClearIAS website and ClearIAS mobile app are started just to help the bright minds in India do self-study and crack this exam! We have also launched full length timed online mock test series with negative marking for UPSC Prelims which can be attempted at the ClearIAS mock exam platform.
- Whether classroom or outside classroom, good guidance and study materials can supplement candidates’ preparation for UPSC exam. Underline the words – good, guidance, study materials and supplement.
- Join a coaching institute only if it serve the above purpose.
- Now there are online coaching websites which provide quality guidance and study materials.
- Realize that no coaching institute or online website can make a candidate an IAS officer, unlike the claims they make. The combination can be best described as 50:50. A good coaching institute can play 50% part, but unless the candidate put the next 50% effort he cannot become an IAS officer. All the best for all future IAS officers!
sukhdeep says
April 16, 2014 at 4:14 pmwhat should be done if i have a very little knowledge about all subjects of ias but i want to appear in this exam
vijay singh charan says
July 8, 2014 at 8:18 pmI will clear my ias exam without cohing…….. Wait and watch but i hambly requst plzzzzz…….. Help me…… I hope aap hmari help karege thank you……..
Ranjit kumar says
May 31, 2017 at 11:01 amSir I’m mechanical engineer and batch of 2011-2015 .I want to crack ias exam without join of coaching..So plz suggest me …Sir and call call me on that -9506351067
naveen says
July 26, 2017 at 2:37 amself confident is more important and believe in smart working not hard working.
Bhaskar says
January 5, 2019 at 4:05 pmDear brother initially you have to know that how to ask a person to help u
nisha rani says
January 24, 2015 at 9:43 pmDo hard work my brother only hard work if u want
AKASH KUMAR says
November 3, 2018 at 6:55 amTHANKS
Goutam says
March 16, 2017 at 11:03 pmDon’t do that, You will loose your attempt.
gaurav sharma says
October 13, 2014 at 3:34 pmi m from Hindi medium.is there book available for Hindi medium.? how to start prepare..??
Karan vanraj says
July 23, 2018 at 6:32 pmYea .. same here
How to preparation for this ..
And am related the Hindi medium
You have the salybus for IAS
I want plzz….
Am searched the Google but I didn’t found the salybus you have the salybus
Plzz give me …..
My Gmail…
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Alish aijaja says
December 1, 2014 at 5:58 pmAlish Aijaja: I will crack the ICS exam without coaching.In my view we should not depend much on coaching .We should giv our best effort to clear it .Really I appreciate som website is doing a great service.
mahendra says
May 3, 2015 at 8:37 pmPlz send your …nmbr I’m asking some questions
Ashu says
February 7, 2015 at 4:04 pmi am completing b. tech now and i am in second sem and i want to start preparation for upsc exam from now. how do i start the preparation plzzz help me…
Ramandeepladda says
March 16, 2015 at 4:11 pmi am studying in third year of B.tech electronics and communication in NIT .i have a strong desire to be an IAS,i will get a job in company but i want to be in this field,plz kindly suggest subjects that should i take for the prep.plz guide me as no one is in my contact, who can guide me for this.i will start preparing hard if you can tell me.till now i have been reading newspaper regularly.can i sit in exam this year just for an experience.since financially i am not strong so coaching is not possible for me…plz guide me i shall be very thankful to u.recommend some subjects that should be taken by ECE student.books,
Amit dey says
March 26, 2015 at 7:22 pmexm ki kese prepare karni he without coching kya without coching pre pare karne se me kar paawuga kon kon si subject padni he
Bikram raj says
May 14, 2015 at 6:43 pmcan anyone tell me
i’ve completed my b.com this yr bt having arrears
what can i do ?
saithalavi k p says
May 16, 2015 at 9:57 pmthanks a lot. u changed me
9729411095 says
June 13, 2015 at 10:03 pmSir I’m student of b.a 2 year tell how to prepare for ias ji
AJAY says
June 16, 2015 at 6:10 pmSIR , I HAVE COMPLETED B.SC ON NEXT YEAR WHAT CAN I DO BECAME AN IAS
ClearIAS.com says
June 19, 2015 at 11:14 amIAS can be cleared, what ever subject you take for 12th or graduation. Almost every query of a fresher is answered in the article: Clear IAS FAQ. Please go through the same in detail. All the best!
shibaprasad singh says
December 23, 2016 at 7:49 amThx sir.you’ve helped us a lot.Again thx.
Priyashree Behera says
July 6, 2015 at 11:10 pmHello sir,i am the b.tech student .my branch is computer science and engg.i want to be attend the ias exam.bt in second stage is that which subject i can choose for main exam.bcz there are no option for me.bcz my branch is comp.scince.plz sir i m waiting for solving ans.for me
lokesh kumar kumawat says
July 30, 2015 at 5:04 pmsir I student b.sc. 2 year of rajasthan university I want becam ips officer but I belong a poor family plase help me
Syam says
August 23, 2015 at 10:47 amI try to get it. My aim is to become eligible for it rather than achieve it.
Vijay Rasmalwar says
September 16, 2015 at 4:53 pmSir, just now I have started the IAS exam study.. but I have so many dought bcz I don’t know how to start the study… and 2016 will my 1st attempt..
Can some bady help me..
Mo.8177831395..
Is there any friends who are doing Upsc study ..plz call me…so we can make our group for study…
arpitha says
May 3, 2016 at 7:11 pmgood keep it upppppppppppppppppp
Anand Kushwaha says
September 18, 2015 at 3:51 pmhii i am anand kushwaha, my aim is to become an ias officer. Now i am in indian navy but i have not sufficient time for study………i m not satisfy with my job…..how can i achieve my target ???? plz help me………
rakhi says
June 10, 2017 at 12:11 pmjust leave a job
RAM says
October 31, 2015 at 12:32 pmi am 32 year old from sc now want to preparation for IAS please tell me am i eligible
Ghanshyam says
May 25, 2016 at 12:54 amYes . You are elegible… Bcz age limit for sc is 37. And graduation in any stream
Gulnaz says
November 10, 2015 at 1:48 pmSir i want to be an IAS officer…but i have no knowledge about …how to prepare …and i am pursuing btech with computer science and engineering..and i am a average personality …can i clear this exam ….
Sumit kumar vaisya says
November 12, 2015 at 6:57 amSir my name.s sumit kumar vaisya …I want to become IAS but i m unable to join coaching ….so i would like to know ..how i can prepair to my self
madina says
November 16, 2015 at 12:57 pmI am a beginner for civil services please suggest me which books are helpful in clearing Prelims and mains exam .
singh says
April 19, 2016 at 10:21 amncert to start kro all text buks 6 to 10
Arjun Sah says
November 20, 2015 at 1:13 pmHi. my sister looking for write IAS exam on 2016. If you have previous year question papers please sent to mail id [email protected] .
Thank you.
shakila devi gajendran says
January 8, 2016 at 10:39 pmi am shakila devi i have done my master degree in MCA my aim is civil services exam how to i prepare to pls give suggestion to me.thank you
Ajay Agarwal says
January 10, 2016 at 6:46 pmSir, Notes on History after Part 9 has not been uploaded or it cannot be viewed. kindly request you to help.
Pooja says
January 17, 2016 at 12:45 pmHello sir im very frustrated in my life without guidness I spoil my career I hve no family or frnds support I do many private job in my life and I also earn very good income like 25000 or 30000 per month but I dont want money in my life becoz pesa to duniya kma leti h being a girl every person doing to make me negative or underestimate me i just want moral support in my life duniya m sirf ek person who can give me moral support only one I want respect to me girl hone ki vjh se family se lekr frnds tk sbhi ne thukraya im a Graduate in computer science and also MBA from distance I face lots of problems and struggle nd still I face it but I decide no more I leave in alone and i decide want to becomes a IAS officer yhi wo chij h jo sbhi logo ko answer de skti h ki girl never be down but I have no idea how to do started prepration I hve dadication to work hard but work hard not sufficient I need guidness so pls if any one help me how can I do that pls help me my study is bca graduation and age is 24 and I have no more time to countine so just give only 2 years for prepration mail me on [email protected] pls sir if possible thanku…
Thameem basha says
January 17, 2016 at 7:02 pmIs it easy to crack IAS without attending any coaching centre
Sumit says
January 26, 2016 at 2:22 pmThank u ….. I read sincerely ur article. You give me right direction..!
ClearIAS.com says
January 27, 2016 at 1:21 pm@Sumit – All the best!
Rashmi says
February 3, 2016 at 3:45 amwho called as Ambedkar as ‘father of indian constitution’
Abhishek kumar says
April 6, 2016 at 8:21 pmMy name is Abhishek kumar sharma & I am student of b.com final year .could u plz Suggest me … how to prepare of civil service exam ? What will be the best subject for me … Sir plz reply me !
Thankx
krishn kanaujiya says
April 17, 2016 at 9:26 amias whatsaap group……..
without coching student……….
only hard work aim…..
pls is group se jude……
logo ki and hmari help kre…
whatssaap no 7071494723
priya says
February 8, 2018 at 8:05 pmiam ready
priya says
February 8, 2018 at 8:08 pmyaruvennalum serallama
singh says
April 19, 2016 at 10:19 amexcuses all stdnts i have a quote which i heard from ias toppers interview that if others can clear ias without coaching that i can also do,,,,,,,, so mind set up kro apna ki kiwe tyari krni aee…
Thota Rasagna says
May 6, 2016 at 4:11 pmsir ,I am ece study ,I want to write the civil services exam , I don’t know the portion and also how many levels are there to qualify civil service exams….. i want you suggestions to fill my goals plss explain me in detail sir.
Bhugeswar Sonowal says
May 12, 2016 at 8:47 pmHi…..
This is bhugeswar Sonowal….and I have been pursuing BA through IGNOU ….but I want to become an IAS officer ……im not satisfied with my present job…..so what strategy should I follow to achieve my goal….would you like to guide me….please……!!!!!
Daksh Saxena says
May 13, 2016 at 9:31 pmSir I Belong To A Poor Family. How Can I Prepare. My English Is Too Strong.
Daksh Saxena says
May 13, 2016 at 9:35 pmHow Can I Prepare For Ias. My English Is Too Strong.
Abhijeetgorai says
May 16, 2016 at 12:51 pmKeep it up you are doing a very good job the article was very helpful
sujay says
May 20, 2016 at 9:53 amsir, for cracking ias with good ranking,can i prepare at home?contuning a govt. service?
ClearIAS.com says
May 20, 2016 at 9:55 amYes, if you are properly guided and if you invest on right resources.
chintu says
June 3, 2016 at 10:32 amhi, I am from telugu medium is there any books in telugu medium, in this civill exam in overall English and hindi, only
rishika singh says
June 23, 2016 at 3:45 pmi hv just passed my 10exam i really wants to became an ias officer so how could i preprape for it
Nitinkumar Prabhu Choudante says
March 4, 2018 at 11:49 amHi Rishika first of all you have to completed 12th and take admission in graduation.more over you can start preparing for civil services examination parallely. You can start with 6 -12 old ncert books.
Nitin – 9834966616
rishikasingh says
June 23, 2016 at 3:53 pmi have jst passed 10 i want r became ias officer so hw could from now only i could i prepare for ias pls help which subject shall i take
rishikasingh says
June 23, 2016 at 4:02 pmReply me fast
hina vaishnav says
June 30, 2016 at 4:58 pmYou have to wait still your graduation will complete.
shikha borkakati says
July 11, 2016 at 1:05 pmI want to apper upsc exam without coaching…i want to clear it with zoology…i think i get advice form you
pravesh prashar says
July 16, 2016 at 6:26 pmactually i can’t understand how to start the preparation m so much confused every time a single question comes in my mind how and where to start the preparation and also want to know coaching is compulsory for that kindly help me
Mridul nandi says
June 12, 2017 at 10:00 pmSir I mridul nandi I want to become ias,about I am unable to join coaching……. So I would like to know…… How I can prepare to my life.
Best IAS coaching in Chennai says
August 3, 2016 at 4:55 pmCan anyone can become a Doctor without going class? Can anyone can be a Engineer without going class? Answer is No. There are many free classes for IAS for all really interested students who preparing for IAS exams.
Coaching classes increases Osmosis communication, Knowledge sharing, motivation, tips tricks are some of the important factors we get if we attend the classes.
Thanks and all the best…
Vetrii IAS Academy, Chennai
Piyush Jaiswal says
May 11, 2017 at 11:54 pmSorry to say…but it is possible to become engineer without attending classes.
Guys dont believe in coachings…if you go through the past ias ips officers, then you will come to know that only hardwork and positivity will work for cracking exams.
Why i am saying this because i am an engineer and got job in Cummins Technologies.
I got job only because of my efforts. I studied engineering myself, crack interview myself, left job myself and now….preparing for competitive exams myself.
So guys believe in yourself and god.
If you put your efforts then definitely you will be selected in IAS or other competitive exams.
Nakul sharma says
August 23, 2016 at 3:37 pmHi I am a chartered accountant my age is 23 I want to job in indian embassy by ifs so can you give me details for that
Gursewak says
October 1, 2016 at 5:33 pmI had done graduate degree of b.com last year so i want to ask which subject is best for optional subject for mains .i am from punjab can i appear for punjabi literature for mains . I humble request to u that Show briefly for main exam subjects thank u very much clear ias team
shreya kakadiya says
October 17, 2016 at 10:55 amhello sir, i am last year student of B.E. in electrical branch. i want to be an IAS officer but i have no idea how to start preparation for this and i am from middle class family so i want to pass this exam without coaching. I am eng. student so which subject is good for me. plz sir reply me at my gmail. [email protected]
vijaya says
December 17, 2016 at 8:25 pmHi I am Vijaya nenu education lo chala poor kani Edo sadenchali ani goal. Degree complete ai 7 years aindi ,group 2 Ki prepare avvali ani decided ayyanu, but indian polity assalu ardam kavadam ledu, so plz ela prepare avvalo koncham chepandi
Deepika says
December 26, 2016 at 12:48 pmWant to prepare upse exam..plz suggest
sathish kumar says
December 31, 2016 at 1:19 pmhi friends! i want to prepare IAS exam.. so please giving some details…..
Ajin says
May 30, 2017 at 7:14 pmSir i completed my diploma in engineering. Can i used this certificate to am qualified in civil service exam??
Parvesh Kumar says
June 21, 2017 at 10:15 amParvesh kumar
Hi I am Parvesh kumar . My age is 15 years . I want to become IAS officer so please give me some details…..
sonam thakur says
July 15, 2017 at 12:43 amHello sir. . . .
I’m in b.sc 1st year pcm
Sir I have a dream to become an IAS officer from my childhood .. it’s not only my dream it’s my ambition my goal nd my every thing …
I belong from a middle class family so I can’t afford so called coaching classes for this so I want to prepare it frm my own self so plzzz guide me nd give me some instruction. .. coz I wanna crack upsc … Nd Achieve my goal
Sir I only want a good guidance
I m petty much sure that I will be one of them who will crack upsc in lakhs students. ………… ☺
Abhishek Bhardwaj says
August 24, 2017 at 3:31 pmFound your post interesting to read. I can’t wait to see your post soon. This article is really very interesting and effective. Keep uploading the essential articles about this very examination
Shamitha Srinivas says
August 29, 2017 at 1:00 pmHi this is Shamitha(22 years). I am working in wipro technologies. I want to become an IFS officer. But I have time constraints to join coaching classes. So can you help me plan how I can crack the exam without coaching? Coz I understand that planning is very much important to crack upsc.
Please help me.
Thanks in advance.
ClearIAS.com says
August 29, 2017 at 1:12 pmHi,
Appreciate your interest in Civil Services (IAS/IPS/IFS…).
To get an early advantage you need be focussed and determined.
Please go through the below links, to get the right guidance.
1. IAS books (https://www.clearias.com/ias-books/)
2. Guidance (https://www.clearias.com/upsc-exam-guidance/)
3. Mock Exams (https://www.clearias.com/upsc-prelims-test-series/)
4. ClearIAS App (https://www.clearias.com/app/)
5. UPSC Exam syllabus (https://www.clearias.com/upsc-syllabus/)
6. Free Study Materials (https://www.clearias.com/ias-study-materials/)
7. Free downloads (https://www.clearias.com/downloads/)
Thanks and regards, ClearIAS Team
annu says
August 31, 2017 at 1:49 pmhello sir,
hi sir i m annu. currently i m working under CAG (central govt. sector). Due to job it’s not possible for me to join any tuition classes.But i really want to clear this exam without any coaching. Sir, pls can i get lil guidance regarding this.
kindly reply me.
anita says
September 7, 2017 at 7:50 pmi belongs to middleclass family. and can afford for coaching for ias. i am unable to understand that which is correct path for ias . plzz guide me how to prepare for ias withoutout coaching . and what books to refer for ias . .
kindly rply me
kiba says
September 27, 2017 at 11:27 ammany are called but few are chosen.
so my dear friends, don’t take so easy nor to difficult, bcuz it will crack your mind.
in a year approximately 12 lakhs students appeared for ias… but out of 12 lk only 100 will be elected for ias..
Sapna Singh says
December 25, 2017 at 12:00 amI’m persuing PGDM (Finance and Marketing), and this is my 3rd sem.
After getting placement in bank, my next Target is preparing for IAS @2019.
I need guidance .
Nitin Prabhu Choudante says
March 4, 2018 at 12:20 pmHi Sapna,
When you r getting placement in bank, you can start your preparation with 6- 12 th old ncert books.
1- learn the requirements of the UPSC civil services examination.
2- Buy some essential books to get the stone rolling.
3- read clear IAS online study material (free).
4- get the right guidance; follow clear IAS articles on UPSC civil services examination.
5- Join clear IAS mock test series practice,learn and revise.
6- Stay away from low quality IAS coaching centers as well as low quality study material.
7- Stay away from negative thinking and speeches. “Do healthy discussion”.
8- Stop worrying too much , just do it.
“Best of luck”
Mr.Nitin
9834966616
santosh kumar sahu says
January 9, 2018 at 6:01 pmmy self Santosh sahu and I’m medical student with BMLT course in 2nd year but we want be an ias so without coaching because I’m unable to pay coaching fee so please sir guide me for self study
Nitin Prabhu Choudante says
March 4, 2018 at 12:26 pmSir, you can start preparation without coaching with the help of different study materials.
BBS Academy says
February 26, 2018 at 12:34 pmThanks for the information
prashanth says
February 26, 2018 at 8:40 pmWhen to change in upsc upper age limit reduction.which year to change. my dob 09.03.1993 general category.upper age limit will be change for 2019 how many attempts eligible for me.how many years eligible for me.(year mentions plz)
Pradeep Kumar says
December 9, 2018 at 1:34 pmSir I’m student of B.a honours and batch of 2018 -2021. I want to crack ias exm without coaching. So plz.. suggest me sir and call me on that 7479591979
Aparna S Kumar says
December 21, 2018 at 7:35 pmSir, I’m a B-Tech finial year student of 2015-2019 batch. I would like to hold IAS so sir plzz… guide me. Because I’m not able to pay the coaching fee.
mohd arshad says
February 19, 2019 at 8:23 pmSir I am working person & I wanna prepare for ias exam & I have been started for last 2 month but working on it only 4 hour per day . Is it ample time to prepare? Tell me better website for preparation.due lack of time unable to join coaching.
Shaizuddin Ali says
May 3, 2019 at 10:07 amMai ek science ka student hu to muje optional subject kia lena chahia