How to clear Civil Service Exam (CSE) or IAS Exam without coaching?

Here is a simple but yet powerful strategy to prepare for IAS exam and clear it without coaching.

1. Read the UPSC Civil Service Exam (CSE) Notification from www.upsc.gov.in. The latest notification is given below

http://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Notification_CSP_2018_Engl.pdf

Read this pdf to understand the rules, pattern and syllabus of the exam. It provides all the information like eligibility, number of services, syllabus, subjects, syllabus etc.

2. Go through last year UPSC CSE question papers which are available at

http://www.upsc.gov.in/examinations/previous-question-papers

Solve the questions by searching the answers in the internet to understand the type of questions. Analyse the pattern of the question and identify the subjects of each question. You may read sample analysis at

http://www.visionias.in/resources/all_programs.php?c=prelims_sol

3. Read and memorise the prelims and mains syllabus of the exam

4. Buy the books from flipkart/amazon/bookstore/flavido.com from the book list from 

https://www.insightsias.com/schedule/0

5. Buy the handwritten class notes of Vajiram or Sri Ram IAS or any other good institute for General Studies , both prelims and mains from www.flavido.com or at a bookstore in Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi

6. Join prelims test series at insightsias.com or visionias.in or any other good institute online or offline depending on your comfort level and place of study. 

7. For Current Affairs, Read any one news paper like the Hindu daily and make notes in a A4 sheets. Also make notes from

http://www.insightsonindia.com/insights-ias-secure-2018-mains-answer-writing-practice-current-affairs-questions-answers/

http://www.insightsonindia.com/current-affairs/

Do not read any other magazine or news papers 

8. Write one GS answer daily by reading on that topic from all the sources, making rough points and writing the answer on A4 sheets. Be regular. You can make a small group of 3-4 aspirants to do the same. You can write one answer daily for optional subject also. Solve the previous year MCQs of that topic from examrobot.com by searching the topic. All the books/notes purchased (Point no 5 and 6) is only for reference to write the answers daily not for detailed study.

9. Write one essay every week.You can choose the previous year essays asked in the exam.

10, Once you clear the prelims, join mains test series for GS and optional. Write atleast 30 GS mains tests and atleast 20 optional tests and 25 essays for CSE Mains.

Follow all the above steps regularly and be consistent. Nothing else like number of hours, location, coaching etc is important if you follow all the above steps. All the best!

If you still have genuine doubts send a message or email at instagram @harishn25 

PS: Opinion is personal and I do not endorse/pramote any coaching/private institute. 

Regards,

Harish