Are you an IAS aspirant looking to begin your preparation for the 2020 UPSC examination? Are you still uncertain about the best mode of preparation that will suit your needs? Or are you still contemplating whether it is absolutely necessary to take UPSC coaching or will your self-study suffice to succeed and get the desired result in the UPSC exam? If you fall under any of these categories, then look no further. This article will help you make some decisions about your UPSC preparation.

The UPSC examinations are considered to be one of the toughest competitive examinations in India for two reasons: the amount of syllabus that the examination covers and the ratio of the number of students who sit for the examination and the number of students who are successful. The exam requires the student to devote at least 12-14 months of undeterred focus and dedication towards the exam preparation. During this period, it is easy to lose track and measure the effectiveness of their preparation, if the student doesn’t have a guide or a mentor. Hence, it is advisable that aspirants enroll themselves into some kind of UPSC coaching program which chalks out a schedule consisting of classroom study, self-study, practice tests, and peer learning. Let’s look at the benefits of coaching that an IAS aspirant can gain from if they enroll themselves in UPSC coaching:

#1 A well-researched study schedule that keeps the student on track

One may find enough and more articles on the internet, which may be the experience of one particular student, which may or may not work for you. Although, as a student, it is good to read and be aware of do’s and don’ts before fully one can commit to something whole-heartedly. But while these articles can provide some useful insights and tips about the exam, they will only supplement your primary mode of preparation. IAS coaching institutes that have been operating for the last 30-40 years have seen and mentored students of different calibers. It is with that experience that they draw out effective study schedules, month-on-month preparation plans that are comprehensive and have helped students in the past to be successful. Even if you are someone who feels that you are disciplined and can study on your own, or prefer learning by doing it yourself, it is definitely advisable to enroll into a coaching program (online or offline) for the UPSC exam. To take this 12-14 month journey as an  IAS aspirant can be tough if you are on your own. The study schedule that UPSC coaching institutes draw up, allot enough time for classroom study, self-study, tests, interview preparation, talks from current and past IAS officers, and newspaper reading. Having a routine or a schedule from the very first day can help set the pace for the next 12 months until the exam.

#2 Guidance from teachers, mentors, toppers and past achievers

IAS coaching institutes offering online or offline programs have a large network of teachers, mentors, past and current IAS officers, and exam toppers. As an IAS aspirant, if you enroll in a coaching institute, you will have access to this rich support group of achievers, who can share their stories, provide insights on preparing for the exam and what it takes to become an IAS officer. This will not only prepare you for the exam but give you a clear indicator of what it entails to become an IAS officer and if this is the path you see for yourself. As an IAS aspirant, you must not hesitate to reach out to teachers and mentors who have many years of experience coaching students like you.

#3 An in-depth analysis of the syllabus, past papers, and mock tests

One of the key reasons the UPSC exam is considered as one of the toughest in the competitive examinations in India is the amount of syllabus that the student has to cover. The syllabus of the UPSC exam covers the history, geography, economics, and political and social sciences of India along with its relations with the rest of the world and the innovations and scientific advancement that India has been working on. At the first look, any UPSC aspirant may feel overwhelmed, but if you have proper guidance, you will know which topics to focus on and how to cover the syllabus.  Here’s where UPSC coaching helps. Before beginning the actual preparation, coaching institutes help the students understand what is expected of the student, how can they study, what they must look for while reading the newspaper, which books to follow, the types of questions that are asked in the exam and the questions that can be expected in the exam. Coaching institutes will also do a timely review of your performance in the form of tests and quizzes, that will help you reevaluate your study plan if the need be.

#4 Peer learning

The journey from being an IAS aspirant to becoming an IAS offcer is long and ardous. From beginning the preparation to clearing the final interview, you are looking at a time period of a minimum of 14 months. During this period, you will be tested on your diligence, the amount of hard work you put in and your patience. By being a part of a learning group or a coaching institute, you will find several others like you, walking the same path, going through the same struggles and determined just like you to clear the UPSC examination. Peer learning is one of the most useful benefits of joining a coaching institute for your UPSC preparation. You can learn from your peers, help your peers with something they are having trouble with, thereby strengthening your concepts and share the journey with someone who is on the same boat as you.

#5 Tips & tricks to crack the IAS exam

While you may find all resources such as books and past year papers in the market, a UPSC coaching institute will help you navigate through the material in an orderly fashion from the exam point of view.  Learning from a teacher who has several years of experience coaching IAS aspirants can prove to be very valuable as they will be able to provide useful insights and tips & tricks that will help you crack the UPSC exam. Coaching institutes will not only help you complete the syllabus, but they will teach you how to study and how to interpret news articles and information from the exam point of view.

While we have listed five reasons why UPSC aspirants must choose the coaching route when beginning their exam preparation, you are also becoming a part of a network where you may get a chance to work with some of your peers, mentor other IAS aspirants and form friendships that could last for a lifetime.

All the best!