Crack UPSC without coaching in 2026. Learn from toppers who cleared IAS through self-study. Get free resources and timetable.
Can you crack UPSC without coaching?
Yes. Absolutely yes.
Every year, toppers prove that coaching is not mandatory. Anudeep Durishetty (AIR 1, 2017), Srushti Deshmukh (AIR 5, 2018), and countless others cleared UPSC through self-study.
This guide shows you exactly how to do it.
Let's start with an uncomfortable fact that coaching centers won't tell you:
Coaching covers only 25-30% of your preparation.
The remaining 70-75%? That's self-study. With or without coaching.
So the real question isn't "coaching or no coaching" — it's "how do I make my self-study effective?"
In coaching:
In self-study:
| Preparation Mode | Cost (1 Year) |
|---|---|
| Delhi Coaching + Living | ₹4-6 Lakhs |
| Online Coaching | ₹50,000-1,00,000 |
| Self-Study with UPSC Academy | ₹2,567-6,000 |
| Pure Self-Study (free resources) | ₹10,000-15,000 |
That's a difference of ₹4-5 Lakhs. Money that could support another attempt if needed.
UPSC doesn't test how well you memorized coaching notes. It tests:
Self-study naturally builds these skills. Coaching often doesn't.
| Name | Rank | Year | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anudeep Durishetty | AIR 1 | 2017 | Former Google engineer, 5th attempt |
| Srushti Deshmukh | AIR 5 | 2018 | 1st attempt, online resources only |
| Satyam Gandhi | AIR 10 | 2020 | Bihar, 1st attempt, pure self-study |
| Vidushi Singh | AIR 13 | 2024 | No coaching, joined IFS |
| Ansar Shaikh | AIR 361 | 2016 | India's youngest IAS at 21, no coaching |
Common thread? All used self-study with strategic resources. None spent lakhs on coaching.
Goal: Build basics from NCERTs
| Week | Focus | Time/Day |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | NCERT History (6-12) | 4-5 hours |
| 3-4 | NCERT Geography (6-12) | 4-5 hours |
| 5-6 | NCERT Polity (11-12) | 4-5 hours |
| 7-8 | NCERT Economy (11-12) | 4-5 hours |
| 9-10 | NCERT Science (6-10) | 4-5 hours |
| 11-12 | Revision + PYQ Analysis | 5-6 hours |
Pro tip: Don't just read NCERTs. Make notes. The act of writing helps retention.
Now add depth:
| Subject | Standard Book | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Polity | Laxmikanth (selective chapters) | 4 weeks |
| Modern History | Spectrum | 3 weeks |
| Geography | GC Leong + Maps | 4 weeks |
| Economy | Ramesh Singh (selective) | 3 weeks |
| Environment | Shankar IAS Notes | 2 weeks |
Key insight: You don't need to read entire books. Focus on chapters that appear in PYQs.
| Daily | Weekly | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Newspaper (30 min) | 100 MCQs | Full mock test |
| Current affairs notes (20 min) | 2 answer writings | PYQ paper practice |
| Topic revision (1 hour) | Week's revision | Monthly compilation |
| Activity | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Full-length mock tests | 2 per week |
| Sectional tests | Daily |
| Answer writing | 3-4 per day |
| Revision | Continuous |
| Resource | Purpose | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| UPSC Academy (1-Year) | Notes + Tests + PYQs | ₹2,567 |
| UPSC Academy (Lifetime) | Everything forever | ₹6,000 |
| The Hindu (Digital) | Current Affairs | ₹2,000/year |
| Standard Books | Reference | ₹5,000 total |
Total investment: ₹10,000-15,000 — Less than 1 month's Delhi coaching fee.
We built UPSC Academy specifically for self-study aspirants:
| What You Get | Coaching Cost | UPSC Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Complete GS Notes | ₹1,00,000+ | ₹2,567 |
| Optional Subject | ₹35,000+ | Included |
| Test Series | ₹20,000+ | Included |
| Current Affairs | ₹5,000+ | Included |
| Total | ₹1,60,000+ | ₹2,567 |
Wrong: Buying 5 books per subject, subscribing to 10 channels Right: One comprehensive source + NCERTs + newspaper
Current affairs = 20-25% of Prelims. Skip it, and you're throwing away easy marks.
Wrong: "I'll take mocks when I'm ready" Right: Start mocks from Month 4. They show you what you don't know.
UPSC Mains is a writing exam. If you only read, you'll struggle to write answers in time.
They have 8 hours of classes. You have freedom. Use it wisely. Quality beats quantity.
If you're working, here's a realistic schedule:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:00-7:30 AM | Static subject study |
| Commute | Audio revision / News |
| Lunch break | 20 MCQs |
| 9:00-11:00 PM | Current affairs + Revision |
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:00-9:00 AM | Deep study / Mock test |
| 10:00-1:00 PM | Answer writing + Analysis |
| 3:00-5:00 PM | Week's revision |
| 6:00-7:00 PM | Planning next week |
Weekly total: 43-50 hours — Enough to clear UPSC.
For some optionals (Philosophy, Sociology), coaching can help. But even these can be done through self-study with good notes. Many toppers cleared with self-study optionals.
Options:
Perfect for self-study! You'll approach topics with fresh eyes. Use NCERTs to build basics — they're written for beginners.
Coaching is a crutch, not a necessity.
The real requirements for UPSC success:
All of this is possible without spending lakhs on coaching.
Start smart. Start today.
Ready to begin your self-study journey?
Explore UPSC Academy — Everything you need for ₹2,567 (1-Year) or ₹6,000 (Lifetime).
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