How to Prepare for UPPCS Exam 2025 Without Coaching

How to Prepare for UPPCS Exam 2025 Without Coaching

The UPPCS (Uttar Pradesh Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services) Exam 2025 is one of the most prestigious state-level civil service examinations. Every year, lakhs of aspirants apply for this exam, but only a few hundred make it to the final merit list. Many aspirants believe that coaching is necessary to crack this exam. However, with the right strategy, discipline, and resources, you can clear UPPCS without coaching.

This guide provides a complete roadmap for self-study – from Prelims to Mains and Interview – to help you prepare effectively at home.

 Step 1: Understand the UPPCS Exam Pattern

Before making a study plan, you must know the structure of the exam:

Prelims Exam (Objective Type)

Paper 1: General Studies I – 150 marks

Paper 2: General Studies II (CSAT, qualifying) – 100 marks

Mains Exam (Descriptive)

General Hindi – 150 marks

Essay – 150 marks

General Studies I – 200 marks

General Studies II – 200 marks

General Studies III – 200 marks

General Studies IV – 200 marks

Optional Subject Paper I – 200 marks

Optional Subject Paper II – 200 marks

Interview (Personality Test)

100 marks

Total: 1500 marks (Mains + Interview)

 Step 2: Collect the Right Resources

Books for UPPCS Prelims & Mains

NCERTs (6–12) – History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment

Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth

Modern History – Spectrum (Rajiv Ahir)

Ancient & Medieval History – R.S. Sharma, Satish Chandra

Geography – G.C. Leong + Atlas (Oxford/Orient BlackSwan)

Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh + Budget & Economic Survey

Environment – Shankar IAS book

Science & Tech – NCERTs + Current Affairs

Current Affairs – The Hindu / Indian Express + Monthly Magazines (Vision/Drishti)

Uttar Pradesh Special – UP GK by Arihant / Lucent’s Uttar Pradesh GK

Answer Writing & Essay

Previous Year Papers

Vision/Drishti Essay Compilations

Daily practice of answer writing

 Step 3: Make a Self Study Plan

Daily Routine Example

3 hrs – GS subjects (Polity, History, Geography, Economy)

2 hrs – Optional subject

1 hr – Current affairs (newspaper + notes)

1 hr – Revision / MCQ practice

Weekly – Write at least 1 essay and 2–3 answers

 Step 4: Focus on Prelims Preparation

Solve PYQs (Previous Year Questions) of last 10 years.

Practice mock tests regularly.

Revise multiple times.

Work on accuracy + time management.

Give equal importance to UP-specific GK.

 Step 5: Mains Preparation Without Coaching

Start answer writing practice early.

Make short notes for every topic.

Link answers with current affairs and UP-specific examples.

Practice essays on trending topics (e.g., Women Empowerment, Digital India, Sustainable Development).

Hindi paper is compulsory – practice grammar and precise writing.

 Step 6: Prepare for Optional Subject

Overlap with GS papers

Availability of books & resources

Interest and graduation background

Choose an optional subject based on:

Make notes and practice previous year optional papers.

 Step 7: Current Affairs Strategy

Read The Hindu / Indian Express daily.

Focus on UP state-related news (Schemes, Policies, Government Reports).

Follow monthly current affairs magazines.

Make digital or handwritten notes for revision.

 Step 8: Mock Tests & Self Evaluation

Join online mock test series for Prelims & Mains.

Write full-length tests in exam conditions.

Evaluate yourself critically and work on weak areas.

 Step 9: Interview Preparation

Read newspapers daily for opinion-based topics.

Practice self-introduction, hobbies, and current affairs questions.

Stay updated with UP Government schemes & local issues.

Practice mock interviews with friends or mentors.

 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Self Study

Reading too many books without revision.

Ignoring answer writing practice.

Not covering UP-specific GK.

Over-dependence on current affairs without conceptual clarity.

Skipping CSAT practice (many fail in qualifying paper).

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