Is coaching necessary for UPSC regarded toughest in the world? This question haunts lakhs of UPSC aspirants. Can one prepare on his own? What if the answer comes from a person who has not only qualified for this prestigious exam but also has been director of a prestigious UPSC coaching? It would be more credible. One such person is Rinkoo Singh Rahee.
Currently Social Welfare Officer and Director of UP IAS PCS Coaching Centre in Hapur, Rahee was shot seven times by local goons for exposing a scam worth 83 crores in the social welfare department in 2008. His face got disfigured but his courage and confidence remained undiminished.
It took multiple attempts amid lots of drama and overcoming the lows in life to finally crack CSE 2021, securing all India rank 683. His success in the 16th attempt proves yet again that India’s toughest exam can be cracked only with single-minded focus, hard work, and consistency. Indian Masterminds interacted with him to know the necessity of UPSC coaching.
IF YOU DON’T WANT TO ATTEND COACHING
Rahee also cleared the UPPCS exam at a young age to become an officer. Speaking with Indian Masterminds Rahee said, “I will never say that coaching should not be done. But coaching doesn’t ensure selection. Aspirants always give credit to the coaching. Coaching only polishes your inner passion.”
Those who do not want coaching due to any reason need to pay attention to some aspects taught in the coaching. Now they have to work on the same by themselves.
CONTINUITY
He said, “So the first thing is continuity which coaching gives us. Coaching decides a schedule for us, which we follow every day. This ensures consistency in studies. So you have to maintain consistency even without coaching.”
GUIDANCE
He says: Often many successful aspirants say that I did not do coaching. Indeed, they may not have done coaching, but they will have the guidance in some other way, that they would have gotten from coaching if would have gone there. Whether they found it on their own or took it from someone. They know what to do, and what not to do. They know all do’s and don’ts. But there are many ways to find the guidance you need. There is a very good way that most of the toppers who are coming are making their channel on social media, from Telegram to Youtube. From here you can get much better guidance. This was not the case in our time. So, you have to find better guidance for preparation.
COACHING MATERIAL
Apart from this, there is another coaching advantage, which is their study material. In that too, especially the test series. The study material of some coaching is very good and you will get it in the market also. So find it and read it.
“Good study material is also available on Youtube and Telegram. You will find a lot of authentic material on Youtube. You can see Mrinal Sir’s videos. It would help you in Economy, History, and Geography. There is a very good channel named Only IAS. Hindi Medium children can see editorial analysis of English newspapers in their language. You can follow insightsonindia.com for daily current affairs.”
DON’T GO BY EMOTION ALWAYS
I have seen some new aspirants who do not want to do coaching and hence they do not use anything related to coaching. They become very emotional that we do not even have to use them. Don’t do that at all and read and learn whatever you find better, no matter from where it comes.
GROUP STUDY
There is a big advantage of coaching that you get many friends studying together, with whom you can do group study. So you should try to make a group of UPSC aspirants. Social media can be useful for this. I know many such aspirants, who did not have any physical group, but they made online groups and studied together, which benefited them a lot.
TUITION
It is my own experience that you learn a lot by teaching others. Therefore, I would advise the children of rural backgrounds to teach tuition to the children. They will see the benefit of this in their preparation. Teach the children around you and see the benefits. But while teaching, keep in mind that you have to teach in such a way that the level of that child comes up to the level of UPSC. In this way, your level will be raised.
SHARPEN YOUR SKILL
There is a big advantage of coaching and that is – exposure and polishing of your skills. But without going to coaching, you have to work a little extra for this. First of all, find the IAS and IPS officers of your area, meet them and take suggestions. This will also give you exposure and your skills will also improve with their advice. No one can give better guidance than him. You meet the selected officers and posted officers from your area, anyone. Tell them you are preparing, then, they will guide you better.
In this way, you can eliminate the lack of guidance. These tips are now given to almost every aspirant in our government coaching. So you have to find alternate coaching like this because this is not a university exam, which leaves you out of ordinary studies. Here even after preparation, there is no preparation. The examination takes place on analytical and thought processes. Therefore, if anything is missed, it will be difficult at once. It is better if you take guidance from the selected person.