Abhijeet Pimparkar
Many students have asked me over years whether joining coaching classes is necessary for UPSC-CSE preparation. While many have cleared exam without coaching classes, we don’t have sufficient data to suggest it. And the narrative created by institutions, by publishing long list of candidates creates further confusion.
Recently I came across an interesting news article and got access to some data. Here are some eye opening facts:
[1] Claim made by institute: 200+ selections in UPSC CSE 2022
[2] Actual selected students: 171
For this false claim, institute have been fined for Rs. 3 Lakh (fee equivalent to 2/3 students 😅), while they must have misled 100s of students using such false claim.
Breakup of selected candidates
[1] 102 – Free Interview Guidance Program (IGP)
[2] 55 – Free Test Series
[3] 9 – GS Classroom course
[4] 5 – under Institute-state govts. agreement for free coaching.
Note that first two programs i.e. IGP and Test Series have been said to be free. For IGP, aspirants join many institutions, and yes, this particular institution also must have done significant value addition to Interview preparation.
Since test series is also free, most likely it will not be coming with evaluation or feedback from institution. In such case, the value addition done by test series in students preparation will be close to zero.
So in effect, only 14 candidates had significant contribution of institute in their preparation for Prelims and Mains.
This is data pertaining to only one institution. Since this came in a news article, I could present it for you. For other reputed institutions, I tried to get access to such data, but their website doesn’t mention which program, particular topper had joined. (If somebody has such data, please share with me, so I can compile it).
This is unfortunate reality. There is huge gap in claims made and the ground situation. Please consider this before deciding whether to go for self study or to join any institute for classroom program.
If possible, please also share this article with others so that they can make an informed decision and save money as well as their valuable time. This article should also give some solace and confidence to those who’re doing self study for CSE.
P.S. After the original post on 18th August, many more cases have come up with reputed institutions making false claim regarding no. of students selected in UPSC-CSE. We’re not targeting any particular institution, nor are we against attending classes in formal coaching set-up.
