Handling financial struggles while studying for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam can be very hard, but with effective planning, self-discipline, and resourcefulness, you can manage it successfully. The following are some hints that may assist you:
1. Budget and Reduce Unnecessary Expenses:
Create a Budget: To understand your financial struggles, Write down all your monthly expenditures and sort them into essentials (such as rent, food, study materials, transportation) and non-essentials (such as entertainment, eating out). This will make you aware of where your money is spent and address financial struggles.
Cut Down Non-Essential Expenses: Limit expenditure on stuff that is not essential for preparing for your exams. This might mean reducing trips out, internet subscriptions, or things you do not necessarily require. Books are the most essential source but don’t purchase too many. Stick to standard books and if you wish to keep yourself updated with current affairs, simply read La Excellence’s Rapid Revision Material (RRP), a one stop material for your current affairs. This could help manage your financial struggles.
2. Free or Low-Cost Study Materials: Financial struggles can be overcome by resorting to free material online.
Utilize Free Resources: There are countless free resources to study for UPSC, such as YouTube channels, websites, and forums. Utilize platforms like ‘La Excellence’s websites and youtube channel for crucial topics of the year which is free of cost and address your financial struggles.. They are completely free and filled with quality content designed by subject experts.
Library Access: Many cities have public libraries with free or very cheap access to UPSC-related books, magazines, and newspapers. Look for local libraries or coaching institutes offering affordable access.
Download Free PDFs: Many UPSC aspirants share notes and study materials in PDF format online. Make sure to use them legally and avoid paid sources that may be unnecessary.
3. Stay Away from Expensive Coaching Centers:
Online Coaching: There are cheap online platforms providing coaching at a fraction of the cost of physical coaching centers. Not many platforms provide cheap and affordable subscription plans but can you rely on their quality of content and research? Financial struggles should not compromise your quality of preparation.
You can opt for a quality coaching centre like La Excellence, who is answerable to you and monitors your daily and weekly performances through our in-house mentors. We must prioritize our expenses. The root must be strong. Therefore, select your coaching carefully. To help students facing financial struggle, La Excellence has Merit scheme to help them.
Group Studies: Studying in a group can help you exchange resources and discuss tough topics. This is the best strategy to reduce coaching cost and address your financial struggles.
This minimizes the use of private tutors. In La excellence, we are providing free mentorship for our PCM students, both online and offline. Even for those who didn’t take coaching, we’ve been providing free mentorship and test series, subject to their writing mains. The best peer group for UPSC exam is now in Hyderabad at our ‘Enhance Core Group’. We are providing a learning platform for students who face financial struggles.
4.Find Part-Time Work or Freelancing:
Freelance Work: If you have appeared for few UPSC interviews and atleast 3 to 4 mains exams and have performed well, you may work in fields connected with UPSC such as Content Development, Mentoring and other fields such as Teaching Assistant to overcome financial struggle. Plenty of qualified candidates are working with us part-time and we are also giving them study materials, resources and faculty assistance. Plenty of them have cleared consecutive exams such as APPSC, TGPSC as well as UPSC.
Online Tutoring: If you have expertise in a subject, then think about providing online tutoring services, which can be convenient and provide a reasonable income. You can tutor school students or candidates preparing for competitive exams and overcome financial stress.
5.Scholarships and Financial Aid:
Scholarships: Certain institutes, NGOs, and government bodies provide scholarships to UPSC candidates, particularly to those who are struggling financially . Keep yourself updated about such opportunities.
Educational Loans: If you think about taking up a coaching program but find yourself unable to spend on it, you might as well think of taking an education loan. Some banks have loan schemes exclusively for UPSC examination preparation.
6. Maintain Health and Mental Welfare:
Mental Health: Economic pressure may hamper your mental health. Make sure to be positive, continue with your daily routine, and consult your family, friends, or counselor in case of necessity. Become a member
Physical Health: Regular exercise, sleeping well, and a balanced diet are essential for keeping your energy levels and attention intact for learning.
7. Government Schemes and Initiatives:
Free Online UPSC Study Materials: Government of India has introduced schemes like Swayam, E-Pathshala, and Digital Library of India to offer students free or affordable study materials in preparation for exams like UPSC. This is to help the aspirants who are facing financial struggles.
UPSC Prelims and Mains Free Test Series: There are websites and coaching centers that offer free test series for UPSC. These can be a great tool to evaluate your preparation. La Excellence is providing free test series, guidance and study room for students appearing for Mains.
8. Stay Focused on Your Goal:
Stay Committed: It is quite easy to lose focus due to financial issues, but do not forget why you began preparing for UPSC initially. Maintain long-term success as your goal and realize that whatever sacrifices you make today will prove beneficial in the long run.
What La Excellence Can Offer you?
Understanding the financial struggles faced by UPSC aspirants, our Chairman Dr. Ram Babu sir who is committed whole-heartedly towards the fundamental principles of ‘Education as a service’ formed a Core Group (cost-free for Meritorious students) that has produced 77+ telugu rankers in Civil Service Exam, 2024. Now he is dreaming of forming Hyderabad as a new hub for civil services.
We are going to develop Gayatri city, merit city wherein the students from minimum ten states of India would be co-studying. We wish to have maximum IAS officers from our telugu states.
Our chairman’s message is clear: “Prove your merit. We are here to take you to excellence”.
By keeping a check on your finances, being prudent in using available resources, and persevering, you can successfully handle financial struggles in preparation for the UPSC exam. Consistency, planning, and not getting distracted unnecessarily are needed to give yourself the best possible opportunity to succeed.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
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