UPSC CSE - Coaching Truth by Toppers: Kunal Aggarwal

8/7/2020 UPSC CSE - Coaching Truth By Toppers
UPSC CSE - Coaching Truth By Toppers
Name *
Kunal Aggarwal
Rank in CSE 2019 *
130
Total attempts at CSE till now *
1/59
Did you take any coaching? *

You may choose multiple options. This will help ascertain that no interview mock wala or test series wala can claim
you to be their foundation batch student.
Foundation Batch
Prelims Current Affairs Classes
Mains Classroom Coaching
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series
Please share your coaching experience *

For eg - Which coaching you had joined in which year of preparation? Which or how many test series or mock
interviews you appeared for and at which coaching you took those?
I had joined Civilsdaily for most test series use, mains as well as prelims. I loved their mains test series
and feedback process. Shubhra mam for political science optional has been the best. Ethics crash
course and test series I have done from Manoj sir at gs score. For essay too, I would rely on Manoj sir
and Civilsdaily test series. For mock interviews, they are mostly all at same level. One should go to only
a limited number of them I believe. I went to Samkalp, GS score for 2017,2018. For 2019, I only went
through an online session with Civilsdaily.
Which of the above coaching did you find worthy for your self-improvement? *
Civilsdaily, GS score and Shubhra Ranjan
Any of the above coaching you wish you would not have joined at all? *
None
2/59
Any specific review or advice you would like to share with the aspirant community assuming
you have a fresh mind and free speech platform without any commercial goals at hand. *
You know your progress. Ask yourself where you need to improve. Keep focusing on improving your
marks in tests. Accordingly, you search for material, coaching etc. The most important part is self
assessment before changing anything in your strategy.
3/59
Name *
Puneet Dwivedi
Rank in CSE 2019 *
123
4/59

Foundation Batch
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series

1. Foundation course Vajiram 2017-18:

1. Very positive , I mostly rely on Vajiram notes ( buy refreshed hand-written )
2. Prelims
1. Insight On India (2017,18,19,20) - Very good , solved end to end and revised
2. Vajiram (2018,19) - good gives experience of dealing with bouncer questions
3. Mains
1. Vision IAS (2018) : okayish , checking quality was not proper , question quality was good
2. FORUM MGP(2019) : very good experience , good quality questions and good checking
3. Insight On India : Not good experience
4. Interview:
1. Unacademy : very very good panel , good experience
2. Samkalp : Very good experience
3. Forum IGP : Not good experience
4. Drishti IAS : Very good experience
5. Could not go to (yet had already sent my DAF due to covid
1. Vajiram
2. KSG
3. ALS
5. Optional
1. IMS Mathematics - Material + Test series (5 times)
1. Good material , however made self notes on several topics
2. Test series is good used it to get good match practice
5/59
1. After my first attempt failure I joined corporate back ( American Express) and gave second attempt
while working , my timeline is
1. 2016 - graduation
2. 2017- Left 1st job
3. May 2017-Jan2019- 1st attempt prepared
4. Jan2019- Joined 2nd job
5. Jan2019-present Job +prepare
2. Having a good base created during 1st attempt helped me tide over lesser time available during 2nd
attempt , it also helped me get hold of my nerves and negative feelings
3. Based on my first attempt marks focused heavily on GS1,GS4,Optional
4. I was confident of doing well in interview
Some coaching are threatening people with legal action, criminal cases , sending messages on telegram
etc over defamation if students are giving poor feedback about them
1. Revision is key , I realised this hard way , have a base material and revise , re-revise
2. Don’t expect too much from coaching like quality ans checking etc , just give test , use material and
revise, you are on your own
3. For working professional : key is dedicating 4-5 hours daily + 10-12 hours on weekends ( please note
that a good enough base for me was created in 1st attempt without job)
4. Please watch Mrunal's sir video on Answer writing if you are a just starting your preparation
6/59
Name *
Shivam Prajapati
Rank in CSE 2019 *
564
7/59

Foundation Batch
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series

Foundation - Vajiram (2018 batch)

Optional - Vajiram (2018 batch)
Prelims Test series - Vajiram and Vision, insights from market
Mains Test Series - Forum
Mock Interview - Sankalp, NextIas, Ksg
Shabbir's Geography classes
Next ias mock interview
8/59
None at the moment
9/59
Name *
Rupella Sandeep Mukeshkumar
Rank in CSE 2019 *
701
10/59

Foundation Batch
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series

Multiple
Vajiram and Ravi
Chankya
Persistency is the key
11/59
12/59
Name *
Saifullah
Rank in CSE 2019 *
623
13/59

Foundation Batch
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series

Coaching Institutes helped in strengthen my foundation and provided me the guidance that I needed
initially in the preparation.
Foundation Batch
Mock Interviews
Mains Test Series
14/59
Be confident and positive. Your preparation depends a lot on your state of mind.
15/59
Name *
Mayank Gurjar
Rank in CSE 2019 *
455
16/59

Foundation Batch
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series

Dias Chemistry Coaching is really good for the Optional. Also the Mentor RK Singh Sir is a real gem. Also
IASbaba ILP and Test Series was really a booster.
IASBABA
MK Yadav Interview Programme
17/59
Be Honest with your Prep, coaching doesn't matter, but the efforts you put matters. Do not be in the grip
of Coaching Mafia
18/59
Name *
Utkarsh Singh
Rank in CSE 2019 *
243
19/59

Foundation Batch
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series

Good
Foundation , optional and mains test series
No
Follow what the coaching teacher says
20/59
21/59
Name *
Nihal Randhawa
Rank in CSE 2019 *
273
22/59

Foundation Batch
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series

PSIR - Shubhra Ranjan's crash course series in 2018 and 2019.
Prelims test series - Insights, 2018 and Vision 2019.
Mains test series - Vision 2018 and 2019.
Also a crash course of GS by vision for mains, 2019.
Mock interview - Forum, Rau and Chanakya.
They were all pretty good. Shubhra Ranjan specifically was the most useful I'd say but none of them
were bad.
23/59
None.
Don't blindly take advice from any topper. They only know how one specific person can pass the exam,
they themselves. A coaching teacher would know hundreds of different type of people and would have
seen how everyone needs to use different methods to pass. That value of experience cannot be
discounted. Even a topper who's given 6 attempts does not have the experience that a coaching teacher,
who has seen 6 different students clear the exam that year, would possess.
Just as an inane example, a maths background topper would advise everyone that csat is ridiculously
easy but a coaching teacher would have seen that it's not easy for everyone and wouldn't give that type
of advice.
24/59
Name *
Mridul Singh
Rank in CSE 2019 *
401
25/59

Foundation Batch
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series

Vajiram and Ravi 2017 GS OPTIONAL and Essay

Vision Test Series 2018 GS
DIRECTION IAS GEOGRAPHY 2018
Vikas Ranjan 2019 Essay
CHROME IAS 2019 GS
GUIDANCE IAS 2019 OPTIONAL
Chrome IAS/ Vikas Ranjan Sir/ Shabbir Sir's Classes/ Guidance IAS Himanshu Sir's/ Vajiram And
Ravi(foundation)
Vajiram And Ravi's Essay
26/59
Avoid herd following wrt to test series during Mains

Do not hesitate to reach out mentors and teachers and share your issues
27/59
Name *
Govind Singh yadav
Rank in CSE 2019 *
474
28/59

Foundation Batch
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series

Als for geography while working on a job .I would say okay okay. Internet and self study is more
important. If someone is just starting and directionless then may be coaching can provide some
direction .
No coaching is worthy. Most of them are grossly profit oriented.
NA
29/59
There are plethora of test series available in market. Write tests and evaluate among friends.
30/59
Name *
Anup Das
Rank in CSE 2019 *
120
31/59

Foundation Batch
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series

In 2018, I took coaching from SRIRAMS IAS. The one thing that that set it apart was regular prelims and
mains oriented tests thoughout the year with regular feedback. That helped me in writing practice.
When it comes to mains, I preferred writing Insights on India's test series at home. For the personality
test, I took four mocks at Vision IAS, Srirams IAS, KSG and Rau's IAS.
KSG, I believe was most the encouraging one. It helped me understand my strengths and and work with
it in the personality. I would highly recommend that for the final stage.
There wasn't any such experience.
32/59
There are three things:

1. Opt for one or two good prelims test series to ensure good practice along with your revisions.
2. Please practice writing well before the mains. I would suggest Insights on IAS and Vision IAS for that.
3. Do go for KSG and Visions IAS mock interviews as both are focused on your strengths and
weaknesses. They will encourage you and help you build up your confidence.
33/59
Name *
Vibha Singh
Rank in CSE 2019 *
493
34/59

Foundation Batch
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series

Prelims: No coaching, bought VisionIAS test series from market
Mains: VisionIAS mains test series for GS, ForumIAS ethics crash course. I Did essay on my own.
Optional(law): Lawxpert test series, Ambition law institute test series
Interview: mock tests at Samkalp, forumias, drishtiias, and KSG.
All the test series were good for helping in structuring the answer. ForumIAS ethics classes were good
for a crash course as a revision before mains.
No
35/59
Coaching is not mandatory at all. Its upon individual whether you need it or not.
36/59
Name *
Vivek KV
Rank in CSE 2019 *
301
37/59

Foundation Batch
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series

Forum IAS for 2018 and 2019
Forum
MK Yadav
Asif Anwar the former mentor at Forum IAS was my guide. Currently he is in Shankar
He is a very good mentor for mains.
38/59
39/59
Name *
Suman Nala
Rank in CSE 2019 *
508
40/59

Foundation Batch
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series

1. Lukmaan IAS for paper 2 and ethics - excellent experience

2. Vajiram for essay - not good
3. Baliyan Sir for history optional - very good
4. Insightsonindia for prelims and mains test series - My favourite test series for prelims and for mains
their answers helped me more than checking
5. Vision Test series for mains - Very good for question and answer quality. Average for checking
6. Forumias test series for essay and mains - very good experience for essay. Average for GS tests.
7. Sihanta test series for history optional --Excellent experience. Rajnish Sir helps personally and gave
many new perspectives. More than tests their test discussion are helpful. Don't miss any discussion.
8. IasHub for history optional test series - bad experience
9. Interview mocks - many places. Almost all famous ones .
Lukmaan for ethics and paper 2

Forumias for essay
Insightsonindia - favorite for overall journey of upsc.
41/59
Vajiram for essay.

IasHub for history optional test series
Free online websites like InsightsonIndia, Mrunal are very helpful.

None of the coaching can give 100% solution. We need to add equal or more efforts from our side.
Mains test checking is best done by 1-2 selected friend and self evaluation.
42/59
Name *
A Venkateshwar Reddy
Rank in CSE 2019 *
314
43/59

Foundation Batch
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series

Balyan for optional. It was in syn with the needs of the exam
Forumias current affairs
Nil
Keep ur preparation simple
44/59
45/59
Name *
Preeti Kumari
Rank in CSE 2019 *
261
46/59

Foundation Batch
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series

I joined ForumIAS mains test series in 2017 attempt. It was decent, helped me understand the pattern of
mains. I was a newbie(first attempt, has not prepared for mains beforehand)at that time but would say
that it is a decent test series. In 2019 attempt I used L2A test series for Anthropology - It helped me a
lot in learning how to innovate my answers, though there are issues in terms of delay in answer checking
but received the ideas as to how I can better my answers. If you are ready to put in hard work, this test
series is very good. I also joined Lukman test series for GS, it was decent. I gave mock tests at IASBaba,
Unique Academy, KSG( good for confidence building),.
Dhyeya IAS( Qamar Agha Sir- one of the panelsits helped me a lot), Chankaya. Every institute has a
different approach so one should give the mock to understand the range of questions one may be
asked. Don't overdo mock interviews. I would say not more than 5.
L2A for Anthropology
47/59
None
Don't waste too much time on the plethora of daily/monthly/weekly magazines and newspapers. Stick to
1 news paper that's all. Join any mains test series for GS, they are all the same.
48/59
Name *
Smruthik Rajanala
Rank in CSE 2019 *
466
49/59

Foundation Batch
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series

Mains test series from FORUMIAS
None
No
Coaching is not mandatory to crack
50/59
51/59
Name *
Neha Bhosle
Rank in CSE 2019 *
15
52/59

Foundation Batch
Essay Classes
Optional Coaching
Interview Mocks
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series
53/59

All the following were in Online Mode.
2018 - Vision IAS Foundation Course (Prelims + Mains) - Excellent course. The notes I made from the
Lectures were my base for all static topics. The Schedule keeps you on your toes, with regular
Assignments, Mini Prelims, Mini Mains apart from the Prelims Test Series and Mains Test Series. Just
studying for and completing all the Tests itself is enough to cover the GS Syllabus multiple times.
Answer Writing improves in a systematic manner, with Assignments having easiest questions, Mini
Mains a level higher and Mains Test Series having UPSC level questions. Checking was very good. I
know many feel that there is no correlation between Vision marks and actual marks, but I feel my GS
marks are going to be similar to Vision ones only. Essay Enrichment and Test Discussion and Ethics
Enrichment + Case Studies Lectures were also very helpful. I have not seen any GS Test Discussions or
PT 365 or Mains 365 Lectures so cannot comment on them. While all Teachers were good, I would like
to make special mention of Ashish Kumar Sir (Polity), Smriti Shah Ma'am (Society + Essay), Prateek
Gupta Sir (Economy) and Neeraj Rao Bharadwaj Sir (Art and Culture + Ancient and Medieval History).
And needless to say, the Monthly Magazines, PT and Mains 365 Material as well as the VAMs are top
notch. Never called any Teacher, but asked doubts in their Lecture Chat Box, and they were promptly
answered. From 2019, this Foundation Course also includes Current Affairs Classes, which we did not
have, so cannot comment on them.
2018 - Lukmaan IAS Ethics Course - While Ethics was covered in Vision as well, I felt this was one Paper
where I could score high and hence joined Lukmaan too. Ansari Sir teaches really well and both Theory
and Case Studies were covered in a good manner. I have not even read Lexicon or any other Textbooks
for Ethics and depended solely on Lecture Notes of both Vision and Lukmaan, Vision VAMs, Lukmaan
Handouts, Workbooks and various Test Series Model Answers. Never called Sir, so cannot comment on
Teacher support.
2018 - Sociology Optional - Praveen Kishore Sir Lectures + Test Series (Nice IAS on Neostencil) -
Whatever Sir teaches, he teaches well. But there are many topics that he does not teach. He took a total
of 71 Lectures for our batch, while the Mohapatra Sir Class Notes that I had ordered from Pankaj
Copiers had ~120 Lectures. While quantity is not necessarily representative of topic coverage, but
Sociology isn't that small an Optional to be covered in 71 Lectures either. Say for a particular topic, if PK
Sir had discussed 2 Thinkers, Mohapatra Sir had discussed 3 or 4 Thinkers. I focussed on quoting as
many Thinkers as possible for every answer, so a few more Lectures by PK Sir could have covered this
additional content. Test Series had good questions and checking was good too. This Combined Course
does not have separate Test Series Discussions, that is held only for their Test Series (which has now
been rebranded as Test Series + Crash Course). Nonetheless most of the Test Series questions were
covered in some or the other Lectures. Never called Sir, so cannot comment on Teacher support.
2018 - Vision IAS Sociology Test Series - While this was of 2018, I actually joined it after 2018 Mains as I
was sure of narrowly missing or narrowly clearing the Mains cutoff, thus making the 2019 attempt
inevitable. Again very good questions and checking. Special mention of Smriti Shah Ma'am's Test Series
Discussions which were like a Quick Revision Module. Never called Ma'am, so cannot comment on
Teacher support.
2019 - Forum IAS MGP - 8 FLTs after Prelims. I joined this only because I had written so many Tests for
Vision, that I could almost predict my Test Marks :P Good questions and good checking too. Never tried
calling the Mentor, so cannot comment on it.
54/59
2019 - Shankar IAS Sociology Test Series - Yes, Shankar provides Online Test Series as well as Sociology
Optional Lectures. I learnt about it only after the 2019 Prelims. Good questions, good checking and
special mention of Rajitha Ma'am's Revision Classes + Test Series Discussions, which like Smriti
Ma'am's were like a Quick Revision Module. This was the only Institute where the Mentor had himself
called to discuss the Test Paper. He had said I'll get 300+ and maybe they tell this to every student, but
nonetheless, it was good to hear :D
2019 - Baliyan's Essay Test Series - Joined it only because I was too lazy to write Essays. Good topics,
good checking. What I liked was that every Test was based on a particular area like say Governance or
Economy. In Vision which I wrote in 2018, the Tests were from a variety of areas and as a result I ended
up writing only those topics which were from areas I was comfortable with. Here I had no option but to
write on IR, Philosophy and such areas which I avoid, but may have to choose in the actual Exam. Never
tried calling the Mentor, so cannot comment on it.
2018 and 2019 Prelims - Vision (All Tests) and Insights for selected areas like History, Environment.
Good questions.
Interview - Nothing :P Actually I was going to go to Delhi in March beginning for a few mocks, but then
Corona happened. And when the PTs were restarting, only online mocks were happening, which I
thought would not be very helpful. My board was of PK Joshi Sir and my PT was average, and had I not
got this rank, I would have kicked myself for not giving any mocks.
All of them ! Lecture Notes were my base for both GS and Sociology. And I am someone who would not
have written a single answer had I not joined a Test Series. So all the above courses were very helpful.
No, because all of them contributed to my knowledge as well as marks. Just one thing is, very honestly,
had I known about Shankar IAS offering Online Sociology Lectures before, I probably would have joined
it. And then would have joined PK Sir's Test Series. This in no way means that his Full Course was not
good, but we all know he is more famous for Test Series.
55/59
Please give me some time, I will share my Detailed Strategy + Class Notes, Own Notes, Checked Test
Papers. And because this form is specifically for 'Coaching Truths', I would just like to say that Coaching
Institutes are unnecessarily criticised among the aspirant community. They saved my time, made me
write answers and helped me a LOT !
56/59

UPSC CSE - Coaching Truth by Toppers: Kunal Aggarwal

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8/7/2020 UPSC CSE - Coaching Truth By Toppers

UPSC CSE - Coaching Truth By Toppers

Rank in CSE 2019 *

Total attempts at CSE till now *

Did you take any coaching? *

Prelims Current Affairs Classes

Mains Classroom Coaching

Prelims Test Series

Mains Test Series

Please share your coaching experience *

Civilsdaily, GS score and Shubhra Ranjan

UPSC CSE - Coaching Truth By Toppers

Rank in CSE 2019 *

Total attempts at CSE till now *

Did you take any coaching? *

Prelims Current Affairs Classes

Mains Classroom Coaching

Prelims Test Series

Mains Test Series

Please share your coaching experience *

1. Foundation course Vajiram 2017-18:

UPSC CSE - Coaching Truth By Toppers

Rank in CSE 2019 *

Total attempts at CSE till now *

Did you take any coaching? *

Prelims Current Affairs Classes

Mains Classroom Coaching

Prelims Test Series

Mains Test Series

Please share your coaching experience *

Foundation - Vajiram (2018 batch)

Shabbir's Geography classes

Next ias mock interview

None at the moment

UPSC CSE - Coaching Truth By Toppers

Rupella Sandeep Mukeshkumar

Rank in CSE 2019 *

Total attempts at CSE till now *

Did you take any coaching? *

Prelims Current Affairs Classes

Mains Classroom Coaching

Prelims Test Series

Mains Test Series

Please share your coaching experience *

Vajiram and Ravi

Persistency is the key

UPSC CSE - Coaching Truth By Toppers

Rank in CSE 2019 *

Total attempts at CSE till now *

Did you take any coaching? *

Prelims Current Affairs Classes

Mains Classroom Coaching

Prelims Test Series

Mains Test Series

Please share your coaching experience *

Mains Test Series

UPSC CSE - Coaching Truth By Toppers

Rank in CSE 2019 *

Total attempts at CSE till now *

Did you take any coaching? *

Prelims Current Affairs Classes

Mains Classroom Coaching

Prelims Test Series