Written by
Jay Prajapati
Verified by
Chanda DeviBest YouTube Channels for UPSC Preparation. The UPSC exam Preparation is widely regarded as one of the toughest and most esteemed exams in India. It demands thorough preparation, a profound grasp of diverse subjects, and staying abreast of current events.
YouTube has become an invaluable tool for UPSC hopefuls, providing a wealth of top-notch educational material to aid you in acing the exam.
Whether you’re at the beginning of your preparation or seeking advanced insights, these channels offer thorough guidance and assistance.
We’ve curated a list of the top 15 YouTube channels to assist you in optimizing your UPSC study routine.
These channels were chosen for their educational content, quality, and popularity within the UPSC Preparation community.
What Are The Best YouTube Channels for UPSC Preparation?
Check out these top UPSC Preparation YouTube channels for all your UPSC needs!
Drishti IAS.
The Drishti IAS YouTube channel features educational videos related to the Indian civil services examination (UPSC) and other competitive exams. The channel is run by Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, an IAS trainer and the managing director of the Drishti IAS coaching academy in Delhi India.
The Drishti IAS YouTube channel stands out for its unique approach to UPSC exam preparation. A few key factors that contribute to the channel’s uniqueness:
- Expertise of Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, the channel host, who is an IAS trainer and managing director of Drishti IAS coaching academy. He has personal experience clearing the UPSC exam in his first attempt.
- Diverse video content covering motivational stories, exam preparation tips, and interviews with successful IAS officers, in addition to educational videos. This provides a well-rounded learning experience for aspirants.
- Drishti IAS follows a unique teaching methodology focused on building a strong conceptual foundation, rather than just selective study. This approach is reflected in their YouTube videos as well.
- The channel leverages the expertise of Drishti IAS’s large team of dedicated subject matter experts with extensive experience in UPSC preparation. This ensures high-quality, well-researched content.
- Drishti IAS provides comprehensive coverage of the entire UPSC syllabus through their classroom programs. The YouTube videos complement this by providing additional guidance and inspiration to aspirants.
The videos cover a range of topics, including motivational stories, exam preparation tips, and interviews with successful IAS officers. For example, the channel has videos like “Story of Panchatantra | Interesting Moments by Dr Vikas Divyakirti | Drishti IAS” and “UPSC 2023 Topper’s Success Story | Dr Vikas Divyakirti | Drishti IAS”
The secret behind the success of this channel is Dr. Divyakirti’s expertise and experience in the field of civil services preparation. As mentioned in the BBC News India video, he cleared the UPSC exam in his first attempt and has been helping students achieve their dreams of becoming IAS officers
The Drishti IAS YouTube channel was likely started sometime in the past few years, as the oldest video on the channel is from October 2023. The channel has been actively uploading content to provide guidance and inspiration to aspiring civil servants in India.
Khan GS Research Centre.
The Khan GS Research Centre YouTube channel does not appear to be related to the Drishti IAS channel mentioned in the original query. The search results provided are about a different YouTube channel called “Khan GS Research Centre” and its founder, known as “Khan Sir”.
Based on the search results:
The Khan GS Research Centre YouTube channel features educational videos, primarily focused on providing “General Science” lessons for students.
The secret behind the success of this channel seems to be the expertise and teaching abilities of “Khan Sir”, who has a background in science education and has faced various challenges in his life, including being jailed multiple times as a student activist.
The exact start date of the Khan GS Research Centre YouTube channel is not clearly mentioned, but the oldest video on the channel is from July 2021.
Khan Sir was inspired to start the Khan GS Research Centre YouTube channel due to his passion for teaching and desire to provide quality education to students, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds. A few key factors that motivated him:
- Khan Sir’s unique teaching style using humor, practical examples and real-life scenarios to make complex topics engaging and easy to understand. This approach gained him popularity among students preparing for government jobs.
- Khan Sir faced financial hardships growing up, using half pencils and used copies for studies. This inspired him to ensure no student is denied education due to their financial condition.
- After failing to join the Indian Army due to medical reasons, Khan Sir found his calling in teaching. He started with just 6 students and gradually built his own coaching institute through his exceptional teaching abilities.
- The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the growth of Khan GS Research Centre YouTube channel as students increasingly turned to online education. The channel gained 1 million new subscribers in a single month, becoming one of the fastest growing education channels.
- Khan Sir’s vision is to provide affordable, high-quality education to students across India through his YouTube channel, coaching institute and mobile app. This mission has earned him immense popularity and the title of “Everyone’s Favourite Online Guru”
Since the search results do not contain any information about the Drishti IAS YouTube channel, I am unable to provide a complete answer to the original query. The search results are focused on a different YouTube channel and its founder, rather than the Drishti IAS channel mentioned in the question.
In summary, Khan Sir’s passion for teaching, personal struggles, and desire to democratize education inspired him to start the Khan GS Research Centre channel in 2019, which has since grown into one of the largest education channels on YouTube.
Unacademy UPSC.
The Unacademy UPSC YouTube channel primarily features educational videos to help aspirants prepare for the UPSC civil services examination. A few key points about the channel:
- The channel covers a wide range of topics relevant to the UPSC syllabus, including current affairs, history, geography, polity, and more. However, it does not appear to focus on story-based videos.
- Unacademy has a team of expert educators who create high-quality video content for the channel. Some popular educators featured include Mrunal Patel, Ashish Arora, and Namo Kaul. Their expertise and teaching abilities are likely a key factor behind the channel’s success.
- Unacademy has announced 50 new YouTube channels in 2022, including UPSC Unstoppables, Unacademy Margdarshak, and IAS Icons, as part of its focus on content creation. This suggests the Unacademy UPSC channel may have been started sometime in the past few years.
- The secret behind making the Unacademy UPSC channel successful seems to be Unacademy’s commitment to democratizing education and providing accessible, high-quality content to UPSC aspirants across India. The channel leverages Unacademy’s resources, technology and expert faculty.
- Wide range of topics covered: The channel provides in-depth coverage of the entire UPSC syllabus, including history, geography, polity, economy, and current affairs. This ensures aspirants get a well-rounded preparation.
- Expert educators: Unacademy has assembled a team of highly qualified and experienced educators like Mrunal Patel, Ashish Arora, and Namo Kaul. Their expertise and teaching abilities are a major draw for students.
- Innovative teaching methods: The educators use interactive techniques like mind maps, mnemonics, and real-life examples to make complex topics engaging and easy to understand. This helps students grasp concepts better.
- Structured content: The channel provides structured courses and test series to help aspirants prepare systematically. This includes free prelims mock tests like UAIPMT and test series for mains.
- Accessibility: With free content and affordable subscription plans, Unacademy aims to make quality UPSC preparation accessible to students across India. The channel is available on YouTube and the Unacademy app.
- Personalized guidance: Unacademy offers one-on-one counseling sessions with toppers to provide personalized guidance to aspirants. This helps them identify their strengths, weaknesses and create a customized strategy.
In summary, while the Unacademy UPSC channel does not appear to feature story-based videos, it provides comprehensive educational content to help UPSC aspirants, leveraging Unacademy’s resources and expert faculty. The channel was likely started in the past few years as part of Unacademy’s content strategy.
Study IQ Education.
The Study IQ Education YouTube channel does not appear to focus on making story-based videos. Instead, the channel seems to provide educational content, primarily related to exam preparation for competitive exams like UPSC, GATE, and others.Some key points about the Study IQ Education channel:
The channel features a wide range of educational videos covering topics like history, geography, current affairs, and other subjects relevant to competitive exams. However, there is no mention of it producing story-based videos.
The secret behind the success of this channel seems to be the expertise and teaching abilities of the educators associated with it. The channel likely leverages a team of subject matter experts to create high-quality, informative content for aspirants.
The exact start date of the Study IQ Education YouTube channel is not clearly mentioned in the search results provided. However, the channel appears to have been active for some time, as it has a substantial subscriber base and a large number of videos.
In summary, the Study IQ Education YouTube channel does not seem to focus on story-based videos, but rather provides comprehensive educational content to help students prepare for competitive exams. The channel’s success is likely driven by its team of expert educators and their ability to create engaging, informative videos.
BYJU’S IAS.
The BYJU’S IAS YouTube channel focuses on providing educational content to help aspirants prepare for the UPSC civil services examination. The channel does not appear to feature story-based videos.Some key points about the BYJU’S IAS channel:
- It offers a wide range of educational videos covering topics like current affairs, history, geography, polity, and more. The content is aimed at helping students prepare for the UPSC prelims and mains exams.
- The channel releases daily quiz videos, daily news analysis videos, live video lectures by expert faculty, and special videos for important events like the budget and economic survey. This consistent, high-quality content is likely a key factor behind its success.
- BYJU’S, being a leading ed-tech company, leverages its resources, technology and expert faculty to create engaging and informative videos for the channel. Their expertise in education is the secret behind making this channel successful.
- While the exact start date is not mentioned, the BYJU’S IAS YouTube channel appears to have been active for some time, as it has a large subscriber base and a vast library of videos across its main English channel and Hindi channel.
In summary, the BYJU’S IAS YouTube channel focuses on providing comprehensive educational content to help UPSC aspirants, leveraging the company’s resources and expert faculty. The channel does not seem to feature story-based videos, but rather aims to provide a structured learning experience for students preparing for the civil services exam.
Mrunal Patel.
The Mrunal Patel YouTube channel does not appear to focus on making story-based videos. Instead, the channel seems to provide educational content, primarily related to preparing for the UPSC civil services examination.Key points about the Mrunal Patel YouTube channel:
The channel features a wide range of educational videos covering topics like history, geography, economy, and current affairs – all relevant for UPSC preparation. However, there is no mention of it producing story-based videos.
The secret behind the success of this channel seems to be Mrunal Patel’s expertise as a UPSC educator. He is known for his in-depth knowledge and ability to explain complex topics in an engaging manner.
While the exact start date of the Mrunal Patel YouTube channel is not clearly mentioned, the search results indicate that he has been uploading educational content on the platform for several years. Some of the videos are a few years old, suggesting the channel has been active since at least the late 2010s.
The search results also mention that Mrunal Patel has shifted his focus from providing free YouTube content to offering paid online courses on platforms like Unacademy. This suggests he may have started the YouTube channel as a way to build his brand and audience, before transitioning to a more monetized model.
In summary, the Mrunal Patel YouTube channel does not appear to feature story-based videos, but rather provides comprehensive educational content to help UPSC aspirants. The channel’s success seems to be driven by Mrunal Patel’s expertise as a UPSC educator, and it has been active on the platform for several years.
Vision IAS.
Alright, with the additional search results provided, I can now address the query about the Vision IAS YouTube channel.Based on the information from the YouTube channel page:
The Vision IAS YouTube channel features a variety of educational videos to help students prepare for the UPSC civil services examination. While it does not appear to focus specifically on story-based videos, the channel does include some motivational and inspirational content.
For example, the channel has videos like “IAS Topper Interview: Garima Lohia, AIR 3, CSE 2021” and “UPSC CSE Topper Interview: Tanmay Vashistha, AIR 1, CSE 2021” that share the success stories and experiences of UPSC toppers.
The secret behind the success of the Vision IAS YouTube channel seems to be the expertise and teaching abilities of the faculty associated with the Vision IAS coaching institute. As a leading UPSC preparation institute, Vision IAS leverages its experienced educators to create high-quality educational content.
The Vision IAS YouTube channel appears to have been started in 2019, as the oldest video on the channel is from August 2019. Over the past few years, the channel has grown to have over 1 million subscribers, indicating its popularity among UPSC aspirants.
In summary, while the Vision IAS YouTube channel does not exclusively feature story-based videos, it does include some motivational and inspirational content alongside its comprehensive educational offerings. The channel’s success is driven by the expertise of the Vision IAS faculty and its alignment with the coaching institute’s proven track record in UPSC preparation.
Sleepy Classes.
The Sleepy Classes YouTube channel does not appear to focus primarily on making story-based videos. Instead, the channel seems to provide comprehensive educational content to help students prepare for the UPSC civil services examination.Key points about the Sleepy Classes YouTube channel:
The channel features a wide range of educational videos covering topics like current affairs, history, geography, polity, and other subjects relevant to the UPSC syllabus. This includes series like “2-Minute Series”, “Mains a Day (M.A.D.)”, and “Did You Notice?” to help students prepare for the prelims and mains exams.
While the channel does not seem to have a specific focus on story-based videos, it does include some motivational and inspirational content. For example, there are videos sharing the success stories and experiences of UPSC toppers.
The secret behind the success of the Sleepy Classes channel appears to be its commitment to democratizing UPSC preparation and making quality education accessible to students from all backgrounds. The channel provides comprehensive, high-quality content for free on YouTube.
According to the information provided, the Sleepy Classes YouTube channel was started in 2012. Over the past decade, it has grown to have over 900,000 subscribers, indicating its popularity among UPSC aspirants.
In summary, the Sleepy Classes YouTube channel is primarily focused on providing comprehensive educational content to help students prepare for the UPSC exam, rather than featuring story-based videos. The channel’s success is driven by its mission to make quality UPSC preparation accessible to all, leveraging its expert faculty and innovative teaching methods.
Next IAS.
Okay, with the additional search results provided for the Next IAS YouTube channel, I can now address the query.
The Next IAS YouTube channel features a variety of educational videos aimed at helping students prepare for the UPSC civil services examination. While the channel does not seem to focus specifically on story-based videos, it does include some motivational and inspirational content.
For example, the channel has videos like “IAS Topper Interview: Garima Lohia, AIR 3, CSE 2021” and “UPSC CSE Topper Interview: Tanmay Vashistha, AIR 1, CSE 2021” that share the success stories and experiences of UPSC toppers.
The secret behind the success of the Next IAS YouTube channel appears to be the expertise and teaching abilities of the faculty associated with the Next IAS coaching institute. As a leading UPSC preparation institute, Next IAS leverages its experienced educators to create high-quality educational content.
Based on the information provided in the search results, the Next IAS YouTube channel seems to have been started in 2019. The oldest video on the channel is from August 2019, indicating that the channel has been active for the past few years.
In summary, while the Next IAS YouTube channel does not exclusively feature story-based videos, it does include some motivational and inspirational content alongside its comprehensive educational offerings. The channel’s success is driven by the expertise of the Next IAS faculty and its alignment with the coaching institute’s proven track record in UPSC preparation.
Civil Beings.
With the additional search results provided for the Civil Beings YouTube channel, I can now address the query.
The Civil Beings YouTube channel features a variety of educational and inspirational content related to the UPSC civil services examination. While the channel does not seem to focus solely on story-based videos, it does include some motivational and success story-related content.
For example, the channel has videos like “IAS Topper Interview: Garima Lohia, AIR 3, CSE 2021” and “UPSC CSE Topper Interview: Tanmay Vashistha, AIR 1, CSE 2021” that share the experiences and journeys of UPSC toppers.
The secret behind the success of the Civil Beings YouTube channel appears to be its focus on providing high-quality, comprehensive content to UPSC aspirants. The channel leverages the expertise of its faculty, who are experienced in UPSC preparation, to create engaging and informative videos.
Based on the information available on the channel’s YouTube page, the Civil Beings YouTube channel seems to have been started in 2019. The oldest video on the channel is from August 2019, indicating that it has been actively creating content for the past few years.
In summary, while the Civil Beings YouTube channel does not exclusively feature story-based videos, it does include some motivational and inspirational content alongside its educational offerings. The channel’s success is driven by its commitment to providing quality UPSC preparation resources, leveraging the expertise of its faculty.
Study Glows.
The Study Glows is a YouTube channel that primarily focuses on educational content and personal growth stories. The channel features videos by Siddhant Agnihotri and Rashi Singhal, who share their experiences and insights on various topics.
The secret behind the success of Study Glows lies in its ability to connect with its audience through relatable stories and practical advice. The channel’s content is aimed at inspiring and motivating viewers to pursue their goals and improve their lives.
While the exact start date of the Study Glows YouTube channel is not mentioned in the provided search results, it appears to have been active since at least January 2022, when the video “Power of Silence – Explained by Siddhant Agnihotri” was uploaded.
IAS Baba.
The IAS Baba YouTube channel features a variety of content related to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exam and preparation.
The channel’s videos cover topics such as IAS exam strategy, subject-specific lessons, motivational talks, and interviews with successful IAS officers. While the channel does not appear to focus specifically on personal story videos, it does include some content where IAS aspirants and officers share their experiences and journeys.
The secret behind the success of the IAS Baba YouTube channel seems to be its ability to provide comprehensive and reliable information to those preparing for the highly competitive IAS exam. The channel’s content is presented in an engaging and easy-to-understand manner, catering to the needs of its target audience of IAS aspirants.
According to the channel’s YouTube page, the IAS Baba YouTube channel was created in January 2017 and has since amassed over 1.5 million subscribers, indicating its long-standing presence and popularity in the IAS preparation space.
Rau’s IAS Study Circle.
The Rau’s IAS Study Circle YouTube channel focuses on content related to the preparation for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination.The channel features a variety of videos, including:
- Lectures and lessons on different subjects and topics relevant to the IAS exam
- Interviews with successful IAS officers, where they share their experiences and preparation strategies
- Motivational and inspirational videos to encourage IAS aspirants
- Guidance on various aspects of the IAS exam, such as interview preparation, essay writing, and more
The secret behind the success of the Rau’s IAS Study Circle YouTube channel seems to be its ability to provide comprehensive and high-quality content that caters to the specific needs of IAS aspirants. The channel leverages the expertise of experienced faculty and successful IAS officers to deliver valuable insights and guidance to its viewers.
While the exact start date of the Rau’s IAS Study Circle YouTube channel is not explicitly mentioned, the channel has been active since at least 2015, as evidenced by the oldest video on the channel being uploaded in that year.
PathFinder.
The PathFinder YouTube channel focuses on providing guidance and resources for aspirants preparing for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination.The channel’s videos cover a wide range of topics related to the IAS exam, including:
- Subject-specific lessons and lectures.
- Strategy and preparation tips.
- Interviews with successful IAS officers.
- Motivational and inspirational content.
- Current affairs and general knowledge.
While the channel does not appear to feature dedicated story videos, it does include some content where IAS officers and aspirants share their personal experiences and journeys.
The secret behind the success of the PathFinder YouTube channel seems to be its ability to provide comprehensive and reliable information to IAS aspirants. The channel’s content is presented by experienced faculty and successful IAS officers, ensuring that the information is accurate and relevant.
The PathFinder YouTube channel was created in January 2017, as indicated by the oldest video on the channel being uploaded in that year. Since its inception, the channel has grown to over 1 million subscribers, showcasing its popularity and impact in the IAS preparation space.
Josh Talks UPSC- English.
The Josh Talks UPSC- English YouTube channel focuses on providing guidance, inspiration, and resources for aspirants preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations, particularly the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exam.The channel features a variety of content, including:
- Interviews with successful IAS officers, where they share their personal stories, experiences, and preparation strategies.
- Motivational and inspirational talks by experts and achievers.
- Guidance on various aspects of the UPSC exam, such as interview preparation, essay writing, and optional subject selection.
- Lessons and lectures on relevant subjects and topics.
The secret behind the success of the Josh Talks UPSC- English channel lies in its ability to provide a platform for IAS officers and experts to share their stories and insights. By showcasing the journeys and experiences of successful individuals, the channel aims to inspire and motivate UPSC aspirants to pursue their dreams and overcome challenges.
The Josh Talks UPSC- English YouTube channel was created in January 2019, as indicated by the oldest video on the channel being uploaded in that year. Since its inception, the channel has grown to over 1 million subscribers, demonstrating its impact and popularity among UPSC aspirants.
YouTube Channels for UPSC Preparation – FAQ’s.
The best YouTube channels for UPSC preparation include PW OnlyIAS, Sansad TV, OnlyIAS Extended, and Sleepy Classes IAS. These channels offer comprehensive content covering various subjects, current affairs, and exam strategies.
Yes, channels like OnlyIAS Hindi Medium and PW OnlyIAS provide UPSC preparation content in Hindi, making it accessible for Hindi-speaking aspirants.
Absolutely. Channels like PW OnlyIAS Prarambh focus on foundational topics, making them ideal for beginners who need to build a strong base before advancing.
Yes, many aspirants successfully prepare for UPSC using only YouTube. The platform offers a wealth of free resources, including lectures, strategies, and current affairs updates.
Prominent educators like Roman Sir from Unacademy and educators from Sleepy Classes IAS are highly regarded for their effective teaching methods and engaging content.
In addition to YouTube channels, candidates often use NCERT books, standard reference books, and online platforms like Unacademy and BYJU’S for comprehensive preparation.
Yes, many candidates have successfully cracked the IAS exam through self-study by utilizing online resources like YouTube, books, and mock tests.
Channels like Sleepy Classes IAS and Mrunal Patel’s channel provide excellent resources focused on NCERT materials essential for UPSC preparation.
While there is no specific stream required for UPSC, students from humanities backgrounds often find it easier due to the syllabus’s nature. However, aspirants from any stream can succeed with proper preparation.
Yes, many IAS officers share their knowledge and experiences on YouTube, providing valuable insights into the examination process and preparation strategies.
You can find numerous free resources on platforms like YouTube, where channels dedicated to UPSC offer lectures, study materials, and guidance without any cost.
YouTube provides flexible learning opportunities with visual content that enhances understanding, access to expert insights, and a variety of topics covered at no cost.
Conclusion.
For UPSC aspirants, YouTube has emerged as a vital resource, offering a plethora of channels dedicated to various aspects of exam preparation. Among the most recommended channels, Unacademy UPSC stands out with its structured lessons and expert instructors, providing a comprehensive approach to the syllabus.
Additionally, Study IQ CSAT and Sleepy Classes IAS are notable for their engaging content and interactive teaching styles, making complex topics more accessible for students. These channels not only cover general studies but also focus on current affairs, which is crucial for success in the UPSC exams.
In the realm of current affairs, channels like Rau’s IAS and GKToday excel by delivering in-depth analyses that help students connect current events with the UPSC syllabus. IAS with Ojaank Sir is another popular choice, known for its well-researched content and interactive sessions that encourage student participation.
The diversity in content across these platforms ensures that aspirants can find resources tailored to their specific needs, whether they are looking for foundational knowledge or advanced strategies.
Ultimately, leveraging these YouTube channels can significantly enhance a candidate’s preparation journey. With free access to expert lectures, daily updates on current affairs, and interactive sessions, these resources provide a supportive environment for learning.
By incorporating these channels into their study routine, UPSC aspirants can build a strong foundation and stay informed about essential topics, ultimately boosting their chances of success in this competitive examination.
