Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam can feel like an overwhelming process. But thanks to YouTube, it’s easier than ever. YouTube channels, such as Drishti IAS and Unacademy UPSC, are the most popular options among students.
In this article, I will take you through the best YouTube channels to prepare for the UPSC in 2025 as well as the advantages of each channel and how to best utilize them to succeed on the exam. Read until the end!
Top 10 YouTube Channels For UPSC Preparation
Here is a quick overview of some of the most highly recommended YouTube channels for UPSC aspirants.
| Channel Name | Focus | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Study IQ IAS | Current Affairs, GS, NCERTs | Bilingual, concise analysis, visual aids. |
| Drishti IAS | Hindi-Medium, GS, Optional Subjects | In-depth lectures, answer writing practice, mock interviews. |
| Sansad TV | Policy, Governance, Debates | Authentic source for current affairs, excellent for Mains. |
| Mrunal Patel | Economics & Finance | Simplifies complex concepts, structured notes. |
| Unacademy UPSC | Comprehensive Coverage | Live classes, doubt-solving, expert educators. |
| PW OnlyIAS | General Studies, News Analysis | Structured approach, The Hindu analysis, strategy sessions. |
| NCERT OFFICIAL | Foundational Concepts | Official NCERT channel for basic understanding. |
| Tathastu – ICS | History, Geography, Polity | In-depth syllabus coverage, rising popularity. |
| Sleepy Classes | Subject-Specific (GS, Optional) | Concise lectures, useful for working professionals. |
| Vision IAS | Current Affairs, Mains Prep | Exam-oriented strategies, mock test discussions. |
The best part is that they also provide free resources. This relieves many students of their budget constraints. Now that you’ve read the table, keep on reading for more information on the top YouTube Channels for UPSC Preparation.
Top YouTube Channels For UPSC Preparation (2025)
The following YouTube channels are highly rated by UPSC aspirants. Go through this list to pick the best one according to your needs:
1. Study IQ IAS
Channel Link: StudyIQ IAS
Subscribers: 20.1 Million
With over 20 million subscribers, Study IQ IAS is one of the most popular among UPSC aspirants. They make engaging content and simplify complex topics easily.
They cover Current Affairs and General Studies in depth. They are also well-known for their NCERT summaries and their comprehensive analysis of daily news and editorials.
2. Drishti IAS
Channel Link: Drishti IAS
Subscribers: 12.6 Million
Drishti IAS is well-known in the UPSC circle, especially among Hindi-medium aspirants. It is particularly helpful with Answer Writing, Editorial Analysis, and Ethics videos.
They also provide detailed discussions and mock interviews, which help you be prepared and confident for the third part of the exam.
3. Mrunal Patel
Channel Link: Mrunal Patel
Subscribers: 1.97 Million
Mrunal Patel’s channel is the top resource for Economics & Finance. What aspirants love the most is his ability to break down complicated financial concepts into digestible content.
He covers everything from basic economic principles to advanced concepts, also provides study material and guidance.
4. Sansad TV
Channel Link: Sansad TV
Subscribers: 9.45 Million
Sansad TV is the official government channel and a goldmine for UPSC aspirants. It serves as the official parliamentary channel of India, telecasting the proceedings of both Houses of Parliament and providing in-depth analysis of public affairs.
It is the top choice for all things related to content regarding parliamentary proceedings, policy-related matters, and debates.
5. Unacademy UPSC
Channel Link: Unacademy UPSC
Subscribers: 246K
Unacademy UPSC is one of India’s largest EdTech companies and offers comprehensive coverage by top educators. The channel’s content is designed to cover the entire UPSC syllabus, from the Prelims and Mains to the Interview stage.
The channel provides regular live sessions, structured courses, and dedicated sessions for doubt resolution and answer writing practice.
Subject-Wise YouTube Channels For Focused Preparation
Here’s a neat table with recommended YouTube channels based on specific subjects, helping you focus your preparation on the areas you need to strengthen.
| Subject Area | Recommended YouTube Channels |
|---|---|
| Current Affairs | Study IQ IAS, Drishti IAS, Unacademy UPSC, Sansad TV, Sleepy Classes, The Hindu |
| Economy & Polity | Mrunal Patel, Study IQ IAS, Drishti IAS, Unacademy UPSC, IAS with Ojaank Sir |
| Geography, History, & Environment | NCERT OFFICIAL, NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling), PMF IAS, Tathastu – ICS, Mrunal Patel, Amit Sengupta Geography |
| Ethics & Essay | Drishti IAS, Tathastu – ICS |
Don’t forget to subscribe to the channels you choose. This way, you can receive notifications of their new videos and will not miss out on anything!
Criteria For Selecting The Best UPSC YouTube Channels
In a world with so many options and poor quality, figuring out which YouTube Channels to use to prepare for the UPSC exam can be confusing.
- Teaching quality, with guaranteed correct facts: Find teachers who break down complex ideas simply and also provide correct facts.
- Consistency of uploading: This is particularly important if the channel covers current affairs.
- Coverage of the syllabus and PYQs: Seek channels that cover every aspect of the syllabus and also use previous year questions (PYQs) in their teaching.
- Current affairs, with analytical depth: The best channels will do more than just state facts; they will provide context with analytical depth.
- Language style, English/Hindi: Select channels that use a style that suits your personal preference.
How To Use YouTube Effectively For UPSC Preparation
YouTube offers free UPSC preparation content. Even then, many people aren’t aware of the best ways to use it effectively. Here are some tips:
- Make Playlists Organized by Topic: Instead of just scrolling and aimlessly watching videos, curate your collection by creating playlists that organize videos by topics or subjects (e.g., Modern History, Indian Polity, Budget Analysis).
- Utilize Other Resources: Don’t try to learn everything from YouTube. Use videos to complement and enhance your reading.
- Make Active Notes: Passive watching does not accomplish very much. Pause the video at key points to create notes that are brief and to the point. Make bullet points, flow charts, and mind maps to summarize information.
- Limit the Amount of Time: Determine a fixed amount of time to watch videos each day. Don’t fall into the habit of binge-watching as it can cause information overload and fatigue.
- Practice using PYQs and Test Series: After watching an instructional video on a specific topic, attempt to solve PYQs or practice questions immediately related to that video.
Common Mistakes Aspirants Make While Using YouTube
In a digital space where too many “experts” seem to offer too much advice, aspirants often fall into traps that can hinder their progress. Here are some common mistakes that you must avoid:
- Following too many channels and educators.
- Simply watching a video without active note-taking.
- Failing to revise your notes regularly.
- Consuming content that is not directly relevant to the UPSC syllabus.
- Not practicing and developing answer-writing skills.
When you follow these tips, you can rest assured that your use of YouTube is productive. Otherwise, you’re only watching videos without actually learning anything.
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Conclusion: Start Your UPSC Journey Today With The Best Channels!
In 2025, YouTube has become a game-changer in UPSC CSE preparation. There are many platforms that provide free expert resources, including Study IQ IAS, Drishti IAS, Mrunal Patel, Sansad TV, and PW OnlyIAS. Additionally, it is possible to learn in English and Hindi, and from home.
However, the key to success is not in watching too many videos. A contender needs to learn methods for making the best use of YouTube, such as making playlists, note taking, solving PYQs, and learning in different ways.
Above all, do not fall in the trap of subscribing to too many channels. That will only confuse you and take more time. Follow a few trusted ones and allocate your focus on revision and answer-writing.
Want to crack your dream government examination? Start today by subscribing to the top-rated UPSC YouTube Channels!
FAQs
While YouTube can be an additional resource, it is not a substitute for a thorough preparation plan, which should involve a combination of books, notes, and test series.
In general, students should aim to cover current affairs for the last 12- 18 months for both the Prelims and Mains examination.
Study IQ, Drishti IAS, The Hindu, Sansad TV and similar channels are recommended to treat daily news analysis about current affairs and editorials.
Some channels, such as Drishti IAS, Vision IAS and others also teach answer writing. You can read their model answers and frameworks to improve your answer writing.
For beginners, channels like PW OnlyIAS Prarambh and the NCERT Official Channel are great. They build a strong foundation in core subjects before moving to advanced topics.
