India

Hi, This is the dilemma I have recently gone through and now can perfectly advise you not to go follow the herd. It is not at all required to join some famed institute in Delhi for the preparation of UPSC as most of the results displayed at the institutes of Delhi are fake and forged. This exam demands reading and devoting time to subjects as much as you can and many of my near ones have cleared it via self study itself. But for the beginner it is advisable to join coaching not for the learning sake but guidance sake that how and which direction to follow correctly towards achievement in these exams. Rest, it all depends upon the devotion and enthusiasm of the one who is preparing for it since every subject of UPSC preparation is generalised in nature that is why they name it general studies which can only be self prepared and not inculcated in you from any external source. All the best!