Top 5 YouTube Channels Every Competitive Exam Aspirant in India Must Follow for SSC, Banking, Railways & UPSC Success

Oct 27, 2025

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In India’s highly competitive examination landscape, aspirants often face thousands of competitors for a few hundred seats in government jobs, banking posts, railways, and UPSC services. In recent years, the number of candidates has soared—several reports estimate that for major exams like the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) CGL, more than 60 lakh candidates apply each year.

Under such conditions, having the right guidance, consistent revision, and exam-specific strategies becomes critical.

YouTube has emerged as a potent tool in this scenario: free, accessible, and packed with structured video lessons, live discussions, daily current affairs, and exam-specific tips. According to recent data, India has over 450 million YouTube users, many of whom use the platform for educational content.

This article dives deep into the top 5 YouTube channels that aspirants preparing for India’s competitive exams must follow. Each channel is evaluated on its content coverage, format, strengths, and ideal use case.

Quick Comparison Table: Top 5 YouTube Channels for Competitive Exams

Rank	Channel Name	Focus Area	Why It Stands Out	Ideal For
1	StudyIQ	UPSC, SSC, Banking – GS + Current Affairs	Large subscriber base with daily current affairs and bilingual content.	Aspirants needing strong GS + current affairs coverage
2	Adda247	Banking (IBPS, SBI), SSC, Railways – Quant, Reasoning, GA	Focused exam-specific live classes and mock sessions.	Banking/railway/SSC aspirants needing aptitude & exam strategy
3	BYJU’S Exam Prep	Government Exams – SSC, Banking, Railways, CUET etc.	Wide coverage with conceptual videos and revision sessions.	Aspirants seeking structured videos across multiple exams
4	Unacademy	UPSC, SSC, IBPS, State PSC – subject-wise lectures	Large platform with many educators, topic-wise playlists.	Aspirants wanting deep subject lectures and optional subjects
5	Khan GS Research Centre	General Studies – Polity, History, Geography (UPSC/PSC)	Engaging style, strong clarity in GS topics; massive following.	Those focusing on GS topics in depth for UPSC, PSC or state exams

Detailed Channel Reviews

1. StudyIQ

Subscriber reach & format: With over 17 million subscribers, StudyIQ is among the most trusted names in competitive exam preparation.
Content range: Offers daily current affairs, editorial round-ups, General Studies videos (Polity, Economy, Environment), subject-wise playlists, and exam strategy sessions. The bilingual format (Hindi & English) enhances accessibility.
Why follow it: Current affairs is a major component—especially for exams like SSC, banking, and state PSCs—and this channel ensures up-to-date coverage plus concept clarity.
How to use it: Make it part of your daily routine—watch a short current affairs video each morning, mark important topics, then attach a subject video in the evening. Keep a notebook of key facts from each video.

2. Adda247

Focus & strength: Primarily oriented toward banking, SSC, and railways. Offers live classes, “topic of the day” sessions, mock test discussions, and shortcut tricks for Quant & Reasoning.
Why follow it: For many government job exams, aptitude (Quant + Reasoning) and time-management are critical. Adda247 excels in breaking down complex problems into simple methods.
How to use it: Use video sessions to learn a concept (e.g., “Number Series – Trick”), then go to practice immediately. Use their mock discussions to identify mistakes and revise accordingly.

3. BYJU’S Exam Prep

Coverage: A broad-spectrum channel covering many competitive exams (SSC, Banking, Railways, CUET, etc.). Focus on conceptual clarity with engaging visual formats.
Why follow it: For aspirants who may require flexible preparation, BYJU’S offers multiple exam-types and guided sessions.
How to use it: Pick playlists matching your target exam. Watch revision playlists 2-3 months before the exam to consolidate content.

4. Unacademy

Subject depth: Known for detailed lectures on GS, optional subjects (for UPSC/PSC), and exam-wise strategy.
Why follow it: If you are aiming for higher level exams or want structured subject-wise lectures (e.g., Economics for UPSC), this channel offers excellent depth.
How to use it: Allocate weekend sessions for long lecture videos. Combine with notes and previous year questions to gain familiarity with exam patterns.

5. Khan GS Research Centre

Special trait: Unique and engaging teaching style—especially for topics like Indian Polity, History, and Geography. Popular with over 23 million subscribers.
Why follow it: GS topics often determine large portions of exams such as UPSC, state PSCs, and large banking exams; this channel makes them more interesting and easy to grasp.
How to use it: Use for video lectures when reading textbooks becomes monotonous. Watch a topic video, then summarise it in your own words and attempt MCQs.

Why These Channels Make a Difference (Figures & Facts)

Video-based learning increases retention — students recall approximately 60–70% more when concepts are visualised compared to purely textual study.
For current affairs, missing even one week can impact 10–12 MCQs in banking or railway exams—hence daily updates are crucial.
With mass enrollment (e.g., SSC CGL attracts around 23 lakh candidates), every marginal improvement from a shortcut video or strategy session matters.
Live classes and interactive sessions enable real-time doubt resolution, a feature often missing in self-study.
Many of these channels provide free content, reducing the cost barrier for aspirants from tier-2/3 towns who may not afford expensive coaching.

Tips on How to Effectively Use YouTube Channels in Your Study Plan

Create a watching schedule – Use a fixed time slot (say 6 pm-7 pm) for watching one video daily; consistency is key.
Make notes – While watching, pause and write key points. Use two colours: one for facts (dates, numbers) and one for strategies/tricks.
Link video with practice – After a concept video, immediately attempt 10–20 MCQs on that topic to reinforce learning.
Use playlists strategically – Each channel often has exam-specific playlists; pick the one matching your exam rather than random browsing.
Use live sessions for doubt-clearing – Many channels have live Q&A sessions; mark your doubts and try to resolve them here.
Revise periodically – Plan weekly review sessions where you watch 2-3 important videos from the week’s list again and update notes.
Combine with other resources – YouTube alone may not suffice: combine videos with textbooks, previous year papers, and mock tests for best results.
Avoid distractions – Set a timer for watching videos and avoid clicking unrelated recommendations.

When to Prioritise Which Channel?

Early stage (6-8 months before exam): Focus on GS and current affairs → StudyIQ, Khan GS Research.
Middle stage (3-4 months left): Concentrate on Quant & Reasoning shortcuts → Adda247.
If preparing for multiple exams or unsure of target: Choose broad coverage → BYJU’S Exam Prep.
For major exams like UPSC or PSC with optional subjects: Use Unacademy for deep-dive lectures.

Common Mistakes Aspirants Make and How to Avoid Them

Mistake: Random watching without a plan → wasted time.
Fix: Pick 2–3 channels maximum, follow a consistent schedule.
Mistake: Watching multiple channels simultaneously → overlapping content.
Fix: Choose one channel per subject (GS, Aptitude, Current Affairs).
Mistake: Watching videos passively → minimal retention.
Fix: Take notes and practice immediately after watching.
Mistake: Ignoring exam pattern and weightage.
Fix: Focus on channels providing exam-specific playlists and analysis.
Mistake: Ignoring revision and mock tests.
Fix: Treat YouTube as a supplement; allocate time for practice and mock tests.

Conclusion: Maximise Your YouTube Advantage

In the era of digital learning, YouTube channels have become a powerful ally for competitive exam aspirants in India. With the right strategy and consistency, they can transform the way you study and revise.

Success doesn’t come from watching videos alone—it comes from how effectively you learn, revise, and apply what you see. Use these channels smartly, follow a study plan, and treat YouTube not as entertainment but as your personal online classroom.

Stay consistent, stay disciplined, and make your preparation smarter—because every minute of focused effort brings you one step closer to your goal.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not guarantee exam success. The YouTube channels mentioned are chosen based on popularity and relevance; aspirants should use them along with standard textbooks, mock tests, and official notifications to ensure comprehensive preparation.

About the author

I’m Himanshu Dhar, a dedicated MIS trainer proudly associated with I Turn Institute. My journey in the realm of data management and automation spans over 14 enriching years. My passion for this field extends to freelancing projects, where I bring real-world practicality into my teaching. My impact in education is marked by the success of over 25,000 students I’ve had the privilege of mentoring, hailing from diverse backgrounds. Beyond the classroom, I’ve had the honor of conducting corporate training sessions and seminars, catering to the unique needs of businesses. Let’s unlock your potential together in the realm of data analysis and automation.