Iyer wrote:
"I am learning microcontrollers,..."

Steve replied:
"You don't HAVE to buy an EV board, you can make something..."

The big advantage of an EV (EValuation) board is that it is ready-made and documented - and probably comes with some examples to try out.
It gives you something that you know works, and on which you can base your own design.

The trouble with making something yourself - especially if you're new and have never done it before - is: how do you know if you've done it right?!
You will have to do both your own hardware design & constructions, and write your own software.
If there's a proble, how will you know where to start?!