Cracking the UPSC Exam: Insights from Top Rankers on Their Preparation Strategies
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious and challenging exams in India. With over a million aspirants each year and a rigorous selection process, the road to becoming an IAS, IPS, or IFS officer can be long and demanding.
However, with the right strategies, discipline, and perseverance, success is definitely achievable. In this article, we will delve into the preparation strategies of top rankers who have cracked the UPSC exam and understand the key insights that helped them secure top positions.
1. Start Early and Be Consistent
One of the most common traits shared by successful UPSC aspirants is the early start to their preparation and consistent effort throughout the journey.
Insight from Top Rankers:
- Toppers like Anudeep Durishetty (Rank 1, 2017) and Kanishak Kataria (Rank 1, 2018) emphasize starting the preparation as early as possible. Anudeep, for instance, started his preparation in his final year of engineering and remained consistent in his approach.
- Toppers’ Advice: Early preparation gives you ample time to understand the syllabus and build concepts gradually. Starting early also helps in absorbing the massive syllabus and leaves room for revision, which is essential for cracking the exam.
Key Tip:
If you can, start your preparation at least 1-2 years before the exam to give yourself time to cover all subjects and have enough time for practice and revision.
2. Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern Thoroughly
Understanding the UPSC syllabus and exam pattern is the foundation of effective preparation. Many top rankers stress the importance of focusing on the core syllabus and not getting distracted by irrelevant topics.
Insight from Top Rankers:
- Haritha V Kumar (Rank 1, 2016), a female topper from Kerala, says that one of the keys to her success was a clear understanding of the syllabus. She divided the syllabus into small manageable chunks and followed a structured approach.
- Toppers' Advice: The syllabus is vast but can be managed if broken into smaller sections. Prioritize areas based on weightage and importance. For instance, topics like Polity, History, and Geography are pivotal for both Prelims and Mains.
Key Tip:
- Read the syllabus multiple times. Understand what is expected from each paper and ensure that you cover every aspect systematically.
3. Strategic Time Management
Time management is one of the key factors contributing to success in the UPSC exam. Top rankers agree that without a proper study schedule and effective time utilization, it becomes difficult to manage the vast syllabus and revise multiple times.
Insight from Top Rankers:
- Shubham Kumar (Rank 1, 2020) highlights that time management helped him cover the syllabus on time. He divided his day into specific slots for each subject and stuck to his schedule religiously.
- Toppers’ Advice: Divide your preparation into phases. Initially, spend time understanding the basics and concepts. Gradually, as the exam date approaches, focus more on revision, mock tests, and current affairs.
Key Tip:
- Create a timetable that balances studying, revision, and relaxation. For example, study for 5-6 hours with breaks and dedicate 2-3 hours a day to current affairs. Prioritize weekdays for subject study and weekends for revision and tests.
4. Focus on Revision and Mock Tests
Revising regularly and taking mock tests are integral parts of the preparation strategy. Many top rankers stress the importance of revising multiple times before the exam and taking mock tests to simulate the real exam environment.
Insight from Top Rankers:
- Srushti Deshmukh (Rank 5, 2018), known for her comprehensive preparation approach, stresses the importance of revision. She revisited her notes and textbooks multiple times in the last few months before the exam.
- Toppers’ Advice: Revision helps in retaining information, while mock tests ensure that you understand the exam pattern and time constraints. Regularly practice previous year’s question papers and test your speed and accuracy.
Key Tip:
- Set aside 2-3 months for intensive revision before the exam, and take at least one mock test every week to assess your performance and improve your time management skills.
5. Master Current Affairs
Current Affairs is an essential and weighty component of both Prelims and Mains, and a major differentiator for top scorers. Many top rankers suggest that regular and focused reading of current affairs can provide an edge in the exam.
Insight from Top Rankers:
- Kanishak Kataria (Rank 1, 2018) mentions that staying updated with current events through daily newspaper reading, especially The Hindu and Indian Express, played a critical role in his success.
- Toppers’ Advice: Focus not only on national but also on international events, government schemes, economic policies, and important reports (e.g., Economic Survey and Budget).
Key Tip:
- Read daily newspapers and make concise notes of key events. You can also refer to monthly current affairs magazines for more structured and summarized content.
6. Strategic Selection of Optional Subject
The optional subject plays a critical role in securing a top rank in UPSC. Many successful candidates advise choosing an optional subject that you have a genuine interest in and are comfortable with, rather than one you think will give you an advantage.
Insight from Top Rankers:
- Srushti Deshmukh (Rank 5, 2018) chose Geography as her optional because of her interest and the overlap with General Studies.
- Toppers' Advice: The subject should be aligned with your interests, and ideally should have a reasonable overlap with the General Studies syllabus. Choose something you enjoy studying, and ensure that it has enough resources and previous year papers available.
Key Tip:
- Once you’ve chosen your optional subject, stick with it and thoroughly cover the syllabus. Avoid switching options midway as it can disrupt your preparation.
7. Stay Healthy and Keep a Positive Mindset
The UPSC exam demands mental resilience as much as it demands intellectual preparation. Top rankers often mention the importance of maintaining good physical health and a positive mindset to face the long, strenuous preparation period.
Insight from Top Rankers:
- Toppers like Anudeep Durishetty and Kanishak Kataria emphasized maintaining a balanced lifestyle with regular physical exercise to keep the body and mind fit during the preparation.
- Toppers' Advice: Engage in physical activities like yoga, jogging, or meditation to alleviate stress. Also, make sure to take breaks and get adequate rest to avoid burnout.
Key Tip:
- Include regular breaks, maintain a healthy diet, and get at least 6-7 hours of sleep each night. A positive, calm mind leads to better focus and productivity.
8. Learn from Failures and Stay Motivated
It is common to face setbacks during UPSC preparation, but top rankers emphasize that perseverance and self-belief are key to success. Many successful candidates failed multiple times before securing their rank.
Insight from Top Rankers:
- Toppers like Shubham Kumar (Rank 1, 2020) and Jasmeet Singh Sandhu (Rank 4, 2019) faced failures but they viewed these as learning experiences. They used their previous attempts to understand their weaknesses and improve on them.
- Toppers' Advice: Failure is part of the journey. It’s crucial to learn from your mistakes and stay motivated. Don’t compare your progress with others and focus on improving daily.
Key Tip:
- Embrace setbacks as learning opportunities, and focus on staying determined. Surround yourself with positive influences and remember that success is a result of persistence.
READ MORE
Conclusion
Cracking the UPSC exam requires a combination of dedication, hard work, and smart strategies. Insights from top rankers show that there is no one-size-fits-all formula, but the key elements for success include starting early, staying consistent, managing time well, focusing on current affairs, choosing the right optional subject, revising thoroughly, and maintaining physical and mental health.
Remember, the journey to cracking the UPSC exam is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay patient, stay focused, and the results will follow!