UPSC Toppers Share Strategies for Significant Ranking Improvement

Aspiring civil servants in India are drawing inspiration from the success stories of recent UPSC exam toppers who have shared their strategies for achieving significant ranking improvements. Warda Khan, a 24-year-old from Noida, Uttar Pradesh, secured the 18th rank in the prestigious UPSC civil services examination 2023. She quit her corporate job to prepare for the exam and opted for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) as her career choice.

Warda prepared at home and took online coaching for a year, visualizing herself in the final list of successful candidates. She emphasizes the importance of being thorough with the basics from NCERT books and Lakshmikanth's Polity, as well as preparing appropriate syllabus heads for the mains and options. "Social media can be utilized positively for preparation on different topics," Warda notes.

Mohammad Haris Mir, a native of Handwara District Kupwara, secured AIR 345 in his first attempt at the UPSC exam. Haris completed his BA LL.B. from Jamia Millia Islamia in 2022 and was motivated by successful UPSC candidates from Jammu and Kashmir. He focused on self-study, prioritizing his optional subject (Law) and the Prelims exam. Haris used smart work techniques, such as merging overlapping areas between his optional and General Studies, to manage the vast syllabus.

Kshitij Gurbhele, an IIT-Roorkee graduate, cleared the UPSC civil services exam with an all-India rank of 441. In a heartwarming moment captured on video, Gurbhele surprised his father at his office to share the good news. "It took two years of hard work to achieve this result," Gurbhele said, expressing gratitude to his family.

Why this matters: The success stories of UPSC toppers from diverse backgrounds serve as an inspiration for aspiring civil servants across India. Their strategies and dedication highlight the importance of thorough preparation, smart study techniques, and perseverance in tackling one of the most challenging competitive exams in the country.

The UPSC civil services exam is known for its rigorous process spanning around one year and requiring extensive preparation. In the recent exam, Aditya Srivastava, an alumnus of IIT-Kanpur, topped the exam, followed by Animesh Pradhan and Donuru Ananya Reddy. The toppers emphasized the significance of physical health, avoiding distractions, and consistently improving their preparation through daily newspaper reading, mock tests, and previous year question papers.

Key Takeaways

• Warda Khan (AIR 18) quit corporate job, focused on NCERT, Lakshmikanth's Polity
• Mohammad Haris Mir (AIR 345) prioritized optional subject, Prelims, and smart study techniques
• Kshitij Gurbhele (AIR 441) surprised father with UPSC result after 2 years of hard work
• UPSC toppers highlight thorough preparation, smart study, and perseverance as key to success
• UPSC 2023 toppers emphasized physical health, avoiding distractions, and consistent preparation