Anu Kumari

Anu Kumari, AIR 2 in the 2017 CSE examinations says, “The interviewers on the panel are experienced and learned people, and they will know when you stray from who you are.”

“Preparing for the UPSC exams can be stressful, and through it all, one must find ways to stay motivated. There will be moments when we lose focus, feel disarrayed, and even disoriented, but it’s important to find something that keeps you going.”

“Civil Services is not the result of a day or two, it's a process and it gives results with the process.”

Optional papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) of the UPSC Mains examination carry 500 marks. This accounts for almost 25 per cent of the total marks (2025), which is a combination of the written and personality tests.

From AIR 2 Anu Kumari to AIR 4 Shreyas Kumat, UPSC toppers share their strategy for cracking that all-important interview.

These stories are filled with inspiration and will infuse in you a never-say-die attitude!

Set micro goals for yourself and when you complete each of those tasks, you will feel more confident.

From sharing her notes and preparation methods to suggesting reference websites and textbooks, along with additional tips for the mains and he personal interviews, she is constantly updating the blog with a gold mine of crucial information for aspirants.

These are stories of gritty women with iron will, who didn't give up on their dreams, no matter how hard the going got.

“I liked my life in Mumbai, it is such a safe place for women. I was learning with the job, and the financial security that it brought to me was immensely satisfying,” she says.