Indian Administrative Service

“While making notes, keep in mind that this is what you will come back to closer to the examination. So remember to be concise, and jot down all relevant information. Making copious notes might not serve the purpose during the days just before the examination.”

For the General Studies Paper Khan relied heavily on two newspapers –The Hindu and The Indian Express. “Normally, aspirants make notes of various news items in notebooks but I made notes on sheets of paper.”

“During my college years, I spent a lot of time reading topper interviews and watching videos in which the toppers would share their strategy and tips. I saw that a majority of them had read these newspapers and referred to these magazines. I also made a consolidated list of books that were commonly used and referred to them while studying.”

“What kept me going with each attempt was the incremental success which I got with each exam I attempted. With that conviction I kept preparing,” he says.

Ira is the first person with a disability to have topped the UPSC CSE exam. This gritty officer suffers from a medical condition called scoliosis, which is essentially the curvature of the spine.

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

He says that aspirants must remember that the interview not only checks your knowledge but your aptitude towards service.

K Elambahavath is a school dropout who completed his bachelors through distance learning. He appeared for 5 Mains and 3 interview rounds and failed to clear them. But he did not give up and instead worked harder till he achieved his dream.

While the preparation progresses smoothly, Sonalika suggests changing the strategy three months before the prelims—applying the factual aspects of the basic subjects and revising current affairs. She shares how time seemed to fly for her after the prelims.

Forging rare public-private journeys, these officers gave up the perks and privileges of their bureaucratic careers to start out on their own!