Insights from the top: What you can learn from UPSC Toppers of the last three years

The

Civil Services Exam

(CSE), administered by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), stands as one of the most challenging exams in India. With over 8 lakh candidates competing for prestigious positions every year, the exam's difficulty level is significantly high. Excelling in this rigorous test requires a comprehensive and meticulously planned preparation strategy, coupled with immense perseverance and dedication.
Also, UPSC aspirants should look up to recent toppers for valuable insights into effective preparation strategies and the mindset needed to excel.

They offer practical tips on managing study schedules and tackling the vast syllabus, while serving as a source of inspiration. Take a look at the inspiring journeys of these

UPSC toppers

.

Aditya Srivastava: UPSC 2023 Topper

An IIT Kanpur alumnus hailing from Lucknow, Aditya Srivastava bagged the first rank in one of the most coveted Civil Services Exam (CSE) 2024. Srivastava's educational path is remarkable. He graduated from the Aliganj branch of CMS Lucknow, where he achieved an outstanding 95% in his Class 12 exams. This excellence persisted at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), where he undertook a dual B.Tech and M.Tech program.

His dedication and desire to serve the nation made him leave a well-paying job. He struggled to concentrate on his preparations because of the pressures of his job. Consequently, in 2020, only a month before the preliminary exams, he made the decision to resign from his position and move back home. He cracked IPS in 2022 with an AIR of 216.
When preparing for the UPSC Civil Services, Aditya emphasizes working smartly over working hard. According to a report by TOI, he stated, "Analysing previous years' papers apart from basic books was helpful. I also identified patterns of framing of statements in the question papers, apart from utilising all resources like PT 365 (a compilation of current affairs). I made optimum use of Google and Chat GPT."

Ishita Kishore: UPSC 2022 Topper

Ishita Kishore, the top performer of the UPSC CSE 2022, had been a national-level football player and competed in the Subroto Cup in 2012. She completed her undergraduate studies in economics at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Delhi University and passed the examination with political science and international relations as her chosen subjects. For 26-year-old Kishore, this was her third attempt, having failed to clear the prelims in her previous two tries. She focused on having a disciplined and sincere approach while preparing for the UPSC exam.
According to a TNN report, Ishita attributes her improved performance in the UPSC exam to a strategic shift. She explains, "This time, I created my own notes and study materials." For her third attempt, she also participated in online classes. Ishita emphasizes the importance of grasping the core concepts: "Understanding the crux of the subject matter is key. My advice to all aspirants is to develop a detailed study schedule. Using the right sources of information is crucial. I studied for 8-9 hours a day," she shares.

Shruti Sharma: UPSC 2021 Topper

Shruti Sharma who clinched the All India Rank 1 in UPSC CSE 2021 has completed her undergraduate studies in History Honours at St. Stephen's College, Delhi University. Following her graduation, she began a Master's program in Modern History at Jawaharlal Nehru University. However, she chose to leave the program midway instead enrolled in the Jamia Millia Islamia Residential Coaching Academy to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services examination.
The preparation strategy of this UPSC topper included creating her own notes from newspapers and focussing on answer writing practice. In a TNN interview she revealed that she has used social media in a balanced way.

4 key lessons to learn from UPSC toppers

Dedication, hard work, and perseverance are the chief ingredients of success in all spheres of life. However, there are some key tips that can further streamline our preparation strategy and boost our chances of success. Here are some key lessons that aspirants can imbibe from the last three years’ UPSC toppers.
Strategic focus over hard work
Aditya emphasizes the importance of strategic preparation. Instead of solely relying on hard work, he focused on smart study techniques such as analyzing previous years' papers and using resources like PT 365. He highlighted the value of pattern recognition in question papers and leveraging tools like Google and ChatGPT for optimal results.
Optimal use of technology
Srivastava’s UPSC journey also highlights the effective use of technology in his preparation. By utilizing tools like Google and ChatGPT, and analyzing previous years' papers, he was able to optimize his study process. Apt use of technology can prove to be beneficial for preparation.
Effective utilisation of resources
Shruti made effective use of study resources by creating her own notes and focusing on answer-writing practice. Her balanced use of social media for current affairs, combined with targeted study techniques, emphasizes the importance of utilizing resources efficiently for exam preparation.
Adaptability and perseverance
Ishita’s journey sheds light on the importance of identifying mistakes and working on them to improve your chances of success. She took lessons from her previous failures and modified her preparation strategy leading to success in the UPSC CSE exam 2022.