UPSC IAS Preparation Strategy by Aishwaryam Prajapati, AIR-10, UPSC CSE-2023

Aishwaryam Prajapati, a recent achiever of the 10th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023, shares her comprehensive journey and strategies that led to her success, offering valuable insights for future aspirants.

Aishwaryam began her UPSC preparation in 2021 and faced her first setback when she didn't clear the Prelims in her initial attempt in 2022. This experience reshaped her approach, leading her to balance her preparation between the Prelims and Mains more effectively. Aishwaryam emphasizes the importance of not underestimating the Prelims, a common pitfall for many candidates, and recommends dedicating ample time to this critical phase of the exam.

Her revised strategy included rigorous test series participation. Initially, she took a limited number of tests which didn't prove effective. Learning from this, she increased the frequency and intensity of her test-taking, analyzing her mistakes, and refining her approach continuously. This method not only enhanced her Prelims preparation but also significantly boosted her performance in subsequent attempts.

For the Mains, Aishwaryam's preparation was deeply rooted in understanding the UPSC syllabus and creating personalized notes from various resources, including online platforms like GS Score. She highlighted the overlap between Prelims and Mains topics, such as History, Polity, and Geography, which she prepared from standard books like 'Spectrum' and 'Laxmikant', supplemented by targeted preparation for Mains-specific topics using a mix of online resources and self-made notes.

In her quest to excel in General Studies (GS) papers, Aishwaryam leveraged free online content and systematically prepared for each segment, from GS 1 to GS 4, ensuring she covered the syllabus comprehensively. Her meticulous preparation extended to her optional subject, Sociology, where she combined online lectures, essential readings, and extensive note-taking to master the material.

A significant part of Aishwaryam's success can be attributed to her strategic approach to answer writing. She practiced extensively, initially writing in paragraphs and later shifting to a structured format with clear introductions, bodies, and conclusions, integrating examples, data, and diagrams to enrich her answers and distinguish them in the evaluators' eyes.

Her journey through the interview stage was marked by a focus on current affairs, personal hobbies, and a thorough understanding of her own profile and background. Aishwaryam stressed the importance of mock interviews in building confidence and refining her presentation and communication skills.

Aishwaryam's story is a testament to the power of resilience, strategic planning, and comprehensive preparation. Her insights into the nuances of each exam stage make her experience an invaluable resource for UPSC aspirants aiming for success in their own civil services journeys.