Anmol Rathore IAS/UPSC 2023-24 Rank-5

Anmol Rathore, originally from Udrana village in Bhadarwah, Jammu and Kashmir, secured All India Rank (AIR) 7 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023. Before cracking UPSC, she had already secured a top rank in the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission’s Combined Competitive Examination (JKPSC CCE) in 2022, showing her dedication and perseverance in the administrative field. She completed her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar, and this academic background influenced her choice of optional subject for UPSC: Law.

Her journey reflects determination, as she cleared the UPSC exam in her third attempt, balancing her state-level administrative duties while preparing. Her story is a source of inspiration for aspirants, demonstrating that consistent effort, even after previous failures, can lead to remarkable success.

Anmol completed her schooling at New Era Public School in Kishtwar, Jammu, and then pursued a law degree from Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar. Her legal education played a crucial role in her UPSC journey, as it not only honed her analytical abilities but also became the foundation for her optional subject choice in the Civil Services Examination.

Anmol comes from a small family in Jammu and Kashmir. Her father works as a banker in Jammu and Kashmir Bank, while her mother is a teacher. Being the only child, Anmol felt a significant sense of responsibility, which motivated her to strive harder to make her parents proud through her academic and professional achievements.

Anmol's decision to join the civil services was rooted in her desire to contribute to societal development and public service. Having already secured a rank in the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission, she felt the need to broaden her horizon and serve the nation at a higher capacity. Her experiences in state administration further fueled her resolve to aim for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) through the UPSC examination, enabling her to work on more extensive socio-economic issues and make a lasting impact on society.

Anmol’s journey was not without hurdles. It took her three attempts to clear the UPSC examination. Before that, she managed to crack the JKPSC examination, which helped her gain state-level administrative experience. Juggling her responsibilities as a state official while preparing for UPSC proved challenging, but she made it work with a disciplined study routine. Her journey also involved overcoming the pressure of being the only child and fulfilling family expectations while managing the demands of one of the most competitive exams in the country.

For Prelims:
Anmol focused on consistent revision and solving previous years' question papers for the preliminary examination. She ensured a comprehensive understanding of current affairs, combining daily news updates with thorough reading of standard textbooks for subjects like polity, economy, and history. Regular mock tests were key to her prelims success, helping her identify weak areas and improve accuracy.

For Mains:
Her mains strategy was content-focused. Anmol prioritized answer writing, practicing daily to sharpen her ability to present answers concisely within the word limit. For her optional subject, Law, she relied heavily on her law school notes, refining them for the UPSC format. She emphasized revising notes multiple times and practicing with mock tests to ensure familiarity with the pattern of questions and improve time management during the exam.

For Interview:
Anmol prepared for the interview by working on her personality, ensuring she could present her thoughts confidently and coherently. While she attended a few mock interviews, she avoided excessive mock sessions to prevent her responses from becoming rehearsed. Instead, she focused on staying natural, developing a calm demeanor, and being mindful of her word choices to avoid potential cross-questioning traps during the actual interview.