Archit Parag Dongre Rank-3

Archit Parag Dongre, a native of Pune, Maharashtra, achieved AIR 3 in the UPSC CSE 2024. An alumnus of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), he holds a B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. After a year in the IT industry, Archit transitioned to civil services, driven by a desire to contribute to public administration. His first attempt in 2023 earned him Rank 153, and with refined strategies, he climbed to Rank 3 in 2024. Opting for Philosophy as his optional subject, Archit's preparation combined self-study with guidance from institutes like Vajiram & Ravi.​

Archit's academic journey began in Mumbai, where he completed his schooling. He pursued a B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from VIT Vellore, a prestigious institution known for its rigorous curriculum. His engineering background provided him with analytical skills and a problem-solving mindset, which he later applied to his civil services preparation.​

Hailing from a supportive family in Pune, Archit's father is a businessman, and his mother is a homemaker. Their encouragement and belief in his aspirations played a crucial role in his decision to leave a stable IT job and dedicate himself to the demanding journey of UPSC preparation.​ ​

While working in the IT sector, Archit realized that his true calling lay in public service. The desire to be part of policy-making and to directly impact society motivated him to pursue the civil services. His engineering background, combined with a keen interest in philosophy and governance, made the civil services an ideal platform to channel his skills and passions towards nation-building.​

Archit's journey was marked by perseverance and adaptability. After securing Rank 153 in his first attempt in 2023, he recognized areas for improvement, particularly in answer writing and interview skills. Balancing self-study with guidance from coaching institutes, he refined his strategies, focusing on consistency and comprehensive coverage of the syllabus. The transition from the corporate world to full-time preparation demanded discipline and a shift in mindset, challenges he overcame with determination.​

• Foundational Reading: Emphasized NCERT textbooks for basic concepts, followed by standard reference books like Laxmikanth for Polity, Spectrum for History, and GC Leong for Geography.
• Current Affairs: Regularly read newspapers such as The Hindu and Indian Express, and referred to monthly magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra to stay abreast of current events.
• Mock Tests: Practiced extensively with mock tests from various coaching institutes to assess preparation levels and improve time management.
• CSAT Preparation: Dedicated time to practice quantitative aptitude and reasoning questions, ensuring a balanced preparation for both papers.

• Answer Writing Practice: Focused on structuring answers with clear introductions, body, and conclusions. Regularly practiced writing essays and GS answers to enhance articulation and coherence.
• Optional Subject: For Philosophy, combined theoretical understanding with current examples. Referred to standard books and scholarly articles to deepen insights.
• Peer Discussions: Engaged in discussions with fellow aspirants to gain diverse perspectives and refine understanding of complex topics.
• Revision: Emphasized multiple revisions of notes and key materials to ensure retention and clarity.

• Mock Interviews: Participated in mock interviews conducted by reputed coaching institutes to simulate the actual interview environment and receive feedback.
• Current Affairs: Stayed updated with national and international developments, forming opinions on various issues to articulate during the interview.
• Personality Development: Worked on communication skills, body language, and confidence-building exercises to present himself effectively.
• Self-Reflection: Engaged in introspection to understand personal motivations, strengths, and areas of improvement, ensuring authenticity during the interview.