1) How Shubham Kumar (2020-21 topper) could secure an AIR-1?
Shubham started his preparation in 2017 and secured AIR-1 in his 3rd attempt. He believes in saying ''Where there is a will, there is the way". His father and his commitment to serve people were the source of his motivation.
During his preparation, his strategy followed-
- Working on basics.
- Batching mock tests for prelims and mains in his daily study plan.
- A wise selection of optional (scored 320/500).
- Newspaper reading for current affairs part.
- Focus on revision.
He suggests UPSC aspirants believe in themselves, make a friend circle of his/her fellow aspirants stay motivated and for positive peer pressure, practice mock tests regularly, wise selection of optional subject and during revision time not to read new books.
2) How Kanishak Kataria (2018-19 Topper) Could Secure an AIR-1?
Although each one of us thinks that it was his first attempt, he had already appeared in UPSC CSE examination in 2014 and could not qualify. So, technically this was his second attempt.
What was different this time?
Earlier (2014), his dad had filled up his form without telling him and he had little motivation and no vision for CSE. This time (2017) he himself decided to clear this exam or in other words he had enough motivation.
Secondly, before commencing his UPSC preparation he had identified his strengths and weaknesses beforehand so as to devise a strategy that would work for him.
He also talks about filtering out the relevant information from the ocean of data available in the market and internet. After all, to get a top rank one must know what not to study.
If one could observe, Kanishak has scored a remarkable 360+ marks out of 500 in his Mathematics optional alone. He chose Mathematics as his optional because it was logical, scientific, static (with no current affairs involved) and lastly, he knew he could never get bored of Math. One can gauge that he could secure All-India Rank 1 because he chose the right optional.
What was different this time?
Earlier (2014), his dad had filled up his form without telling him and he had little motivation and no vision for CSE. This time (2017) he himself decided to clear this exam or in other words he had enough motivation.
Secondly, before commencing his UPSC preparation he had identified his strengths and weaknesses beforehand so as to devise a strategy that would work for him.
He also talks about filtering out the relevant information from the ocean of data available in the market and internet. After all, to get a top rank one must know what not to study.
If one could observe, Kanishak has scored a remarkable 360+ marks out of 500 in his Mathematics optional alone. He chose Mathematics as his optional because it was logical, scientific, static (with no current affairs involved) and lastly, he knew he could never get bored of Math. One can gauge that he could secure All-India Rank 1 because he chose the right optional.
3) How Anudeep Durishetty (2017-18 Topper) Could Secure an AIR-1?
Anudeep Durishetty failed UPSC CSE 2016.
He was absolutely shattered by his marks and blamed almost everyone except himself for his defeat. He became lethargic, timid, under confident and even dumped his books in a corner.
Who could knew, that his marks would become his only motivation that drove him to rank 1?
His marks in 2016 are as follows:
If one observes deeply, one could understand that Anudeep was nowhere near the cut off (565 marks only).
After he bounced back (after 9 months) he observed that he was not able to complete the paper in time. So, his focus was just on completing the paper in those 3 hours and not All-India rank 1. He practiced and practiced hard. Slowly and gradually, he started completing the paper on time.
And in 2017, the result came out and all the hard work paid its due.
