Nausheen IAS/UPSC 2023-24 Rank-9

Nausheen, a 24-year-old from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, secured All India Rank (AIR) 9 in the 2023 UPSC Civil Services Examination on her fourth attempt. A Delhi University graduate from Khalsa College, she showed immense perseverance and resilience in her journey. Her passion for civil services grew during her college days, largely influenced by her interest in current affairs and social issues. Despite initial setbacks, Nausheen continued to sharpen her skills by enrolling in Jamia Millia Islamia’s Residential Coaching Academy in 2021, which played a significant role in her success.

Nausheen completed her undergraduate studies at Khalsa College, Delhi University. During her college years, she developed a keen interest in current affairs, which motivated her to pursue civil services. Her academic journey was supplemented with her involvement in discussions on social issues and the impacts of colonization, which eventually shaped her passion for public service.

Nausheen comes from a supportive middle-class family. Her father works as a Director at Prasar Bharti, while her mother is a homemaker. Her family’s encouragement played a crucial role in her journey, particularly in helping her manage the emotional toll of the long and challenging UPSC preparation process.

Nausheen’s desire to join civil services was sparked during her college years when she engaged in discussions on social justice, governance, and policy issues. Inspired by the transformative power of civil services to bring positive change at the grassroots level, Nausheen wanted to be part of a system that allows individuals to contribute directly to societal welfare. Her commitment grew stronger after realizing the critical role administrators play in resolving real-world problems, especially during times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nausheen’s UPSC journey was far from easy. After failing her first three attempts, she faced immense pressure and self-doubt. Despite these challenges, she continued to persevere, learning from her mistakes. Nausheen attributes her eventual success to her refined preparation strategy and the resilience she built over time. Enrolling in Jamia Millia Islamia’s Residential Coaching Academy in 2021 was a turning point for her, as it provided her with the structure and guidance she needed to improve her performance.

Nausheen’s journey also reflects the emotional and psychological challenges that UPSC aspirants face. The rigorous demands of UPSC preparation, combined with societal and personal expectations, often tested her resolve. However, her ability to bounce back after each failure and recalibrate her strategy ultimately led to her success

For Prelims:
Nausheen emphasized a solid foundation in the core subjects, particularly focusing on previous years' question papers and regular mock tests. She enrolled in several test series, including the Level Up Test Series and Essay Tests by Next IAS, which helped her in identifying key areas of improvement.

For Mains:
Nausheen followed a content-driven approach for Mains, emphasizing consistent answer writing practice. She regularly wrote answers under timed conditions and worked on her presentation skills to ensure clarity and precision. Her optional subject, History, required an in-depth understanding, and she devoted significant time to mastering it, referring to various resources and taking the Level Up Test series.

For Interview:
Nausheen’s preparation for the UPSC personality test was focused on honing her communication skills. She participated in mock interviews at Jamia RCA, Bano IAS, and Vajiram and Ravi, which helped her refine her responses. Her confidence in discussing complex topics like colonization and social justice was critical in her selection. However, she avoided giving too many mock interviews to ensure her answers were natural and not rehearsed.