Askash Garg Rank-5

Aakash Garg, a native of North West Delhi, achieved AIR 5 in the UPSC CSE 2024. An alumnus of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, he holds a B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering. After an initial unsuccessful attempt in 2023, Aakash refined his strategy, leading to his remarkable success in 2024. Opting for Sociology as his optional subject, his preparation combined self-study with guidance from other coaching institutes.

Aakash completed his schooling at CRPF Public School in Delhi and pursued a B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. His technical education provided him with analytical skills and a structured approach to problem-solving, which he effectively applied to his UPSC preparation.​

Coming from a supportive family in Delhi, Aakash's father is a government employee, and his mother is a homemaker. Their encouragement and belief in his aspirations played a crucial role in his decision to pursue the demanding journey of UPSC preparation.​

Aakash's exposure to societal challenges and a desire to contribute meaningfully to public administration motivated him to pursue the civil services. His engineering background, combined with a keen interest in sociology and governance, made the civil services an ideal platform to channel his skills and passions towards nation-building.​

After an initial unsuccessful attempt in 2023, Aakash 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 a technical background to the diverse subjects required for the examination 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 Sociology, 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.