Harshita Goyal Rank-2

Harshita Goyal, hailing from Haryana and raised in Vadodara, Gujarat, achieved AIR 2 in the UPSC CSE 2024. A Chartered Accountant by profession, she transitioned from the corporate world to public service, demonstrating versatility and commitment. Her academic journey includes a B.Com from MS University of Baroda, followed by CA qualification. Opting for Political Science & International Relations as her optional subject, she combined analytical skills with a deep understanding of governance and policy. Her preparation strategy was a blend of self-study and selective coaching, emphasizing consistency, current affairs, and regular practice.

Harshita's academic path is marked by excellence and determination. After completing her B.Com from MS University of Baroda, she pursued Chartered Accountancy, a rigorous professional course, and qualified as a CA. Her academic achievements reflect a strong foundation in commerce and finance, which she later complemented with a deep dive into political science and international relations for the UPSC examination.​

Harshita comes from a supportive family that values education and perseverance. Her father is a businessman, and her mother is a homemaker. The family's encouragement played a pivotal role in her decision to shift from a stable corporate career to the challenging realm of civil services, underscoring their belief in her potential to contribute meaningfully to society.​

Harshita's transition from a Chartered Accountant to a civil services aspirant was driven by a desire to make a tangible impact on society. While her corporate career offered stability, she yearned for a role that allowed her to address systemic issues and contribute to nation-building. The civil services presented an avenue to apply her analytical skills to real-world problems, influence policy, and work directly with communities. Her choice of Political Science & International Relations as an optional subject further reflects her interest in governance, diplomacy, and public administration.​

Harshita's journey was not without obstacles. Transitioning from the corporate sector to the vast syllabus of the UPSC required a significant shift in mindset and study patterns. Balancing self-study with selective coaching, she had to navigate the overwhelming volume of information, develop answer-writing skills, and stay updated with current affairs. The pressure of expectations, self-doubt, and the rigorous nature of the examination tested her resilience. However, her disciplined approach, consistent revision, and unwavering focus enabled her to overcome these challenges.​

1.Prelims Preparation

1. Polity:
• Laxmikant (read 5–6 times + made notes on amendments, bills, and landmark judgments).
• Focused on current affairs linkages (e.g., CAA, Farm Laws, Basic Structure Doctrine).
2. History:
• Spectrum Modern India + NCERTs (ancient/medieval).
• Art & Culture: Relied on Nitin Singhania and CCRT website.
3. Economy:
• Sriram IAS Economy Notes + Economic Survey (key chapters like agriculture, MSMEs).
• Budget Highlights: Tracked schemes and allocations.
4. Geography:
• NCERTs (Class 11–12) + GC Leong.
• Practiced map marking (India & World).
5. Environment:
• Shankar IAS + Current Affairs (Focus on COP summits, IUCN reports).
6. Ethics (GS-IV):
• Lexicon for keywords + self-prepared case studies.
• Practiced writing emotional intelligence-based answers

• Mock Tests: 50+ tests (Vision IAS, Insights) with detailed error analysis.
• CSAT: Solved UPSC PYQs (2013–2022) and practiced mental calculations.
• Last-Month Revision: Focused on high-yield topics (Environment, Polity, Economy).

• Sources: The Hindu (daily), PRS Legislative, PIB.
• Monthly Compilations: Vision IAS and Forum IAS.
• Notes: Created digital notes (OneNote) tagged by GS topics for easy revision.
• Focus Areas: Government schemes (e.g., PM GatiShakti), international relations (India-US, India-EU), and reports (NITI Aayog, WHO).

• Practiced 10–12 essays on diverse topics (e.g., AI, federalism, gender equality).
• Framework: Introduction (quote/hook), 3–4 body paragraphs (examples/data), balanced conclusion.
• Examples: Used historical figures, constitutional values, and current events.

• Daily Practice: Wrote 4–5 answers (timed, 150–250 words) post-Prelims.
• Feedback: Joined Vision IAS Mains Test Series and analyzed toppers’ copies.
• Structure:
• Introduction: Defined keywords + contextual statement.
• Body: Subheadings, data (e.g., SDG reports, Economic Survey), case studies.
• Conclusion: Policy suggestions or philosophical touch.

• Books:
• Political Theory: Andrew Heywood, Rajeev Bhargava.
• Indian Politics: Bipan Chandra, M. P. Singh.
• International Relations: Pushpesh Pant, Global Politics by Andrew Heywood.
• Strategy:
• PYQ Analysis: Identified recurring themes (e.g., secularism, feminism, globalization).
• Interlinking: Connected PSIR theories to GS (e.g., Gandhian philosophy in Ethics).
• Diagrams: Used flowcharts and tables for comparative theories (e.g., Marxism vs Liberalism).

• DAF (Detailed Application Form): Prepared 2-page notes on every point (hobbies, work experience, PSIR projects).
• Example: Her IIT projects were linked to tech-for-governance (e.g., smart cities).
• Mock Interviews: Joined Chrome IAS, Samkalp.
• Current Affairs: Focused on national issues (e.g., Agnipath, ED powers) and global trends (Ukraine war, QUAD).

1. Discipline: Followed a 10-hour/day study schedule (6 AM–10 PM with breaks).
2. Digital Notes: Used OneNote for easy editing and tagging.
3. Mind Maps: For complex topics like constitutional amendments.
4. Self-Assessment: Weekly tests and gap analysis.
5. Health: Yoga and meditation to manage stress.

• “Quality over quantity – Master 2–3 sources per subject.”
• “Mock tests are non-negotiable – They expose your weaknesses.”
• “Stay curious – Connect syllabus topics to real-life issues (e.g., Kerala’s literacy model for GS-II).”
• “Ethics is scoring – Use relatable case studies (NGOs, personal experiences).”