Margi Shah Rank-4

Shah Margi Chirag, hailing from Gujarat, achieved AIR 4 in the UPSC CSE 2024. With a background in Civil Engineering, she transitioned to civil services driven by a passion for societal development. Opting for Sociology as her optional subject. She was appointed as a State Tax Officer after passing the Gujarat Public Service Commission with Rank 55.

Margi completed her schooling in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and pursued a B.Tech in Civil Engineering. Her engineering education instilled analytical skills and a structured approach to problem-solving, which she effectively applied to her UPSC preparation.​

Coming from an academically inclined family, Margi's father is an engineer, and her mother is a teacher. Their unwavering support and encouragement played a pivotal role in her decision to pursue civil services.​

Margi's exposure to societal challenges during her engineering projects sparked a desire to contribute more directly to public welfare. This motivation led her to prepare for the civil services, aiming to be part of the policy-making and implementation process that drives societal change.​

Embarking on UPSC preparation immediately after her engineering degree, Margi faced the challenge of transitioning from a technical background to the diverse subjects required for the examination. She overcame this by dedicating herself to a structured study plan, focusing on understanding concepts deeply and practicing answer writing regularly.​

• Foundational Reading: Started with NCERT textbooks to build a strong base, followed by standard reference books for each subject.
• Current Affairs: Regularly read newspapers like The Hindu and referred to monthly magazines for comprehensive coverage.
• Mock Tests: Consistently practiced mock tests 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 herself effectively.
• Self-Reflection: Engaged in introspection to understand personal motivations, strengths, and areas of improvement, ensuring authenticity during the interview.