From Preparation to Prelims: Key Strategies to Crack the UPSC Civil Services Exam

Career Correspondent
info@impressivetimes.com

For most aspiring civil servants, advice from successful candidates is a treasure trove of inspiration. Yet, Sachin Gupta, who secured All India Rank 3 in the 2017 UPSC Civil Services Examination, insists that no matter how many strategies you read about, the winning formula is to create one that suits you best. He believes preparation is not about blindly following others but about absorbing the best from different sources and shaping it into a personalised plan.

Gupta recalls visiting multiple institutes during his preparation years, taking only what he found useful from each, he suggests,

“filter the information through your own perspective and decide whether it works for you.”

Self-assessment, in his view, is the second crucial pillar of success. Recognising strengths and weaknesses early can help aspirants adapt—just as he did when he switched his optional subject after his first attempt and later focused heavily on improving his General Studies answer writing skills. This shift, he says, was pivotal in his jump from Rank 575 in 2016 to Rank 3 the following year.

Hard work, he stresses, is the one constant an aspirant can always rely upon. The journey is often marred by self-doubt, but maintaining persistence and remembering why you started can help you navigate the toughest phases. “There were moments when I questioned whether I could clear the exam at all,” he admits, “but staying calm and reminding myself of my goal kept me going.”

For Gupta, self-belief is non-negotiable. During low phases, he suggests speaking to family, mentors, or anyone who can offer positive energy. While the ultimate objective is clearing the exam, he encourages aspirants to also treat the process as a journey of personal growth—emerging not just as an officer, but as a change-maker in society.

When it comes to tackling the Prelims, Gupta urges candidates to avoid making last-minute changes to their study plan in the final month. Instead, he advocates repeated revisions of selected resources. Going through previous UPSC question papers, he says, is essential for understanding focus areas, improving elimination skills, and practising time management. Creating a day-by-day schedule for the last month can help keep stress in check while boosting productivity. Health, too, should not be overlooked—neglecting diet or exercise might save an hour but could cost several days if illness strikes close to the exam.

Inside the examination hall, he advises aspirants to consciously boost their confidence, reminding themselves that they are capable of success. Mistakes may happen, even in questions you know well, but dwelling on them can derail the rest of the paper. Gupta also recommends creative tools like mnemonics to remember facts—simple word associations helped him recall tricky information during the exam.

Looking back, he shares the study material that worked for him: old NCERTs for history, Laxmikant for polity, Mrunal’s videos for economics, Shankar’s material for environment, and a select few magazines for current affairs. The key, he insists, is not to get lost in a flood of resources, but to stick to a small set and revise them thoroughly. He also found that concise notes and a supportive peer group significantly enhanced his preparation, helping him tackle weaker subjects and maintain momentum.

Time management, Gupta adds, is the silent game-changer. Having a clear three-to-four-month plan, broken into smaller weekly and daily targets, can ensure steady progress—especially for working professionals. The last two weeks before the exam, he believes, are the most decisive, and sticking to a focused plan during this period can make all the difference.

From self-belief to disciplined revision, Sachin Gupta’s story reflects the grit behind a top rank. His message to aspirants is simple yet profound: master your own method, trust in your efforts, and let determination carry you through.