Insights from the Top: What You Can Learn from UPSC Toppers of the Last Three Years

The Civil Service Examination (CSE), administered by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is one of the most challenging examinations in India. With over 8 lakh candidates vying for prestigious positions every year, the difficulty level of the examination is considerably high. Excelling in this rigorous test requires an extensive and meticulously planned preparation strategy, coupled with immense perseverance and dedication.
UPSC aspirants should also look to recent toppers for valuable insights into effective preparation strategies and the mindset required to excel. They offer practical tips on managing study schedules and tackling the huge syllabus, while serving as a source of inspiration. Check out the inspiring journeys of these UPSC Toppers.

Aditya Srivastava: UPSC 2023 topper

Aditya Srivastava, an alumnus of IIT Kanpur from Lucknow, secured the first rank in one of the most coveted Civil Services Exams (CSE) 2024. Srivastava’s educational path is remarkable. He graduated from the Aliganj branch of CMS Lucknow, where he secured an excellent 95% in his class 12 examinations. This excellence continued at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), where he pursued a dual B.Tech and M.Tech programme.
His dedication and desire to serve the nation made him quit a well-paid job. He found it difficult to focus on his preparations due to the pressure of his job. Hence, in 2020, just a month before the preliminary exams, he decided to quit his job and move back home. He cracked IPS in 2022 with an AIR of 216.
While preparing for the UPSC Civil Services, Aditya emphasises that working smart is more important than working hard. According to a TOI report, he stated, “Analysing previous year papers apart from basic books was helpful. I also identified patterns in the wording of statements in the question papers apart from using all sources like PT 365 (a compilation of current affairs). I made optimum use of Google and Chat GPT.”

Ishita Kishore: UPSC 2022 topper

UPSC CSE 2022 top performer Ishita Kishore was a national football player and participated in the Subroto Cup in 2012. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Delhi University and cracked the exam with Political Science and International Relations as her chosen subjects. For the 26-year-old Kishore, this was her third attempt after failing to clear the preliminary rounds in her previous two attempts. She focused on a disciplined and sincere approach while preparing for the UPSC exam.
According to a TNN report, Ishita attributes her improved performance in the UPSC exam to a strategic shift. She explains, “This time, I made my own notes and study material.” For her third attempt, she also joined online classes. Ishita stresses the importance of understanding the core concepts: “Understanding the nitty gritty of the subject is essential. My advice to all aspirants is to develop a detailed study plan. Using the right resources is crucial. I studied for 8-9 hours a day,” she shares.

Shruti Sharma: UPSC 2021 topper

Shruti Sharma, who secured All India Rank 1 in UPSC CSE 2021, completed her Bachelor’s degree in History Honours from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi. After her graduation, she started pursuing a Master’s degree in Modern History from Jawaharlal Nehru University. However, she decided to quit the programme midway and enrolled in Jamia Millia Islamia Residential Coaching Academy to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services examination.
This UPSC topper’s preparation strategy included making her own notes from newspapers and focusing on practicing her answer writing. In an interview with TNN, she revealed that she has used social media in a balanced way.

4 Important Lessons You Can Learn From UPSC Toppers

Dedication, hard work and perseverance are the key ingredients for success in all aspects of life. However, there are some important tips that can further streamline our preparation strategy and increase our chances of success. Here are some important lessons that aspirants can learn from the UPSC toppers of the last three years.
Strategic focus over hard work
Aditya emphasized the importance of strategic preparation. Instead of relying solely on hard work, he focused on smart study techniques like analyzing previous year papers and utilizing resources like PT 365. He stressed the value of pattern recognition in question papers and leveraging tools like Google and ChatGPT for optimum results.
Optimal use of technology
Srivastava’s UPSC journey also highlights the effective use of technology in his preparation. By using tools like Google and ChatGPT and analyzing previous years’ papers, he was able to optimize his study process. The right use of technology can prove to be helpful for preparation.
Effective use of resources
Shruti made effective use of study resources by taking her own notes and focusing on practicing writing answers. Her balanced use of social media for current affairs, combined with focused study techniques, emphasizes the importance of using resources efficiently for exam preparation.
Adaptability and perseverance
Ishita’s journey sheds light on the importance of identifying mistakes and working on them to increase your chances of success. She learnt from her past failures and adjusted her preparation strategy, which led to success in the UPSC CSE exam 2022.