Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?

“Suryansh, let me tell you something. Do you feel the best of the best students from all over India prepare for this examination?”

In my head, it was a do-or-die situation for me.

“I have more than 20+ years of teaching experience.”

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Your credentials do not matter!

A gazillion thoughts running through my mind.

Worked for a marketing agency

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Searched for my roll number.

This is the very reason you will hear IIT, IIM, AIIMS graduates failing to clear the UPSC.

This exam has its own way of humbling you.

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It is almost impossible.

Cut to 2-3 months post prelims. Results were declared.

Anyway!

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I did not go back to my home.

I joined two coaching institutes - One for mains preparation and one for my optional subject.

I remember the very next day my coaching institute professor telling me -

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I looked around me

I had heard rumours going around that the results had been declared.

And, after all, it was a matter of great pride and respect.

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Appeared for the exam and instantly knew I would not be making it this time!

A sense of grief and toil had taken over me.

2017 June - I appeared for the first time for the UPSC Prelims (after a year-long preparation)

How do I complain on a boy coming to marriage with me without my involvement despite no connection with him though he had an illegal affair?

Keep your ego aside.

So, yes, the UPSC is considered the toughest exam in the world because there is a ‘luck’ factor coupled with subjectivity in the exam process.

“All of these students are great from an academic point of view. They have always scored 90%+ during their school days, some have even scored 9.6 CGPA and above during their 10th boards.”

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I was cycling from one of my coaching institutes back to my PG.

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I said, “Yes! I believe so.”

Why do people ask stupid questions on Quora when they instead could ask ChatGPT?

I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.

In case you are wondering, how did my story end?

Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.

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After checking the PDF, I chained my cycle to a lamp post ..

I lacked a mentor when I needed one.

I was constantly staring into the ground

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2016 I graduated from college. The same year I began preparing for the UPSC.

I prepared for the next 3 years (2016 to 2019)

Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.

And..

“I, too, was an aspirant, 20 years back. I have met board toppers, state board toppers, and college toppers with more than 9+ CGPA who prepare for this exam.”

“But, it is nearly impossible for one to predict who will make it to the ‘holy list’. Yes! I can say that if an aspirant who has done X, Y, and Z can increase their chances of selection, but it is just not enough. There is always a matter of luck (or, probability).”

If one says, they can help you crack the exam with X AIR, it is difficult to do so.

I write answers on Quora that help UPSC and other government exam aspirants.

I was alone in Delhi back then

The struggle was real. The teacher would non stop go through his lecture, and explain the concepts/ theory/ ideas etc.

You would have to be on your toes. If your mind drifts apart for even a second, you will lose your chain of thoughts and notes.

So, hopefully, my answers help aspirants who need help.

I vividly remember that evening.

Each class used to be 2.5 hours each. Making it a total of 5 hours of coaching classes daily. The classes used to be 7 days a week.

If we haven’t met, my name is Suryansh Sodhani.

I did not move for the next 30 minutes..

The batch sizes were huge!

Do drop in a message, would be happy to talk.

There is no mathematical formula where you know that if the inputs are controlled, you can achieve X outcome.

It lasted approximately 10 months.

Dare you, peep in your neighbour's notebook. After all, it is a national-level competitive exam - people tend to be extremely competitive. Tough days…

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Cleared multiple of them

All achievers in their own way.

Found an empty bench..

Relatively in a better position after my exam failures, but a void still exists!

This exam has an element of probability that no one can predict.

But, then it hit me hard.

500 students in each batch. God forbid if you were late to the class - you would have to push your way through the seats. (Old aspirants reading this know which institute I am talking about).

It was summertime in Delhi. I was allotted a far-off centre in Najafgarh.

Immediately after this conversation, I left the institute.

Also, simultaneously prepared for other exams

And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.

And, I had not made it.

And, so I began preparing for the exam with high hopes and determination.

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I was determined to clear the exam and then go back home.

I parked my cycle near one of the parks en route to my PG.

And entered the park.

Dropped them

All the best!