Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?
Last Updated: 03.07.2025 00:14
I prepared for the next 3 years (2016 to 2019)
All achievers in their own way.
Found an empty bench..
Do drop in a message, would be happy to talk.
And, now working as a digital marketing freelancer for international clients.
Your credentials do not matter!
I did not go back to my home.
A gazillion thoughts running through my mind.
“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).”
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I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.
Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.
“Suryansh, let me tell you something. Do you feel the best of the best students from all over India prepare for this examination?”
Is there a band whose members have been present for every one of their concerts?
I was alone in Delhi back then
I write answers on Quora that help UPSC and other government exam aspirants.
I lacked a mentor when I needed one.
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It lasted approximately 10 months.
The struggle was real. The teacher would non stop go through his lecture, and explain the concepts/ theory/ ideas etc.
If we haven’t met, my name is Suryansh Sodhani.
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But, then it hit me hard.
The batch sizes were huge!
I parked my cycle near one of the parks en route to my PG.
And, I had not made it.
There is no mathematical formula where you know that if the inputs are controlled, you can achieve X outcome.
I was constantly staring into the ground
And..
I did not move for the next 30 minutes..
Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.
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Keep your ego aside.
Appeared for the exam and instantly knew I would not be making it this time!
I said, “Yes! I believe so.”
Why, after a divorce, would one still want to ruin the other one’s life?
In my head, it was a do-or-die situation for me.
After checking the PDF, I chained my cycle to a lamp post ..
.
“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.”
I looked around me
And, so I began preparing for the exam with high hopes and determination.
Dropped them
This exam has an element of probability that no one can predict.
It was summertime in Delhi. I was allotted a far-off centre in Najafgarh.
This is the very reason you will hear IIT, IIM, AIIMS graduates failing to clear the UPSC.
And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.
Worked for a marketing agency
And entered the park.
All the best!
Immediately after this conversation, I left the institute.
Cut to 2-3 months post prelims. Results were declared.
I joined two coaching institutes - One for mains preparation and one for my optional subject.
2016 I graduated from college. The same year I began preparing for the UPSC.
And, after all, it was a matter of great pride and respect.
Cleared multiple of them
I vividly remember that evening.
It is almost impossible.
In case you are wondering, how did my story end?
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).
If one says, they can help you crack the exam with X AIR, it is difficult to do so.
So, hopefully, my answers help aspirants who need help.
I had heard rumours going around that the results had been declared.
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…
This exam has its own way of humbling you.
I remember the very next day my coaching institute professor telling me -
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.
Relatively in a better position after my exam failures, but a void still exists!
A sense of grief and toil had taken over me.
Anyway!
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.
I was determined to clear the exam and then go back home.
2017 June - I appeared for the first time for the UPSC Prelims (after a year-long preparation)
“I have more than 20+ years of teaching experience.”
Also, simultaneously prepared for other exams
I was cycling from one of my coaching institutes back to my PG.
Searched for my roll number.
“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.”
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.
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