Abhinav Jain (CSE-23 AIR-35) Comprehensive Strategy

Abhinav Jain's Journey to Success in the UPSC CSE 2023

In the vibrant city of Delhi, Abhinav Jain embarked on a journey that would transform his life. Hailing from a background in Electronics and Communication Engineering, Abhinav had been working as a software developer in Bangalore. However, he felt a growing disconnect from the broader societal impact he yearned to make. Driven by a desire to contribute more meaningfully, Abhinav decided to turn his sights towards the esteemed Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

The Challenges and Determination

Abhinav's journey to the coveted UPSC CSE was not without its obstacles. This was his third attempt at the exam, and he had set a personal goal of four attempts before considering a shift to the family business. In his second attempt (CSE 2021), Abhinav had secured a rank of 268 and was offered the Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Taxes). However, in his first attempt, Abhinav had underestimated the level of preparation required and had faltered at the Preliminary stage.

That pivotal moment in his life was a turning point for Abhinav. He made a resolute decision to immerse himself wholeheartedly in his preparation, cutting out major distractions such as social media. Abhinav's mantra during this time was the PPE model (Patience, Perseverance, and Energy), a metaphorical nod to the protective gear worn during the COVID-19 pandemic. His key slogan to maintain internal motivation was, "One day you will realize how difficult it was, and how brave you were."

Navigating the Distractions

Abhinav identified the coaching industry and the demonstration effect as significant challenges during his preparation. He recognized the need to make the preparation process a habit, following a "boring routine" day in and day out, and finding motivation from within.

Strategies for Success

Timing and Guidance

Abhinav believed that the right time to start preparing for the UPSC CSE is after graduation, or even after gaining some hands-on experience in one's field of study. The key, he emphasized, is to thoroughly understand the Previous Year Questions (PYQs) and the syllabus before seeking proper guidance from a coach rather than a mere teacher.

Timetable and Note-Making

Abhinav did not adhere to a strict daily or weekly timetable. Instead, he divided his time based on topics and ensured that he completed each one, regardless of the time it took. When it came to note-making, Abhinav focused on capturing information not available in standard textbooks, while relying on marking in books for the rest. He emphasized the importance of multiple revisions of the same material over collecting additional resources.

The Role of PYQs

Abhinav considered PYQs to be the key to understanding the mindset of the UPSC question-paper makers. He stressed the importance of not ignoring PYQs at any stage, be it Prelims or Mains, and noted that the Ethics paper is largely based on PYQs and the syllabus. He recommended using resources like the Decode Ethics book, which provides solved PYQs, as an essential tool.

Mocks and Revision Strategies

In the final stages of his preparation, Abhinav focused on time-bound mock tests, aiming to clear the cutoff by attempting around 90 questions. He identified his strong areas, such as Polity, Economics, and Environment, and leveraged PYQs to learn the nuances of how the examiners tweak options to make them appear wrong. Abhinav's revision strategy involved creating keyword notes, facts, and figures, which he would revisit repeatedly.

Optional Subject: Anthropology

Abhinav's choice of Anthropology as his optional subject was driven by its good marking trend, relatively short syllabus, and his personal interest in understanding human evolution. He cautioned against blindly following the choices of toppers without thoroughly analyzing the syllabus and one's own interests.

Comprehensive Strategies from UPSC CSE 2023 Toppers

Abhinav also shared the strategies of several UPSC CSE 2023 toppers, including:

1. Medha Anand (AIR 13) - Sociology + Comprehensive
2. Romel Bijalwan (AIR 353) - Anthropology + Comprehensive
3. Samiksha Mhetre (AIR 302) - Comprehensive
4. Aditya Hriday Upadhyay (AIR 416) - Mathematics + Comprehensive
5. Prerna Singh (AIR 271) - Journey + Learnings + Comprehensive

These diverse approaches highlighted the individualized nature of successful UPSC preparation, emphasizing the importance of finding one's own path to excel in this prestigious examination.