Drishti Jaiswal, AIR-255 CSE-22 Prelims, Mains & More

Drishti Jaiswal's Topper Journey and Strategy for UPSC CSE 2022

Drishti Jaiswal's journey to securing the coveted AIR 255 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022 is a testament to her unwavering determination and strategic approach. Hailing from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, Drishti embarked on a challenging yet rewarding path that spanned over five years and four attempts before finally reaching her goal.

Introduction

Drishti's UPSC journey was a long and arduous one, marked by three failed attempts at the Preliminary Examination and one successful attempt, followed by one Mains and one Interview. Despite the ups and downs, she persevered, driven by her passion for public service and the desire to make a difference in the lives of her fellow citizens.

Before delving into the specifics of her strategies and tips, Drishti emphasizes the importance of understanding one's own strengths and weaknesses. She advises aspiring civil servants to focus on their individual starting points, rather than blindly following the strategies of toppers. This personalized approach, she believes, can help them develop a tailored plan that aligns with their unique abilities and requirements.

Strategy and Tips

Drishti's strategy for UPSC preparation encompasses a methodical approach, starting with a basic understanding of the syllabus. She recommends that candidates thoroughly read the NCERT textbooks from Class 9 to 12 to build a strong foundation. Additionally, she relied on standard books and notes for each subject, including:

History

• Ancient History: NCERT + Vajiram class notes (2018)
• Medieval History: NCERT
• Modern History: Spectrum + Vajiram Parmar sir's class notes (2018)

Polity

• Lakshmikant + current events

International Relations

• Current affairs

Geography

• NCERT + GC Leong (Part 2)

Environment

• Vajiram class notes + current affairs

Science and Technology

• Vajiram class notes + current events

Current Affairs

• The Hindu newspaper + PT 365 for value addition

After completing the syllabus, Drishti focused on honing her skills for the Preliminary and Mains examinations. For the Prelims, she solved around 35-40 mock tests from Vision IAS and emphasized the importance of not neglecting the CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) section. For the Mains, she began her answer writing after completing the syllabus and utilized the time between the Prelims and Mains to refine her content and writing skills through mock tests.

Optional Subject: Sociology

Drishti's optional subject was Sociology, for which she relied on the class notes of Mahapatra sir and Nitin Sangwan sir's book, along with value addition while solving mocks.

Interview Preparation

Drishti's approach to the Interview stage was to thoroughly prepare each and every detail from her Detailed Application Form (DAF). She understood that the interview board may not necessarily ask questions directly from the DAF, but the preparation process itself would instill confidence in her to face the board.

General Advice for Early Starters

For those who start their UPSC preparation early, Drishti offers the following advice:

• Engage in extracurricular activities like debates, speech writing, and essay writing during college to develop essential writing skills.
• Embrace the journey of UPSC preparation as a means to become a more calm, understanding, and better citizen.

Dealing with Mental Stress

Drishti acknowledges the mental challenges that come with the UPSC journey, such as isolation, uncertainty, and occasional heartbreaks. She emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals, maintaining regular communication with friends and family, and not neglecting personal hobbies and health.

Drishti's parting message to aspiring civil servants is to "Dream Big, Work Hard, and Trust Your Sources." She believes that with consistent effort and a strategic approach, the dots will eventually connect, and success will follow.