Hardik Chandel (CSE-23 AIR-304) Comprehensive Strategy

Hardik Chandel's Journey to the Indian Civil Services

Hardik Chandel, a young and determined individual, embarked on a remarkable journey to fulfill his dream of becoming a civil servant. Hailing from an electronics and communications engineering background, Hardik did not immediately join the job he had secured through college placements. Instead, he made the bold decision to dedicate himself fully to preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, starting in 2019.

Hardik's UPSC Journey

The Beginnings

Hardik's UPSC journey began with his graduation from NIT Kurukshetra, where he had the opportunity to familiarize himself with the UPSC syllabus through coaching at Vision IAS. This initial exposure helped him develop a strong foundation upon which he could build his entire preparation. However, due to the late start in choosing his optional subject (PSIR), Hardik's preparation for the Mains examination was not as well-planned as he had hoped.

The Challenges and Setbacks

Hardik's first attempt at the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2020 did not yield the desired result, as he just managed to clear the Mains cutoff, missing the final selection by a mere 9 marks despite scoring a commendable 187 in his interview. Undeterred, he pressed on, facing another setback in his second attempt when he misinterpreted an essay question, leading to a disappointing score of 88 in the Mains.

Perseverance and Resilience

With the support of his friends and family, Hardik persevered through these challenges. In his third attempt, he focused on writing more practice tests and successfully cleared the Mains examination. However, the interview that followed was quite unpredictable and factual, resulting in a score of 173 and a missed opportunity to make the final cut by just 8 marks.

The Fourth Attempt and Success

Hardik's fourth attempt at the UPSC Civil Services Examination proved to be the charm. This time, he enrolled in a new test series with ForumIAS, which he found to be helpful. The interview went well, and Hardik secured a score of 193, leading to an impressive All India Rank of 304. This achievement meant that he was expected to join the Indian Revenue Service.

Advice and Insights

When to Start UPSC Preparation

Hardik's UPSC journey highlights the importance of timing and personal circumstances. The decision to start UPSC preparation depends on one's risk tolerance, family's economic situation, and the opportunity cost of not clearing the exam on the first attempt. Some individuals plan their graduation with UPSC in mind, while others, like Hardik, develop the drive to prepare during their college years.

Timetable and Discipline

Hardik, a self-proclaimed morning person, structured his day to ensure at least 6 hours of quality study during his first year of full-time preparation. As the exam drew nearer, he increased his study hours, recognizing that discipline becomes more crucial than motivation as the journey progresses.

Booklist and Note-Making

Hardik's booklist for Prelims and Mains included a combination of standard references, such as Laxmikant for Polity, NCERT texts for History and Geography, and Spectrum for Modern History. He supplemented these with coaching materials and current affairs resources. Regarding note-making, Hardik found that highlighting key points with different colored markers was more efficient for him than extensive note-taking.

Role of Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Hardik emphasized the importance of analyzing UPSC's past question papers, as they offer insights into the examiner's mindset and the recurring themes. He found that UPSC often gives more weightage to certain sections, such as tribal revolts, Buddhism, and center-state relations, which can be better anticipated through a thorough study of PYQs.

Revision and Answer Writing Strategy

Hardik's revision strategy focused on multiple readings from the same source to build a photographic memory and facilitate quick recall. He preferred to study multiple subjects in a day to keep the preparation process engaging. For answer writing, Hardik initially focused on writing decent responses without worrying about time constraints, gradually incorporating techniques like interlinking, maps, diagrams, and flowcharts to make his answers more comprehensive.

Hardik's journey to the Indian Civil Services serves as an inspiration, showcasing the power of perseverance, resilience, and a well-planned approach in the face of challenges. His insights and strategies provide valuable guidance for aspiring civil servants who are embarking on their own UPSC journeys.