Himani Singhal (AIR-160, CSE-21) Economics Strategy

Himani Singhal's Triumphant Journey to the UPSC Civil Services Examination

In the ever-competitive landscape of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, Himani Singhal's story stands out as a testament to the power of perseverance and determination. Hailing from Delhi, Himani's academic journey has been marked by a deep passion for economics, having pursued her undergraduate degree in Economics (Honours) from Hansraj College, University of Delhi, and later earning a Masters in Economics from IGNOU. Her academic prowess was further recognized when she cleared the UGC NET in Economics in 2019.

Himani's UPSC Preparation Journey

Himani's UPSC preparation journey began in 2015, shortly after completing her graduation. In her first attempt in 2016, she was unable to clear the preliminary stage, a setback that could have discouraged many. However, Himani's unwavering spirit and commitment to her goal drove her to push forward.

Taking Coaching and Joining a Test Series

In her subsequent attempts, Himani took a strategic approach. She joined a coaching institute for her first attempt and also attended classes for the Economics optional subject. For the second and fourth attempts, she focused on honing her skills by joining a test series, which helped her cover the vast UPSC syllabus and stay focused, avoiding distractions and negative thoughts.

Perseverance and Determination Pay Off

Himani's perseverance finally paid off in her sixth attempt, as she successfully cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2021 with an impressive All India Rank of 160. This achievement is a testament to her determination and the effectiveness of her preparation strategy.

Himani's Strategy for Economics Optional

Himani's strong foundation in economics, built during her undergraduate studies, proved to be a significant advantage in her UPSC journey. The overlap between the syllabus and the topics she had studied during her graduation allowed her to grasp the more advanced concepts with relative ease.

Consistent Preparation and Note-making

Himani's daily routine involved dedicating the first part of her day to the preparation of the Economics optional. She meticulously made notes, which played a crucial role in her revision and memorization of the topics. Approximately four hours each day were devoted to optional preparation, including revising and analyzing previous years' question papers.

Leveraging Toppers' Insights

In her preparation, Himani relied heavily on the valuable insights and strategies shared by previous UPSC toppers, such as Abhimanyu Gahlaut, Tejaswi Rana, Abhijeet Sinha, and Yash Jaluka. She found their notes and approaches to be immensely helpful in navigating the technical and intricate nature of the Economics optional.

Comprehensive Coverage and Selective Focus

Himani's preparation strategy involved a comprehensive coverage of the Economics syllabus, with a particular focus on certain key areas. In Microeconomics, she delved deeply into the Hicks, Kaldor, and Schitovsky welfare criteria, which frequently appeared in the examination. In Macroeconomics, she relied primarily on H.L. Ahuja's comprehensive work, while also incorporating a few additional facts and terms from macroeconomic history to enhance her scores.

Importance of Diagrams and Answer Writing Practice

Himani recognized the significance of diagrams and graphs in the Economics optional, especially in Paper 1. She dedicated considerable time to practicing their accurate and clear representation, as they played a crucial role in explaining economic models and theories effectively. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of regular answer writing practice, analyzing previous years' question papers, and using the insights from toppers' solved answers.

Himani's Strategy for Paper 2

While Himani's scores in Paper 2 remained consistent across her attempts, hovering around 125, she shares some valuable general tips that helped her navigate this section of the examination.

Booklist and Resources

Himani's booklist for Paper 2 included Uma Kapila's work, the Economic Survey (both the official and summary versions), Vision IAS resources (Mains 365 for Economics and the sectional test series), and a business newspaper (initially Business Standard, later switching to The Mint). She also utilized RBI speeches and NITI Aayog's Strategy@75 to enhance her preparation.

Leveraging Current Affairs and Data

In her answers for Paper 2, Himani made a conscious effort to incorporate the names of economists, relevant data, and references to sources like the Economic Survey and NITI Aayog. This approach helped to increase the credibility and depth of her responses.

Adaptability and Analytical Thinking

Himani acknowledges that the nature of questions in Paper 2 can vary from year to year, and in her recent attempt, she encountered some topics that she had not specifically prepared for. However, she emphasizes the importance of adaptability and analytical thinking, encouraging aspirants to draw upon their overall understanding and find ways to craft well-rounded answers, even for seemingly unfamiliar questions.

Himani's journey to the UPSC Civil Services Examination is a testament to the power of perseverance, strategic preparation, and a willingness to learn from the experiences of previous toppers. Her story serves as an inspiration to all those who aspire to achieve their dreams, regardless of the challenges they may face along the way.