Jayasree Pradhan (CSE-23 AIR-52) Law & Comprehensive Strategy

Jayasree Pradhan's Journey to UPSC Success

Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas lies the beautiful town of Darjeeling in West Bengal, where Jayasree Pradhan was born and raised. Her journey to UPSC success was not without its challenges, but through determination and a strategic approach, she was able to secure Rank 52 in her second attempt.

Preparing for the civil services examination requires making several crucial decisions, and one of the most important is whether to opt for formal coaching or self-study. Jayasree decided to go with the latter, citing the financial cost involved, unfamiliarity with Delhi city, the need for flexibility in her studies, and her confidence in covering the subjects on her own.

My First Attempt

Jayasree started preparing for her 2022 attempt in January of that year, giving herself just five months to cover the vast UPSC syllabus. During this time, she followed the popular trend of giving 100 tests to clear the preliminary exam. Instead of focusing on concept building and content enrichment, Jayasree found herself giving test after test, with no time to analyze her mistakes or learn from them. This led to an acute sense of under-confidence and fear, as her scores in these tests were low to average.

Unsurprisingly, Jayasree was unable to clear the preliminary exam in her first attempt, scoring around 75 marks in both the General Studies and CSAT papers, while the cutoff for the General category was 88.22.

Learning from Mistakes

Jayasree realized that her mistakes in the first attempt were multifold. Firstly, she did not give adequate time to her preparation, as UPSC requires at least one year of dedicated study. Secondly, she gave tests but did not revise them, and thirdly, she focused too much on mock tests instead of previous year questions. Lastly, she was living in a constant state of fear, which she believes was the real deal-breaker.

Re-starting the Second Attempt

For her second attempt, Jayasree's strategy can be summed up in two words: simplicity and clarity. She divided her preparation into four main phases: the year-long phase, the prelims-specific phase, the mains-specific phase, and the personality test phase.

The Year-long Phase

During this phase, which lasted from July to December, Jayasree's overall target was to complete the General Studies papers and at least 80-90% of her Optional subject, which was Law.

For her General Studies preparation, she relied on a variety of resources, including NCERT textbooks, Spectrum for Modern History, Shankar IAS for Environment, and Mrunal Sir's notes for Economics. She also used current affairs sources such as The Indian Express, Vision IAS magazines, and PT365 and Mains 365.

For her Optional subject, Jayasree focused on making comprehensive notes based on model answers to previous year questions, actively recalling and practicing them.

Prelims-specific Phase

Jayasree started preparing for the Prelims exam in January, as she knew it was only getting more challenging with each passing year. Her strategy involved planning her preparation, practicing daily mock tests, and shifting her focus from mocks to previous year question papers (PYQs) two months before the exam. She also dedicated significant time to practicing CSAT, using resources like the "Decode CSAT" book.

Mains-specific Phase

Once Jayasree cleared the Prelims, she found herself in the 'do or die' phase of her preparation journey, with just three months to prepare for the Mains exam. She followed Satyam Jain Sir's SFG initiative, which provided proper plans and schedules for the Mains.

Jayasree's focus during this phase was on answer writing practice, with 10 PYQs daily, active recall of her Optional notes, and comparing her answers with those of toppers. She divided her time, dedicating 60% to her Optional and 40% to General Studies.

Despite her overall confidence, Jayasree faced a setback on the last day of the Mains exam when she made a mistake in the selection of questions for her Optional Paper I. However, to her surprise, she ended up scoring one of the highest marks in Law Optional with a total score of 288.

Personality Test Phase

Jayasree's preparation for the interview involved forming peer groups for current affairs and Optional discussions, as well as appearing for mock interviews at various institutes, such as Vision IAS, Rau's IAS, and Ensure IAS. She also spent time extensively preparing her Detailed Application Form (DAF) at the Drishti IAS library.

The actual interview experience was memorable for Jayasree, as she faced the Interview Board chaired by Sanjay Verma Sir. She believes that her ability to take stands, admit when she didn't know the answers, and think on her feet when posed with unconventional questions contributed to her success, earning her 200 marks in the Personality Test.

Lessons Learned

Jayasree's journey has been one of struggle, self-discovery, and courage. She emphasizes the importance of taking risks and living on the edge, as it is the only way to learn how to fly. She encourages others to follow in her footsteps and take the leap of faith, as they might discover their own ability to soar.

CSE-23 Topper Strategies

Jayasree has also shared insights and strategies from the toppers of the CSE-23 examination, covering a wide range of topics, such as Sociology, Anthropology, Mathematics, Economics, and more. These resources can be invaluable for aspiring UPSC candidates as they navigate their own preparation journey.

Jayasree's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, strategic planning, and the willingness to learn from mistakes. Her journey serves as an inspiration to all those who dream of serving their country through the prestigious civil services.