Khushhali Solanki (CSE-23 AIR-61) Journey & Strategy

Khushhali Solanki: AIR-61, CSE 2023

Khushhali Solanki, an Engineering graduate from NIT Surat, has achieved remarkable success in the Civil Services Examination (CSE). her journey, marked by dedication, strategic planning, and continuous learning, has led her to secure the AIR-61 rank in the CSE 2023.

Background and Journey

Khushhali's fascination with the civil services began when she witnessed her mother's close interaction with District Magistrates (DMs) during her village visits. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in civil services, aiming to become a “man of the people.” she chose to study Civil Engineering, driven by her family's background in the field and her desire to excel from one of the premier institutions.

Educational Background and Inspiration

Khushhali completed her B.Tech in Civil Engineering from NIT Surat. her family's influence and her personal interest in the field steered her educational choices. The experience of her mother working closely with DMs, conducting Jan Sunwais, and fostering community development instilled in her a deep sense of purpose and zeal to emulate her dedication.

College and Preparation

Khushhali's initial plan was to pursue M.Tech from IIT Bombay, but life had other plans. Due to a unique program at NIT Surat, she was selected to study her final year at IIT Bombay with an M.Tech degree in Civil Engineering. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a shift in her plans, and she decided to focus on the UPSC Civil Services Examination instead.

The Preparation Phase

Khushhali began her preparation in earnest during her third year in college. she delved into extensive online coaching and watched videos for 10-12 hours daily. This rigorous schedule was maintained alongside her college studies. Initially, she was completely immersed in the UPSC preparation, almost forgetting her dream of studying at IIT Bombay.

First Attempt and Analysis

Khushhali gave her first attempt in 2021, just two months after completing her final year exams. Despite her diligence, she couldn't clear the prelims, missing it by a mere 4-5 marks. This disappointment was tough to cope with, as she understood the immense sacrifice she had made for this exam. Post the first attempt, Khushhali analyzed her mistakes and resolved to correct them in her subsequent attempts.

Second Attempt and Success

Mock Tests and Strategy

For her second attempt in 2022, Khushhali gave 100 mock tests from different institutes. This extensive practice helped her identify her sweet spot for attempting questions and gave her a good simulation of the exam stress. she never went below 50:50 marks, ensuring that she scored positively. This strategy played a crucial role in her success.

Clearing Prelims and Mains

With a good score in the prelims, Khushhali then prepared for the Mains exam. However, she discovered that the mock answers required more analysis and improvement. The result was a close call in the Mains, where she cleared just by a 5-mark margin.

Interview Preparation and Disheartening News

Following the Mains, Khushhali focused on her interview preparation. she read three newspapers daily and kept himself updated on current affairs and her home state. Despite her efforts, she was disheartened when her name was not listed in the results. However, with the support of her parents and friends, she managed to regroup and prepare for the 2023 prelims.

Mains Preparation and Success

Joining MMP and Coaching

For the 2023 Mains, Khushhali joined the MMP (Mains Masterstroke Program) which significantly improved her marks. Additionally, she joined coaching for essay and ethics, boosting her marks from 100 to 136 in ethics.

Strategies and Techniques

How to Start Preparation

Khushhali recommends starting the preparation in the final year of college to allow for a fresh mind and better time management.

Timetable and Note-Making

Initially, she studied for 10-12 hours daily, and later reduced it to 6-8 hours daily as she got more comfortable with the course. she avoided afternoon naps to stay awake during the afternoon exam timings.

Books and Coaching

He utilized books from various authors and coaching classes to prepare comprehensively. Some of the notable sources include Prasad and Prasad, Rakesh Verma, and Sudarshan Gurjar for different subjects.

Test Series and Practice

He participated in numerous test series from various institutes to get diverse questions and improve her performance. she also used channels like Lukmaan IAS, Pavan Kumar IAS academy, and Unacademy for test preparation and daily answer writing practice.

Revision Strategy

Khushhali revised her entire syllabus multiple times, using highlighters to mark important lines for quick revision before the exams.

Prelims and Mains Strategy

In the prelims, she focused on finding a sweet spot for attending questions without negative marking, and in the Mains, she emphasized analyzing and improving her answers.

Conclusion

Khushhali Solanki's journey from a college graduate to a CSE topper is a testament to her dedication, strategic planning, and continuous learning. her story serves as an inspiration to aspirants, highlighting the importance of thorough preparation, mock tests, and a well-structured strategy.