Kunal Jain, AIR-356 CSE-22 Journey & Learnings
This is the 16th Topper Journey & Strategy post from the Batch of 2023. Kunal Jain cleared CSE-22 in his 3rd attempt with AIR-356. Here he has shared his learnings and journey from not being able to clear Prelims in 1st attempt & Mains in 2nd attempt to how he could qualify Forest cut-off in
The Transformative Journey of Kunal Jain: From Setbacks to Success in the UPSC CSE
Kunal Jain's path to success in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) was far from smooth, but his unwavering determination and resilience ultimately led him to secure the remarkable rank of AIR 356 in the 2022 exam. This journey was marked by challenges, valuable lessons, and a steadfast commitment to overcome adversity.
Navigating the Initial Setbacks
Kunal's first attempt at the UPSC CSE in 2020 ended in disappointment as he could not clear the prelims. Undeterred, he returned for a second attempt in 2021, where he managed to qualify the forest services cutoff for the prelims but fell short of clearing the CSE mains. Determined to succeed, Kunal then cleared the forest services mains, though he could not make it to the final list.
Turning Point: Embracing Holistic Preparation
Kunal's third attempt in 2022 proved to be the watershed moment. He had graduated from NSIT in 2019 and consciously chose to forgo placements, instead dedicating himself to the UPSC preparation. Enrolling in the Vajiram and Ravi foundation PCM batch proved to be a wise decision, as the institute provided him with exceptional teachers who helped him become comfortable with the General Studies curriculum.
Kunal's study approach involved rewriting lecture notes after each class, which enabled him to retain information and establish connections between different topics. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he utilized the extra time to focus on strengthening his mathematical optional preparation, laying a solid foundation for the future.
Overcoming Adversity and Seeking Guidance
Tragically, in September 2020, Kunal's father was involved in a severe road accident, forcing Kunal to navigate through the challenges of the situation. Despite these difficult circumstances, he appeared for the prelims exam, missing the cutoff by just one question.
Reflecting on this setback, Kunal realized the importance of solving previous year questions (PYQs) and mastering smart guesswork techniques. He sought guidance from the YouTube channel "ANSHUMAN RAJHANS IFS," which helped him streamline his prelims preparation.
Persistent Efforts and the Role of Mentors
In his second attempt at the prelims in 2021, Kunal successfully cleared both the CSE and Ifos cutoffs. However, he acknowledged his oversight in not covering mains-specific topics like ethics, internal security, governance, and society before the prelims, which led to him being unable to clear the mains in his first attempt.
Undeterred, Kunal sought the guidance of Yaksh Bhaiya for the mains examination, which proved to be a turning point. Yaksh Bhaiya's mentorship helped Kunal enhance his writing skills, improve his presentation, and instill in him the belief that hard work would lead to better mains marks.
Additionally, Kunal relied on the "Decode Ethics" book by Mudit Jain, which helped him significantly improve his marks in the ethics paper, from 78 in the previous year to 124 in 2022.
The Final Push and the Unforgettable Triumph
For the interview stage, Kunal enrolled in Anil Swarup's interview guidance program associated with StudyIQ. Through peer mock interviews and Anil Sir's valuable strategies, Kunal was able to enhance his interview marks from 52% to 65.5%.
In the end, Kunal's unwavering determination and the guidance of his mentors culminated in his remarkable success, as he secured AIR 356 in the UPSC CSE 2022.
Lessons Learned and a Guiding Light
Kunal's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of seeking guidance, and the transformative impact of holistic preparation. Throughout his struggles and triumphs, he remained steadfast in his belief in his own capabilities, navigating even the darkest nights with unwavering determination.
Kunal's story serves as a guiding light for aspiring civil servants, inspiring them to embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and trust in their own potential to achieve their goals, no matter the obstacles they may face.