My UPSC Journey – Mudit Jain

Mudit Jain’s UPSC journey began in 2012 and spanned six years, five attempts, four interviews, and three ranks. His initial dream of becoming a public servant was not an easy one, as he faced numerous challenges and setbacks. However, his determination and strategic approach to preparation ultimately led to his success. This narrative provides a detailed account of Mudit Jain’s UPSC journey, highlighting the key strategies and lessons learned along the way.

Decision and Initial Preparations

At the age of 12, Mudit Jain decided that he wanted to become a public servant. However, his journey took an unexpected turn when he took PCMB in 12th and pursued engineering from Amity University in Noida. After working at Accenture for a year, he realized that he needed to return to his original goal. He started his civil services preparation in June 2012.

The Race for UPSC

From the beginning, Mudit Jain knew that he was not alone in the race. When he reached Delhi, he found that eight out of the first ten aspirants he met were from IITs and other prestigious institutions. This realization humbled him and motivated him to work harder.

The Challenges of UPSC

Despite his determination, Mudit Jain faced several challenges during his preparation. One of the biggest challenges was his lack of information about optional subjects. He initially chose Geography and Public Administration but later narrowed it down to Geography after UPSC reduced the number of optional subjects.

Preliminary Exams

Mudit Jain’s first attempt at the UPSC preliminary exams in 2013 was a success, clearing the exam with a dream score. However, his preparation for the main exams was challenging. He made a conscious decision to create his own study material, ignoring the advice of others. This strategy proved to be beneficial, as he was able to focus on topics that UPSC often asked, even if they were not commonly covered by institutes.

Main Exams

Mudit Jain’s first attempt at the UPSC main exams in 2013 was a mixed bag. While he performed well in General Studies (GS), scoring 340 out of 500, he struggled with his optional subject, Geography, scoring only 156. This experience taught him the importance of balancing GS and optional subjects and led to improvements in his strategy for subsequent attempts.

Personality Test

The personality test, or interview round, posed a significant challenge for Mudit Jain. His first interview in 2014 did not go well, scoring only 118 out of 275. This setback motivated him to improve his performance in the interview round during his subsequent attempts. In his second interview in 2014, he managed to secure AIR 222, demonstrating that consistent improvement was possible with hard work and dedication.

Overcoming Setbacks

Mudit Jain faced several setbacks during his UPSC journey, including injuries, illnesses, and a failed prelims attempt. Despite these challenges, he remained determined and used each setback as an opportunity to learn and grow. For instance, the injury he sustained during his third attempt led to a change in service, allowing him to switch to the IRS (IT) cadre.

Adjusting Strategy

Mudit Jain’s strategy evolved over time as he learned from his mistakes and adjusted his preparation accordingly. During his third attempt in 2015, he focused more on his optional subject, Geography, and balanced it with General Studies. This strategy paid off, as he cleared the prelims and main exams, securing a rank that allowed him to switch to the IRS cadre.

Final Attempt

Mudit Jain’s final attempt in 2017 was a success. He cleared the prelims and main exams, switching to the IRS cadre. His unwavering dedication and strategic approach to preparation paid off, as he secured a rank that allowed him to achieve his career goals.

Conclusion

Mudit Jain’s UPSC journey is a testament to his determination, adaptability, and strategic approach to preparation. Despite facing numerous challenges, he remained focused and used each attempt as an opportunity to learn and improve. His success can be attributed to his meticulous preparation, ability to learn from his mistakes, and unwavering dedication. Today, he serves as a DCIT in the Delhi region and uses his experience to guide aspirants.

Mudit Jain’s journey is a testament to his determination, adaptability, and strategic approach to preparation. Despite facing numerous challenges, he remained focused and used each attempt as an opportunity to learn and improve. His success can be attributed to his meticulous preparation, ability to learn from his mistakes, and unwavering dedication. Today, he serves as a DCIT in the Delhi region and uses his experience to guide aspirants.