Paramita Malakar (CSE-23 AIR-812) Motivational Journey & Comprehensive Strategy

Paramita Malakar's Journey to UPSC Success

In the ever-competitive landscape of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, Paramita Malakar's story stands out as a testament to perseverance, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of her dreams. As a member of the DecodeCIVILS Telegram Group for over 1.5 years, Paramita's journey has been marked by both challenges and triumphs, culminating in her remarkable achievement of securing AIR-812 in the UPSC CSE 2023.

Background and Journey

Paramita's path to the UPSC civil services began with her graduation in 2012, where she pursued a degree in Physics Honors. Immediately after, she found employment in a BPO, providing much-needed financial support for her family. However, her aspirations soon took a different turn when she joined Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as a system engineer, working there for an impressive seven years.

It was during this time that Paramita's life took an unexpected twist. She faced a moral dilemma that made her question her career trajectory, leading her to the realization that she wished to pursue a higher-ranking position, such as that of an IAS or IPS officer. This pivotal moment sparked her interest in the UPSC civil services examination, and she began her journey towards becoming a civil servant.

At the age of 28, with her marriage on the horizon, Paramita took the plunge and filled out the UPSC application form, determined to give it a try. Her first attempt at the UPSC Prelims in 2018 ended in disappointment, as she was unable to clear the hurdle. Undeterred, she tried again in 2019, just three months after her marriage, but once more, she fell short.

Faced with the challenge of not being able to clear the Prelims, Paramita diversified her approach and began appearing for a wide range of competitive exams, including banking, insurance, state PSCs, CHSL, CGL, and UPSC. Fortunately, she found success in a few of these, securing positions with the State Bank of India in 2020 and the Information & Cultural Affairs Department of the Government of West Bengal in 2022.

Despite these achievements, Paramita's determination to crack the UPSC civil services examination remained unshaken. She continued to appear for the Prelims, facing setbacks in 2020 and 2021, until finally, in 2022, she managed to clear the first stage of the exam and reach the interview level. Although she missed the final list by a mere four marks, Paramita refused to be discouraged and pressed on, appearing for the Prelims once again in 2023.

Challenges and Strategies

Paramita's journey to success was not without its challenges. As a married woman with a full-time job, she had to balance the demands of her personal and professional life, making it difficult to dedicate the extensive hours of study typically required for the UPSC examination. Additionally, her middle-class family background in India presented its own unique set of societal expectations and constraints.

To overcome these obstacles, Paramita adopted a pragmatic approach, tailoring her preparation strategy to suit her specific needs and circumstances. Rather than aiming for the conventional 12-14 hours of daily study, she carved out 2-3 hours each day, utilizing every available moment, whether it was during her commute, during her meals, or after her work hours.

Recognizing the importance of the CSAT paper, Paramita focused heavily on analyzing previous year question papers, understanding the patterns and trends. She also discovered the value of making concise notes, which assisted her in quick revisions before the exams.

Regarding the Mains examination, Paramita's approach emphasized the importance of solid arguments, examples, and a balanced presentation, over relying solely on flowery language and a plethora of quotes. She paid particular attention to her time management, ensuring that she was able to complete her answers within the stipulated time frame.

Lessons and Advice

Paramita's journey to UPSC success is a testament to the power of determination and the ability to adapt one's strategies to overcome unique challenges. She advises aspiring civil servants to find their own strengths and weaknesses, and to devise a preparation plan that aligns with their individual needs and circumstances.

One of the key takeaways from Paramita's experience is the importance of maintaining a strong "why" – a deep-rooted motivation that drives one's pursuit of the civil services. She emphasizes that this journey is a rollercoaster of emotions, and it is crucial to have a personal, unwavering reason for undertaking it.

Paramita's story also highlights the value of perseverance. She faced multiple setbacks, including four unsuccessful attempts at the Prelims, but her resilience and unwavering commitment ultimately paved the way for her success. As she eloquently states, "If you continue to put honest efforts, one day, the stars will align themselves for you to give you what you desire..but till that day, you will have to persevere."

Paramita Malakar's journey is a shining example of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Her story inspires and encourages aspiring civil servants to embrace their unique strengths, adapt to challenges, and persist in the face of setbacks – for it is through this unwavering determination that they too can achieve their dreams of serving the nation.