Pragati Verma (CSE-23 AIR-355) Motivational Journey & Comprehensive Strategy

Dr. Pragati Verma's Journey to Success in UPSC CSE

Dr. Pragati Verma, a medical professional from Meham, Haryana, has achieved remarkable success in the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination. Her journey, marked by determination, resilience, and the unwavering support of her family, serves as an inspiration to aspiring civil servants.

Born and raised in Meham, a subdivision in Rohtak, Haryana, Dr. Pragati Verma completed her schooling in her hometown. She then pursued her medical education, earning an MBBS degree from PGIMS Rohtak and an MD in Radiodiagnosis from PGIMER Chandigarh. After completing her formal education, she worked as a Senior Resident at AIIMS Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh for a year.

Balancing Medical Practice and UPSC Preparation

While practicing radiology, Dr. Pragati Verma decided to take on the challenge of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. She began her preparation in May 2021, determined to make her mark in the competitive landscape of the civil services. Despite the demands of her medical career and the responsibilities of being a mother, she managed to dedicate 3-4 hours daily to her UPSC studies.

"Being a radiologist and a mother, I could not fix a specific time to discuss or for self-study," Dr. Pragati Verma shared. "However, I managed to study for at least 3-4 hours and tick off the list of topics decided for the day. That usually involved Newspaper/current affairs, 2-3 static topics, 2-3 Optional subjects, and a few practice questions."

With the unwavering support of her husband, Dr. Atul Verma, and the help of her mother-in-law in caring for her son, Rajvardhan Verma, Dr. Pragati Verma was able to navigate the demanding journey of UPSC preparation.

Navigating the Challenges of UPSC

Dr. Pragati Verma's UPSC journey was not without its ups and downs. She appeared for the UPSC Preliminary Examination in 2021, but fell short by around 10 marks. Undeterred, she continued her preparation, clearing the Prelims, Mains, and Interview stages in the following year, securing the 740th rank and earning a DANICS (Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service) posting.

For the Preliminary Examination, Dr. Pragati Verma adopted a strategic approach. She relied on NCERT textbooks for her first reading and made concise, yet comprehensive notes. She then shifted her focus to specialized sources like Laxmikant for Polity, Spectrum for Modern India, and Nitin Singhania for specific topics. Her preparation for the CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) was confident, as she believed in her ability to tackle the section effectively.

Mains Examination Preparation

In the Mains Examination, Dr. Pragati Verma continued to utilize the same sources as for the Prelims, while also incorporating Ethics definitions and examples from daily newspaper reading. She found Dipin Sir's current affairs classes particularly helpful in enriching her Mains answers, covering a wide range of societal and international relations topics.

"I focused on my optional subject (Medical Science) and wrote 6-7 mock tests for the same," she shared. "Answer writing is as important as content building, hence both should go hand in hand. Aspirants should not wait for perfection in one to start preparing for the other."

Dr. Pragati Verma also practiced essay writing, although she acknowledged that her essay scores were not as high as she had hoped.

The Importance of Revision and Mock Tests

Recognizing the significance of revision, Dr. Pragati Verma made concise notes for almost all subjects, especially for her optional subject of Medical Science. She found this approach crucial for quick and effective revision.

"Multiple revisions of the same fixed sources is the key for consolidation of the syllabus," she emphasized. "It makes the syllabus feel compact and gives confidence. Also, reproducing the content into exams comes reflexly after multiple revisions."

Additionally, Dr. Pragati Verma attributed her success to the practice of solving 10-15 mock tests for the Preliminary Examination and joining a test series for the Mains Examination. These mock tests not only helped her with answer writing practice but also with time management during the actual examinations.

Securing AIR-355 in UPSC CSE-23

In the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023-24, Dr. Pragati Verma secured the impressive rank of 355, making her mark in the prestigious list of successful candidates. Her achievement is a testament to her unwavering determination, strategic preparation, and the invaluable support of her family.

As Dr. Pragati Verma reflects on her journey, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the demanding UPSC preparation process. "Take small breaks to calm your mind and to stretch your back. Don't be harsh on yourself and reward yourself for tiny accomplishments. Meet with friends and family. After all, it's just an exam, and you are far more than that."

Dr. Pragati Verma's inspiring story serves as a guiding light for aspiring civil servants, demonstrating that with dedication, perseverance, and a balanced approach, even the most challenging goals can be achieved. Her success is a testament to the power of hard work, resilience, and the unwavering support of loved ones in the pursuit of one's dreams.

UPSC Toppers' Strategies

To aid and inspire fellow UPSC aspirants, Dr. Pragati Verma has shared a comprehensive list of strategies and insights from top-performing UPSC candidates. These resources cover a wide range of topics, including optional subjects, comprehensive approaches, and valuable FAQs.

Medha Anand (AIR 13) - Socio + Comprehensive

Romel Bijalwan (AIR 353) - Anthropology + Comprehensive

Samiksha Mhetre (AIR 302) - Comprehensive

Aditya Hriday Upadhyay (AIR 416) - Mathematics + Comprehensive

Prerna Singh (AIR 271) - Journey + Learnings + Comprehensive

Abhinav Jain (AIR 35) - Journey + Comprehensive

KN Chandana Jahnavi (AIR 50) - 3/3 Selections + Socio + Comprehensive

Rohit Sattawan (AIR 997) - Prelims & Mains Booklist + FAQs

Dr. Subhadharshini (AIR 83) - Motivational Journey + FAQs

Megha Dinesh (AIR 268) - Sociology + Comprehensive Strategy

Anushka Karnwal (AIR 435) - Economics + Comprehensive Strategy

Rajat Tripathi (AIR 515) - FAQs

Dr. Ritika Aima (AIR 33) - Journey & Learnings from 186 to 33

Romit Bhatt (AIR 390) - Journey, FAQ & History Optional

Anjali Thakur (AIR 43) - Sociology + Prelims + Mains

Bidipto Sarkar (AIR 987) - Comprehensive

Apoorv Balpande (AIR 546) - Philosophy & Comprehensive

Vaibhav Rathore (AIR 717) - Economics & Comprehensive

Benjo P Jose (AIR 59) - Prelims Comprehensive

Shivansh Singh (AIR 164) - Anthropology & Comprehensive

Manav Jain (AIR 634) - Comprehensive

Rimita Saha (AIR 566) - Anthropology & Comprehensive

Ghulam Maya Din (AIR 388) - Medical Science & Comprehensive

Hardik Chandel (AIR 304) - 4 Prelims, 4 Mains, 3 Interviews, 2 Selections

Rekulwar Shubham (AIR 790) - 7 Prelims, 7 Mains, 4 Interviews

Abdullah Zahid (AIR 744) - Motivational Journey & Strategy

Ketan (AIR 610) - Anthropology & Comprehensive

Wardah (AIR 18) - Sociology & Comprehensive

Merugu Kaushik (AIR 82) - Socio & Comprehensive

Paramita (AIR 812) - Motivational Journey & Comprehensive

Annapurna Singh (AIR 99) - Journey, Geography & Comprehensive

Khushhali (AIR 61) - GS 462 Marks, Journey, Strategy

Tejas (AIR 37) - Prelims Strategy

Soubhagya (AIR 101) - Anthropology & Comprehensive

Bhuvanesh (AIR 41) - 4 Interviews, 3 Selections, Psychology & Comprehensive

Aradhana (AIR 251) - Sociology & Comprehensive

Pawan (AIR 28) - Sociology & Comprehensive

Gourav (AIR 174) - Anthropology (300) & Comprehensive

MH Mir - Law & Comprehensive

Anusha (AIR 818) - Comprehensive and Detailed Post

Nazia (AIR 670) - PSIR & FAQs

Benjo (AIR 59) - Prelims Strategy

These resources provide valuable insights and strategies from UPSC toppers, covering a wide range of optional subjects, comprehensive approaches, and useful FAQs. Aspiring civil servants can learn from these successful candidates and incorporate the lessons into their own preparation.