Rachit Kumar Gupta (AIR-286, CSE-21) Chemistry Strategy
Hi All, Rachit cleared CSE-21 with AIR-286. Following is his Chemistry Optional strategy in his own words: Hi everyone, This was my 5th attempt. In first 3, I could not clear prelims, in 4th attempt, I cleared prelims but not mains. In this attempt i was able to make it to the list. For Chemistry
Rachit's Journey to Success: Clearing CSE-21 with AIR-286
In the ever-competitive realm of the Civil Services Examination (CSE), Rachit's journey stands as a testament to determination, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment. As a seasoned Chemistry faculty member with four years of experience in teaching IIT JEE and NEET students, Rachit's strong foundation in the subject paved the way for his success in the UPSC examination.
Rachit's UPSC Journey
Rachit's journey to the coveted CSE-21 exam was not without its challenges. He had attempted the exam five times, with the first three attempts failing to clear the preliminary stage. In his fourth attempt, Rachit managed to clear the prelims but fell short in the mains. Finally, in this latest attempt, he was able to secure a well-deserved rank of AIR-286, a remarkable achievement that showcases his dedication and persistence.
Rachit's Chemistry Optional Strategy
Rachit's strategy for the Chemistry optional paper was comprehensive and well-executed. He utilized a combination of reliable resources and strategic planning to maximize his performance.
Sources and Preparation
Rachit's source material included the comprehensive notes provided by RK SINGH, as well as the previous five years of UPSC papers and their solutions. He also meticulously prepared topic-wise assignments, covering both previous year questions (PYQ) and standard questions, with some solutions provided by his mentor and others self-prepared. To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the syllabus, Rachit also took part in a two-year test series, which helped him identify his strengths and weaknesses.
Physical Chemistry
In the Physical Chemistry section, Rachit focused on the "low-hanging fruits," such as the gaseous state, solid state, liquid state, surface chemistry, and phase equilibrium. For numerical questions, he emphasized deriving the formula, as this approach could fetch him up to 8 out of 10 marks, provided his presentation was strong. For topics like chemical kinetics, he consistently plotted graphs to solidify his understanding. Additionally, he paid close attention to the Nernst equation and electrochemical cells, which he considered to be low-hanging fruits in the Electrochemistry domain.
Organic Chemistry
Rachit's strategy for Organic Chemistry remained similar to his approach for Physical Chemistry, relying on PYQs, test series, and timely tests. He identified key low-hanging fruits, such as Photochemistry (with a focus on Norrish I and Norrish II reactions), Pericyclic reactions (emphasizing conrotation and disrotation), Spectroscopy (structure derivation, delta values, and mass spectrometry), Named Reactions (basics and mechanisms), and Reagents (with a focus on LiAlH4). He also devoted significant time to revising Reaction Mechanisms, TCP and KCP, Carbenes and Nitrenes, and Polymer chemistry.
Inorganic Chemistry
In the Inorganic Chemistry section, Rachit focused on Coordination Compounds, Lanthanides and Actinides, and other important topics such as Oxygen Transfer and Biochemistry (DNA, RNA, Ferredoxin, Rubredoxin, etc.). He relied heavily on the notes provided by his mentor and also studied the previous year's topper's Inorganic booklet to glean insights into effective answering techniques.
The Importance of Toppers' Answer Booklets
Rachit found the toppers' answer booklets to be immensely helpful in improving his writing, presentation, and overall answering skills. He closely studied these exemplary responses and incorporated the lessons learned into his own approach, which ultimately contributed to the improvement in his marks, from 224 to 265 (a remarkable increase of 41 points).
Conclusion
Rachit's success in the CSE-21 examination, with an impressive AIR-286, is a testament to his dedication, strategic planning, and effective utilization of resources. His comprehensive approach to the Chemistry optional, coupled with his attention to detail and willingness to learn from toppers, has set an inspiring example for aspiring UPSC candidates. Rachit's journey serves as a reminder that with a well-crafted strategy, unwavering determination, and a commitment to continuous improvement, success in the UPSC examination is within reach.