Riju Shrivastava (AIR-124, CSE-21) UPSC Journey and Strategy

Riju Shrivastava (AIR-124, CSE-21) UPSC Journey and Strategy

6 min read

Hi, I am glad to present before you all the Civils preparation journey and strategy of Riju Shrivastava who secured AIR-124 in CSE-21. She achieved this feat in her 2nd attempt. Following is her journey and strategy in her own words: Everything happens twice, once in our minds and then in reality. Having read, plethora

The Civils Preparation Journey and Strategy of Riju Shrivastava

Introduction

Riju Shrivastava secured a commendable AIR-124 in the CSE-21, a feat that she achieved in her second attempt. Here, her journey and strategy are detailed, offering valuable insights into her preparation process. The success of her preparation is attributed to her self-belief, hard work, and a strategy tailored to her unique circumstances.

Riju Shrivastava's Background

Riju Shrivastava is a dedicated UPSC aspirant who hails from Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, and was brought up in Bhopal. Her educational journey began with her schooling at St. Joseph’s Convent Girls S.S.School, Bhopal, where she completed her 10th and 12th in the Humanities stream in 2016. She pursued her graduation in B.A.(Hons) in Economics from Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, in 2019. Her optional subject for the UPSC examination was Sociology. Her first attempt in 2020 was marked by a missed prelims by a whisker, but her second attempt in 2021 led to her securing a highly respectable AIR-124. Alongside her preparation, Riju worked as a Legislative Assistant to a Member of Parliament from 2021-2022, demonstrating her commitment and dedication to her goals.

The Strategy: Self-Belief and Hard Work

Riju's strategy for her UPSC preparation was straightforward yet effective. She emphasizes the importance of self-belief and hard work, stating that shortcuts or substitutes for diligent effort would not lead to success. Her journey was marked by numerous trials and errors, but she remained steadfast in her approach, inspired by the saying "Everything happens twice, once in our minds and then in reality."

In her journey, she found inspiration in the lines of a poem that speaks of the resilience and perseverance required to overcome challenges:

नन्हीं चींटी जब दाना लेकर चलती है, चढ़ती दीवारों पर, सौ बार फिसलती है। मन का विश्वास रगों में साहस भरता है, चढ़कर गिरना, गिरकर चढ़ना न अखरता है। आख़िर उसकी मेहनत बेकार नहीं होती, कोशिश करने वालों की कभी हार नहीं होती।

These lines embodied her spirit, encouraging her to bounce back from the countless days of uncertainty, anxiety, and tears that are part and parcel of the UPSC preparation process.

Prelims: The Most Challenges Part

Riju considers the Prelims stage to be the most challenging and critical part of the UPSC examination. Despite societal perceptions that it is the easiest stage, she found it to be quite dicey. The stakes are high, as failing to clear Prelims means repeating an entire year of preparation. Based on her experience, she offers several valuable tips to aspirants:

  1. Mocks are necessary but not sufficient: While mocks are essential for practice, they should be revisited and analyzed to derive maximum benefit. A mock that is not revised is akin to a mock that was not attempted.

  2. Customized Approach: Every aspirant is unique, and a one-size-fits-all strategy may not work. The key is to find your optimum number of questions, accuracy level, and types of questions to attempt or leave. Make subjects your forte and maximize marks from those areas.

  3. Restraint from Multiple Sources: Coaching notes are often different rivers carrying the same water. Select one note or create your own, and stick to it. Avoid drowning in the multitude of sources.

Mains: The Breadth and Depth

According to Riju, the Mains stage is the most reliable and straightforward. It is marked by the need for both academic rigor and the ability to develop physical and mental stamina. She offers several pointers for effective Mains preparation:

  1. Focus on Optional: The optional subject can make or break your chances in the Mains.

  2. Completion over Quality: Completing the paper is crucial. It is better to attempt all questions than to leave any.

  3. Structured Answers: Structure your answers with headings, bullet points, and clear points. Make it easy for the examiner to locate your response.

  4. Develop Your Writing Style: For case studies and open-ended questions in Ethics and Essay, develop your own writing style.

  5. Select Your Pen: Choose a pen that works best for you and stick to it.

  6. Adjust Body Clock: Adjust your sleep patterns according to exam timings to ensure you are well-rested and ready for each paper.

  7. Add Value to Answers: Use committees, flow charts, articles, examples, and statistics to enhance your answers. Avoid overdoing it.

  8. Limited Sources and Multiple Revision: Create your own concise notes for last-minute revision. This helps in retaining information more effectively.

Personality Test: The Last Leap of Faith

The Personality Test, or the interview stage, is a crucial aspect of the UPSC examination. While Riju's experience and expertise in this area are limited, she offers valuable insights:

  1. Fill DAF Carefully: The DAF (Detailed Application Form) is critical. Fill it with careful consideration, ensuring each word is well-thought-out.

  2. DAF as Syllabus: Each word in your DAF can be a potential question. Treat your DAF as your syllabus.

  3. Stay Updated on Current Affairs: Read newspapers thoroughly to keep abreast of current affairs, including local and political news.

  4. Practice Speaking: Engage in discussions and conversations to improve your speaking skills.

  5. Mock Interviews: Participate in mock interviews to familiarize yourself with the interview process.

  6. Embrace the Experience: View the Personality Test as an opportunity to present yourself before a learned and experienced board. Learn from the experience.

Conclusion

Riju Shrivastava's journey to securing AIR-124 in the CSE-21 is a testament to her dedication, hard work, and self-belief. Her strategy emphasizes the importance of finding your unique approach and sticking to it, with a strong focus on self-belief and perseverance. She highlights the importance of balancing academic rigour with emotional strength and mental attitude. At the end of her journey, she advises aspirants to let not an exam, rank, or letters in front of their name define their self-worth. Instead, she encourages them to relax, smile, and give their best, trusting that God will take care of the rest.

Further Reading

For aspirants seeking more strategies and insights, Riju has shared links to several toppers' strategies from CSE-21. These resources offer a breadth of knowledge and experiences, providing aspirants with a comprehensive understanding of the UPSC preparation journey.

Riju Shrivastava can be contacted through her Telegram channel or Instagram page for further guidance and support. Her journey serves as an inspiration for aspirants navigating the challenges and uncertainties of the UPSC examination.