Romel Bijalwan (CSE-23 AIR-353) Anthropology & Comprehensive Strategy

Romel Bijalwan: A Journey of Resilience and Triumph in the UPSC CSE 2023

Romel Bijalwan, a young aspirant from Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, has emerged as a shining star in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023. With an impressive All India Rank of 353, Romel has proven that determination, perseverance, and strategic planning can pave the way to success, even in the highly competitive world of civil service examinations.

Romel's Background and Preparation Approach

Romel completed his schooling from Brightlands School in Dehradun and graduated as a Computer Engineer from GB Pant University, Uttarakhand. However, he had always felt a strong calling towards the civil services, and by the end of his third year in college, he had made the decision to pursue this path.

During his final year, Romel began preparing the basic subjects like Polity, Economy, and Geography. He found guidance and inspiration in the various topper talks and blogs, including Mudit Jain's, which helped him select the right resources, finish major portions of the syllabus, and create a comprehensive plan for his drop year before taking the exam in 2023.

Coaching and Mentorship

Romel never had a preconceived notion about coaching classes, believing that they can be extremely helpful for those who have a fair understanding of the exam, but potentially harmful for those who rely on them as a sole means of preparation. He utilized BYJU's IAS Tablet course for GS2 and Mrunal Sir's course on Economy, but his real breakthrough came from his chance meeting with Diksha Joshi Ma'am (AIR 19, 2021), who helped him plan his future course of action and introduced him to Smartwork Labs, a platform that provided him with steadfast mentorship throughout the three phases of the examination.

Daily Routine and Note-Making

Romel, who initially struggled with being a slow reader, dedicated long hours to his studies. His day typically began at 6 AM, with the first 1.5 hours devoted to current affairs, followed by 3 hours of Anthropology classes at Vaid ICS and an additional 2 hours of revision and value addition for the same subject. The rest of his day was dedicated to General Studies.

Regarding note-making, Romel adopted a selective approach. For Prelims, he made notes only for Ancient and Medieval History, as he found them bulky to revise. He also created tables for subjects like Constitutional and Statutory Bodies to aid in quicker revision. For Mains, Romel believed it was necessary to have concise notes, especially for technical subjects like Ethics, Disaster Management, and Economy. He found his self-made notes particularly useful in the Interview phase, as they helped him form original opinions on current affairs issues.

Prelims and Mains Strategies

Romel's Prelims experience was not without its challenges. He made the mistake of not preparing for the CSAT, banking on his engineering background, which he considers his biggest blunder. However, he was fortunate to clear the CSAT section. For the GS paper, Romel emphasized the importance of self-confidence, which can only be generated through thorough preparation and revision of all subjects. He also highlighted the need to develop logical deduction skills, which can be honed by solving previous year's question papers and analyzing the thought process behind the correct answers.

In the Mains, Romel adopted a balanced approach, prioritizing clear concepts and addressing the demands of the questions over extensive value addition. He made sure to have notes ready for subjects like Ethics, Internal Security, Disaster Management, Governance, International Relations, and Social Justice, while relying on his comprehensive understanding for broader subjects like History and Geography.

Optional Strategy: Anthropology

Romel's optional subject was Anthropology, a relatively smaller optional, but one that required a significant investment of time and effort. He believes that in order to stand out in this subject, it is essential to have a deep understanding of the theories and the ability to bring in various interpretations to showcase a multifaceted perspective. Romel favored the Indian Society portion of Anthropology Paper 2 over the Tribal section, as he found the former provided more opportunities to showcase his analytical skills and unique insights.

Resources and Mentors

Romel's journey was supported by a diverse range of resources and mentors. He utilized Sunya IAS Monthly Magazine for current affairs, Laxmikant and Bare Acts for Polity, Spectrum for Modern History, and NCERT books for Ancient and Medieval History, Art and Culture, and Geography. He also relied on the expertise of subject-specific coaches like Dr. Shivin for Environment and Science & Tech, Mrunal Sir for Economy, and the team at Smartwork Labs for a range of subjects.

Concluding Remarks

Romel's journey to success in the UPSC Civil Services Examination was not without its challenges and setbacks. He acknowledges that he made multiple errors along the way and had to course-correct. However, he emphasizes the importance of exploring different strategies and sticking to what works best for one's own strengths and limitations.

Romel also recognizes the role of luck in this highly competitive exam, but he firmly believes that hard work is the foundation upon which good fortune can thrive. He encourages aspirants to embrace the uncertainties of the process and to treat themselves and their efforts with kindness, as the path to success is not always linear.

Romel's journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring civil servants, demonstrating that with dedication, strategic planning, and the right guidance, one can overcome challenges and achieve their dreams, even in the face of daunting odds.