Shubhankar Pratyush Pathak (AIR-11, CSE-21) Comprehensive Strategy

Shubhankar Pratyush Pathak, hailing from East Champaran (Motihari) district of Bihar, secured AIR-11 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2021 in his very first attempt. This achievement is a testament to his dedication and strategy. The following paragraphs delve into his preparation strategy and the various aspects of his journey to success.

Background and Inspiration

Shubhankar Pratyush Pathak was born and brought up in a government quarter, where he was surrounded by civil servants. His father, a civil servant from the 1995 batch, greatly influenced his career aspirations. Shubhankar's initial interest in the civil services was sparked by observing the positive aspects of his father's career. However, the process to enter the civil services seemed daunting, particularly due to his lack of confidence in social sciences subjects during his school years.

After completing 10th and 12th from Sanskriti School in New Delhi, Shubhankar attempted IIT-JEE and could not qualify. This setback led him to take a drop year and revisit his studies. He eventually qualified for IIT in his second attempt and graduated as an Electrical Engineer from IIT(ISM) Dhanbad in 2020. During his final year, he completed an internship at Cisco Systems, was awarded a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO), and joined Cisco Systems as a Software Developer in August 2020.

Preparation Strategy

Decision to Prepare for CSE

Shubhankar's decision to prepare for the CSE was influenced by several factors. The positive and negative aspects of his father's civil service career, his surroundings, and his natural inclination towards mathematics all played a role. His experience at Cisco Systems, where he encountered a lack of leadership opportunities for senior employees, further solidified his resolve to pursue the civil services.

Role of Coaching

Shubhankar joined a coaching, Rau’s IAS, to understand the General Studies (GS) syllabus better. However, he emphasizes that coaching is neither necessary nor sufficient for clearing the CSE exam. He recommends self-study alongside coaching to gain a comprehensive understanding of the syllabus. Shubhankar joined Rau’s IAS after realizing that he could not grasp the GS topics effectively on his own.

Daily Timetable

Shubhankar's daily timetable was meticulously planned to balance his studies and work. Initially, he would wake up at 5 AM to study his optional subject, Mathematics, and then read the newspaper for an hour before starting his office work. In the evening, after finishing his coaching classes, he would spend 30-45 minutes studying before dinner. After leaving his job in February 2021, he increased his study time to 8-10 hours per day, dividing his time between optional and GS subjects.

Note Making

Shubhankar emphasizes the importance of note-making, particularly after reading a subject multiple times. He advises against making notes in the first reading and recommends highlighting important topics that are often forgotten. This strategy helps in efficient revision and ensures that the most crucial topics are adequately covered.

Prelims Preparation

The Prelims stage of the CSE exam is considered the toughest due to the elimination nature of the questions. Shubhankar approached this stage with a disciplined strategy:

• Book List: He used a limited book source for Prelims, focusing on NCERTs, Spectrum, and Rau’s IAS Compass for Environment.
• Prelims Papers: He thoroughly analyzed Prelims papers from 2011 onwards, studying each option of every question in detail. This helped him understand the language and techniques used by UPSC.
• Revisions: He revised these papers in the last 15 days before Prelims to get accustomed to the UPSC style of questioning.

CSAT Preparation

The CSAT paper is increasing in difficulty year by year. Shubhankar found this section relatively easier due to his background but recommends preparing for it if one feels uncertain. He solved Maths, data interpretation, and logical reasoning questions multiple times to avoid silly mistakes. He aimed to solve 45 questions of Maths and then moved on to comprehension questions.

Mains Preparation

The Mains stage is the most crucial, with 1750 marks determining the fate of aspirants. Shubhankar consolidated his preparation by:

• Book List: He used the same book list for GS1, GS2, GS3, and GS4, focusing on important chapters and analyses.
• Answer Writing Practice: He started answer writing practice immediately after Prelims, focusing on model introductions and conclusions for static topics.
• Essay Writing: He wrote essays on philosophical and technical topics, focusing on relevance and flow. He also sought feedback from seniors and faculty to improve his writing.

Conclusion

Shubhankar Pratyush Pathak's journey to securing AIR-11 in UPSC CSE 2021 is a testament to his dedication, meticulous preparation, and strategic approach. His success story highlights the importance of disciplined study, efficient note-making, and continuous revision. If you are preparing for the CSE exam, Shubhankar's strategy serves as an excellent guide to help you achieve your goals.