Tejas Agnihotri (CSE-23 AIR-37) Prelims Strategy

Tejas Agnihotri's Journey to UPSC CSE-23 Topper

Tejas Agnihotri, a young civil service aspirant, has recently secured the impressive rank of AIR-37 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE-23). His journey to this remarkable achievement was marked by determination, resilience, and a strategic approach that he hopes will inspire and guide others navigating the challenging terrain of this prestigious examination.

Background and Preparation

Tejas hails from a family of high-achievers, having completed his schooling in various Kendriya Vidyalayas across Madhya Pradesh and New Delhi. He then pursued his graduation and post-graduation in Mathematics from the prestigious Hindu College, University of Delhi. After completing his post-graduation in 2021, Tejas took a drop to focus on his UPSC preparations.

In his first attempt, Tejas secured AIR-266 in CSE-22 and AIR-54 in the IFS (Indian Foreign Service) examination. Undeterred by this initial result, he returned with a renewed sense of purpose and a refined strategy for his second attempt in CSE-23.

The Turning Point: Tejas' Second Attempt

Tejas identified two key areas that he needed to improve upon from his first attempt: completing the syllabus of his optional subject (Mathematics) and enhancing his performance in GS IV (Ethics). Additionally, he had faced a unique challenge during his first Mains exam when a few pages of his GS1 answer sheet got stuck together, causing him to turn three questions at once.

Despite this setback, Tejas refused to let it define his performance. He adopted a resilient mindset, acknowledging that sometimes, unforeseen circumstances can occur, but the key is to not let them derail one's overall performance. This approach enabled him to maintain his focus and excel in subsequent papers, as evidenced by his impressive score of 116 in GS2 during his first attempt.

Prelims Strategy

Tejas' Prelims strategy was multifaceted, encompassing a comprehensive approach to current affairs, a well-curated booklist, and a meticulous analysis of past year question papers (PYQs).

Current Affairs

Tejas relied on a combination of sources for his current affairs preparation, including diligently reading The Hindu and The Indian Express, with a particular focus on the Explained pages. He also utilized the PT365 compilation and extensively browsed the internet to deepen his understanding of the topics covered in the newspapers.

For those who may find reading the newspaper challenging, Tejas suggested exploring daily newspaper analysis videos on YouTube as a complementary approach. He emphasized the importance of trusting one's own judgement and not solely relying on these videos, as they may miss out on certain crucial articles.

Booklist and PYQ Analysis

Tejas did not experiment dramatically with his booklist, instead opting to thoroughly study the standard textbooks to achieve a strong foundation. He believed that this approach would enable him to tackle questions that any other serious aspirant could face.

Tejas' PYQ analysis strategy was particularly noteworthy. He approached the papers year-wise, solving them in an exam-like simulation to practice both content and question-answering techniques. After each paper, he meticulously analyzed his mistakes, identified knowledge gaps, and made note of the frequently asked topics and question patterns.

Mapping Strategy

Tejas emphasized the importance of mapping, particularly for the Geography section. He covered the world map continent-wise, dedicating time to familiarize himself with the details of each region. This approach not only helped him strengthen his geographical knowledge but also provided a refreshing break from the more monotonous static subjects.

CSAT Preparation

Tejas acknowledged that he did not devote as much time to CSAT preparation in his first attempt, relying on his strong mathematical background. However, he recognized the growing difficulty of the CSAT paper and adjusted his strategy accordingly for the second attempt.

Tejas focused on solving the last 5 years' PYQs in an exam-like simulation, while also watching comprehensive marathon sessions on YouTube to cover the topics thoroughly. He emphasized the importance of having a formula sheet ready to revise during the exam.

Fundamentals and Approach to the Prelims Paper

Tejas stressed the significance of mastering the fundamental subjects, such as Polity, Economics, Geography, and Environment, as they provide a level of certainty in the ever-changing landscape of the Prelims exam. He acknowledged that while some topics may have to be prioritized over others due to time constraints, the key is to make calculated, rational decisions based on one's strengths and weaknesses.

In terms of attempting the Prelims paper, Tejas preferred a straightforward approach. He started from the first question, gave it the time it deserved, and moved on to the next, without getting bogged down by categorizing questions into different "buckets." He then went back to bubble the OMR, giving a second thought to the questions that had troubled him the most.

Tejas emphasized the importance of staying calm and confident during the exam, as the Prelims is designed to challenge all aspirants equally. He encouraged aspirants to trust their preparations and not let the perceived difficulty of the paper sway their performance.

Mains and Interview Preparation

Tejas did not delve into the specifics of his Mains and Interview preparation in this blog, as he wanted to keep the focus on his Prelims strategy. However, he mentioned that he would be sharing more insights on these aspects in a dedicated channel on Telegram, where he also welcomes aspirants to reach out to him with their queries.

Concluding Thoughts

Tejas emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective during the UPSC journey. He acknowledged the inherent unfairness and lack of proportionality between hard work and results in this exam, but encouraged aspirants to guard their mental peace and happiness, as these are the most valuable assets in the long run.

Tejas' journey to AIR-37 in CSE-23 is a testament to his resilience, strategic thinking, and a balanced approach to this challenging examination. By sharing his insights and experiences, he hopes to inspire and guide fellow civil service aspirants, empowering them to navigate the "labyrinth" of the UPSC exam with confidence and determination.