(Success Story) UPSC 2021 TOPPER, AIR-13 Priyamvada Ashok Mhaddalkar On Cracking UPSC Exams

Priyamvada Mhaddalkar has secured 13th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2021. She is a native of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. Since childhood, she always wanted to become an IAS Officer. She got an inspiration from her father. In her first attempt, she didn't qualify the exam but in 2021, she cracked the exam with All India Rank 13th in her third attempt. During an interview by ‘Times of India’ she said, 

“It has been my childhood dream to become an IAS Officer. As my father used to work with Maharashtra Government, he was an inspiration to me. Further she added that Civil Services also give a wide scope to positively impact society and contribute to the country, and I wished to join it and work for the welfare of the people, too”.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND HER UPSC JOURNEY

Priyamvada has done B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute, Mumbai. After graduation she pursued her MBA from IIM- Bangalore. After MBA, she got a job in an investment banking firm. She spent six years in various investment banks. Later, she felt that she had forgotten her dream. In 2020, she left her job and started her preparation for the Civil Services Examination, 2021. She joined the online coaching for some subjects but more focused on self-study. She took Sociology as her optional subject.

PRIYAMVADA MHADDALKAR'S UPSC PREPARATION STRATEGY

MAKE A REALISTIC SCHEDULE AND UNDERSTAND YOURSELF

Priyamvada advised the aspirants; always have a realistic and achievable Time table to follow while preparing for UPSC Exam. Try to stick to that schedule as much as you can and also understand yourself. Your own strengths and weaknesses will help you in focussing your preparation. Focus and understanding will help you immensely in optimising every stage of this preparation according to your needs.

TRY TO MAKE THE NOTES IN YOUR OWN LANGUAGE

Priyamvada said, when you are making notes in your own words, it becomes easier for you to understand and retain any topic for a longer duration. You get better clarity of concepts when you practice writing them. She also used to practice this formula only. The UPSC exam is all about Reading, Writing and Revising.

REVISION

Revision plays an extremely important role in the entire UPSC preparation. Priyamvada said, she used to do the revision by using mind mapping techniques. Mind mapping is the most effective revision technique. Priyamvada advised the aspirants, take a piece of paper and write down the topic you want to revise. After that, start with writing down or revising in your mind everything you remember about that topic. Do the multiple revisions. Doing multiple revisions makes a practice of recalling the information that you have gained by preparing hard.

PRACTICE

Priyamvada advised the aspirants, before you appear in the actual UPSC exam, you should take mock practice tests both for the prelims and the mains. This will help you gain confidence and also gain experience in framing your answers properly.

At last Priyamvada advised the aspirants, preparing for the Civil Services Exam can be sometimes extremely challenging, so keep yourself motivated and always stay positive. Try to look at the bright side of things and be confident about your ability to crack the UPSC exam.

Priyamvada wishes you all the best for your preparation. Good luck.

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