(Success Story) UPSC 2020 TOPPER, Gaurav Budania AIR-13 – Tips To Crack UPSC In Your First Attempt

Gaurav Budania from Jaipur, Rajasthan has secured an all-India rank of 13 in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2020. He is a native of Churu, Rajasthan, place known for its extreme heat. Gaurav is a mining engineer, holding a B.Tech degree from IIT BHU. Knowing his ultimate goal is to crack UPSC Civil Services Examination, he did his Master in Sociology and even qualified NET. He previously secured a state rank of 12 in RAS and cracked GATE with an all-India rank of 80.

Gaurav’s Top 5 Tips To Cracking UPSC CSE

Limited Selective Resources

Study from as limited resources as you can. A problem all aspirants face with UPSC is the sheer vastness of the UPSC Syllabus. If you study from multiple sources, your brain very easily gets overwhelmed when it feels it cannot complete even one section of the syllabus completely. This will cause a lack of motivation. Keeping sources limited not only helps you study with vigour, but it also allows multiple revisions, which is key.

Prelims And Mains Test Series

The more tests you take, the better prepared you are. And although aspirants usually take Prelims Test Series seriously, few appear for UPSC MAINS Test Series with the same enthusiasm. When it comes to prelims, regular tests allow you to get better at elimination techniques as well as improve accuracy. Similarly, for mains, it trains you to write better answers and finish the paper on time.

Take Time To Clear Concepts In Weaker Areas

Once you have identified your weaker areas, spend time clearing those concepts. Yes, it is a bit more effort, however, the payoff is usually worth it. UPSC is one of those exams where if you wish to score high and get selected, you cannot afford to ignore sections of the syllabus.

Periodic Revision

It takes roughly 6 to 8 months to finish the syllabus UPSC has and this is just round one. If you never touch a topic you studied at the beginning, chances are, you will feel like you are touching it anew at the end of the month gap. So do not wait to complete the whole syllabus before you start revision; revise old topics at regular intervals for maximum output.

Avoid Misinformation And Work Smart

The internet is a boon for UPSC aspirants now that every material and help they need is available usually for free online. Use this opportunity. Use YouTube to clear your doubts; use Evernote to make digital notes that you can revise anytime from anywhere; the opportunities are endless. However, the sheer volume of material available can also be overwhelming.

Ensure you filter out most things, follow toppers and experts for the right advice, and do not end up wasting time and effort on unnecessary material. Work smart, along with working hard. When it comes to UPSC Civil Services, that’s the only way to succeed. Gaurav wishes you the very best!