(Success Story) UPSC 2022 TOPPER, AIR- 13: VIDUSHI SINGH SUCCESS STORY AND TIPS

Vidushi Singh has secured 13th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022 She is a native of Ayodhya. She cracked the exam in her first attempt without any coaching. She prefers Indian Foreign Services (IFS). Her inspiration is CB Muthamma, the first career diplomat woman of India.

Her Educational background

She completed her schooling from Ayodhya. After that she did BA in Economics (hons) from Delhi University. She started her UPSC preparation in the third year of her college. Firstly she read the NCERT textbooks to build the foundation. She didn't attend any coaching. She relied only on self study but took the help of Institutes for test series and optional subject. She took Economics as her optional subject.

Vidushi's UPSC preparation strategy

Is coaching necessary?

Vidushi said there is no prerequisite that you take coaching in order to pass the UPSC exam. She also didn't join any coaching. She advised the aspirants just keep in mind that joining coaching is not a requirement and necessity for success. You can also pass this UPSC exam by doing self-study. It may now be simpler for aspirants to self-prepare due to the availability of online resources. Although there is no harm in taking coaching, self-studying allows for a more focused approach. Only planning, consistency and strategy is important.

Optional strategy

Vidushi said she enrolled in Economics Optional Course. This course helped her in consolidating her notes, especially for paper 1. This course did help her immensely, but disproportionately more in paper 1. Furthermore, she did not limit herself to the course alone. Along with the recorded lectures she read all the standard books suggested by previous toppers.

Try to make notes in your own language

Vidushi said; when you are making notes try to make it 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 trick only. The UPSC exam is all about 3 R’s Reading, Writing and Revising.

At last she advised the aspirants, “Always be calm and positive during the phase of preparation. There are times when you will feel hopeless or disappointed, but you don’t have to lose your calm. In this journey, always follow basics and don’t go for any shortcuts. Make your own strategy and notes, and be consistent towards it.”