CLAT PG 2017 Topper Interview: AIR 13, Kumar Salva Raghuvanshi aims to crack UPSC Exam

CLAT 2017 PG Topper: Kumar Salva Raghuvanshi, AIR 13

Kumar Salva Raghuvanshi cracked CLAT PG 2017 by bagging AIR 13 and scoring 115.25/150 marks. A student of National Law School of India University, Bangalore, Kumar is currently pursuing his LLM. At the UG level, he has completed his BCom-LLB (Honours) from Amity University, Uttar Pradesh. It is worth noting that Kumar was awarded a Gold Medal for being the topper of the batch during his UG programme. In addition to this, he was also a merit-cum-means scholarship holder at UG level.

An avid traveller, Kumar hails from a small village, Khujji that is located in Jaunpur District of Uttar Pradesh. His father runs a small business in the village and is associated with various social service initiatives. His mother is a homemaker. Kumar shares, “Being from a village background it was very hard for me to cope-up with the culture of high-tech cities. But my family was a great support during my tough times.”

As a hobby, Kumar loves reading autobiographies of successful people. Apart from that, Kumar also enjoys doing yoga, meditation, swimming, and gyming.

In a candid interview with Shiksha, Kumar shares his prep strategy, success mantras and other useful tips to crack CLAT exam for PG admissions. Read the complete interview below:

Since questions in CLAT PG exam are not limited to certain specified subjects, one cannot not predict in advance. However, I was hoping to be within top 20 rank holders. 

Since, this was my second attempt at CLAT, my entire strategy was divided into four stages. Firstly, I started reading every aspect of each subject and made my own notes. After that, I analysed previous years’ questions papers and prepared important topics that could come in the exam. Thirdly, I solved multiple choice questions of each subject from various guides and online material. In the last stage (15 days before the exam), I only focused on giving mock tests and solving previous years’ question papers. 

No. I haven’t taken any coaching for this exam. I believe that anyone who has basic knowledge of law can crack this exam easily without coaching. However, to get into top 50, one needs to work really hard.

As I am doing LLM, it was really hard to take out time for CLAT preparation as we have to submit our projects and dissertations which require lot of research work. So, I used to sleep by 9 PM and wake up at 2 AM to study till 6- 6:30 AM for CLAT.

In addition to this, I structured my entire CLAT preparation into three parts - two months on Constitution, two months on Jurisprudence, and two months on other subjects (Contract Law, Tort Law, International Law, Family Law, IPR, Criminal Law etc.). Finally, last few days were utilised in doing revision and giving mock tests.

This exam needs a proper strategy for a student who is desirous of securing a rank in top 50. Thus, proper selection of study material is needed.

For Constitutional Law, I referred to the books of VN Shukla and Brij Kishore Sharma. Further, careful reading of Bare Act provisions was a must as mostly more than 40% questions come from that. In addition, I also referred to the videos of Constitution Assembly available on ABP news.

For Jurisprudence, I referred to the books of NV Paranjape and Garima Tiwari.

For Other Subjects, I referred the Bare Act of each subject and few LLM guides like Ascent's Law Guide for LLM Entrance by AK Jain and Singhal’s SS Handbook for LLM Entrance Exam.

This is a very important thing while giving this exam as each mark plays a vital role in deciding your rank. One should not attach himself/ herself to the result and should not day dream. I believe in the famous shlok of Mahabharata, “Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana”. Thus, one needs to be very optimistic while appearing for this exam. Also, one has to take care of his/her health and needs a much disciplined life throughout the period of exam.

I balanced all these things through proper yoga and meditation. One won’t believe that even on the day of CLAT exam I did two hours of yoga and meditation while my other friends were busy in turning the pages to score good marks.

Yes, I appeared for CLAT UG. The syllabus of CLAT UG and CLAT PG cannot be compared at all as the latter is totally based on the law subjects while the former comprises of English including Comprehension, General Knowledge and Current Affairs, Elementary Mathematics (Numerical Ability), Legal Aptitude, and Logical Reasoning.

As of now, my plan is to get into a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) which is recruiting on the basis of CLAT PG rank. After that I will start my preparation for Judicial Services.

No. I wanted to become an entrepreneur and take my father’s business to great heights and for that only I opted for Commerce in Class XII. But, as it is said, “Situation makes a man perfect”, similar thing happened to me. My father was badly insulted by the Station House Officer when he went to lodge an FIR for the theft which occurred in my shop. That incident changed my mind and I gave up my dream of becoming an entrepreneur and decided to make a career in law so that I can become an instrument of promoting and protecting the violation of rights in our country.  

I would say to the future aspirants to start your study right now if you really want to secure a rank in top 50. Also, do smart work and proper revision of the subjects which are very essential in this exam. 

I have decided to crack Union Public Service Commission exam and take IPS cadre. I believe that in the long run my life would be spent doing social service. At present I have sponsored the education of two slum kids out of my scholarship money.