UPSC Topper 2022: AIR 08 Aniruddh Yadav shares his success Strategy and preparation tips

UPSC Topper Aniruddh Yadav

Aniruddh Yadav, an B.Tech, and M.Tech from IIT Delhi has cracked UPSC Civil Services 2022 cracked exam in his first attempt, however, he got IRPS (Indian Railway Personnel Services), in his second attempt he got the Indian Information Service (IIS) and is currently serving there. However Aniruddh wanted to become an IAS and his fourth attempt, due to his perseverance he has not just cracked the exam, but is among the top 10 ranks.

Shiksha.com caught up with Aniruddh to understand his preparation strategy, tips and motivation factors for one of the most competitive exams in the country. Read the excerpts below...

Q. Tell something about yourself, and your educational background?

A. I am from Delhi and completed my schooling and higher education in Delhi only as I did my B.Tech and M.Tech from IIT Delhi only.

Q. What attracted you to the civil services?

A. I chose Civil Services because I always wanted to do something for society and my interest was in research. However to do research I had to go abroad and I wanted to stay in the country so I chose to prepare for civil services.

Q. Was this your first attempt? How many attempts do you take?

A. This was my fourth attempt. On the first two attempts also I cleared the exam in the first attempt I got selected for the Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) and on my second attempt I got selected for India Information Services, where I am currently serving. On the third attempt, I could not clear the prelims and this was my fourth attempt.

Q. Tell something about your preparation strategy?

A. Fundamentally I focused on the core books and most importantly I had the guidance of my elder brother who is himself an IAS officer, so I did not take any coaching. Mostly it was syllabus oriented, as you the main syllabus from which questions will be asked looking at the previous year’s papers.

Specifically for prelims I focused on tests, I used to give hundreds of tests. For Mains I tried to learn answer writing, I also looked at copies of previous year's toppers.

Q. What challenges you had to face while preparing for one of the toughest competitive exams?

A. Sitting every day, and following the same routine is a struggle, but it is important to have faith in yourself.

Q. As you had already joined Indian Information Service, was it difficult to work and prepare at the same time?

A. It was not much difficult because my training started in December and by that time most parts of my civil services exam were over, so I was able to devout time preparing for the interview.

Q. What subjects you chose for the Mains exam, what is the reason behind selecting those subjects?

A. I chose Anthropology because I had Biotechnology in my B. Tech and Anthropology I selected because it is directly related to Biotechnology.

Q. Did you give special emphasis to some particular sections or equal emphasis on all sections?

A. I gave equal emphasis to all the sections.

Q. How important is the UPSC Interview part? How were you able to crack it?

A. It is very important because a lot depends on the interview part. It is important to cover all the basics for the interview and be confident to face it.

Q. How important are mock test series at different stages of this examination? How did you prepare for it?

A. It is very-very important for all three stages of the UPSC Civil Services examination because that is the simulation of the real test. I think as much as you practice mock tests it would show how well you will perform in the exam, as that is one of the pivotal parts.

Q. Please share the important books you referred to for the Mains Exam.

A. There was a second ARC Report, I also referred to the NCERT Geography book, Vision IAS material.

Q. What should be the approach to Mains Answer Writing/ How did you practice the Answer writing for Mains?

A. For answer writing one can join any good coaching institute where they can practice on test series so that one can improve. I think self-assessment is also important, what are the questions that are likely to come based on current affairs.

Q. How one should prepare the Current Affairs and the Role of the Newspapers in its preparation?

A. Reading newspapers is very important as I think it is fodder for stuff, as you get to know what is happening around you, what is there in the news.

Q. What tips you would like to give to students who are preparing for the UPSC CSE 2023?

A. I would suggest them to believe in themselves, and not be stressed out. It is important to give 100 percent every day as it helps you perform optimally. Try to cover basics, be disciplined, it is important to meet targets every day, having a schedule and keeping small targets is important and try to complete them.

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