Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?

It was summertime in Delhi. I was allotted a far-off centre in Najafgarh.

All the best!

And..

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Anyway!

But, then it hit me hard.

This exam has its own way of humbling you.

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I did not go back to my home.

I was cycling from one of my coaching institutes back to my PG.

Cleared multiple of them

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I vividly remember that evening.

I was constantly staring into the ground

2016 I graduated from college. The same year I began preparing for the UPSC.

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In my head, it was a do-or-die situation for me.

All achievers in their own way.

If one says, they can help you crack the exam with X AIR, it is difficult to do so.

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You would have to be on your toes. If your mind drifts apart for even a second, you will lose your chain of thoughts and notes.

Found an empty bench..

Keep your ego aside.

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It is almost impossible.

I did not move for the next 30 minutes..

And, so I began preparing for the exam with high hopes and determination.

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Immediately after this conversation, I left the institute.

And, after all, it was a matter of great pride and respect.

This exam has an element of probability that no one can predict.

My boyfriend wants to break up over too many petty arguments. To me, they are molehills because I truly love him & don't really think twice about them. If he loved me would he work through it?

I looked around me

In case you are wondering, how did my story end?

If we haven’t met, my name is Suryansh Sodhani.

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Dropped them

I prepared for the next 3 years (2016 to 2019)

“Suryansh, let me tell you something. Do you feel the best of the best students from all over India prepare for this examination?”

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I joined two coaching institutes - One for mains preparation and one for my optional subject.

Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.

I write answers on Quora that help UPSC and other government exam aspirants.

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.

So, hopefully, my answers help aspirants who need help.

I was determined to clear the exam and then go back home.

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I remember the very next day my coaching institute professor telling me -

I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.

“But, it is nearly impossible for one to predict who will make it to the ‘holy list’. Yes! I can say that if an aspirant who has done X, Y, and Z can increase their chances of selection, but it is just not enough. There is always a matter of luck (or, probability).”

Searched for my roll number.

“I have more than 20+ years of teaching experience.”

Worked for a marketing agency

Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.

Cut to 2-3 months post prelims. Results were declared.

Relatively in a better position after my exam failures, but a void still exists!

It lasted approximately 10 months.

2017 June - I appeared for the first time for the UPSC Prelims (after a year-long preparation)

And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.

There is no mathematical formula where you know that if the inputs are controlled, you can achieve X outcome.

Appeared for the exam and instantly knew I would not be making it this time!

Your credentials do not matter!

Also, simultaneously prepared for other exams

I said, “Yes! I believe so.”

I parked my cycle near one of the parks en route to my PG.

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500 students in each batch. God forbid if you were late to the class - you would have to push your way through the seats. (Old aspirants reading this know which institute I am talking about).

Dare you, peep in your neighbour's notebook. After all, it is a national-level competitive exam - people tend to be extremely competitive. Tough days…

This is the very reason you will hear IIT, IIM, AIIMS graduates failing to clear the UPSC.

I was alone in Delhi back then

I lacked a mentor when I needed one.

The struggle was real. The teacher would non stop go through his lecture, and explain the concepts/ theory/ ideas etc.

The batch sizes were huge!

And entered the park.

A gazillion thoughts running through my mind.

“All of these students are great from an academic point of view. They have always scored 90%+ during their school days, some have even scored 9.6 CGPA and above during their 10th boards.”

And, I had not made it.

Each class used to be 2.5 hours each. Making it a total of 5 hours of coaching classes daily. The classes used to be 7 days a week.

I had heard rumours going around that the results had been declared.

“I, too, was an aspirant, 20 years back. I have met board toppers, state board toppers, and college toppers with more than 9+ CGPA who prepare for this exam.”

A sense of grief and toil had taken over me.

So, yes, the UPSC is considered the toughest exam in the world because there is a ‘luck’ factor coupled with subjectivity in the exam process.

After checking the PDF, I chained my cycle to a lamp post ..

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