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

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).

“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.”

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

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This exam has its own way of humbling you.

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

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.

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Cleared multiple of them

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.

And, I had not made it.

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Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.

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

I was alone in Delhi back then

I am skinny, I have been doing 100 pushups a day for more than a month and am seeing very few results, everything is so unfair, I workout more than anyone I know and am still skinny, why cant I build muscle?

Keep your ego aside.

Immediately after this conversation, I left the institute.

Do drop in a message, would be happy to talk.

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

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

I was constantly staring into the ground

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.

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

I did not move for the next 30 minutes..

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

But, then it hit me hard.

It is almost impossible.

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

I did not go back to my home.

I lacked a mentor when I needed one.

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I said, “Yes! I believe so.”

I vividly remember that evening.

All the best!

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

The batch sizes were huge!

Found an empty bench..

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“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).”

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

All achievers in their own way.

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

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

And entered the park.

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

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

It lasted approximately 10 months.

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Anyway!

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

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

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Also, simultaneously prepared for other exams

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

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

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

A sense of grief and toil had taken over me.

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…

Searched for my roll number.

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

And..

Dropped them

Your credentials do not matter!

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

I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.

A gazillion thoughts running through my mind.

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Worked for a marketing agency

And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.

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

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

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

I looked around me

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

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

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

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

“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.”

Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.

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

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