Securing a coveted position within the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) by conquering the highly competitive UPSC exam presents a formidable challenge, leading numerous aspirants to abandon their pursuit. Out of the multitude applying for the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) with aspirations of becoming IAS, IPS, or IFS officers, only a scant thousand manage to secure a spot on the final list.
Although coaching is a prevalent approach for UPSC preparation, some individuals opt for self-study and achieve success independently. One such achiever is Laghima Tiwari, a graduate in electronics and communication engineering from Delhi Technological University, who clinched the 19th All India Rank in UPSC CSE 2022 on her inaugural attempt.
As per a News18 report, Laghima, originally from the Alwar district of Rajasthan, concluded her graduation in 2021 and commenced her UPSC journey without the aid of coaching.
For the UPSC Mains exam, Laghima chose anthropology as her optional subject, relying on test series and self-study to successfully navigate the exam sans coaching.
During an interview with Indian Masterminds, Laghima attributed her success to her parents, underscoring the importance of maintaining a clear mindset from the outset, which allowed her to wholeheartedly focus on exam preparation.
She advised aspiring candidates to formulate a flexible preparation strategy, emphasizing the significance of consistency, continuous effort, and regular revision.
Laghima emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes in mock tests, conducting thorough analyses, and promptly transitioning to Mains exam preparation after the prelims, even for those teetering on the borderline.