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

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…

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

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

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

And, I had not made it.

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

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

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

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

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All achievers in their own way.

But, then it hit me hard.

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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 vividly remember that evening.

Found an empty bench..

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And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.

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

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

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

And..

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

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

I did not go back to my home.

“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.”

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

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

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

“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 said, “Yes! I believe so.”

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

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.

I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.

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

And, now working as a digital marketing freelancer for international clients.

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

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.

This exam has its own way of humbling you.

I was alone in Delhi back then

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

It lasted approximately 10 months.

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

A gazillion thoughts running through my mind.

I looked around me

Searched for my roll number.

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).

“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.”

Anyway!

Dropped them

A sense of grief and toil had taken over me.

Cleared multiple of them

And entered the park.

Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.

Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.

The batch sizes were huge!

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

Worked for a marketing agency

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

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