How Gaurav Agrawal secured AIR 1 in upsc exam ?

Gaurav Agrawal secured All India Rank (AIR) 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) in 2013 through a combination of strategic preparation, resilience, and a strong academic foundation. Below is an overview of how he achieved this feat, based on his own insights shared in interviews, blogs, and public discussions:

Background

Education: Gaurav is an IIT Kanpur graduate (B.Tech in Computer Science) and holds an MBA from IIM Lucknow. His academic excellence provided a solid base for analytical thinking and problem-solving.

Initial Attempt: Before topping in 2013, Gaurav appeared for the UPSC CSE in 2012 and secured AIR 242, which qualified him for the Indian Police Service (IPS). However, his goal was the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), motivating him to attempt the exam again.

Key Strategies for Success in 2013

Learning from Failure:

After his 2012 attempt, Gaurav analyzed his weaknesses, particularly in the Mains stage. He realized that his answers lacked depth and structure, which he worked to improve in his second attempt.

He treated his first attempt as a learning experience, refining his approach rather than being discouraged.

Time Management and Focused Study:

Gaurav quit his job at Citibank in Hong Kong to dedicate himself fully to preparation. This allowed him to create a disciplined schedule, balancing Prelims, Mains, and Interview preparation.

He emphasized understanding the syllabus thoroughly and prioritized high-weightage topics rather than trying to cover everything exhaustively.

Optional Subject Choice:

He chose Economics as his optional subject, leveraging his academic background and interest in the subject. His familiarity with economics from IIT and IIM gave him an edge in mastering both Paper I (theory) and Paper II (Indian economy).

He supplemented standard books with current affairs to make his answers more relevant and dynamic.

Answer Writing Practice:

Gaurav practiced writing answers daily, focusing on clarity, structure, and conciseness. He followed a framework of introduction, body, and conclusion, ensuring his points were well-supported with data or examples.

He reviewed past toppers’ answer sheets and incorporated their techniques, such as using diagrams and flowcharts in economics answers to enhance presentation.

Current Affairs Mastery:

He relied heavily on newspapers like The Hindu and The Economic Times to stay updated. He maintained concise notes, linking current events to static portions of the syllabus.

For dynamic topics in Mains (e.g., GS Paper II and III), he ensured his answers reflected contemporary issues, which impressed examiners.

Mock Tests and Feedback:

Gaurav enrolled in test series for both Prelims and Mains to simulate exam conditions. He used feedback from mentors and peers to refine his approach.

For Prelims, he focused on accuracy over blind guessing, given the negative marking system.

Interview Preparation:

In the personality test, Gaurav scored 206 out of 275, one of the highest marks that year. He prepared by participating in mock interviews and refining his communication skills.

He presented himself confidently, drawing on his diverse experiences (engineering, management, and IPS training) to answer questions thoughtfully.

Personal Traits and Mindset

Resilience: Despite not achieving AIR 1 in his first attempt, Gaurav’s determination to improve and adapt was key. He viewed setbacks as opportunities to grow.

Analytical Approach: His technical background helped him break down the vast UPSC syllabus into manageable parts and tackle complex problems logically.

Consistency: He maintained a steady study routine, avoiding burnout by taking short breaks and staying motivated.

Study Resources

General Studies: NCERT books, standard references like Laxmikanth for Polity, Spectrum for Modern History, and Shankar IAS for Environment.

Economics Optional: Books like Microeconomics by Pindyck and Rubinfeld, Macroeconomics by Dornbusch and Fischer, and Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh, alongside Economic Survey and Budget documents.

Current Affairs: Newspapers, Yojana magazine, and online portals.

Outcome

Gaurav’s hard work paid off with exceptional performance across all stages in 2013:

Prelims: Cleared with a comfortable margin.

Mains: High scores in GS papers and Economics optional.

Interview: A stellar 206/275 sealed his position at AIR 1.

His success story underscores the importance of self-analysis, persistence, and a tailored strategy aligned with one’s strengths. Gaurav later shared his detailed notes and strategies on his blog, which became a valuable resource for future aspirants.