How Kanishak Kataria Secured Rank 1 in UPSC – Lessons for Aspirants

When Kanishak Kataria topped the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 with All India Rank 1, it surprised many. An IIT Bombay graduate, a data scientist by profession, and someone with no prior background in humanities—yet he managed to crack one of the toughest exams in the country in his very first attempt.

His journey is a perfect example of how smart strategy, disciplined preparation, and the right mindset can lead to success. If you’re preparing for UPSC, there’s a lot to learn from him.

Let’s break down his preparation strategy, challenges, and key takeaways that can help you in your own UPSC journey.

1️⃣ Kanishak Kataria’s Background

Education: B.Tech in Computer Science from IIT Bombay

Previous Work Experience: Data Scientist at Samsung, South Korea

Optional Subject: Mathematics

Total Marks: 1,121

UPSC Rank: AIR 1 (CSE 2018)

Hometown: Rajasthan

Unlike many toppers who come from humanities backgrounds or have prior experience with UPSC, Kanishak had no exposure to subjects like Polity, History, Geography, or Ethics before starting his preparation. Yet, he overcame these challenges with a well-planned approach.

2️⃣ Kanishak Kataria’s UPSC Strategy

A. Prelims Preparation Strategy

Strong Hold on Static Subjects – He focused on NCERTs and standard books like Laxmikanth (Polity), Spectrum (Modern History), and Shankar IAS (Environment).

Mock Tests Were Key – He attempted 50+ mock tests, which helped improve accuracy and eliminate wrong answer choices.

Elimination Method – He practiced intelligent guessing techniques to maximize his score while minimizing negative marking.

Focused on High-Scoring Topics – Instead of trying to study everything, he prioritized topics that consistently appear in the exam.

B. Mains Answer Writing Approach

Daily Answer Writing – Even when he wasn’t fully prepared, he practiced writing answers to develop speed and structure.

Use of Diagrams & Flowcharts – His answers were structured, visually appealing, and to the point.

Integration of Current Affairs – He linked answers to real-life examples, government policies, and reports like the Economic Survey and NITI Aayog publications.

Balanced Views – Instead of taking extreme stands, he gave well-rounded, practical solutions to questions.

C. Mathematics as an Optional Subject

Mathematics played a crucial role in Kanishak’s success. Since it is objective and scoring, he ensured:

✅ Conceptual Clarity – Rather than rote learning, he focused on understanding concepts deeply.

✅ Solved PYQs – He practiced 20+ years of previous question papers to recognize repeating patterns.

✅ Made Formula Sheets – A personal short notes book helped in quick revision before the exam.

Though Mathematics is time-consuming, it helped him secure high marks, contributing to his Rank 1.

D. Ethics & Essay Preparation

For Ethics (GS Paper 4), he relied on case studies and practical solutions rather than memorizing theories.

Used real-life examples from governance, administration, and history to strengthen his answers.

For Essays, he practiced 1–2 essays per week, covering both philosophical and general topics.

He always ensured that his essays had a strong introduction, a balanced argument, and an optimistic conclusion.

3️⃣ Personality Test (Interview) Strategy

Kanishak scored 179 marks in the UPSC interview. His key focus areas:

✅ Mock Interviews Helped – He gave multiple mock interviews at coaching institutes to improve confidence.

✅ Clear & Direct Answers – No beating around the bush—he kept his responses structured and to the point.

✅ Prepared for DAF-Based Questions – Since his background was in tech, he prepared questions related to AI, Data Science, and Technology in Governance.

✅ Didn’t Hesitate to Say "I Don’t Know" – Instead of guessing, he admitted when he didn’t know something, showing honesty and maturity.

His calm, composed approach helped him impress the panel and secure high marks in the final stage.

4️⃣ Key Lessons from Kanishak Kataria’s Journey

Smart Work is More Important Than Hard Work – Instead of just studying for long hours, he focused on high-yield topics.

Mocks & PYQs Are Crucial – Regular test series and solving previous years’ papers gave him an edge.

Consistent Answer Writing Improves Performance – Daily practice made him more structured and time-efficient in Mains.

Current Affairs Should Be Integrated – He linked newspaper articles, government reports, and data in his answers.

Balance Is Key – He maintained a healthy routine with time for relaxation, ensuring he didn’t burn out.

5️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Did Kanishak Kataria take coaching?

Yes, he joined Vision IAS for test series and some guidance, but most of his preparation was self-study.

How many hours did he study per day?

He never followed a fixed hour-based schedule but ensured quality study time every day.

What was his most effective preparation method?

Practicing mock tests, previous year questions, and answer writing were his most effective strategies.

Can an engineer top the UPSC exam?

Yes, background doesn’t matter—anyone can crack UPSC with the right approach and strategy.

Final Thoughts

Kanishak Kataria’s UPSC journey proves that you don’t need to be from a humanities background or have years of preparation to succeed. With smart planning, focused execution, and disciplined consistency, anyone can crack the UPSC Civil Services Exam.

If you’re an aspirant, take inspiration from his journey, adapt strategies that work for you, and stay committed to your goal. Your hard work will pay off!