General Myths

1. Only toppers from school/college crack UPSC.

Explanation: Many believe that UPSC is meant only for school or college toppers.

Counterpoint: Academic excellence in school/college has little correlation with UPSC success. Many average students in school have cleared UPSC with perseverance.

Example: AIR 1, 2015 Tina Dabi wasn’t a school topper but excelled in UPSC due to a disciplined approach.

2. UPSC is only for extraordinary geniuses.

Explanation: UPSC is seen as an exam that only the most intelligent people can clear.

Counterpoint: UPSC rewards consistency, strategy, and perseverance more than raw intelligence.

Example: Multiple aspirants with average IQ but strong planning and hard work have cracked the exam.

3. Only students from top universities (IITs, DU, JNU) clear UPSC.

Explanation: People assume that top university students have an advantage.

Counterpoint: UPSC does not favor any educational background; people from rural backgrounds and state universities have cracked it.

Example: Ira Singhal (AIR 1, 2014) came from a non-IIT/non-JNU background.

4. One must study 16+ hours daily to clear UPSC.

Explanation: The belief that only extreme study hours lead to success.

Counterpoint: Quality of study matters more than quantity. A focused 6–8 hours a day is sufficient.

Example: Many toppers (e.g., Anudeep Durishetty, AIR 1, 2017) studied efficiently for 6–8 hours.

5. UPSC is all about cramming books.

Explanation: People think that memorization is key.

Counterpoint: UPSC focuses on conceptual clarity, analytical skills, and application of knowledge.

Example: Ethics and essay papers demand articulation and critical thinking, not rote learning.

6. You need to study all NCERTs from Class 6-12.

Explanation: It’s believed that one must memorize all NCERT books.

Counterpoint: NCERTs are important for basic concepts, but selective reading is key.

Example: For Polity, Laxmikanth is more useful than NCERTs alone.

7. Aspirants must know everything under the sun.

Explanation: UPSC is thought to require infinite knowledge.

Counterpoint: The syllabus is vast but well-defined; smart selection of topics is crucial.

Example: The 80-20 rule applies—focusing on major topics yields better results than trying to know everything.

8. One attempt is enough if you're smart.

Explanation: Many believe that highly intelligent people clear UPSC in one go.

Counterpoint: Most successful candidates clear UPSC after multiple attempts.

Example: Anudeep Durishetty cleared UPSC after multiple attempts before securing AIR 1 in 2017.

9. If you fail in the first attempt, you can never succeed.

Explanation: People think failure in the first attempt means permanent failure.

Counterpoint: Many toppers clear UPSC after multiple failures.

Example: Kanishak Kataria (AIR 1, 2018) took multiple attempts before success.

10. You need to quit your job to prepare for UPSC.

Explanation: Many assume full-time preparation is mandatory.

Counterpoint: Working aspirants have cleared UPSC while managing jobs.

Example: Anudeep Durishetty was working in the IRS while preparing.

11. Only people with high IQ can clear UPSC.

Explanation: UPSC is thought to favor geniuses.

Counterpoint: Strategy, discipline, and resilience matter more.

Example: Many average students clear UPSC with the right approach.

12. UPSC requires only bookish knowledge.

Explanation: People assume UPSC is about mugging up facts.

Counterpoint: Analytical ability, understanding policies, and application matter more.

Example: Ethics and essay papers require practical knowledge, not just facts.

13. Luck plays the biggest role in selection.

Explanation: Many believe UPSC is just luck-based.

Counterpoint: Hard work, persistence, and smart preparation are the key factors.

Example: Every year, aspirants from different backgrounds succeed, proving luck isn’t the sole factor.

14. Only students with a strong English background succeed.

Explanation: English medium candidates are thought to have an advantage.

Counterpoint: UPSC allows candidates to write in regional languages, and many non-English medium candidates have succeeded.

Example: Roman Saini cleared UPSC in Hindi medium.

15. UPSC is the toughest exam in the world.

Explanation: It is often exaggerated as the hardest exam ever.

Counterpoint: While challenging, it is manageable with a structured approach.

Example: IIT-JEE, CAT, and medical exams also have tough competition.

16. If you don’t clear before 25, it’s impossible later.

Explanation: People think only young candidates succeed.

Counterpoint: Many candidates clear UPSC in their late 20s or early 30s.

Example: Govind Jaiswal cleared UPSC at 29.

17. You need a formal coaching institute to clear UPSC.

Explanation: Many believe coaching is a must.

Counterpoint: Many toppers have cleared UPSC through self-study.

Example: Anudeep Durishetty cracked UPSC without coaching.

18. UPSC is all about rote learning.

Explanation: People assume memorization guarantees success.

Counterpoint: UPSC demands application-based learning, analysis, and interlinking of topics.

Example: Case studies in Ethics require practical thinking, not rote learning.

19. Taking an optional subject from your graduation field is mandatory.

Explanation: People believe their graduation subject is compulsory for the optional.

Counterpoint: Many candidates choose unrelated subjects based on interest and scoring trends.

Example: A mechanical engineer may choose Political Science as an optional.

20. Your first attempt is your best chance to succeed.

Explanation: Some believe one must clear UPSC in the first attempt.

Counterpoint: Most candidates improve their strategies in multiple attempts.

Example: AIR 1, 2017, Anudeep Durishetty cleared in multiple attempts.