Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?
Last Updated: 28.06.2025 00:49
I was determined to clear the exam and then go back home.
If one says, they can help you crack the exam with X AIR, it is difficult to do so.
Relatively in a better position after my exam failures, but a void still exists!
And, after all, it was a matter of great pride and respect.
Searched for my roll number.
I was constantly staring into the ground
Will India ever surpass China in Technology?
A gazillion thoughts running through my mind.
This exam has an element of probability that no one can predict.
2017 June - I appeared for the first time for the UPSC Prelims (after a year-long preparation)
I was alone in Delhi back then
Worked for a marketing agency
I did not go back to my home.
And entered the park.
In case you are wondering, how did my story end?
I prepared for the next 3 years (2016 to 2019)
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Keep your ego aside.
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 remember the very next day my coaching institute professor telling me -
Do married men know when their wives are having affairs?
I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.
“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.”
But, then it hit me hard.
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I was cycling from one of my coaching institutes back to my PG.
.
And, now working as a digital marketing freelancer for international clients.
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I had heard rumours going around that the results had been declared.
I looked around me
A sense of grief and toil had taken over me.
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Cleared multiple of them
And, so I began preparing for the exam with high hopes and determination.
I write answers on Quora that help UPSC and other government exam aspirants.
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If we haven’t met, my name is Suryansh Sodhani.
All achievers in their own way.
Immediately after this conversation, I left the institute.
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.
Dropped them
Also, simultaneously prepared for other exams
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…
Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.
I lacked a mentor when I needed one.
Found an empty bench..
“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).”
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.
The batch sizes were huge!
I vividly remember that evening.
.
And, I had not made it.
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I did not move for the next 30 minutes..
Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.
This is the very reason you will hear IIT, IIM, AIIMS graduates failing to clear the UPSC.
“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.”
In my head, it was a do-or-die situation for me.
All the best!
It is almost impossible.
This exam has its own way of humbling you.
Your credentials do not matter!
So, hopefully, my answers help aspirants who need help.
There is no mathematical formula where you know that if the inputs are controlled, you can achieve X outcome.
It lasted approximately 10 months.
And..
I said, “Yes! I believe so.”
And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.
I joined two coaching institutes - One for mains preparation and one for my optional subject.
It was summertime in Delhi. I was allotted a far-off centre in Najafgarh.
After checking the PDF, I chained my cycle to a lamp post ..
“Suryansh, let me tell you something. Do you feel the best of the best students from all over India prepare for this examination?”
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).
2016 I graduated from college. The same year I began preparing for the UPSC.
Appeared for the exam and instantly knew I would not be making it this time!
“I have more than 20+ years of teaching experience.”
I parked my cycle near one of the parks en route to my PG.
Anyway!
The struggle was real. The teacher would non stop go through his lecture, and explain the concepts/ theory/ ideas etc.
Cut to 2-3 months post prelims. Results were declared.