Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?
Last Updated: 02.07.2025 13:16
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…
Worked for a marketing agency
Found an empty bench..
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I was cycling from one of my coaching institutes back to my PG.
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).
Cleared multiple of them
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The struggle was real. The teacher would non stop go through his lecture, and explain the concepts/ theory/ ideas etc.
2016 I graduated from college. The same year I began preparing for the UPSC.
Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.
Why do flat-Earthers think the Earth is flat?
I did not move for the next 30 minutes..
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 ..
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And..
I parked my cycle near one of the parks en route to my PG.
This exam has an element of probability that no one can predict.
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Searched for my roll number.
I was determined to clear the exam and then go back home.
If we haven’t met, my name is Suryansh Sodhani.
Why does Rahul Gandhi have so many haters?
And, I had not made it.
“I have more than 20+ years of teaching experience.”
In my head, it was a do-or-die situation for me.
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Keep your ego aside.
And, now working as a digital marketing freelancer for international clients.
Relatively in a better position after my exam failures, but a void still exists!
And, so I began preparing for the exam with high hopes and determination.
I did not go back to my home.
All the best!
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.
“Suryansh, let me tell you something. Do you feel the best of the best students from all over India prepare for this examination?”
Anyway!
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Also, simultaneously prepared for other exams
Immediately after this conversation, I left the institute.
I joined two coaching institutes - One for mains preparation and one for my optional subject.
.
I lacked a mentor when I needed one.
I looked around me
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Your credentials do not matter!
I had heard rumours going around that the results had been declared.
A sense of grief and toil had taken over me.
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Appeared for the exam and instantly knew I would not be making it this time!
I vividly remember that evening.
The batch sizes were huge!
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“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.”
And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.
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.
And, after all, it was a matter of great pride and respect.
I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.
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 was constantly staring into the ground
It is almost impossible.
Cut to 2-3 months post prelims. Results were declared.
And entered the park.
I write answers on Quora that help UPSC and other government exam aspirants.
“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.”
Dropped them
So, hopefully, my answers help aspirants who need help.
This exam has its own way of humbling you.
2017 June - I appeared for the first time for the UPSC Prelims (after a year-long preparation)
All achievers in their own way.
It lasted approximately 10 months.
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.
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I was alone in Delhi back then
I said, “Yes! I believe so.”
In case you are wondering, how did my story end?
“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 prepared for the next 3 years (2016 to 2019)
I remember the very next day my coaching institute professor telling me -
Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.
There is no mathematical formula where you know that if the inputs are controlled, you can achieve X outcome.
This is the very reason you will hear IIT, IIM, AIIMS graduates failing to clear the UPSC.
If one says, they can help you crack the exam with X AIR, it is difficult to do so.
But, then it hit me hard.
A gazillion thoughts running through my mind.