The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is renowned for its difficulty, often requiring years and multiple attempts to crack. Ms. Tripti Kalhans epitomizes perseverance, having faced numerous setbacks before achieving her goal. In her first three attempts, she couldn’t clear the preliminary stage. Despite making it to the Mains in her fourth attempt, she faced failure again. Determined to succeed, Ms. Kalhans took a year-long break, using this time to refocus and renew her commitment.
Her hard work finally bore fruit when she cleared the UPSC CSE 2023, securing an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 199. Notably, she accomplished this without any coaching. A significant part of her strategy involved changing her optional subject after her fourth attempt. Initially, she chose Public Administration, a decision influenced by her commerce background, despite her lack of interest in the subject.
Ms. Kalhans realized her need for a subject that genuinely interested her. After her fourth attempt, she encountered Anthropology notes that piqued her curiosity. Recognizing the importance of being passionate about one’s optional subject, she decided to switch to Anthropology and dedicated a year to thoroughly prepare.
In an interview with Indian Masterminds, Ms. Kalhans emphasized the importance of selecting an optional subject that captivates interest, aligning with advice from many successful candidates. This change, coupled with her renewed approach to breaking the Prelims barrier, marked a turning point in her preparation. She focused on a strategic study plan, likely involving solving mock papers and previous years’ questions, though specific details of her preparation can be found in her interview.
Ms. Tripti Kalhans’ journey from repeated failures to ultimate success serves as an inspiring testament to the power of determination, strategic planning, and the importance of aligning one’s interests with their study subjects.
What did she change in her strategy? How did she prepare for the Mains? Did she solve mock papers or previous years’ questions?
To the know the answer of all watch the interview below.
