https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Crafting Success: Rupali Surana’s Strategic Tips for Navigating UPSC Mains

Rupali Surana fulfilled her lifelong dream by securing AIR 386 in the UPSC CSE 2023. She highlights the significance of preparing for Prelims and Mains simultaneously.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Civil Services was a dream for Mr. Roopali Surana. Every decision Rupali made was a step toward her dream of becoming a civil servant. Her journey was not without its challenges. She faced moments of self-doubt and considered giving up, but her unwavering determination pushed her forward. Through every up and down, and through moments of learning and unlearning, she remained focused on her goal.
Finally, in her last attempt, Rupali’s perseverance paid off. She secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 386 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2023. Reflecting on her journey, Rupali shared her thoughts with Indian Masterminds, “I can’t express the elation of finally reaching my goal. My path was fraught with challenges, but also invaluable lessons. There were moments when I considered not taking the exam again. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who supported me and never let me falter.”
Rupali’s success was not just a result of hard work but also of a well-thought-out strategy. In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds she shared how she approached the Mains examination.
Link here :


Simultaneous Preparation for Prelims and Mains

Rupali emphasizes the importance of preparing for both Prelims and Mains simultaneously. She believes that the content needed for Mains goes beyond what is required for the four Prelims options. Besides that According to Rupali, previous year’s questions are crucial. She built her preparation around these, ensuring she was well-versed in the types of questions that could appear in the exam.

The Art of Note-Taking

Rupali explains that note-taking is a skill that evolves with practice. Initially, she made bulky notes like everyone else, but gradually transitioned to e-notes. After each revision, she would delete unnecessary content, refining her notes over time. By the time the exam approached, her notes were concise and easy to revise, almost like cheat sheets that she could review until entering the exam hall. Having handy notes, she believes, is crucial for recalling everything learned over the years.

Ethics and Essays

Rupali warns against neglecting Ethics and Essays. She mentions that while it’s possible to score 120-130 in essays, UPSC could also award as low as 30-40. Good marks in the Ethics paper, she believes, can ensure selection.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services IAS logo
Rajasthan Govt Seeks Recall of IAS Officers Rohit Kumar and Siddharth Mahajan from Central Deputation
Western Railway's Female Mechanics Drive Critical EMU Maintenance
Vijayadashami Boosts Women's Empowerment: Western Railway's Female Mechanics Drive Critical EMU Maintenance
IDES Officer Shobha Gupta
IDES Officer Shobha Gupta Appointed Director General of Defence Estates; Will Oversee 18 Lakh Acres of Defence Land
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services
Controversies Lead to Transfer of 8 Out of 24 IAS Officers in Madhya Pradesh; Key Collectors Removed Following Disputes with Legislators
ACC_Appointments Committee of Cabinet
Senior Bureaucratic Movements Cleared by ACC: Repatriations, Curtailments, and Extensions Notified
shastri-bhawan
CSS Forum Backs Officer Deepak Khoda After Suicide Attempt Over Alleged Workplace Harassment by IAS; Demands High-Level Probe in Letter to Minister
Gandhinagar: Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R
14 Million Seedlings and Counting: Gujarat’s Centres of Excellence Drive Horticulture Innovation with Global Backing
Siyan Gudis old age homes Chhattisgarh
CM Sai Announces 'Siyan Gudis' for Elderly in 4 Chhattisgarh Cities, Launches Welfare Measures on International Day of Older Persons
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Live Interaction
From Cut-off Dates to Coaching & Reforms: UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Assures Aspirants of Fairness, Transparency & a Future-Ready UPSC | UPSC@100
A Century of Service: The UPSC’s Landmark Year Begins. Chairman Ajay Kumar on UPSC’s Centennial: “Merit,...
Giriraj Parihar MPPSC 2024
From Constable to Deputy Collector: Giriraj Parihar’s 9-Year MPPSC Journey | Farmer’s Son, Brother to Five Sisters
From a jail guard to MPPSC 2024 Rank 8, Giriraj Parihar’s nine-year journey of self-study, hard work,...
Ankit MPPSC 2024 Rank 3
From Village Dreams to Deputy Collector’s Chair: Meet Ankit, MPPSC Rank 3 Hindi Medium Topper
Ankit, a Hindi-medium aspirant from Balaghat, secured Rank 3 in MPPSC 2024 and became Deputy Collector...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services IAS logo
Rajasthan Govt Seeks Recall of IAS Officers Rohit Kumar and Siddharth Mahajan from Central Deputation
Western Railway's Female Mechanics Drive Critical EMU Maintenance
Vijayadashami Boosts Women's Empowerment: Western Railway's Female Mechanics Drive Critical EMU Maintenance
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT