https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Daily Routine, Optional, Essays & More | Shailendra Choudhary Breaks It Down

Shailendra Choudhary, AIR 362 in UPSC 2024, shares how focused preparation, self-made strategies, and even inspiration from comedian Bassi helped him succeed despite limited resources and initial setbacks. Watch the video…
Indian Masterminds Stories

When Shailendra Choudhary received the call confirming his UPSC rank, he didn’t immediately celebrate. He walked to the gate of his house, still unsure if it was real, until he saw his father, a sub-engineer in the Madhya Pradesh government, holding back tears. That moment—quiet, emotional, and deeply personal—marked the end of one journey and the beginning of another. Shailendra secured All India Rank 362 in the UPSC CSE 2024 in his second attempt, and in an insightful video interview with Indian Masterminds, he shared the detailed strategy that helped him reach this milestone—especially how he structured answers in the mains, managed his time, and learned through test series. His preparation journey stands out for its clarity, balance, and grounded approach.

WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE- 

EARLY CHOICES THAT SHAPED THE DREAM 

Though originally from Narsinghpur, a town in Madhya Pradesh, Shailendra’s story isn’t just about his background—it’s about how he made deliberate choices at every step. A bright student from the start, he was torn between biology and mathematics in school. The idea of becoming a cytologist once fascinated him, but he chose math and went on to study civil engineering at NIT Bhopal. During college, it was his involvement in extracurriculars—student groups, leadership roles, and campus initiatives—that nudged him toward civil services.

What turned that nudge into a decision was a combination of personal curiosity and meaningful exposure. Success stories, along with conversations with senior officers, opened up the idea of civil services as more than just a job—it became a path he genuinely wanted to walk.

After graduation, Shailendra turned down a corporate career and began preparing for UPSC. His first attempt in 2023 didn’t go as planned—he had only 24 days of preparation and couldn’t clear prelims. While disappointing, it helped him realise the scale of the exam and what it really demanded. He took a short break, gathered himself, and started again—this time with full focus.

Preparing from Narsinghpur meant limited access to coaching centres, study groups, or mentorship. But he didn’t see that as a disadvantage. Instead, he made his own system. A morning running group gave him routine, accountability, and company. Gardening—his long-time hobby—helped him unwind. He spent time with plants and fish tanks, creating a balance between study and life.

SELF-MADE STRATEGY 

For prelims, his focus was on understanding the syllabus deeply, working through previous year papers, and identifying themes that repeat. For mains, answer writing was the core of his approach. He made short, crisp notes, practised regularly through test series, and studied topper copies to refine his style. His optional subject, anthropology, was chosen with help from a senior and turned out to be a good fit. He relied on notes from some coaching, with a strong revision cycle to keep everything fresh.

Interestingly, he took inspiration for writing essays from stand-up comedian Anubhav Singh Bassi. His goal was to make essays feel like a conversation—starting with something relatable and ending on a high, optimistic note.

LESSONS FOR ASPIRANTS: WHAT WORKED AND WHY 

His message to future aspirants is clear: Focus on revision, treat test series like learning opportunities, and never ignore your mental health. If prelims don’t go well, take a break, don’t panic, and stay meaningfully engaged—momentum matters more than perfection.

Shailendra’s journey is proof that success in UPSC doesn’t need fancy coaching or the perfect environment. It requires clarity, consistency, and making the most of what you have. And sometimes, the most powerful motivation comes not from competition but from quiet confidence and self-belief.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
POWERGRID Celebrates 36th Raising Day
POWERGRID Celebrates 36th Raising Day, Showcases Achievements in Power Transmission and Renewable Integration
Satpura Tiger Reserve
Satpura Tiger Reserve Sees New Tiger Cubs; Jhalai’s First Litter Captured
Madhya Pradesh Logo IM
Hotel & Resort Operators Can Now Conduct Jungle Safaris in MP Tiger Reserves
Sanjiv Bhatt Custodial Torture Case
Gujarat High Court Rejects Sanjiv Bhatt’s First-Class Prisoner Status Plea
Yogi Adityanath
Samarth Uttar Pradesh @2047: Over 53 Lakh Citizens Share Vision for Yogi Adityanath’s Prosperity Campaign
Haryana gov resized
Haryana Government Assigns Additional Charges to Three IAS Officers
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Record-Breaking Diwali Trade in Chhattisgarh: Rs. 16,000 Crore Boost Fuels Economic Growth and 'Vocal for Local' Movement
CM Vishnu Sai Sohrai Karma Mahotsav 2025
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Sai Celebrates Sohrai Karma Mahotsav 2025, Announces Major Grants and Development Projects for Rautia Community
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
Everybody Needs To Know What Is Transpiring Behind Closed Doors Of Courts
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Parmeshwar Chaudhary RAS
From Taunts to Triumph: How Farmer’s Son Parmeshwar Chaudhary Rose from Lab Assistant to SDM, Securing Rank 3 in RAS 2023
Parmeshwar, once taunted over his SI selection, has scripted a stunning success—securing Rank 3 in RAS...
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Ankita Parashar RAS 2023
4 Attempts, 1 Dream, 0 Excuses: Meet RAS Topper Ankita Parashar, Who Fulfilled a Daughter’s Promise & Secured Rank 2 | Exclusive Interview
Ankita Parashar, a teacher-turned-officer from Pushkar, fulfilled her late father’s dream by securing...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
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...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
POWERGRID Celebrates 36th Raising Day
POWERGRID Celebrates 36th Raising Day, Showcases Achievements in Power Transmission and Renewable Integration
Parmeshwar Chaudhary RAS
From Taunts to Triumph: How Farmer’s Son Parmeshwar Chaudhary Rose from Lab Assistant to SDM, Securing Rank 3 in RAS 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT