From topping the Odisha Public Service Examination in 2015 to securing All India Rank 466 in the 2023 UPSC Civil Services Exam, Sourav Das’s decade-long journey is one of strategic brilliance and relentless determination. With crucial support from Rau’s IAS and their QIP program, Sourav overcame numerous challenges to achieve his remarkable rise.
Sourav’s educational voyage began in local schools in Balasore, followed by his enrollment in Ravenshaw Junior College in Cuttack for his 12th-grade education. He then pursued engineering at the Institute of Technical Education and Research (ITER) in Bhubaneswar. Driven by a profound thirst for knowledge, Sourav cultivated an extensive personal library, delving into literature in both English and Odia, his mother tongue. His voracious reading broadened his understanding of societal issues and equipped him with a diverse perspective essential for a civil servant.
Overcoming Challenges and Setbacks
In an interview, Sourav recounted his experiences and challenges during his preparation for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. He reflected on the relief and happiness he felt upon seeing his name on the list after his sixth attempt. “Finally getting into the list is a big relief,” he said. “I’m happier because my family members and friends are very happy too.”
Sourav’s journey was not without its setbacks. He cleared the Odisha Civil Services in 2015, securing the first rank, and served as a Block Development Officer in Kalahandi for a year. However, his ultimate goal remained the UPSC Civil Services, leading him to resign from his position and relocate to Delhi for dedicated preparation.
The Importance of Motivation and Support
Reflecting on his prolonged journey, Sourav emphasized the importance of family and close friends in keeping him motivated. “Reading was my hobby, and I read more storybooks and novels than textbooks. But after multiple failures, my family and close friends kept me insulated from external noise and criticism, which helped me stay focused.”
Strategic Changes and Preparation Techniques
Sourav highlighted key mistakes in his previous attempts and the strategies he employed to overcome them. He initially struggled with the prelims, often missing the cut-off by a narrow margin. “I switched from knowledge-oriented preparation to skills-based preparation, focusing on developing my MCQ-solving skills,” he explained. For the mains, he prioritized time management and paper completion. “I realized that paper completion is the number one priority. This year, my focus was to finish the paper anyhow, and I did it.”
His approach to the interview stage also evolved. Initially, he believed he could perform well without extensive preparation. However, after enrolling in Rau’s IAS interview guidance program and participating in multiple mock interviews, he honed his presentation skills and learned to think on his feet.
Sourav credits Rau’s IAS for their support during his preparation. “The QIP program helped me improve my answer writing, and the interview guidance program highlighted my weaknesses and helped me rectify them,” he said. He also mentioned the supportive environment at Rau’s IAS, which allowed him to use their study rooms and test-writing centres, providing a conducive atmosphere for focused preparation.
Simplified Approach to Current Affairs
In terms of current affairs preparation, Sourav relied solely on reading newspapers and making crisp notes on selected topics, avoiding an overwhelming number of sources. His message to future aspirants is clear: “Go through the previous year’s questions to understand what the exam demands. UPSC is now asking very random questions, and developing the knack to think immediately and derive answers from the question itself is crucial.”
Sourav Das’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, strategic preparation, and unwavering support from loved ones. His journey, marked by determination and resilience, serves as an inspiration for all aspiring civil servants.
