Shortly before the UPSC Civil Services Exam result was to be declared in 2021, Raj Krishna asked his parents to not keep high hopes from him. His parents were thus, ecstatic when they found that he had not only cleared the exam but with a very good rank – AIR 158. Mr Krishna got into the Indian Police Service (IPS) cadre with this rank. This was his fourth attempt at the elite job.
Born in Patna, Krishna completed his B.Tech in Chemical Engineering program from IIT Guwahati in 2018. He made his first attempt at UPSC the same year but couldn’t qualify the prelims. He qualified prelims in 2019 and 2020 but couldn’t clear the mains exams. Finally, in 2021 he cleared all the stages and etched his name on the list.
In an interview to Indian Masterminds, 2022-batch IPS officer Raj Krishna said, “While looking for career options during college, I found civil services to be the most fulfilling, rewarding, balanced and a bit easier than doing a startup.”
Looking after his family condition, he needed a strong anchor, socially as well as financially which led him to opt UPSC CSE as his career.
He says that he wasn’t giving his parents any good signals and asked them to not keep any high hopes from his results. “When the final results were out, I called my father and he was on cloud nine. My whole family was very happy and it was like dream come true moment for them,” Mr Krishna shared.
OPTIONAL IS COMPULSORY
Sharing the preparation tips, Krishna said that he didn’t pay much attention to his optional subject, which was his biggest mistake that took him 3-4 four attempts to clear CSE.
He says that around 60% of preparation time should be devoted towards optional, because one can’t ace this exam without a good command over optional subject. “Be the best in your optional,” he advises.
He further shared that General studies is something that cannot be completed comprehensively. There are some static and dynamic portions and one should have a good command over the static portion. “As per the dynamic portions is concerned, there is a little uncertainty of what we read will be reflected in the exam or not,” he added.
Further, aspirants should be worried about their current affairs and other aspects. He recommends that this should be the correct approach towards the exam, which the aspirants should integrate into their plans or strategy.
MESSAGE TO ASPIRANTS
Krishna advised aspirants to not create so many mental blocks within themself that they won’t be able to do it. He encouraged them to be positive and optimist about themselves and to not lose their calmness and mental peace during the journey.
Further he advises them to take a pause, understand the exam, go through the previous years question paper, see what they are reading, what is being asked and then do the necessary changes. “No matter what uncertainty it is, just give your best. If it happens, it happens and if doesn’t, then you can do greater things in life,” Mr. Krishna concluded.
