https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Cleared CSE in First Attempt with AIR 22, That Too Without Any Coaching!

IAS officer Mandar Patki cleared UPSC CSE 2019 with AIR 22 without any coaching He took a year off to prepare for UPSC and managed to clear it in his very first attempt He told aspirants that if they prepare themself for hard work, the avenues open automatically
Indian Masterminds Stories

Today, Indian Masterminds brings to you the success story of IAS officer Mandar Patki who cleared UPSC CSE 2019 with AIR 22 in his very first attempt. He is currently posted as Assistant Collector, Amravati, Maharashtra.

FIRST ATTEMPT

Born in Maharashtra, Mr. Mandar Patki cleared UPSC CSE 2019 with AIR 22 in his first attempt. He never took the help of any coaching institute and prepared on his own to crack the most prestigious and difficult examination of the country.

He had pursued a Polytechnic diploma from Government Polytechnic College, Pune, followed by a B.Tech degree from Vishwakarma University.  He took a year off to prepare for UPSC and managed to crack CSE in his very first attempt.

While talking with the media, Mr. Patki gave many interview tips for the aspirants. He said that if aspirants have the zeal to work hard and they study diligently, then they can easily pass this exam with full confidence and enthusiasm.  

PLANNING AND LIMITED RESOURCES

He further said that aspirants should always study with proper planning and time-table as this will help them to segregate their time accordingly. Apart from this, he said that they should choose the right guidance and the right resource. “If we do these two things, then preparing for the exam becomes very easy,” he said.

He further advised that it is very important to have limited resources and do multiple revisions during the preparation. This is the reason why he was able to clear this exam in the very first attempt.

He did not emphasise much on reading a number of different books. Instead, he said that they should choose limited sources and read and revise them again and again.  Apart from this, he used to make notes of whatever he felt necessary.

Mr. Patki is a firm believer of minimum resources and giving maximum time to revision. He himself stuck to his go-to books – NCERT books of class 6-12, Laxmikanth for Polity, Spectrum for Modern History and The Hindu for current affairs. He also read current affairs and news daily to keep himself up to date.

DAILY NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS

Mr. Patki emphasised much on reading newspapers, NCERT books and current affairs on a daily basis, as this will enhance the general knowledge of the aspirants. He also asks the aspirants to revise their whole syllabus one month before the examination.

ANTHROPOLOGY AS OPTIONAL

He took Anthropology as his optional subject. According to him, this subject has a crisp syllabus with numerous online and offline resources available.  He added, “Anthropology has also had a very scoring trend over the past few years of UPSC. It also happens to be interesting. I was able to complete the whole syllabus in 3 to 4 months.”

TIPS FOR ASPIRANTS

He advices aspirants to keep trying their best without taking much stress and never give up. Apart from this, he also advices to take small breaks in between their studies which will help them to start afresh.

“The day you prepare yourself for hard work, the avenues open automatically. So, keep trying,” he says.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
_REI-EXPO-2025
Renewable Energy India Expo 2025 Set to Drive Innovation, Partnerships, and Sustainability in India’s Clean Energy Sector
IOB_Strengthens_Vigilance_Awareness_Campaign_
IOB Hosts Walkathon in Chennai to Promote Vigilance and Integrity for Vigilance Awareness Week 2025
BEML_and_VSCB_Member_Organisations_Organise_Walkathon_
BEML Walkathon in Bengaluru Promotes Integrity, Transparency During Vigilance Awareness Week 2025
Sariska Tiger ST-2303
Rising Tiger Presence in Lakhimpur’s Maheshpur Range Sparks Fear Among Villagers, Urging Stronger Forest Department Action
Coal-Production-resized
NCC Ltd Secures ₹6,828.94 Crore Contract with Central Coalfields for Major Coal Extraction Project in Jharkhand
Indore police arrest
MP Administration Shows Swift Action: Man Who Molested Australian Women Cricketers Arrested Within Hours in Indore, CM Yadav Orders Strict Action
ONGC_resized
PESB Calls for Applications for Director (Finance) Position at ONGC; Vacancy to Open on May 1, 2026
IAF MRFA project
India and Brazil Set to Finalize Landmark Defence Barter Deal: Tejas Fighters and Prachand Helicopters for C-390 Aircraft
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
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...
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
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
_REI-EXPO-2025
Renewable Energy India Expo 2025 Set to Drive Innovation, Partnerships, and Sustainability in India’s Clean Energy Sector
IOB_Strengthens_Vigilance_Awareness_Campaign_
IOB Hosts Walkathon in Chennai to Promote Vigilance and Integrity for Vigilance Awareness Week 2025
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