https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Forensic Science Graduate Karishma Nair Busts Some Common UPSC Myths

Karishma Nair bagged AIR 14 in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2020 According to her, there are many myths and rumours surrounding UPSC CSE She brushes off the misconception that only aspirants from affluent background can clear the exam
Indian Masterminds Stories

Karishma Nair hails from Palakkad district of Kerala. She aced UPSC Civil Services Examination 2020 with AIR 14. This was her second attempt. She had made it till the interview round in her first attempt but couldn’t make it to the final list. Finally, hard work and confidence made her long-cherished goal of becoming a bureaucrat come true in her next attempt.

Although Karishma is from Kerala, she has spent most of her life in Mumbai. She completed her graduation in Forensic Science from the Institute of Forensic Science under Mumbai University.

PREPARATION STRATEGY

In her second attempt, Karishma didn’t leave any stone unturned in her preparation. “In my second attempt, I didn’t leave any of the topics,” she says.

She focused on reading newspapers daily, watched TV news channels, and studied the syllabus pattern thoroughly. “When you start preparing, don’t forget to take advantage of any opportunity to improve your general knowledge. Read newspapers daily to improve language skills and knowledge,” says Karishma.

OPTIONAL SUBJECT

Karishma’s optional subject was Public Administration. According to her, one must choose their optional subject after analyzing their strengths and weaknesses. “Don’t opt for optional subject just because it had been the choice of most toppers,” she says.

MYTHS AND RUMOURS

Karishma thinks that there are many myths and rumours going around about UPSC. According to her, some consider coaching to be the only path of achieving success in UPSC while others think that only aspirants with affluent background can crack civil services examination. She clears these misconceptions with friendly advice: “If you are preparing honestly and working hard, then no one can stop you from achieving your goal. Do not listen to people’s talks during your preparation and keep your focus only on your studies.”

MESSAGE FOR ASPIRANTS

Karishma believes in hard work, proper strategy, limited books, maximum revision, answer writing practice, and positive attitude to clear UPSC CSE exam.

“If people are saying to limit your resources, that doesn’t mean you limit your preparation, too. And do not stick to NCERT only, visit government websites also, and do value addition to your preparation,” she advised.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
NTPC and EIL
NTPC Joins Hands with Engineers India to Develop Coal-to-SNG Facility for Sustainable Energy Production
Airports Authority of India
Leadership Updates: Nivedita Dubey Recommended for Member (HR) at Airports Authority of India (AAI) by PESB
justice-photo
From Paper to Digital: Ministry of Law & Justice Simplifies Advocate Fee Disbursals with LIMBS-PFMS Integration for Faster Legal Payments
Ministry of Mines
Ministry of Mines Recognizes IISc and C-MET as New Centres of Excellence under National Critical Mineral Mission
startup
Haryana Government, SVCL Sign Rs 100 Crore Agreement for Atmanirbhar Startup Venture Fund
Unified-Pension-Scheme-India
Retirement Planning Made Easier: Govt Adds Life Cycle and Balanced Life Cycle Options for Employees under NPS and UPS
sdhjshdjhdja
Indian Coast Guard Launches ICGS Ajit & ICGS Aparajit, Strengthening Maritime Security with GSL's Indigenous Fast Patrol Vessels
Ratanlal Dangi IPS
New Twist in IPS Ratanlal Dangi Harassment Case: Family of Complainant Calls Allegations False, Says Yoga Teacher's Claims Fabricated
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
NTPC and EIL
NTPC Joins Hands with Engineers India to Develop Coal-to-SNG Facility for Sustainable Energy Production
Airports Authority of India
Leadership Updates: Nivedita Dubey Recommended for Member (HR) at Airports Authority of India (AAI) by PESB
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