https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

How to Crack Prelims: Hear from the Toppers Themselves

UPSC CSE Prelims 2021 is on October 10 2020 toppers Shubham Kumar, Jagriti Awasthi, Satyam Gandhi and Ria Dabi give their tips on how to ace the exam
Indian Masterminds Stories

With just few hours left for the Union Civil Services Commission (UPSC) Civil Services examination (CSE) Prelims, candidates are experiencing a mixed range of emotions. While some are apprehensive, others are raring to go. However, a little nervousness is quite normal at this point, considering this is the first big hurdle to cross in the CSE race. 2020 toppers who successfully crossed all hurdles to finish strong give their tips and hacks to clear the exam with ease. Read on.

ELIMINATE WRONG ANSWERS FIRST: SUBHAM KUMAR

AIR 1 Shubham Kumar advises candidates to remain calm and composed on the examination day. “Reach half an hour before the exam, relax and meditate before writing. Read questions thoroughly and leave nothing for the last moment,” he said.

He also says that candidates should not read any new topic before the exam and stick to whatever they have already prepared. “Do not look up new topics in the last minute as this will hamper your preparation. Revise your topics thoroughly and read them as much as you can. Attempt mock test and go through the previous year question paper as it will help you to understand the criteria,” he added.

The topper also shared his tricks for attempting multiple choice questions (MCQs).“Eliminate the wrong answers first and focus on correct options. Analyze the correct one and then fill your answers. Read questions thoroughly and don’t panic,” he advised.

DON’T MUG UP NEW CONTENT IN LAST MIN: JAGRITI AWASTHI

The woman topper of 2020, Jagriti Awasthi, lays stress on the importance of revision. “Do not mug up new content in the last minute. Revise, revise and revise your topics thoroughly,” she says. She advises the candidates to sleep well before the exam and spend time with their family members or close friends to be mentally fit and stay motivated.

Jagriti also cautions the candidates to fill their OMR sheets carefully in a calm state of mind and focus completely on the question paper. “Do not start evaluating yourself in between the examination, as this will shift your focus to your mistakes. Your prime focus should be on completing your questions. Be confident, do not panic, and just crack it,” she said.

BE UP TO DATE ON CURRENT AFFAIRS:  SATYAM GANDHI

AIR 10 Satyam Gandhi says that “the most important thing is to keep an eye on every question and write answer confidently.”

He emphasises the importance of Economics, Political Science, History and Current Affairs for Prelims. According to him, candidates should work on those topics the most.

REMOVE ALL DOUBTS, GO FOR IT: RIA DABI

AIR 15 Ria Dabi has a special advice for candidates who get nervous and have second thoughts about appearing in the exam: “If you believe in yourself, if you have worked hard and prepared well, then you should give the exam. Once you make it, you will be proud of your decision and get a chance to do something for the nation and its citizens.”


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
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
8th pay commission
CSS Forum Urges PM Modi: Constitute 8th CPC Soon to Boost Employee Morale and Support ‘Developed India 2047’
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
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
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