https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

“Public Interaction Honed My Communication Skills,” Says Priya Rani

Priya Rani cleared UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 69 Earlier, she cleared CSE with AIR 284, becoming an IDES officer To learn more about her journey, read the article
Indian Masterminds Stories

Imagine acing an IAS interview by cleverly anticipating a question the panel never asked. This is exactly how Priya Rani, the current Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) officer beaming in Kasauli and Dagshai Cantonment, Himachal Pradesh, secured her dream position. Priya’s journey to clearing UPSC CSE is not just a story of perseverance, but also one that highlights the importance of presence of mind and strategic thinking.

Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Priya shared her preparation strategy in detail. 

CALL FOR CIVIL SERVICE

Hailing from Patna, Bihar, Priya’s dream of civil service was sown in her childhood. With a strong foundation in academics, she excelled in her studies, completing her Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from BIT Mesra, Ranchi. After a brief stint in the private sector, the call to public service grew stronger.

“The impact a civil servant can make is unparalleled,” Priya explains. “The diversity of work, the opportunity to contribute meaningfully – it resonated deeply with me.”

“Public Interaction Honed My Communication Skills,” Says UPSC Topper Priya Rani
“Public Interaction Honed My Communication Skills,” Says UPSC Topper Priya Rani

STRATEGICALLY PREPARED JOURNEY 

Priya’s UPSC odyssey began with a strategic approach. Recognizing the importance of a strong foundation, she mastered the static portion of the prelims exam. Analyzing previous years’ question papers became a core part of her strategy, and she meticulously made notes for future reference. “This strategy proved instrumental, as I cleared the prelims in all four of my attempts,” she shared. 

The Mains, however, presented a different challenge. Her weakness was her optional subject, Economics. Priya, with an engineering background, found solace in the subject’s blend of technicality and social science. However, her initial attempts yielded scores in the mid-260s range. “To improve my marks, I devised new strategies and revamped my notes in the optional subject’s Paper 2, a tactic that paid off in my final attempt,” Priya added. 

“Public Interaction Honed My Communication Skills,” Says UPSC Topper Priya Rani
“Public Interaction Honed My Communication Skills,” Says UPSC Topper Priya Rani

The interview round was another area of growth for Priya. In her first attempt, she couldn’t clear the mains. The second attempt brought an interview call, but the score remained elusive. However, her experience as an IDES officer proved invaluable. Daily interaction with the public sharpened her communication and presence of mind, evident in her final attempt, where she scored a stellar 193 marks. She cleared UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 69 on her fourth attempt. 

Priya Rani’s Telegram Channel Link-

https://t.me/priyarani_ias

Interestingly, she opted out of mock interviews in her final attempt, relying instead on the confidence gained from her real-world interactions.

PRESENCE OF MIND 

The interview panel, Priya recounts with a smile, threw a curveball. “They asked me to predict a question they hadn’t asked yet. After a moment, I said, ‘Perhaps you’d like me to introduce myself?’ This lightened the mood, and everyone smiled.”

UPSC CSE Topper Priya Rani
UPSC CSE Topper Priya Rani

MANAGING MENTAL STRESS

Managing mental stress during exam preparation involves several key strategies. “Firstly, it’s crucial to maintain self-motivation by reminding yourself of your initial reasons for embarking on this journey. Secondly, family support can be a vital source of strength and encouragement. Thirdly, embracing humility and spirituality can help in maintaining a calm mind amidst challenges,” Priya shares with Indian Masterminds

MESSAGE FOR ASPIRANTS 

Incorporating regular exercise into your routine can greatly benefit your mental well-being. She further advises that focusing on the static portion is essential for success. “Always remember why you started and stay committed to your aspirations, whether they are rooted in public service or personal career growth,” she said in conclusion.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Indian_Army_
Boosting Battlefield Logistics: Indian Army Signs Rs 223 Crore Deal for Next-Gen Tank Transporter Trailers
Matri Van
Green Vision for NCR: Bhupender Yadav and Manohar Lal Inaugurate Theme-Based Urban Forest ‘Matri Van’ in Aravallis
Sajad Mufti Kashmir
Who Is Former IFS Officer Sajad Mufti? He Returns to Politics, Reconnecting with People
IPS Vineet Kapoor
How IPS Vineet Kapoor Helped Spark a Statewide Awakening Against Drugs in Madhya Pradesh
SP Goyal
Loyalty, Central Ties, Clean Image: How Senior IAS SP Goyal Rose to Become Uttar Pradesh's Chief Secretary?
Haryana gov resized
Haryana Govt Posts 9 Newly Trained IPS & 1 HPS Officer Across the State After Training Completion at SVPNPA, Hyderabad
Modi Varanasi
Varanasi Leads UP's Development March as PM Modi Unveils ₹2,200 Cr Projects, PM-KISAN Funds Released
Bombay High Court
Decentralising Justice: Bombay High Court Bench Set to Start Functioning in Kolhapur from August 18
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
How IAS Karn Satyarthi Transformed Gumla Through Empathy and Innovation
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s Take on Corruption, Reform, and Duty
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
What Most Indians Don't Know About Jim Corbett
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
BPSC Bihar police
From Lantern Light to Police Uniform: How Praveen Kumar from a Small Bihar Village Cracked BPSC to Become SDPO
From a lantern-lit village in Bihar to becoming an SDPO, Praveen Kumar's journey is a testament to resilience,...
IAS Priyansha Garg
Why Mindset Matters: IAS Priyansha Garg’s Mental Health Mantra for UPSC
After two failed prelims, Priyansha Garg cracked UPSC with AIR 31 in her fourth attempt, proving how...
Ashish Akshat
From Setback to State Topper: How Ashish Akshat Topped JPSC While Working Full-Time
Ashish Akshat from Dhanbad topped JPSC 2023, proving that resilience, discipline, and family support...
Social Media
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve: From India’s First Sanctuary to a Tiger Conservation Success Story | International Tiger Day Special
IAS Supriya Sahu Hails Mudumalai's Role in Tiger Conservation on Tiger Day. Declared in 1940, Now Among...
Mangroves
Mangroves: Nature’s Shield Against Disasters, Says Officer Parveen Kaswan on Mangroves Day - Watch His Post Here
Mangroves, with their dense, interlaced root systems, form a mesh-like structure that serves as a buffer...
Retired IPS Inderjit Singh Sidhu
Purpose Doesn’t Retire: How 88-Year-Old Retired DIG Becomes Chandigarh’s ‘Quiet Warrior’ of Cleanliness
Inderjit Singh Sidhu’s Dawn Patrol Earns Applause, Mahindra’s Praise for a Man Who Chose Action Over...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Indian_Army_
Boosting Battlefield Logistics: Indian Army Signs Rs 223 Crore Deal for Next-Gen Tank Transporter Trailers
Matri Van
Green Vision for NCR: Bhupender Yadav and Manohar Lal Inaugurate Theme-Based Urban Forest ‘Matri Van’ in Aravallis
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT