Prerna Singh’s civil services journey started with her father. And when she needed emotional support, her father again stood up for her.
As a child, she saw her father saluting a police officer. It was then she thought of joining the police services. She fulfilled her dream now by clearing 68th BPSC exam in her first attempt. She is expected to become a DySP.
After failing in two attempts of UPSC in 2020 & 21, Prerna was almost depressed. But her father advised her to take a break from UPSC for some time and give some other exam to boost her morale. This apparently worked for her.
JOURNEY SO FAR
Narrating her journey to Indian Masterminds, Prerna said she started preparing after graduation in 2019. She gave her first attempt at UPSC CSE in 2020, but could not crack it. Then, next year she made second attempt at UPSC CSE-2021. But she failed again. She was crestfallen.
Being a brilliant student, failure was not in her dictionary. She decided to give other exams similar to UPSC. And she was successful in 68th BPSC exam in the first attempt with rank 3.
She did not give UPSC CSE-22 & 23, because of being focussed on BPSC exam.
Prerna said, “I was in depression after UPSC failures. But with my family support, I promised to myself that I will do it, no matter what it takes. Then, I changed strategies, focussed on only one goal and did it.”
BACKGROUND
She hails from Hajipur-Vaishali district, Bihar. Her father Niranjan Singh is a lawyer in Jharkhand High Court, while mother is also a lawyer. She has two younger siblings.
She did basic schooling from De Nobili School, CMRI, Dhanbad. Then she graduated in Applied Electronics from University of Vardhman.
CIVIL SERVICES PREPARATIONS
Her preparation strategy divided into three parts – dedication, consistency and understanding basics. She never took coaching and focussed on self study, living in a hostel in Patna.
In first six month of preparation, she focused on understanding the syllabus and exam pattern with watching toppers interview on Internet. After that she studied NCERT and basic core books many times.
She always studied 3 to 4 hours daily with full dedication during past four years.
Bihar Public Service Commission changed its pattern little bit on UPSC pattern which helped Prerna as she had posted for UPSC for past three years.
She made short notes for exam, solved test series and PYQs. She also focused on answer writings on daily basis.
She said, “For BOSC, I studied current affairs and some books. I also took help of internet. I only added Bihar special things in my UPSC preparation for this exam.”
INTERVIEW
Her interview was fully based on her personality as she gave preference to Bihar police services in posts. She was asked various questions ranging from her background to current affairs.
One interesting question she was asked – ‘why should you get Police Services? What’s special in you for this post?’
There were some ‘Women’ centric questions in the Interview, like – What’s schemes Bihar government is running for welfare of women in Bihar?
MESSAGE FOR ASPIRANTS
Prerna advises aspirants, “If you have decided to go for civil services, then no matter how much time it takes, you will be successful.Yes, have a plan B and keep giving similar exams; it will help you and make your journey easier”.
“Don’t get affected by the failures. Brush then aside and continue the struggle. You will definitely clear the exams, may be a little late,” she added.
Future Aim
What is her Target? “I will give my rest of UPSC attempts soon after better preparation. And in BPSC, it will be my first job. ButI will serve the people in the same manner as I have dedicated towards my studies and with the sincerity with which I have done preparation,” she said.
