Civil Services was a dream for Mr. Roopali Surana. Every decision Rupali made was a step toward her dream of becoming a civil servant. Her journey was not without its challenges. She faced moments of self-doubt and considered giving up, but her unwavering determination pushed her forward. Through every up and down, and through moments of learning and unlearning, she remained focused on her goal.
Finally, in her last attempt, Rupali’s perseverance paid off. She secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 386 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2023. Reflecting on her journey, Rupali shared her thoughts with Indian Masterminds, “I can’t express the elation of finally reaching my goal. My path was fraught with challenges, but also invaluable lessons. There were moments when I considered not taking the exam again. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who supported me and never let me falter.”
Rupali’s success was not just a result of hard work but also of a well-thought-out strategy. In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds she shared how she approached the Mains examination.
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Simultaneous Preparation for Prelims and Mains
Rupali emphasizes the importance of preparing for both Prelims and Mains simultaneously. She believes that the content needed for Mains goes beyond what is required for the four Prelims options. Besides that According to Rupali, previous year’s questions are crucial. She built her preparation around these, ensuring she was well-versed in the types of questions that could appear in the exam.
The Art of Note-Taking
Rupali explains that note-taking is a skill that evolves with practice. Initially, she made bulky notes like everyone else, but gradually transitioned to e-notes. After each revision, she would delete unnecessary content, refining her notes over time. By the time the exam approached, her notes were concise and easy to revise, almost like cheat sheets that she could review until entering the exam hall. Having handy notes, she believes, is crucial for recalling everything learned over the years.
Ethics and Essays
Rupali warns against neglecting Ethics and Essays. She mentions that while it’s possible to score 120-130 in essays, UPSC could also award as low as 30-40. Good marks in the Ethics paper, she believes, can ensure selection.
