https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Self-Study is the Key: IAS Topper

Going back to basics, even to school books, and not relying too much on coaching centres can be the key to cracking UPSC, says the IAS topper Pradeep Kumar Dwivedi.
Self-Study is the Key: IAS Topper
Indian Masterminds Stories

Having cleared the UPSC in his third attempt, Mr Pradeep Kumar Dwivedi surely knows what struggle is, as also how to overcome various hurdles which India’s toughest exam throws at you right from prelims to interview stage. And he has got loads of well-meaning advice for people who wish to follow on his footsteps.

Mr Dwivedi’s success story

Heading from a simple family in Bundelkhand , where his father is a farmer and mother a homemaker, Mr Dwivedi never let his struggles undermine his dreams. After completing his intermediate he obtained a degree in electrical engineering from Bhopal. He then got a government job in the Electricity Department of Madhya Pradesh where he worked for a few years until he decided to prepare for UPSC.

Mr Dwivedi had decided he would appear for UPSC twice- and if he didn’t qualify the exam even in his second attempt, he would resume his work in the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Department. However, he decided to give a third attempt and qualified in the same achieving AIR 74.

Where to start if thinking of taking UPSC exam?

To help students who have just decided to prepare for the civil service examination, Mr Dwivedi’s first suggestion is to check the syllabus for the UPSC exam available on its website. This initial step hold utmost importance as it helps the aspirants to understand the exam pattern after which they can go through the next level of understanding of the study material.

Talking about the “roadmap for preparation” he said, “once you have seen the syllabus and are aware of the examination pattern then comes referring the sourcing, start with NCERT books of class 6 to 12.”

Start with History, he says, adding that “NCERT books of class 7 and 8 are very important. In fact, if you are able to study NCERT’s of class 9, 10, 11 and 12 then it would be the best.” For Geography, “you should study the books from class 6 to 12 at least once and during revision look at the books of class 11 and 12.” For Economics, he suggests NCERT books to understand the basics of it, for which NCERT books of class 11 and 12 are very important.

Talking about students who don’t have a science background, Mr Dwivedi says that they should refer to NCERT books for the same. He says that NCERT books for each subject are important as they help understand subjects in a better way.

After completing NCERT, students get a clear understanding of subjects that they feel they understand in a better way after which it is easier to decide the subject for the examination. Students should not select a subject based on just interest as “pattern of it is also important”.

Once the aspirants have selected their optional subject, they should start their preparation for UPSC, says Mr. Dwivedi. He insists there is no need for them to go for former coaching initially, and self-study itself can be quite rewarding.

What to do if you feel stuck during preparation

Mr Dwivedi points that “test series is the most important part of your preparation” and it had helped him greatl. “If you want to invest money for UPSC preparation then get a nice test series from any coaching institute. In fact, nothing should not stop you from taking help from the test series,’’ he added.

According to Mr Dwivedi, aspirants should take recourse to the internet if they feel stuck, as there are lots material and online tests that can help them sort out their issues.

Mr Dwivedi strongly feels that easy availability of internet can make coaching centres redundant. The focus should be on self-study as it alone will help them reach their goal.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
BPCL_resized
BPCL Partners with GPS Renewables to Set Up Compressed Biogas Plants Nationwide
Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL)
UCSL Delivers First Green Cargo Vessel ‘Wilson Eco 1’ to Norway, Marking Major Export Milestone for India
IAS Manoj Ahuja
Odisha: Chief Secretary Mandates Field Visits for Govt Officials to Strengthen Governance
NSE National Stock Exchange
Who Is Former IAS Neeraj Kumar Gupta, the Newly Appointed Chairman & Public Interest Director of NSE International Exchange?
Hindustan Shipyard Limited HSL
Hindustan Shipyard Launches Skilling Programme for 2,000 Contract Workmen under Skill India Mission
BEL Bharat Electronics Limited
Lt. Gen Vishwambhar Singh Appointed as Independent Director on BEL Board - Know About Him
NBCC
NBCC Appoints Dr Deepak Singh & Prof. B.P. Bhosale as Independent Directors - Know About Them
MDL_Mazagaon_ltd
Veni Thapar Appointed as Independent Director on Board of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr Lokesh M IAS
E-Rickshaw Chaos, Waterlogging, Traffic Mess — Can Noida Fix Its Daily Chaos? | Exclusive with Dr Lokesh M, IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
IRS Padmapani Bora’s 16-Year-Long Journey in Governance
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
This Collector Finds Happiness In Squeaks Of Children With Hearing Impairment Who Start Hearing After Surgery
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-23 at 21.26
“You May Fail Twice, But If You Stand Tall the Third Time, You Fly” – Trilok Singh, CSE ’24 AIR 20 | Exclusive
Rejected by the military, Trilok Singh didn’t quit, he reloaded. In CSE 2024, the Rajasthan native stormed...
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-23 at 17.08
Two Births in Two Weeks: How Malavika G Nair Delivered Her Baby And Her UPSC Dreams
Just 14 days after giving birth, Malavika G Nair cradled her newborn in one arm and a UPSC answer sheet...
Komal Punia UPSC 2024 AIR 6
Komal Punia: The IPS Officer Who Pursued Her IAS Dream & Conquered UPSC With AIR 6 | Exclusive
Komal Punia, a trainee IPS officer from Saharanpur, UP, overcame challenges and self-doubt to secure...
Social Media
GozJlgrXYAAHoKv
Murals for Cleanliness: Thoothukudi District Launches Art-Inspired Sanitation Drive in Panchayats
Local artists add colour and messages to village walls, promoting hygiene and community pride
Himanshu Nagpal IAS
Varanasi's Beggar Rehabilitation Initiative Recognised by UIDAI, CDO Himanshu Nagpal Shares the News
Mr. Himanshu Nagpal is a 2019-batch IAS officer
IAS Vaishali Chopra
Young IAS Vaishali Chopra Takes a Stand Against Caste Bias During Field Training in Uttar Pradesh
While the issue itself may seem small, the post is resonating widely online for its honest reflection...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
BPCL_resized
BPCL Partners with GPS Renewables to Set Up Compressed Biogas Plants Nationwide
Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL)
UCSL Delivers First Green Cargo Vessel ‘Wilson Eco 1’ to Norway, Marking Major Export Milestone for India
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr Lokesh M IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT