When Margi Chirag Shah saw her name in the UPSC CSE 2024 results, she was expecting a rank — but not AIR 4. It wasn’t her first try, not even her second. It was her fifth attempt.
Margi’s journey to the top wasn’t quick or flashy. It was patient, layered with learning, and full of quiet resolve. “One of my friends introduced me to civil services,” she shared in an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds. “As I explored it more, I realised the kind of impact you can create in people’s lives through this career.”
That understanding was enough to make her stay on this path — no matter how long it took.
PREPARATION EVOLVED WITH EACH ATTEMPT
For Margi, each attempt taught her something new. Early on, her focus was more on Prelims, but over time, she realised the importance of building a deeper understanding of the syllabus for every stage of the exam.
One thing remained constant: she never overloaded herself with too many sources. “My sources were always very limited,” she says. She chose one current affairs magazine, stuck to the standard recommended books, and refined her knowledge instead of expanding it unnecessarily.
She began rigorous answer writing in 2021, a practice that helped her prepare well for the Mains. During the interview stage, she found value in group discussions, which helped her develop balanced opinions and improve her communication.
A STRONG FOUNDATION AT HOME
Margi comes from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Her mother is a teacher, and her father passed away in 2017. That loss was a defining moment in her life, but she kept going.
She has a background in computer science engineering and chose not to take up a job during her preparation. Instead, she focused fully on the exam. During this time, she also cleared the Gujarat Public Service Commission and secured Rank 55, getting selected as a State Tax Officer.
SELF-STUDY AND THE RIGHT GUIDANCE
Margi began her journey with classroom coaching but soon shifted to self-study. What made the difference, she says, was the presence of a mentor who guided her through the later years of her preparation.
“After the initial coaching, I relied more on self-study,” she told Indian Masterminds. “But my mentor played a very significant role in helping me stay focused and improve.”
When the results were announced, Margi and her family were thrilled. A rank was expected, but not in the top five.
“Everyone was overwhelmed,” she shares. “We didn’t imagine it would be a single-digit rank. It was a happy surprise.”
MESSAGE TO ASPIRANTS
With Prelims approaching, Margi has one key suggestion for fellow aspirants: don’t switch strategies at the last moment.
“Stick to the sources you’ve already studied,” she says. “Don’t get distracted by new materials in the market.”
She also stresses the importance of mental clarity: “Presence of mind is everything in those two hours. Stay calm, stay sharp.”
And for those preparing in the long term, her advice is straightforward — be consistent and do the work. That’s what helped her reach where she is today.
Margi Chirag Shah’s story isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about giving each attempt your best, learning from every setback, and believing that effort counts — even when it doesn’t show right away.
She may have taken five attempts, but her achievement speaks for itself. And for every aspirant walking a similar path, her journey quietly says: it’s okay if it takes time — just don’t stop.
