https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Akash Garg’s Valuable Insights On Addressing Mistakes In UPSC Journey

Akash Garg, who cleared CSE 2022 with AIR 338 in his 6th attempt, emphasizes the need for critical thinking and continuous learning from mistakes One key aspect of his journey was the selection of his optional subject, Mathematics, with which he had to struggle initially However, he made significant efforts to improve his score, which saw an improvement from 200 to 300 in his final attempt
Indian Masterminds Stories

In the intricate tapestry of success, often woven with threads of setbacks and resilience, Akash Garg’s journey from being unsuccessful in several attempts to finally clearing in the last attempt reflects not only his individual triumph but also the challenges and lessons learned along the way.

BACKGROUND

Born and brought up in Meerut, Akash’s educational journey took him from Meerut to Birla School, Pilani, and eventually to IIT Roorkee, where he pursued a B.Tech in civil engineering, graduating in 2016. However, faced with limited opportunities in the private sector for civil engineering, he decided to shift gears towards the civil services during his last year of college.

“I was inspired by my seniors who had succeeded in this exam,” Akash shared with Indian Masterminds, highlighting the influence of those who had tread a similar path. With the support of his parents, who were unwavering in their confidence in his abilities, he embarked on the challenging path of preparing for the civil services exam.

SIX ATTEMPTS

Undeterred by the competitive nature of the examination, Akash gave six attempts, with the last one proving to be the lucky one. Despite clearing prelims four times, he encountered difficulties in the mains, which he overcame in his final attempt. His journey also included interviews for the forest service exam twice. Finally, he cleared the UPSC CSE 2022 with AIR 338. He has been selected as Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) officer and is currently undergoing training at NIDEM, DGDE, Delhi Cantt.

PREPARATION

Akash outlined his meticulous preparation strategy, emphasizing the importance of reading standard books, revising extensively, and solving numerous test papers for the preliminary exams. For the mains, he stressed the significance of covering the syllabus comprehensively, focusing on current affairs through daily newspaper reading, and utilizing monthly magazines issued by various institutes.

“Test series is very important in which we are provided the feedback regarding our answer writing and ways to improve on it,” he added.

One key aspect of his journey was the selection of his optional subject – Mathematics. Acknowledging his initial struggle with the subject, Akash dedicated significant effort to improving his mathematics scores, seeing a substantial improvement from 200 to 300 in his final attempt.

Maintaining physical well-being was crucial for Akash, who incorporated physical exercise into his routine by going to the gym early in the morning. He stressed the importance of discipline and following a daily routine. “For mental well-being, self-assessment and monthly hangouts with friends helped me stay confident and motivated,” said Akash.

LEARNING FROM MISTAKES

Reflecting on his mistakes, Akash recognized the cyclic nature of the examination process and identified the need to address weaknesses promptly. Learning from failures, he emphasized the importance of persistence, self-confidence, and the role of luck in this highly competitive environment.

“In my maths exam, there were few questions which I had done earlier and I very well knew how to solve them. That saved me time in the exam and gave me confidence to do other questions well. I couldn’t have solved those questions if I hadn’t practised them earlier,” Akash mentioned.

PLAN B

Addressing the question of a backup plan, Akash admitted to not having one initially due to overconfidence but acknowledged the importance of having a Plan B. He suggested aspirants consider alternative paths in case the primary plan doesn’t materialize.

“In the interview, the first question I was asked was what my plan B was. I told them that I am confident that I’ll make it this time. The chairperson said that it’s good to be confident but one should also be pragmatic,” he shared with Indian Masterminds.

MESSAGE TO ASPIRANTS

In a message to aspiring candidates, Akash Garg highlighted the unpredictable nature of the UPSC exam, urging them to understand its demands fully. He also emphasized the need for a diversified approach, critical thinking, and continuous learning from mistakes.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
First female Cadet NDA
Breaking Barriers: Meet the First Women Graduates of the Indian NDA
Hindustan Shipyard Limited HSL
Hindustan Shipyard (HSL) Celebrates 85th Foundation Day with MSME Conclave to Boost Vendor Collaboration
RCIL RAILTel
RailTel Secures LOI for ₹43.99 Cr Mizo Fibre Grid Project from Zenics; Eyes Strong Revenue Growth in FY25 - Details Inside
Former Finance Secy Dr Vijay Kelkar’s Vision
Empowering Local Governance for India’s Economic Growth: Former Finance Secy Dr Vijay Kelkar’s Vision – Know More!
PSUs
PSUs Power MSME Growth: ₹93,568 Cr Procured in 7 Years, Marking 255% Surge & Boosting India’s Start-up Ecosystem
Chhattisgarh CM
Chhattisgarh: CM Launches ‘Sarthak’ & ‘Rakshak’ Campaigns to Protect 1.2 Crore Children’s Rights
Former IAS Amit Prakash
Former IAS Officer Amit Prakash Arrested in Jharkhand Liquor Scam
Puroshattam Chavan
Purushottam Chavan Accused of Rs 7.42 Crore Scam; IPS Wife Under Scrutiny
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s 27-Year Odyssey with Indian Railways | Exclusive Interview
Monika Singh
The Civil Servant Who Finds Peace in Poetry
Monika Singh
Monika Singh’s Life Beyond the Bureaucracy | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Ravinder Nandal IDES
IDES Ravinder Nandal's Story of Self-Made Success
Balancing fatherhood, full-time jobs, and six UPSC attempts, Ravinder Nandal’s story is one of perseverance,...
Shailendra Choudhary UPSC
Daily Routine, Optional, Essays & More | Shailendra Choudhary Breaks It Down
Shailendra Choudhary, AIR 362 in UPSC 2024, shares how focused preparation, self-made strategies, and...
Divyanshu Pal Nagar IFS
5 Years, 5 Mains, 4 Interviews: How Divyanshu Pal Nagar Stumbled in CSE, Triumphed in IFS - A Lesson for Every Aspirant
Divyanshu Pal Nagar’s inspiring five-year UPSC journey shows how perseverance, disciplined self-study,...
Social Media
Screenshot 2025-06-13 194001
Wild Elephant Disrupts Riverside Picnic, Sparks Debate on Human Encroachment; IFS Parveen Kumar Shares the Video - Watch Here!
Mr. Kaswan used the viral video, which has garnered over 1.5 lakh views, to highlight the risks of human...
Tiger jump Sundarban
Stunning Viral Video Shows Royal Bengal Tiger Making Spectacular 30-Foot Leap Across River in Sunderbans - See It Here
Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda shared the clip online, which quickly went...
shubham kumar ias marriage
IAS Topper Weds BPSC Topper: Shubham Kumar Marries IRS Officer Priyangi Mehta in Patna; Wedding Video Goes Viral
Topper Couple Alert: Shubham Kumar, Priyangi Mehta’s Wedding Grabs Spotlight in Bihar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
First female Cadet NDA
Breaking Barriers: Meet the First Women Graduates of the Indian NDA
Hindustan Shipyard Limited HSL
Hindustan Shipyard (HSL) Celebrates 85th Foundation Day with MSME Conclave to Boost Vendor Collaboration
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi
Monika Singh
Monika Singh
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT