Someya Kumari’s army background proved to be an asset during her UPSC preparation as she could adapt quickly to the new routine of long hours of study. Hailing from Goa, the retired army officer’s daughter successfully cracked the highly competitive Civil Services Examination in her fourth attempt, securing a rank of 502.

To see her name in the successful candidates list of 2022 brought a sense of huge relief and joy not only to her, but also her parents, who were elated beyond measure.

PERSISTENCE PAID OFF

Someya’s journey towards her UPSC goal began during her first year of M.Tech, when she made the decision to prepare for the civil services exam. However, her first attempt in the same year ended with disappointment as she couldn’t clear the preliminary stage.

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Undeterred by the setback, she made a second attempt during her second year of M.Tech, where she reached the interview round but narrowly missed making it to the final selection. Determined to succeed, she tried again, but her third attempt, too, came to a halt at the preliminary stage yet again. “Finally, in my fourth attempt, the hard work paid off as I managed to secure AIR 502, marking a significant achievement in my journey,” she shared with Indian Masterminds.

INSPIRATION

Someya’s inspiration to pursue a career in civil services stemmed from witnessing the impactful role played by the South Goa district administration in resolving long-standing issues during road construction near her house. “I witnessed first-hand how civil servants could positively impact people’s lives and this ignited my passion and motivated me to consider civil services as a viable career option,” she said.

STRATEGIC SELF-PREPARATION

With limited amount of time and resources at her disposal, Someya opted for self-preparation. She meticulously studied the books referred to by previous toppers and focused on understanding the syllabus. Additionally, Geography, a subject she had a keen interest on since her school days, became her optional subject of choice. This decision proved advantageous as it allowed her to cover substantial portions of the General Studies paper as well.

Someya’s background as the daughter of a retired Indian Army officer proved to be an asset in her preparation. Due to her father’s transfers, she had the opportunity to live in different states and interact with people from diverse backgrounds. This exposure helped her assimilate new environments quickly and adapt to different cultures, which proved beneficial in the journey to civil services.

INTERVIEW ROUND

For the interview round, Someya left no stone unturned in her preparation. She took numerous mock tests and sought guidance from various institutes, including NACS Bihar and Jharkhand, known for their comprehensive mock interviews and discussions. “The panellists questioned me on a wide range of topics, including my optional subject, the research paper I had worked on, my home state, and civil engineering,” she mentioned.

TIPS FOR ASPIRANTS

Although Someya couldn’t clear Prelims 2023, she shared valuable tips for aspirants. She emphasized the need for a different approach in tackling the current format of the Prelims, suggesting a focused study plan that limits sources and aligns closely with the syllabus.

She further encouraged aspirants to make maximum use of online resources and highlighted the importance of mental strength and resilience throughout the challenging preparation phase.