https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

“Public Interaction Honed My Communication Skills,” Says Priya Rani

Priya Rani cleared UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 69 Earlier, she cleared CSE with AIR 284, becoming an IDES officer To learn more about her journey, read the article
Indian Masterminds Stories

Imagine acing an IAS interview by cleverly anticipating a question the panel never asked. This is exactly how Priya Rani, the current Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) officer beaming in Kasauli and Dagshai Cantonment, Himachal Pradesh, secured her dream position. Priya’s journey to clearing UPSC CSE is not just a story of perseverance, but also one that highlights the importance of presence of mind and strategic thinking.

Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Priya shared her preparation strategy in detail. 

CALL FOR CIVIL SERVICE

Hailing from Patna, Bihar, Priya’s dream of civil service was sown in her childhood. With a strong foundation in academics, she excelled in her studies, completing her Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from BIT Mesra, Ranchi. After a brief stint in the private sector, the call to public service grew stronger.

“The impact a civil servant can make is unparalleled,” Priya explains. “The diversity of work, the opportunity to contribute meaningfully – it resonated deeply with me.”

“Public Interaction Honed My Communication Skills,” Says UPSC Topper Priya Rani
“Public Interaction Honed My Communication Skills,” Says UPSC Topper Priya Rani

STRATEGICALLY PREPARED JOURNEY 

Priya’s UPSC odyssey began with a strategic approach. Recognizing the importance of a strong foundation, she mastered the static portion of the prelims exam. Analyzing previous years’ question papers became a core part of her strategy, and she meticulously made notes for future reference. “This strategy proved instrumental, as I cleared the prelims in all four of my attempts,” she shared. 

The Mains, however, presented a different challenge. Her weakness was her optional subject, Economics. Priya, with an engineering background, found solace in the subject’s blend of technicality and social science. However, her initial attempts yielded scores in the mid-260s range. “To improve my marks, I devised new strategies and revamped my notes in the optional subject’s Paper 2, a tactic that paid off in my final attempt,” Priya added. 

“Public Interaction Honed My Communication Skills,” Says UPSC Topper Priya Rani
“Public Interaction Honed My Communication Skills,” Says UPSC Topper Priya Rani

The interview round was another area of growth for Priya. In her first attempt, she couldn’t clear the mains. The second attempt brought an interview call, but the score remained elusive. However, her experience as an IDES officer proved invaluable. Daily interaction with the public sharpened her communication and presence of mind, evident in her final attempt, where she scored a stellar 193 marks. She cleared UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 69 on her fourth attempt. 

Priya Rani’s Telegram Channel Link-

https://t.me/priyarani_ias

Interestingly, she opted out of mock interviews in her final attempt, relying instead on the confidence gained from her real-world interactions.

PRESENCE OF MIND 

The interview panel, Priya recounts with a smile, threw a curveball. “They asked me to predict a question they hadn’t asked yet. After a moment, I said, ‘Perhaps you’d like me to introduce myself?’ This lightened the mood, and everyone smiled.”

UPSC CSE Topper Priya Rani
UPSC CSE Topper Priya Rani

MANAGING MENTAL STRESS

Managing mental stress during exam preparation involves several key strategies. “Firstly, it’s crucial to maintain self-motivation by reminding yourself of your initial reasons for embarking on this journey. Secondly, family support can be a vital source of strength and encouragement. Thirdly, embracing humility and spirituality can help in maintaining a calm mind amidst challenges,” Priya shares with Indian Masterminds

MESSAGE FOR ASPIRANTS 

Incorporating regular exercise into your routine can greatly benefit your mental well-being. She further advises that focusing on the static portion is essential for success. “Always remember why you started and stay committed to your aspirations, whether they are rooted in public service or personal career growth,” she said in conclusion.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
babita-kaler iAS
Gunfire Over Land Dispute: FIR Registered Against IAS Babita Kaler & Husband Following PSO’s Shooting in Jalandhar - Full Details Inside
Indian Police Services IPS Officer
Champaran to Get 6 SPs: Bihar Govt Approves New IPS Posts to Ease Police Workload - Details Inside
IAS IPS
Marriage Brings Top Bureaucrats to Rajasthan: 6 IAS-IPS Officers, Including 4 Women, Shift Cadres in 5 Months - Full Details Inside
IFS Dhananjay Mohan
Uttarakhand’s Top Forest Officer IFS Dhananjay Mohan Takes Sudden VRS Amid Sapling Procurement Row; Samir Sinha Gets Addl Charg
IFS Kshitij Saxena
Who Is IFS Kshitij Saxena, Appointed as the New DFO (Territorial) of Gangtok, Sikkim?
CM Vishnu Deo Sai - resized
Chhattisgarh: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Launches Chief Minister Bus Service Scheme; Push for Connectivity and Development in Bastar and Surguja
CM Pushkar Dhami-resized
Uttarakhand: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Unveils First Yoga Policy; Bhararisain to Emerge as Global Yoga Capital
IPS Laxmi Singh
UP: IPS Laxmi Singh, Commissioner of Gautam Budh Nagar Police, Cracks Down on Laxity, Suspends Officers over Crime Control Failures
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Inderjit Singh Interview Plane Crash
What ill-fated pilots of AI171 may have gone through in those 40 seconds before the crash? Intro:
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
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Raju Wagh
When the Battlefield Became a Study Room and a Dream Took Flight
Amid IED blasts and anti-Maoist operations in Bastar, CRPF Commando Raju Wagh taught village kids, studied...
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-18 at 10.31
"I Just Wanted to Breathe Again": The Man Who Fought Death and Made It to UPSC
Struck by COVID at the peak of his UPSC prep, Devanand Telgote spent months on ECMO, unsure he'd live,...
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,...
Social Media
Tigress Arrowhead
The End of an Era: A Queen Falls - Ranthambore’s Iconic Tigress Arrowhead (T-84) Passes Away at 14, Hours After Daughter’s Relocation
Ranthambore mourns the loss of one of its fiercest and most beloved tigers, Arrowhead, the granddaughter...
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...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
babita-kaler iAS
Gunfire Over Land Dispute: FIR Registered Against IAS Babita Kaler & Husband Following PSO’s Shooting in Jalandhar - Full Details Inside
Vishwajit Singh
From Bureaucrat to Ironman: Vishwajeet Singh Sheoran, Haryana’s First HCS Officer to Complete the Ironman, Redefines Greatness
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Inderjit Singh Interview Plane Crash
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi
Monika Singh
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT