Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?
Last Updated: 02.07.2025 09:53
Dare you, peep in your neighbour's notebook. After all, it is a national-level competitive exam - people tend to be extremely competitive. Tough days…
It was summertime in Delhi. I was allotted a far-off centre in Najafgarh.
Dropped them
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It is almost impossible.
I said, “Yes! I believe so.”
Your credentials do not matter!
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It lasted approximately 10 months.
“I have more than 20+ years of teaching experience.”
I vividly remember that evening.
2016 I graduated from college. The same year I began preparing for the UPSC.
If we haven’t met, my name is Suryansh Sodhani.
I was constantly staring into the ground
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I write answers on Quora that help UPSC and other government exam aspirants.
.
And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.
I was alone in Delhi back then
So, hopefully, my answers help aspirants who need help.
In case you are wondering, how did my story end?
Is it right to visit any shrine or tomb in Islam?
I lacked a mentor when I needed one.
And entered the park.
And..
I had heard rumours going around that the results had been declared.
This exam has its own way of humbling you.
So, yes, the UPSC is considered the toughest exam in the world because there is a ‘luck’ factor coupled with subjectivity in the exam process.
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And, I had not made it.
Found an empty bench..
I prepared for the next 3 years (2016 to 2019)
I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.
The struggle was real. The teacher would non stop go through his lecture, and explain the concepts/ theory/ ideas etc.
A gazillion thoughts running through my mind.
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After checking the PDF, I chained my cycle to a lamp post ..
I was cycling from one of my coaching institutes back to my PG.
2017 June - I appeared for the first time for the UPSC Prelims (after a year-long preparation)
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This is the very reason you will hear IIT, IIM, AIIMS graduates failing to clear the UPSC.
I did not go back to my home.
.
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All achievers in their own way.
Immediately after this conversation, I left the institute.
The batch sizes were huge!
Are Indian youths conservative or liberal?
I remember the very next day my coaching institute professor telling me -
If one says, they can help you crack the exam with X AIR, it is difficult to do so.
You would have to be on your toes. If your mind drifts apart for even a second, you will lose your chain of thoughts and notes.
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And, so I began preparing for the exam with high hopes and determination.
Worked for a marketing agency
Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.
“All of these students are great from an academic point of view. They have always scored 90%+ during their school days, some have even scored 9.6 CGPA and above during their 10th boards.”
Appeared for the exam and instantly knew I would not be making it this time!
Cleared multiple of them
But, then it hit me hard.
Also, simultaneously prepared for other exams
There is no mathematical formula where you know that if the inputs are controlled, you can achieve X outcome.
Anyway!
Do drop in a message, would be happy to talk.
Searched for my roll number.
“I, too, was an aspirant, 20 years back. I have met board toppers, state board toppers, and college toppers with more than 9+ CGPA who prepare for this exam.”
I did not move for the next 30 minutes..
This exam has an element of probability that no one can predict.
500 students in each batch. God forbid if you were late to the class - you would have to push your way through the seats. (Old aspirants reading this know which institute I am talking about).
All the best!
I looked around me
I was determined to clear the exam and then go back home.
Each class used to be 2.5 hours each. Making it a total of 5 hours of coaching classes daily. The classes used to be 7 days a week.
A sense of grief and toil had taken over me.
I parked my cycle near one of the parks en route to my PG.
“But, it is nearly impossible for one to predict who will make it to the ‘holy list’. Yes! I can say that if an aspirant who has done X, Y, and Z can increase their chances of selection, but it is just not enough. There is always a matter of luck (or, probability).”
I joined two coaching institutes - One for mains preparation and one for my optional subject.
“Suryansh, let me tell you something. Do you feel the best of the best students from all over India prepare for this examination?”
Keep your ego aside.
Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.
In my head, it was a do-or-die situation for me.
And, now working as a digital marketing freelancer for international clients.
Cut to 2-3 months post prelims. Results were declared.
Relatively in a better position after my exam failures, but a void still exists!
And, after all, it was a matter of great pride and respect.