Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?
Last Updated: 03.07.2025 06:04
I looked around me
Your credentials do not matter!
I did not go back to my home.
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“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.”
If we haven’t met, my name is Suryansh Sodhani.
And, so I began preparing for the exam with high hopes and determination.
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The batch sizes were huge!
I was constantly staring into the ground
And, after all, it was a matter of great pride and respect.
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“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.”
Found an empty bench..
I joined two coaching institutes - One for mains preparation and one for my optional subject.
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2017 June - I appeared for the first time for the UPSC Prelims (after a year-long preparation)
I was determined to clear the exam and then go back home.
All achievers in their own way.
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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…
The struggle was real. The teacher would non stop go through his lecture, and explain the concepts/ theory/ ideas etc.
I was cycling from one of my coaching institutes back to my PG.
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It was summertime in Delhi. I was allotted a far-off centre in Najafgarh.
.
I said, “Yes! I believe so.”
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Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.
Dropped them
This exam has its own way of humbling you.
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Do drop in a message, would be happy to talk.
I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.
So, hopefully, my answers help aspirants who need help.
And entered the park.
A sense of grief and toil had taken over me.
And, I had not made it.
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I parked my cycle near one of the parks en route to my PG.
This is the very reason you will hear IIT, IIM, AIIMS graduates failing to clear the UPSC.
I was alone in Delhi back then
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Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.
But, then it hit me hard.
Cleared multiple of them
Relatively in a better position after my exam failures, but a void still exists!
Also, simultaneously prepared for other exams
I vividly remember that evening.
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After checking the PDF, I chained my cycle to a lamp post ..
This exam has an element of probability that no one can predict.
“I have more than 20+ years of teaching experience.”
I did not move for the next 30 minutes..
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.
And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.
Cut to 2-3 months post prelims. Results were declared.
It is almost impossible.
A gazillion thoughts running through my mind.
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.
I lacked a mentor when I needed one.
Searched for my roll number.
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.
Keep your ego aside.
And, now working as a digital marketing freelancer for international clients.
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.
“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).”
Anyway!
I write answers on Quora that help UPSC and other government exam aspirants.
Immediately after this conversation, I left the institute.
In case you are wondering, how did my story end?
All the best!
.
2016 I graduated from college. The same year I began preparing for the UPSC.
And..
In my head, it was a do-or-die situation for me.
I prepared for the next 3 years (2016 to 2019)
“Suryansh, let me tell you something. Do you feel the best of the best students from all over India prepare for this examination?”
It lasted approximately 10 months.
There is no mathematical formula where you know that if the inputs are controlled, you can achieve X outcome.
Appeared for the exam and instantly knew I would not be making it this time!
Worked for a marketing agency
I had heard rumours going around that the results had been declared.
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).