Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?
Last Updated: 02.07.2025 10:35
A sense of grief and toil had taken over me.
I was determined to clear the exam and then go back home.
I looked around me
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“Suryansh, let me tell you something. Do you feel the best of the best students from all over India prepare for this examination?”
And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.
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.
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“I have more than 20+ years of teaching experience.”
I said, “Yes! I believe so.”
I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.
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Anyway!
I write answers on Quora that help UPSC and other government exam aspirants.
Dropped them
How do you handle your mother-in-law after you heard her talking badly about you in the next room?
“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 was cycling from one of my coaching institutes back to my PG.
Appeared for the exam and instantly knew I would not be making it this time!
What is the typical mentality of the Indian society?
.
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.
In my head, it was a do-or-die situation for me.
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There is no mathematical formula where you know that if the inputs are controlled, you can achieve X outcome.
2016 I graduated from college. The same year I began preparing for the UPSC.
And, I had not made it.
This exam has its own way of humbling you.
Do drop in a message, would be happy to talk.
I prepared for the next 3 years (2016 to 2019)
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I was alone in Delhi back then
Worked for a marketing agency
The struggle was real. The teacher would non stop go through his lecture, and explain the concepts/ theory/ ideas etc.
.
And entered the park.
But, then it hit me hard.
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I did not move for the next 30 minutes..
Keep your ego aside.
All achievers in their own way.
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Cleared multiple of them
And, after all, it was a matter of great pride and respect.
In case you are wondering, how did my story end?
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I had heard rumours going around that the results had been declared.
The batch sizes were huge!
It is almost impossible.
Your credentials do not matter!
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.
Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.
A gazillion thoughts running through my mind.
If one says, they can help you crack the exam with X AIR, it is difficult to do so.
I vividly remember that evening.
Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.
I joined two coaching institutes - One for mains preparation and one for my optional subject.
And..
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).
“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 was constantly staring into the ground
I lacked a mentor when I needed one.
This exam has an element of probability that no one can predict.
“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.”
Cut to 2-3 months post prelims. Results were declared.
2017 June - I appeared for the first time for the UPSC Prelims (after a year-long preparation)
And, now working as a digital marketing freelancer for international clients.
Found an empty bench..
I did not go back to my home.
Also, simultaneously prepared for other exams
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.
Immediately after this conversation, I left the institute.
This is the very reason you will hear IIT, IIM, AIIMS graduates failing to clear the UPSC.
I remember the very next day my coaching institute professor telling me -
And, so I began preparing for the exam with high hopes and determination.
It lasted approximately 10 months.
Searched for my roll number.
I parked my cycle near one of the parks en route to my PG.
After checking the PDF, I chained my cycle to a lamp post ..
If we haven’t met, my name is Suryansh Sodhani.
Relatively in a better position after my exam failures, but a void still exists!
All the best!
So, hopefully, my answers help aspirants who need help.