Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?
Last Updated: 30.06.2025 03:50
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.
Appeared for the exam and instantly knew I would not be making it this time!
I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.
If we haven’t met, my name is Suryansh Sodhani.
I did not move for the next 30 minutes..
This is the very reason you will hear IIT, IIM, AIIMS graduates failing to clear the UPSC.
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Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.
I parked my cycle near one of the parks en route to my PG.
All the best!
This exam has its own way of humbling you.
The batch sizes were huge!
It is almost impossible.
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Cut to 2-3 months post prelims. Results were declared.
.
And, so I began preparing for the exam with high hopes and determination.
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I was constantly staring into the ground
I looked around me
.
I write answers on Quora that help UPSC and other government exam aspirants.
Found an empty bench..
Also, simultaneously prepared for other exams
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So, hopefully, my answers help aspirants who need help.
I did not go back to my home.
I prepared for the next 3 years (2016 to 2019)
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And, I had not made it.
Immediately after this conversation, I left the institute.
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).
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I joined two coaching institutes - One for mains preparation and one for my optional subject.
Relatively in a better position after my exam failures, but a void still exists!
It was summertime in Delhi. I was allotted a far-off centre in Najafgarh.
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The struggle was real. The teacher would non stop go through his lecture, and explain the concepts/ theory/ ideas etc.
This exam has an element of probability that no one can predict.
“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 cycling from one of my coaching institutes back to my PG.
And, after all, it was a matter of great pride and respect.
“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.”
2017 June - I appeared for the first time for the UPSC Prelims (after a year-long preparation)
All achievers in their own way.
I was alone in Delhi back then
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.
“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 one says, they can help you crack the exam with X AIR, it is difficult to do so.
But, then it hit me hard.
Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.
I lacked a mentor when I needed one.
Dropped them
Worked for a marketing agency
There is no mathematical formula where you know that if the inputs are controlled, you can achieve X outcome.
I said, “Yes! I believe so.”
2016 I graduated from college. The same year I began preparing for the UPSC.
After checking the PDF, I chained my cycle to a lamp post ..
Cleared multiple of them
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.
Searched for my roll number.
And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.
In my head, it was a do-or-die situation for me.
Your credentials do not matter!
I vividly remember that evening.
Do drop in a message, would be happy to talk.
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…
I had heard rumours going around that the results had been declared.
In case you are wondering, how did my story end?
“I have more than 20+ years of teaching experience.”
I remember the very next day my coaching institute professor telling me -
And, now working as a digital marketing freelancer for international clients.
It lasted approximately 10 months.
A sense of grief and toil had taken over me.
Anyway!
And..
Keep your ego aside.
“Suryansh, let me tell you something. Do you feel the best of the best students from all over India prepare for this examination?”
A gazillion thoughts running through my mind.
And entered the park.
I was determined to clear the exam and then go back home.