Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?
Last Updated: 02.07.2025 14:03
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…
This exam has an element of probability that no one can predict.
I did not go back to my home.
The struggle was real. The teacher would non stop go through his lecture, and explain the concepts/ theory/ ideas etc.
Your credentials do not matter!
Keep your ego aside.
This exam has its own way of humbling you.
I vividly remember that evening.
And, so I began preparing for the exam with high hopes and determination.
What are you wearing under your clothes today?
.
I said, “Yes! I believe so.”
I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.
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All achievers in their own way.
Cleared multiple of them
And..
The batch sizes were huge!
“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).”
2017 June - I appeared for the first time for the UPSC Prelims (after a year-long preparation)
How do you make a karaoke version of a song?
I looked around me
I was determined to clear the exam and then go back home.
A gazillion thoughts running through my mind.
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I prepared for the next 3 years (2016 to 2019)
And, I had not made it.
Worked for a marketing agency
Why are therapy lights so expensive?
It is almost impossible.
I remember the very next day my coaching institute professor telling me -
If we haven’t met, my name is Suryansh Sodhani.
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I parked my cycle near one of the parks en route to my PG.
I write answers on Quora that help UPSC and other government exam aspirants.
Also, simultaneously prepared for other exams
“Suryansh, let me tell you something. Do you feel the best of the best students from all over India prepare for this examination?”
Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.
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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It was summertime in Delhi. I was allotted a far-off centre in Najafgarh.
I had heard rumours going around that the results had been declared.
“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.”
In my head, it was a do-or-die situation for me.
So, hopefully, my answers help aspirants who need help.
I did not move for the next 30 minutes..
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I lacked a mentor when I needed one.
Anyway!
Cut to 2-3 months post prelims. Results were declared.
Searched for my roll number.
I was alone in Delhi back then
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 joined two coaching institutes - One for mains preparation and one for my optional subject.
And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.
“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.”
But, then it hit me hard.
I was cycling from one of my coaching institutes back to my PG.
Found an empty bench..
All the best!
It lasted approximately 10 months.
Immediately after this conversation, I left the institute.
“I have more than 20+ years of teaching experience.”
2016 I graduated from college. The same year I began preparing for the UPSC.
Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.
Dropped them
And, after all, it was a matter of great pride and respect.
If one says, they can help you crack the exam with X AIR, it is difficult to do so.
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).
.
Do drop in a message, would be happy to talk.
There is no mathematical formula where you know that if the inputs are controlled, you can achieve X outcome.
And entered the park.
And, now working as a digital marketing freelancer for international clients.
After checking the PDF, I chained my cycle to a lamp post ..
Appeared for the exam and instantly knew I would not be making it this time!
This is the very reason you will hear IIT, IIM, AIIMS graduates failing to clear the UPSC.
In case you are wondering, how did my story end?
I was constantly staring into the ground
Relatively in a better position after my exam failures, but a void still exists!
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.