Paramita Malakar, WBCS Officer, UPSC CSE, AIR 812, Offline Classroom Student of Foundation Batch
Just the name UPSC Civil Services Exam sends chills down many aspirants’ spines. My journey to passing this coveted exam was not easy. Despite the fact that it was a story of failures, self-doubt, and moments of pure determination, it was ultimately a triumphant story, and an important part of that success can be attributed to Educrat IAS Academy.
As a first-time UPSC candidate, it was extremely discouraging for me. My prelims scores were terrible, and balancing work and studying made it seem like I was fighting a battle by myself. After every failure, I began to wonder if I would ever be able to pass the examination. So, I decided to take other government examinations for a change. And you know what? I actually started passing those exams! It gave me hope again, and I realized I still had a chance at the UPSC.
In 2022, on my fifth attempt, I succeeded in passing the prelims. This breakthrough was largely the result of focusing on previous year’s question papers (PYQs). These became my secret weapon, providing valuable insights into question formats and recurring themes. However, the 2023 prelim preparation threw some curveballs. I realized that I needed more than just PYQs. This is when I joined Educrat IAS Academy.
My previous attempt had resulted in me skipping mock exams entirely. At Educrat, however, things were very different. We took a staggering 28 mock exams! Imagine that! We had three mock exams every weekend, which began with an essay paper in the morning, followed by two full-length general studies papers. All of the testing was conducted in a pressure cooker-like environment, mimicking the actual exam environment.
To check Paramita’s Model answer, click on the link given-
Paramita Malakar’s Model Answer
The choice of Bengali literature as my optional subject stemmed primarily from my love of Bengali novels. However, this passion made studying the syllabus much more enjoyable despite the difficulties in finding study materials. As a result of meticulously compiling my own notes through extensive research, I was required to put in a considerable amount of extra effort.
Educrat’s guidance also helped me significantly improve my interview round, which has always been my weakness. My marks jumped from a mere 170 to 187 this year. Here’s the secret – 70% of the questions asked were similar to the ones we discussed at the academy! It gave me the confidence to face the unpredictable interview with composure after discussing my detailed application form (DAF) and other relevant topics beforehand.
My UPSC journey is a testament to the importance of:
Prepare strategically by taking PYQs for the prelims and taking mock exams for both stages.
Coaching Advantage: Reputable academies such as Educrat IAS Academy provide structured learning, expert guidance, and invaluable practice through mock exams.
Choosing a subject you are genuinely interested in makes the process more engaging and sustainable.
If you’re an aspiring UPSC candidate staring at a mountain of challenges, remember this – with unwavering focus, the right strategy, and the support of a great coaching institute like Educrat IAS Academy, your dream of becoming a civil servant is very much achievable. So, keep pushing forward, and never give up on your UPSC dreams!
Educrat IAS provides India’s & Kolkata’s best Mentorship for preparation of all services under Civil Services Examination (CSE). We provide extensive and holistic preparation to a small batch of sincere & dedicated UPSC Civil Servant aspirants who aspire & dream to become a part of the coveted Civil Services.
