Background

Waseem Ahmad Bhat's experience in securing the All India Rank (AIR) 7 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2022 reflects the essence of determination and strategic preparation.

Hailing from the quaint town of Doru Shahabad in Anantnag District, Jammu and Kashmir, Waseem pursued his Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering at the National Institute of Technology, Srinagar. Graduating in 2019, he took a significant step towards his civil services ambition by enrolling in the Foundation Course Classroom Program at Vision IAS in Delhi.

UPSC Journey

His route to success in the UPSC examination was marked by perseverance and an adaptive approach. He began earnestly after his graduation, he made three attempts at the UPSC examination, starting with his first in 2020 where he achieved an impressive AIR 225. 

However, he faced a significant turn in 2021 when, against expectations, he failed to clear the prelims—an unexpected challenge that tested his determination. This surprise prompted him to rethink his approach with a "huge plan" for the 2022 prelims.

Viewing each attempt as a stepping stone, Waseem leveraged his experiences to refine his strategies and deepen his expertise, particularly with Anthropology as his optional subject. This process of continuous learning and adjustment culminated in his outstanding performance in the 2022 examination.

His story is not just about achieving a high rank in one of India's most challenging exams; it's about the insights and learnings gathered through repeated efforts and the evolution of strategies over time. This blog article introduces the learning insights from Waseem Ahmad Bhat's Topper’s Talk on preparation for the UPSC prelims, showcasing the perseverance and strategic planning that propelled him to success in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Key Learning Insights on UPSC Prelims

1. Integrated Approach and Reverse Engineering: Waseem Ahmad Bhat's success in the UPSC Civil Services Examination was significantly influenced by his strategic approach towards preparation. He adopted an integrated study plan for Prelims 2022 that emphasized the simultaneous preparation for both Prelims and Mains, a tactic that allowed him to cover the vast syllabus efficiently. He highlights a significant strategy shift inspired by Shubham Kumar, AIR 1 in CSE 2020, focusing on reverse engineering the preparation process. This involved analyzing model answers, previous year toppers' copies , and focusing more on understanding the demand of the exam rather than just covering standard books. 

2. Prelims Scores and Target: Waseem shares his GS Prelims scores over the years (2020: 116 Marks, 2021: 84 Marks, 2021: 106 Marks) and stresses the importance of aiming for a target score that comfortably secures a place in the Mains. He suggests that a score of around 100 to 110 is a good target, given the current scenario of increasing difficulty of Prelims paper.

3. Resources and Strategy for GS Prelims: His strategy for cracking the GS Prelims in the UPSC Civil Services Examination underscores the critical importance of selecting appropriate resources and employing specific study methods for each subject area. His insights reveal a targeted approach, especially for core subjects like Polity, History, Economics, and others, emphasizing clarity and conviction in one's preparation strategy

• Polity: Waseem relied on the standard resource like M. Laxmikanth's "Indian Polity". He underscored the necessity for comprehensive coverage of the Indian political framework and its institutions.
• History: When it came to History, which spans from ancient to modern including Art and Culture, Waseem strategically limited his resources to class notes. His purpose behind this was to avoid the common pitfall of getting overwhelmed by the vast array of books and materials available.
• Economics: Waseem emphasizes the importance of grasping concepts over rote memorization for mastering Economics. He suggests starting with NCERT textbooks, specifically "Macroeconomics" and "Indian Economic Development," to build a strong foundational understanding. Following this, he advises reviewing summaries of essential documents such as the Budget and Economic Survey to connect theoretical knowledge with current economic policies and trends.
• Environment: For Environment, he recommends any standard book or notes as a key resource. Waseem underscores the necessity of regular revision in this subject to reinforce understanding and retention of the vast array of environmental issues and policies
• Geography: He advises on focusing on NCERTs for Geography and can refer to G.C. Leong for making notes on specific topics like landforms, which are crucial for the exam.
• Current Affairs: Waseem stresses the importance of integrating current affairs with static parts of the syllabus. He recommends using resources like monthly magazines, PT 365 and engaging with newspapers like The Indian Express or The Hindu for a broader understanding of current events.
• Science and Technology: For Science and Tech, he emphasizes that engineers might feel confident but should still focus on basics. He advises using resources like the PT 365 and revisiting NCERTs for foundational concepts. This approach ensures a solid understanding that can be applied not just to direct questions but also to those that test the application of scientific principles in various contexts.

4. CSAT Preparation Strategy: Waseem's emphasis on broad learning and adaptability can be applied to CSAT preparation as well, suggesting that a comprehensive approach to learning and practicing various types of questions is essential. He identifies two critical components of CSAT preparation: Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning & Mathematics, each requiring a distinct strategy for mastery.

For Reading Comprehension

• He advises aspirants to go through previous year paper passages to familiarize themselves with the type of passages and questions asked.
• He recommends reading books extensively to enhance comprehension skills and speed, a tactic that prepares candidates for the diverse and often complex passages encountered in the exam.

For Logical Reasoning & Mathematics

• He has developed a focused strategy that includes making concise notes on various techniques and closely studying past year papers to identify recurrent topics such as calendar problems, seating arrangements, divisibility questions and so on. 
• He points out that each of these areas has specific solving techniques that, once mastered, can significantly improve efficiency and accuracy in answering questions.

5. Test Series and Previous Year Questions: Waseem explains the value of both test series and previous year question papers for self-assessment and preparation. 

• Compilations of PYQs: He particularly valued compilations of PYQs sorted by topics and subjects. By breaking down past year questions by topics, it helps understand question patterns, their frequency, and levels of difficulty.
• In-depth Study of PYQs: He observed that PYQ’s are highly beneficial as the UPSC  tends to explore topics in greater depth in subsequent exams. For example, a question on cloud seeding one year might lead to more detailed questions on the same topic the next year. 
• 35 Comprehensive Tests: He completed a comprehensive set of 35 tests, which included both sectional and full-length formats. He stressed the importance of sectional tests to know the fundamental understanding of each subject area. 
• Starting Time for Test Series: Begin the test series at least three months before the Preliminary examination. This time frame allows for gradual improvement and helps in building confidence.
• Importance of Writing Tests: Regular practice through tests is essential for building exam readiness and boosting confidence, thereby significantly impacting performance during the actual examination.

6. Optimal Number of questions to be attempted in UPSC Prelims: He sheds light on the strategic aspect of managing the number of questions to attempt during the UPSC Prelims. 

• Two approaches to Attempts: He categorizes aspirants into two broad groups based on their approach to answering questions: those who prioritize precision, deeming 60-70 questions sufficient, and those, like himself, who aim to tackle 90-100 questions. 
• Balance between Attempt and Accuracy: His own evolution from attempting a mere 48 questions to confidently approaching 90 underscores the significance of finding a balance between the number of attempts and maintaining accuracy to optimize scores. 
• Customized approach: He highlights the necessity of a personalised approach, encouraging aspirants to discover their comfort zone in the number of questions they attempt, thus maximizing their chances of success through a blend of accuracy and volume.

7. Post Test Analysis: He stresses the crucial role of engaging with test series in the preparatory phase for the UPSC Prelims, underscoring the importance of rigorous post-test analysis. He advocates for a thorough examination of one's performance following each test, which involves a detailed review of questions based on the level of certainity: those they were sure about, somewhat sure, and completely unsure.

This analytical approach allows aspirants to dissect their performance meticulously, identifying not just the areas requiring improvement but also patterns in mistake-making. Moreover, this analysis extends to refining time management skills and improving decision-making during the exam.

8. Embracing UPSC's Changing Nature: In addressing the unpredictable nature of the UPSC Prelims, he advises aspirants to stay adaptable in their study methods to handle the UPSC Prelims' unpredictability. 

•  He emphasizes the importance of broadening one's learning horizons beyond the syllabus to develop a well-rounded personality.
• For him, making reading a habit, watching informative documentaries, and staying abreast of global events were integral practices that contributed to his success. For example, the "Planet Earth" series deepened his grasp of environmental issues.

9. Mental Preparation: Lastly, he touches on the psychological aspect of the exam preparation. Acknowledging the immense pressure of the UPSC exams, he advises candidates to maintain their composure and not be overwhelmed by fear, as it can significantly impact performance.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the insights shared above from Waseem's preparation journey highlight the strategic planning and adaptability needed to achieve success in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. 

Inspired by Muhammad Iqbal's verses, 

“ख़ुदी को कर बुलंद इतना कि हर तक़दीर से पहले

ख़ुदा बंदे से ख़ुद पूछे बता तेरी रज़ा क्या है|”

"Elevate your self to such a height that before every destiny,

God Himself asks the person, 'What is it that you desire?'"

Waseem's narrative encourages candidates to reach a level of excellence and self-confidence that shapes their own destiny. His advice offers a thorough roadmap for a thoughtful and structured approach to UPSC preparation, emphasizing the importance of personal development.