Harshita Goyal's UPSC experience serves as an example of how smart study, focused practice, and a strong mindset can assist candidates in confidently and clearly passing the Civil Services Examination.

Harshita Goyal, who scored All India Rank 2 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, has shown that a strong basis, constant effort, and clear of intent can turn an aspirant into a topper. Her path from a Chartered Accountant to among the top civil services achievers in the nation captures the core of inner drive and targeted ambition.

She discussed in great detail her method in a recent Topper's Talk session, a proud student of the VisionIAS Classroom Foundation Course, offering useful UPSC guidance for aspirants at every stage of their UPSC journey.

 Watch: Talk of VisionIAS Topper Harshita Goyal (AIR 2)

Foundation: Establishing the Groundwork with VisionIAS 

Having passed her Chartered Accountancy, Harshita enrolled in the VisionIAS Classroom Foundation Course in 2022. She says that her preparation has been much aided by this choice:

"Foundation Course, as the name suggests, created a foundation for me for my further studies." – Harshita Goyal (AIR 2), at VisionIAS Toppers’ Talk

At first unsure of how to start, VisionIAS's structure and direction guided her across the large UPSC syllabus. She made sure she was actively involved even though she studied online by consistent searches and careful assignment writing. Her three attempts were supported by classroom notes, which she found to be rather relevant.

Her preparation gained consistency and clarity from regular answer writing, class-based assignments, and revision tools including QRM and monthly magazines, reflecting the reach of the best UPSC coaching in Delhi, even in remote learning.

From Toppers' Talk: Strategy, Setbacks, & Smart UPSC Preparation

Organized Resources and Fundamental Materials

Harshita stressed the need of depending on set, ordered resources. VisionIAS classroom notes anchored her preparation; additional tools for conceptual grounding included Quick Revision Materials (QRM), Monthly Magazines, PT365, and NCERTs. She refined rather than replaced these materials throughout her efforts.

Prelims Strategy: Consistency and Accuracy

After two setbacks in first two attempts, Harshita went to her third Prelims with a more strategic approach:

- Her compass was PYQs:  She analysed PYQ’s not only for improvement but also for the identification of recurrent themes and direction of concentrated study.

- CSAT was taken seriously: She especially used PYQs and classroom tests to address her weak areas by regular practice.

- Current Affairs: Read newspapers daily (non-negotiable!). Supplemented with monthly magazines/PT 365 smartly. Focused on revising factual information.

- Smart revision: She avoided using fresh materials near the test and instead repeatedly going over familiar notes.

- Mocks for Confidence: Exams like the All India Prelims Test Series and Abhyaas helped her to shape test attitude. 

- Attempt Strategy: She tried 98 questions on the real test and observed that strategy has to match personal risk-taking capacity.

"The more mistakes you make in mocks, the more you learn—and the less likely you are to repeat them in the real exam," Harshita says.

Mains Strategy: Practice, Presentation, and Completion

The Mains approach of Harshita was quite practice-oriented:

- She solved the PYQs for the past five years, learning answer structure by comparing them with topper copies.

- Emphasizing structure and coherence, she stressed finishing all answers—including writing even when unsure.

- Early on, classroom assignments helped develop writing discipline.

- Especially in difficult areas, note-making was smart like digital for reading and reference, handwritten for memory retention.

- Budget/Eco Survey summaries, Mains 365, and high-frequency theme use of diagrams drove GS3 preparation.

- Essay and Ethics: Regular essay practice for Harshita came from copies of toppers, newspapers, and peer reviews. In Ethics, for values like integrity and empathy, she drew on stakeholder diagrams, tables, and clear, concise examples. Further, VisionIAS Ethics lectures and toppers' answers formed her basis; applied with structure and clarity.

Download VisionIAS Toppers Copies

Interview: presence of mind over perfection

• Harshita stressed thorough DAF-based preparation—that is, practicing questions for every keyword.
• She brainstormed using ChatGPT and peer review.
• Her interview readiness centered mostly on personality qualities including empathy, calmness, and articulation

Attitude, Drive, and Handling Obstacles

• Early setbacks notwithstanding, Harshita stayed grounded and optimistic.
• She stayed close to her basic inspiration: family support and social responsibility.
• Equipped with interests (painting, movies, Ludo) and exercise for balanced preparation.

Harshita Quotes: "UPSC is a part of life- not life itself; Ordinary efforts done consistently leads to extraordinary results.”

In essence, a blueprint for resilient and introspective preparation. The UPSC strategy and  path of Harshita shows the value of consistent self-belief, timely mentoring, and disciplined learning. Her focus on classroom UPSC study material, rigorous practice, early answer writing, and emotional fortitude provides aspirants preparing for the Civil Services Examination with a clear, practical road map.

✅ FAQs: Harshita Goyal UPSC AIR 2, 2024

1. How did Harshita Goyal begin UPSC prep after CA?

Answer: She joined the VisionIAS Foundation Course (2022) to build a structured base and navigate the vast syllabus.

2. What resources did Harshita Goyal use?

Answer: She relied on VisionIAS notes, QRM, Monthly Magazines, PT365, and NCERTs, focusing on consistent revision.

3. How did she crack Prelims after two failures?

Answer: By analyzing PYQs, strengthening CSAT, taking mock tests, revising familiar notes, and refining her attempt strategy.

4. What was Harshita Goyal Mains strategy?

Answer: She focused on daily answer writing, structured presentation, using Mains 365, topper copies, and peer feedback.

5. How did she prepare for the Interview?

Answer: Through DAF-based questions, mock practice, and emphasizing calmness, clarity, and empathy over perfection.