Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?
Last Updated: 01.07.2025 04:06
This is the very reason you will hear IIT, IIM, AIIMS graduates failing to clear the UPSC.
“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.”
Your credentials do not matter!
And..
A gazillion thoughts running through my mind.
I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.
“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.”
It is almost impossible.
I lacked a mentor when I needed one.
Do foreign workers face discrimination in Canada?
I was constantly staring into the ground
Searched for my roll number.
I was cycling from one of my coaching institutes back to my PG.
This exam has its own way of humbling you.
I parked my cycle near one of the parks en route to my PG.
I vividly remember that evening.
Kate Middleton shares heartfelt message after unexpectedly pulling out of Royal Ascot - Page Six
Found an empty bench..
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).
Worked for a marketing agency
Tim McGraw's daughter Gracie McGraw comes out as queer: 'Happy freaking Pride' - USA Today
And, after all, it was a matter of great pride and respect.
In case you are wondering, how did my story end?
I said, “Yes! I believe so.”
'28 Years Later' Marketing Hid Mother-Son Tearjerker Due to Studio Worries - Variety
I prepared for the next 3 years (2016 to 2019)
I looked around me
And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.
And entered the park.
.
The batch sizes were huge!
PSA: You Probably Don't Need To Be Weighed At The Doctor's Office - HuffPost
Do drop in a message, would be happy to talk.
It was summertime in Delhi. I was allotted a far-off centre in Najafgarh.
Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.
What are some of the craziest laws around the world?
I did not go back to my home.
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.
After checking the PDF, I chained my cycle to a lamp post ..
In my head, it was a do-or-die situation for me.
I did not move for the next 30 minutes..
All achievers in their own way.
Sir Keir Starmer announces national inquiry into grooming gangs - BBC
Anyway!
The struggle was real. The teacher would non stop go through his lecture, and explain the concepts/ theory/ ideas etc.
I remember the very next day my coaching institute professor telling me -
Is the Donald Trump Bible any different from a regular Bible? Has Trump altered its contents?
Appeared for the exam and instantly knew I would not be making it this time!
Cut to 2-3 months post prelims. Results were declared.
Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.
I joined two coaching institutes - One for mains preparation and one for my optional subject.
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.
I was alone in Delhi back then
2017 June - I appeared for the first time for the UPSC Prelims (after a year-long preparation)
Cleared multiple of them
It lasted approximately 10 months.
Keep your ego aside.
I write answers on Quora that help UPSC and other government exam aspirants.
If one says, they can help you crack the exam with X AIR, it is difficult to do so.
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…
If we haven’t met, my name is Suryansh Sodhani.
.
But, then it hit me hard.
2016 I graduated from college. The same year I began preparing for the UPSC.
So, hopefully, my answers help aspirants who need help.
“Suryansh, let me tell you something. Do you feel the best of the best students from all over India prepare for this examination?”
A sense of grief and toil had taken over me.
And, so I began preparing for the exam with high hopes and determination.
Relatively in a better position after my exam failures, but a void still exists!
“I have more than 20+ years of teaching experience.”
There is no mathematical formula where you know that if the inputs are controlled, you can achieve X outcome.
Dropped them
Also, simultaneously prepared for other exams
And, I had not made it.
And, now working as a digital marketing freelancer for international clients.
I had heard rumours going around that the results had been declared.
This exam has an element of probability that no one can predict.
All the best!
I was determined to clear the exam and then go back home.
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.
“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).”
Immediately after this conversation, I left the institute.