Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?
Last Updated: 02.07.2025 05:14
I was constantly staring into the ground
Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.
And, after all, it was a matter of great pride and respect.
The batch sizes were huge!
“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.”
And, so I began preparing for the exam with high hopes and determination.
Have you ever had a bad gut feeling about someone and it was right?
And..
Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.
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My son got caught peeing on a carpet in his room and he is 12 years old. What should I do?
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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Relatively in a better position after my exam failures, but a void still exists!
I did not go back to my home.
Keep your ego aside.
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Searched for my roll number.
Cleared multiple of them
2017 June - I appeared for the first time for the UPSC Prelims (after a year-long preparation)
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In my head, it was a do-or-die situation for me.
I parked my cycle near one of the parks en route to my PG.
Immediately after this conversation, I left the institute.
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Worked for a marketing agency
It lasted approximately 10 months.
I remember the very next day my coaching institute professor telling me -
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If one says, they can help you crack the exam with X AIR, it is difficult to do so.
“I have more than 20+ years of teaching experience.”
I vividly remember that evening.
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The struggle was real. The teacher would non stop go through his lecture, and explain the concepts/ theory/ ideas etc.
All achievers in their own way.
A sense of grief and toil had taken over me.
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This exam has its own way of humbling you.
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How do you raise well-behaved children?
“Suryansh, let me tell you something. Do you feel the best of the best students from all over India prepare for this examination?”
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
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And, I had not made it.
2016 I graduated from college. The same year I began preparing for the UPSC.
I had heard rumours going around that the results had been declared.
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I lacked a mentor when I needed one.
I joined two coaching institutes - One for mains preparation and one for my optional subject.
It is almost impossible.
I was cycling from one of my coaching institutes back to my PG.
Anyway!
Dropped them
It was summertime in Delhi. I was allotted a far-off centre in Najafgarh.
There is no mathematical formula where you know that if the inputs are controlled, you can achieve X outcome.
In case you are wondering, how did my story end?
So, hopefully, my answers help aspirants who need help.
Also, simultaneously prepared for other exams
Appeared for the exam and instantly knew I would not be making it this time!
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.
All the best!
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).
And entered the park.
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.
Found an empty bench..
I did not move for the next 30 minutes..
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Cut to 2-3 months post prelims. Results were declared.
This is the very reason you will hear IIT, IIM, AIIMS graduates failing to clear the UPSC.
I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.
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…
“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).”
After checking the PDF, I chained my cycle to a lamp post ..
But, then it hit me hard.
And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.
Your credentials do not matter!
“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.”
If we haven’t met, my name is Suryansh Sodhani.
This exam has an element of probability that no one can predict.
I prepared for the next 3 years (2016 to 2019)
I write answers on Quora that help UPSC and other government exam aspirants.
I said, “Yes! I believe so.”