The long-standing funny story of Indian folks short of their kids to bag that sarkari naukari (executive activity) was once a fact for the now 25-year-old Robin Bansal.
He was once in a position to deliver this dream to fact when the effects for UPSC CSE got here out this 12 months. Clearing probably the most tough tests within the nation, Robin secured an All India Rank of 135 in his fourth try.
Alternatively, this was once now not Robin’s first try at cracking crucial examination. Earlier than making an attempt his civil provider examination, he had ready and handed JEE in 2015 to sign up for IIT Delhi, from the place he was once positioned in a high-paying activity at Samsung in Bengaluru.
“The instant I were given the activity, I began to wonder whether this in point of fact was once my calling. Quickly, I had this urge to give up and throw myself utterly into the preparation for UPSC CSE,” he tells The Higher India.
Attaining the remaining mile
Robin was once born and raised within the small the city of Lehragaga within the Sangrur district of Punjab.
“Rising up in a small the city, I may see that it was once simplest the civil servants who had the remaining mile achieve in our nation. If the rest comes up, folks in rural spaces and small cities simplest have the federal government companies to fall again on. So public provider was once at all times one thing that me,” he says.
“Due to my folks, the seed for turning into a public servant was once sown in my middle when I used to be only a kid. So I at all times had a bent in opposition to the career, and I sought after to take a look at my hand at it,” he provides.
After finishing his training in his fatherland, he cleared JEE and were given admission to IIT Delhi in 2015.
“Getting admission to IIT Delhi was once nice as I had a willing hobby in physics. I studied diligently in faculty. Alternatively, the urge to change into a civil servant by no means died. Even if I used to be in faculty, I knew I can give the exam in the future,” he informs.
Whilst existence was once busy shaping a distinct trail for Robin, he had already made up his thoughts about making an attempt UPSC CSE.
“After graduating in 2019, I were given positioned in Samsung and moved to Bengaluru. Whilst I used to be operating there, I additionally began to arrange for the tests,” he says.
“Definitely, the activity was once smartly paid, however it didn’t give me the delight I used to be in quest of. Whilst I did get started making ready for the examination whilst I used to be nonetheless operating, I used to be now not in a position to control the timings and workload. I sought after to offer my one hundred pc to the preparation, and subsequently made up our minds to give up the activity,” he provides.
Robin were given a heat reception from his circle of relatives on his choice to depart at the back of a high-paying activity. “My circle of relatives was once as satisfied as I used to be with my choice. They at all times sought after me to change into a public servant, in order that they supported my choice wholeheartedly,” he says.
In 2021, Robin give up his company activity and entirely dedicated himself to making ready for UPSC.
Speaking in regards to the motivation to give up his activity and stay making an attempt the examination over and over again, he says, “It was once the fervour of changing into a public servant that saved pushing me to paintings tougher. I may see that my grades had been making improvements to, and I knew if I focal point extra, I will crack the examination.”
Having cleared the CSE, Robin is fascinated about becoming a member of the Indian Police Products and services, given a decision.
‘What I learnt alongside the best way’
Robin, who tried the UPSC CSE 3 times ahead of succeeding on his fourth try, emphasises the importance of finding out from previous errors. He supplies treasured recommendation and useful pointers for aspiring applicants aiming to crack the examination.
- Locate your errors
UPSC CSE is among the hardest tests to crack in India, and plenty of instances, it calls for multiple try to transparent it. “The advantage of more than a few makes an attempt is that you’ll at all times work out what went incorrect within the failed try. The aspirants have such a lot area to be told if they have got the proper mindset,” he says.
- Be told from the errors
“In my case, after I tried the examination in 2019, I used to be now not a hit as a result of I used to be now not in a position to offer my complete consideration to Normal Wisdom. I noticed my shortcoming, so the following 12 months, I labored onerous to raised myself in that class,” he stocks.
Studying is a continuing procedure and despite the fact that you repair one mistake, there’s at all times an opportunity of committing any other error. Robin says, “I used to be now not just right at writing, so I needed to practise writing speedy and obviously. This I felt was once one of the crucial causes for but any other failed try.”
- Self-study or training?
Whilst training has been useful to many scholars, Robin has a countering view. “All the bundle that the training centres supply to you isn’t at all times the most suitable option. I had enrolled for training, however it didn’t in point of fact paintings for me. I recommend folks have a just right mixture of each self-study and training,” he says.
He continues, “By no means rely on simply the fabric your training centre will give you. The syllabus of the examination is as huge as the ocean and few notes can not quilt it.”
Robin advises a even handed use of the web, best really helpful books, peer teams and different learn fabrics for preparation. “In case you are dealing with difficulties in a selected matter, then training can be a just right choice. Take assist when wanted for the ones topics but in addition come again and self-study, and assessment if the ones notes are sufficient for the examination,” he advises.
- By no means disregard to unravel the former 12 months’s papers
The important thing to cracking the tests, Robin opines, is by way of fixing the former years’ papers. “Many aspirants get so indulged in protecting the huge syllabus that they disregard in regards to the earlier years’ papers,” he says.
“This can be a mistake. The papers give a willing perception into the development of questions that may be requested within the present 12 months. Fixing earlier years’ papers is among the maximum vital tips that helped me crack the tests.”
- Care for your psychological well being
The syllabus of UPSC CSE is huge and the repeated makes an attempt may also be tedious. “It may be harrowing for your psychological well being, so you will need to deal with that. With failure comes a large number of self-doubt. This makes it crucial to have a secure and non violent atmosphere round you,” he recommends.
“Stay your self in a at ease and liked atmosphere. All through the preparation for this try, I stayed with my circle of relatives at house. Having individuals who love and fortify me helped me to stay a groovy and sane thoughts during the preparation and exam,” he says.
- Calm down with your folks
Robin says that recreational time could also be crucial and advises aspirants to take breaks from learning and meet a couple of pals to calm down once in a while.
He provides, “The fundamentals like working towards onerous, revising topics, and finding out new issues that you’re not conversant in are some sides that almost all folks are conscious about. Alternatively, what we disregard is that you will need to to offer your self time to respire and unencumber drive. I used to be fortunate sufficient to have just right pals who helped me throughout the method.”
Edited by way of Pranita Bhat