Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?
Last Updated: 27.06.2025 04:28
If we haven’t met, my name is Suryansh Sodhani.
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…
“I have more than 20+ years of teaching experience.”
Why have Indian girls almost stopped wearing sarees?
This exam has its own way of humbling you.
I was constantly staring into the ground
I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.
How often do you watch the news on TV?
I had heard rumours going around that the results had been declared.
2016 I graduated from college. The same year I began preparing for the UPSC.
And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.
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Anyway!
Searched for my roll number.
I lacked a mentor when I needed one.
It is almost impossible.
Do drop in a message, would be happy to talk.
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.
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If one says, they can help you crack the exam with X AIR, it is difficult to do so.
But, then it hit me hard.
There is no mathematical formula where you know that if the inputs are controlled, you can achieve X outcome.
A gazillion thoughts running through my mind.
Immediately after this conversation, I left the institute.
Also, simultaneously prepared for other exams
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And..
I vividly remember that evening.
“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).”
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).
It lasted approximately 10 months.
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.
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2017 June - I appeared for the first time for the UPSC Prelims (after a year-long preparation)
A sense of grief and toil had taken over me.
I joined two coaching institutes - One for mains preparation and one for my optional subject.
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Cut to 2-3 months post prelims. Results were declared.
I did not move for the next 30 minutes..
This exam has an element of probability that no one can predict.
This is the very reason you will hear IIT, IIM, AIIMS graduates failing to clear the UPSC.
Your credentials do not matter!
Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.
Keep your ego aside.
It was summertime in Delhi. I was allotted a far-off centre in Najafgarh.
“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.”
I was determined to clear the exam and then go back home.
I was alone in Delhi back then
In case you are wondering, how did my story end?
The batch sizes were huge!
Cleared multiple of them
Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.
Appeared for the exam and instantly knew I would not be making it this time!
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.
So, hopefully, my answers help aspirants who need help.
The struggle was real. The teacher would non stop go through his lecture, and explain the concepts/ theory/ ideas etc.
I did not go back to my home.
I parked my cycle near one of the parks en route to my PG.
.
And, I had not made it.
I said, “Yes! I believe so.”
And, now working as a digital marketing freelancer for international clients.
I write answers on Quora that help UPSC and other government exam aspirants.
In my head, it was a do-or-die situation for me.
I prepared for the next 3 years (2016 to 2019)
And, after all, it was a matter of great pride and respect.
Relatively in a better position after my exam failures, but a void still exists!
.
And, so I began preparing for the exam with high hopes and determination.
Found an empty bench..
After checking the PDF, I chained my cycle to a lamp post ..
And entered the park.
“Suryansh, let me tell you something. Do you feel the best of the best students from all over India prepare for this examination?”
All achievers in their own way.
I was cycling from one of my coaching institutes back to my PG.
Dropped them
All the best!
“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.”
I remember the very next day my coaching institute professor telling me -
I looked around me
Worked for a marketing agency