Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?
Last Updated: 01.07.2025 02:21
Your credentials do not matter!
2016 I graduated from college. The same year I began preparing for the UPSC.
I lacked a mentor when I needed one.
Walking more may lower your risk for chronic low back pain by 23%, study suggests - KSL.com
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…
Worked for a marketing agency
Appeared for the exam and instantly knew I would not be making it this time!
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra to continue trend of disappointing batteries - PhoneArena
Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.
And, now working as a digital marketing freelancer for international clients.
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.
The batch sizes were huge!
I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.
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).
Uber announces a life-changing new feature - TheStreet
Found an empty bench..
.
Anyway!
Aston Martin announce Stroll to miss Spanish Grand Prix - F1
And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.
I vividly remember that evening.
A gazillion thoughts running through my mind.
Measles Exposure Prompts Health Warning In Bay Area - Patch
I looked around me
This exam has its own way of humbling you.
And, after all, it was a matter of great pride and respect.
What do you do to make yourself sleep early?
I prepared for the next 3 years (2016 to 2019)
So, hopefully, my answers help aspirants who need help.
“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.”
Relatively in a better position after my exam failures, but a void still exists!
“I have more than 20+ years of teaching experience.”
Dropped them
And entered the park.
Do drop in a message, would be happy to talk.
I said, “Yes! I believe so.”
I was alone in Delhi back then
Keep your ego aside.
But, then it hit me hard.
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.
“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.”
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 remember the very next day my coaching institute professor telling me -
Searched for my roll number.
A sense of grief and toil had taken over me.
All the best!
I joined two coaching institutes - One for mains preparation and one for my optional subject.
If we haven’t met, my name is Suryansh Sodhani.
“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).”
It is almost impossible.
All achievers in their own way.
I did not move for the next 30 minutes..
And..
2017 June - I appeared for the first time for the UPSC Prelims (after a year-long preparation)
I had heard rumours going around that the results had been declared.
I was determined to clear the exam and then go back home.
This exam has an element of probability that no one can predict.
I was cycling from one of my coaching institutes back to my PG.
I was constantly staring into the ground
There is no mathematical formula where you know that if the inputs are controlled, you can achieve X outcome.
If one says, they can help you crack the exam with X AIR, it is difficult to do so.
This is the very reason you will hear IIT, IIM, AIIMS graduates failing to clear the UPSC.
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.
I did not go back to my home.
I write answers on Quora that help UPSC and other government exam aspirants.
The struggle was real. The teacher would non stop go through his lecture, and explain the concepts/ theory/ ideas etc.
Immediately after this conversation, I left the institute.
It was summertime in Delhi. I was allotted a far-off centre in Najafgarh.
I parked my cycle near one of the parks en route to my PG.
Cut to 2-3 months post prelims. Results were declared.
Also, simultaneously prepared for other exams
In case you are wondering, how did my story end?
“Suryansh, let me tell you something. Do you feel the best of the best students from all over India prepare for this examination?”
And, I had not made it.
And, so I began preparing for the exam with high hopes and determination.
Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.
Cleared multiple of them