I started preparation I was at a very
UPSC CSE is an exam of colossal magnitude having three different levels testing entirely different skills at each level. daily time table for ias preparation There are so many different variables at play that anything can go wrong at any stage which can result in failure.
First of all let me allay the misconception and the hype around the so called “first attempt” toppers. What you see is that they cleared in their first attempt and you assume that they have cleared by preparing only for one year. This may or may not be true. For example in case of Tina Dabi, she had been preparing for the past 6 years before taking her first attempt. Of course there are a few candidates who actually are gifted and they actually clear in their first attempt by preparing only for 1–2 years. But their no is minuscule as compared to those who have actually put in those years. Moreover not everyone is born with the skills being tested in this exam at the same level. Hence someone who was born with great writing skills and expression will find it easier to attempt mains and score good marks even when he studies less than someone who is not as gifted. So it entirely differs from person to person. Also the level of exposure one has received makes a lot of difference. For example in my case I studied in schools and colleges where practically no classes were held and hence I had very less exposure to decent reading material and extra curriculars. I had never even read Newspapers or decent books before starting UPSC preparation. So when I started preparation I was at a very embryonic stage as far as general reading and understanding of the issues around me are concerned. So I had to devote that much extra time to cover that ground. And consequently It took me three attempts till I could reach that level of knowledge which enabled me to reach the interview stage. So the point I am trying to make here is that everyone is at a different level and that determines the amount of time taken as well success rate.
Secondly, Since there are so many variables at play a lot can happen which can make or mar your chances. Trust me for every selected candidate there are 4–5 equally good candidates who never got selected due to really minor things. Let me give you examples both from my experience as well as from my friends’. In my case I got torn between two different exam patterns. As any keen observer of this exam for a long time would tell you, prior to the change of pattern in 2013, this exam tested knowledge. So anyone like me who started preparation from say 2010, focused more on accumulating knowledge and less on developing writing skills. Previously there used to be lesser questions, comfortable time pressure, and the questions used to test knowledge and not opinions. Hence expression didn’t matter that much. Now UPSC suddenly changed the pattern in 2013 when they started to give 20 questions asking to write 4000 words. And the questions changed into analytical which demanded excellent written expression which people like us who had developed different skills during their preparation couldn’t acquire in that short period. Trust me I have not seen many people who started in the previous pattern and succeeded in the new pattern.
Moreover, a small mistake can bring about your downfall. For example I chose one essay wrong and failed, I didn’t focus on CA and failed in prelims, in 2012 UPSC asked the toughest Pub Ad and Geo papers and literally butchered candidates from these subjects, you answer 2–3 wrong questions too many in pre and you fail, you might get a tough board in the interview. There are so many things that can go wrong and they actually go wrong. I know you will say that still people get selected. I know they do but as i said, for every selected candidate 5 not selected candidates are there and it is my responsibility to bring to light their perspective. upsc preparation Strategy
Thirdly, there are obvious mistakes that not selected candidates make.For many candidates the obvious handicap is guidance. Trust me a very important reason why students from ivy league colleges get selected is their peer group and their exposure. They are obviously smart, but so are thousands others who are writing the exam at the same time (this is reflected by so many successful people who are not from ivy league colleges). But since they have very good peer groups they get very good exposure where they discuss things and they already know the mistakes to avoid. For example I started my preparation by reading ChroniKill (pun intended) whereas a friend of mine (from IITD) who got selected in first attempt, started by reading NCERTs and The Hindu. Do you see where I am getting at? They already know the strategies, they can have their doubts cleared by someone who is already in the services and so on. And trust me that makes a world of difference. But this exam is such a great leveller that even after having all these things so many of these ivy league grads don’t make it. Ever. I have friends from IIML, IITD, FMS and other premier institutes who never got selected and eventually moved on to other things in life.
In an exam in which the difference between selected and not selected is hardly 30 marks which means 5–6 marks/paper, there will always be people who didn’t make it despite putting in all the effort because anything can go wrong at anytime.
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But are they failures? Hell No. They just didn’t get selected.
