Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?
Last Updated: 02.07.2025 06:07
It was summertime in Delhi. I was allotted a far-off centre in Najafgarh.
Searched for my roll number.
And, after all, it was a matter of great pride and respect.
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I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.
A gazillion thoughts running through my mind.
2016 I graduated from college. The same year I began preparing for the UPSC.
Why is my older sister so mean to me as if I was her enemy?
Cut to 2-3 months post prelims. Results were declared.
This exam has its own way of humbling you.
The batch sizes were huge!
Has your mother ever walked in on you at an inappropriate time?
.
“Suryansh, let me tell you something. Do you feel the best of the best students from all over India prepare for this examination?”
Cleared multiple of them
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If one says, they can help you crack the exam with X AIR, it is difficult to do so.
Dropped them
I write answers on Quora that help UPSC and other government exam aspirants.
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This exam has an element of probability that no one can predict.
I prepared for the next 3 years (2016 to 2019)
All the best!
Why do so many autistic adults deal with self-hatred?
Your credentials do not matter!
In my head, it was a do-or-die situation for me.
If we haven’t met, my name is Suryansh Sodhani.
“I have more than 20+ years of teaching experience.”
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…
It lasted approximately 10 months.
Do drop in a message, would be happy to talk.
“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 remember the very next day my coaching institute professor telling me -
Is the Shia claim true that Imam Ali was born inside the Kaaba?
I did not go back to my home.
I did not move for the next 30 minutes..
I joined two coaching institutes - One for mains preparation and one for my optional subject.
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I parked my cycle near one of the parks en route to my PG.
Also, simultaneously prepared for other exams
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.
This is the very reason you will hear IIT, IIM, AIIMS graduates failing to clear the UPSC.
And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.
And, I had not made it.
A sense of grief and toil had taken over me.
Worked for a marketing agency
And..
Keep your ego aside.
In case you are wondering, how did my story end?
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).
Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.
Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.
.
I vividly remember that evening.
Anyway!
2017 June - I appeared for the first time for the UPSC Prelims (after a year-long preparation)
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 lacked a mentor when I needed one.
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.
I said, “Yes! I believe so.”
I was alone in Delhi back then
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.
I was constantly staring into the ground
I had heard rumours going around that the results had been declared.
Relatively in a better position after my exam failures, but a void still exists!
I was determined to clear the exam and then go back home.
And, so I began preparing for the exam with high hopes and determination.
And, now working as a digital marketing freelancer for international clients.
I was cycling from one of my coaching institutes back to my PG.
All achievers in their own way.
I looked around me
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.
After checking the PDF, I chained my cycle to a lamp post ..
Found an empty bench..
Immediately after this conversation, I left the institute.
It is almost impossible.
And entered the park.
“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.”
“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).”