Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?
Last Updated: 02.07.2025 06:23

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