Becoming an IPS officer is a dream for many young individuals aspiring to serve the nation. In this article by The Hinduzone, we will discuss The Inspirational Journey of IPS Anshika Verma, who cracked UPSC without any coaching. It is a prestigious career that promises immense respect and offers job stability, career growth, and the opportunity to make a real difference in society. The path to achieving this dream, however, is not easy. It requires determination, hard work, and a strategic approach to one of the most challenging exams in India, the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
In this article, we will explore the success story of IPS Officer Anshika Verma, who cracked the UPSC examination in her second attempt without the aid of any coaching or crash courses. Her journey serves as an inspiration for many aspirants who wish to succeed through self-study and dedication. Let’s dive deep into her preparation strategies and the key lessons she has to offer.
Anshika Verma’s Background and Early Life
Anshika Verma hails from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Growing up in a supportive family, she had a balanced upbringing that emphasized education and personal growth. Her father, an Electrical Officer, played a crucial role in her academic journey, instilling values of discipline and hard work. Anshika completed her schooling in Noida and went on to pursue a B.Tech degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Galgotias College of Engineering and Technology in 2018.
Despite her strong technical background, Anshika’s true passion lay in serving the country as an officer in the Indian Police Service. Her decision to pursue the UPSC examination came in 2019, after completing her undergraduate studies. However, her first attempt at the UPSC exam failed. This setback did not demoralize her; instead, it motivated her to reflect on her mistakes and work harder toward her goal.
The Power of Self-Study: No Coaching, No Crash Courses
One of the most remarkable aspects of Anshika’s journey is that she did not rely on any formal coaching or crash courses to prepare for the UPSC exam. While many aspirants opt for coaching institutes to guide them through the vast syllabus, Anshika chose a different path. She firmly believed in the power of self-study, and her strategy revolved around focused, disciplined, and consistent preparation.
Key Aspects of Anshika’s Self-Study Approach
Creating a Structured Study Schedule: One of the most crucial aspects of Anshika’s preparation was her well-planned study schedule. She made sure to allocate time for each subject, balancing them in a way that allowed her to cover the entire syllabus effectively. She avoided procrastination and adhered strictly to the schedule, ensuring that no subject was neglected.
Books Over Online Resources: Anshika emphasized the importance of referring to standard textbooks for UPSC preparation. Rather than relying on multiple online resources or short notes, she focused on a few key books and went in-depth with each one. This helped her build a strong foundation in every subject.
Time Management: Effective time management is crucial for any UPSC aspirant, especially when studying independently. Anshika balanced her studies with breaks and revisions, ensuring that she didn’t burn out. She devoted fixed hours each day to preparation, keeping distractions at bay and maintaining her focus.
Learning from Failure: Making Necessary Adjustments
After her first unsuccessful attempt in 2019, Anshika took a step back and re-evaluated her preparation strategy. She realized that despite her hard work, she lacked a systematic approach to her studies, which led to her failure. Determined to improve, she made several key adjustments to her preparation for the second attempt:
Revised Study Schedule: Anshika understood the importance of consistency, so she revamped her study schedule and made it more structured and realistic. She focused on quality over quantity, ensuring that she understood each concept thoroughly rather than cramming information.
Focus on NCERTs: Anshika’s second attempt saw a more focused effort on building a strong foundation. She dedicated herself to studying NCERT books for all subjects. NCERTs provide a clear, concise understanding of the basic concepts and form the building blocks for more advanced study materials. Anshika emphasized that these books were crucial in enhancing her understanding of the subjects and strengthening her base.
Repetitive Revisions: Another crucial change in her strategy was her approach to revisions. Anshika made it a point to revise topics multiple times. This repeated revision helped her retain information for the long term and gain confidence in her knowledge. UPSC requires a vast amount of information to be remembered, and repeated revision is essential to ensure that all the material stays fresh in your mind.
Developing Answer Writing Skills: The UPSC Mains exam focuses not just on knowledge but on the ability to express that knowledge effectively in writing. Anshika worked on developing her answer writing skills by regularly practising and reviewing her answers. She focused on writing clear, concise, and well-structured answers, as this is one of the key factors that can differentiate a candidate’s performance.
Success in the Second Attempt With AIR 136
In 2020, Anshika Verma appeared for her second UPSC attempt. This time, she was not just prepared but had fine-tuned her approach, ensuring that she left no stone unturned. The result of her hard work was evident when she secured an impressive AIR of 136 and successfully became an IPS officer. Her success story is a testament to the fact that with the right approach, determination, and consistent effort, anyone can achieve their goals, even without the help of coaching institutes. Anshika’s story motivates aspiring candidates to focus on building their study strategy and to stay committed to their dreams.
Anshika’s Tips for UPSC Aspirants
As an experienced candidate, Anshika has valuable advice for all UPSC aspirants, especially those who may be considering preparing without coaching:
Focus on Conceptual Understanding: Anshika stresses that simply memorizing facts and figures will not lead to success in UPSC. It is important to focus on understanding the core concepts deeply. Once you have a strong grasp of the fundamentals, applying that knowledge in the exam becomes much easier.
Strategic Selection of Study Material: The UPSC syllabus is vast, and choosing the right study material is crucial. Anshika advises candidates to stick to a limited set of books and study materials, avoiding the temptation to refer to too many sources. It is better to master a few books than to skim through multiple resources.
Stay Consistent and Positive: Success in UPSC does not come overnight. It requires a consistent effort over an extended period. Anshika emphasizes the importance of staying motivated and maintaining a positive attitude, even when faced with challenges.
Follow a Structured Plan: The vastness of the UPSC syllabus can be overwhelming, so it is essential to have a well-structured plan. Anshika recommends breaking down the syllabus into manageable portions and tackling them systematically.
Take Care of Mental Health: Preparing for UPSC can be mentally taxing, and it is important to take care of one’s mental and physical health. Anshika believes that maintaining a healthy balance between study and relaxation is crucial for long-term success.
Conclusion
Anshika Verma’s story is one of perseverance, dedication, and self-belief. She has proven that it is possible to crack the UPSC Civil Services Examination without formal coaching, as long as you are committed to your goal and adopt the right strategies. Her journey teaches us that there are no shortcuts to success – hard work, self-discipline, and a well-planned approach are the keys to achieving one’s dreams. For aspiring UPSC candidates, Anshika’s story serves as a shining example of how you can achieve success through self-study, even in the face of challenges. Remember, if you stay focused and motivated, you too can follow in her footsteps and serve the nation as an IPS officer or in any other prestigious civil services role.
