The UPSC Civil Services Examination is often regarded as one of the toughest examinations in India and, actually, one of the toughest in the world. In this article by TheHinduzone, we will discuss The Inspiring Story of IAS Chandrajyoti Singh: Cracked UPSC in 1st Attempt. Every year, thousands of aspirants attempt this exam with the desire to become the prestigious officeholders of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS). Very few get through this difficult competition and take the exam successfully, especially on the very first attempt. One such phenomenal personality who dared to defy this is Chandrajyoti Singh, who, at the mere age of 22, cleared the UPSC exam in her first attempt with one of the finest All India Rank (AIR) 28th in 2019. Chandrajyoti’s story thus is one of sheer brilliance and great heart coupled with unwavering determination, laser-like focus, and devotion to this cause. Let’s look into her life, the background of Chandrajyoti, and some of her approaches that made her into one of the IAS officers.
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Background: A Legacy of Service
Being born into a family steeped in tradition for the Indian Armed Forces, she had a predestined path of joining a service-oriented profession. Her father is a retired radiologist from the army, while her mother Meena Singh had also served in the Indian Army. Chandrajyoti grew up under such circumstances to very much think of the larger picture — the welfare of the nation and how she could contribute to that. Her early inspiration to join some field of service in her own country began there.
The values of discipline, hard work, and sacrifice instilled in her by her parents led her to decide for public service. Chandrajyoti had always wanted to work for social causes and wanted to bring about a positive change in society. She cultivated the dream of becoming an IAS officer when she was just a child and never looked back on focusing on it.
Academic Journey and Decision to Prepare for UPSC
Chandrajyoti graduated from St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi. Thereafter she planned to take a well-deserved break for a year before plunging headlong into the giant task of preparing for the UPSC. While some might have used the break to unwind, Chandrajyoti was clear on how she would spend this time: preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam. Instead of joining any coaching classes, her greatest distinguishing factor from the majority of the other aspirants was her faith in self-study.
At a time when several coaching institutes had mushroomed all around offering guidance and study material for UPSC preparation, Chandrajyoti’s choice of sticking mostly to self-study was rather uncommon but wonderfully rewarding. She completely immersed herself in the process and never looked back.
Decision for Self-Study
While coaching institutions have made their way to fast popularity among UPSC aspirants, Chandrajyoti chose self-study. She believed that with a disciplined and well-couch approach, self-study could be as effective, if not more than attending classes. This approach enabled her to conduct her preparation according to her strengths and weaknesses and hone on the required extra time for specific areas.
Strategy and Study Schedule
Much was said about the discipline and effectiveness of her study routine that lent considerable help toward Singh Chandrajyoti’s success. She laid out her preparation to get the maximum productivity while avoiding undue pressure on herself. Some essential components of that strategy are as follows:
- Consistency and Timetable
The hallmark of Chandrajyoti’s preparation was consistency. She would keep aside 6 to 8 study hours each day and would work on a very set timetable. Long stretches would be barricaded away during the day to study; in the months just before the exam, it would stretch on to 10 hours or more. - Time Management
This was helpful for her to maintain a systematic approach and avoid procrastination. Working out the concurrent subjects while traversing through the huge syllabus of the UPSC Civil Services Exam was one of my major strengths. - Current Affairs Preparation with Focus
Sensing the importance of current affairs in the UPSC examinations, Chandrajyoti devoted time every day to reading newspapers. The spurned newspaper for the occasion was an edit of The Hindu for reading purposes. Her notes on significant articles helped her refer back during the revisions; in addition, her close watch over government policies, economic trends, and social issues was equally significant for the General Studies paper and the interview round. - Comprehensive Study Material
The study material preferred by Chandrajyoti was simple and concise. She did not rely on too many sources: rather, she chose to stick to a handful of high-quality materials, which she believed were capable of giving her the core concepts and fundamentals of each subject. She ensured that she covered the NCERT books, as they formed the foundation for many topics in the UPSC syllabus. - Revision and Mock Tests
Revision is one of the major keys to safeguarding information and calling it up during the exam. Chandrajyoti ensured that she was revising her study material regularly. She prepared short notes in every subject for a quick revision before sitting for the final exam. Besides that, she attempted several mock tests and previous years’ papers to comprehend the exam pattern and improve her time management. - Physical and Mental Well-Being
While preparation for an examination of such high standing allows the mind to stretch itself, Chandrajyoti was also careful not to neglect her mental and physical health. She punctuated her studies with breaks whenever necessary, and took to activities like yoga and meditation to calm and concentrate herself. She believed that sharpening her mind was equally important as working hard for the exam. - Focused Study for Optional Subject
Chandrajyoti opted for Anthropology as the optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. She thought the subject to be concise, scoring, and interesting. Focus on the essentials of Anthropology and her hard work contributed to her success in scoring a good mark on this paper.
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Key Success Factors
Some factors contributed to the successful first attempt by Chandrajyoti Singh:
- Self-belief and Patience: Chandrajyoti believed in herself and was patient during all her preparations; this allowed her to persevere in focus and motivation through stormy times.
- Following the Strategy: Perhaps one of the greatest lessons Chandrajyoti learned was regarding the implementation of the strategy. She had clarity about her goals and interests, in this light, she prepared her strategy according to her specific strengths and weaknesses. She is a fierce proponent of students formulating their strategy based on personal suitability.
- Distraction-Free Environment: Chandrajyoti endeavoured to maintain herself distraction-free during preparations. This meant a curtailment in her social media affairs and maintaining a disciplined lifestyle so that she could go in for her goal without distractions.
- Encouraging Community: Her family was supportive, which also brought blessings for her. The moral support offered by her parents at every stage helped in keeping her motivation levels high throughout the journey.
Some Advice for the UPSC Aspirants by IAS Chandrajyoti Singh
Chandrajyoti Singh, having successfully cracked the UPSC examination, offers the following nuggets of wisdom to those preparing for this highly competitive examination:
- Preparation Should Not Be a Hectic Task: There should be only limited study materials, which should be able to get you the best rewards. Quality is important, not quantity.
- Make Current Affairs a Major Focus: Be updated on current happenings and analyze their relevance to the syllabus. Newspapers and magazines are to be read daily, with notes that can assist in revisions.
- Disciplining and Maintaining Consistency: Consistency is a must. Build the habit of following your study routine, and make the best use of your study time. Your discipline will keep you focused and goal-oriented.
- Stay Positive: The road is long and stony. Be patient, keep a positive frame of mind, and believe in yourself and your preparation. Success does not come by any means.
Conclusion
Chandrajyoti Singh symbolizes what hard work, discipline, and self-belief can achieve. After cracking what many say is a tough examination—the UPSC Civil Services Exam-in her first attempt at 22, she attributes her success to a focused methodology toward self-study. The connotation of her story for every aspirant is that, with the right method, sheer practice, and dedication, success can be ensured. While riding the success of becoming an IAS officer, Chandrajyoti keeps dispelling all prophecies of failure that abound in the psyche of many young Indians willing to serve their nation. Her story highlights the significance of self-reliance, discipline, and a clear vision in attaining one’s goals. These qualities matter a lot, especially in a highly competitive environment like that of the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
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