 Civil Services Examination is the toughest exam in India, which selects candidates for various civil services of the Government of India){kind=link}
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination is the toughest exam in India, which selects candidates for various civil services of the Government of India, including Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
In fact, the demand for government jobs is very high in India as government jobs are considered to be one of the safest options for those who are struggling to find a stable job with a satisfactory pay scale. India is known for its robust education system and competitive spirit. Lakhs of Indians fight to get a government position. Hence, cracking government exams is not easy. It is very challenging because of the long syllabus, huge competition and very limited seats. One needs to work hard as well as smart if to apply for any of the top toughest exams in India. Preparing for the toughest exams required strategic planning, hard practice, and mental resilience.
For this, one should understand the exam format, subject and types of questions. Likewise, one can prepare what he/she needs to focus on. After that, divide the course outline into sections according to the weightage and difficulty level. Create a study plan along with considering time management. Give time to each difficult subject. In addition, balance your routine including rest and leisure. Moreover, practice regularly is the key to preparation; focus on weak areas; and, identify gaps where you are lacking. Above all, stay healthy and positive while preparing for any of the toughest exams.
The UPSC exam is considered tough due to its extensive syllabus covering various subjects like history, geography, politics, economics, science, and technology. Additionally, the multi-stage selection process, including the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test, adds to its difficulty.
In order to stay inspired and to get success in such a tough competition, go for the following stories of recent success in such tough considered exams.
One among the successful is Himanshu Thapliyal, an NITK alumnus from MTech Nanotechnology. He had a humble beginning with a 5.8 lakh rank in JEE. Now, he has secured AIR 1 in UPSC ESE, achieving his dream of joining Indian Telecom Services.
It’s a moment of pride for the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, as Himanshu Thapliyal, an alumnus of the 2023 MTech batch in Nanotechnology, has secured All India Rank (AIR) 1 in the prestigious UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE).
Himanshu’s story isn’t that of a typical overnight success. Born in Uttarakhand and raised in Lucknow, his academic journey began with a JEE rank of 5,83,000—not exactly a dream start. But he didn’t let that stop him.
He went on to pursue a BTech in Electronics and Communication at NPSEI, Pithoragarh. With unshakable focus, Himanshu cracked GATE and earned a spot in the MTech Nanotechnology program at NITK (2021–2023). Talking about his time at NITK, Himanshu shared, “Initially, it was difficult to figure out what I wanted to do in life. NITK gave me exposure, great friendships, and the clarity I needed to move forward.”
Securing AIR 1 wasn’t just about the rank for Himanshu. It was a step toward his goal of joining the Indian Telecom Services.
“With this rank, I can finally achieve that goal. My focus now is to understand the system, identify where I can contribute, and give back to society in every way possible,” he says.
Behind every success story is a strong support system, and Himanshu is no exception. He credits his achievement to his parents, his teachers, and his friends. Their encouragement and camaraderie kept him grounded and focused.
For those aiming for similar success, Himanshu’s advice is clear: “Make the most of your time . Balance your studies with preparation, stay disciplined, and don’t miss out on the experiences that shape you.”
Similarly, a Noida (UP) boy Abhijay Tiwari switches to open schooling, bags one of the top ranks in law exam. He bagged AIR 9 in AILET 2024, the only boy from Uttar Pradesh to get a spot in the top 10. He credited his single mother’s sacrifices, his family’s support and his switch to open schooling. He advises aspirants not to stress over mock scores and bad days
Late on December 12, as the AILET results rolled out, Abhijay Tiwari, a boy from Noida, gave his family a reason to celebrate. Bagging AIR 9 in the prestigious All India Law Entrance Test, Abhijay became the only boy from Uttar Pradesh to make it to the top 10. But this wasn’t just his moment—it was his mother’s too.
Abhijay’s story is more than just one of hard work; it’s about family, resilience, and a mother’s tireless efforts. Raised by a single parent (MOTHER) who left her hectic event management career to become a tuition teacher, Abhijay’s success is as much hers as it is his. What makes someone choose law at such a young age? For Abhijay, the answer was simple—curiosity.
“There was no particular inspiration. It was just a few of the subjects I was actually interested in. I didn’t enjoy science or commerce really, but law was something I had the urge to know more about,” he says.
His journey to this field, though, wasn’t typical. After Class 10, Abhijay left conventional schooling for open schooling—a bold move for any teenager. But for him, it became an advantage. “Open schooling helped as I didn’t have much external pressure from academics,” he explains. Without rigid school hours, he could focus entirely on his AILET preparation.
Abhijay is also quick to mention the role of his extended family in his journey. His maternal uncle and grandfather have been crucial in supporting his dreams, emotionally and financially.
Like many aspirants, Abhijay faced his share of hurdles. Financial constraints were the biggest challenge, but his family stepped in to ensure his studies were never interrupted. He also tackled the pressures of preparation with a calm, collected mindset. To future AILET aspirants, Abhijay has a few words of wisdom: “Try not to take your mock scores too seriously as no one truly knows what will happen on the actual D-day.” Abhijay’s story is a powerful reminder of how grit, family support, and a belief in oneself can overcome even the toughest odds.
Educationist/Administrator/Editor/Author/Speaker
Commencing teaching in his early twenties, Prof Aggarwal has diverse experience of great tenure in the top institutions not only as an educationist, administrator, editor, author but also promoting youth and its achievements through the nicest possible content framing. A revolutionary to the core, he is also keen to address the society around him for its betterment and growth on positive notes while imbibing the true team spirit the work force along with.
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