It’s believed that aspirants must relocate to Delhi to arrange for the UPSC examination. Busting this false impression, IRMS officer Akash Chavda cleared the UPSC examination 2023 with AIR 1007 from his village in Gujarat.
Yearly, New Delhi’s UPSC teaching hub attracts aspirants from throughout the nation. Tens of 1000’s of aspirants proceed to dwell in small, windowless PGs in widespread and crowded areas of Mukherjee Nagar, Previous Rajendra Nagar (ORN), Patel Nagar within the hopes of turning into an officer in the future.
It’s believed that aspirants must relocate to the capital to arrange for the UPSC examination and that they can’t clear the examination with out teaching. This situation was additionally highlighted as soon as once more when three aspirants not too long ago misplaced their lives after drowning within the waterlogged basement of a training institute following steady rainfall within the metropolis.
Nevertheless, Akash Chavda, who cleared the UPSC examination in 2023 with an All-India Rank of 1007, busts this false impression. He says, “Delhi is overcrowded with aspirants and this additionally places a whole lot of stress on the infrastructure there. Once I visited ORN for the primary time, I felt disgusted and suffocated. There, aspirants compromise on every part from rents to high quality meals.”
“You actually don’t must go to Delhi for preparation. This might have been true a number of years again when there was an absence of on-line sources and steering. When you really feel there’s a lack of environment for research at residence, you’ll be able to hire some property in a close-by city and be part of a library. Whereas it’s not vital to go to Delhi, it is very important have a mentor and a structured examine routine,” shares Akash, who himself sought steering from a retired DFO (Divisional Forest Officer) throughout his preparation journey.
Gujarat-based Akash had ready for one of many difficult examinations of the nation from the comforts of his residence in a small village of Somnath district.
Sharing his expertise, he says, “I had choices of getting ready for the examination by becoming a member of the teaching centres in Gandhinagar or Ahmedabad however I selected to stay in my village. I by no means felt ignored. The truth is, I felt privileged. My mornings began with chirping birds and recent air. Each time I felt wired, I might spend time with my household.”
Securing 1007 rank, he was appointed within the Indian Railway Administration Service (IRMS). We sat down with Akash to be taught extra about his preparation journey.
From hostel room to UPSC corridor
Akash’s journey to success was full of challenges, perseverance, and a powerful willpower to realize his desires. When he was simply three years previous, he misplaced his mom. Whereas coping with the horrible blow, it was troublesome for his father to take care of him as he labored within the Center East.
So at a younger age, Akash was enrolled in a hostel. Nevertheless, he misplaced his father as properly in a tragic highway accident when he was learning Class 9.
“I had met him solely twice in seven years. All of the sudden, I felt I had nobody left. My youthful sister additionally lived with a relative, a whole bunch of miles away from me,” he provides.
A glimmer of hope on this bleak second in his life got here when his cousin — a each day wage mason by occupation — confirmed him unwavering help. He not solely welcomed him into his small one-room tin shed home but additionally handled him like his personal youngster.
“At the moment, no matter I’m is due to him. His sacrifices saved motivating me. He was not financially steady and he had his family to take care of however he accepted me and made me part of the household selflessly,” he shares.
Akash’s objectives had been by no means deterred by his cousin’s meagre sources. He inspired him to try excessive and observe his aspirations. He finally pursued mechanical engineering from a neighborhood school in Vadodara the place he was impressed to arrange for the UPSC examination.
“I used to be naturally inclined to social work and was exploring methods during which I may contribute to the neighborhood immediately. I got here to know concerning the UPSC examination from my school pals. Once I searched extra, I got here to know this work cannot solely assist me have interaction with the neighborhood immediately but additionally assist me develop personally,” he says.
As he delved into the world of aggressive exams after his commencement in 2018, Akash encountered additional hurdles; the primary of which was his Gujarati-medium schooling.
“There’s a lack of high quality examine materials out there in my native language. I sought out notes from toppers however I confronted difficulties in comprehending the English-language content material. For many of the phrases, I must confer with dictionaries,” he provides.
Regardless of these preliminary struggles, he certified the prelims in 2019 however failed the Mains examination. He appeared for his second try in 2022. Though he cleared the prelims and the Mains exams, he failed on the interview stage. Nevertheless, he achieved this feat whereas working as a tax inspector in Jamnagar as he needed to be financially impartial.
Sharing his expertise, he says, “Within the interview spherical, I opted for English as my medium of communication. I believed I might be capable to handle however I fumbled in my interview. This lowered my confidence stage and I failed at expressing myself within the persona stage. It was one of many the reason why I couldn’t clear the examination in 2022.”
Nevertheless, Akash remained undeterred and cleared the 2023 examination. Together with his triumphant preparation journey, he emphasises the necessity for consistency, self-evaluation via take a look at collection, writing solutions and the significance of utilising restricted sources successfully.
Sharing ideas for aspirants, he advises, “Get understanding of the syllabus, and resolve earlier years’ questions. Additionally, normalise taking breaks. There have been days after I felt responsible for taking breaks. However, everytime you really feel low, pause and unwind for a short interval. Utilise web and on-line take a look at collection and mock exams for successfully getting ready at residence.”
Edited by Padmashree Pande. All photographs: Akash Chavda.
