How I Cracked UPSC Mains: My Strategy, Resources, and Reflections

By Saumya Mishra (AIR 18, UPSC CSE 2024)

The journey to cracking UPSC Mains is not just about mastering a syllabus—it’s about learning how to filter information, write fast yet well, and remain calm under pressure. After securing AIR 18 in CSE 2024, I’ve received many messages asking how I prepared for Mains in such a limited time. This blog is a reflection of what I actually did—not a generic list of “must-dos”, but a genuine roadmap that worked for me.

📚 Resources: Less is More

One of the biggest mistakes aspirants make is getting overwhelmed by material. I avoided this by sticking to limited sources and revising them thoroughly. My preparation was highly focused. I did not read everything under the sun. I only read what I needed—and made sure I could recall it under pressure.

Here’s a breakdown of my sources for each GS paper as per UPSC syllabus:

GS Paper 1: History, Society, Geography

• Culture: I only revised my prelims notes, mostly sourced from Nitin Singhania. These were sufficient.
• Modern History: Spectrum was my sole book. I didn’t refer to too many sources because UPSC usually tests conceptual clarity and linkages.
• Ancient & Medieval History: I used Tamil Nadu history textbooks. They’re crisp and easy to revise.
• World History: I relied on Coaching material for World History compilation. I made my own short notes from that.
• Post-Independence India: Used internet articles and Spectrum selectively.
• Society & Geography: As a Geography optional candidate, this helped me immensely. I used notes from Kanishk Kataria sir and enriched them through the internet.

GS Paper 2: Polity, Governance, IR

• Polity: Laxmikanth was my foundation. But to go beyond static content, I used the internet and referred to Shruti Sharma IAS (AIR-1) mam’s notes for value addition.
• Governance, SHGs, Civil Services, etc.: I relied on internet resources and Mains Compilations.
• Schemes: I used my prelims notes and Mains Compilations to track all major schemes.
• IR: Newspapers + Mains Compilation. I didn’t go overboard—just current events and India’s diplomatic trends.

GS Paper 3: Economy, S&T, Security, Environment

• Economy: I referred to Class notes and Test series, both of which simplified complex concepts.
• Budget/Economic Survey: I took key data points directly from official PDFs.
• Agriculture, Food Processing, Infrastructure: I used my optional notes, budget documents, and Mains Compilation.
• Internal Security: Challenges to Internal Security of India by Ashok Kumar (IPS) was very useful. I also referred to Kanishk Kataria sir’s notes for a topper’s perspective.
• Science & Tech: Internet for updates + coaching booklets for basics.
• Environment & Disaster Management: Again, mostly internet and Mains Year end Compilations.

GS Paper 4: Ethics

• I have gone through few structured sources and test series.
• But examples matter a lot here. So I built a repository using newspapers, my own GS notes, and toppers’ copies.

📝 Daily Answer Writing: The Core of My Strategy

Let me be very honest—this is where the magic happened. You can read all the books you want, but if you can’t express your thoughts clearly in 7–8 minutes per answer, it won’t translate to marks.

I set a very realistic goal: write 5 answers daily. Not 10, not 15. Just 5. Even that wasn’t always possible—but I stuck to it as much as I could.

I did not wait for syllabus completion. I began answer writing as soon as I understood a topic well enough. That decision gave me a huge edge.

📋 Test Series: Quality Over Quantity

I enrolled in Mains test series. It had 12 GS tests and 3 Essay tests. Due to limited time, I could write only 8 GS tests. But I made sure to simulate actual exam conditions.

What mattered more than scores was analysis:

• I studied model answers thoroughly.
• I compared my copies with those of toppers (especially Shruti Sharma ma’am and Aditya Srivastava sir).
• I didn’t get bogged down by low marks. Remember, test series marks aren’t predictive—they’re diagnostic.

I did not attempt any offline tests, Essay Guidance Programs, or Full Length mocks. I built my own schedule instead of adjusting to coaching calendars.

🧠 Answer Writing: My Personal Framework

Writing better answers doesn’t mean writing more. It means writing what’s needed.

Before Mains

• Memorize the UPSC syllabus. You’ll start seeing connections.
• Create a separate revision set of data, maps, diagrams, and examples.
• Revise current affairs from past 12 months. I used Mains year long compilation.

During Practice

• Structure every answer with Introduction–Body–Conclusion.
• Use headings and sub-headings—this makes answers visually readable.
• Finish the paper. Don’t leave questions blank.
• Use enrichments—laws, Acts, data, examples, policies, constitutional articles, etc.
• For statement-based questions, acknowledge the quote, then move to the core demand.

During the Actual Exam

• First, understand what’s being asked. Don’t rush.
• Prefer writing in points, not long paragraphs.
• If you don’t know a question, move on. Come back later.
• Use optional paper knowledge wherever relevant (e.g., Geography in GS-1 and GS-3).
• Pull in examples from prelims, GS, newspapers, even ethics.

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Learning from Toppers Without Imitation

I never followed one topper blindly. Instead:

• I picked up strengths from each.
• I studied how they structured answers, used headings, and wrote introductions.
• I never copied writing style—but I understood the logic behind it.

Mental Strength: Staying Calm Through Uncertainty

UPSC Mains can make you feel like you’re never doing enough. But I’ve learned this: everyone feels that way.

Here’s how I kept myself mentally grounded:

1. I focused only on my growth, not others’ performance.
2. I stopped reading topper answer copies if they triggered anxiety.
3. I trusted my plan, hit my daily targets, and slept peacefully.
4. I reminded myself that nobody ever feels 100% ready. If you’re consistent, you’re ahead.

“Calmness is a performance enhancer.” And it truly is.

I Had Only 50–60 Days Post Prelims

Yes, that’s right. My Mains prep window was very tight.

So I:

• Avoided all unnecessary courses.
• Didn’t attend group answer writing programs.
• Didn’t waste time comparing resources.
• Stuck to a minimal, laser-focused plan.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need Everything—Just the Right Things

My Mains preparation wasn’t flashy. It was quiet, consistent, and focused.

Here’s what worked for me:

• Limited, high-quality resources
• Consistent daily answer writing
• Deep self-analysis
• Staying mentally strong
• Trusting that small daily wins add up

If you’re on this journey, start small, stay consistent, and believe in your process.

For more such Topper’s Talks, you can visit: https://laex.in/category/toppers-talk/

Here is what she shared with media after her selection in the UPSC CSE Exam:

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