Two UPSC-CSE Toppers, One Message — Consistency Wins
INTERVIEW
“Discipline doesn’t have to be dramatic. You just need to show up every day.” That’s the kind of practical wisdom that defines the journeys of Aakash Garg (AIR5) and Mayank Tripathi (AIR10) two of the brightest stars from the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024.
Aakash, a Computer Science Engineering graduate, and Mayank, a Physics graduate, come from different walks of life but share a common ethos: quiet focus, relentless consistency, and a refusal to give up. Their success wasn’t built on overnight miracles or endless coaching hours. Instead, it was carved slowly through self-awareness, strategic refinement, and the courage to do things differently.
Aakash cleared the exam in his second attempt, having failed to get past prelims the first time. Mayank, who had already secured Rank 373 in 2023, took a bold leap by opting out of coaching, improving his written answers, and rising to the top 10 all in one year. Both stayed off social media, stuck to limited study resources, and prioritised quality over quantity.
In this exclusive interview with Senior Journalist Chandar Kumar Chaudhary, the two toppers open up about their preparation routines, what helped them bounce back from setbacks, how they approached the essay and personality tests, and the mindset that kept them going. More importantly, they offer honest advice for future aspirants reminding us that success in the UPSC isn’t about being the smartest in the room. It’s about being patient, persistent, and purpose-driven.
Aakash Garg, AIR #5
Q: Aakash, from engineering to the top ranks of UPSC what sparked the shift, and how did you find purpose in civil services?
A: Even during my engineering years, I was drawn to the idea of public systems and how technology could help improve them. I often wondered how I could apply what I was learning in a broader social context. That curiosity eventually led me to the civil services.
Also, my father, though a businessman, has always been active in social work. Growing up in an environment where community interactions were part of daily life made public service feel like a natural fit. It felt like the civil services would give me a platform to contribute more directly and meaningfully. That thought stuck and here I am.
Q: You couldn’t clear the prelims on your first try, but your second attempt took you to AIR 5. What changed in your approach?
A: The first time, I didn’t cover the syllabus properly. It wasn’t about how hard I worked it was about what I missed. I learned from that.
In my second attempt, I completed the full syllabus, focused on revision, and took plenty of mock tests. I didn’t try to follow a rigid hour-based study plan. Instead, I set specific daily goals read the paper, complete a topic, solve questions. If I finished in six hours, I stopped there. If it took eight, so be it.
One major shift was limiting my resources. I stuck to a small set of books
and revised them 4–5 times. Also, I cut off social media for almost three years. I stayed in touch with people via WhatsApp but otherwise avoided distrac-tions. That level of focus made a huge difference.
Q: Many aspirants struggle with consistency. What did your daily routine look like, and how did you maintain mental balance?
A: I always planned my next day the night before. That way, I’d wake up knowing exactly what I needed to do. I’d start with the newspaper, then study through the day. Once I met my targets, I’d stop. I usually had evenings free, which I used to relax, meet friends, or just unwind with TV.
I didn’t isolate myself. I made sure to do things that kept me happy exercise, yoga, time with friends. My parents were also very supportive. If I needed to talk or just vent, they were always there.
To stay motivated, I reminded myself of the competition. I’d think, “If I slack off, someone else will move ahead.” That thought kept me going. And if I ever hit a wall, I took a short break rest is part of the process too.
Q: What was your optional subject, and what worked well in your preparation for it?
A: I chose Sociology. Since my background is in Computer Science, I had to pick something different and Sociology clicked with me.
I took coaching for it, made my own notes, and stuck to 2–3 standard reference books. The subject is rooted in everyday life, so it felt relatable. I revised it multiple times, and that helped. In UPSC, depth matters more than breadth.
Q: Let’s talk about the personality test. What role did mentorship, mocks, and peer discussions play?
A: Mock interviews helped me become more aware of how I came across in conversations. They gave me a sense of what kind of questions could come up based on my background. But the actual interview was very different it’s more about who you are than rehearsed answers.
That’s where good mentorship matters. UPSC has a vast syllabus, and you can’t study everything. A good mentor helps you focus your efforts smartly. In the last three months, you can’t change your personality, but you can learn how to present it better. My takeaway: be authentic. The board sees right through pretence.
Q: Lastly, what’s your core advice for UPSC aspirants?
A: The biggest factor is continuity. You can’t afford to study in bursts. One week of hard work followed by a break will hurt your momentum. Aim for daily progress even small steps add up over time.
Be honest with yourself. At the end of the day, you should feel like it was a day well spent. If you keep hitting your goals regularly, the motivation follows naturally. UPSC takes time it’s not a sprint but if you’re steady and committed, success will come.
Mayank Tripathi AIR #10
Q: Mayank, you made a stunning leap from Rank 373 last year to Rank 10 this year. What changed in your approach?
A: The biggest shift was in mindset and refinement. Last year, I focused mostly on completing the paper. This year, I shifted my attention to how I was answering adding structure, examples, diagrams, and sharper content. I studied toppers’ copies, broke down their answers, and made a list of impactful keywords I could reuse. Interestingly, I didn’t rely on coaching or test series this time. It was a deeply self-driven effort more introspection, more precision.
Q: Was there a turning point—may be a person, a book, or a moment—that changed the way you approached the exam?
A: My father has always been my north star. He works as a senior assistant in the District Magistrate’s office, and watching him over the years inspired my dream of joining the civil services. As a child, I was fascinated by what IAS officers could do how they influenced governance and society. That aspiration stayed with me.
Q: Ever felt like giving up? How did you deal with those low moments?
A: Absolutely. In my first attempt in 2022, I didn’t clear the prelims because I made a silly mistake. I was devastated I even cried. But I reminded myself why I started: to bring change, to fulfil my family’s hopes. That clarity helped me bounce back. Music helped, too motivational songs, and watching Dhoni’s calm under pressure. He’s my role model.
Q: Let’s talk about the Essay paper. Did you stick to a format, or try something different?
A: I always wrote essays in paragraph form but broke them down using subheadings. My introductions often included a personal story or a familiar reference to grab attention. Then, I unpacked the theme through a framework I call SPEECHLIT: Social, Political, Environmental, Economic, Cultural, Historical, Legal, Institutional, and Technological angles. I also made sure to end with a meaningful, reflective conclusion that tied everything together.
Q: Can you share an example of how you brought that to life in an essay?
A: Sure—one of my essays on leadership opened with MS Dhoni’s bold decision to hand the last over of the 2007 T20 World Cup to Joginder Sharma. It was risky, but visionary. That example set the tone. For another essay on innovation, I used Edison’s persistence, political theory, and even insights from the Gita. Personal touches like these make your essay relatable and memorable.
Q: Was there a tricky question in your interview that caught you off guard? How did you handle it?
A: One panelist questioned me about surrogacy why it’s rising, and why adoption isn’t as common. I didn’t have a prepared answer, so I asked if I could share a possible explanation. I stayed calm and reasoned that biological connection and social stigma might play a role. She appreciated the honesty and the attempt. I think what matters most in an interview is presence of mind.
Q: Did they ask you anything about your hometown or background?
A: Yes! They asked what Kannauj is known for so I spoke about its perfume legacy. That led to a deeper discussion about its history and strategic importance. They also threw in a quirky one “If you were Donald Trump, what would you do?” So yes, expect the unexpected!
Q: PM Shri Narendra Modi speaks often of “innovation” and “holistic development.” What do these ideas mean to you as a future civil servant?
A: To me, it means bringing creative thinking to the grassroots. I want to focus on village schools organising startup fairs, introducing kids to ideas beyond government jobs, nurturing their curiosity. I want to use the National Education Policy to its full potential and create opportunities based on individual talent.
Q: What was a major misconception you had at the start of your UPSC journey?
A: I assumed I needed to read everything. I ended up juggling multiple sources for each subject only to realise I couldn’t revise effectively. Later, I narrowed down to a few core books, which I read 15–20 times. That made all the difference. UPSC has a fixed syllabus stick to it, integrate current affairs, and revise deeply.
Q: You also worked while preparing. How did you manage your time?
A: It was tough, honestly. I studied late at night, sacrificed social outings, cricket everything. I limited my phone use strictly to studying. I knew I had to make this work, so every moment mattered. If you can manage your energy and stay consistent, it’s possible.
Q: Finally, what’s the one piece of advice you’d give a beginner?
A: Decide firmly, and don’t look back. Don’t get distracted, don’t overconsume content. Keep your sources limited and focus on revision. UPSC is a test of stamina, not just intelligence. Patience, consistency, and commitment are your real allies.
(The interviewer is Editor of New India Samachar. Views expressed are personal)