Sonipat, March 27: Mansi Dagars from Sonipat, Haryana, has achieved an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 137 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 results, released on March 15. Remarkably, she accomplished this feat without any coaching or professional guidance, relying solely on self-study.
Mansi, a postgraduate in Physics from Delhi University, returned to Sonipat to prepare for the UPSC exams. With no one in her family or acquaintances to guide her, she turned to Google and YouTube to understand what and where to study. Through YouTube, she learned about the exam pattern and strategies to crack it.
In an exclusive interview with Dainik Bhaskar, Mansi shared her formula for success in the UPSC exams. She cleared the exam on her second attempt.
Identifying Resources for Self-Study
Mansi explained that she understood the strategies of several toppers by watching their videos on YouTube and Toppers Talk. She selected common books recommended by many, such as Laxmikant for Polity and Spectrum for History. Gradually, she learned what was essential for her preparation.
Importance of Concept Clarity
According to Mansi, the clarity of concepts is more crucial than the number of hours studied. She dedicated eight hours daily to her studies, focusing on understanding the material rather than merely counting study hours. She effectively covered the syllabus, revising and testing herself along the way. With clear concepts, she found the preparation process manageable.
Advantages of Studying at Home
Mansi emphasized that one does not need to move to big cities for preparation. Instead, consistency and confidence are key. She noted that larger cities often come with more distractions, which is why she chose to study in a peaceful environment at home. Numerous online resources and free coaching materials are available, eliminating the need for expensive programs.
Practice is Key
She highlighted the different demands of the Prelims, Mains, and Interviews. For Prelims, she relied on basic resources and practiced as many mock tests as possible. For Mains, she focused on answer writing practice and solving previous year’s questions. For the Interview, she practiced with family and friends.
Choosing Optional Subjects Wisely
Mansi advised that when selecting optional subjects, one should consider their interest and the depth of understanding required. She chose Physics, as she was already familiar with the concepts and terminology, making it easier to manage alongside General Studies.
Using Technology Wisely
She also mentioned the importance of using the internet and phone as tools for progress rather than distractions. Mansi primarily used her phone to read digital copies of newspapers and other materials, focusing on learning and understanding.
Overcoming Failures
Mansi did not dwell on her previous attempt, where she missed the Prelims by one question. Instead, she viewed it as an opportunity to prepare better for the Mains, which she had only three months to study for. Maintaining a positive attitude helped her stay focused on her goals.
Keeping a Manageable Schedule
Her study schedule was designed to be simple rather than hectic. She allocated specific time slots for studying and practicing answer writing, focusing on one subject at a time to avoid confusion and pressure.