RankSheet

UPSC Mains 2023 · All India Rank 21

PURURAJ SINGH SOLANKI — AIR 21, UPSC CSE 2023

Official UPSC marksWritten 843Interview 185Final 1028
EthicsGeneral Studies
Read PURURAJ SINGH SOLANKI's answer copies →
✦ Strategy & Learnings

How PURURAJ SINGH SOLANKI Cracked the UPSC

Preparation approach, subject-wise strategy, and interview mindset - compiled from public interviews and coaching-institute features.

ⓘ AI-generated from PURURAJ SINGH SOLANKI's public interviews & coaching-institute features - not written or reviewed by them.
21
UPSC CSE 2023 Rank
2nd
Attempt that worked
3-4
Months of dedicated answer writing
2021-2022
Attempt 1 - Setback
Initial attempt where preparation for GS and the technical chemistry optional was incomplete.
2023
Attempt 2 - Success
Secured AIR 21 after refining answer writing techniques and completing the syllabus.
✍️

Answer Writing Strategy

The core of his success in the second attempt.

Pururaj emphasizes that answer writing is a skill that must be developed over time, not just a test of knowledge.

Topper's copies
He analyzed previous toppers' copies to understand how to structure answers and where to incorporate diagrams and flowcharts.
Active practice
He actively solved questions before looking at the answers to identify his own gaps in knowledge and structure.
Time management
He focused on developing a mental '11-12 minute' marker for questions to ensure he could complete the paper within the time limit.
🧪

Chemistry Optional Strategy

Balancing technical depth with exam requirements.

As a chemical engineer, he treated his optional as a technical subject requiring both conceptual clarity and rigorous practice.

Syllabus coverage
He used the 3-month gap between Prelims and Mains to cover the vast chemistry syllabus, which he felt was incomplete in his first attempt.
Derivations
He memorized derivations so thoroughly that he could reproduce them accurately under pressure, ensuring high marks in the physical chemistry section.
⚖️

Ethics & Essay Strategy

Focusing on application and structure.

For Ethics and Essay, he moved beyond theory to focus on practical application and administrative perspective.

Case studies
He prioritized the case study section in Ethics, focusing on providing concrete examples and administrative solutions.
Structured approach
He utilized guidance from mentors to structure his essays, ensuring a logical flow that demonstrated societal awareness.
🗣️

Interview Approach

Handling situational and opinion-based questions.

His interview was heavily focused on situational and opinion-based questions rather than pure factual recall.

Situational focus
60-70% of his interview was dedicated to situational questions, requiring him to justify his choices and demonstrate administrative reasoning.
Justification
He focused on justifying his choice of words and options, showing the board his analytical process rather than just providing a 'correct' answer.
📅

Preparation Philosophy

Consistency over quantification.

Pururaj discourages the obsession with counting study hours, focusing instead on daily targets.

Daily targets
He set daily goals and felt satisfied if he met them, compensating for any missed work the following day.
Hobbies
He maintained hobbies like badminton and cricket to stay motivated and manage the stress of the long preparation journey.

“I just focus on the process, and leave the rest to God.”

— on his approach to predicting his rank

🎯 If You're Starting Out

  • Start writing answers 4-5 months into your preparation, once you have read the topic.
  • Don't obsess over counting study hours; focus on completing your daily targets.
  • Use the 3-month gap between Prelims and Mains for intensive syllabus completion and answer writing.
  • Maintain a hobby to keep your motivation high during the long preparation period.
Where this came fromBiography and marks facts corroborated across 3 coaching-institute profiles; strategy details drawn from 2 interview/strategy videos.
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