UPSC Mains 2023 · All India Rank 6

SRISHTI DABAS — AIR 6, UPSC CSE 2023

Official UPSC marksWritten 862Interview 186Final 1048
EssayEthicsGeneral Studies+4 more
✦ Strategy & Learnings

How SRISHTI DABAS Cracked the UPSC

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

ⓘ AI-generated from SRISHTI DABAS's public interviews & coaching-institute features - not written or reviewed by them.
1st
Attempt that worked
AIR 6
UPSC CSE 2023 Rank
1048
Final Total Marks
2023
Attempt 1 - Success
Srishti secured AIR 6 in her first attempt while working as an RBI Grade B officer.
💼

Balancing Work and Preparation

Managing a demanding job at the RBI

Srishti's preparation was self-driven, requiring strict discipline to balance her professional responsibilities with her study goals.

Time Management
She utilized nights and weekends for study, breaking down the syllabus into manageable portions to ensure consistent progress.
Stress Management
She practiced Kathak, her passion, to rejuvenate and manage the mental pressure of balancing a full-time job with UPSC preparation.
📚

Subject Strategy

Building a strong foundation

Srishti leveraged her academic background in Political Science and focused on core resources for General Studies.

Optional Subject
She chose Political Science due to her academic background and its significant overlap with GS topics like Indian Polity and International Relations.
GS Foundation
She built a strong foundation using NCERT textbooks, supplemented by standard books like M. Laxmikanth for Polity and Ramesh Singh for Economics.
✍️

Mains & Answer Writing

Rigorous practice and self-assessment

Answer writing was a priority, with a focus on structure and real-world application.

Daily Practice
She dedicated time to daily answer writing, focusing on speed, presentation, and concise responses.
Linking Theory
She emphasized linking theoretical concepts with real-world applications and incorporating current affairs into her answers.
🎙️

Interview Approach

Refining personality and communication

Srishti prepared for the personality test by focusing on current affairs and her professional experience.

Professional Experience
Her background at the RBI provided her with a strong understanding of governance and public policy, which she leveraged during the interview.
Mock Interviews
She participated in several mock interviews to refine her responses, handle stress, and ensure her communication remained natural and authentic.

Consistency was her mantra. She believed in steady progress over time rather than cramming at the last minute.

on her preparation philosophy

🎯 Advice for Aspirants

  • Focus on building a strong foundation with NCERTs before moving to standard books.
  • Prioritize daily answer writing to improve speed and structure.
  • Use previous year's question papers to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern.
  • Stay updated with current affairs by reading newspapers like The Hindu daily.
Where this came fromBiography and marks corroborated across 3 coaching-institute profiles; strategy details drawn from 3 interview/strategy videos.