✦ Strategy & LearningsPreparation approach, subject-wise strategy, and interview mindset - compiled from public interviews and coaching-institute features.
ⓘ AI-generated from Anmol Rathore's public interviews & coaching-institute features - not written or reviewed by them.
2022
JKPSC CCE - Topper
Secured 1st rank in the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission’s Combined Competitive Examination.
2023
UPSC CSE - AIR 7
Cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in her third attempt.
⚖️Optional Subject Strategy
Law Optional Preparation
Anmol emphasizes leveraging her law school background to streamline her optional preparation.
Start early
Recommends starting optional preparation in the 4th or 5th year of law school, as subjects like Constitutional and International law overlap with the syllabus.
College notes
Emphasizes making comprehensive notes during law school to save time, as the post-prelims window is insufficient for in-depth study.
Resource list
Utilizes standard textbooks like Avtar Singh (Contract), Bangia (Tort), and AK Jain (Constitutional Law), alongside online resources like SCC Online and Live Law for recent judgments.
📝Mains Answer Writing
Content-focused approach
Anmol's mains strategy centered on concise, content-rich answers.
Daily practice
Prioritized daily answer writing to sharpen the ability to present answers concisely within word limits.
Law-oriented GS
Advocates for writing law-oriented answers in GS Paper 2, including relevant case laws, to potentially fetch higher marks.
📰Current Affairs Strategy
Efficient consumption
Rather than exhaustive daily reading, Anmol suggests a targeted approach.
Selective reading
Focuses on the front page, national news, and 'Explained' columns of The Hindu and The Indian Express.
Monthly magazines
Recommends monthly magazines for comprehensive coverage, noting that daily news can be supplemented by these for revision.
Integration
Integrates current affairs directly into static notes to ensure they are readily available for answer writing.
🗣️Interview Approach
Natural and coherent
Anmol focused on personality development rather than rote memorization.
Avoid over-rehearsal
Attended a few mock interviews but avoided excessive sessions to ensure her responses remained natural and not overly rehearsed.
Calm demeanor
Focused on developing a calm demeanor and being mindful of word choices to navigate potential cross-questioning traps.
🧠Handling Self-Doubt
Mental resilience
Anmol addresses the psychological challenges of the UPSC journey.
Internal motivation
Suggests identifying one's 'why'—the core motivation for joining the service—to stay grounded during difficult phases.
Accepting the process
Acknowledges that self-doubt is common but emphasizes that consistent effort and trusting the process are key to overcoming it.
“Never give a one-sided answer. UPSC wants a balanced answer, so present both the pros and cons.”
— on answer writing“The biggest antidote to self-doubt is if you have some sort of spiritual connection with the universe.”
— on staying motivated🎯 If You're Starting Out
- Focus on building a strong foundation with NCERTs before moving to advanced textbooks.
- Do not rely solely on one source; integrate information from multiple sources into your own notes.
- Prioritize PYQs (Previous Year Questions) to understand the pattern and demand of the exam.
- Don't get caught in the trap of collecting too much material; focus on revising what you have multiple times.
Where this came fromBiography and marks corroborated across 3 coaching-institute profiles; strategy details drawn from 3 interview/strategy videos.