RankSheet

UPSC Mains 2025 · All India Rank 3

Akansh Dhull — AIR 3, UPSC CSE 2025

Official UPSC marksWritten 864Interview 193Final 1057
EssayEthicsGeneral StudiesGeneral Studies - IIGeneral Studies - III+4 more
Read Akansh Dhull's answer copies →
✦ Strategy & Learnings

How Akansh Dhull Cracked the UPSC

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

ⓘ AI-generated from Akansh Dhull's public interviews & coaching-institute features - not written or reviewed by them.
4th
Attempt that secured AIR 3
864
Mains written marks
193
Interview marks
1057
Final total marks
2023
Attempt 2 - Rank 342
Akansh secured his first rank in the civil services examination.
2024
Attempt 3 - Rank 295
He achieved a slight improvement in his ranking.
2025
Attempt 4 - AIR 3
He secured the third rank in the final UPSC results.
📝

Answer Writing Strategy

The core of his high-scoring performance

Akansh emphasizes that answer writing is an iterative process that requires consistent practice and analytical depth.

Iterative process
Treat answer writing as a continuous loop of writing, evaluating, and improving rather than a one-time task.
Structured approach
Use a clear structure with balanced examples, data, and well-defined introductions and conclusions.
Data-driven answers
Incorporate relevant data and examples to add analytical depth to your responses.
🧠

Preparation Philosophy

Balancing rigor with a life beyond the exam

He advocates for a balanced approach to preparation, emphasizing that the number of hours studied is less important than the quality of understanding.

Quality over quantity
Focus on how much content you have gathered and how well you understand it, rather than just the number of hours spent studying.
Maintain balance
Do not let the exam consume your entire life; maintain hobbies and spend time with family to stay mentally healthy.
Active learning
Be an active learner who constantly looks for opportunities to apply information to different subjects, like linking current affairs to GS papers.
📊

Subject-Specific Preparation

Leveraging background and current affairs

Akansh utilized his academic background in commerce and economics to his advantage in the optional subject.

Optional subject
Chose Commerce and Accountancy due to his academic background, which provided conceptual familiarity and scoring potential.
Current affairs
Focus on understanding concepts rather than just reading more; connect current affairs to core concepts.
🗣️

Interview Approach

Handling the personality test

His interview preparation focused on articulation, confidence, and maintaining a balanced, objective perspective.

Articulation
Focus on clear and articulate communication of your views.
Avoid over-opinionation
Be careful not to sound overly opinionated; present your views confidently but remain open to correction.
Objectivity
Maintain an objective stance, especially when discussing complex or sensitive issues.

“Answer writing is not just information; it is about information repackaged and expressed in a manner in a limited space of two or three pages.”

— on his answer writing philosophy

🎯 For Aspirants Starting Out

  • Understand the process: Once you grasp the underlying process of the exam, you can become repeatedly successful.
  • Practice consistently: Solve 300-400 papers over the course of your preparation to build muscle memory.
  • Be an active learner: Don't be a passive consumer of information; actively look for ways to apply what you learn to your answers.
  • Maintain a life beyond the exam: Don't study for 18 hours a day; maintain a healthy balance to avoid burnout.
Where this came fromBiography and marks corroborated across 3 coaching-institute profiles; strategy details drawn from 2 interview/strategy videos.
AIR 4 Raghav Jhunjhunwala →

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