✦ Strategy & LearningsPreparation approach, subject-wise strategy, and interview mindset - compiled from public interviews and coaching-institute features.
ⓘ AI-generated from Aditya Narayan H's public interviews & coaching-institute features - not written or reviewed by them.
2021
Attempt 1 - Failed
Reached the interview stage but did not make the final list.
2022
Attempt 2 - Failed
Could not clear the Preliminary examination.
2023
Attempt 3 - Progress
Secured AIR 357 and joined the Indian Revenue Service.
2025
Attempt 4 - Success
Secured AIR 68 in the UPSC CSE 2025.
📅Preparation Philosophy
Balancing life and study
Aditya emphasizes a balanced approach rather than rigid, high-pressure schedules.
Balanced approach
He does not believe in unrealistic and extremely tight study schedules.
Life beyond UPSC
He stresses that there are many important things in life beyond just UPSC preparation.
📝Prelims Strategy
Test series as a benchmark
Aditya used test series as his primary tool to gauge his preparation level.
Test series focus
He used test series as the main benchmark for his preparation, as he did not attend classroom coaching.
Subject-wise gaps
He used test series to identify gaps in his knowledge, especially for core subjects like Polity and Modern History.
50-50 strategy
He practiced eliminating options to improve his chances on questions where he was unsure.
✍️Mains Strategy
Answer writing and structure
Aditya focused on consistent answer writing and efficient time management.
Consistent writing
He practiced writing answers from the very beginning of his preparation.
Time management
He improved his thinking and writing speed over time, eventually completing all papers within the time limit.
Structure and content
He emphasized that answer writing is about the ability to convey things effectively, using examples and figures to substantiate points.
📚Optional Subject
Sociology strategy
Aditya chose Sociology as his optional subject, focusing on both theory and application.
Paper 1 vs Paper 2
Paper 1 is theory-heavy, while Paper 2 focuses more on Indian society.
Answer structure
He used a paragraph-based approach for theory questions and point-based answers for analytical questions.
🤖Use of Technology
Leveraging AI in preparation
Aditya utilized AI tools to optimize his study time and content generation.
AI tools
He used tools like Gemini and ChatGPT to generate points and examples for his answers.
Efficiency
AI helped him save time on research, allowing him to focus on structuring and writing answers.
🗣️Interview Approach
Personality test insights
Aditya views the interview as a test of personality and confidence rather than just knowledge.
Confidence
He believes that being well-prepared and confident is key to handling the interview.
Mock interviews
He suggests that while mock interviews are helpful, one-on-one sessions are more effective.
“UPSC is like a chakravyuh; it is easy to enter but very difficult to exit.”
— on the nature of the examination“Never forget why you started.”
— on maintaining motivation🎯 Advice for Aspirants
- Do not make UPSC your entire identity; keep other career options open.
- Be consistent in your efforts; a 1% daily improvement is better than sporadic bursts of study.
- Use test series to identify your weak areas rather than just chasing high marks.
- Don't force-fit thinkers into your answers; only use them if they are relevant to the question.
Where this came fromBiography and marks corroborated across 2 news/blog profiles; strategy details drawn from 2 interview videos.