Senior Associate Editor of Soma Basu held a panel discussion with UPSC rating holders during the Hindu Civil Service Gateway event in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. |Photo source: Nirmal Harindran
An exciting and influential interaction with recent UPSC ranking holders was one of the highlights of the second and final day of the Hindu Civil Service Gateway Summit in 2025 in the state capital.
The conference provided valuable insights to young participants at the summit to understand the individual systems, work ethics and strategies that awardees undermine the hard UPSC exams.
Nandanaa GP ranked 47 in the TH UPSC 2024 exam, highlighting the importance of strategic preparation. “Aim to clear the exam on the first attempt with focused research and discipline practice. Don’t be frustrated if there is a setback,” she said.
Devika Priyadersini, ranked 95, said she has been working hard for two consecutive years, working for eight to ten hours a day. “It’s not just about long-term investment; it’s a strategic and logical approach, especially when cracking CSAT (business competency test). Tools like mobile apps play a crucial role in managing time effectively,” she said.
Vaisakh CR observed in commenting on personality tests (interviews) that what really sets you apart is the way you present yourself in front of the interview committee; he said your purpose, clear thoughts and beliefs are important.
The question I often hear at the summit is whether there should be a mentor preparing for the civil service exam or whether it should take part alone. According to Saumya Krishnan, having a mentor was very helpful to her. “Their guidance not only simplifies my preparations, but also saves valuable time because I can correct my mistakes as early as possible,” she said, adding that for repeaters, analyzing past failures was crucial.
Soma Basu, Senior Associate Editor, Hinduhost the session.
publishing – May 10, 2025 at 09:46 pm ist
